Fred W. Scoralick, retired Dutchess County Sheriff, dies at 80

Frederick “Fred” William Scoralick passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at his family home in Poughquag. Fred, the retired Sheriff of Dutchess County, was 80 years old. Born on August 16, 1935 in Poughkeepsie, NY, Fred was the youngest of three children born to the late Mary Irene Brennan Scoralick and Fred Scoralick. Fred attended local schools and graduated from Arlington High School in 1954.

In April of 1960, at the age of 24, Fred married the love of his life Barbara Dulisse, at Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church. Together they built their home, ran the family farm, raised their two children, and stood side by side through a career in public service, and enjoyed their beloved grandchildren.

Fred is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, his daughter and son-in-law Lynn and Russell Nichols and his son and daughter-in-law Brian and Kimberly Scoralick, all of Poughquag. He is also survived by six of his favorite people: his grandchildren - Victoria Nichols, Sidney Scoralick, Ryan Nichols, Brendan Scoralick, Tabatha Scoralick and Hailey Scoralick. He is also survived by two sisters, Joan Scoralick and Anna Baright, both of Poughquag; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Fred was born and raised on his family farm in Poughquag. In his younger years, he was active in local 4-H Clubs receiving numerous honors and awards for his exhibits and his leadership. Most notably in 1953, he received the Grand Champion Award from President Dwight D. Eisenhower for his red angus steer at the Eastern States Exhibition in Springfield, Massachusetts. Fred continued to be involved at the local and national levels with 4-H as a youth and a leader.

Service to the community expanded in Fred’s early adulthood when he became a volunteer fireman with the Beekman Fire Department where he held multiple offices. Later, he became involved with the Town of Union Vale. He served on the local Planning Board, as well as two terms as Town Councilman.

An avid hunter, fisherman, and farmer Fred thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. He was a founding member of Pleasant Ridge Associates Gun Club and was a member of numerous local sportsman’s clubs. Fred also ran the Scoralick Family Farm for more than a decade in the 50’s and 60’s before becoming a business manager for Clove Excavators. His relationship with the outdoors continued throughout his life as he continued to farm with his closest friend, Mike Hogan.

Fred would later in life return to his local roots after retirement, serving as a member of the Union Vale Republican Committee and the Dutchess County Agricultural Society.

In 1961, Fred was appointed as a part-time Deputy to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. For 17 years he worked in the local communities doing general police activities. In 1976, Fred was appointed to Under-Sheriff of Dutchess County. In the 1978 general election, Fred was elected the Dutchess County Sheriff. He was re-elected 5 more times to serve as Sheriff.

During his tenure, Sheriff Scoralick steadily increased services to the community and implemented various programs including youth support and D.A.R.E., Crash Management, Arson Investigation, County Wide Drug Task Force and the Senior Citizen "Are You OK?" Service.

Sheriff Scoralick served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the New York State Sheriffs' Association and held every office including President of that organization. In 1987, he was elected to the National Sheriffs' Association's Board of Directors and ultimately served as President of the NSA from 1997-1998.
During his tenure in office, Sheriff Scoralick was proud to receive citations and declarations from multiple United States Presidents, the United States Congress, the United States Senate, as well as multiple state and local organizations.

After serving 21 years as elected Sheriff and 17 additional years with the Sheriff’s Office, Fred retired in 1999. At that time he was the longest serving elected Sheriff in Dutchess County history.

Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul Funeral Home, Inc.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd from 3pm to 7 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. Services will be offered on Thursday December 3rd at 10AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Freedom Plains Cemetery.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Sheriff Fred Scoralick Family Scholarship, c/o Dutchess Community College Foundation, 53 Pendell Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or the charity of your choice in Fred’s name. For further details please visit their website at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.

Affiliations