Feature of the Month

Looking Back - 25 years

Some alums may remember the "Yearbook" that the NYSID issued for a number of years in the late '80s and early '90s. The publication highlighted the Department's regulatory achievements and the NYSID staff members that made them possible. It was also loaded with photographs from our New York City and Albany offices. Click here to view a collection of photographic memories from the 1987 edition, 25 years ago. Click here

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Two More Tier Twos Say Goodbye:
Benita Hirsch and Jim Carroll

Tier 2 employees are becoming a rare breed at the Department of Financial Services. The Tier 2 retirement bracket was in effect for only three years (July 1, 1973 through July 26, 1976) so many Tier 2 staffers have already left the fold. Two more Tier 2s retired from the DFS in early 2012: Benita Hirsch and Jim Carroll. Jim celebrated in Albany and with an intimate NYC gathering. Benita chose Leap Day 2012 for her get-away bash. For photos, Click here

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Alfred Hamby, Author

Many alums remember Al Hamby who for years worked at the NYSID in various bureaus. Al apparently devotes a great deal of his retirement time to writing historical adventure novels. He is the author of Three Brothers Plus One series which includes "Three Brothers Plus One" and seven follow-up novels, each of which follows the three brothers plus one (and their descendants) on a series of adventures. For more information or to order the books, Click here



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Poetic Justice

Michael Eakin, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, has long been known for writing his appellate decisions in verse. One recent ruling, rendered on December 21, 2011, focused on whether a State Farm claimant who wrote a forged check months after his accident could be charged and convicted of insurance fraud (he apparently did not dispute his forgery and theft convictions). Since NYSID alums have long enjoyed the whimsical rhymes of Barry Greenhouse during countless retirement luncheons, we thought we would share Justice Eakin's ruling with you. For the ruling, Click here

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Free Falling: Examiner James Wang's
Incredible Adventure

What does it feel like to skydive from 13,500 feet above the earth? DFS staffer James Wang describes in vivid detail his first parachute jump over Long Island. Click here

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Being Judy Garland

Many alums fondly remember Ann Femia, a no-nonsense Principal Clerk at the NYSID who retired several years ago. Ann and her husband Cosmo have three sons, all of whom have dabbled in show business at various times in their lives. For nearly two decades, Tommy, their middle son, has been regularly transforming himself into Judy Garland. As a result, he's developed quite a following at New York cabarets. A recent New York Times piece focuses on Tommy's act, but also provides tidbits about Tommy's two brothers, Bobby and John, as well as Ann and her husband. Now in their early 80s, Tommy's parents never miss one of his shows. For more about Tommy and to view photos of Ann and Cosmo, Click here Click here

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Say Good-bye to the NYSID!

Yes, it's true. The agency for which we gave our blood, sweat and tears is no more. On October 3, 2011, the New York State Insurance Department ceased to exist. It has now merged with the New York State Banking Department into the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS).

For those wondering whether the NYSID alumni site will change its name, it will not. We will, however, consider a name change once the number of retirees from DFS exceeds the number of NYSID retirees (that should give us at least a couple of decades to mull it over).

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Remembering 9-11

NYSID alum Mike Moriarty's brother-in-law, Tommy McCann, was a Midtown Manhattan firefighter (Engine 65) who lost his life on 9-11. Click here for the video tribute to Tommy, featuring his brother George. As many of you undoubtedly remember, the NYSID was preparing to conduct a Department-wide seminar at 55 Water Street on September 11. Click here for articles focusing on the events of that day and the Department's response to
September 11.

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After 29 Years, Mulrooney & Van Wert Marry in New York

On Sunday, July 24, 2011, NYSID alum Steve Mulrooney and his long-time partner Jerome Van Wert were one of the first couples to exchange wedding vows under New York's new same-sex marriage law. The couple now calls Kansas City their home, but once New York State's law changed, they knew they had to return to New York City (where they first met) to tie the knot. Our congratulations to Steve and Jerome. The New York Times covered the event, for details CLICK HERE.


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Greenhouse Tribute Poems Uncovered in Bing Crosby's Cellar!

You may have heard that film footage of the classic 7th game of the 1960 Yankees-Pirates World Series, long thought lost forever, was uncovered in 2010 in Bing Crosby's wine cellar. Crosby had been a co-owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960 and arranged to have the broadcast recorded. What was not widely reported was what was also uncovered in Der Bingle's wine cellar: a tattered and wine-soaked collection of poems in honor of our own Barry Greenhouse. The poems had been delivered by friends and co-workers as a tribute to the Department's poet laureate on the occasion of his 1995 retirement. To view these long-forgotten masterpieces please
click here

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A "Super" Retirement for Susheila

Susheila Elahie has been an executive assistant to New York superintendents since the early '80s. On April 26, 2011 four former superintendents returned to wish Sue well at her downtown retirement party. Pictured below are (from left to right) Greg Serio, Sal Curiale, Susheila, Jim Corcoran and Howard Mills.

For more retirement party
photos click here



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Glover Reinvents Herself
Let the Sunshine In

Some NYSID retirees spend their time at the beach or on the golf course; others may work a few years for the insurance industry. Very few, however, have completely reinvented themselves like Janet Glover has.
click here

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Artist LoBaido Hosts S.I. Fundraiser

Scott LoBaido is a Staten Island artist and nephew of alum Steve Maluk. On February 24, 2011 Scott hosted a fundraiser for his next cross-country trip to paint flags across America. To view a video of the event featuring Scott and Steve, Please
click here

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Woodstock: Peace, Love &
Howard Mills?



We all know Howard Mills was a former NYSID Superintendent. Many of us also know he was a New York legistator. Some even know that his long-time political role model is Teddy Roosevelt. Very few, however, are aware of how closely linked our former superintendent is to the legendary Woodstock Music and Art Fair. To Learn more about the connection

click here


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Gary Matson's "In-Keepers" Single Resurfaces

Gary Matson has been working for the NYSID's Systems Bureau for decades, but between 1966 and 1968, he was a member of the In-Keepers, a New York garage band that played various local venues - including the legendary Action House in Island Park. Click here for the details.

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Class of 1970

Here's to the Class of 1970.

Click here for photo

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Man on Wire Wins the Academy Award!

Man on Wire, featuring Philipe Petit and our own Barry Greenhouse has won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. To view a video of the acceptance speeches from the Director, Producer and Philippe Petit, click here.

The film also won the prestigious outstanding British film of the year from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Click here to see British director James Marsh and producer Simon Chinn accepting the award.

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