With profound sadness and sorrow, I am informing the campus community of the passing of Officer David Plunkett. This has come as a great shock to the Department of Public Safety and to many others on campus. David battled a flu-like illness for the past month, and after making some progress, succumbed this past weekend.
As my number 2 for the past 6 years, and having been here at HVCC for over 35 years, David will be missed by the entire College community.
Last year, he was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and at the awards ceremony, he gave a nice speech about his time here at HVCC. At the time, I asked him to send me a copy, which I now share with all of you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f29Xb6siv1s
His words say so much more than any of us can at this time of sadness. I have also attached a photo of Dave.
Please look at Wednesday’s newspaper for arrangements. As of now, viewing will be at Leahy-Bocketti Funeral Home, 336 Third St., Troy, on Thursday evening, 4-7 PM, with a funeral mass on Friday.
Fred Aliberti
Director of Public Safety
______________________________
I didn’t grow up Catholic but ended up at a small Catholic college. All of the classes were set up to reflect and after all of these years what I took away from my collegiate experience is the 4 Franciscan Values of Peace and Justice, Dignity of the Individual, Reconciliation, and Responsible Stewardship. Dave Plunkett, whether he ever knew it or not, embodied these values.
Dave was always the first to help deescalate a situation, whether it be a fight among students or a disagreement among the Public Safety staff. Usually all he had to do was flash that big grin of his, whistle a merry tune, and the situation would be peacefully resolved. Dave was also always willing to stand up for someone who he thought was being treated unfairly. He did this for everyone: students, staff, or visitors everyone was treated justly or he worked for a just outcome for that person.
There are many different types of people on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College a quick walk around campus is all you need to see this is true. It didn’t matter who you were, Dave treated you with dignity and the utmost respect. He took time to get to know the faculty, staff, and students on an individual level, something that doesn’t happen much today in our fast-paced social media filled world.
Dave was a leader in the Public Safety Department and in a such a department there are many types of personalities to manage. Sometimes in such a unit disagreements and misunderstandings happen. If you ever had a problem with a coworker, Dave was there to talk to you about it and to help you and the coworker reconcile the problem. Dave was always there if you had an issue with your pay check or needed guidance about a college policy or procedure. Dave would bend over backwards to make sure you got the day off you needed or to help fill a shift when someone was sick. Dave was always there for you with a kind ear, warm heart, and superb advice.
Most of all, Dave Plunkett loved HVCC and the HVCC community. He had to have to have stayed here for over 35 years! Dave was the consummate ambassador of HVCC. At the beginning of semesters, Dave was out putting up signs, cones, and directing traffic. Dave made the keys for the entire campus and took on the monumental tasks of keying new buildings and working with faculty and staff for common sense access control solutions. He could also be helping students find a litany of places around campus. If it existed at HVCC, Dave knew where to find it or who to go ask. Dave did whatever it took to make HVCC a better place and community, to represent HVCC in a positive manner.
Although I know we can never fill the void left by Dave’s passing, I can hope that we can continue Dave’s legacy by exuding the professionalism, respect, and stewardship for HVCC Dave had, all with a warm smile and a merry tune.
Amanda J. Miller-Kalbfliesh
Campus Peace Officer
______________________________
The Cardiorespiratory and Emergency Medicine Department is deeply saddened by the loss of Dave. He could always be counted on to assist us throughout the years without hesitation and he was happy to do so. We are fortunate to have known him and will forever remember his dedication and kindness.
Patty Hyland
Department Chairperson, Cardiorespiratory and Emergency Medicine Respiratory
_____________________________
I worked at HVCC for a time in the late 1980s before returning in 2002. Dave was always a pillar of strength on the campus. His enthusiasm, love for and pride in his job, and all-around goodness never wavered. After his Chancellor’s Award acceptance speech last year, I sent him an email telling him how moving I had found his words to be. He responded humbly, and said he had spoken from the heart. If there’s an express lane to a better place, Dave is in it.
Dave was a legend. He loved to usher in the day each morning at HVCC and profoundly loved this college. RIP good man.
Valerie Walden
Assistant Professor, Marvin Library
______________________________
Dave touched many of our lives over the years both on and off the HVCC campus. This is an unbelieveable loss to Dave’s family at home and his family here. To honor his memory, I offer two selections from my writing over the years entitled “Angels” and “Home”.
ANGELS
The Lord said to his angels one day, seek the loved one below
Bring my child to me, for the time has come – he must go
With swift wings, you shall lightly trod
High above where eagles have flown
Whisper to the family left grieving
That I will never leave them alone
Though they will question what I have done
Why I have brought them despair
They need to have faith and believe in me
For the kingdom of God lies there
I feel the pain and sorrow; I hear the prayers to me
The cry that echoes through heaven
Why did God take thee?
My children, you ask how could I hurt you
Though as you walk this earth,
There will be many questions you will ask
Of life, death and birth
Therefore I have one answer,
The only one your Father shall give
Until you walk with me in eternity’s garden
You have not begun to live
Tanya Elizabeth Hicks
©1996
HOME
Do not weep or grieve my loved ones
For I am still here
And though you do not see me
I am still very near
For now my days are filled
With freedom and with grace
I have been chosen to be with Him
And to look upon His face
Do not weep or grieve my loved ones
For I feel no pain
I have gone where there are only rainbows
Never any rain
For if you grieve you will not be able to see
That I am now a part of everything, for all eternity
In the grass that grows
In the birds that sing
I am now at peace with every living thing
Now bow your head and say a prayer
In the glory of His name
Know that peace has claimed me
For I will never be the same
Do not weep or grieve my loved ones
As through fields of flowers I roam
I am in my rightful place
He has brought me truly home
Tanya Elizabeth Hicks
©1985/2013
____________________________
I’ve known Dave for years and have to say he was the most pleasant guy on campus. He always greeted you with a smile and was always happy to lend you a helping hand.
Dave will be truly missed by all who knew him.
The last time I spoke to Dave was right before Christmas when one of the office locks was malfunctioning. Dave in his usual good natured way, summized the problem and fixed it when no one else was around. That was Dave! Things that we take for granted got done and we really don’t give it much thought, but we soon realize that all that we take for granted and/or hold dear, can be gone in an instant and we can do noting about it, or maybe we can. We can take a moment each day and remember Dave, and not take for granted all the good things we now do.
Dave Larkin
Professor, Automotive, Manufacturing and Electrical Engineering Technologies
____________________________
Yes, this is a big loss for the HVCC community. Dave was one of the nicest security guards on campus and he will be missed.
Anne LaBelle
Assistant Professor, Marvin Library
____________________________
The Nursing faculty and staff are so very sorry for your loss, and ultimately, our loss. Dave was a tremendous asset to HVCC. We will certainly miss him.
Carol Bosco
Department Chair, Nursing
____________________________
On behalf of the Counseling Center, deepest condolences to our Public Safety department. Dave was always kind and helpful, and he will be greatly missed. We share your loss and sadness.
Kelly Sweener
Director of Student Development, Center for Counseling and Transfer
____________________________
We had the pleasure of working with Dave every semester. We shall miss him.
Sue Gallagher
Director of Distance Learning
____________________________
I agree Sue!
Bonita Sessing-Matcha
Professor, History, Philosophy and Social Sciences
____________________________
Fred my deepest sympathy to you and your team. What a sad day for our campus community. His presence will be truly missed.
Maryanne C. Pepe
Professor, Human Services and Chemical Dependency Counseling Programs
____________________________
This is so sad. My heart is buried in sorrow.
Carolyn Curtis
Vice President for Academic Affairs
____________________________
Dave was a dear and helpful colleague. More than twenty generations of art students had the good fortune to know him. He will be missed.
Tara Fracalossi
Director, The Teaching Gallery
____________________________
It is very sad and disheartening to hear that Dave passed. He was a very good person who was always willing to help whenever you asked him for assistance. Let the Might have him rest in peace.
Frederick Kakumba
Emeritus/Adjunct Professor, History, Philosophy and Social Sciences
____________________________
Fred & Staff,
I’m so sorry for your loss and ours. I will certainly miss Dave as we started working together about the same time at HVCC. He was always visible, had a smile and you could tell he was coming with his cheery whistling.
Mary Page
Data Analysis Coordinator II, Office of Planning and Research
____________________________
David’s warm and welcoming presence will be missed. I always left his company with a smile on my face and warmth in my heart. His joy for life was infectious. My sincere condolences to you and the Public Safety staff on behalf of Campus Ministry. May we all be strengthened in this time of mourning and may David rest in peace.
Cylon George
Campus Chaplain
____________________________
I am so very sorry and sad to hear of Dave’s untimely passing. My sincerest condolences to his family and his family at HVCC. Dave started at HVCC only a few years after I did and I considered him a great work friend. Dave was always helpful, kind and considerate. This is certainly a great loss for all who knew him. I’m so sorry.
Donna (Murray) Montroy
Nurse, College Health Services
____________________________
David Plunkett was a truly wonderful man. Was there a bigger smile on campus than his? Though he and I were not close, we always greeted each other warmly in passing, and the few times when we had more contact and shared a laugh together will now be my treasured memories of him.
His death is crazy – horrible – rotten – inexplicable – tragic – and UNFAIR. I’m very upset by it. I can’t imagine what it’s like for his family and closest friends and associates! Lord God, draw near to them. Be especially close to them. Bring the comfort of Your Presence to them. Lift them up in Your arms of love. Provide for them in every way. Amen.
Jeff Schoonmaker
Professor, Biology, Chemistry and Physics
____________________________
As so many others have said Dave always had a smile and a kind word. He was helpful no matter who he was with and treated everyone with respect. He stands as a great role model for us all. We all can learn from his approach to life and work. If we can all be more like Dave, our campus and world would benefit greatly.
I will miss him. I hope his memory and love will help his families can find peace in this painful time.
All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. ~Walt Disney
Michelle Bannoura
Associate Professor, History, Philosophy and Social Sciences
____________________________
My heart is so sad for the lose of this great man. I will always remember his great smile and uplifting personality. He will we greatly missed. RIP.
Charmaine Darmetko
Secretary I, Office of Special Events and Facilities Utilization
____________________________
I am very sad to hear of Dave’s passing. When I started teaching at Hudson Valley 20 years ago, Dave was one of the first people that I met. He was always cheerful and smiling and just made you feel good when you talked to him. He will be truly missed. My prayers are with his family.
Anne C. Cioffi
Instructor of Nutrition, Biology, Chemistry and Physics Department
____________________________
On behalf of the students and other advisers of the Theatre Club and Hudsonian, we would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to Dave’s HVCC family in this difficult time.
In my years as an adviser, Dave was always ready, willing, and able to help out in any way he could. I enjoyed working with him as a professional and as a person. I know many students from the clubs, past and present, who would express that same sentiment.
I echo the comments that Dave was one of the most pleasant people to work with on campus. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
Mathew L. Cantore
Adjunct Instructor, Theatre Club Co-Adviser, Hudsonian Co-Adviser
Published: Tue, 04 Feb 2014 18:45:40 +0000 by p.hyland