Rudolph J. Yacyshyn

Rudolph J. Yacyshyn of New City, New York, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2021, at his residence, with his family at his side. He was 92 years old.

Rudolph, affectionately known as “Rudy,” is survived by his three children: Richard and his wife, Maria, of Pembroke, New Hampshire; Paul and his wife, Elaine, of New City, and his daughter, Barbara and her husband, John Swartzwelder, of Putnam Valley, New York.

He is also survived by his seven loving grandchildren: Jennifer and her husband Christopher Johnson, Richard Yacyshyn, Jr. and Matthew Yacyshyn; Christina Swartzwelder; Andrew and his wife, Cristina Yacyshyn; Alexandra Yacyshyn and her fiancée, Charles Farrell, and John Swartzwelder; three great-grandchildren: Gavin Johnson, Adriana Yacyshyn, and Carter Yacyshyn, and his niece: Emily (Daniels) Marcelli.

Rudy is predeceased by his loving wife Edna (Stetz); his sister, Helen Daniels, his nephew, Robert Daniels, and his great-granddaughter, Carrigan Johnson.

Rudy was born Dec. 29, 1928 to Michael and Emilia (Proski) Yacyshyn in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York.

He graduated from Long Island City High School in Queens, New York in 1946. Rudy was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from New York University’s School of Commerce in 1952 and a Masters in Urban Planning degree from NYU’s Graduate School of Public Administration in 1972, where he was also a PhD candidate in urban planning.

Rudy began his professional career as a claims manager for Nationwide and Geico Insurance Companies in 1952. In 1968, he was appointed Assistant Provost at NYU, his alma mater, where he was responsible for the administration of NYU’s University Heights campus in Bronx, New York. Upon the sale of the University Heights campus to the City of New York in 1972, Rudy was appointed Director of Administrative Services at NYU’s Washington Square campus in Greenwich Village, New York. Following his tenure at NYU, Rudy was employed as Deputy Executive Director of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the largest trade association for the retail real estate industry in the United States. He has also held positions with the United Engineering Trustees and the Coalition for Casino Gaming Inc.

Rudy has been a New City resident since 1961, settling in Rockland County at the suggestion of a colleague that Rudy consider moving his growing family from Levittown, New York to upstate New York. Rudy and his wife ultimately agreed upon “Chestnut Grove Estates,” a new development in New City, New York.

In 1964, Rudy joined the Rockland County Transportation Advisory Board, which served as his introduction to public service. Additionally, Rudy served as President of the New City Civic Association where his leadership skills earned him a recommendation to the Town of Clarkstown Planning Board in 1966.

Rudy was the longest serving member of the Town of Clarkstown Planning Board and proudly served as a member, Vice-Chairman and Chairman during the years 1966 – 2021. While on the Board, he played a key role in formulating the Town’s Comprehensive Plans and its subsequent updates. Throughout his career, Rudy diligently oversaw the commercial expansion of the Town which included completion of the Palisades Center, The Shops at Nanuet and various other commercial centers, and included the Atria Assisted Living Center where he spent the last remaining months of his life.

In 1978, Rudy became a Charter Member of the American Planning Association (APA) and also of the APA’s Metro New York Chapter where he served as Lower Hudson Valley Regional Director. In 1989, Rudy became the founder and first President Emeritus of the Rockland Municipal Planning Federation. From 1993 to 1996 he was appointed by the Rockland County Executive and Legislature to serve as Chairman and member of the Rockland County Planning Board. He was the recipient of numerous awards bestowed to him by local organizations and municipalities.

Notwithstanding his numerous professional accomplishments, Rudy’s greatest joy was spending time with his wife, family and friends, attending Yankee games, rooting for the Jets, visiting his beloved Chatham, Cape Cod in the summer, watching classic old movies, and attending his weekly Senior Citizen Club meetings. He was a voracious reader and particularly enjoyed reading the daily newspapers and books on history and politics. Rudy was a devout Roman Catholic and a long-time parishioner at St. Anthony’s Church in Nanuet, New York where he assisted with the weekly Monday evening Novenas. He was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus.

Rudy’s hard work and professional accomplishments are his legacy and his dedicated public service touched the lives of many residents of the Town of Clarkstown and Rockland County.

His tireless work towards making Clarkstown a better place to live and raise families will be felt by generations to come. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 3 – 7 pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, New York. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Church in Nanuet, New York with internment to follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rudy’s memory to the Knights of Columbus, John Cardinal McCloskey Council, P.O. Box 9311, Bardonia, New York, 10954.