Noonan, former legislator, dies at 61
Former Ulster County Legislator Glenn Noonan was remembered Monday as a man who cared his community and fought to make it a better place to live.
Noonan, who died July 6 at age 61, served in the Legislature for 14 years, until the end of 2009, the year he was defeated in a Republican primary. During his time as a county lawmaker, Noonan served for a period as leader of the Republican caucus.
Noonan died at home. The cause of his death was not disclosed.
In 2008, Noonan tinkered with the idea of running for county executive, but he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration, clearing the way for Len Bernardo to be the Republican candidate. Bernardo lost to Democrat Michael Hein, who has been re-elected twice since.
After leaving elected office, Noonan was tapped by Hein to lead the county’s Periodic Compensation Review Committee, which is charged with recommending changes to the salaries of the county’s elected officials.
“I worked with and against Glenn on a number of issues, but in reality, he was a person who greatly valued Ulster County taxpayer dollars and wanted to ensure that they were protected,” Hein said Monday.
The executive called Noonan “a passionate elected official.”
“He was a dedicated public servant,” said Legislature Chairman Ken Ronk, R-Wallkill. “He spent many years dedicating his time and talents to the people of Gardiner, Shawngunk, New Paltz and the county of Ulster, and he’ll certainly be missed.”
Legislator David Donaldson, who was chairman of the Legislature for a time when Noonan was minority leader, called Noonan “an old-style politician.”
“Glenn and I were adversaries but good friends,” said Donaldson, D-Kingston. “We would fight on the floor and then, after the meeting, go have a beer and laugh. He’s going to be missed.”
A local real estate broker until his retirement, Noonan is survived by his wife, Lee Ann, four daughters, and three grandchildren.
Calling hours for Noonan will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Copeland Funeral Home, 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz. His funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Christ the King Church, 2 Eugene L. Brown Drive, New Paltz.