GARY AND ROSEANN DARCHE: When Country Lawyer BY FRED CHERNOW WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL? Roseann graduated from American International College, a small, private, liberal arts college in Springfield, Massachusetts, with a degree in sociology. Years later, she earned a Masters Degree in Education from St. John’s University in Queens, NY. Gary earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University in 1960 and an LLB from Brooklyn Law School three years later. WHAT PATH DID YOUR CAREERS TAKE? Gary has been serving clients for more than fifty years. He was a civil trial practitioner in all Queens County courts and provided legal insight to the average person in a wide variety of situations. This earned him the sobriquet, “A Country Lawyer on Queens Boulevard.” In addition, he was available as Arbitrator and Mediator in Hurricane Sandy. Among his community activities were years of service to the Hillcrest Jewish Center in Flushing. From 2002 until 2004, he served as president. Roseann utilized her training in sociology and education, when she served as a Special Assistant for Education in the Queens Borough President’s Office from 1999–2013. She addressed matters pertaining to education, from Kindergarten through college, as well as public libraries. She also prepared testimony for the Borough President at budget hearings and other forums. She did this for both Helen Marshall and Claire Schulman. In matters concerning schools or libraries, Roseann was the “go-to” person. Before this, from 1986 until 1999, she was the District Office Manager for Saul Weprin and Sheldon Silver, Speakers of the NY State Assembly. WHERE HAVE YOUR TRAVELS TAKEN YOU? Perhaps the most interesting trip was to Israel in 2003. The second intifada, or Palestinian Uprising, was taking place. Most tour groups canceled their plans to visit Israel. But Gary, the fearless congregation president, was determined to lead the forty members who signed up, along with the Rabbi and Cantor. The “Mission to Israel” turned out to be a big success. LOOKING BACK, WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR MEMORABLE PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS? “For me,” says Roseann, “was walking on the St. John’s campus and being asked to join a group of students, who were about to welcome an important visitor. I had no idea who it was until minutes later when I was introduced to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was going to address a group later that day. As she shook my hand, I knew at once that this was not just another religious lady in an unfamiliar habit. Her piercing, yet friendly, eyes and her expression of piety was most unusual. I will never forget this brief but truly awesome experience. “Years later, I had extended encounters with Tony Bennett. This world renowned singer wanted a high school built and named for his friend and legend, Frank Sinatra. But not just an ordinary high school, he wanted a performing arts high school n Queens. At our first meeting, Mr. Bennett arrived straight from the tennis court in a sweater and tennis shorts. Many meetings followed. He was determined to have a Frank Sinatra High School built. After much effort and utilizing a variety of contacts, President Claire Schulman worked with Mayor Rudy Giuliani and made it a reality.” Gary remembers working as a private practice lawyer with then Assistant District Attorney Roger Rosengarten. When Roger ran for Judge of the Civil Court, Gary was his campaign treasurer. “His judicial temperament and willingness to listen to both sides made him very special, indeed.” Both men were friends and neighbors at NST until Judge Rosengarten’s untimely passing three months ago. WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO NORTH SHORE TOWERS? When our sons Jonathan and Benjamin left our house to start families of their own, we decided to sell our home of 40 years in Fresh Meadows. In 2008, we put our house on the market, but that was not a good year for home sales. Complicating matters was Gary’s back operation. Just before leaving to visit Gary in the hospital, Roseann got a phone call from their real estate broker: “You just sold your house.” Since there were so few bites on their house, they had not looked seriously for new quarters. Somewhat frightened that accepting the latest bid would leave them homeless, they searched seriously and quickly. Voila! Someone suggested NST and they fell in love with Apartment 6D in Building #3. They refer to their wing on the sixth floor as a “block” complete with block parties, coffee klatches and shared dinners. In addition, NST Men’s Club activities, the swimming pools, Men’s Stretch Class, and other classes with Mary Grace are just some of the amenities that make NST “a great choice.” on Queens Boulevard Meets Go-to Person at Borough Hall Roseann and Gary at the beach in Puerto Rico in 1970 Gary and Roseann Darche To visit the sick is considered a “mitzvah” or “good deed” among Jewish people. In the case of Gary and Roseann, it not only comforted a sick friend, but also it led to marriage. It was Memorial Day Weekend and Roseann Schneider came down from Brookline, a Boston suburb, to visit a friend, who was recovering at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. At the patient’s bedside was Gary Darche, a young lawyer from Queens, whom she had not met before. There was instant chemistry between the two visitors. After chatting for an hour, Roseann recalls Gary looking at her and saying the five magic words, “Let’s go out to eat.” That was it! They married three months later. 4 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ February 2017
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