MIDDLETOWN – The City of Middletown’s new, state-of-the-art, regional court facility was dedicated on Wednesday to one of its favorite sons—former New York Supreme Court and Administrative Justice, Angelo J. Ingrassia.
Judge Ingrassia passed away in 2013 at the age of 90 after a lifetime of service in the courtroom.
The $6 million facility that bears his name at 25 South Street was the site of celebration–packed with family members and friends, colleagues, law enforcement and elected officials, who agree that the building not only provides a new, permanent home for the city’s courts but ensures that Ingrassia’s legacy lives on.
“As beautiful as this building is, dedicating it to Judge Ingrassia gives this day a special meaning. His legacy is one of integrity, fairness and devotion to his family and community,” said City of Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano. “By naming this courthouse in his honor, we ensure that Judge Ingrassia’s legacy lives on here in Middletown, inspiring future generations to serve others with dignity, integrity and the commitment that defined his life.”
The Angelo J. Ingrassia Courthouse features two courtrooms and is a regional facility that will serve all of Orange County.
The renovated building is a former federal court property that was vacant in 2015 when it was acquired with the help of former Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D, Forestburgh), who secured a $2.7 million matching, state grant for the project.
In 2013, New York State expanded Middletown City Court to two full-time judges, and a second court room was squeezed into the common council chambers at city hall as a temporary arrangement.
After more than 10 years and a series of negotiations with the Office of Court Administration, a plan was put in place to renovate the building and to consolidate the two courtrooms under one roof.
State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) was instrumental in acquiring the $3 million matching, state grant that made the construction project possible.
“You’ve been crammed in that city hall room for far too long,” said Skoufis. “I appreciate the gratitude, but this is not my $3 million. This is your $3 million. You send a lot of money to Albany, and it’s one of my jobs to work with people like Assemblywoman Paula Kay (D-100), who helped bring that money back to make this a reality. So, thank you for funding this facility as taxpayers.”
“Justice Ingrassia was an Assistant District Attorney, District Attorney, County Court Judge, Supreme Court Judge and an Administrative Judge, and you put his name on this building to represent justice in this community and public service, which he personifies,” said Judge James Murphy, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for courts outside of New York City.
Judge Ingrassia’s wife, Judith, his four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present at the ceremony. His daughter, Maria, made a point of thanking their mother.
“Behind every man is a strong woman,” said Maria Ingrassia. “She helped him when he first ran for District Attorney in 1967—before cell phones, before computers, when you had to campaign the old-fashioned way by banging on doors and making phone calls.”
Judge Ingrassia’s New York Supreme Court license plate was framed and on display during the dedication.
“It’s important to have a safe, accessible, comfortable place for the people in your community to seek justice,” said Judge Murphy. “We want justice to be accessible to everyone who comes here, and his name will be a sign of that.”
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