Legatus pioneers into Upstate New York

On August 27, the newest Chapter in the Legatus family – Albany – officially chartered at the spectacular Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, NY. It was a remarkable feat during a time when so many substantial gatherings of people nationwide have been canceled.

Indeed, the Albany chartering was scheduled originally for May 28 but could not take place under State of New York COVID-19 restrictions. The August chartering was made possible due to its outdoor setup with social distancing observed throughout the evening, and it was a tremendous success.

Early, memorable get-togethers

The Albany Chapter is the realization of the vision of Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, Chapter chaplain and bishop of Albany. In 2018, His Excellency hosted a dinner attended by diocesan lay leaders who were potential members of Legatus, Julie Baaki and her husband, Bill (Julie would eventually serve as Chapter administrator), and Legatus staff. There he outlined his appreciation for the Legatus Mission and strong desire to host a new chapter in his diocese – to be the first in upstate New York. Mike Costello was there, eventually a charter member of the Chapter, as was Dr. Bill Cromie, who would eventually serve as the founding Chapter president. Over the course of the coming year, monthly chapter meetings rotated among four spectacular sites – the historic Fort Orange Club behind New York’s State Capitol Building, 677 Prime – Albany’s finest downtown restaurant and a Catholic-owned enterprise, the serene and gorgeous Schuyler Meadows Club in suburban Loudonville, and Saratoga National in Saratoga Springs – the 20-year-old upstate New York crown jewel acclaimed as one of the best public golf courses in America. The region’s extraordinary venues provided perfect settings for these formative chapter meetings.

...and they told their friends

At the very first chapter meeting in mid-2018, Tom and AnnMarie Marusak became the first members to officially join Legatus in Albany. The Marusaks, respected Loudonvillebased entrepreneurs who founded the thriving decorative window-covering manufacturer Comfortex Corporation, were essential to Legatus’ expansion in Albany. Tom and AnnMarie introduced many of their friends to Legatus and displayed genuine enthusiasm for the nascent chapter. Recognizing that the chartering would likely not have been successful without the Marusaks, Legatus founder and chairman Tom Monaghan presented them with the prestigious Legatus AMBY Chapter Founders Award at the chartering banquet to recognize their leadership. This came on the heels of Bishop Scharfenberger himself being named the Legatus Defender of the Faith honoree at the 2020 Legatus Summit in Naples, Florida.

Keeping faith aflame

At the beginning of 2020, Albany had completed Legatus’ requirements to charter the Chapter and was anticipating the chartering Mass and Banquet for late May with several fantastic speakers and evenings planned before that. Then in mid-March the State of New York effectively locked down all nonessential activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Albany Chapter had just hosted George Weigel at 677 Prime for a fantastic chapter meeting and was literally on a roll. The pandemic and reactive restrictions could not have come at a worse time.

The state restrictions remained very strict into summer, and in-person chapter meetings were impossible. Despite these challenges, the Chapter sustained itself with virtual online chapter meetings, officer meetings to plan for when activity could resume, and sending commemorative statues from the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs and birthplace of St. Kateri Tekakwitha to all Chapter members. While none of these methods replaced actually coming together in person as a chapter, they kept the Legatus fire lit.

Enchanted evening ... and new beginning

Considering all the headwinds and obstacles that 2020 presented, anticipation for the August 27 Chartering Mass and Banquet was particularly strong. Held on the patio off the southeast corner of Saratoga National’s immense clubhouse overlooking Owl Pond, the Albany Legates gathered for rosary and Reconciliation under the tent. A beautiful Mass was celebrated by Bishop Scharfenberger and Fr. David LeFort, the vicar general of Albany. After the bishop’s memorable homily, all charter members were recognized and received their Legatus lapel pins and pendants. Chapter officers were installed led by Dr. Bill Cromie as president, Tom Marusak as vice president, Rick Hannmann as treasurer, and Eileen Wood as program chair.  

As a COVID precaution the group skipped the cocktail reception, but enjoyed a fantastic dinner and service from Saratoga National’s outstanding staff. The program highlight was a “Fireside Chat” interview between Tom Monaghan and Dr. Bill Cromie, where Mr. Monaghan shared stories from his remarkable life as one of the most prolific entrepreneurs of his generation. The evening concluded with a closing prayer from Bishop Scharfenberger, and a sense of accomplishment shared by all.

Chapter program chair Eileen Wood, when asked at the chartering how Legatus membership has affected her faith life, said “[Legatus] brings it to the next level,” a sentiment broadly held by Eileen’s fellow charter members in Albany.

JOHN KNOWLES, Northeast Regional Director