By Matthew Avitabile
GILBOA — More than four dozen people packed the new meeting room in the Gilboa Museum and Nicholas J. Juried History Center on a warm Sunday afternoon to honor the legacy of a man who aided dozens of local community organizations.
Nick Juried, the valedictorian of Gilboa High School, served in the United States Air Force prior to a career in business. Wise investments resulted in a considerable personal fortune which he utilized to aid a number of projects in New York and Texas.
It started, said co-organizer Dottie Pickett, with a trip from Nick to Gilboa. She and Nick had clicked on an idea to help the area. She and her old friend coordinated a number of major actions and allowed for contact with many of the non-profits of the region.
Juried aided many groups, but especially historical societies and causes for animals and the arts. Speaker after speaker discussed what he had done to make the area a better place.
Pickett called Juried “my dearest friend,” and said that the gathering would be heard by “Nick in the heavens above.”
Gilboa Supervisor Alicia Terry recounted how “Gilboa has the good gift of water,” and that Juried “created waves” that helped him live up to his motto of “making a difference.”
Speaker after speaker praised the effort of Juried, who donated millions of dollars to community organizations.
The Gilboa Museum’s Kristen Wyckoff said that Juried was a “really great guy” who had aided the Museum greatly. It is now a major history center and a living part of his legacy.
Charlotte Hallberg and later Carolyn Bennett discussed Juried’s key role in the rebuilding of Prattsville’s Zadock Pratt Museum after 2011’s Hurricane Irene. Without him, Hallberg said, there would not be a Pratt Museum.
The Jefferson Historical Society’s Kevin Berner described Juried as the “breaking point of two different eras of the Jefferson Historical Society,” replacing a hat showing the group’s remarkable growth. He listed a number of major improvements that Juried had funded and allowed.
“Things changed now,” he said. “We were able to dream about things we otherwise couldn’t,” he said.
The Jefferson Art Room’s Martha Hacklin said that she was afraid to cry when recounting Juried’s generosity. “It’s life changing what he’s done for Jefferson, me, and my family.” She said that “it’s all because of Nick” and “probably saved my marriage.”
Conesville Historical Society President Kim Young said that Juried “left a lasting mark” and “invested in the life and future of Conesville.”
Gilboa-Conesville Central School Elementary Principal Candice Gockel relayed Juried’s significant support for the district, including for field trips and sponsorships. She cited Juried’s “legacy that will inspire and continue to benefit students for decades to come.” Gockel said that Juried invested “in human potential.”
Sharon Historical Society President Ron Ketelsen said that Juried created ripples of positive change. He was a “champion, a guardian, the most passionate of advocates” and a “beacon of inspiration.”
The Iroquois Museum’s Fred Stevens said that Juried was the “epitome of the free enterprise system” and would be “well remembered for giving back.”
Joyce Hodder of the Fulton Historical Society said that Juried allowed “the weak becoming stronger” and cited the work Juried donated to, allowing for the creation of a headquarters for the group.
The Middletown Historical Society’s Diane Galusha said that Juried “Gave us the confidence we can do this project,” citing a major expansion funded by the benefactor.
Conesville’s Connie Ruehle said that “there never was any doubt” that money Juried promised would be there and allowed for the area to blossom.
The Esperance Historical Society’s Ken Jones said that he was “pleased someone cared that much.”
“Wherever you look, there’s Nick Juried’s plans and supports.”
The Schoharie Library’s Jennie Mosher said that Juried had played a key role aiding the library and Schoharie County Arts.
A statement from the Landis Arboretum’s Fred Breglia cited his crucial support, including for a pavilion that bears his name.
Schoharie’s Susie Walsh cited the donation that Juried granted the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, allowing for an expansion that will bring in a mobile vet clinic.
I had a chance to speak, stating that it was Juried who brought us all together and had done so much for various organizations. Even after putting together a list of groups that couldn’t make it, I still forgot some.
Dottie Pickett closed out the speakers, discussing how important and dear Juried was, and read a statement she prepared for a SCHOPEG documentary with help from Brett Barry on Juried’s life two years ago (two versions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsSRXu2PFA8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK6kZW1qdGY). Pickett had trouble reading through the text without becoming emotional, discussing just how much his kindness had meant to her and to all of us.
As a side note, I asked the speakers to send me their comments from that day. I have many of them, along with photos. I am going to hold onto them for now and either put them all together in one long article or section or over a number of editions. I’d have liked to have done it for this week, but unfortunately we are overpacked as it is this week.
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