Ramapo College Student Memorial Service To Be Held Monday

The Ramapo College community is holding a memorial service on Monday Feb. 13 at 1:15 p.m. in the Sharp Theater of the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts. The junior after succumbing to injuries from a the previous Monday morning.

Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer sent an email to students and staff about the memorial.

“The service is open to everyone regardless of faith and all are encouraged to attend. Rabbi Ely Allen, in conjunction with the College administration and the Ramapo College Hillel, will host the service.”

The Rockland County Young Republicans are remembering Jacob Halle of New City with the Person of the Year Award. Members say Halle was considered an integral part of the 16-member Young Republican organization and will be sorely missed.

"Jacob was not only a Young Republican, he was our friend,” said Jason Rielly, chairman of the Rockland County Young Republicans. “We have a really close knit group and losing one means a lot to us.”

In honor of Halle’s passion for politics and his interest in service, the group created the annual Jacob Halle Person of the Year Award. Members decided the first recipient of the award should be Jacob Halle and they presented the framed certificate to his family on Monday. 

Rielly said Halle’s parents were appreciative of the gesture.

“(His) parents were very proud of him and his impact on the organization,” Rielly noted.

The award will be given annually to a young republican who is a county resident and exhibits the same level of commitment and service to the club as Halle. Rielly described Halle, who was majoring in political science, as being intelligent, thoughtful and kind.  Rielly said the 22 year old would be remembered for his sense of humor, analytical mind and interest in issues.

“On a personal level, he was very insightful, very intelligent,” Rielly said. “He thought about the issues.  He loved debate and dialogue.”

The group’s statement recalled Halle as an asset to local campaigns in 2011, which included those of recently elected County Legislator Cris Carey, as well as Ralph Sabatini’s run for Clarkstown supervisor and Sherly Jourdain’s race for Haverstraw Town Council . Halle, who had been a member for about one year, was also active in monthly and state Young Republican meetings and involved in upstate campaign efforts.