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A Poughkeepsie native, Scoralick was born in 1935. He attended the local schools before graduation from Arlington High School in 1954.
His life of service began fairly early. Early in his adult years, he became a volunteer fireman with the Beekman Fire Department. Later, he would become involved with the town of Union Vale, serving on the Planning Board and, for two terms, on the town council.
In 1961, Scoralick was appointed part-time deputy to the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, a position he held for 17 years. In 1976, he was appointed under-sheriff of the county. Two years later, he was elected to the Dutchess County Sheriff's seat. He would serve a total of six terms in the office.
Scoralick was known for several successes throughout his tenure, including the steady increase of services to the people. Among the programs instituted on his watch were D.A.R.E., an arson investigation program, a countywide drug task force and a senior citizen, "Are You OK?" service, geared toward the county's older residents.
Scoralick, a decorated officer, served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the New York State Sheriffs' Association and held every office including president of that organization. In 1987, he was elected to the National Sheriffs' Association's Board of Directors and ultimately served as President of the NSA from 1997-1998.
According to his obituary, Scoralick was proud of his service, which earned him citations and declarations from multiple United States Presidents, the United States Congress, the United States Senate, as well as multiple state and local organizations.
Scoralick retired in 1999 after more than 21 years in the sheriff's seat. Up until that point, he was the longest serving elected sheriff in the county's history.
An avid outdoorsman who was raised on his family's farm, Scoralick was an active hunter, fisherman and farmer throughout his life. He was a member of many clubs and founded the Pleasant Ridge Associates Gun Club.
In his retirement, he served as member of the Union Vale Republican Committee and the Dutchess County Agricultural Society.
Scoralick is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, his daughter Lynn and and son-in-law Russell Nichols and his son Brian and daughter-in-law Kimberly Scoralick, all of Poughquag. He is also survived by six grandchildren - Victoria Nichols, Sidney Scoralick, Ryan Nichols, Brendan Scoralick, Tabatha Scoralick and Hailey Scoralick - two sisters, Joan Scoralick and Anna Baright, both of Poughquag; and many loved nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are scheduled for 3-7 p.m on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the McHoul Funeral Home, 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, N.Y. A funeral service is to be held at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. Internment will follow at the Freedom Plains Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to Sheriff Fred Scoralick Family Scholarship, c/o Dutchess Community College Foundation, 53 Pendell Road, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601 or the charity of your choice in Fred’s name.
To see Scoralick's full obituary, please visit here.
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