Herbert N. Wallace, 79, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Herb was born October 19, 1937 in Syracuse, NY to Louis and Betty Wallace. He was raised in Walton, NY where he graduated High School in 1955. He played and starred on the football, basketball and baseball teams at Walton High School. He was the starting Point Guard on the storied 1955 team that defeated heavily favored Binghamton Central in the Regional Championship Game. He chose to forego an opportunity to play professional baseball l to attend Ithaca College. He then transferred to Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia where he played on the Varsity Basketball team and excelled academically. After graduating Davis & Elkins he attended law school at Syracuse University on a full academic scholarship where he was an Associate Editor of Law Review.
Upon graduating SU Law he was hired by then New York State Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz as Assistant Attorney General. He has always been indebted to Attorney General Lefkowitz for giving a kid with no contacts an opportunity to start his law career and he quickly developed a great reputation as a fearless litigator and passionate trial lawyer trying cases in the New York State Court of Claims. In 1966, Herb was tasked with starting the new Poughkeepsie Regional Office for the Attorney General’s Office and served as the Assistant Attorney General in Charge until 1979. He oversaw all matters involving the Attorney General’s Office in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess counties and tried over 1,000 cases in his career there with a majority involving condemnation matters.
In 1979, Herb began his journey into private practice as a solo practitioner. From 1987-1994 he joined Patrick F. Moore, Esq. to form the Law Office of Wallace & Moore and their partnership thrived on Main Street in downtown Poughkeepsie.
It was also during this period that Herb served as Legislative Counsel to his good friend Senator Jay P. Rolison. From 1979 to 1985, Herb was counsel to the New York State Banking Committee, and from 1985-1989, he was Counsel to the Assistant Majority Leader of the New York State Senate.
In 1995 his son Craig joined his general law practice and they continued to practice together as Wallace &Wallace, LLP. Herb’s practice covered may areas of law, including commercial and residential real estate, condemnation, tax certiorari, matrimonial and mortgage lending. He practiced for 55 years and was proud to have the honor of practicing law with his son for the last 22 years of his career.
Herb believed in giving back to the community as a business leader and neighbor. He served on the Board of Directors for several not-for-profit organizations such as Hudson Valley Hospice and Poughkeepsie YMCA. He also served on the Town of Poughkeepsie Republican Committee for several years. Herb proudly volunteered his services “pro-bono” to assist a local widow of a New York City Firefighter obtain a substantial award under the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, and his outstanding efforts were recognized by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He was also a proud recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor which celebrates ethnic pride and accomplishments.
Herb was a legendary Slow-Pitch Softball player having played in several competitive leagues over the years. He was proud to have been a member of a local team that won the Over-40 New York State Championship in 1982. He was named MVP of that tournament.
He was a well-known and well-liked attorney by his clients and peers, as well as judges. He was always commended for his preparation, civility and treating his adversary with the utmost respect. He prided himself on being called a “lawyer’s lawyer”.
All of the above would not be possible without the loving support and devotion of his wife Frances with whom he would have been married 40 years this November.
Herb is survived by his son Craig (Leah) Wallace; daughter Julie (Kevin) Clancy; son John (Arcola) McHugh; grandchildren Michael, David and Lily Wallace; Bridget and Meghan Clancy; Jacqueline McHugh and his younger sister Estelle Spevak.
Calling Hours will be held Sunday, March 12, 2017 from 2 to 6 p.m., at the Miller Funeral Home located at 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Graveside services will be held at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery on Monday, March 13th at 11:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of life luncheon at Christo’s Restaurant located at 155 Wilbur Boulevard, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603 at 12:00 noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice, Inc. 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, www.hvhospice.org or American Cancer Society, 2678 South Road, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 10601. If you wish to send an online condolence please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhom.com

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