HGAR Honors Longtime Realtor John McCarey

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WHITE PLAINS—At its final Board of Directors meeting for 2024, held on Dec. 18 at the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors White Plains headquarters, the Board presented the Realtor Emeritus status to John McCarey, associate broker with RE/MAX Benchmark Realty Group in Middletown.

A Realtor for 59 years and consecutive member of NAR for 40 years, McCarey was also celebrating his 85th birthday on the day he received the award. His daughter, Melissa McCarey, flew in to make a surprise visit for the momentous occasion.

Throughout his career, McCarey has handled more than 2,000 real estate transactions, specializing in commercial sales and leases, residential estate sales, sub-division, and assembly of parcels for site development and assessment review.

From left, Tony D’Anzica, HGAR CEO Lynda Fernandez, 2024 HGAR President Carmen Bauman, Melissa McCarey, John McCarey, 2025 HGAR President Vlora Sejdi, President-Elect Rey Hollingsworth Falu and HGAR Treasurer Joseph Lippolis. PHOTO BY JOHN VECCHIOLLA

For 20 years, he served as the Orange County Director of Real Property Tax Service Agency, managing all county real estate issues. He was also President of the New York State County Directors Association of Real Property Tax Services.

Additionally, McCarey owned a number of small businesses. His civic involvement included leadership roles with the Cornell Board, Horton Hospital Board, Ontario Fire Company, Circleville Fire Company, Middletown Kiwanis, and the Orange County Board of Realtors, where he was the past president of the Board and the MLS. In addition, he is a member of the New York State Society of Real Estate Appraisers.

Some of his past municipal positions include: member of the Orange County AG Farm Protection Program Board, from 2000 to 2019; court-appointed small claims hearing officer on assessment from 1988 to 2000; consultant for Orange County on Tax Deed Sales, from 1982 to 2000; President of the City of Middletown Council, from 1980 to 1981; and City of Middletown Councilman from 1972 to 1979.