Remembering, thanking those we have lost

Cathy Carter-Romero (1966-2015)
Committed to publications and field hockey

Before the start of the spring semester, Rider lost a beloved friend, colleague and mentor. Cathy Carter-Romero, 49, died after a long battle with cancer.

Carter-Romero was part of the Rider community for over 15 years, since she and her family moved from Canada to New Jersey. She served as the director of creative services at the office of university communications and marketing. She was also a strong supporter of the field hockey team.

“Cathy served as our team mentor,” said Head Coach Lori Hussong. “From that role, she evolved into our ‘Team Mom.’ Her love and commitment to our program and the players on our team will be hard to replace.”

“We will miss her dearly for her dedication to Rider, her warm and engaging humor, and the courage exhibited throughout her battle,” said John Lenox, assistant vice president for university communications and marketing.

Former field hockey player Sandra Penas Mur, ’14, thought of Carter-Romero as more than a mentor.

“When I came to the U.S. from Spain, Cathy took me under her wing and treated me like family,” said Penas Mur. “Her door was always open and she was always there for us.” Carter-Romero loved to make the field hockey players feel at home. She often invited the team to her house for dinner and cooked Spanish-themed dishes.

The team gained strength from the courage that Carter-Romero displayed while fighting the most difficult battle of her life.

“The most amazing thing about her was her mental toughness,” Hussong said. “She never showed any signs of feeling bad for herself, and she faced every new challenge ready to fight with unbelievable strength.”

-By Gianluca D’Elia

_____________________________________________________________________________________

James Dailey (1944-2015)
Remembered for his helpful, ‘generous’ spirit

Dr. James W. Dailey, a longtime member of the Rider community, died at age 71, and was found in his home on Jan. 22.

Dailey joined the staff in 1976 as an assistant professor of decision sciences. He became acting chair of the department in 1988 and served as chair from 1995-02. His most recent position was associate professor in the College of Business Administration’s information systems and supply chain management department.

“We will miss his judgment and experience,” said Dr. Bill Amadio, associate professor of information systems. “Jim was not shy about sharing his opinions about events or new ideas. And many times he saw faults and pitfalls that less experienced people overlooked. That kind of wisdom will be impossible to replace.”

Dailey earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston College; his master’s degree from Case Institute of Technology; and his doctorate from Case Western Reserve University, all in mathematics.

Nicholas McManus, a sophomore information systems major and advisee of Dailey’s, was upset at the news of his passing.

“Dr. Dailey was a great man. He was very helpful, generous and was willing to go out of his way to help both me and other students,” he said.

Aside from being a professor, Dailey participated in a barbershop quartet for many years. He was also involved in many of the university’s theater productions. For Dr. Patrick Chmel, professor emeritus of fine arts, his fondest memory includes Dailey’s crucial role in his production of Inherit the Wind, in which Dailey’s strength led him to break his judge’s gavel in the middle of the show.

At his family’s request, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

-By Valerie Palmer