As candidates line up to oppose Senator Gillibrand for US Senate this fall, the Insurance Advocate will present each of the candidates including the incumbent in their own words for our readers. Much of what they discuss may focus upon social issues; however, we will endeavor to focus them upon financial view points and opinions the candidates have with respect to financial services. In our first installment we present former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi, first to announce his candidacy to oppose Gillibrand. As we go to press, his fundraising is going strong and his message has resonated a little better than other Republicans according to polls. See what you think…In this issue we publish a clear-headed article written by three medical doctors, presenting their considerations for the treatment of disaster and disaster victims—worth a read for risk managers. ..We note below with great sadness the passing of Joseph Decaminada, long a leader in the insurance industry in New York, notably in the CPCU Society and its Harry Loman Foundation. We knew Joe as Chairman of the Insurance Federation of New York, as a Trustee of the College of Mount Saint Vincent, and one of the most reliable and solid people in the insurance community for many, many years. We join with so many of his friends in wishing his widow, Gen, his son Joseph and his family our sincere condolences: the official obituary follows:

Joseph P. Decaminada 1935 – 2010

With great sadness, we report the death of longtime insurance leader and friend, Joseph P. Decaminada, on March 21st. Mr. Decaminada was born on October 17, 1935 in Gebo, Wyoming. He was an executive for the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company beginning as Corporate Secretary and working his way to Senior Executive Vice President and Secretary. Mr. Decaminada held a BA magna cum laude from St. Francis College Class of 1956; a JD from St. John’s University Class of 1959; business management studies at Harvard University 1978-1979.

He received the CPCU Designation 1965; was named Man of the Year at the Recovery Forum in 1978; recipient of the Brotherhood award, NCCJ, 1991; the Anglo-American fellow, BD Cooke & Partners, Ltd., London, 1966. Memorial Society CPCU (National President 1984-1985, Distinguished Service Award 1989, Eugene A. Toale Memorial Award New York Chapter 1974). Mr. Decaminada was the past chairman of the board of directors CPCU-Harry J. Loman Foundation, Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation, New York. Property Insurance Underwriting Association, Insurance Federation of New York. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the College of Mount St. Vincent, Riverdale, NY, a member of the Knights of Columbus for 52 years and a Decorated Knight of Malta. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Church near his home in Scarsdale. Mr. Decaminada is survived by his wife of 51 years Genevieve, his son Joseph and his wife Eileen and his four grandchildren Chelsea, Joseph, Amanda and Eric.