Mourning the death of Russell E. Pawlak, respected preservationist, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

FINANCEREFERRED TO FINANCEREPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATIONADOPTED.SO DOC S R2969 RESO TEXT 2 9 LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Russell E. Pawlak, respected preservationist, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Russell E. Pawlak of Buffalo, New York, died on August 8, 2 9, at the age of 9; and WHEREAS, Born on Buffalo's East Side in the St. John Kanty neighbor hood, Russell E. Pawlak graduated from Bishop Ryan High School, where he played football and ran track; he also played football as a running back at Culver Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, where he earned a Bach elor's degree in history; and WHEREAS, During the 197 s, Russell E. Pawlak served as Executive Director of the Broadway Fillmore Area Council and in community develop ment at City Hall; and WHEREAS, He then worked for 28 years as a Field Service Supervisor at the New York State Insurance Fund; this position took him to New York City for about 1 years beginning in the mid 198 s; and WHEREAS, Russell E. Pawlak distinguished himself in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community; and WHEREAS, After returning to Buffalo, Russell E. Pawlak, who grew up in the shadow of the Central Terminal and whose grandfather worked for New York Central Railroad, set his sights on reviving the dilapidated and badly vandalized station; and WHEREAS, An avid preservationist who was married three times and had two children, Russell E. Pawlak played an instrumental role in resusci tating the Central Terminal train station; he also, in recent years, served on the Buffalo Preservation Board and the Broadway Market's Board of Directors; and WHEREAS, Russell E. Pawlak's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char itable and civic endeavors; and WHEREAS, For eight years, he served as President of the Central Termi nal Restoration Corp., before stepping down in 2 8; the nonprofit organization raised a significant amount of funds to seal and stabilize the East Side landmark, enabling several organizations to hold events there including Albright Knox Art Gallery and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center; furthermore, Russell E. Pawlak helped popularize what has become an annual Dyngus Day celebration at the art deco landmark; and WHEREAS, Russell E. Pawlak, whose life was enriched by knowledge, both the kind acquired through books and from a life lived deeply, was married in June of 2 9 to Bernadette Majewski, whom he met at an event at the terminal; and WHEREAS, Predeceased by his mother and father, Edmund and Eleanor (Koscinski) Pawlak, Russell E. Pawlak, in addition to his wife, Berna dette (Majewski Sliwinski), is survived by his children, Hadley (Scott) Horrigan and Dylan Roper Pawlak; and his stepdaughter, Kimberly A. Majewski; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Russell E. Pawlak leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Russell E. Pawlak, respected preservationist, distin guished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran smitted to the family of Russell E. Pawlak.