Sponsor: STACHOWSKI

Committee: FINANCE

Law Section: Resolutions, Legislative

J2969 Actions

J2969 Memo

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J2969 Text

.SO DOC S R2969                                  RESO TEXT            2009

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,
2009, at the age of 59; 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 1970s,  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 10 years beginning in the mid-1980s; 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 2008; 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 2009 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.