Bill Text: NY J01087 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the death of Eugene J. Murray, the longest-serving mayor in the history of the Village of Rockville Centre

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)

Status: (Passed) 2019-04-30 - ADOPTED [J01087 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01087-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1087

BY: Senator KAMINSKY

        MOURNING  the  death  of  Eugene  J.  Murray,  the
        longest-serving mayor in the history of the  Village
        of   Rockville  Centre,  distinguished  citizen  and
        devoted member of his community

  WHEREAS, It is with profound  sorrow  that  this  Legislative  Body,
representing  the  people of the State of New York, is moved this day to
pay tribute to an eminent man of indomitable faith and dedication  whose
public  service  and  countless  accomplishments will forever stand as a
paradigm and inspiration for others; and

  WHEREAS, Eugene J. Murray of Rockville Centre,  New  York,  died  on
Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at the age of 93; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  on August 10, 1925, to William and Josephine Murray,
Eugene J. Murray was one of 13 children; he  graduated  from  St.  Agnes
High School and was a Eucharistic minister and a lector; and

  WHEREAS,  Eugene  J. Murray valiantly served his country as a member
of the United States Army during World War II, during which time he  saw
combat with the 71st Infantry Division in France and Germany; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service in 1946, Eugene
J.   Murray founded Murray Floor Waxing Service, a business he owned and
operated for four decades and which remains in the family today; and

  WHEREAS, Eugene J. Murray and the former  Mary  Lou  Bernhardi  were
united  in marriage on December 27, 1947, and together they raised eight
children; the couple was married for 66 wonderful years before her death
in 2013; and

  WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Rockville Centre, Eugene  J.  Murray
served as its Mayor from 1987 to 2007; and

  WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious 20-year tenure, Eugene J. Murray
served  with  love  and compassion and left many lasting legacies in the
village; he established  the  Rockville  Centre  Community  Fund,  which
supports  residents  in  need,  including  seniors,  single  parents and
victims of disasters; over the past three decades, the fund  has  raised
more than $1.6 million; and

  WHEREAS,  Prior  to  serving  as  mayor, Eugene J. Murray was on the
village's board of trustees for three years; and

  WHEREAS,  With  a  steadfast  and  unremitting  commitment  to   his
community, Eugene J. Murray was an active member of the Rockville Centre
Fire  Department  for 72 years, serving as a chief from 1977 to 1983; he
also served as president of the New York Conference of  Mayors  and  the
Nassau County Village Officials Association; and

  WHEREAS,  The  proud  recipient  of  numerous  awards and accolades,
Eugene J.   Murray was  recognized  by  the  Nassau  County  Boy  Scouts

Council,  the  Anti-Defamation  League of B'nai B'rith and Guiding Light
Lodge of the Masonic Order; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  he  was named Businessman of the Year by the
Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce, Man of the Year by Molloy College,
which also awarded him an honorary law doctorate,  and  Citizen  of  the
Year by the Rockville Centre Kiwanis Club; and

  WHEREAS,  A  truly  beloved  figure in Rockville Centre, the village
hall was named in his honor in recognition of his tireless dedication to
the residents of the community he so ably served; and

  WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Mary  Lou,  Eugene  J.  Murray  is
predeceased  by  two  children,  Larry and Teresa; he is survived by six
children,  Francis  (Barbara),  Tom  (Nora),  Mary  Lou,  Jean  (Chuck),
Rosemary  and  Anne (Pat); a brother, Paul; and sister, Anne; as well as
26 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; and

  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion,  Eugene  J.  Murray  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 Eugene J. Murray, the longest-serving mayor in the
history of the Village of Rockville Centre,  distinguished  citizen  and
devoted member of his community; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Eugene J. Murray.