Bill Text: NY K00133 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Mourning the death of Robert Crocker Howe, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-27 - adopted [K00133 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-K00133-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 133 BY: M. of A. Gallahan MOURNING the death of Robert Crocker Howe, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who, through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive impact on the lives of its residents; Robert Crocker Howe was one such individual; and WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of Robert Crocker Howe, noting the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Crocker Howe, a respected and positive force in the Cortland community, local politics and at SUNY Cortland, died on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the age of 75; and WHEREAS, Born July 10, 1947 in Cortland, New York, Robert Crocker Howe was the son of Robert E. Howe and Myrl Rose Crocker; he was also the grandson of Glyndon H. Crocker, Sr., the former Director of the J.C. Penney Co. and the founder of the Crescent Corset Co.; and WHEREAS, Robert Crocker Howe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and did post graduate work at Bernard Baruch College in New York City; and WHEREAS, A graduate of the Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, Robert Crocker Howe served as a licensed funeral director in New York State since 1976; and WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Robert Crocker Howe worked in several different capacities, including as an assistant buyer with J.C. Penney and as a Real Estate Broker; he also worked for Fairchild & Meech, Inc. Funeral Home in Syracuse, New York, and as an Assistant Manager and Supervisor at C.E. Chappell & Son; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his community, Robert Crocker Howe formerly served as a Cortland County Coroner and served as the Board of Elections Commissioner for Cortland County since 1996; in 2002, he became the first Cortland County election commissioner to serve as president of the New York State Association of Election Commissioners; and WHEREAS, Additionally, he served as the New York State Election Commissioner Association's (ECA) 3rd Vice President in 2000, followed by its President in 2002; he also served as Region 5 Co-Chair from 2006 to 2011, and was a member of both the Executive Committee and Legislative Committee prior to 2006, as well as a constant contributor to "The Reporter," ECA's newsletter; and WHEREAS, Robert Crocker Howe also served for many years on the Board of Directors of the 1890 House Museum and Center for the Victorian Arts, the Cortland Rural Cemetery Foundation, and the Hospice Foundation of Cortland County; he was an active member of the Homer Elks and Cortland Rotary Club, as well as an Elder in the United Presbyterian Church; and WHEREAS, Robert Crocker Howe's long relationship with SUNY Cortland began when his mother earned her teaching certificate in elementary education from the College in 1961; in honor of his mother's affection for the College, he funded two SUNY Cortland scholarships in 1998, one to assist a future educator and a second to help a local student; and WHEREAS, A man of indomitable faith and generosity, Robert Crocker Howe, although he graduated from a different university, joined the Cortland College Foundation Board of Directors in 1998; his experience, leadership and wisdom helped the College lay a strong foundation for the future; and WHEREAS, In the fall of 2006, Robert Crocker Howe loaned a valuable collection of antique European and American porcelain and other furnishings which had been in his family for three generations to be exhibited as "A Passion for Porcelain: The Crocker Collection of Decorative Arts," at Dowd Gallery; he went on to donate the entire collection, along with many home furnishings, to the Lynne Parks '68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House and made substantial gifts to support the gallery; and WHEREAS, Robert Crocker Howe was a vigorous advocate for SUNY Cortland's educational mission, and his generosity places him among the institution's top individual donors; he is survived by his family, Ahmed Ebrahim, Jeffrey Crocker, Joan M. Sheridan, and Tracy Crocker; and WHEREAS, Robert Crocker Howe's infinite selflessness and benevolence will shine on through his family's vivid and happy memories; his insight and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and hope to the countless lives he touched; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Robert Crocker Howe leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Robert Crocker Howe, and to express its deepest condolences to his family; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Robert Crocker Howe.