Bill Text: NY K00617 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Celebrating the life and accomplishments of The Honorable James F. Reitz, Putnam County Court Judge

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-18 - adopted [K00617 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00617-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 617

BY: M. of A. Byrne

        CELEBRATING  the  life  and accomplishments of The
        Honorable James F. Reitz, Putnam County Court Judge,
        distinguished citizen  and  devoted  member  of  his
        community

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly
the  death of prominent citizens of the State of New York whose lifework
and civic endeavor served to enhance the reputation of the State; and

  WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of The Honorable James F. Reitz, Putnam  County
Court  Judge,  noting  the  significance  of  the  loss  of  a man whose
altruistic spirit will be greatly missed; and

  WHEREAS, James F. Reitz of Mahopac, New York, died on  Friday,  June
14, 2019, at the age of 57; and

  WHEREAS,  James  F.  Reitz  was  born  on  May  22,  1962,  to  Mary
(Mastrangello) and the late James Reitz in Mahopac, New York;  he  would
go  on  to  marry the love of his life, Barbara, and together they would
raise a beautiful family; and

  WHEREAS, James F. Reitz,  a  lifelong  resident  of  Putnam  County,
graduated from Carmel High School; and

  WHEREAS,  James F. Reitz worked as a lawyer in private practice from
1991 to 2006, including serving as a Carmel Town  Justice  between  1996
and 2006; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  2007, he had served as a Putnam County Court Judge,
and was also an Acting Justice with the New York  State  Supreme  Court;
furthermore,  he  was  a 3rd generation life member of the Mahopac Falls
Volunteer Fire Department; and

  WHEREAS, He was both an ally and  advocate  for  Putnam  County  and
brought  great  compassion and the belief in second chances to his Court
Room; and

  WHEREAS, Through  this  belief,  he  pioneered  his  very  own  Drug
Treatment  Court program for Putnam County which gives an innovative way
for participants to get a second chance in life with  alternative  paths
through the judicial system; and

  WHEREAS,  This  program  was such a success it has been adapted into
several other courts across the country and was also featured in an Emmy
award winning documentary; and

  WHEREAS, The lives James F. Reitz both touched and saved  throughout
his career cannot be counted; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Honorable  James  F.  Reitz  treated  defendants with
compassion and dignity while at the same time remained very firm; he was

well respected  by  both  lawyers  and  defendants  for  his  courteous,
gracious demeanor when they came before him; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  difficult  to  measure  the  heart  of  a  man who
accomplished so much and did so much for others, but if you were  trying
to  measure  James' heart you could start with the outpouring of love he
had for his community and then by the measure for which he gave love  to
his family; and

  WHEREAS,  His  first  love  was  undoubtedly  his  family; his wife,
children and grandchildren were a pillar of strength to  him,  while  he
was a pillar of strength to all; and

  WHEREAS,  James  F.  Reitz  is  survived  by  the  love of his life,
Barbara; his children Alyssa, Jaime, and Michael; six grandchildren, who
were the light of his life; his mother, Mary; two brothers,  David,  and
his  twin  brother,  Thomas and his wife, Kris; one nephew, Matthew; and
his niece, Madison; as well as his beloved community and  the  countless
lives he impacted; and

  WHEREAS,  James  F. Reitz, in every capacity in which he served, and
through every program he developed, has left his permanent mark  on  the
criminal  justice  community,  and  will  forever  be  remembered  as  a
determined, innovative and genuinely concerned expert in his field, now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations in a
moment of  silent  tribute  to  The  Honorable  James  F.  Reitz,  whose
unselfish  concern for the welfare of others enhanced the lives of those
so fortunate to have called him family, colleague  and  friend,  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 James F. Reitz.