LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of David Rashkin, distin-
guished 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, David Rashkin, a life-long resident of Mountaindale, New
York, died on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, David Rashkin, affectionately known as Dave by his loved
ones, was born in New York City on March 22, 1915, to Morris Rashkin and
Helen Dauber; and
WHEREAS, In his youth, David Rashkin spent his days working in one of
the most pioneering resorts of Sullivan County, Rashkin's Little Falls
Hotel and Country Club in Mountaindale; it was here he would later
create the renowned waterfall preserve known as TOMSCO; and
WHEREAS, David Rashkin proudly served his Nation as a medic during
World War II from 1943 until he was honorably discharged in 1945; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from Mountaindale High School, he then went
on to attain a degree from the prestigious Columbia University College
of Pharmacy; and
WHEREAS, David Rashkin worked tirelessly to serve the community as
local pharmacist; he owned and operated Rashkin's Pharmacy in Woodridge,
New York along with Sylvia, his childhood sweetheart and the love of his
life; and
WHEREAS, He was known for his intellect and sense of humor as well as
the delicious egg creams his pharmacy served; and
WHEREAS, David Rashkin spent a great deal of time and effort trans-
forming the three waterfalls on his family estate into TOMSCO Falls, a
place he liked to refer to as the "Niagara of Sullivan County"; he
delighted in giving tours of his property and teaching visitors about
the medicinal value of plants and the awesome power of nature; and
WHEREAS, David Rashkin's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, He was an esteemed member of the Mountaindale Hebrew Associ-
ation, the United Jewish Appeal, the Mountaindale Fire Department, and
Woodridge Kiwanis Club; as well as serving diligently on the Town of
Fallsburg Planning Board; and
WHEREAS, His greatest pleasures were collecting and sharing stories
about the history of his beloved Catskill Mountains and most of all,
spending time with his family who learned so many lessons by listening
and observing his amazing life; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Morris Rashkin and Helen Dauber;
and his brother, Dr. Leo Rashkin; David Rashkin is survived by his wife
of 70 years, Sylvia Gelfand; their daughters, Marlene (Nate) Cheney, and
Judy (Harris) Alport; his grandchildren, Paige and Bart Yablonsky, Beth
and Roy Notowitz, and Dory and Jay Frischman; and his great-grandchil-
dren, Ayla and Noah; as well as many devoted nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, A true pioneer and world builder of Sullivan County, David
Rashkin believed in giving back to the community he loved so much; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of David Rashkin, distinguished 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 David Rashkin.