LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr.,
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, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. of Geneva, New York died on March
28, 2014, at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, Born on March 16, 1916, in Geneva, New York, Henry Merrill
Roenke, Jr. leaves behind an amazing legacy in the hometown he loved; he
devoted much of his life to preserving the history and historic build-
ings of Geneva; and
WHEREAS, The son of the late Pauline Young and Henry Merrill Roenke,
Sr., Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. graduated from Geneva High School in
1934, earned a bachelor's degree from Hobart College in 1938, and
received a master's degree in retailing from New York University one
year later; in 1983, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters
degree from Hobart College; and
WHEREAS, From 1940 to 1966, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. served his coun-
try as a member of the United States Navy, serving in the Oceanographic
Service; he was stationed in the North Atlantic and South Pacific during
World War II, and later retired as a Commander of the United States
Naval Reserves; and
WHEREAS, During the war, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. earned numerous
accolades for his exceptional service, including the American Defense
Ribbon with an "A", Atlantic Theater Ribbon, Pacific Theater Ribbon with
4 bronze stars, Naval Reserve Ribbon, and the World War II Victory
Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr.'s livelihood came from being
co-manager of the popular J.W. Smith Dry Goods Store, eventually becom-
ing a co-owner before they closed; and
WHEREAS, The preservation of Geneva's architectural treasures can be
credited to Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. for his work to preserve and
promote Geneva's architecturally significant buildings; and
WHEREAS, A pillar in his community, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr.'s
passion was historic preservation, particularly the restoration of old
houses; his crowning achievement was the restoration of the Rose Hill
Mansion building in the Seneca County, Town of Fayette; Rose Hill
Mansion, built in 1837, is on the National Register of Historic Places;
and
WHEREAS, Eventually, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. became the Rose Hill
Administrator of the Geneva Historical Society from 1967 until he
retired in 2003, and was chairman of the Fund for Historic Geneva; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. was involved in saving
an 1815 home, the Ludlow House, from demolition, moving it to another
site, was involved in the purchase and restoration of two historic row
houses which were endangered by a high rise, and assisted in the resto-
ration of a porch on the historic Blackwell House at Hobart College; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. directed building
projects on the Hobart and William Smith campus, and was a consultant
for the college's fine arts collection; he was also instrumental in
securing the gift of the Prouty-Chew House to the Geneva Historical
Society and supervising its transformation to the society's museum and
headquarters; and

WHEREAS, A man of many accomplishments, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr.'s
historic preservation efforts earned him mention in the Congressional
Record on August 14, 1974; and
WHEREAS, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr.'s list of civic involvement was
extensive; he was a member and former treasurer of the Geneva Rotary
Club, served on the advisory board of the Salvation Army, was a trustee
of the former Geneva Savings Bank, served as past chairman of the Heart
Fund and the Polio Drive, was a former member of the Geneva Human Rights
Commission, and was active with St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where he
served as a senior warden, and was a Geneva City Councilman from 1960 to
1964, just to name a few; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. was a member of the
Seneca Yacht Club and Geneva Masonic Lodge, and served on the boards of
the Geneva Family YMCA, and Ontario County Historical Society; and
WHEREAS, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. was the recipient of numerous
awards and honors, including the National Trust Award for Preservation
in Washington, D.C., Hobart College Outstanding Citizen Award, Geneva
Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award, Hobart College Alumni
Award, and the Ellis Award by the Ontario Historical Society in Canan-
daigua; and
WHEREAS, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. distinguished himself in his
profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to
the welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr.'s commitment to excellence, and his
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, includ-
ing charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, Marion, and brother, Gardner J.,
Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. is survived by his three children, Henry
(Lois), Kathleen, and Karl, and his six grandchildren, Laura, Henry M.,
IV, William I., Jessica, Keith, and Michael, as well as seven great-
grandchildren, Joseph, Emma, Natalie, Claire, Henry V., Jack, and Peter,
all of whom feel privileged to have been a part of his life and rejoice
in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr. 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 Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr., 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 Henry Merrill Roenke, Jr.
.SO DOC S R5630 RESO TEXT 2013