LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Henry McCoy, Jr., 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, Henry McCoy, Jr., a resident of St. Albans, New York, for 42
years, died on June 17, 2013, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, Born on Christmas Eve in 1926, in Wiggins, Mississippi, Henry
McCoy, Jr. was the second child of Eugenia Smith and Henry McCoy, Sr.;
soon after his birth, the family moved to Mobile, Alabama, and then to
New Orleans, Louisiana, where he grew up; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from high school, the family moved to New
York City, and Henry McCoy, Jr. enlisted in the United States Army; he
was discharged in 1947; and
WHEREAS, Henry McCoy, Jr. distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Henry McCoy, Jr. went to work for the United States Post
Office; in 1957, he was appointed to the New York City Police Depart-
ment, where he served with distinction for 23 years before retiring as a
Lieutenant in 1981; and
WHEREAS, Henry McCoy, Jr. served the department in various capacities
including commanding officer and coordinator of youth division activ-
ities for the Borough of Manhattan, and citywide coordinator for the
Special Court Diversion Project which steered youth away from anti-so-
cial behavior into constructive activity; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, Henry McCoy, Jr. was appointed a City Marshal, and
served in this capacity for 11 years; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his years of police work, Henry McCoy, Jr. contin-
ued his education; he earned an Associate's degree in Police Science
from Baruch College in 1964, a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice
from John Jay College in 1972, and a Master's degree in Urban Studies
from Queens College of the City of New York in 1977; and
WHEREAS, Henry McCoy, Jr.'s commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Never one to rest on his laurels, in 1992, Henry McCoy, Jr.
ran for male district leader and won in the 33rd Assembly District in
Queens, New York; prior to establishing the United for Progress Demo-
cratic Club in 1993, he was a board member and Vice President of the Guy
R. Brewer United Democratic Club; and
WHEREAS, Henry McCoy, Jr. was a longtime civic leader in St. Albans,
the Southeast Queens community and New York City; he was a member of
many organizations including a former board Member of the United Black
Men of Queens, a Life Member of the Guardians Association of the New
York City Police Department, a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
Inc., a former member of the State of New York Police Juvenile Officers
Association, and a chief delegate of the Federation of Negro Civil
Service Workers; and
WHEREAS, A passionate tennis player, Henry McCoy, Jr. combined his
love of the sport with his mentorship of young people as President of
Youth and Tennis, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides year
round instruction and programs for junior tennis and youth development
in public parks and schools; in the past, he also traveled around the
country playing in tournaments on the senior tennis circuit; and

WHEREAS, Henry McCoy, Jr. was the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades, including the Robert Couche Senior Center's Distinguished
Citizen Award, the Congressional Achievement Award, the Distinguished
Service Award, the Community Leader Award, and the New York City Police
Department's Achievement Award, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, Henry McCoy, Jr. is survived by his sister, Leola Gaines
McCoy, and nieces, Anna and Victoria Gaines; an aunt, Ellen Green; cous-
ins, Delores Walker, Joseph Smith, Delores Brown-Hunder, Eugenia Smith,
Anderson James Smith, Sr., Emma Ford, Pearlie Walker, William Smith,
Catherine Coleman, Leon Jeffries, Wayne Jeffries, Portia Walton, Donald
Norris, Inez Norris, Velma Norris, Theodora Norris, Brenda Smothers,
Dena Norris, Robert Norris, Julius Kimbrough, Theodore Kimbrough,
Constance Rozier, Sandra Coleman, Wayne Coleman, Lance Coleman, Debra
Coleman, Van-olvin Odom, Benjamin Odom, and Sylvia Jenkins; and dear
friends, Yvonne Bruce, John Humphrey, Joseph Richardson and Reginald
Belgrave; as well as a host of other relatives, colleagues, friends and
associates; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Henry McCoy, 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 McCoy, Jr., distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community, and to offer sincere condolences to his family
and friends; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Henry McCoy, Jr.