LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Firefighter Timothy Gunther posthumously
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State
Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Firefighter
Timothy Gunther posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual by the New York State Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by a
resolution in 2014 and is awarded to individuals who have merited
special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on
behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong Hudson Valley resident, Timothy Gunther was born
on June 22, 1960, to Thomas Anthony and Lydia Spertal Gunther of Hope-
well Junction; he graduated from John Jay High School in 1978, SUNY
Albany in 1982, and SUNY New Paltz in 1992; and
WHEREAS, On August 4, 1990 at St. Columbus Church in Hopewell Junc-
tion, Timothy Gunther married Christine Buechele, and together they
raised two beautiful children; and
WHEREAS, A 21-year member of the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department,
Timothy Gunther responded to his last alarm on Monday, May 4, 2015;
after courageously battling a fatal blaze at a home on Church Street, he
succumbed to injuries and made the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his steadfast dedication to the City of Pough-
keepsie Fire Department, Timothy Gunther served as an English teacher
prior to his illustrious career as a firefighter, and was a member of
Hudson Valley Playwrights; a play he wrote, "The International Associ-
ation of Competitive Poets," debuted Sunday, May 10, 2015, at the
group's first Short Play Festival at the Center for Performing Arts at
Rhinebeck; and
WHEREAS, A truly heroic and courageous man, Timothy Gunther was the
recipient of numerous awards and accolades; he was part of a team of
firefighters given a unit citation in 2011 for a Hudson River rescue,
and was a 2008 General Salute to Heroes Award Winner for making a
difference in keeping patients alive before and after Advanced Life
Support; and
WHEREAS, Timothy Gunther is survived by his parents, Thomas and Lydia;
his wife, Christine; his children, Casey and Tess; his beloved dogs,
Duke, Gus and Jaxx; his sisters, Jude and Alida, and their husbands; and
several nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Timothy Gunther devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Firefighter Timothy Gunther posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Firefighter Timothy Gunther.