LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the life and distinguished career of
Retired New York State Supreme Court Judge Harold L. Wood

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 Retired New York State Supreme Court Judge
Harold L. Wood, noting the significance of the loss of a man whose
altruistic spirit will be greatly missed; and
WHEREAS, Judge Harold L. Wood, the first black member of the legisla-
tive body of Westchester County, New York, and later the first black
State Supreme Court justice in the county, died on Thursday, April 14,
2016, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, Born on December 6, 1919, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to
James and Harriet Bannister Wood, Harold L. Wood and his family later
moved to Ossining, New York; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Ossining High School in 1937, Harold L.
Wood attended Lincoln University in Missouri, one of the historically
black universities; working his way through college, he earned his Bach-
elor's degree in Political Science in May of 1942; in that same year, he
married his wife, the former Thelma Cheatham; and
WHEREAS, From 1941-1946, Harold L. Wood proudly served his country as
a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force; he was stationed in
the United States and saw service at various military installations
including Tuskegee Air Base in Alabama and bases in Maine, Michigan,
Kentucky, and New York; and
WHEREAS, After his discharge, Harold L. Wood furthered his education
by receiving his Master's degree in Law from the Cornell University Law
School; and
WHEREAS, After completing his education, Harold L. Wood was employed
by the New York State Department of Labor in Mount Vernon, New York; in
1949, he formed a law partnership, and subsequently, entered politics;
and
WHEREAS, In 1957, Harold L. Wood was one of five individuals from
Mount Vernon selected for the Westchester County Board of Supervisors;
and
WHEREAS, For two years, Harold L. Wood served as a Legislative Assist-
ant to a New York State Senator, and in 1969, Governor Nelson A. Rocke-
feller appointed him to the New York State Family Court, the first time
an African American had been appointed from Westchester County; shortly
thereafter, he was elected to a five-year term; and
WHEREAS, A legal scholar with a keen mind, good judgment and, above
all, an unfaltering sense of justice and fairness, Judge Harold L. Wood
was then elected to the Westchester County Court, and later, to the New
York State Supreme Court, where he served with distinction for over two
decades; and
WHEREAS, After retiring from the New York State Supreme Court on Janu-
ary 1, 1996, he served for several years as a Judicial Hearing Officer,
hearing and settling Supreme Court Cases; he then held the position of
Hearing Officer for the New York State and Local Retirement Systems; and
WHEREAS, After his much deserved retirement, Judge Harold L. Wood
enjoyed watching and playing sports, especially tennis, and was a member
of the Harlem Yacht Club; and
WHEREAS, Judge Harold L. Wood set an example for all individuals by
exemplifying what it means to give of oneself; he was a beautiful light
in the lives of all those with whom he came in contact; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, Thelma, Judge Harold L. Wood is
survived by his two sons, Gregory Lance and Dean Christopher; his daugh-
ter, Laverne Jill; three grandchildren, Natasha, Michael and Lauren; one
great-grandchild, and a brother, Robert; as well as many nieces and
nephews; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Judge Harold L. Wood's
life was a portrait of service, 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
celebrate the life and distinguished career of Retired New York State
Supreme Court Judge Harold L. Wood; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Retired New York State Supreme Court Judge
Harold L. Wood.