LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Jesse Edward Nash, 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, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr., longtime Canisius College professor,
community activist and the son of the pastor of the historic Michigan
Street Baptist Church, died Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at the age of 90;
and
WHEREAS, A Buffalo native, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. attended School 32
and graduated from Hutchinson-Central Technical High School; and
WHEREAS, A Korean War-era veteran of the United States Army, Jesse
Edward Nash, Jr. was a professor in the Sociology/Anthropology Depart-
ment at Canisius College for 33 years; he retired in 1998 as professor
emeritus; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. earned a Master's degree in
Sociology and Anthropology from the University at Buffalo, and was
recognized for research excellence at graduation; and
WHEREAS, One year later, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. began his illustrious
career as the executive director and program developer of Buffalo Model
Cities component of the federal program which sought to improve the
physical, social and economic well-being of inner-city residents across
the nation; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. was also instrumental in citizen
participation in other civic projects, including the Buffalo Waterfront
Alternatives Study, War Memorial Stadium Restoration Project and the
Erie Community College City Campus feasibility study for a new physical
education facility; and
WHEREAS, From 1969 to 1973, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. served as a lectur-
er in the department of Social, Philosophical and Historical Foundations
at the University of Buffalo's School of Graduate Education; he also
lectured on sociology, African-American studies, architecture and plan-
ning at Harvard, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and McMaster Universities; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. also played a key role in establishing
the health center on Buffalo's East Side that was dedicated in his name
in 1972; and
WHEREAS, Assistant vice president and affirmative action officer at
the University of Buffalo's Office of Finance and Management from 1975
to 1980, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. then became president of Seventy-Eight
Restoration, an organization concerned with neighborhood preservation
and economic development, and helped forge the development of the Emer-
son Row apartments for low-income people; and
WHEREAS, Musically inclined, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. learned to play
several instruments, including clarinet and piano, by ear; during the
late 1980s and early 1990s, he played trumpet in the Expansions, a trio
including his two sons; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. organized and directed the Jesse Nash
40 Voices choir, which was the first choral group to appear on tele-
vision in Buffalo on WBEN on Christmas Day in 1948; he was an active
member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church since 1978; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. was the proud recipient of numerous
awards and accolades including University of Buffalo's Haupt Award for
undergraduate sociological research in 1958; doctor of humane letters
from Canisius College and President's Medal in 1972; Evers-Young Award
from the Buffalo Urban League in 1975; University of Buffalo's Presi-

dent's Award in 1980; Educator of the Year from the New York State Black
and Puerto Rican Caucus in 1989; Medgar Evers Award from the Buffalo
Branch NAACP in 1990; Martin Luther King Jr. Award in 1991; Governor's
Award for Distinguished Blacks in New York State in 1993; and the Red
Jacket community service award from the Buffalo and Erie County Histor-
ical Society in 1994; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit
National Honor Society, the New York State Retired Teachers Association
and Omega Psi Phi fraternity; a life member of the NAACP, he also served
as vice president of Buffalo Urban League; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. served on the College Council of SUNY
Buffalo State and the New York State Commission on Minorities in the
Health-related Professions in Higher Education; in addition, he served
on the boards of Child and Family Services, Millard Fillmore Gates
Hospital, Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Local 533 American
Federation of Musicians and Colored Musicians Club; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, the Reverend Dr. Jesse Edward,
Sr. and Frances Jackson Nash, Jesse Edward Nash, Jr. is survived by his
wife of 65 years, Hortense; two sons, Jesse Edward, III and George
Raymond, one daughter, Deborah (Jonathan Sr.); and a host of other rela-
tives and cherished friends; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Jesse Edward Nash, 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 Jesse Edward Nash, 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 Jesse Edward Nash, Jr.