LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Robert J. Luongo, 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, Robert J. "Bob Barker" Luongo of Syracuse, New York, died on
April 29, of 2016, at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, Robert J. Luongo was born in the City of Syracuse to Frank
and Angelina Luongo; and
WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Robert J. Luongo was the
successful and well-known owner and operator of Bob's Barkers Hot Dog
Stand in the Syracuse area, which he founded with his wife and daughters
36 years ago after a serious car accident ended his career in
construction; and
WHEREAS, Along with his family, Robert J. Luongo operated several
mobile hot dog carts in locations such as the Chase Lincoln Plaza on
South Salina Street in downtown Syracuse, outside the Carrier Dome and
on Irving Avenue near the Syracuse University Hill hospital complex, and
outside the Home Depot and later the Gander Mountain store in Cicero; he
also operated a permanent location on New Court Avenue in Lyncourt; and
WHEREAS, Some of Robert J. Luongo's trademarks were the famously deli-
cious Hofmann hot dogs and Coneys he sold, his red roof cart, his
consistently friendly service, and his big straw cowboy hat which drew a
lot of attention, especially before and after Syracuse University foot-
ball games; and
WHEREAS, Robert J. Luongo was often referred to as the "Hot Dog King,"
as well as the "Jitterbug King" because his love of dancing led him to
win the 1957 New York State Jitterbug Dance Championship; he continued
to dance competitively and serve as a judge in the local "Dancing with
Our Stars" contest in Syracuse; and
WHEREAS, Robert J. Luongo also was well-known for helping others in
the community such as giving hot dogs to local homeless individuals, or
back in February of 2014, he delivered more than 400 hot dogs free of
charge to residents who were stranded without food or electricity when
their senior living complex lost power; and
WHEREAS, For his many contributions, Robert J. Luongo will be recog-
nized posthumously with the 2016 Onondaga County Senior Citizen of the
Year Award on May 19, 2016, which his family will accept in his honor;
and
WHEREAS, Robert J. Luongo enjoyed the people he served, his community,
and his family and friends, who have supported his goals throughout his
life; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, Janice, Robert J. Luongo is survived
by his five daughters, Pauline Devendorf, Jacqueline Luongo-Ryan, Chris-
tine Bruzdzinski, Laurine DePalma, and Linda DeMonte; as well as many
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Robert J. Luongo 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 Robert J. Luongo, 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 Robert J. Luongo.