LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Robert A. Stopper upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award by the
Lyons Chamber of Commerce on February 2, 2015

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, Robert A. Stopper has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Robert A.
Stopper upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Citizen
of the Year Award by the Lyons Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated on
Monday, February 2, 2015, at the Lyons American Legion, Lyons, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The oldest of 12 children, Robert A. Stopper was born and
raised on a small farm near the outskirts of Williamsport, Pennsylvania;
and
WHEREAS, Robert A. Stopper graduated from Saint Francis College with a
bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy; he went on to attend SUNY
Oswego where he received a masters in Educational Administration and a
Certificate of Advanced Studies and Supervision; and
WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Robert A. Stopper was as an
English and Public Speaking Teacher in Newark, New York, during which
time he was appointed Chairperson of the English Department; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he served Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC)
for many years as an Adjunct Professor, as well as Coordinator of the
FLCC Gemini Programs; and
WHEREAS, Robert A. Stopper has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, A former Village Trustee and Chairman of the Village Planning
Board, Robert A. Stopper is a member of St. Michael's Parish where he
serves as a Pauley Box volunteer and caretaker of the outdoor flower
gardens; and
WHEREAS, Active within his community, Robert A. Stopper is a member of
Mainstreet, the Wayne County Museum, Trailworkers, and New York State
Parks and Trails; he is also a volunteer boat greeter, a Lyons promoter
and an Erie Canal Ambassador; and
WHEREAS, Over the past six years, Robert A. Stopper along with a group
of volunteers have welcomed more than 1,000 boats from around the world
to Lyons, New York, serving as hosts, answering questions, giving
directions, and escorting tourists around the community; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, in an effort to better attract and assist tour-
ists, Robert A. Stopper designed the Historic Lyons brochure which
features photos, descriptions, and all six National Historic Register
parcels and buildings; he also designed the Welcome to Historic Lyons
Map, which is given to all boaters and highlights the route of Clinton's
Ditch and the Enlarged Erie through the village of Lyons; and
WHEREAS, Robert A. Stopper's writings and photos have appeared in
WAYNE COUNTY LIFE, the DAILY MESSENGER, and the FINGER LAKES TIMES; he
has contributed to WATERWAY GUIDE, ACTIVE CAPTAIN, BOATER BOB, NEW YORK
BOATER, and the nationally known publication CANOE AND KAYAK; and
WHEREAS, With a true passion for historic waterways, Robert A. Stopper
serves on the Board of Canal New York, and is a member of the Canal
Society of New York, the Erie Canal Museum, the Finger Lakes Boat Muse-
um, the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York, the Lake Champlain

Maritime Museum in Vermont, and the American's Great Loop Cruisers'
Association; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Robert A. Stopper has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Vickie, as well as
their two daughters, Theresa and Katrina, and three grandchildren, Noah,
Ambrose and Xavier, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life
and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Robert A. Stopper has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert A. Stopper upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of the Citizen of the Year Award by the Lyons Chamber of Commerce on
February 2, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert A. Stopper.