Senate Resolution No. 1866

BY: Senator AKSHAR

MOURNING the death of The Honorable Donald Ray
Magill, Justice of the Town of Maine, New York

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 The Honorable Donald Ray Magill, Justice of
the Town of Maine, New York, noting the significance of the loss of a
man whose altruistic spirit will be greatly missed; and

WHEREAS, Judge Donald Ray Magill died on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in
Maine, at the age of 72; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Hollidaysburgh High School in
Pennsylvania, Judge Donald Ray Magill earned his bachelor's degree in
computer science from Penn State University; and

WHEREAS, Judge Donald Ray Magill proudly served his country as a
member of the United States Army from March 14, 1967, to December 19,
1969, during the Vietnam War where he was an OH-6 Light Observation
Helicopter Pilot and flew 980 combat hours; for his meritorious service
and heroic actions, he was awarded the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf
Cluster with "V" device for valor, a Purple Heart medal with one Oak
Leaf Cluster after being wounded in combat on January 1, 1968, and a
second Purple Heart in February of 1968; and

WHEREAS, After the conclusion of the War, Judge Donald Ray Magill
served in the Civil Air Patrol and as an instructor pilot for the New
York State National Guard retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 3; for 40
years, he was a valued employee at IBM; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Donald Ray Magill was appointed to the position of
Town of Maine Justice, and in 1988, was elected for his first four-year
term, beginning a long and distinguished career serving his community;
in January of 2017, he was sworn in for his 30th year as Town Justice;
and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Judge Donald Ray Magill held the title of
President of the New York State Magistrate's Association; in 2014, he
was the recipient of the New York State Magistrate's Association's
statewide Honorable Eugene W. Salisbury Magistrate of the Year Award;
and

WHEREAS, A legal scholar with a keen mind, good judgment and, above
all, an unfaltering sense of justice and fairness, Judge Donald Ray
Magill was the author of Magill's Manual, a website and printed manual
of the Vehicle and Traffic and Penal Law, used by town and village
justice's through the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Proud of his heritage, Judge Donald Ray Magill was a
Potentate at the Kalurah Shrine and a 33rd Degree member of the Scottish
Rite; and

WHEREAS, Judge Donald Ray Magill also held the title of Master of
the Maine Masonic Lodge, and was a member of the Royal Arch Masons,
Cryptic Masons, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, and the Red Cross of
Constantine; in addition, he served on the Board of Governors of
Shriner's Hospital for Children and was an Emeritus member; and

WHEREAS, Affectionately called "Dutch", Judge Donald Ray Magill 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 parents, Edgar C. and Helen Magill; two
brothers, Albert and Edgar, Magill, Jr.; and one daughter, Theresa
Petrzaka Morris, Judge Donald Ray Magill is survived by his wife of 20
years, Patricia (Coughlin) Magill; two daughters, Heather (Douglas)
MacQueen and Kerri Petrzala; two sons, Frank (Jean Ticen) Petrzala and
Dennis (Sandra) Coughlin; seven grandchildren, Daniel, Nicholas, Jared,
Michelle, Kelly, Allison and Michael; one brother, Robert Magill; and
one sister-in-law, Laura Magill; as well as several nieces, nephews and
friends; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Judge Donald Ray Magill'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
mourn the death of The Honorable Donald Ray Magill, Justice of the Town
of Maine, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of The Honorable Donald Ray Magill.