Senate Resolution No. 2820

BY: Senator JACOBS

HONORING Pat Cookfair-Casseri upon the occasion of
her retirement after 38 years of distinguished
service to the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free
School District

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and
character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this
great State; and

WHEREAS, The result of many individual efforts, the excellence and
the success of Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District is
due in large part to the efforts of Pat Cookfair-Casseri; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Pat
Cookfair-Casseri upon the occasion of her retirement after 38 years of
distinguished service to the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School
District; and

WHEREAS, Pat Cookfair-Casseri began her illustrious career in
education with the Ken-Ton School District in 1979; throughout her
tenure she taught every grade from pre-K to 12th grade at Ross, Edison
and Hamilton Elementary Schools, Kenmore East High School and Hoover
Middle School; and

WHEREAS, As a child, Pat Cookfair-Casseri attended Heritage and
Hamilton Elementary Schools, the former Hoover Junior High School and
Kenmore East High School; after high school she attended Canisius
College, where she studied bio-psychology for two years and sang in the
Glee Club and Gospel Choir; and

WHEREAS, Pat Cookfair-Casseri then found her true calling and
transferred to Buffalo State College, where she completed her Bachelor
of Arts degree and eventually her Master of Arts degree in Special
Education; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Nick, and their
four children, Bob, Nikki, Patrick and Heather, as well as two
grandchildren, Alex and KayLee, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to the
community, Pat Cookfair-Casseri spends each summer volunteering at Camp
Duffield in Delevan, New York, serving as a camp director for children's
camps, teen camps and a camp for developmentally challenged adults; she
also serves on the Board of Directors for Camp Duffield throughout the
year; and

WHEREAS, Pat Cookfair-Casseri is a member of University Presbyterian
Church, where she enjoys teaching Christian Education classes and
singing in the choir; her mission work includes working with refugees,
taking youth groups to volunteer at the City Mission, and giving of her
time and energies to the church's Community Soup Program, which provides

small grants to community-based groups conducting projects to help
others in the City of Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, A true inspiration and mentor, Pat Cookfair-Casseri served
the Ken-Ton School District for 38 years with honor, loyalty and
distinction, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of her
colleagues; and

WHEREAS, The Tonawanda community is indeed fortunate and blessed to
have had such a dedicated and respected educational leader; her wisdom
and contributions reached into every classroom, truly making a
difference in the lives of those lucky enough to have worked with her;
and

WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New York State,
Pat Cookfair-Casseri has continually demonstrated an impressive
dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for
the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at the
Ken-Ton School District for the benefit of its faculty and students, as
well as for the entire community; and

WHEREAS, In completing her service as a special education teacher,
Pat Cookfair-Casseri leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she
leaves behind a legacy to the students of Ken-Ton School District and to
the residents of the Tonawanda community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Pat Cookfair-Casseri upon the occasion of her retirement after 38
years of distinguished service to the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union
Free School District; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Pat Cookfair-Casseri.