Senate Resolution No. 51

BY: Senator RANZENHOFER

MOURNING the death of The Honorable R. Stephen
Hawley, renowned public servant, 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, R. Stephen Hawley of Batavia, New York, died on Thursday,
August 25, 2016, at the Silver Springs Adult Living Facility in Green
Valley, Arizona; he was 94; and

WHEREAS, Born on December 16, 1921 to Warren Waldo Hawley Jr. and
Emma Charlotte Morris, R. Stephen Hawley, graduated from Batavia Public
Schools; he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural
Economics from Cornell University in 1943; and

WHEREAS, R. Stephen Hawley valiantly served as a member of the
United States Army for three years, two of which he spent in the
China-Burma-India Theatre as captain in the Field Artillery during the
Second World War; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, R. Stephen
Hawley entered into the family business with his father and brother as
farm manager of Hawley Stock Farms; and

WHEREAS, R. Stephen Hawley distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; and

WHEREAS, A Genesee County Legislator from 1969 to 1973, R. Stephen
Hawley along with his late wife, Ellen, were strong supporters of the
establishment of Genesee Community College; as a County Legislator, he
helped supervise the construction of the present college; and

WHEREAS, Elected to the New York State Assembly in a special
election in 1973, R. Stephen Hawley served the 137th district which
encompasses Genesee, Orleans, part of Wyoming and Monroe counties; he
remained a State Representative until his retirement in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career as an Assemblyman, R.
Stephen Hawley's proudest accomplishment was the establishment of the
New York State Veterans Home in Batavia; and

WHEREAS, R. Stephen Hawley's commitment to excellence, and his
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise,
including charitable and civic endeavors; he served on the Town of
Batavia Planning Board for ten years and the Batavia Board of Education
for six years, four of which he served as president; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, R. Stephen Hawley was an honorary
member, Paul Harris Fellow and past president of the Rotary Club of

Batavia, past president of the YMCA Board of Directors, past director of
the Batavia Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Committee of
the Genesee Council of Boy Scouts; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he was a member of the American Legion and
VFW, the former Loyal Order of the Moose, the Batavia Lodge No. 475 F. &
A.M., the former Batavia Club, the Town of Batavia Fire Department, the
Stafford Grange and Elks Club of Green Valley, Arizona; and

WHEREAS, A member and past president of the Empire Livestock
Marketing Cooperative, Pro-Fac Cooperative, Cooperative Extension, and
Cornell University Council, R. Stephen Hawley was also a member of the
Agway Council, as well as a member and past director of the Genesee
County Farm Bureau; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his first wife, Ellen; his sisters,
Elizabeth and Nancy; and a brother, Warren, R. Stephen Hawley is
survived by his wife, Gennette; his children, Assemblyman Stephen M.
(Theresa Doyle) Hawley, James W. Hawley and Theodore P. (Patricia)
Hawley, Susan Hawley and Charlotte (Chris) Kinner; two step-daughters,
Susan (Edward) Walbridge and Barbara Catta; 10 grandchildren, five
step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, R. Stephen Hawley 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 The Honorable R. Stephen Hawley, renowned public
servant, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of The Honorable R. Stephen Hawley.