Honor Judge Magill’s Passing

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.