Honor Pat Cookfair-Casseri's Service

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.