Honor R. Stephen Hawley's Legacy

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.