Honor Robert Rabbitt, Jr.

Senate Resolution No. 844 BY: Senator BONACIC MOURNING the death of Robert Rabbitt, Jr., former police chief, family man, 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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recognition and just tribute to individuals who distinguished themselves through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of public service; one such individual is Robert Rabbitt, Jr., who died on February 26,

2017, at the age of 57; and WHEREAS, Born on April 30, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York, Robert Rabbitt, Jr., affectionately known as Bobby, was an angler who loved his family, valued his work, and was proud of his Irish heritage; and WHEREAS, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. truly enjoyed his life; he was married to his childhood sweetheart, Annie, and was a loving father and grandfather; a true Irishman, he loved to laugh and enjoyed listening and signing Irish music; and WHEREAS, Generous, kind and compassionate, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked and enthusiastically rooted for the underdog; and WHEREAS, For many years, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. was a union man, serving as a Business Agent for the Teamsters Union Local 807 in Long Island City, New York, and an Ornamental Iron Worker at Local 580; and WHEREAS, After changing his career path, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. he began a long and distinguished career in law enforcement; at the time of his retirement, he held the esteemed title of Chief of Police of Greenwood Lake, New York; and WHEREAS, In his much deserved retirement, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. relished spending time on the beach with his beloved wife, family and many friends; and WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Eileen and Robert Rabbitt, Sr.,his mother-in-law, Helen Meeney and brother-in-law, Mark Meeney, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. is survived by his loving wife, Annie (Meeney) Rabbitt; his cherished daughter, Erin (Thomas) Rabbitt; one devoted son, Robert (Joanna) Rabbitt III; and his treasured granddaughter, Abigail; two brothers, Michael and Joseph Rabbitt; one sister, Jeannie Rabbitt; two sisters-in-laws, Carol Pagano and Patricia Meeney-Jeleniewicz; one brother-in-law, Rick Pagano; and several nieces and nephews, as well as a legion of friends who will long cherish his memory; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Robert Rabbitt, Jr. 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; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Robert Rabbitt, Jr., former police chief, family man, 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 Robert Rabbitt, Jr.