Honor John Mody, Jr.

Senate Resolution No. 1883 BY: Senator GRIFFO HONORING John A. Mody, Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on July 28, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest level of personal achievement; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John A. Mody, Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Sunday, July 28, 2019, with a Ceremony at the Hall, followed by a Banquet at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel in Vernon, New York; and WHEREAS, Every year, the Rome Sports Hall of Fame publicly commends the pursuit of athletic excellence, recognizes those who have excelled, and strives to preserve Rome's rich athletic heritage; John A. Mody, Jr. is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and WHEREAS, The late John Mody, Jr. was an outstanding athlete, stellar student, and a very successful businessman, but according to his parents, his coaches and his friends, he was an even better person; and WHEREAS, Ever since he was a young boy, John Mody, Jr. loved sports; as a student at Rome Free Academy, he was a member of the Section III championship football team, and was selected as a first-team league all-star as a linebacker; in 1985, he was chosen to play in the annual league East-West game; and WHEREAS, During his junior season, John Mody, Jr. was the recipient of the Coach's Award, and as a senior, he was a two-way starting linebacker and offensive lineman; and WHEREAS, John Mody, Jr. was also a vital member of his school's baseball team, and was selected as a first-team all-star; he hit .484 for Rome Free Academy, and .420 for the Smith Post American Legion team; and WHEREAS, Upon graduating, John Mody, Jr. was a three-year starter for the Colgate College Raiders as both an inside and middle linebacker; throughout his college career, he was credited with 179 solo tackles; as a senior, he caused three fumbles, registered five pass deflections and three sacks, and was presented with game balls for his dominating defensive effort against Princeton and Bucknell Universities; and WHEREAS, John Mody, Jr. died on August 31, 2017, at the age of 50; at the time of his passing, he lived in Syracuse, New York, with his wife, Sarah, and their then three-year-old daughter Marisa; he was a very successful real estate agent, owned an appraisal company, and was a partner in Resurgent Properties; and WHEREAS, John A. Mody, Jr. clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his Rome community; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor John A. Mody, Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on July 28, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of John A. Mody, Jr.