Honor Julia Roczen's 101st Birthday

Senate Resolution No. 3117 BY: Senator GRIFFO CONGRATULATING Julia Roczen upon the occasion of celebrating her 101st Birthday WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Julia Roczen upon the occasion of her 101st Birthday; and WHEREAS, Julia Bosco was born to Salomea (Luczsky) and Onufry Bosko on April 7, 1919, in Fairfield, New York; in 1921, she and her family moved to a large farm on Luke Road in Marcy, New York, where they lived for a short time before trading it for a two-family house on Downer Avenue in Utica, New York; and WHEREAS, Realizing they missed living in the country, Julia Bosco and her family purchased a Guernsey Breeders farm located on Gibson Rd in Whitesboro, New York, in 1930; she attended New York Mills High School for two years, and as a young adult, she worked in New York City during the winter, and helped out on the family farm during the summer; and WHEREAS, On October 12, 1940, Julia Bosco married Edward Roczen and together, they raised two children, Stephanie and Steven; while the men were away fighting in World War II, she worked at West End Brewery; and WHEREAS, Julia Roczen and her family moved to their home on Curran Road in September of 1949, and she volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol as a block captain for bombing drills which continued for a while after the war; and WHEREAS, After earning her GED, Julia Roczen became a member of the Home Bureau where she learned to sew, and was employed by the Oneida County Extension Service; she then went to night school at Cornell University to become Certified in Teaching Clothing and Millinery, and subsequently, became a lead instructor, teaching night classes in many area schools; and WHEREAS, In addition, Julia Roczen worked at General Electric, and served as a representative for Dritz Sewing Co. for many years; and WHEREAS, After her much deserved retirement, Julia Roczen became more involved with her community, serving on the Board of Directors of the AARP Utica Chapter, and tour director for the AARP; and WHEREAS, Proud of her Polish heritage, Julia Roczen held the position of Vice President for the Skiba Post of Polish Lithuanian American Veterans, and served as chairman of the board for the State of New York PLAV Women's Auxiliary for many years; and WHEREAS, Above all, Julia Roczen loved spending time with her cherished family, whether it was traveling to Poland with her sisters, camping with Edward, or making even more memories with her grandchildren, Michael, Dean, Nicholas, Debbie, Jeffrey, Lance, Brian, Camille, Molly, Nathan, Virginia, and Bethany; and great-grandchildren, Matthew (Molly Roczen Ballard), Michael, Katherine (Camille Roczen Noonan), Evelyn, James, William, Oliver, Anna, Madeline (Virginia Roczen Yerman), Eliza, Jack, Scarlett (Nathan Roczen), and Prudence; and WHEREAS, Julia Roczen, with her zest for life, has inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has experienced the incredible joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina and courage to savor a full life; and WHEREAS, Julia Roczen has enriched the lives of those around her through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Julia Roczen upon the occasion of celebrating her 101st Birthday; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Julia Roczen.