 
Senate Resolution No. 922
 
BY: Senator MAYER
 
        MOURNING the death of Leonard N. Spano
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is  indelibly  enriched
by  the  faithful  and  caring efforts of those who devote their life to
public service; and
 
  WHEREAS, With feelings of deepest regret, this Legislative Body must
record the passing  of  one  of  New  York  State's  most  distinguished
citizens,  the  beloved  and respected Leonard N. Spano, of Yonkers, New
York, who died on Sunday, February 10, 2019,  at  the  age  of  88;  the
humble  work  of  this quiet gentleman most certainly benefitted, in one
way or another, every citizen in Westchester County; and
 
  WHEREAS, Born on August 5, 1930, to Nicholas and Mary Spano, Leonard
N.  Spano was one of four children who grew up in southwest Yonkers;  he
attended  St.  Peter's  School  and  worked  alongside  his  father, who
emigrated from Italy, learning the family's ice and coal business; and
 
  WHEREAS, When refrigeration prevailed, the business became the Spano
Fuel Company where Leonard worked as a licensed oil-burner installer and
then as vice president of the company; and
 
  WHEREAS, At the age of 19, Leonard N. Spano enlisted in  the  United
States  Marine  Corp.;  he  served  for  three  years  during the Korean
Conflict before being honorably discharged; and
 
  WHEREAS, Leonard N. Spano met his wife, the former Josephine  Scott,
at the age of 18, and the two married in 1952; the couple's first child,
Nicholas,  was  born in 1953 and by 1975, Leonard and Josephine were the
proud parents to 16 children; and
 
  WHEREAS, Leonard N. Spano became interested  in  public  service  in
1967,  when  he  unsuccessfully  ran for the Westchester County Board of
Supervisors; undeterred, he ran again in 1971, and won  a  seat  on  the
Westchester  County Board of Legislators where he continued to serve the
14th District in Yonkers until 1993, when  he  was  elected  Westchester
County Clerk; and
 
  WHEREAS,  He  held  that  position until 2005, when he retired; in a
1996 NewYork Times article, Leonard attributed his success to his strong
family roots, saying, "I attribute my winning elections to the good name
that was made by my father  and  his  brothers.  They  didn't  have  any
education.    But  they  knew  the value of friendship, respect and hard
work."; and
 
  WHEREAS, During his 34 years in elected  office,  Leonard  N.  Spano
helped  shape  policy  in  Westchester County; as Budget Chairman of the
County Board of Legislators, he was  instrumental  in  transforming  the
Westchester  Medical  Center into the tertiary care facility that serves
the Hudson Valley today; and
 
  WHEREAS, He also spearheaded  Westchester's  Handgun  Record-Keeping
Accountability  Act  as  County  Clerk,  which  improved  the process of
tracking legally obtained handguns in Westchester County; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Following his retirement, Leonard N. Spano remained active
in many local  organizations,  including  the  Sons  of  Italy  and  the
Westchester School for Special Children, where he was a Board Member; he
also  served  on St. Joseph's Board of Trustees, was a Past President of
the Shomokin Rod and Gun Club and a lifelong member of the NRA; and
 
  WHEREAS, Leonard N. Spano was a longtime parishioner of  Mt.  Carmel
Church on Park Hill Avenue in Yonkers; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Leonard  N.  Spano is survived by his cherished wife of 66
years, Josephine, and his children,  Nicholas  (Linda),  John  (Evelyn),
MariaElena,  Eleanore,  Leonard  (Deidra),  Joanne  (Vincent  Finnegan),
Rosemarie  (Christopher  Gannon),  Camille,  Michael  (Mary),   Victoria
(Thomas  Smith),  Anthony  (Eva),  Dolores  (Richard  Wilson),  Loretta,
Gerard, Joseph (Rosalie), and Vincent (Jaime); 42 grandchildren  and  18
great  grandchildren;  one  sister,  Rosemary DeStaso; and two brothers,
John Spano, and Michael Spano; as well as dozens of nieces and  nephews;
and
 
  WHEREAS,  Over his meritorious life, one of service on behalf of his
family, community and country, Leonard N. Spano distinguished himself as
a man of values and commitment; 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 in a
moment  of  silent  tribute to Leonard N. Spano, whose unselfish concern
for the welfare of others enhanced the lives of those  so  fortunate  to
have called him family, colleague and friend, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Leonard N. Spano.
Mourning the death of Leonard N. Spano

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