2011-J2443

Paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of Murray Handwerker, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

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2011-J2443


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of
Murray Handwerker, 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, Born on July 25, 1921, Murray Handwerker, the savvy hot dog
seller who transformed Nathan's Famous from a Coney Island favorite into
a major national chain, died at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,
on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, A veteran of World War II, Murray Handwerker returned from
the war in the 1940s to work for his father, Nathan, who had opened his
original Coney Island hot dog stand in 1916; he immediately helped his
parents open Nathan's locations in Times Square and Long Island; and
WHEREAS, A visionary entrepreneur, with a passion for both Nathan's
and Coney Island, Murray Handwerker became chairman of Nathan's in the
1970s; he took the business public and rapidly expanded it through
dozens of franchise deals throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Murray Handwerker expanded the Nathan's brand to
supermarkets, turning its hot dogs into a household name; and
WHEREAS, Murray Handwerker sold Nathan's in 1987, but his passion
remained for the original Nathan's at Surf and Stillwell Avenues in
Coney Island, where he spent his childhood munching on hot dogs; his
playpens as a child were the boxes in which frankfurter rolls were
delivered; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong hot dog historian who wrote NATHAN'S FAMOUS HOT
DOG COOK BOOK, Murray Handwerker's favorite dog was a plain frank on a
bun; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife of 67 years, the former Dorothy
Frankel, Murray Handwerker is survived by his sons, Steve, Ken and Bill,
and by his brother Sol; he is also survived by several grandchildren;
and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Murray Handwerker 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 pay
tribute to the life and accomplishments of Murray Handwerker, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Murray Handwerker.

actions

  • 10 / Jun / 2011
    • REFERRED TO FINANCE
  • 14 / Jun / 2011
    • REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
  • 14 / Jun / 2011
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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