LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Nick Panko, 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, Nick Panko of Johnson City, New York, died on March 27, 2009,
at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, After serving his country as a medic during World War II,
Nick Panko returned home to attend Harpur College, where he received his
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955; and
WHEREAS, He later became a Specifications Engineer for the IBM Corpo-
ration in Endicott, New York, and retired after 29 years of dedicated
service; and
WHEREAS, A true citizen of Johnson City, Nick Panko believed in giving
back to the community he loved so much; despite working as an engineer
with IBM in Endicott, he found time to become an advocate for emergency
medical service (EMS); one of his greatest accomplishments was estab-
lishing the Union Volunteer Emergency Squad (UVES); and
WHEREAS, Through the years, he served as its President, Secretary, and
Director of Public Relations, as well as an Emergency Medical Techni-
cian; known to many as "Mr. UVES", Nick Panko was honored as a lifelong
member of the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, UVES named its East Station in Johnson City PANKO
Station in honor of its founding member; furthermore, Nick Panko helped
build the second UVES station by soliciting donations and obtaining
grants; and
WHEREAS, His commitment to excellence, and his spirit of humanity,
carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and
civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Nick Panko, who was the recipient of the Johnson City Sertoma
Club's Service to Mankind Award, was a member of the Johnson City School
Board; Past President of the Town of Union Taxpayers Association; served
on the Citizens Advisory Bi-Partisan Committee for the Town of Union;
and was a lifelong, devoted member and past Treasurer of the Dormition
of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church; and
WHEREAS, A prolific writer, Nick Panko contributed numerous articles
to the Press & Sun-Bulletin ranging from editorials on state and local
politics, to the "Memory Lane" articles describing the history of John-
son City and its people; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Harry and Anna Panko; two broth-
ers, Harry and Mike; his sister-in-law, Helen Panko; and brother-in-law,
Mike Kostun, Nick Panko is survived by his sister, Anna (Panko) Kostun;
his sister-in-law, Marguerite Panko; four nephews and their wives, Mike
and Barbara Panko, Joe and Sandi Panko, Dick and Kathy Panko, Bill and
Cheri Panko; and two nieces and their husbands, Cindy (Panko) and Bob
Yurecka, and Donna (Kostun) and Warren Gheen; as well as many grand
nieces and nephews, and several great grand nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Nick Panko 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
mourn the death of Nick Panko, distinguished 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 Nick Panko.