LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Professor Patrick J. Rohan
Sr., 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, Professor Patrick J. Rohan Sr. died on Thursday, November 26,
2009, at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, Born on June 14, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, Professor
Patrick J. Rohan Sr. was the son of the late Thomas and Honora (Moriar-
ty) Rohan; and
WHEREAS, Professor Rohan received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St.
John's University in 1954; he then earned his Juris Doctor magna cum
laude from St. John's University School of Law in 1956; thereafter, he
obtained an LLM from Harvard Law School, and a J.S.D. from Columbia
University; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Professor Rohan distinguished
himself in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial
contribution to the welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, Professor Rohan began instructing at St. John's School of Law
in 1958; he served as Dean of the Law School from 1981 to 1991; upon
completion of his tenure as Dean, he returned to teaching until his
retirement, after 52 years of dedicated service, in June 2009; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Professor Rohan was a visiting professor at
Columbia and New York University Law Schools and also lectured at the
Lincoln Land Institute and the Southwestern Legal Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Loved and respected by many, Professor Rohan taught over
20,000 law students throughout his extraordinary career; and
WHEREAS, A prolific author, and a leading authority on property and
condominium law, Professor Rohan's publications included Powell on Real
Property (Rev. Ed.); and Nichols on Eminent Domain (Rev. Ed.); as well
as national treatises on Condominiums; Cooperatives; Home Owner Associ-
ations; Zoning and Land Use Controls; Real Estate Financing; Syndi-
cations; Trusts & Estates; Real Estate Brokerage; Leasing; and Real
Estate Tax Appeals; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Professor Rohan served as counsel to numerous
educational and governmental bodies, including the New York State Tempo-
rary Commission on Estates; the Temporary State Commission on Rental
Housing; the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; the Federal National Mortgage
Association; the Restatement of Property (Second); and the New York
State Judicial Conference; he was elected to membership in the American
College of Real Estate Counsel and the American Bar Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Professor Rohan also served a two-year term as the President
of the International Association of Jurists Italy-USA-Switzerland; in
recognition of his service, he was honored by the Italian Government by
the University of Bologna; he was also named to the Knights of Malta and
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre by Pope John Paul II; and
WHEREAS, Embodying countless attributes, including good judgment and a
positive attitude, Professor Rohan was driven to help others and always
displayed the utmost fairness and dedication; he truly exemplified what
it means to give of oneself and was a beautiful light in the lives of
all those with whom he came in contact; and
WHEREAS, Professor Rohan is survived by his wife, Janet; and his eight
children, Lauri Rohan-Griffin and her husband, Tim; Terry Keebaugh, and
her husband, Karl; Patrick J. "Rick" Rohan, Jr.; Janet McCarthy and her

husband, Neil; Amy Rohan; Courtney Rohan Rockett and her husband, Nat;
William "Billy" Rohan and his wife, Erika; and Kaitlin Gavin and her
husband, Sean; he also leaves behind his 19 cherished grandchildren; his
brothers, Timothy Rohan and his wife, Eileen; John Rohan and his wife,
Jan; his sister, Mary Rohan; and many nieces and nephews, as well as
countless extended family members and friends; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Professor Rohan 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 Professor Patrick J. Rohan Sr., 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 Professor Patrick J. Rohan Sr.