LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Theodore Katra, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals of preeminent character whose lives exemplified the highest
ideals of humanity and whose lifework and civic endeavor served to
enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Theodore "Ted" Katra, a businessman and retired firefighter,
died on April 8, 2010, at the age of 78; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Theodore Katra distinguished himself
in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contrib-
ution to the welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, Theodore Katra was born on June 1, 1931, in Lackawanna, New
York, to Thomas and Sophie Katra; he graduated from Lackawanna High
School and attended General Motors Institute; and
WHEREAS, During the Korean War era, Theodore Katra proudly served in
the United States Navy as a petty officer second-class and dental tech-
nician; he was stationed in the Mediterranean for four years; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return home, Theodore Katra became a well-known and
highly respected businessman as the President and Chief Executive Offi-
cer of Katra Trucking Co., where he diligently worked every day for
approximately 50 years; and
WHEREAS, Theodore Katra's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Theodore Katra was a member and longtime Lieutenant of the
Lackawanna Fire Department; he retired from the department in 1983 after
20 years of distinguished service; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Theodore Katra was active in several civic and
veterans organizations; he was a Commissioner for the Niagara Frontier
Transportation Authority and President of the Lackawanna Community
Development Corp.; he also helped redevelop the former Lackawanna Stadi-
um into Veterans Stadium; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Theodore Katra and his wife were named Citizens of
the Year by the Lackawanna Chamber of Commerce; he had received the
Citizen of the Year Award from the same organization in 1994 and 1977;
he was also the recent recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from
the New York State Motor Truck Association; and
WHEREAS, A beautiful light in the lives of many, Theodore Katra was
both an incredible businessman and community member but more importantly
he was a devoted family man as nothing in the world was more dear to him
than his family; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Sophie Katra, his
sister, Jennie, and his in-laws, Teddy, Ray, and Vi, Theodore Katra is
survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Lorraine Nigro; his chil-
dren, Susan (Terry) Hannon, Judy (Rob) Chmielowiec, Ted (Judy) Katra and
Charles (Joy) Katra; his grandchildren, Robert (Kerri) and David (fian-
cee Vicki) Chmielowiec, Terry and Sarah Hannon, Shannon and Ted Katra,
and Emma and Lily Katra; his great grandchildren, Hanna, Jack and Rylee
Chmielowiec; his sister, Josephine Wilczak, and his brothers, Matthew
Katra and William (Helen) Katra; as well as several nieces and nephews;
and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Theodore Katra 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 Theodore Katra, 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 Theodore Katra.