LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Mary and Joseph Bonura, Sr. and
Family upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2009
Family of the Year Award by Family Services

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention to
those esteemed residents of the State of New York who dedicate their
lives to the improvement of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Mary
and Joseph Bonura, Sr. and Family upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of the 2009 Family of the Year Award by Family Services on
Thursday, May 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Each year Family Services honors a family as its annual
"Family of the Year"; the selection committee chooses a family that
epitomizes the mission of Family Services, "Helping people help them-
selves through direct services collaboration and advocacy"; and
WHEREAS, Family Services chooses a family that has made a direct and
measurable impact on the lives of people within the Hudson Valley; this
year, 2009, Joseph and Mary Bonura and Family have been selected as
Family Services' twentieth Family of the Year; and
WHEREAS, The Bonura Family is well-known for catering to the needs of
the Hudson Valley through their restaurant and hospitality endeavors;
spanning the Hudson River, the Bonura family has been involved in the
food service and hospitality business for over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, In 1971, Joseph and Mary Bonura opened their first restau-
rant, a Perkins Pancake House in Newburgh; five more Perkins and a Mr.
B.'s Steakhouse followed; later came the Bonuras' most notable venture
to that point, Anthony's Pier 9; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, along with the late Cosimo DiBrizzi, Joseph Bonura
purchased the Radisson Hotel in downtown Poughkeepsie; they transformed
it into today's flourishing Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel; their partnership
continued with the establishment of Torches on the Hudson on the
Newburgh waterfront in 2001; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Joseph Bonura shifted his focus to the neglected
Poughkeepsie waterfront; it wasn't until 2001 that the City of Pough-
keepsie chose the Bonura family to head the redevelopment of its water-
front; in September 2006, The Grandview opened its doors, and Shadows on
the Hudson followed suit in January 2007; these two successful ventures
are just the beginning of the Bonura family's plan to fully revitalize
the Poughkeepsie waterfront; and
WHEREAS, Joseph and Mary have three wonderful children who all have
different roles in the family business, Mary, Joseph, Jr. and Michael;
they have literally grown up working side-by-side with their parents and
know the dedication, hard work and perseverance that the demanding
restaurant and hospitality industries require; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those special
citizens who enhance the life in their community and have shown a long
and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned recognition
and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mary and Joseph Bonura, Sr. and Family upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of the 2009 Family of the Year Award by
Family Services; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary and Joseph Bonura, Sr. and Family.