LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Hugh Samuel MacNeil, former
assemblyman, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Hugh "Sam" MacNeil, noting the significance
of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Sam MacNeil grew up in Williamsville, New York, where he
played three sports in high school; he enlisted in the Merchant Marine
after high school and served as a radio communications officer in the
Pacific Theater during World War II; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Sam MacNeil attended Buffalo State College for
a semester before transferring to Cornell University, where he received
a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in 1951, and was a member of
the Quill and Dagger and Ho Nun De Kah honor societies; and
WHEREAS, A standout guard on the Cornell basketball team from 1949
through 1951, Sam MacNeil was a dependable floorman and a crack set
shooter who played a major role in the team's 20-5 record in 1950-51;
and
WHEREAS, Sam MacNeil taught high school in Geneseo, New York, before
returning to Cornell in 1954 as the freshman basketball coach; he was
named head basketball coach in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Sam MacNeil, the Cornell basketball
team did not have a losing season and registered several major upsets
over nationally prominent teams on their own courts, including Illinois
in 1961, Kentucky in 1966, and Ohio State in 1968; and
WHEREAS, During his nine-year coaching career, Sam MacNeil compiled a
record of 139-79 and his 1964-65 squad finished 19-5 and established the
single season high of 15 straight wins; he was elected to the Cornell
University Sports Hall of Fame in 1982; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1960s, Sam MacNeil owned and operated a small
business in Ithaca and began a career in politics; he started as a
member of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives, where he served
from 1970 to 1978, and was chairman of the board from 1976 to 1978; and
WHEREAS, Sam MacNeil then served as a New York State assemblyman from
1979 to 1988, representing the 125th assembly district, which included
at various times all or parts of Tompkins, Tioga and Seneca Counties;
and
WHEREAS, Sam MacNeil is survived by his wife of 60 years, Georgia;
four children, Michael (Betty), Mary (Mike), Tim and Anne; five grand-
children, three sisters, and several nieces and nephews also survive
him, all of whom felt privileged to be a part of his life and rejoiced
in his many achievements; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Sam MacNeil 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 Hugh Samuel MacNeil, former assemblyman, 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 Hugh Samuel MacNeil.