LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of James J. Dooley, distin-
guished 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, James J. Dooley of Geneva, New York, died on Sunday, March 4,
2012, at the age of 64; and
WHEREAS, A native of Dorchester, Massachusetts, James J. Dooley earned
a bachelor's degree in biology from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire
and a master's degree in health administration from the University of
Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Before making Geneva his home, James J. Dooley worked at
Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, James J. Dooley distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, James J. Dooley was hired as administrator at Geneva General
Hospital (GGH) in 1978, when there were approximately 400 employees; and
WHEREAS, Under his luminous leadership, GGH evolved into a 696-bed
multi-entity health system through affiliations with Taylor-Brown Memo-
rial Hospital in Waterloo and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital in
Penn Yan, and incorporating several long-term care facilities; and
WHEREAS, During James J. Dooley's 33-year tenure at GGH, he was
instrumental in numerous institutional developments including:
24-hour/7-day a week emergency department coverage; overseeing multiple
renovation and expansion projects; establishing a nationally recognized
acute rehab unit; opening the Seneca, Dundee and Clyde Family Health
Centers; instituting a transitional care (short-term) rehab program,
special needs (Alzheimer's care) unit and neuro-behavioral unit within
the long-term division; introduction of the sleep laboratory; beginning
the hospitalist program; building the Finger Lakes Surgery Center, the
region's only free-standing ambulatory surgery center; creating the
Geneva General Child Care Center; and developing and launching the
Finger Lakes College of Nursing-RN College; and
WHEREAS, In tribute to magnanimous contributions, the Finger Lakes
College of Nursing will name a scholarship for James J. Dooley, paying
homage to his commitment to education and his role in establishing the
college; and
WHEREAS, James J. Dooley also has been recognized nationally and
statewide for his health-care advocacy and contributions to innovative
health-care delivery systems; and
WHEREAS, As former Finger Lakes Health CEO, James J. Dooley always had
the best interest of the communities he served at heart; his dedication,
commitment and contributions to the health of his community were
unprecedented and unparalleled; and
WHEREAS, James J. Dooley's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, A strong advocate for youth in his community, James J. Dooley
helped found Geneva's youth hockey program; he also served on the Ameri-
ca's Promise Alliance for Youth National Advisory Board, and most
recently served as chairman of the Geneva Community Center Advisory
Board; and

WHEREAS, In addition, James J. Dooley served with the Geneva Area
Chamber of Commerce board, the YMCA board, Jobs for Geneva, and Catholic
Charities of the Finger Lakes; and
WHEREAS, This extraordinary man was honored by Catholic Charities as
the recipient of the "Sharing the Light" award in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, James J. Dooley was honored by the Boys Scouts of
America, Finger Lakes Council, as "Distinguished Citizen" in 2003; and
as Monroe County Hockey League "Coach of the Year" in 1996 and 1999,
when he served as head coach of the Geneva/DeSales team; and
WHEREAS, James J. Dooley is survived by his wife, Caryl; their two
children, Paul and Katelyn; his brothers, John and William Dooley, and
sisters Margie Hoey and Jane Zailskas; he was predeceased by sisters
Cathleen Thayer and Anna Mary Stewart; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, James J. Dooley 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 James J. Dooley, 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 James J. Dooley.