LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of former Assemblyman Donald
R. Davidsen, renowned public servant, distinguished citizen, and
devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly the
death of certain prominent individuals whose valued contributions to
their community served to enhance the quality of life in the State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Donald R. Davidsen, renowned public servant, distinguished
citizen, and devoted member of his community, died on Saturday, January
10, 2015, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1936, in Flushing, New York, to the late George and
Emily Davidsen, Donald R. Davidsen moved to Greenwich, New York, where
he graduated high school in 1953; he then attended the New York State
College of Agriculture at Cornell University, earning a Doctor of Veter-
inary Medicine degree in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from college, Donald R. Davidsen served his
country proudly as a member of the United States Air Force, attaining
the esteemed rank of Captain while serving in Alabama, and Aviano,
Italy; and
WHEREAS, After returning to the states in 1964, Donald R. Davidsen
opened a large animal practice in Canisteo, New York, where he practiced
until 1987; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Donald R. Davidsen served as a Steuben
County Coroner, a Steuben County Legislator and Vice Chairman, and was a
member of the Canisteo Central School Board; he also chaired the Legis-
lature's Agriculture, Industry, and Planning Committee which was respon-
sible for designing and directing the construction of the new county
office building, one of Donald's proudest accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Donald R. Davidsen was inducted into the Steuben
County Hall of Fame, and a street in front of the office, "Davidsen
Way," bears his name; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Donald R. Davidsen was elected to the New York State
Assembly, serving as the ranking minority member of both the Assembly
Health and Agriculture Committees; in 1995, he was appointed Commission-
er of Agriculture and Markets for the State of New York, a position he
held until his retirement in 1999; and
WHEREAS, Donald R. Davidsen's purposeful life and civic endeavors were
unerringly directed to serving the needs of his fellow human beings; he
was a charter member and past president of the Hornell Area Arts Coun-
cil, past president of the Canisteo Rotary Club, and director of the
Finger Lakes Association; in addition, he was a member of the Steuben
County Industrial Development Agency, American Legion, Morning Star
Lodge No. 65 F&AM of Canisteo, and the First Presbyterian Church of
Canisteo; and
WHEREAS, Donald R. Davidsen was sincerely loved and greatly respected
by all those with whom he worked; committed to his community, the people
he represented, his State, and his Nation, he served his public with
dignity, dedication and incisive wisdom; and
WHEREAS, Over a long and meritorious life of service on behalf of
others, Donald R. Davidsen was a man of action, of integrity, and of
commitment, whose true compassion was generously given to all who knew
him; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth Warner, and his
brother, Roger, Donald R. Davidsen is survived by his wife, Valerie
Smith, whom he married in 2005; his brother, George (Nancy); three chil-
dren, Karen (John), Kristine (Bruce), and Richard (Loriann); eight

grandchildren, AJ, Christa, Mia, Daniel, James, Michael, Matthew, and
Aleah; and seven stepchildren, 11 step-grandchildren, and one step-great
grandson; and
WHEREAS, Donald R. Davidsen leaves behind a tremendous 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 former Assemblyman Donald R. Davidsen, renowned
public servant, distinguished citizen, and devoted member of his commu-
nity; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Donald R. Davidsen.