LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Strong-
Burns and Sprock Funeral Home

WHEREAS, Businesses which provide outstanding services to residents of
the communities of the State of New York are deserving of public recog-
nition and applause for their efforts; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of Strong-Burns and Sprock Funeral Home; and
WHEREAS, Strong-Burns and Sprock Funeral Home will mark its 100th
Anniversary with the opening of a new location at 7751 Merrick Road in
Rome, New York; the brand new facility, the construction of which began
15 months ago, features a state-of-the-art audio-visual system, a large
parking lot, and viewing rooms that can be configured to better meet the
needs of families; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1916 by John J. Strong, Sr., Strong Funeral Home
was Rome's first funeral home in a traditional funeral home setting; and
WHEREAS, Prior to the business changing hands in 2013 when it was
purchased by J.T. Sprock, Patrick L. Burns and John J. Strong, Jr., were
partners in Strong and Burns Funeral Home, a successful business whose
service philosophy was to treat every grieving family member like they
would have wanted to be addressed in similar situations; and
WHEREAS, While a student at the State University of New York at
Canton, J.T. Sprock was hired by Patrick L. Burns to work funerals and
calling hours; after graduating, he studied mortuary science, and then
continued his education at Utica College, receiving a bachelor's degree;
and
WHEREAS, Each year the business continues to grow, and the footprint
of the new property will allow space to install an extremely large park-
ing lot on the southwest side of the building; the new building is on
one level, with no ramps or stairs and is fully handicapped accessible;
and
WHEREAS, Currently the Strong-Burns and Sprock Funeral Home employs an
office manager and six part-time funeral assistants; in the next several
months, they plan to add another licensed funeral director position; and
WHEREAS, Businesses, such as Strong-Burns and Sprock Funeral Home, and
its owner and employees, exert a strong, positive influence on the
communities and businesses they serve and are an essential component of
the economy of the Empire State, and of the quality of life of its
communities; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges this exceptional business and its contributions to the local and
State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
success it has worked so hard to achieve; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Strong-Burns and Sprock Funeral
Home; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to J.T. Sprock.