Senate Resolution No. 3280

BY: Senator MAYER

MOURNING the death of John William Reavis, Jr.,
distinguished 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, John William Reavis, Jr. of Port Chester, New York died on
Monday, June 29, 2020, at the age of 84; and

WHEREAS, Born in Nyack, New York, on October 30, 1935, to John and
Frances (Hines) Reavis, Sr., John William Reavis, Jr. was the oldest of
11 children and attended Nyack Schools, graduating in June of 1953; and

WHEREAS, In 1954, John William Reavis, Jr. furthered his education
at New York Pace College, later transferring to Fayetteville State
Teachers College in North Carolina on a baseball scholarship; and

WHEREAS, It was at Fayetteville State where John William Reavis, Jr.
began his love of service to his community as a member of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity Inc.; he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Elementary Education in 1959; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he was honored by Fayetteville State Hall of
Fame in 2000, for his extraordinary work as the Manager of the
Basketball and Baseball teams; and

WHEREAS, Spending his life in the service of Omega with his focus on
improving the quality of life in his community, John William Reavis, Jr.
lived by Omega's cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship,
Perseverance and Uplift; and

WHEREAS, John William Reavis, Jr. began his illustrious career in
education teaching fifth grade in Newburgh, New York; he went on to
serve as an elementary guidance counselor, adult educational instructor,
special programs coordinator, assistant principal, and finally
principal; and

WHEREAS, John William Reavis, Jr. and the former Catherine Elizabeth
Smith were united in marriage in 1960, and together they raised three
children, Dawn, John William III, and Timothy Prescott; and

WHEREAS, During this time, John William Reavis, Jr. went back to
school at NYU to earn his master's degree in Guidance, graduating in
1965; and

WHEREAS, While in Newburgh, John William Reavis, Jr. worked with
community organizations and Omega Psi Phi to obtain scholarships for
young African American students to attend college; he was later
recognized for this important work; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, John William Reavis, Jr. accepted a role with the
State University of New York (SUNY) Central Administration in Albany,
New York, to help establish the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
for all the universities, colleges, and community colleges throughout
the state; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, John William Reavis, Jr.
went on to serve in many additional capacities, including as EOP
Manager, evening program coordinator, Affirmative Action Officer,
English and English as a Second Language professor, and lastly, EOP
University Dean at SUNY Farmingdale, the esteemed position from which he
retired in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement from SUNY Farmingdale, John William
Reavis, Jr. accepted a position as Executive Director at Carver
Community Center in Port Chester, New York, where he oversaw the
community center expansion and building renovation while establishing
many new programs; and

WHEREAS, In August of 1997, John William Reavis, Jr. wed Doris
Bailey, and the two became a beacon of influence and progress within
Port Chester Village on issues for health, housing, immigration,
juvenile justice, and youth employment; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, John and Frances; stepfather,
Jonnie; three sisters, Barbara Ann, Irene, and Sheri; and three
brothers, Ronald, Marc and Larry; John William Reavis, Jr. is survived
by his wife Doris; three children, Dawn (Terry), John W. (Alexandra) and
Prescott (Kai); three sisters, Linda (Raymond), Diane (Sixto), and
Paulette (Peter); one brother, Tony; four grandchildren; and two
great-grandsons; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, John William Reavis, Jr. 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 John William Reavis, Jr., distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of John William Reavis, Jr.