Senate Resolution No. 2199

BY: Senator GAUGHRAN

MOURNING the death of The Honorable Toni A. Bean,
second African American woman to serve as Suffolk
County district judge, and devoted member of her
community

WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, served to better the
quality of life in their community and had a measurable positive impact
on the lives of its residents; Toni A. Bean was one such individual; and

WHEREAS, The Honorable Toni A. Bean of Amityville, New York, died on
Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the age of 62; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong Amityville resident, Toni A. Bean was born on
April 30, 1959; she was the second African American woman to serve as a
Suffolk County District Court judge; and

WHEREAS, In June of 2004, Toni A. Bean was appointed to Suffolk's
district court and was later elected in November; she followed Judge
Francel Trotter Bellinger, of North Babylon, as the second African
American woman to serve in this capacity; and

WHEREAS, Judge Toni A. Bean dealt with many cases including domestic
violence and probation violations, and always handled them with dignity
and fairness, a staple of the way she lived her life; and

WHEREAS, She holds a special place in the hearts of many who had the
privilege of working with her or appearing before her as well as a
special place in the history of Suffolk County courts; and

WHEREAS, Toni A. Bean graduated from Amityville public schools and
continued her education at SUNY Brockport, where she majored in
accounting and received a bachelor's degree in 1981; and

WHEREAS, She earned her law degree from Howard University School of
Law in 1985 and was admitted to the New York State Bar a year later; and

WHEREAS, Before joining the Suffolk County bench, her illustrious
legal career began at Walker & Bailey Esqs., where she worked with her
late aunt Cora T. Walker, who was a prominent lawyer in Harlem; and

WHEREAS, Toni A. Bean, Esq. joined the firm of Waxman & Wincott P.C.
on Long Island and eventually opened her own legal practice in
Amityville, specializing in personal injury litigation, real estate
transactions and wills and estates; and

WHEREAS, Her work surpassed the courtroom as she was involved in
numerous organizations, including serving as a chairperson of the North
Amityville Housing and Rehabilitation Association; a lifetime member of
the Central Long Island Branch NAACP; a former member of the Town of
Babylon Youth Court Advisory Committee; and former trustee of the
Amityville school board; and

WHEREAS, The Honorable Toni A. Bean was also an active guest speaker
at local schools, mentored young lawyers of color and spearheaded Black
History Month and Hispanic Heritage celebrations at Suffolk courts; she
always reached back to help others, so as other African American judges
came onto the bench, she was a mentor to them and provided support and
encouraged them through their journey; and

WHEREAS, Toni A. Bean was detail-oriented and a highly efficient
judge who opened the doors for many; she showed many that excellence is
always appropriate; and

WHEREAS, With decades of service on the bench, Judge Toni A. Bean
was someone of the highest integrity, and her tenacity and dedication to
the people of her community was unmatched; and

WHEREAS, She was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades from
religious, educational and government organizations, but Toni A. Bean's
biggest and proudest accomplishment was her 14-year-old son, Matthew;
and

WHEREAS, In addition to her son, Judge Toni A. Bean is survived by
her two sisters, Lisa Bean-Johnson and Jane Bean-Folkes; and two
nephews, Brian Johnson and Aaron Johnson; as well as a host of other
family members and countless friends in both New York and Bermuda; and

WHEREAS, The Honorable Toni A. Bean will be remembered as a revered
lawyer, educator and judge, but more importantly as a courteous,
thoughtful, and compassionate woman who treated people with respect and
dignity; she will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute
of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of The Honorable Toni A. Bean, and to express its
deepest condolences to her family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of The Honorable Toni A. Bean.