Senate Resolution No. 453

BY: Senator OBERACKER

CELEBRATING the life and accomplishments of The
Honorable Albert S. Nader, renowned public servant,
meritorious veteran 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 and their profession served to enhance the quality of
life in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Albert S. Nader, former Mayor of the city of Oneonta, New
York, died on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the age of 101; and

WHEREAS, Albert S. Nader, affectionately known as Sam, was born on
July 8, 1919, to Rose Rajah (Nassar) and Elias Andrew Nader in Oneonta,
where he was a lifelong resident of the 6th Ward; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Oneonta High School in 1938, Albert
S. Nader attended Hartwick College for a year before transferring to
Bates College where he played baseball; and

WHEREAS, Albert S. Nader worked at the Scintilla Magneto division of
the Bendix Corporation in Sidney, New York, before enlisting in the
United States Army where he proudly served his country as a machine
gunner in the 29th Infantry Division during World War II where he fought
in the Battle of the Bulge; and

WHEREAS, For his meritorious service, Albert S. Nader received the
Bronze Star, three battle stars, an Army Commendation Medal, and Army of
Occupation Service Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, a Victory
Medal and a Good Conduct Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon his discharge in 1945, Albert S. Nader returned to his
home town and resumed his job at the Bendix Corporation, working in both
quality assurance and procurement for over 40 years; in 1983, he retired
as Director of Purchasing for Bendix Electrical Components Division; and

WHEREAS, Albert S. Nader married the former Alice House in 1954, and
together, they settled into their home on River Street and raised three
children; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Albert S. Nader also began a long and
distinguished career in politics after being elected city assessor, a
position he would hold for two terms, before running for the title of
Mayor under his own Good Government Party; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Mayor Albert S. Nader strived to
keep his campaign promise of making Oneonta a better place to live, work
and play; he was instrumental in securing funding for the expansion of
SUNY Oneonta and initiated construction on the Oneonta Municipal
Airport, later renamed the Albert S. Nader Regional Airport in his
honor, which would help connect the city to the rest of New York and the
country; and


WHEREAS, After two terms, Mayor Albert S. Nader retired to spend
more time with his family and work in the private sector; and

WHEREAS, A forever baseball fan, Albert S. Nader purchased the
Oneonta Yankees, later renamed the Oneonta Tigers, who played at
Damaschke Field for over three decades; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work in government and baseball, Albert
S. Nader was a member of the Board of Directors of several organizations
including the Wilber National Bank, AO Fox Hospital, the Oneonta City
School District Board of Education, and the Future of Oneonta
Foundation; he also served as honorary chair of Opportunity for Otsego's
Capital Campaign; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
community, Albert S. Nader was the recipient of numerous accolades from
the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, LEAF Council on Alcoholism, The
Daily Star, Future of Oneonta Foundation, Minor League Baseball and
numerous other organizations, including SUNY Oneonta which annually
awards the Alice H. and Albert S. Nader Scholarship; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, Alice; his brothers and sisters,
Julia, Nausif, Adele, Dorothy, and Jemele; a niece and three nephews,
Albert S. Nader is survived by one son, John S. Nader (Kathy); two
daughters, Alice O'Conner (Cliff) and Suzanne Longo (Tom); seven
grandchildren, Danielle, Mark (Angela), Kevin (Sarah), Allison (Peter),
Rachel, Sloan and Sarah; and one great-grandson, Levi Samuel; as well as
numerous nieces, nephews and friends who will long cherish his memory;
and

WHEREAS, Albert S. Nader 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 the public with
dignity, dedication and incisive wisdom; and

WHEREAS, Over a long and meritorious life of service on behalf of
others, Albert S. Nader was a man of action, of integrity, and of
commitment, whose true compassion was generously given to all who knew
him; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Albert S. Nader 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
celebrate the life and accomplishments of The Honorable Albert S. Nader,
renowned public servant, meritorious veteran 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 The Honorable Albert S. Nader.