Senate Resolution No. 977

BY: Senator RATH

MOURNING the death of Kenneth L. Malick,
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, Kenneth L. Malick of Orchard Park, New York, died on
Friday, May 7, 2021, at the age of 101; and

WHEREAS, Affectionately known as Ken, Kenneth L. Malick was born in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Sarah Belle Float and Ayad Malick, both
ordained Pentecostal ministers who met in Egypt in 1913; and

WHEREAS, This young family soon moved to Buffalo, New York, where
Kenneth L. Malick and his older sister, Grace, grew up in the house next
to their parents' church, the First United Pentecostal Church on
Kensington Avenue; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth L. Malick attended Kensington High School in
Buffalo, where he performed in chorus and as a violinist in the band and
orchestra; he was also a member of the hockey and basketball teams,
graduating in 1938; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his studies, Kenneth L. Malick began
working as a clerk at Linde Air Products in Niagara Falls, New York,
before proudly enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps on December
11, 1941; and

WHEREAS, Stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, Kenneth L. Malick began as
a control tower operator; he went on to train as a navigator on the B-24
Liberator, where he discovered his lifelong passion for flying; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, during his esteemed service to his country,
this talented man took up the tenor sax, and played with the Air Force
Band; and

WHEREAS, While attending the University at Buffalo on the GI Bill,
Kenneth L. Malick met the former Gloria Goold Gucker, also known as GG,
and the couple was united in marriage on August 17, 1948, in Buffalo;
and

WHEREAS, Through the years, Kenneth L. Malick worked as a sales
manager for several companies, including Scott Aviation Company, Dustex
Corporation, Fleet Manufacturing Company Limited, and Proctor and
Gamble; he was a general manager and vice president of sales for the
Sharpe Audio Division of Scintrex Inc. before joining the Wurlitzer
Company's North Tonawanda Division as head of new product sales
development in the early 1970s; he also served as president of Antique
and Classic Car Kits; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he was vice president of the Buffalo/Niagara
Sales and Marketing Executives group and attended management courses at
the Harvard Business School and the Cornell University School of
Industrial and Labor Relations; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong member of the Buffalo Canoe Club, Kenneth L.
Malick sailed and played tennis well into his 80s; he also served as
past treasurer of the Kennels Yacht Club in Point Abino, where he and
his wife both competed in curling for many years; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man was a founding member of the Abino
Bay Stompers, playing Dixieland music many Friday nights; as a longtime
admirer of jazz musician Carol McLaughlin, he was thrilled to play with
his Big Band in the Colored Musicians Club; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth L. Malick enjoyed driving his convertible with the
top down in all seasons while blasting jazz from the radio; he loved
organizing family trips and attending such sporting events as the Rose
Bowl and AFC championship game, as well as the Super Bowl; he often
spotted for Van Miller in the Buffalo Bills broadcast booth; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife of 72 years, Kenneth L. Malick is
survived by two daughters, Wendie Malick and Darcie Barclay; a son,
Scott Malick; and his granddaughter, Gwen; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth L. Malick's infinite selflessness and benevolence
will shine on through his family's vivid and happy memories; his insight
and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and hope to
the countless lives he touched; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Kenneth L. Malick leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he 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 Kenneth L. Malick, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Kenneth L. Malick.