Senate Resolution No. 1438

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Raymond C. Zanta posthumously upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Raymond C.
Zanta posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate, to be celebrated at the Schenectady County
Honor-a-Veteran ceremony on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at St. Luke's
Pastoral Center in Schenectady, New York; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Raymond C. Zanta was born to Angelo and Philomina Zanta on
March 15, 1925, in Pittston, Pennsylvania; he graduated from Pittston
High School in 1941 and later moved with his family to Schenectady, New
York; he also attended Royal Academy Barber School; and

WHEREAS, In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on September 16, 1943,
Raymond C. Zanta entered the United States Army where he served as a
barber; he was discharged as a Private at Fort Dix in New Jersey on
November 27, 1945; and

WHEREAS, For his dedicated service to his country and fellow
citizens, Private Raymond C. Zanta earned the following awards:
European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal; World War II Victory
Medal; and Good Conduct Medal; and

WHEREAS, Raymond C. Zanta married Isabelle Mazzucco; the couple were
blessed with two children, Raymond and Susan; and

WHEREAS, For 64 years, Raymond C. Zanta operated Ray's Barber Shop
in Schenectady, retiring in 2013; some of those years, he also managed a
beauty shop; he loved his work, earning him the nickname, "Ray the
Barber," from all the customers who loved him; and

WHEREAS, Remaining active in his community, Raymond C. Zanta was
involved in numerous organizations: VFW Post 357; Knights of Columbus;
Sons of Italy; American Legion Post 1001; Parents of Murdered Children,
as an advocate for crime victims; Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks; Crane Street Merchants Association; Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Church; Elks Lodge No. 480; and Schenectady County Board of
Representatives, serving from 1986-1992; and

WHEREAS, As a legislator, Raymond C. Zanta supported actions taken
by the county to ensure much-needed public services; he lent support to
the Sex Crimes Unit in the District Attorney's office and advocated for
equal rights as a member of the Human Rights Commission; and

WHEREAS, As chairman of the Rules and Judiciary Public Safety
Committee of the Board of Representatives, Raymond C. Zanta worked with
the County Board to act on various projects such as Criminal Justice and
Arson Control; he served on the Human Resources Ways and Means Committee
and was a member of the Glendale Nursing Home and Jail Task Force
subcommittees; and

WHEREAS, There were several activities that Raymond C. Zanta
enjoyed, including music, dancing, helping fellow members of his
community in Schenectady, working on projects at home, and the New York
Yankees baseball team of which he was an avid fan; and

WHEREAS, Raymond C. Zanta died on November 6, 2019, at the age of
87; he is survived by his wife, Isabelle (Mazzucco) Zanta; son, Raymond;
brothers, Joseph and Angelo; sisters, Eleanor Costanzo, Ida Lupi, and
Helen Visconti; he is predeceased by his father, Angelo; mother,
Philomina; and daughter, Susan; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Raymond C. Zanta has demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended,
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State, and their
Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Raymond C. Zanta posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Raymond C. Zanta.