LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Donald K. Duso, distin-
guished 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, Donald K. Duso of Saranac Lake, New York, died on Sunday,
January 10, 2010, at the age of 78; and
WHEREAS, Born on December 26, 1931, the son of Harry E. and Sylvia
(Kimball) Duso, Donald K. Duso was a lifelong resident of the area and
had owned and operated a business his father established in 1924, Cres-
cent Bay Inc.; he sold and repaired boats and snowmobiles, rented cabins
and ran a marina and general store on Lower Saranac Lake; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid,
Donald K. Duso distinguished himself in his profession and by his
sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his
community; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated member of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment since April of 1956, Donald K. Duso served with loyalty and honor
for almost 54 years; and
WHEREAS, He held numerous titles within the department and was even
elected by his fellow members to the esteemed position of Fire Chief
many times including 1983-1986, 1988-1991, 2003-2005, and 2007 until his
recent passing; and
WHEREAS, Donald K. Duso also served as chairman of the Saranac Lake
Winter Carnival Committee for approximately 23 years; he was elected
King of the Carnival in 1988; he had been actively involved in the
Carnival since 1955, when he began cutting blocks of ice used to
construct the Ice Palace, a task he performed each year; he used a gas-
powered saw his father built in 1939; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Donald K. Duso was selected as the Saranac Lake Area
Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Donald K. Duso served his country as a member of the United
States Army during the Korean War; he then returned to Saranac Lake to
join his father in the family business; and
WHEREAS, As a 10-year-old boy in the early 1940s, Donald K. Duso
gained notoriety when he helped rescue Albert Einstein, a frequent
summer visitor to Saranac Lake, after Einstein's sailboat overturned on
Lonesome Bay; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his late wife, Sandy Duso; his brother, Harry
Edward Duso; and his nephew, Tad Duso, Donald K. Duso is survived by his
wife, Cherie, whom he married on September 16, 2005, in Saranac Lake; a
son, Donald Kimball Duso; daughter, Valerie Ann Duso; three stepdaught-
ers, Tracy Elizabeth (Michael) Degon, Theresia Golluscio, and Caroline
Oesch; three grandchildren, Tyler Kimbal Duso, Michael Zalenski and
Christopher Zalenski; and a niece and nephew; as well as his longtime
secretary and friend, Tami Salls Donaldson; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Donald K. Duso 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 Donald K. Duso, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Donald K. Duso.