LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Paul Colby, 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, Paul Colby, the longtime owner of Greenwich Village's folk
music club The Bitter End, died on February 13, 2014, at the age of 96;
and
WHEREAS, Born in Philadelphia on October 4, 1917, Paul Colby and his
family moved to the Lower East Side of Manhattan when he was five years
old; he studied textile production in high school and served in the
United States Army where he worked as a shipping clerk; and
WHEREAS, Paul Colby distinguished himself in his profession and by his
sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his
community; and
WHEREAS, Paul Colby entered the music business when he was hired by a
publishing company to deliver sheet music; he worked his way up the
ranks to music promoter, and was often used by Frank Sinatra for
personal errands; and
WHEREAS, After struggling in the music industry, Paul Colby began a
business making furniture, which he continued for ten years before
deciding he wanted to be a part of the rising music scene in Greenwich
Village; and
WHEREAS, Paul Colby purchased The Bitter End, located at 147 Bleecker
Street near LaGuardia Place, in 1974 after spending nearly a decade as
the manager and booking agent; it is New York City's oldest rock and
roll club; and
WHEREAS, Paul Colby has touched the hearts of countless musicians and
patrons and helped to launch many great careers in the music industry
some of which include Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, James
Taylor, and countless others; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he showcased such comedians as Billy Crystal,
Bill Cosby, and Ray Romano, and was instrumental in the development of
the venue as a cornerstone of the Greenwich Village community; and
WHEREAS, Paul Colby's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Among numerous awards and accolades, Paul Colby was honored
in 2013 by the Civic Association Friends of LaGuardia Place for his
contributions to the community; and
WHEREAS, Paul Colby is survived by his wife, Pamela Ann Wilson, and
his brother, Morty; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay proper trib-
ute to individuals of great character whose lives exemplify the highest
ideals of humanity; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Paul Colby 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 Paul Colby, 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 Paul Colby.