LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Edwin L. Kij, 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, Edwin L. Kij of Orchard Park, New York died on April 17,
2014, at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, On Dec. 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked,
Edwin L. Kij enlisted in the United States Navy and honorably served in
the Pacific Theater as a Flight Engineer; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his term with the Navy, Edwin L. Kij
attended Canisius College and the University of Buffalo before graduat-
ing from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in Biology; and
WHEREAS, Edwin L. Kij distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; he worked for several years at Bethlehem Steel as a rail-
road switch operator before he joined the Lackawanna Fire Department
where he worked his way through the ranks to become Chief; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he was the first Fire Chief in Lackawanna
awarded appointment through civil service examination; and
WHEREAS, Edwin L. Kij, who lived for most of his life in Lackawanna,
was a 20-year member of the Fire Department before his retirement in
1984; the Chief Edwin Kij Award for Outstanding Service was instituted
this year in honor of his legacy, and will be given to an outstanding
member of the Lackawanna Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, A proud member of his community, Edwin L. Kij was a member of
the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Grand Island
Knights of Columbus; in addition, he served as a Librarian at the Grand
Island Golden Age Center, as well as commander in the Matthews Glab Post
1477, American Legion in 1964; and
WHEREAS, Edwin L. Kij's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his first wife, Virginia Brzozowski Kij, who
died in 1980, and his second wife, Rose Mancuso Kij, who died in 2007,
Edwin L. Kij is survived by his son, Jim; his two daughters, Debra and
Mary Beth; his two sisters, Helen Ginal and Doris Pantera; and six
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Edwin L. Kij 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
RESOLED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Edwin L. Kij, 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 Edwin L. Kij.