LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Edward F. Wagner, 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, Edward F. Wagner, of Cheektowaga, New York, died on Saturday,
February 8, 2014, at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS, Edward Frank Wagner was born on October 1, 1923, the oldest
of five children in his family; at the age of 15, he joined the Civilian
Conservation Corps, sending two-thirds of his paycheck home to help
support his mother and siblings; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man continued his service to his country when,
at the age of 20, he enlisted as a member of the United States Marine
Corps during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Edward F. Wagner served courageously as a lance corporal,
experiencing heavy fighting during the Allied landings on Saipan and
Tinian in the Mariana Island Campaign; his many military decorations
include a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during battle; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Edward F. Wagner returned home, married and
started a wonderful family with his late wife, the former Adele Jendra-
sek; he also began a career with the Westinghouse Corporation that would
last 49 years; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable Marine Corps veteran distinguished himself in
his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contrib-
utions to patriotic causes in his community; and
WHEREAS, Edward F. Wagner was a longtime member of Pvt. Leonard VFW
Post No. 6251, the Cheektowaga Patriotic Commission, and Marine Corps
League Detachment No. 239; he was also a founding member of Boy Scouts
of America Troop No. 554; and
WHEREAS, Edward F. Wagner's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Known for his dedication to veterans causes, he was proud to
visit the injured at the VA Hospital and sell poppies to raise funds for
war veterans; on Veteran's Day he would visit local elementary schools
to give educational talks to children; and
WHEREAS, A man of faith, Edward F. Wagner was a lifelong member of St.
Barnabas Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, and the Knights
of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his first wife, Adele; two brothers, Harry and
Frank; and his sister, Irene; Edward F. Wagner is survived by his wife
Mary Margaret; two brothers, James and John; his daughter, Patricia
(John), son, Robert (Wendy); his four step-children, Barbara (Dan), Lisa
(Jonathan), Ober, and Eric (Michelle), two grandchildren, Veronika and
Paulina; and ten step-grandchildren, Jordan, Amanda, Gabrielle, Halee,
Rebekah, Anastasia, Emma, Oliver, Jasmine and Patrick; as well as
several nieces and cousins; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and remembered by a loving family, Edward F. Wagner 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 Edward F. Wagner; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Edward F. Wagner.