LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and career of Roger F.
Coleman, Publisher of Hudson-Catskill Newspapers, and expressing sincer-
est sorrow upon the occasion of his death

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those certain individuals whose life work and civic endeavors testify to
extraordinary commitment to their community and to their profession; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay
tribute to the life and career of Roger F. Coleman, Publisher of
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers and Chairman of the Board of New York News
Publishers Association, who died on Monday, December 31, 2012, at the
age of 61; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Roger F. Coleman became publisher of the
REGISTER-STAR in Hudson, and THE DAILY MAIL in Catskill, which also
includes the weekly publications THE MOUNTAIN EAGLE, WINDHAM JOURNAL,
CHATHAM COURIER, RAVENA NEWS-HERALD and GREENE COUNTY NEWS; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Southern Illinois University, Roger F.
Coleman started in the newspaper business as a motor route driver for
the local newspaper, THE NEWS TRIBUNE, in LaSalle, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, From motor route driver, Roger F. Coleman was promoted to
district circulation manager, then moved to retail ad sales; he spent
some time doing ad sales at the TRIBUNE-TIMES, in Tampa, Florida, before
being hired by the KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE of St. Charles, Illinois, a
suburb of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, While working at the KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE, Roger F. Coleman
moved from advertising/sales manager, to ad director, to general manag-
er, to associate publisher, to publisher of four weekly community
papers, which eventually consolidated into one daily; he had also
published newspapers in both Ashland, Kentucky, and suburban Milwaukee;
and
WHEREAS, At the time of his death, Roger F. Coleman was the Chairman
of the New York News Publishers Association Board of Directors; he was
also the past president of the New York Press Association, and a member
of the Board of the New York Press Service and New York Press Founda-
tion; and
WHEREAS, With a huge passion for the newspaper business, Roger F.
Coleman understood what newspapers were all about and how important it
was for a newspaper to reflect its community; and
WHEREAS, Roger F. Coleman also had a love for both storytelling and
public speaking; known to many as one of the best, he was often asked to
emcee events happening within his community; and
WHEREAS, An honorable businessman, Roger F. Coleman stood out above
the rest; his professionalism, his overall character, and the profound
knowledge he had as a skilled newspaper publisher could not be matched;
and
WHEREAS, A dedicated member of his community, Roger F. Coleman served
as a volunteer in many capacities and on numerous boards; he was the
vice president of the Hudson Rotary; he was also a member of the Colum-
bia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Columbia Coun-
ty Association in the City of New York; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he was a member of the Community Advisory Board
of the Salvation Army; he not only helped in making decisions regarding
the organization's chart finances and building issues, but he volun-
teered his time as a bellringer; moreover, during the holidays, Roger F.
Coleman always made sure people got their meals and presents; and

WHEREAS, Gracious, generous and highly supportive of literacy for
youngsters, Roger F. Coleman was also a strong sponsor of the Hudson
Children's Book Festival; he was a fan of anything promoting authors,
writing and reading; and
WHEREAS, Roger F. Coleman is survived by his wife, Christie Coleman;
two daughters, Courtney Coleman and Ashley Kilgore; a son-in-law,
Daniel; a grandson, Colton; and a granddaughter, Collins; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Roger F. Coleman 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 pay
tribute to the life and career of Roger F. Coleman, Publisher of
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers, and to express sincerest sorrow upon the
occasion of his death; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Roger F. Coleman.