LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Commissioner Gary Tavormina upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after more than 60
years of dedicated service to the Woodbourne Fire Department

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Fire Commissioner
Gary Tavormina upon the occasion of his designation for special recogni-
tion after more than 60 years of dedicated service to the Woodbourne
Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Fallsburg High School in 1953, Gary
Tavormina followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and
joined the Woodbourne Fire Department; later, in 1959, he helped found
the Woodbourne Volunteer Ambulance Corps; and
WHEREAS, After studying Construction at the State University of New
York at Delhi, Gary Tavormina enlisted in the United States Army and
served his country until 1956; a year later he married his wife, Franc-
es, and became a Corrections Officer with the New York State Department
of Corrections, the position he held for 33 years until his retirement
in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others
and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family
and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Gary
Tavormina is such a firefighter; throughout over 60 years of devoted
service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call
of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Fire Commissioner Gary Tavormina for more than 60 years of
distinguished service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fire Commissioner Gary Tavormina.