LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Joseph Anthony Laughney,
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, Joseph Anthony Laughney of Endicott, New York, died on Octo-
ber 6, 2015, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Joseph "Joe" Laughney bravely served his country as a member
of the United States Marine Corps from 1953-1956, and was a Korean War
veteran; and
WHEREAS, He proudly acknowledged the service of veterans in his commu-
nity, who were especially close to his heart; he worked to install
plaques for local recipients of the Medal of Honor at the Floyd L.
Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in Broome County, where he served on the
Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Laughney was also a devoted member of the John W.
Thurston Detachment of the Marine Corps League, the Korean War Veterans
of the Southern Tier, and the American Legion; he frequently volunteered
with the Broome County Veterans Memorial Association and attended
hundreds of veterans' funerals as a member of the Honor Guard; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Laughney distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, From 1995 until 2006, Joseph A. Laughney was the Building
Superintendent for the New York State Office of General Services; in
this capacity, he was instrumental in getting the Building's health and
safety systems fully working following its reopening; renovating the
parking areas; and making the Building more accessible through events
such as Pops on the Plaza and First Night, and through creating the
Warren M. Anderson Community Room; and
WHEREAS, Superintendent Laughney was also involved in opening the
State-leased Glendale Campus which contained hundreds of State workers,
and led his OGS engineering team to countless sites throughout New York
to handle sound and video services for events of then Governor George
Pataki; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Laughney's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Laughney enjoyed serving his community as a member,
vice chair and chair of numerous committees, as well as serving as a
delegate at several conventions; furthermore, he was a staffer for past
Assemblyman Richard H. Miller, the Deputy Commissioner of the Broome
County Board of Elections, and the Superintendent of the Binghamton
State Office Building; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his father, John; mother, Margaret; brother,
Jack; and sisters, Aileen and Maureen, Joseph A. Laughney is survived by
his wife, Eleanor (Rusty); his children, Sharon and David Belcher,
Joseph and Vickie Laughney, Maureen and William Kovarik, and George
Laughney and Andrew Wang; his six grandchildren, Rachel Hagerman, Joseph
and Ashley Laughney, Alicia Froment, and Nicole and Cody Kovarik; and
his great granddaughter, Abigail Hagerman; and
WHEREAS, An avid storyteller, recounting many past exploits during his
lifetime with his friends, children and grandchildren, often taking time
to explain something, Joseph A. Laughney will truly be missed; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Joseph A. Laughney 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 Joseph Anthony Laughney, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community, and to offer its deepest condolences to
his family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Joseph Anthony Laughney.