LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Leonard and Shirley DeFrancesco upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the Sharing the Light
Award by the Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes on June 16th, 2016

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Leonard and Shirley DeFrancesco have given not only of their
time and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leader-
ship and consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Leonard "Len"
and Shirley DeFrancesco upon the occasion of their designation as recip-
ients of the Sharing the Light Award by the Catholic Charities of the
Finger Lakes on Thursday, June 16th, 2016, at Hobart and William Smith
Colleges, Geneva, New York; and
WHEREAS, "Len" and Shirley DeFrancesco were born in Rochester, New
York, on the same day of the same year; they began dating in high
school, and on April 27, 2016, they celebrated their 59th wedding anni-
versary; and
WHEREAS, After teaching history for one year at Phelps Central School,
"Len" DeFrancesco valiantly served in the United States Army for two
years; he returned to his teaching position upon the completion of his
military commitment; and
WHEREAS, "Len" DeFrancesco later earned a Master's degree in Guidance,
and for a short time served as a guidance counselor before returning to
his true passion of teaching in the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Upon his retirement from the Phelps Central School District,
"Len" DeFrancesco served as a part-time instructor for BOCES, teaching
Classroom Management Elements of Instruction to teachers; and
WHEREAS, After their last child entered school, Shirley DeFrancesco
began her career with Hobart and William Smith Colleges as Administra-
tive Assistant to Finance and Administration, the esteemed position from
which she retired after 24 years of dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, True assets to their community, Len" and Shirley DeFrancesco
have both been active in the Hildreth Hill Neighborhood Association
where Len helps with the annual pumpkin roll and the annual picnic,
neighborhood clean-ups and maintaining the flowers and flags at the 9/11
memorial; Shirley serves as secretary of the Association; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, together, the couple volunteers at the Catholic
Charities of the Finger Lakes, the Geneva Community Lunch Program and
Meals on Wheels; and
WHEREAS, "Len" DeFrancesco has served as a coach for YMCA T-Ball,
Geneva Little League baseball and St. Francis basketball; he served on
the YMCA Board and the DeSales Board of Education and is a member of the
Ontario Court Watch Task Force; and
WHEREAS, Shirley DeFrancesco was a member of the Mothers' Club at St.
Stephen's grammar school and was involved in their children's school
activities; she also gave of her time and energy as a volunteer for the
Literacy Volunteers and Geneva Head Start; and
WHEREAS, Today, Shirley DeFrancesco bakes for Martha's Ministry and
volunteers at the Center of Concern; she has been a member of the Sweet
Adeline's International Seneca Soundwaves Chorus and finds singing for
nursing home residents to be the most rewarding; and
WHEREAS, With them throughout have been their six children, all of
whom feel privileged to be a part of their lives and rejoice in their
achievements; and

WHEREAS, "Len" and Shirley DeFrancesco have been called upon to
contribute their time and talents to countless civic and charitable
endeavors and have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, "Len" and Shirley DeFrancesco have
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Leonard "Len" and Shirley DeFrancesco
have displayed throughout their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Leonard and Shirley DeFrancesco upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as recipients of the Sharing the Light Award by the Catholic
Charities of the Finger Lakes on June 16th, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Leonard and Shirley DeFrancesco.