Senate Resolution No. 1315

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

MOURNING the death of Howard M. Blankman, talented
musician, composer, and writer and distinguished
resident of Port Washington, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay proper
tribute to individuals of great character whose lives exemplify the
highest ideals of humanity; and

WHEREAS, With deep regret this Legislative Body records the passing
of Howard M. Blankman, on Friday, March 17, 2017, at the age of 91,
noting the loss of a citizen whose purposeful life and endeavors
contributed so much to the quality of life in his community; and

WHEREAS, Born on June 23, 1925, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Howard
M. Blankman attained the rank of Eagle Scout; after high school, he
attended both Franklin & Marshall College and West Chester State
Teachers College; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, Howard M. Blankman prouldy served his
country as a member of the 514th Airborne Infantry Regiment of the 17th
Airborne Division and the 59th AAA Batallion, CAC; and

WHEREAS, A man of many interests and passions, Howard M. Blankman
was a longtime town leader and member of the Chamber of Commerce, the
Community Chest, the Memorial Day Parade and the Port Singers; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Howard M. Blankman held the position of
Chairman of the Nassau County Planning Commission, and was a vital
member of the Nassau County Board of Assessors; and

WHEREAS, Howard M. Blankman served the New York State Senate as
Press Secretary to the late Senator John D. Caemmerer, working on such
issues as the seat belt law, drunk driving laws, school bus safety and
state support for mass transportation; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Howard M. Blankman founded The Blankman Group,
LLC, a leading Long-Island based public relations and marketing
communications agency; he served as both Chairman and CEO until he sold
the business in 2004; and

WHEREAS, An Accredited Member of the Public Relations Society of
America (PRSA), Howard M. Blankman was elected to its College of
Fellows; he helped found the Public Relations Professionals of Long
Island, and was the recipient of its 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award;
and

WHEREAS, A true renaissance man, Howard M. Blankman was a talented
musician and composer and his musical, By Hex, about the Amish people,
is still produced each summer; he was also a great patron of the arts
and a strong supporter of the Long Island Philharmonic Orchestra, the
Great Neck Symphony Society, the Nassau Symphony Orchestra, and the
Manhasset Bay Opera, as well as the Eglevsky Ballet Company; and

WHEREAS, Howard M. Blankman had a wonderful sense of humor and
served as a writer and Associate Producer of WABC-TV's Who Do You Trust
starring Johnny Carson; in addition, he authored a children's book
entitled Hope Can Make it Happen, and was a weekly columnist for the
Port Washington News; and

WHEREAS, Howard M. Blankman is survived by his wife of 50 years, the
former Donna Farnsworth Smith; their three daughters, Deborah, Diana and
Sarah (David Trzaska); and two sons, Michael and Matthew; as well as
three grandchildren, Hannah, Sam, and Alexandra; and

WHEREAS, A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Howard M.
Blankman's name is synonymous with character, dignity, intellect, depth,
and humor, qualities evident to his family and to all those who were
fortunate enough to have known him; he will be deeply missed and truly
merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Howard M. Blankman, talented musician, composer, and
writer and distinguished resident of Port Washington, New York; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Donna Smith Blankman.