Senate Resolution No. 4832

BY: Senator LARKIN

MOURNING the death of David C. Lustig, Jr.,
meritorious veteran, astute businessman, and devoted
member of his community

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of David C. Lustig, Jr., a preeminent citizen
whose distinguished public service and caring commitment will long serve
as standards to which others might aspire; and

WHEREAS, David C. Lustig, Jr. of Walden, New York died on Wednesday,
April 11, 2018, at the age of 95; and

WHEREAS, David "Dave" C. Lustig, Jr. was born to the late David C.
Lustig, Sr. and Sophie Kaplan Lustig on August 15, 1922, in Walden, New
York; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Walden High School in 1939, David C.
Lustig, Jr. earned his Bachelor's of Commercial Science degree from
Rider College through the G.I. Bill in 1948; later, he took
post-graduate classes at New York University; and

WHEREAS, David C. Lustig, Jr. enlisted in the United States Army Air
Corps in 1942; upon the successful completion of basic training, he was
selected to study engineering at Vanderbilt University; however, he
withdrew from the program in order to enter the European Theater after
his cousin died in a P-51 fighter crash; and

WHEREAS, After being trained as a radio operator and gunner, David
C. Lustig, Jr. flew on a number of combat missions over Germany, and
occupied France in a B-17 bomber in the 384th Bomb Group of the 8th Air
Force; and

WHEREAS, As the radio operator on the lead bomber on the final
mission of the 8th Air Force in World War II over the Skoda Armaments
Works in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, David C. Lustig, Jr. sent the last
active combat radio message of the 8th Air Force to headquarters in
England informing them the mission was completed and the results were
good; and

WHEREAS, After the War ended, David C. Lustig, Jr. continued to
serve in the Army Air Force in Europe and Africa ferrying G.I.'s home on
converted B-17's; he received his commission in the United States Air
Force Reserve during the Korean War, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel; he officially retired from the Air Force in 1976; and

WHEREAS, This past summer, David C. Lustig, Jr. was the recipient of
the French Legion of Honor at a ceremony in Central Park; the medal was
commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and awarded for valor in battle in or
over France; it was pinned on him by the French Ambassador to the United
States; and

WHEREAS, David C. Lustig, Jr. also received the Freedom Medal from
the President of the Czech Republic at a ceremony on the anniversary of
the bombing mission over the Skoda Armaments Works; and

WHEREAS, In 1949, David C. Lustig, Jr. returned to his hometown to
join his father in the family business, Lustig's Department Store, which
had been established by his grandfather, Carl Lustig, in 1883; and

WHEREAS, In 1958, David C. Lustig, Jr. took over sole ownership
after his father passed away, and ran the business with his late wife
the former Violet Rosenblum; the couple also established Walden Fabrics
which his wife ran for 12 years; in 1960, David founded Lustig Realty, a
real estate brokerage in Walden; and

WHEREAS, David C. Lustig, Jr. was a vital member of the Board of
Directors of the Walden Savings Bank for 39 years, rising to the title
of First Vice-President; he also served on the Walden Planning Board,
holding the position of Chairman for 16 years; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to the community in which he lived and worked,
David C. Lustig, Jr. held numerous leadership positions at various
organizations including President of the Orange County Planning
Federation, President and life member of the Military Officers
Association of Orange and Rockland, and President of the Town of
Montgomery Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, A true public servant, David C. Lustig, Jr. was actively
involved with the Military Officers Association, the Walden Jewish
Community Center, the Masonic Lodge in Walden, the Walden V.F.W., the
Walden Historical Society, and the Walden Fire Department, Orange Hose
Company No.1, where he served as President for two years; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
community, David C. Lustig, Jr. was recognized by former New York State
Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller; he was also honored for his service and
the service of his family, to the Village of Walden by former Mayor,
Brian Maher, which included renaming a street Lustig Court; and

WHEREAS, David C. Lustig, Jr. was also an accomplished author,
writing two books entitled Capers and Cameos a memoir of growing up in
Walden, and Initial Point - The Reminiscences of a World War II B-17
Bomber Crewman; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his first wife, Violet Lustig, and his two
sisters, Arlene Lynn and Betty Besdesky; David C. Lustig, Jr. is
survived by his present wife, the former Hedwig Nosko; two sons, D. Carl
Lustig, III and M. Raymond (Susan Taylor) Lustig; one daughter, Heidi L.
(Steven) Miller; and two stepchildren, Peter (Mary) Ulbrich and Margaret
(Scott) Daunt; as well as four grandchildren, David S., Evan M.
(Caroline), Andrew, and Rory, all of whom will cherish his memory; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, David C. Lustig, Jr. 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 David C. Lustig, Jr., meritorious veteran, astute
businessman, and devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of David C. Lustig, Jr.