Senate Resolution No. 844

BY: Senator BONACIC

MOURNING the death of Robert Rabbitt, Jr., former
police chief, family man, 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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to individuals who distinguished themselves
through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of public service;
one such individual is Robert Rabbitt, Jr., who died on February 26,
2017, at the age of 57; and

WHEREAS, Born on April 30, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York, Robert
Rabbitt, Jr., affectionately known as Bobby, was an angler who loved his
family, valued his work, and was proud of his Irish heritage; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. truly enjoyed his life; he was married
to his childhood sweetheart, Annie, and was a loving father and
grandfather; a true Irishman, he loved to laugh and enjoyed listening
and signing Irish music; and

WHEREAS, Generous, kind and compassionate, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. was
always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked and
enthusiastically rooted for the underdog; and

WHEREAS, For many years, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. was a union man, serving
as a Business Agent for the Teamsters Union Local 807 in Long Island
City, New York, and an Ornamental Iron Worker at Local 580; and

WHEREAS, After changing his career path, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. he began
a long and distinguished career in law enforcement; at the time of his
retirement, he held the esteemed title of Chief of Police of Greenwood
Lake, New York; and

WHEREAS, In his much deserved retirement, Bobby Rabbitt, Jr.
relished spending time on the beach with his beloved wife, family and
many friends; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Eileen and Robert Rabbitt,
Sr.,his mother-in-law, Helen Meeney and brother-in-law, Mark Meeney,
Bobby Rabbitt, Jr. is survived by his loving wife, Annie (Meeney)
Rabbitt; his cherished daughter, Erin (Thomas) Rabbitt; one devoted son,
Robert (Joanna) Rabbitt III; and his treasured granddaughter, Abigail;
two brothers, Michael and Joseph Rabbitt; one sister, Jeannie Rabbitt;
two sisters-in-laws, Carol Pagano and Patricia Meeney-Jeleniewicz; one
brother-in-law, Rick Pagano; and several nieces and nephews, as well as
a legion of friends who will long cherish his memory; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Robert Rabbitt, 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; 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 Robert Rabbitt, Jr., former police chief, family man,
distinguished citizen, 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 Robert Rabbitt, Jr.