Senate Resolution No. 25

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING David R. Torncello Jr. posthumously
upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Albany County at its Honor a Veteran
Ceremony on January 7, 2019

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend David R.
Torncello Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by Albany County at its Honor a Veteran Ceremony on
January 7, 2019, at the Watervliet Senior Center in Watervliet, New
York; and

WHEREAS, In June of 1993, a committee was formed by the Albany
County Veterans Bureau, known as the Albany County Honor A Veteran
Committee, created to honor a deceased Albany County veteran who served
his country in time of conflict; the Honor A Veteran Program takes place
on the first Monday of each month; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous and dedicated service to his country,
David R. Torncello Jr. will be recognized posthumously at this year's
January Honor A Veteran Ceremony; and

WHEREAS, David R. Torncello Jr. was born on March 8, 1926, in
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; he and his family relocated to Watervliet where
he was a standout athlete at his high school; after graduation, he
attended Siena College where he was a member of the baseball team and
Captain of the basketball team; and

WHEREAS, David R. Torncello Jr. proudly served his country as a
member of the United States Navy during World War II from March 6, 1944
through May 30, 1946; with the rank of Seaman First Class (S1C), he
worked with Aviation Operations at Naval Air Station Alameda in
California and onboard a ship patrolling the Atlantic Ocean between the
United States mainland and Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS, For his bravery, this courageous soldier was awarded the
American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, David R.
Torncello Jr. returned to the Capital District where he worked for over
30 years as both an industrial engineer and Director of Human Relations
for Allegheny Ludlum Steel; and

WHEREAS, After his retirement, David R. Torncello Jr. accepted the
position of Assistant General Manager for the City of Watervliet and
served as an Albany County Legislator representing his hometown for two
decades; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to his fellow veterans and community, David R.
Torncello Jr. was a vital member of the Watervliet Elks Lodge No. 1500
and Commander of Maplewood American Legion Post No. 1615; he was also a
faithful parishioner of St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church and served
on the Board of Directors of the Watervliet Civic Center; and

WHEREAS, In addition, David R. Torncello Jr. was a high school and
college basketball referee and a coach for youth basketball and baseball
teams; in 1973, he was inducted into the Siena College Athletic Hall of
Fame, and in 2008, the Watervliet High School Athletic Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, David R. Torncello Jr. died on March 14, 2016, in
Watervliet at the age of 90; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
David R. Torncello Jr. demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their
Country; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend David R. Torncello Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by Albany County at its Honor a
Veteran Ceremony on January 7, 2019; and be it further

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