Senate Resolution No. 2878

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Dever upon
the occasion of celebrating their 79th Wedding
Anniversary

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes great pleasure in paying
tribute to those flourishing marriages that have stood the test of time
to serve as a paradigm for present and future generations; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to congratulate
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Dever upon the occasion of their 79th Wedding
Anniversary, to be celebrated on Sunday, August 28, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Robert John Dever was born on October 30, 1921, in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Dorothy Fredricka Kirch, was born on
December 6, 1921, in Brooklyn, New York; the couple met while attending
New Paltz College, in 1940; both would go on to complete their education
degrees; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, Robert and Dorothy and their loving family
celebrated their 100th birthdays; and

WHEREAS, While Robert J. Dever was attending Marine Corps training
program in Quantico, Virginia, he was granted a 24-hour military leave,
on August 28, 1943, to marry his beloved Dorothy, in East Rockaway, New
York; and

WHEREAS, Robert J. Dever then proudly served his country during
World War II, where he fought valiantly until achieving final victory
and peace in Okinawa, Japan; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Dorothy F. and Robert J. Dever settled in
East Rockaway; for several years Robert rode his bike to school teaching
6th graders, and spent many evenings taking the train to Columbia
University where he would eventually obtain his master's degree; and

WHEREAS, Robert J. Dever was promoted to Principal of Wheeler Avenue
Elementary School in Valley Stream, New York, the illustrious job from
which he would retire after serving 26 meaningful years; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy F. Dever was a homemaker who devoted herself to
making a loving home for her family; and

WHEREAS, Dorothy F. Dever is known for her superb home management
skills, beautiful sewing, knitting and crocheting projects, and in his
much-deserved retirement, Robert J. Dever has enjoyed woodworking and
repairing clocks; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Dever are the proud parents of four
sons, James (Suzanne), John (Christine), Thomas (Wendy), Daniel (Linda);
and one daughter, Kathleen (David); and the loving grandparents of 13
grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Dever have lived and continue to
live their lives with great dignity and genuine grace, always
demonstrating a deep and continuing concern for human values and ideals,
and in doing so, have inspired others to do the same; and

WHEREAS, These same values they have passed to their loved ones,
producing a family that is close-knit and supportive of its individual
members, public-minded in its relations to the community and committed
to the ideals of citizenship upon which this Nation was founded; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Dever have touched the lives of
their family and many friends through the shining example of their
marriage, which is a testament to the devotion and admiration which they
possess for one another; and

WHEREAS, The longevity of this enduring marriage truly marks a
milestone in life's journey, an event of personal triumph and joy; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when an
occasion of such importance is brought to our attention, the same should
be memorialized by us for the edification and emulation of others; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Dever upon the occasion of
celebrating their 79th Wedding Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Dever.