Bill Text: NY J00520 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 520 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Mourning the death of Marcus D. Stokes, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-03-23 - ADOPTED [J00520 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J00520-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 520

BY: Senator KENNEDY

        MOURNING   the   death   of   Marcus   D.  Stokes,
        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  this
great Empire State; and

  WHEREAS,  Marcus Damone Stokes of Buffalo, New York, died on Monday,
March 8, 2021, at the age of 58; and

  WHEREAS, Marcus D. Stokes was born in Buffalo, New York,  on  August
3, 1962, to Norma L. Jefferson and Anthony Mitchell; and

  WHEREAS, As a congregant of White Rock Missionary Baptist Church, he
was  a  faithful  member  of  its  Choir;  as  his spiritual development
continued, he later united with the Elim Christian Fellowship; and

  WHEREAS, Educated in the Buffalo Public  School  System,  Marcus  D.
Stokes  attended  Public  School  No.  31,  and  graduated  from  Grover
Cleveland High School  in  1980,  earning  a  diploma  in  Business  and
Science;  he  continued  his  educational  pursuits  as a student at the
University of Buffalo's Educational Opportunity  Center  from  which  he
earned  a  Certificate as a Sterilization Process Technician; he went on
to earn a Certificate as a Dialysis Technician  from  Niagara  Community
College; and

  WHEREAS,  Marcus  D.  Stokes distinguished himself in his profession
and by his  sincere  dedication  and  substantial  contribution  to  the
welfare of his community; and

  WHEREAS,  His  employment  experience  began  in  1986  as  a  Sales
Specialist with National Warehouse, a  Customer  Service  Representative
with  Marine Midland Bank, and later HSBC Bank; he then served as a Loss
Prevention Officer and Overnight  Lead  Guest  Representative  with  the
Buffalo Hyatt Regency Hotel; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  dedicated  service and commitment to excellence,
Marcus D. was honored as the 1999 Employee of  the  Year  by  the  Hyatt
Regency  Hotel;  known by all for being a hard worker, he also served as
the Food and Beverage Supervisor at the  Seneca  Niagara  Casino;  after
many  years  in  the  work  force,  he  retired  from  his job as a Toll
Collector with the New York State Thruway Authority; and

  WHEREAS, Marcus D. Stokes' commitment to excellence, and his  spirit
of  humanity,  carried  over  into  all  fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and

  WHEREAS, He was a member of  several  Block  Clubs,  and  he  worked
towards  community  improvement,  in  the political arena with political
leaders; he was known for his culinary skills and  his  gift  to  others

were  the  delicious  meals  he  prepared  at  the  Kerns Bowling Alley,
Sophisticated Soul, and The Golden Nugget; and

  WHEREAS, Marcus D. Stokes frequently volunteered as the cook for the
many Block Clubs outings he attended, and for Senior Citizen Centers; he
enjoyed  traveling  and  attending  national hair shows with his beloved
fiancee Odessa Durham; and

  WHEREAS, Predeceased by his grandmother, Sally Mae Stokes,  and  his
mother, Norma L. Jefferson, in addition to his fiancee, Marcus D. Stokes
is  survived by his father, Anthony "Pops" Mitchell; his sister, Gail A.
Mitchell; his nephew, Deneer V. Parker, Sr.; his step-brother, Nathaniel
Myricks; and his Godmother, Mary Anderson; as well as a host of  beloved
relatives and friends, and his Church and community; and

  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Marcus D. Stokes 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
mourning the death of Marcus D.  Stokes,  and  to  express  its  deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Marcus D. Stokes.