Bill Text: NY J00773 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the death of Andrew J. Bouquard, Roswell Park researcher, hockey coach, devoted family man, and pillar in his community

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-26 - ADOPTED [J00773 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00773-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 773

BY: Senator JACOBS

        MOURNING  the death of Andrew J. Bouquard, Roswell
        Park researcher, hockey coach, devoted  family  man,
        and pillar in his community

  WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body  records  the  passing  of  Andrew  J.  Bouquard,  an extraordinary
gentleman of indomitable faith and dedication whose purposeful life will
long serve as a standard to which others might aspire; and

  WHEREAS, Andrew J. Bouquard, of Orchard  Park,  New  York,  died  on
Thursday, March 7, 2019, at the age of 43; and

  WHEREAS,  Andrew  J.  Bouquard  was born to John and Joan (Sekelsky)
Bouquard on April 23, 1975, in West Seneca, New York;  he  and  his  two
brothers  grew up in a hard-working, close-knit family who loved to play
together, whether it was on the ice rink playing hockey or taking  their
annual  spring  break  trips to Fort Wilderness at the Walt Disney World
Resort; and

  WHEREAS, Shortly after graduating from West Seneca East High School,
Andrew J.  Bouquard  was  diagnosed  with  non-Hodgkin's  lymphoma,  the
disease he gracefully and bravely fought for 24 years; and

  WHEREAS, With a strong conviction and a determined spirit, Andrew J.
Bouquard  earned his bachelor's degree in biology from the University at
Buffalo; he worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, prior
to his employment with Roswell Park, where he enjoyed a  16-year  career
as a senior research specialist, and received treatment for his illness;
and

  WHEREAS,  Andrew  J. Bouquard married the former Christa Reilly, and
together they raised their son  Brendan,  with  whom  he  truly  enjoyed
sharing  the  values  and ideals he learned from his parents; as a youth
hockey coach for Southtown's Stars Amateur Hockey Association, he taught
his son and many other children how to play his favorite sport; and

  WHEREAS, Even though he faced many  struggles,  Andrew  J.  Bouquard
proudly  supported  his  community and continued to hit the ice with his
brothers as members of the Buffalo  Brewsers  during  Labatt  Blue  Pond
Hockey Tournaments; and

  WHEREAS,  This avid hockey fan who had a heart of gold served on the
board of directors for 11-Day Power  Play,  a  national  charity  hockey
tournament  held  in Buffalo, New York, which raises funds for Camp Good
Days, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Roswell Park; and

  WHEREAS, Andrew J. Bouquard is survived by his  wife,  Christa;  one
son, Brendan; parents, John and Joan; two brothers, Michael (Lesley) and
Kevin  (April);  mother-in-law  and  father-in-law,  Timothy and Theresa
(Hill); one brother-in-law, Michael (Jennifer);  and  eight  nieces  and
nephews;  as  well  as  numerous  friends,  colleagues and fellow hockey
enthusiasts who will long cherish his memory; and

  WHEREAS, Through his boundless energy and profound words of  wisdom,
Andrew  J. Bouquard's legacy of true grace and infinite selflessness and
kindness, will shine on through his family's vivid and  happy  memories;
his  shining  light  and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love
and  hope  for  all  who were privileged to have known and loved such an
amazing and dynamic man; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the  death of Andrew J. Bouquard, Roswell Park researcher, hockey
coach, devoted family man, and  pillar  in  his  community;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Andrew J. Bouquard.