Bill Text: NY J01326 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the death of Don Wilkinson, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-06 - ADOPTED [J01326 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01326-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1326

BY: Senator PARKER

        MOURNING the death of Don Wilkinson, 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,  Don Wilkinson of Brooklyn, New York, died on May 21, 2023;
and

  WHEREAS, Affectionally known as "Pum Pum" or  "Strong  Breeze,"  Don
Wilkinson  was born to the late Claudius and Dora Wilkinson in Tunapuna,
Trinidad; he was raised among six children; and

  WHEREAS, Rooted in his culture and community, Don Wilkinson  was  an
original  member  of  Blackpool Sports Cultural Club, Tunapuna Hilltones
Steel Orchestra, and the Christmas Bandwagon; and

  WHEREAS, In the early 1970's, Don Wilkinson emigrated to the  United
States  and married the love of his life, Gwendolyn Goode, on August 26,
1978; she remained a devoted caregiver for him until his passing; and

  WHEREAS, In  1997,  Don  Wilkinson  joined  Bethelite  Institutional
Baptist  Church  located  in  Brooklyn, New York following the spiritual
guidance of his eldest son, Don Wilkinson Jr.; for many years, he was an
active church member who  drove  the  church  van  and  attended  Sunday
School; and

  WHEREAS, Don Wilkinson's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity,   carried  over  into  all  fields  of  enterprise,  including
charitable and civic endeavors; and

  WHEREAS, Don Wilkinson is survived by his sisters, Claudette, Linda,
Kester, and Margaret Wilkinson; his  children,  Don  Wilkinson  Jr.  and
Derrick  Wilkinson;  grandchildren,  Delilah,  Amar'e,  and  London; his
nephews, Curtis and Marvin; his nieces, Shelly-Ann,  Renee,  and  Sasha;
great  nieces  and  nephews, and a host of other family & friends; he is
sadly preceded in death  by  his  brothers,  the  late  Victor  Elliott,
"English Man" and the late Rudolph Wilkinson, "Ball Head"; and

  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Don Wilkinson 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
mourn  the  death  of  Don  Wilkinson, 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 Don Wilkinson.