J 833: Mourning the death of William Bennett Braatz, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

 Senate Resolution No. 833 BY: Senator HARCKHAM MOURNING the death of William Bennett Braatz, 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 the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, William Bennett Braatz died on March 11, 2025, at the age of 94; and WHEREAS, Born on June 21, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, William Bennett Braatz was the only son of William Otto Braatz and Florence Ploof; and WHEREAS, William Bennett Braatz graduated from Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, New York in 1948, served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, earned a Bachelor's of Science from the State University of New York Teacher's College at Cortland, New York in 1952, and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Syracuse University School of Law in 1958; and WHEREAS, Practicing law for over twenty years in Carmel and Cold Springs, New York, William Bennett Braatz distinguished himself in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community; and WHEREAS, A dedicated member of the legal profession, William Bennett Braatz displayed his commitment to his community by serving as a Village Justice for the Village of Cold Springs, Philipstown Town Justice, President of the Putnam County Bar Association, President of the Haldane Central School District P.T.A., Secretary-Treasurer of the Putnam County Legal Aid Society, and he was elected County Court Judge in Putnam County, New York in 1982, where he served until his retirement in 1999; and WHEREAS, William Bennett Braatz further showed his enthusiasm for the community by being a member of the Cold Spring Fire Company, the Philipstown Masonic Lodge, the George A. Casey Post of the American Legion and the Cold Spring Lions Club; and WHEREAS, William Bennett Braatz's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and civic endeavors; and WHEREAS, William Bennett Braatz is predeceased by his sister, June Petersen, and his granddaughter, Brenna Engle; he is survived by his wife Joyce Christensen; his four children, Janet Braatz, Donna Engle, John Braatz and Jean Braatz; and his four grandchildren, Taryn, Christopher, Julian, Joseph; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, William Bennett Braatz 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 William Bennett Braatz, 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 William Bennett Braatz.