K 832: Mourning the death of Rodney L. Coots, distinguished citizen, noble firefighter, and devoted member of his community

 Assembly Resolution No. 832 BY: M. of A. Conrad MOURNING the death of Rodney L. Coots, distinguished citizen, noble firefighter, 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, Rodney L. Coots died on October 27, 2025, at the age of 80; and WHEREAS, Rodney L. Coots' commitment to excellence, and his spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and civic endeavors; and WHEREAS, Filled with a strong sense of duty and a desire to assist those in need, Rodney L. Coots served with the Boston Fire Company in Southern Erie County for 10 years before joining the Ellwood Fire Department in 1982, where he served for 43 years as an active member; his volunteer firefighter career totaled over 50 years of service to the residents of Erie County, New York; and WHEREAS, In his time at the Ellwood Fire Department, Rodney L. Coots was a safety officer, and he was tasked with the vital responsibility of ensuring fellow members remained safe when responding to calls; and WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others, and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Rodney L. Coots was such a firefighter; throughout over 50 years of devoted service, he heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; and WHEREAS, Rodney L. Coots distinguished himself in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community; and WHEREAS, Rodney L. Coots' professional career was with the Town of Tonawanda as a public safety dispatcher, which further demonstrates his passion for public service and community involvement; and WHEREAS, While he was not protecting his community, Rodney L. Coots enjoyed driving his 1968 purple Dodge Dart and sharing his love for cars with those around him; and WHEREAS, Rodney L. Coots was a loving husband to his wife Nancy (nee Soluri) Coots, and together they were devoted parents and grandparents of Justin (Kaitlin) Telesco, Maryssa Telesco, Savannah (Tyler) Barrows, Abbigale Coots, Reese Coots, Charles Shilen, and Thomas Shilen; he was also the dear brother of Barbara (late Peter) Bisig; and WHEREAS, Rodney L. Coots touched many lives through his community work, and his generosity, integrity, and kindness marked him as a truly special man in all his endeavors; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Rodney L. Coots 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 Rodney L. Coots, distinguished citizen, noble firefighter, 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 Rodney L. Coots.