Senate Resolution No. 290

BY: Senator STEC

        MOURNING  the  death of James T. Kneeshaw, admired
        educator, proud veteran, 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,  James  T.  Kneeshaw  of  Queensbury,  New  York,  died  on
Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the age of 87; and

  WHEREAS,  James  T. Kneeshaw distinguished himself in his profession
and by his  sincere  dedication  and  substantial  contribution  to  the
welfare of his community; and

  WHEREAS,  He  graduated from Bolton High School and SUNY Plattsburgh
with teaching and administrative degrees; and

  WHEREAS, Spending much time in  the  classroom,  James  T.  Kneeshaw
taught  in  Trumansburg, New York, at Queensbury School where he retired
as Principal, and at Ticonderoga Central School, where he served as  the
Superintendent for three years; and

  WHEREAS,  After  his first year of teaching in Trumansburg, James T.
Kneeshaw enlisted in the  Navy,  proudly  serving  for  five  years;  he
attended  flight school training in Pensacola, Florida, and was assigned
to Replacement Air Group  VF-121  and  trained  to  fly  the  F3H  Demon
Aircraft,  becoming  a  "Demon  Driver"  Pilot in Flight Squadron VF-151
Carrier Group 15, which was assigned to the U.S.S. Coral Sea; and

  WHEREAS, James T. Kneeshaw made the first of his 200 landings on May
17, 1960, in the Western Pacific, achieving the designation of  being  a
Double  Centurion  Naval  Aviator;  completing  his active-duty military
service in July of 1962, he then became a reservist in the Navy  Reserve
Unit in Glens Falls; and

  WHEREAS,  An  active  resident  of  his community, James T. Kneeshaw
owned and operated the Rondack Motel and Cottages, served on the  Bolton
Planning  and  Zoning  Boards,  worked summers on the Lake George Marine
Patrol, and joined the Civil Air Patrol as well; and

  WHEREAS, Most recently, he completed 17 years of  service  with  the
Lake  George  Park  Commission  Board  of Directors, applying his life's
passion to the protection of Lake George; and

  WHEREAS, James T.  Kneeshaw's  commitment  to  excellence,  and  his
spirit  of  humanity,  carried  over  into  all  fields  of  enterprise,
including charitable and civic endeavors; and

  WHEREAS, In his  retirement,  James  T.  Kneeshaw  enjoyed  sailing,
hiking  in the Adirondack high peaks, skiing, running, and spending time
with his loving family; and


  WHEREAS,  James  T.  Kneeshaw  is  survived by his long-time partner
Betty Little, his sisters,  Elizabeth  and  Maureen,  his  four  beloved
children,   Holly,   Wendy,   Kelly,   and  James,  and  many  cherished
grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and

  WHEREAS, James T. Kneeshaw also enjoyed the company of his long-time
partner's  extended  family,  her  children,  their  spouses,   and   18
grandchildren, all of whom affectionately called him "Papa Jim"; and

  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, James T. Kneeshaw 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 James T. Kneeshaw, admired educator,  proud  veteran,
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 James T. Kneeshaw.