HAROLD RUBIN
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Harold-Rubin-co-founder-of-CANA-dies-at-93-15770748.php
https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/23/garden/where-s-the-mayor-on-the-front-porch.html
https://www.levinememorialchapel.com/obituary/Harold-Rubin
Harold Rubin died peacefully of natural causes on November 24, 2020 at age 93. A native of the Bronx, he moved to Albany in 1950 with his wife Ruth to accept a position with the New York State government, where he served for 39 years and worked under six governors. During his career, he worked for the departments of Civil Service, Public Service and Commerce, and the Office of Employee Relations. However, for more than 30 years he worked for the Division of the Budget, where he rose through the ranks to the top civil service role of Chief Budget Examiner, the position he held for 18 years. Harold was a graduate of the Brooklyn Technical High School in New York City. He obtained a B.S. in Economics from the City College of New York, and an M.P.A. and Ph.D. from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. During his career with the Budget Division, he created and headed the first state statistical coordination unit in the country. He also helped establish the state’s policy for collective bargaining after passage of the Taylor Act of 1967--New York State’s labor relations statute for public employees. Harold was an expert on the New York State retirement system, and wrote the Tier 2 Pension Plan legislation. In 1964, Harold and Ruth bought a brownstone row house on Chestnut Street in Albany, which was the birthplace of the late Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd. They soon became active in the Center Square Association, Albany’s oldest neighborhood association. Over the years they held a variety of positions, including Harold’s seven years as president. As chair of the zoning committee for over 35 years, Harold was particularly known for his representation of Center Square before Albany’s Board of Zoning Appeals. In 1968, Harold was instrumental in the opposition and defeat of the proposed Mid-Crosstown Arterial Highway that would have run through Albany’s historic district. In 1974, Center Square and Historic Albany Foundation, with Harold’s help, successfully opposed the establishment of a McDonald’s restaurant across the street from the Empire State Plaza. This subsequently prompted the formation of the Capital Hill Architectural Commission. Harold played a major role in stimulating the neighborhood movement in Albany. His activities and those of the Center Square Association in advocating for code and zoning enforcement and obtaining municipal services as a right and not a favor encouraged residents throughout the city to form their own neighborhood associations. Within a decade, the number of Albany neighborhood associations grew to more than 20, encouraged by the activities of and modeled after the Center Square Association. In 1974, Harold helped form the Coalition for Effective Code Enforcement, a federation of neighborhood associations and tenant and civic organizations, whose mission was to stimulate the city to enforce building codes so as to promote the health and safety for the city’s residents. The Coalition sponsored a competition to publicize the code violator of the month, and the City of Albany won as the Code Violator of the Year for not enforcing its own codes. In 1976, Harold joined the board of the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC), an organization whose mission included helping residents form their own neighborhood associations. NRC joined with the Coalition to form the Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations (CANA), a federation of neighborhood associations formed which became a major community force in Albany to deal with citywide issues and those that cross neighborhood boundaries. In December of that year, NRC, CANA, and nine neighborhood associations held the first “Love Thy Neighborhood” convention in the City of Albany. Harold was a cofounder of CANA, and served as its Chairperson for its first 20 years. For several decades, Harold was CANA’s main spokesperson, particularly at the city’s budget hearings, where he advocated for more citizen input and for an improved and comprehensive budgetary process. Over the years, CANA has been a major force striving to improve the quality of living for the city’s residents. As a neighborhood “activist”, Harold was non-political in a partisan way. He was not enrolled in any political party. He wanted the mayors to give residents a say in the fate of their neighborhoods. Over the years, Harold served as president of a number of other civic and professional organizations, including the Albany Chapter of the American Statistical Association, the Friends of the Albany Public Library, and the Torch Club of Albany. He also was an active board member of the Albany Police Athletic League, the Capital District Library Council, the Capital District Chapter of the Industrial Relations Research Association, Senior Services of Albany, Albany’s first Charter Revision Commission, the Capital Hill Architectural Review Commission, and was a founding member of the Historic Albany Foundation. Harold was a long time member of Congregation Beth Emeth and was a life member and past president of the University Club of Albany where he spent many happy times with friends and family. He enjoyed attending monthly Torch Club of Albany meetings, and traveling with Ruth over the years to attend annual Torch Conventions held in different cities across the United States. In 1993, Harold received the Marion Martin Award for distinguished service on behalf of public retirees from the Retired Public Employees Association. He also received the Equinox Inc. 2003 Victor A. Lord Courage of Convictions Award in recognition for his community and civic activities, and the 2005 Neighborhood Resource Center’s Award for community leadership. On December 11, 2014, the Center Square Association honored Harold and Ruth for their lifelong dedication to many Albany institutions, and it was declared “Harold and Ruth Rubin Day in the City of Albany”. Proclamations were made by Mayor Kathy Sheehan on behalf of the City of Albany, and by Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, on behalf of the NYS Legislature, recognizing Harold’s distinguished 39-year career in state services. Historic Albany Foundation also honored Harold that night, recognizing his and Ruth’s leadership and outstanding contributions to historic preservation. Harold leaves behind his dear wife Ruth to whom he was married for 70 years, his daughter Lisa Rubin-Johnson and her husband Glenn of Brookline, MA, his daughter Nancy Dana Smith and her husband Dan of Shelburne, VT, and five grandchildren, Connor and Austin Johnson, and Zachary, Jessica, and Griffin Smith. He is predeceased by his parents, Yetta and Max Rubin, and by his sister Gladys. Harold’s family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Costello, the staff of the Massry Residence in Albany, and the staff, doctors, nurses, and certified nursing assistants at the Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady for all their excellent care over the past two years. A private burial took place on Friday, November 27th at Albany Rural Cemetery. A celebration of Harold’s life is planned for the Summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Harold may be made to: Center Square Association at https://centersquarealbany.com, The Torch Foundation at https://www.torch.org/donate-now.html, and The University Club Foundation at http://www.universityclubalbany.com/u-club-foundation.html.
EMILY GRISOM
When Emily Grisom died on March 6, 2005, Albany lost one of its great neighborhood activists. She was known for her work in her church, the Sheridan Hollow Neighborhood Association, CANA, Arbor Hill Justice Corporation, the Neighborhood Watch Program, Arbor Hill Development Corporation and the Community Police Council. She won the Mayor’s Cup in 1987 for her work on an anti-litter campaign, was recognized in 1996 by the city of Albany, and in 1998 was honored for her work promoting tolerance and diversity. One of Emily’s most notable accomplishments was that she wanted to address the Common Council and was unable to, so applied pressure until the half-hour citizen’s open speaking time was instituted before each meeting. It is believed that she was one of the first to address the Council.
ELFRIEDA TEXTORES
When Elfrieda Textores, died in November of 2004, she was known to many as the South End champion. She lived her entire life in the same house in Albany’s South End. When others were driven out of the neighborhood by drugs, gunfire and urban blight, Elfrieda stood firm. For decades, she photographed boarded-up properties and urged change. She was a strong neighborhood crusader, and was a founder and continuing member of the South End Concerned Citizens and Improvement Corporation. She planted flowers, fought against absentee landlords and pushed to strengthen code enforcement policies of the city, and for the Weed and Seed anti-drug campaign. She traveled extensively, and though she could have lived anywhere, she chose the South End. She is missed by her entire neighborhood.
PK MILLER
https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/PK-Miller-an-Albany-original-and-colorful-10870606.php
PK Miller, an Albany original and colorful character, dies at an uncertain age
An outspoken, colorful character, who always wore a visor or a cap
Paul Grondahl Times Union January 19, 2017
PK Miller, a fixture at the Albany Public Library, music teacher, prolific poster on Facebook and raconteur of indeterminate veracity, died Sunday at Van Rensselaer Manor in Troy after battling diabetes and cancer. That much is verified. He wrote extensively about his ailments and treatment on Facebook, where he had nurtured an eclectic group of friends. Other details of his enigmatic narrative were ingrained by tellings and re-tellings and snapshots he shared with close friends. But a complete portrait was hard to come by. Take his age, for instance. He was born in Albany on Dec. 4, 1943, according to one of his longest and best friends, Brian Logan, an attorney and former co-worker who also provided occasional legal assistance. That would have made him 73. Relatives who dealt with officials at Leahy Funeral Home in Troy to arrange cremation services said he was born on Dec. 4, 1950. That would have made him 66. The funeral home manager said he had no other biographical information from the family. His sister declined to speak to the Times Union. Around the city, however, Miller was an outspoken, colorful character. He attended a smorgasbord of cultural events, clutching canvas tote bags stuffed with books and newspapers and wearing a baseball cap or visor of unknown provenance. He did not drive and took the bus or walked for blocks on feet that had lost their feeling from circulation problems due to diabetes. "He was beloved at the library, came to all our events and was intelligent, caring and engaged," said Scott Jarzombek, executive director of the Albany Public Library. "My staff is heartbroken. He was amazing. If you said PK, everyone knew who you meant." He rarely missed a weekly noon book review session and took in live music performances at the library, from hip-hop to classical. Jarzombek went to Miller with questions about obscure library history and he invariably knew the answers. He was an anachronism who used a battered, obsolete blue library card and yet was a computer expert who worked for many years with computer files and data processing at a local bank. "He was like a Zelig. He seemed to be everywhere around Albany," said Brian Logan, a lawyer from Albany who knew Miller for more than 20 years. "He was just a classic Albany character." He was active in the Hudson/Park Neighborhood Association, where he had lived for many years. Paul K. Miller, who preferred to be called PK, grew up in the city's South End and attended parochial school. He was a parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul in Albany for many years, but left in 2001 because he felt the liturgy had become too progressive. He joined the Cathedral Episcopal of All Saints across town, according to Logan. He supported its Choir of Men and Boys and enjoyed the Episcopal cathedral's traditional music because he had studied music at Juilliard and was a concert organist who belonged to the American Guild of Organists. He volunteered to serve coffee, tea and cookies for many years at a Thursday coffeehouse at the Pride Center of the Capital Region in Albany. He also told Logan and others that he was an Army medic during the Vietnam War who was wounded and earned a Purple Heart. "I believed him," said Logan. He never saw the Purple Heart, which Miller said he had given to a niece. Others thought he served in the Navy. Miller also spoke about a longtime partner, an academic who had moved to Rochester, but none of his close friends in Albany had ever met the man. "He had a fine tenor voice that switched to a high baritone later in his life, and he sang in local operas and musicals," said Joe Galu, of Albany, a friend of Miller's for more than 40 years and a former Associated Press reporter who served as an aide to former Assemblyman Jack McEneny. Despite their friendship and even though he was gay himself, Miller refused to sing at Galu's former bar, a gay-friendly establishment on Central Avenue in Albany named Tony's Terrace. "He absolutely disdained taking part in karoake on Friday night, which was my busiest night," Galu said. Miller had taught as an adjunct music professor at local colleges before his health declined. "He was a voracious reader, devoured several newspapers each day and was up on any issue," said Galu, who was also familiar with Miller's eccentricities. Jarzombek said Miller pressed him to improve conditions at the main Washington Avenue branch of the library, including a recent designation of a larger bathroom on the first floor for disabled patrons so that those with wheelchairs and walkers could maneuver more easily. "His emails to me often ran several pages," Jarzombek said. "He found things at the library that needed to be fixed that even our staff had missed. We cherished PK. ."
EILEEN MURRAY
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion-albany/name/eileen-murray-obituary?pid=195697877
Eileen Murray passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at home following a long illness. She was born in 1946 and was the daughter of the late Owen Charles Murray and Rose Carragher. She is survived by her loving husband Ken Baker; her stepson Demond Baker, his wife DeBorah Baker and her grandchildren, Demi and Devin Baker. Also surviving are her sister Liz Murray; sister-in-law Anne Murray; beloved in-laws and nieces and nephews and at least 23 cousins in the U.S. and Ireland. Eileen was predeceased by her brother Gene Murray. Eileen took great pride in her Irish heritage and was thrilled to learn she was 98% Irish. Eileen devoted her life to helping others. She was born and raised in New York City and as she always said was born in Queens, grew up in the Bronx, lived in Manhattan and worked in Brooklyn. She was active with Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement. She met Ken while working for the New York City Commission on Human Rights and followed him to Albany when he began working for the State. She then worked for over 20 years at the State Division of Housing & Community Renewal. She was an engaged neighborhood activist and with her gift for photography, was always called to take pictures at community events. Following retirement, she continued her housing and planning efforts volunteering with the Affordable Housing Partnership.
STEPHEN WINTERS
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion-albany/name/stephen-winters-obituary?pid=197812614
Stephen Earl Winters, 63, died suddenly on January 1, 2021. Stephen was born on September 24, 1957, in Texas to Claude and Evelyn "Carol" Winters and raised in Oklahoma and North Carolina. Stephen attended the University at Albany as an undergraduate and graduate student, receiving a graduate degree in social work. Stephen was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was the past executive director at both the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless and the South End Improvement Corporation. He was a past president of the Second Avenue Neighborhood Association. He volunteered with many community organizations including the Honest Weight Food Co-op, the League of Women Voters, United Tenants of Albany, FOCUS Churches, MOMS Demand Action, and many others. He was a Dachshund enthusiast and an officer of several dog clubs including the Stewards Club of Upstate New York. His hobbies included gardening, bird watching, sharing homemade meals and caring for his loving cat Otis. In both his professional career and volunteer service, Stephen was an advocate for the less fortunate and underserved people in our community. Stephen was not afraid of getting into "good trouble," raising concerns with elected officials or asking business owners to step up to the plate for those in need. Stephen was the consummate example of a "community activist" and his work has left a lasting impact on our community. Stephen is survived by his sister Leatha Thomas and brother James (Elizabeth) Winters; as well as his niece Alexandria and nephews, Kevin (Sara) and Jeremy. He has several great-nieces and nephews, Everett, Ellie, Eli and Evan. In addition to his parents, Stephen was predeceased by his brother Russell; and his brother-in-law Michael. Stephen leaves behind a large circle of loving and caring friends. Stephen's friends and family would like to thank those who loved and cared for Steve and shared his passion in caring for others. He has left us too soon.
HENRY M. MADEJ
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion-albany/name/henry-madej-obituary?pid=200348716
AMSTERDAM Henry M. Madej died peacefully on October 2, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady. Family and friends thank Kingsway staff and Henry's dear friends, David and Susan Sawyer, for their compassionate and excellent care throughout these difficult times. He was born on January 17, 1945, in Bellingham, Wash., and grew up in Amsterdam, the only son of Henry A. Madej and Sylvia Kingma Madej, who predeceased him. He is survived by his sister, Ann M. Madej of Lummi Island, Wash.; by his beloved nephew Alexander Henry Madej Kairoff of Tucson, Ariz.; two aunts, one uncle and cousins all of whom he enjoyed and loved. Being very proud of his father's Polish heritage, Henry discovered where his grandparents were born and added their names to the wall at Ellis Island. Although he never traveled to Poland, Henry's cousins visited the town where his grandmother was born and met cousins who still live there. He also enjoyed helping his mother research her side of the family, the Kingmas, originally from the Netherlands. Henry received his B.A. from the SUNY Albany in 1967 and his M.P.A. in 1969. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Gamma Journalism Fraternity. As president of the class of 1967, Madej was instrumental in preserving "Minerva" the statue that had been a fixture on the campus since 1888 and was in need of restoration after several years of student pranks. Today the statue stands in the lobby of the Science Library. After graduation, he continued to be a strong supporter of the University at Albany campus community. In 1978 Madej received an Excellence in Service award from the University's Alumni Association and was recognized in 1986 for fifteen years of service to the University Alumni Council. Henry was active politically for much of his life. As a student leader at SUNY Albany, he brought U.S. Senator Robert Kennedy to the campus. Henry then actively worked on the Kennedy presidential campaign followed by leadership roles for George McGovern, Gary Hart, and Bill Bradley's Presidential campaigns. He was part of Mary Ann Krupsak's campaign team and when she was elected to the New York State Senate, he became a member of her staff and continued on staff when she became the first woman Lieutenant Governor from 1975-1978 and was central in her campaign for Governor. In the City of Albany, he was campaign manager for David Sawyer's successful campaign in 1973 for Albany City Council. Sawyer was the first insurgent Democrat elected in the city in fifty years. Countless other candidates relied on Henry's political skills culminating with the central role he undertook in Council Member Jimmy Scalzo's political career. Most of his career was spent working at the New York State Legislature, where he advanced to deputy director of the Assembly Research Service, providing information for Assembly members on topics ranging from how municipal water boards were formed to explaining how cigarette taxes worked. He served as special assistant to Assemblyman Kevin Cahill and then as legislative director for Assemblymember Roberto Ramirez from the Bronx. As an Albany resident, Madej was extremely active in the Neighborhood Resource Center, the Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations and the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association (PHNA). He served several terms as president of the Neighborhood Association, which covers the area adjacent to the University's downtown campus and is a mix of housing for students and long-term residents. He was actively involved in the city's efforts to improve its code enforcement department to assure there was safe and affordable housing for all residents. He also supported the development of businesses that would improve the quality of life for everyone. He wanted new restaurants in Pine Hills to be family friendly, not establishments run by organizations that he referred to as "Tappa Kegga Day," where drinking extended into the wee hours of the morning and inebriated patrons wandered through the streets trying to find their way home. Henry was a founding member of the "Committee on University and Community Relations" which brought college students and neighbors together to address issues of safety and behavior off campus. In 1996, he was the Pine Hills representative to Albany's Tricentennial Commission, helping to design banners that would be used in his neighborhood and deciding where they would be placed. He also assisted with scheduling events that would take place throughout the year for the Tricentennial. Dedicated to improving Albany, Henry served on the Albany City Charter Revision Commission in the late 1990s. The Albany Times Union reported that the impetus of the Commission was to revise rather that rewrite Albany's charter, to maintain its historic status as the oldest city charter in the United States and provide a clear and concise legal directive to those who administer our city government. Madej also served on a review panel established by Mayor Jennings in 2001 to address parking problems in Pine Hills. In his retirement, Henry enjoyed curating articles, documents and pictures related to the history of Albany politicians, the history of Albany as well as his beloved alma mater, the State University of New York at Albany now known as University of Albany. He donated some of those to the Albany Institute of History and Art and also donated his papers on City Charter Revision Commission, Pine Hills Neighborhood Association and Albany Tricentennial Commission to M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives at UAlbany. He continued to follow local politics with avid interest and enjoyed regaling friends with memories of humorous incidents during various campaigns
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