Mourning the death of William Barnabas McHenry, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 62 co-sponsors

honors William B. McHenry for lifelong conservation, preservation, and cultural philanthropy in the Hudson Valley, recognizing his public service and leadership.

ADOPTED

Main purpose and intent

The resolution honors the life, service, and civic contributions of William Barnabas McHenry, a long-time attorney, philanthropist, and Korean War veteran.

It recognizes McHenry as a prominent conservationist and community leader who significantly advanced preservation, cultural, and environmental efforts in the Hudson Valley.

The measure memorializes McHenry’s achievements and asks that the Legislative Body pause to salute his life and mourn his passing.

Key provisions and changes

Formal recognition: The resolution states that it is the custom of the Legislature to pay tribute to notable New Yorkers whose work improved life in the state.

Biography highlights included in the record:

Service on the Board of Trustees of Boscobel House and Gardens for 55 years (joined 1964; retired as Chair in 2020).
Founding Chairman of the Hudson River Valley Greenway, a key advocate and partner in preserving the Hudson Valley’s resources; pivotal for the Empire State Trail linkage within the Greenway.
Leadership in restoring the Tower of Victory at Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh and co-chairing rehabilitation efforts with the late Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey.
Founding involvement with the Open Space Institute; recognized with the McHenry Hudson River Valley Awards (supporting conservation fellows and projects).
Roles as a trustee with major cultural and scientific institutions (e.g., Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center, New York Zoological Society, American Museum of Natural History) and broader philanthropy in the Hudson Valley.

Memorial language: The resolution describes McHenry as a “distinguished citizen,” “consummate gentleman,” and “devoted member of his community,” whose legacy includes environmental conservation, preservation of landscapes, and promotion of cultural resources.

Who or what would be affected

Direct effect: Formal acknowledgment within New York State Legislature of McHenry’s life and contributions.

Secondary effects: Public recognition may influence constituent awareness of Hudson Valley conservation efforts and the organizations McHenry supported (Hudson River Valley Greenway, Open Space Institute, Boscobel, and related cultural/environmental institutions).

No legal or financial mandates are imposed by this memorial resolution; it serves as ceremonial tribute.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative history:

Referred to Finance on April 16, 2026.
Reported to Calendar for Consideration and Adopted on April 21, 2026.

Action: The resolution was adopted by the Senate and transmitted to the McHenry family with a suitably engrossed copy.

Nature of measure: Non-binding ceremonial resolution; does not create statutory duties or funding obligations.

Notable details

McHenry’s lifetime: Born October 30, 1929; died June 2025 at age 95.

Impact emphasis: Longstanding leadership in conservation, historic preservation, and cultural philanthropy across the Hudson Valley and New York State.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparative note placing this memorial in the context of other New York memorial resolutions for prominent Hudson Valley figures.

Bill