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In Memoriam
NYSRPS is thankful to offer friends and loved ones the ability to make a contribution in honor of a special individual. These "In lieu of flower" donations provide incredible support for the Society or programs they are earmarked to fund. Please use the contribution form below and be sure to note the comment section the individual's name and any special fund you would like to see your donation to be applied towards. Donations received not specified will be considered a donation to the general fund.
FAMILIES AND ORGNAIZATIONS WISHING TO PAY TRIBUTE
Do you know a great individual you would like to see memorialized by an "In Memoriam" donation? Please contact nysrps for specific arrangements. This is a tremendous way for a lost loved one's legacy to continue and a way to raise greatly needed funds for the New York State Recreation and Park Society.
NYSRPS is a 501 C3 not-for-profit organization. Be sure to keep a copy of your donation receipt for tax purposes. Thank you for your support in a difficult time. We hope this opportunity to give brings comfort knowing your contribution will help our mission to provide programs and services to park and recreation professionals across NY.
If you would like to send a donation via USPS, please send to:
New York State Recreation and Park Society
19 Roosevelt Drive, Suite 200
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Attn: Memorial Fund (please include the individual's name and special purpose for the donation)
A Tribute to Fran Tokar
Fran Tokar was the first President of NYSRPS's Regional Partner, Central NY Recreation and Park Society (CNYRPS), serving two terms from April of 1969 to March of 1971. He spent another year on what was then called the Executive Committee and served as a member-at-large from 1988-90. He then served as NYSRPS President (1977-1978) and continued to be an active member of CNY right up until his retirement. In 1975. He was the first recipient of the William H. Hope Award which later became what we know today as the David M. Guokas Memorial Award, the highest award given out by CNYRPS.
Fran was looked up to by many of us “younger” professionals as someone we hoped to be some day. He was always approachable and willing to share his years of knowledge with us. He was a big supporter of our awards program. A year didn’t go by that he didn’t submit at least one nomination and usually multiples. One of my favorite stories is year after year he would submit his Cortland Youth Bureau Annual Report in the report category then after that was dropped, he put it in the brochure category. He typically walked away with a plaque. No one else did an Annual Report like he did.
Upon retirement the CNYRPS board felt we needed to honor him in some way and decided to put our student scholarship in his name. So, in 2002 and every year since then we have presented a college student or two with the Fran Tokar Scholarship. Fran was honored to say the least. He decided he wanted to continue to support this CNY organization that meant so much to him throughout his career as well so he began to donate to the annual scholarship fund each year, as well. What a legacy he has left behind.
CNYRPS is currently collecting donations to directly benefit the Fran Tokar Scholarship Fund. Please use the donation form below to register your donation. We thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness at this time of sorrow.
We’ll miss you Fran, but never forget you.
Charry A. Lawson
NYSRPS Past President & CNYRPS Member