My colleagues in the New York State Assembly join me in mourning the passing of our dear friend and respected former colleague, Dick Keane.

A veteran of both the United States Air Force and the Buffalo Fire Department, a member of the Erie County Legislature and the State Assembly, Dick Keane was the consummate public servant.

Dick and I were elected to the Assembly as part of the class of 1977. "Coach," as he was affectionately known, was a passionate advocate for Western New York and served the communities of his beloved South Buffalo with distinction and integrity.

Dick was proud of his family and of his Irish heritage, and served as president of the American Irish Legislators Society of New York State. As he said many times, his parents had instilled in him a firm dedication to leaving the world a better place than when he found it. It was a goal that defined his service on behalf of our nation and our state.

Through the years leading to his retirement from the Assembly in 1998, Dick Keane was widely respected for his tough minded, plain spoken and earnest leadership. I will miss his generous spirit and his wry sense of humor.

My Assembly colleagues and I offer our heartfelt sympathy to the Keane family and our gratitude for sharing this remarkable man with us.