New York J 1157: Mourning the death of Raphael F. Blue, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

Bill Text

Bill Search and Legislative Information | New York State Assembly 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Skip to main content 

 New York State Assembly

 Speaker Carl E. Heastie

 --> 
 --> 

 --> 

• 
 Assembly Members 

• 
 Legislative Info 

• 
 Public Hearings 

• 
 Speaker's Press 

• 
 Assembly Reports 

• 
 Committees & More 

• Bill Search Home
• Laws
• Legislative Calendar
• Public Hearing Schedule
• Assembly Calendars
• Assembly Committee Agenda 

 Javascript must be enabled to properly view this page. 

 - This bill is not active in this session.

 Bill No.: 

• Summary 
• Actions 
• Committee&nbspVotes 
• Floor&nbspVotes 
• Memo 
• Text 
• LFIN 
• Chamber&nbspVideo/Transcript 
J01157 Summary:

BILL NOJ01157 

&nbsp

SAME ASNo Same As

&nbsp

SPONSORHARCKHAM

&nbsp

COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

&nbsp

Go to top J01157 Actions:

BILL NOJ01157 

&nbsp

06/05/2025REFERRED TO FINANCE

06/10/2025REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

06/10/2025ADOPTED

Go to topJ01157 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ01157 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ01157 Text:

Senate Resolution No. 1157

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

 MOURNING the death of Raphael F. Blue,
 distinguished citizen 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, Raphael F. Blue, of Peekskill, New York, died on Wednesday,
May 21, 2025, at the age of 74; and

 WHEREAS, On August 17, 1950, Raphael F. Blue, the eldest of four
children, was born to Jacqueline Millicent "Jackie" Smith and George W.
Fleming in Norfolk, Virginia; and

 WHEREAS, Raphael F. Blue was raised by Jackie and Jeptha B. Blue in
Peekskill; known to family and friends as "Ray," he was the first
grandchild of Ursula Mahon-Smith and Coleman Smith, Sr., who raised
twelve children, including his beloved mother; he was a favorite nephew
to his many aunts and uncles and had many cousins; and

 WHEREAS, After graduating from Peekskill High School, where he
excelled in football, baseball, and every other sport he played, Raphael
F. Blue left Peekskill to obtain his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from
William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa; he earned his Master of
Clinical Social Work degree from the University of Iowa; and

 WHEREAS, Raphael F. Blue worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
(LCSW) in the VA Hospital and Adjunct Professor at Mercy College and the
University of New York where he taught Sociology and Academic Enrichment
Skills; he also created the College Incentive Program for Alternative
High School Students in Mount Vernon; and

 WHEREAS, Raphael F. Blue is Founder and Executive Director of
Cross-Cultural Connection, Inc., a non-profit jazz organization which
focuses on teaching, developing, and presenting live jazz to students
and wider audiences; the annual Jazz in the Park Festival at the
Peekskill Riverfront Park was close to his heart; and

 WHEREAS, Traveling, playing jazz music, entertaining, teaching, and
mentoring were Raphael F. Blue's delights; an experienced reader of
sheet music, he played original jazz compositions and taught and
mentored musicians in countries on many continents; he traveled all over
the world, including the United States Department of State tours to
South Africa, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Gabon, and Zambia; his legacy is his
music which can be enjoyed in his many recordings; and

 WHEREAS, One of the many highlights of Raphael F. Blue's
professional career occurred in 2003 when he performed at the Macufe
Festival in Bloemfontein, South Africa; the legendary
trumpeter/bandleader, Hugh Masekela, invited him onstage to play with
him in front of a huge jazz festival crowd; and

 WHEREAS, Raphael F. Blue received many awards and recognitions over
the years, including the Distinguished Career Award from his Alma Mater,
William Penn University, in 2010; in 2013, he was inducted into the New
York Hall of Blues as a Master Blues and Jazz Artist; the City of
Peekskill proclaimed February 2014 as "Ray Blue Month" to thank him for
his service to the Peekskill community and beyond; and

 WHEREAS, Raphael F. Blue is survived by his loving wife of 23 years,
Riitta Blue; sons, Maurice and Jason Blue; brother, Sylvester; aunts,
Carmen and Angie; nephew, Gary J. Gilchrest; nieces, Michelle R.
Gilchrest and Christin "Boomanchew" Gilchrest; grandchildren, Ava
Christine Blue, Kennedy Reese Blue, Jackson Patrick Blue, Sydney Shea
Blue, and Mackenzie Beth Harris; lifetime friends, Billy Thomas, Joe
Cattuti, and many of his high school friends; friends, Ralph Leapheart,
Moss Duddley, and Alfio Tognocchi from his college years; and many other
family members, friends, and music brothers and sisters; he was
predeceased by his beloved parents; sister, "Gwennie" Blue-Gilchrest;
bro