Senate Resolution No. 1225
BY: Senator PARKER
MOURNING the death of Barry C. Sample,
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, Barry C. Sample of Albany, New York, died on April 27,
2025, at the age of 74; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1951, Barry "Chuck" Carlton Sample was a native of
Long Island, New York where he grew up on his family's potato farm and
spent his teenage years working with Long Island fishermen; and
WHEREAS, In his teenage years, Barry C. Sample found his passion for
music, a passion that he took with him throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, From a young age, Barry C. Sample took to singing and
playing the guitar; he nurtured his talents by performing with bands in
high school and during his college years in the late 1960s and 1970s;
and
WHEREAS, Graduating magna cum laude in 1973, Barry C. Sample earned
his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at
Albany; he followed it up by earning a Master's degree from the
university's School of Criminal Justice in 1977; and
WHEREAS, Barry C. Sample distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, From 1978 to 1982, Barry C. Sample served as a lecturer in
African American history, social science, and public policy at SUNY
Albany; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, Barry C. Sample married his devoted wife,
Jacqueline Lake, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership
alongside his distinguished public service; and
WHEREAS, Barry C. Sample's commitment to education and public
service laid the foundation for an active career in public
administration and political advisory roles-positions for which he
became widely respected for in Albany, New York City, and Washington,
D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Barry C. Sample's public service career began at the New
York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, where he held several
roles between 1981 and 1993, including Deputy Director of Criminal
Justice, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Chief of the Bureau of Program
Development and Planning, and Senior Criminal Justice Program Analyst;
and
WHEREAS, Barry C. Sample's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Between 1993 and 2013, Barry C. Sample held several
prominent public positions, including Chair of New York Gaming
Commission, Deputy Director of State Operations for the New York State
Executive Chamber, Chief of Staff at New York State Office of the State
Comptroller, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs & Community Relations
of New York State Comptroller's Office, and Deputy Budget Director at
the New York State Division of the Budget; and
WHEREAS, An avid lover of jazz, blues, rock 'n' roll, and, of
course, Jimi Hendrix, Barry C. Sample attended jazz and blues festivals
and clubs in New York City and Montreal yearly; and
WHEREAS, Barry C. Sample was known to his many colleagues and
friends as a deeply caring and family oriented man, traits that were on
display at his beloved son, Baki's funeral in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Barry C. Sample is survived by his beloved wife of 40
years, Jacqueline Lake-Sample; his dear daughter, Serwa Sample-Adams;
son-in-law, Corey Adams; his sister, Jeanne Wilson; his nephews, Jason
Wilson and Gary Wright; and a number of family and friends throughout
the world; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Barry C. Sample leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Barry C. Sample, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Barry C. Sample.
