It is with great sadness that the Garden City Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the passing of Mark Barbatsuly this past week. Mr. Barbatsuly was an outstanding businessman, a great volunteer and a true gentleman. To say that his friends from the Chamber, fellow Rotarians, his customers and business associates will miss him is truly an understatement.

Mr. Barbatsuly was the second-generation owner, along with his sister, Carol Efthimiou, of Barbatsuly Bros., Inc. He joined with his father, Tom Barbatsuly in the well known Garden City fur business in the mid 1960s. The Garden City business operating for the longest period of time, Barbatsuly Bros. has remained on Franklin Avenue for more than 50 years.

Over the years, the Barbatsulys have been dedicated supporters of every single Chamber project and venture. He served on the Chamber board as a director and finance chairman for many years in the mid-to-late 1970s.

In 1987, the Chamber honored him as fourth in its roster of 18 Businesspersons of the Year. In 1996-1997, Mr. Barbatsuly served on the Village Business Planning Coalition. He was a diligent worker, along with our Chamber committee, on the presentation of "Wonderful Wednesdays" and "Fridays on Franklin" lunchtime band concerts in the late 1990s. His great baritone voice graced some 20 of the Chamber's village tree lighting ceremonies as vocalist with The Village Music Makers.

On behalf of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, we extend our very sincerest and heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Barbatsuly's entire family.