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Obituary: Harvey N. Albond

Thu, Jan 17th 2019 02:50 pm

JUNE 2, 1928 - SEPT. 23, 2018 (AGE 90)

Harvey N. Albond passed away Sept. 23, 2018. Harvey was the son of the late Isadore and Frances Albond and was proud to be a first-generation American. Harvey lived in many states and countries before settling down in Niagara Falls. During his 90 years, he embodied both personal and professional service to his community and country.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Duluth, with a bachelors of arts degree in social studies, Harvey also completed graduate studies in economics, industrial relations, and law. He served as an adjunct professor at Niagara University and the University at Buffalo, and as a lecturer at Sydney University.

Military duty included serving in the U.S. Navy as an aerial photographers mate 3/c, rear gunner during World War II, and as a captain in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Harvey was awarded the New York State Medal for Merit together with numerous campaign medals.

Harvey dedicated many years volunteering with the VFW and the American Legion. He was honored to serve as one of the grand marshals in the Niagara Falls Community Memorial Day Parade.
A founding and life member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, Harvey's planning career spanned more than 50 years. He held national offices with the institute, including executive board and department of development, president of the Iowa chapter of American Statistical Association, liaison to the International Association of City Managers and National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. With his late wife, Karen, at his side, he worked with numerous metropolitan areas, including Des Moines; Honolulu; Minneapolis; Memphis; Washington, D.C.; New Orleans; Toronto; Chicago; Canberra; Sydney; and New York City. While in Hawaii and Australia, Harvey was recognized for his tourism research achievements.
Arriving with his family in 1967, Harvey began his career in the Niagara Falls community as the City of Niagara Falls director of planning and development and subsequently twice as city manager. Among his accomplishments were the school-library complex, the Convention Center and the Falls Street all-weather system, including the Wintergarden.

He also worked as executive director of the Love Canal Revitalization Agency; assistant director of the Niagara County Planning and Industrial Development Department; county personnel officer (replacing the Civil Service Commission); and town manager for the Town of Niagara. Harvey was a consultant to the Town of Wheatfield on the Greenway Plan; the city's representative to (and chairman of) the Niagara Frontier Transportation Planning and Coordinating Committee and the Erie-Niagara Regional Planning Board; and was the author of Niagara County's transportation plan.
Harvey was devoted to his daughter, Roxane Albond-Buchner, her husband, Daniel Buchner, and was very proud of his granddaughter, Teresa Buchner. He attended almost every play, concert, and celebration for his granddaughter. He was also survived by his sister, Barbara (Thomas) Powell; nephews Elisha and Ben; and niece Elizabeth Tubergen.
Harvey was elected to the Niagara Falls Board of Education in 1981. One of the highlights of his term was participating in the graduation of Niagara Falls High School and handing his daughter her diploma.
Numerous boards, agencies, and nonprofits counted him as an enthusiastic volunteer. Harvey was particularly proud of focusing on improving handicapped accessibility of state recreational venues during his terms as commissioner for the Niagara Region of the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

He served on the boards of directors for the Erie-Niagara Industrial Development Agency, Town of Niagara Industrial Development Agency, United Way of Niagara, Niagara Falls Boys Club, Council of Social Agencies, Niagara Coalition, Niagara Area Golden Age Clubs, Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, professional advisory board of the Niagara Area Association for Special Children (which became Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara/Intandem).

Harvey also served on the Niagara Falls Planning Board, Niagara Falls Parking Authority, Buffalo International Airport technical advisory committee, International Environmental Study of the Niagara River, Transit Advisory Committee of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Erie-Niagara Regional Planning Board and the Population Projections Committee of the National League of Cities.
 
Honors include the Planner Emeritus Designation by the Upstate New York Chapter of the American Planning Association; Distinguished Planning Achievement Award of the WNY Section of the APA; National Association of Home Builders Institute of Environmental Design Award; Who's Who in the East; Who's Who in Local Government Management; and appointed to the National Housing Committee of the American Institute of Architects.
Harvey was a member of the Niagara Falls and Niagara Central Rotary Clubs for nearly 50 years, at one point celebrating a perfect attendance for 25 years. He was a past president and chaired numerous events and committees for the clubs. In 2010, Harvey was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.
A private funeral was held at Riverdale Cemetery, Lewiston, with arrangements by the Rhoney Funeral Home. 

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials in Harvey's name may be made to Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation, 1555 Fashion Outlet Blvd., LPO Box 360, Niagara Falls, NY 14304-0360.
A memorial service was held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Temple Beth El, 720 Ashland Ave., Niagara Falls.

 

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