I met the late former New York State Senator Bill Larkin many years ago while covering various new events he was involved in and after not seeing him for some 10 years I met him in Newburgh two years ago and got the same reception I always got with a big “hello Ed.”

I could never understand how he remembered people and their names the way he did.

We kept in touch via email from time to time over the years, and it was sad news to hear of his death on August 31 at the age of 91.

Bill retired last year at the age of 90 after serving in the New York Legislature for 40 years and at one point in time represented Sullivan County.

Larkin was a strong leader in the Republican ranks, but he will always be remembered for his bipartisan friendships as was evident at the time of his death from Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo who said, “Bill Larkin was a hero and a giant, and he gave more in his 91 years on earth than most of us could in many lifetimes.”

Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer noted “Senator Bill Larkin was an honorable man, legislator, veteran and a champion for the Hudson Valley.”

Bill served in the NYS Assembly from 1979-1990 and it was during those years I had the most personal contact with him.

He loved talking about supporting veteran's activities as he served more than 23 years in the United States Army retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Bill was always praised for his storytelling, leadership, mentoring abilities and his indiscriminate respect for people.

There are politicians and then there are great politicians…Bill Larkin went to the great government in heaven happy and at peace looking back over a lifetime of service and we know he was satisfied.

Ed Townsend provides year around "Beyond The News"coverage in this column with over 60-years of photojournalism analysis and insight. The column can also be read on his Web blog at http://bght.blogspot.com