Updated 09/27/2010 10:36 PM
Remembering a man who built a legacy
A man who built a legacy in the Capital Region has passed away. Our Erin Vannella tells us the story of the fondly remembered bricklayer.
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ALBANY, N.Y. -- A scan of the Capital Region cityscape reveals the work of 64-year-old Donald Led Duke. He died Monday, having helped build a better city.
"He was funny, he enjoyed life and lived life the way he wanted to live it," said Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings. "He cared about his friends and his family and wanted to make sure everything was all right. But he never lost his sense of humor. He never lost his work ethic, that's for sure."
A friend for over 20 years, Jennings said Led Duke never lost his passion for the city. He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for BBL Hospitality, a hotel and restaurant management company that's responsible for more than 40 construction projects, including eleven hotels and three restaurants in the Capital Region. But it was more than his brick-laying that made Led Duke a household name, said Jennings. He touched the heart of the community.
"He would always help not-for-profits and different organizations and not want any mention of it," said Jennings. "He just did it because he wanted to do it and knew it was the right thing to do to help others. So we're all going to miss him very much."