Pulaski, NY — H. Douglas Barclay, 88, of Pulaski, former lawyer, top Central New York politician and a leader in state GOP politics, died Sunday at his home.
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Born in New York City, he attended school in Pulaski, for a time in a one-room schoolhouse, according to his obituary. He attended St. Paul’s School and Yale University. He served in the US Army from 1955 to 1957.
He then attended the Syracuse University College of Law and joined the Syracuse law firm Hiscock, Cowie, Bruce, Lee & Mawhinney, predecessor of Barclay Damon LLP, where he practiced law as a partner for more than 40 years.
In 1964, he was elected to the New York State Senate where he served for 20 years, retiring in 1984. In 2003, President George W. Bush named him the United States Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador where he served until to 2006.
He recognized the importance of tourism in his hometown of Pulaski and could often be heard saying that the Salmon River and Lake Ontario were the premier fisheries in the country, according to his obituary.
Calling hours are 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Foster Hax Funeral Home, 52 Park St., Pulaski. Services and burial will be private.
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