Henry A. Panasci, Jr., 76, of Camillus, died Sunday, April 17, 2005 at Community-General Hospital. He was born in Rome on Thursday, June 7, 1928, the son of Henry and Nellie Panasci. He was formerly Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Fay´s Incorporated, formerly Fay´s Drug Company, Inc., a retail chain he co-founded along with his father in 1958. At the time of its merger with a large national retailer in 1996, Fay´s had grown to over $1 billion in revenues and operated over 270 retail store locations. He served as secretary and treasurer of Fay's, was elected President in 1966 and assumed his role of Chairman in 1976, holding that position until retirement in October of 1996. In October of 1996, he founded Cygnus Management Group, LLC.

Mr. Panasci was a Director of the Business Council of New York State, Metropolitan Development Association of CNY, Inc. and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Inc., serving as Chairman 1983-1984, Vice Chairman 1982-1983, Treasurer 1981-1982 and Honorary Director. He was also a Director of New York City Opera, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (Chairman 1977-79 and 1984-88) and Syracuse 20/20 Development Committee.

Mr. Panasci was a Trustee of Everson Museum, Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, National Symphony Orchestra and Elmira College.

Mr. Panasci received his B.A. in Chemistry in 1948 and his B.S. in Pharmacy in 1952 from the State University at Buffalo. He was a member of the RHO CHI Pharmaceutical Honor Society.

His honors include the National Chain Drug Stores Association´s Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters - Le Moyne College in 1990, The Distinguished Alumni Award presented by the Alumni Association of the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1986, Honorary Doctor of Science Degree conferred by Long Island University, Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Services in 1985, Distinguished Citizens Award presented by the Hiawatha Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 1985, Honorary Doctor of Science Degree conferred by Union University, Albany School of Pharmacy in 1984 and Mayor´s Achievement Award (City of Syracuse) in 1983.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, the former Faye Kocher; daughter, Beth (Ira) Leventhal of Chappaqua; son, David (Jan) Panasci of Jamesville; sister, Arlene Rainone of Syracuse and grandsons, Michael, Dan and Jon Leventhal.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at the church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt. Arrangements are by the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Henry A. Panasci, Jr. Fund for Lewy Body Research, c/o The CNY Community Foundation, 500 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13202.