On the same day that President Joe Biden's political career essentially perished with him dropping his re-election bid, the Democratic Party also lost another of its former luminaries in Congress.

Former Rep. Henry "Hank" Nowak (D-NY), of Western New York, passed away on Sunday at the age of 89, according to the Associated Press.

In addition to his years of service as a congressman from the 1970s-1990s, Nowak was also famed as a star basketball player for New York's Canisius University in the mid-1950s and as the father of current New York State Supreme Court Justice Henry J. Nowak.

Remembered for his service in Congress

In a Sunday evening X post, Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy Zellner wrote, "On a day of great change for Democrats, the WNY Community mourns the passing of one of the greatest elected officials we have ever had in Congressman Henry Nowak, father of NYS Supreme Court Justice Henry Nowak Appellate Division, 4th Department."

"Please join the @ecdems and I in keeping his entire family in your thoughts and prayers," he added. "Congressman Nowak’s legacy lives on through his tireless work in bringing home resources from Washington to help build and shape the community we have today."

The AP noted that former Rep. Nowak was elected to serve the congressional district that covers western New York from 1975 until he retired in 1992, and is credited with helping to modernize and develop Buffalo's waterfront as well as steering nearly $1 billion in total federal infrastructure funds to the region to help compensate for the loss of industry and shuttering of manufacturing factories in the 1980s.

In an interview with a local media outlet at the time of his retirement, Nowak explained, "I sought to match local needs with federal opportunities to help ameliorate these impacts and sustain our quality of life in Western New York," and added, "This has been the most gratifying part of my representation."

Honored by his alma mater

Nowak, who died on Sunday at his home in Florida, was also honored with a tribute by the athletic department of Canisius University as one of the school's biggest stars ever.

Bill Maher, the university's vice president and athletic director, said, "Henry was not only one of the greatest players in the 120-year history of our men's basketball program, he personified the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others," and added, "His incredible on-court accomplishments here at Canisius pale in comparison to his lifetime of service and commitment to the people of Western New York."

Canisius President Emeritus John J. Hurley also heralded him as being among "that pantheon of all-time great Canisians," and said, "He led Canisius teams in that golden era of Golden Griffin basketball and then went on to a distinguished career in local and federal government. As a trustee and Congressman, he was a source of wisdom, perspective and assistance to Canisius presidents, myself included. We will dearly miss this loyal son of alma mater and outstanding American."

A legendary basketball star

Nowak had earned the nickname "Hammerin' Hank" for his aggressive style of play at Canisius in the mid-1950s, where he led the team to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including an upset win over No. 2-seed North Carolina State University in 1956.

Canisius is saddened to report the loss of one of the greatest #Griffs ever: Henry "Hank" Nowak '57 passed away July 21.

The Hall of Famer was the leading force behind the Griffs' three-straight NCAA Tournament appearance from 1955-57. https://t.co/vmuPnSRxkA pic.twitter.com/61BJCB13cw

— Canisius University (@Canisius_Univ) July 22, 2024

He still holds the school record for career rebounds with 880, is ranked eighth in career points with 1,449, and is ranked second for both career free throws made (557) and career rebounds per game average (11.3). He has since been inducted into multiple halls of fame and has been honored by the school, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and the NCAA as one of the greatest players of all time.

Canisius observed that in addition to his athletic glory and before his congressional service, Nowak graduated from Buffalo Law School and served as both an assistant district attorney and as the Erie County Comptroller.