Guy Molinari
Guy Molinari | |
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13th Borough President of Staten Island | |
In office January 1, 1990 – December 31, 2001 | |
Preceded by | Ralph J. Lamberti |
Succeeded by | James Molinaro |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 14th district | |
In office January 3, 1983 – December 31, 1989 | |
Preceded by | Fred Richmond |
Succeeded by | Susan Molinari |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 17th district | |
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1983 | |
Preceded by | John M. Murphy |
Succeeded by | Theodore S. Weiss |
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 60th district | |
In office January 1, 1975 – December 31, 1980 | |
Preceded by | Lucio F. Russo |
Succeeded by | Robert Straniere |
Personal details | |
Born |
Gaetano Victor Molinari November 23, 1928 Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
Died |
July 25, 2018 89) Manhattan, New York, U.S. | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) |
Marguerite Wing (m. 1956–2008) (her death)[1] |
Alma mater | |
Military service | |
Allegiance |
|
Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1951–1953 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Gaetano Victor "Guy" Molinari (November 23, 1928 – July 25, 2018) was an American lawyer and politician who served as U.S. Representative and borough president of Staten Island, New York.[2]
Education and military service
Molinari was born in Manhattan, New York, the son of Elizabeth Margaret (Majoros) and S. Robert Molinari (1897–1957), a politician who represented the 2nd District of Richmond County in the New York State Assembly from 1943 to 1944.[3][4] He attended private schools growing up and graduated from New Dorp High School in Staten Island in 1945. He attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wagner College in Staten Island in 1949 and his law degree from New York Law School in 1951. He served in the United States Marine Corps (attaining the rank of sergeant), from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War. He was admitted to the New York State Bar following his discharge from the military in 1953 and commenced practice in Staten Island.
Political career
Molinari was a Republican member of the New York State Assembly from 1975 to 1980, sitting in the 181st, 182nd and 183rd New York State Legislatures. He was a delegate to the New York State Republican conventions in 1979 and the Republican National Convention in both 1980 and 1984.
In 1980, he was elected to the House of Representatives, unseating nine-term Democrat John M. Murphy. In 1982, his district was merged with that of four-term Democrat Leo Zeferetti, and he won with 57%. He was reelected to the three succeeding Congresses with minimal opposition and served from January 3, 1981, until his resignation December 31, 1989, to become Borough President of Staten Island. He was succeeded in the House by his daughter, Susan, who also served on the New York City Council. He served as Borough President from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2001.
In 1994, a week before the statewide elections, Molinari announced his view that Karen Burstein, the Democratic nominee for New York Attorney General, was not qualified to serve as attorney general because she was a lesbian. The combination of Molinari's remarks, a strong national Republican showing, and the win of George Pataki in the governor's race, led to Republican Dennis Vacco's narrowly defeating Burstein.[5] The New York Times called his remarks "gutter politics".[6]
Family and personal
Guy Molinari's daughter Susan succeeded him as a member of Congress. She is married to Bill Paxon, a former United States House Representative from Buffalo.[7]
Death and legacy
After spending his final years in his home in Bay Terrace, Guy Molinari died of pneumonia on July 25, 2018 at the age of 89.[8]
In 2004 a new Staten Island Ferry boat joined the New York City Department of Transportation fleet and was christened the Guy V. Molinari.[9] The boat continues to transport commuters and tourists between Staten Island and Manhattan and vice versa.
See also
- A spaceship featured in the James S. A. Corey novel Leviathan Wakes and its television adaptation, The Expanse, has the same name.
References
- ↑ "Guy V. Molinari, Power Broker in New York and Beyond, is Dead at 89". 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- ↑ "Former SI Borough President Guy Molinari dies at age 89". 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- ↑ "The New York Red Book". 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Who's Who in American Politics". 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "One Candidate's Lifestyle Becomes Other's Ax To Grind - tribunedigital-chicagotribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 1994-10-17. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Guy Molinari, From the Gutter". New York State: NYTimes.com. 1994-10-12. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ Levine, Carrie; Beckel, Michael (February 23, 2017). "Billionaires, Corporations Helped Fund Trump Transition". NBCNews.com. New York, NY. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/25/obituaries/guy-v-molinari-staten-island-power-broker-is-dead-at-89.html
- ↑ "Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Welcomes the Guy V. Molinari to Staten Island Ferry Fleet". 27 September 2004. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guy Molinari. |
- United States Congress. "Guy Molinari (id: M000842)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
New York Assembly | ||
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Preceded by Lucio F. Russo |
New York State Assembly 60th District 1975–1980 |
Succeeded by Robert Straniere |
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
Preceded by John M. Murphy |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 17th congressional district 1981–1983 |
Succeeded by Theodore S. Weiss |
Preceded by Frederick W. Richmond |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 14th congressional district 1983–1989 |
Succeeded by Susan Molinari |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Ralph J. Lamberti |
Borough President of Staten Island 1990–2001 |
Succeeded by James Molinaro |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by Anthony M. Vittorioso |
Republican nominee for District Attorney of Richmond County 1995 |
Succeeded by Catherine M. DiDomenico |