Born Mario Matthew Cuomo in Queens, NY to parents of Italian-decent, the man who rose to national prominence as New York’s governor, died at his home on January 1, 2015 at the age of 82.
Cuomo served three terms as New York’s governor and was widely recognized for his oratory. One of his most heralded speeches was delivered during the 1984 Democratic National Convention. His death came on the day that his son, Andrew, was sworn in for his second term as New York Governor.
“My father is not with us today. We had hoped that he was going to be able to come; he is at home and he is not well enough to come. We spent last night with him, changed the tradition a little bit. We weren’t in Albany last night; we stayed at my father’s house to ring in the New Year with him. I went through the speech with him. He said it was good, especially for a second-termer. See, my father is a third-termer. But he sends his regards to all of you. He couldn’t be here physically today, my father. But my father is in this room. He is in the heart and mind of every person who is here. He is here and he is here, and his inspiration and his legacy and his experience is what has brought this state to this point. So let’s give him a round of applause.”
Read the full story: Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo Dead At 82.
Cuomo attended public school and later St. Johns Preparatory Academy. He was signed to play baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates but left the game after being hit in the head by a pitch. He went on to complete a law degree at St. Johns University and practiced law prior to seeking public office. In 1975 he was appointed to be the secretary of state and was elected as lieutenant governor in 1978. He became governor for the first time in 1983.
Mario Cuomo and Matilda Raffa Cuomo married in 1954 and together had five children. Andrew, the current governor of New York, Chris, a CNN anchor, Maria, the wife of Kenneth Cole, and Chairman of HELP USA, Margaret, a physician, and Madeline, an attorney.
