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Guy Molinari
Guy Molinari 1987 congressional photo
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 United States House of Representatives
In office
January 3, 1983 – December 31, 1989
Preceded by Fred Richmond
Succeeded by Susan Molinari
Member of the United States House of Representatives
In office
January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by John M. Murphy
Succeeded by Theodore S. Weiss
Member of the 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(1928-11-23) (age 96)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Marguerite Wing
Alma mater
  • Wagner College
  • New York Law School
Military service
Allegiance US flag 48 stars United States
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1951–1953
Rank Sergeant
Battles/wars Korean War

Gaetano Victor "Guy" Molinari (born November 23, 1928) is a former United States Representative and borough president of Staten Island, New York.

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.[1][2] 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.[citation needed]

Political career

He 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 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.[3] The New York Times called his remarks, "gutter politics".[4]

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.[citation needed]

See also

  • A class of ferries in the Staten Island Ferry system is named for him.
  • A spaceship in the TV series The Expanse has the same name.

References

External links

Unrecognised parameter
Preceded by
Lucio F. Russo
New York State Assembly
60th District

1975–1980
Succeeded by
Robert Straniere
United States 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
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