Nassau County Legislative Majority Leader Peter Schmitt died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack, a spokeswoman for the Legislative Majority said.
Schmitt, 62, who had a health scare last year, had a heart attack in the office of County Executive Ed Mangano.
He was taken to a hospital, where he could not be revived, according to spokeswoman Christina Brennan.
He died at 11:55 a.m.
“Nassau County has lost a dedicated public servant," Mangano said.
"My wife Linda and I lost a friend of over 20 years. Presiding Officer
Peter Schmitt served the residents of Nassau County with great integrity
and pride. I had the privilege of serving closely with Peter in the
Legislature since its creation in 1996, where he distinguished himself
as an outspoken advocate for the residents of the 12th Legislative
District."
Schmitt was first elected to the County Legislature in 1995 and is
serving his eighth term. He has been the presiding officer and Majority
leader of the legislature since 2010 and served as deputy presiding
officer from 1996 to 1999.
"I'm very sad," said Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna. "We lost a
good and decent man," said Massapequa Park mayor James Altadonna.
Altadonna said he last saw Schmitt over the weekend at the Columbus Lodge Italian Street Festival.
"I've lost a friend both personally and professionally," he said.
"My heart goes out to the people who worked with him," said Mayor
Andrew Parise of Cedarhurst, who's known Schmitt for over 20 years.
"He was a very strong leader and knew government inside and out. He’ll be a hard guy to replace."
Schmitt leaves a wife and a daughter.
“Peter and I went to college," said Patrick Calabria, the Vice
President for Institutional Advancement at Farmingdale State College,
who went to school with Schmitt at Hofstra and edited the school paper
while Schmitt was in student government.
"He was a political science major and interested in government
service back then,” Calabria said. “We rarely agreed but I always
respected his passion and commitment to public service. He was a real
student of political history.”
With reporting by Edward Robinson and Stephen Bronner
Legislator Peter Schmitt Dies
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Joe Targove June 16, 2013 at 08:14 am
I'm willing to donate my party place in east Meadow and my dj services for free to help the kids. ..…Read More dreamcatcher516@gmail.com joe
Mickey June 10, 2013 at 08:25 am
Natalie. I am so sorry to read this. I too have a little 5 yr. old dog who I love desperately...…Read More and I feel your pain. There is another website for an organization that does an amazing job finding lost pets. It's LOSTMYDOGGIE.COM There is a small fee, but they get signs up all over the area and have a phone system set up where everyone in the area of where she was lost gets a PHONE CALL ALERT message to watch for Molly. They leave a phone number and their website address so if anyone has seen her or has her they know where to call. Great system! Check it out! I've never used them, but I HAVE received calls myself recently on 2 separate lost dogs and I've seen the many photos they hung up in my area in Levittown for dogs lost within a few miles of this area. In other words, they DO what they say they will do to help find Molly. Just want you to know what is out there to help you bring Molly home. My grandkids go to school around Grand and Camp Ave. We'll be watching for her! God Bless and good luck! I'm sure she will be returned to you real soon!!
Natalie Molloy June 10, 2013 at 10:14 am
Molly is actually not my dog , however I understandthe feeling of losing a dog and thought it would…Read More be a good idea to post on the Patch.
He was a beliver, a fighter, and most of all, he was one of us. Bless his family and my condolences to his family. Pete will be missed.
Nassau County can't even imagine his loss ! I will always remember his sense of humor and his smile.