Nassau County leaders, both Democrat and Republican, are honoring the life and work of lifelong politician and former Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta, who died Sunday at the age of 75.
“It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of former County Executive Tom Gulotta. He was one of the brightest and most gifted elected officials I have met in my years in county government,” Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) said. “He was a hardworking public servant and was counted as a friend by residents in every corner of the county.”
Nicolello added, “Tom Gulotta served with distinction and dignity and will be missed. My condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.”
Gulotta was born in Oceanside on April 27, 1944. According to the N. F. Walker Funeral Home in Merrick, he went to Malverne High School and graduated in 1962. He graduated from Trinity College in 1966. By 1969, he had earned his law degree from Columbia Law School.
He was a Republican member of the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 1981. His district included his hometown of Merrick. In 1981 he was selected to become the presiding supervisor of the Town of Hempstead.
“As a lifelong resident of North Merrick, Tom advocated fiercely for our communities and dedicated his life to public service. Having served his constituents on the local and state level, Tom’s experience and tenacity proved vital as he led this county for over a decade,” said Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen. “My deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. He will be missed.”
From 1987 to 2001, he served as Nassau County executive succeeding Francis T. Purcell. Gulotta was eventually succeeded by current Congressman Tom Suozzi.
“Tom Gulotta’s death signals the official end of an era. He was a true gentleman who came up in the Nassau government during a time of growth and prosperity when politics was civil and cordial,” Suozzi said. “He was never nasty or divisive and always made a point of asking how my family was whenever I saw him. My deepest sympathy to his wife and family.”
He was currently serving as special counsel at Albanese & Albanese, LLP in Garden City.
“I was saddened to hear about the passing of former County Executive Tom Gulotta. Tom was a dedicated husband, father, and public servant. In his career in government that spanned over four decades, Tom served our residents with distinction,” County Executive Laura Curran said.
