Frank Skartados
Frank Skartados | |
|---|---|
Thomas Kirwan | |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Jacobson |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 100th district | |
| In office January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Kirwan |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Kirwan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 3, 1956 Astypalea, Greece |
| Died | April 15, 2018 (aged 62) Newburgh, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | State University of New York at New Paltz (BA) California State University, Sacramento (MA) |
| Profession | Politician, businessman |
Frank Skartados (January 3, 1956 – April 15, 2018; Greek: Φρανκ Σκαρτάδος) was a Greek-American politician and businessman.
Skartados was a member of the
Kirwan died less than a year into his term, and Skartados won the 2012
Early life
Skartados was born on the Greek island of Astypalaia.[2] He grew up on a small farm which he worked with his father.[2]
At age 14, in 1970, Skartados and his mother moved to
After college, Skartados attained a master's degree in International Studies at the State University of California at Sacramento.[4] He later served an internship at the United Nations Center Against Apartheid.[4]
Early career
For the next eight years, Skartados worked back at the New York Military Academy as chairman of the Health Department.[5] He also taught Environmental Studies and American History.[5] In 2000, Skartados abdicated his seat at the military academy.[3]
Subsequently, Skartados focused on renovating properties in downtown Poughkeepsie, including building the Aegean Entertainment Center, the largest entertainment venue between Albany and New York City.[6] Skartados was the founder and president of the Academy Street Business Association in Poughkeepsie.[6] Skartados helped in the revitalization of the street's business environment, which changed the negative perception of the area.[6]
In addition to his work with the Poughkeepsie Partnership – a go-between to promote the partnership of business and city government agencies – Skartados also served on the mayor's Promotions & Events Committee to help further promote and attract new people to the city of Poughkeepsie.[6]
Assembly career
His political career began when he defeated 14-year incumbent
During his Assembly tenure, Skartados supported bills that focused on the environment, criminal justice reforms, consumer protection, veterans benefits, business regulation reform, family court reform, and library election reform.[8] Skartados secured millions of dollars for struggling schools in Marlboro, Highland and Poughkeepsie.[8] He also helped secure state funding to purchase fire trucks, plows, and police cars, and pursue environmental projects such as the Hudson Valley Rail Trail.[8] Skartados also helped expand non-profit grounds such as soup kitchens, Newburgh Habitat for Humanity, and Newburgh Safe Harbor's Park.[8] He remained in the assembly until his death in April 2018.[4]
Personal life and death
Skartados had one child at the time of his death.[8]
On April 12, 2018, Skartados was hospitalized in Newburgh, New York, with a "serious illness" and according to his chief of staff was "not likely going to recover".[9] He died in the hospital three days later, of pancreatic cancer, at age 62.[4][5]
In response to Skartados' death, U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney praised Skartados' "legacy as a fighter for the people he loved and a voice for many who had none".[10]
See also
- List of Greek Americans
- List of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
- List of Sacramento State people
References
- ^ "Newly elected NY assemblyman takes seat immediately". Daily Freeman. Kingston, New York. November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Assemblyman Frank Skartados Dies". Mid Hudson News. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Hudson Valley Assemblyman Frank Skartados Dies At 62". Armonk. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Frank Skartados' death is deep loss for community: Editorial". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Hudson Valley Assemblyman Dies Of Pancreatic Cancer". Patch. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "State assemblyman Frank Skartados Dies". Recordonline. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Assemblymember Frank Skartados Dies". WNYT. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Incumbent Frank Skartados faces challenge from family counselor William Banuchi in 104th state Assembly race". Daily Freeman. October 29, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ "Assemblyman Frank Skartados hospitalized with 'serious illness,' not expected to recover". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ^ "Sean Patrick Maloney on Twitter". Twitter. April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
