Former Gov. Mario M. Cuomo passes away

(June 15, 1932- Jan. 1, 2015)

The family of former Gov. Mario M. Cuomo announced he passed away from natural causes due to heart failure this evening at home with his loving family at his side. He was 82 years of age.

The 52^nd governor of New York, Cuomo served as New York's chief executive from 1983-94. He was credited with simultaneously improving the business environment of New York and the quality of life for its citizens, despite a national recession at the time.

Cuomo presented 11 consecutive balanced budgets, reduced taxes and implemented comprehensive governmental ethics and fiscal reforms. From the time Cuomo took office, New York experienced an increase of hundreds of thousands of jobs and tens of thousands of businesses.

Proclaiming the "Decade of the Child," Cuomo ushered in a multifaceted effort to improve the lives of all New York's children. His administration became the first in the country to develop an energy plan and to sign into law controls on acid rain among many undertakings.

Prior to his election as governor in 1983, Cuomo served in the public and private practice of law for 18 years, simultaneously teaching as an adjunct professor for more than 10 years at The St. John's School of Law.

Cuomo first gained public recognition for his resolution of the Forest Hills housing controversy in 1972. He was appointed to serve as the secretary of state of New York in 1975. In 1978, he was elected as lieutenant governor. He later received national attention for his 1984 keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.

2014 marked 60 years of marriage to first lady Matilda Raffa Cuomo, a graduate of The St. John's University Teacher's College.

The governor is survived by his children, Margaret (Howard Maier), current Gov. Andrew (Sandra Lee), Maria (Kenneth Cole), Madeline (Brian O'Donoghue), Christopher (Cristina Cuomo); 14 grandchildren: Christina Cuomo Perpignano, Marianna Cuomo Maier, Cara Kennedy Cuomo, Mariah Kennedy Cuomo, Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, Emily Cole, Amanda Cole, Katherine Cole, Samantha O'Donoghue, Kristin O'Donoghue, Tess O'Donoghue, Bella Cuomo, Mario Cuomo and Carolina Regina Cuomo.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.