Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo dead at 82

Former three-term New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, the liberal son of Italian immigrants and a gifted orator whose talents brought him national stature, died Thursday. He was 82.
 
Cuomo died in New York of a heart condition shortly after his eldest son, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was sworn in to a second term, in the office he once held.
Mario Cuomo in November had been hospitalized for a heart condition, shortly after his son won re-election. The New York Post reported that Mario Cuomo joined his son at a victory event, but was rushed to the hospital the next day.
Mario Cuomo, while serving a lengthy term as governor, gained national attention with a rousing speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention criticizing then-President Ronald Reagan. Cuomo went on to be considered a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 1992, though he didn’t run.
The New York City native held the highest office in the state for over a decade, between 1983 and 1994. He was defeated in his bid for a fourth term by Republican George Pataki. Before that, he was lieutenant governor of New York from 1979 to 1982.
However, Cuomo never lost sight of his humble beginnings as a son of immigrants. When asked by the New York Times Magazine in 2011 if he was proud that his son Andrew was following in his footsteps, he said he felt lucky.
“I somehow stumbled through and became a governor,” he said. “I’ve told you that story. It was all luck. Luck and nothing else.”
During his tenure, Cuomo was known as a staunch liberal.
In the 1984 convention speech, he criticized Reagan’s economic policies. He accused Reagan of believing in social Darwinism, and said the president’s analogy of America as a “city on the hill” was only for some of its people.
“In fact, Mr. President, this is a nation -- Mr. President you ought to know that this nation is more a ‘Tale of Two Cities’ than it is just a ‘Shining City on a Hill,’” Cuomo said in the address.
Cuomo was later considered a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nominations in 1988 and 1992, but chose both times not to seek the office.
He repeatedly vetoed legislation that would have restored the death penalty in New York, and he closed down the Shoreham nuclear power plant on Long Island. He also built 30 new prisons. Under Cuomo, the state budget grew from $28 billion to $62 billion.
In 1993, he turned down an opportunity to be nominated by Clinton for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, telling the new president in a letter that "by staying active in our nation's political process, I can continue to serve as a vigorous supporter of the good work you are doing for America and the world."
After being defeated for a fourth term, he retired from politics and worked at Manhattan law firm Willkie, Farr & Gallagher.
He was a graduate of St. John’s University and St. John’s University School of Law.

Cuomo is survived by his wife Matilda, and his five children Margaret, Andrew, Maria, Madeline and Chris. Andrew Cuomo was formerly married to Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy.
Margaret Cuomo is a well-known radiologist who frequently writes and blogs about cancer prevention. Maria Cuomo, known as Maria Cuomo Cole, is married to fashion designer Kenneth Cole.  Chris Cuomo is an anchor for CNN’s “New Day.”