88 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2019
THOMAS GULOTTA
EX-LONGTIME NASSAU EXEC
Thomas Gulotta, a former Republican
lawmaker who served as Nassau
County executive from 1987 through
2001, presiding over the creation of
the Nassau County Legislature, died
on August 4. He was 75.
The former Town of Hempstead
supervisor and ex-New York State
Assemblyman from North Merrick
was elected to Nassau’s top job
when the county was controlled
by what was known as the Board of
Supervisors. He was the first county
exec to have to work with the 19
members of the Nassau legislature
when that body was formed in 1996.
He declined to seek re-election to a
fifth term following a financial crisis
that resulted in a state bailout and
the creation of the Nassau Interim
Finance Authority.
“He was one of the brightest and most
gifted elected officials I have met in
my years in county government,” said
Nassau County Legislature Presiding
Officer Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde
Park). “He was a hard-working public
servant and was counted as a friend by
residents in every corner of the county.
Tom Gulotta served with distinction
and dignity and will be missed."
Gulotta’s legacy includes the creation
of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance
Center of Nassau County in Glen
Cove, Nassau County Aquatic Center
in East Meadow, and the Cradle of Aviation
Museum, which is the anchor of
Museum Row in Garden City. After he
left political life, he worked for the law
firm of Albanese & Albanese, LLP. He
was succeeded by Tom Suozzi, who is
now a congressman.
“Tom was a dedicated husband,
father, and public servant,” said
Nassau County Executive Laura
Curran, a Democrat. “In his career in
government that spanned over four
decades, Tom served our residents
with distinction. In recent years, I was
lucky enough to become good friends
with both Tom and his wife, Betsy. My
heart goes out to Betsy and the whole
Gulotta family for their loss.”
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth,
brother Frank, son Christopher,
and daughter Elizabeth. He
was buried at Holy Rood Cemetery
in Westbury.
-TB
OBITUARIES
“He was one of the brightest and most gifted
elected officials I have met in my years in county
government,” said Richard Nicolello.
Thomas Gulotta was Nassau
County executive for 14 years.
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