64 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • OCTOBER 2020
TOM MURATORE
DEDICATED SUFFOLK LAWMAKER
Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore
(R-Ronkonkoma), a five-term
lawmaker, retired police officer, former
police academy instructor, and ex-union
official, died on Sept. 8. He was 75.
First elected to represent the county
legislature’s fourth district in central
Suffolk a decade ago, Muratore passed
laws creating dedicated parking spaces
for veterans at county buildings, school
bus safety awareness, securing open
space for parks, and monitoring the use
of drones in county parks. He was vice
chair of the Public Works, Transportation
and Energy Committee.
“He was a quiet warrior,” said Suffolk
County Legislature Presiding Officer
Rob Calarco (D-Patchogue). “He chose
his moments carefully, and when he
spoke, people listened. During the
COVID crisis, Tom was there for his
constituents in every way — even if that
meant putting himself at risk — because
that is the kind of public servant he
was.”
Muratore graduated from Central
Islip High School in 1963 and lived in
Ronkonkoma with his wife Linda since
1970. Before being elected to office
in 2010, he was a police officer for 34
years and vice president of the Suffolk
County Police Benevolent Association,
the union that represents rank-and-file
police officers, for 18 years.
“Public service coursed through his
veins,” Suffolk County Executive Steve
Bellone said. “Tom was the utmost
professional, someone who was never
afraid to reach across the aisle, especially
when it came to working together to
protect families, our veterans and our
quality of life.”
Bellone directed flags at all county government
facilities be flown at half-staff
in Muratore’s honor.
“He worked tirelessly to improve our
quality of life,” said Suffolk County Republican
Party Chairman Jesse Garcia.
“He was a one-of-a-kind gentleman who
made the world a better place for all of
us and cannot be replaced. The prayers
and condolences of the entire Suffolk
County Republican Committee are with
the Muratore family today as we mourn
the loss of this remarkable man.”
-TB
OBITUARY
Tom Muratore.
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