Anthony Seminerio dead at 75

Former Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio passed away on January 6, and friends, constituents and colleagues were all saddened to hear the news.
His death was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Federal Medical Center at Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina, where Seminerio was serving his six year sentence for influence peddling.
“For over 30 years, Anthony Seminerio represented the 38th Assembly District with passion and dedication,” said his successor, Assemblymember Michael Miller. “We should remember all of the good things that he has done for the community. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife and his children.”
Despite the fact that the 75-year-old Seminerio was sentenced in February 2010 by Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald to six years in prison for defrauding the people of New York while he was a member of the State Legislature, those who knew him said that Seminerio was “like an angel to seniors, kids and constituents.”
“Let’s not forget his years of dedicated service to his constituents and his ability to work with both houses to get important legislation passed; he never turned a constituent down,” said Mitchell Udowitch. “Tony Seminerio will be gravely missed by many and should not be remembered for one mistake in his life.”
Simcha Waisman, President of the One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, said it was during Seminerio’s first run for office that he met him. Waisman had a print shop on Jamaica Avenue and “he [Seminerio] rented a store right next to me and asked me to do his printing. He was gracious and understanding.”
After he was elected, Seminerio challenged Waisman to come up with good ideas for the Richmond Hill Block Association.
Waisman talked to people and came up with the idea for a technology program, “and after three weeks, he [Seminerio] came back and said ‘start the technology program.'”
Seminerio initially gave $90,000 for the program and “we served the community and people only through his graciousness,” said Waisman.
As time went on, Seminerio gave the Block Association more money and they grew to spawn the One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center.
Waisman and Seminerio had a close working relationship. “He was funny, he had a big heart. It didn’t matter if you voted for him or not. He was always asking people in the community what they needed and he tried to help them,” said Waisman. “He was bigger than life. In 30 years he only did good for people.”
In fact, Joan Bachert, program director of the One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, explained that the center’s operational budget dried up when disgraced former Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio tendered his letter of resignation and pleaded guilty to one count of honest services mail fraud.
Donna Caltabiano, executive director of the Forest Park Senior Citizens Center, is facing a similar situation.
“Tony Seminerio was the founder of the Forest Park Senior Citizens Center over 30 years ago,” she said. “He was always there for us. We may close our doors soon because there are no longer legislators who feel for the community like Tony did. While he was in the State Legislator he was like an angel to seniors, kids and constituents.”
“For over 30 years he was an effective and tenacious advocate for his constituents, ‘the little people,’” said former State Senator Serphin Maltese. “There was no legislator who worked harder on their behalf. He was a good friend to us and to all who sought his assistance. He will be sorely missed.”
Arrangements were handled by the Leahy McDonald Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.