By Gabriel Rom
Former City Council Minority Leader Thomas Ognibene, a Queens Republican giant, died Monday at the age of 72 following a battle with aggressive spinal cancer.
Ognibene was first elected to the Council in 1991 representing the southwest Queens neighborhoods of Middle Village, Glendale, Ridgewood and Woodhaven.
He exhibited a knack for political horse-trading and quickly rose to the position of Council minority leader in 1994 and held the position until 2001, when he had to give up his seat due to term limits.
Ognibene earned respect from across the political aisle and enjoyed friendly relationships with Democrats around the city, including former Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. of Astoria and former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, who represented southern Queens.
“So sorry to hear of the passing of Tom Ognibene,” tweeted Weiner. “He was clever, funny and passionate. His family are in my prayers.”
In 2005 Ognibene opposed then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg in the Republican mayoral primary. Bloomberg successfully challenged his run and disqualified him from the GOP race. Ognibene continued his mayoral candidacy on the Conservative party ticket.
Ognibene attempted to win back his old seat in 2009, but lost to current Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale).
He backed Joseph Lhota for mayor in 2013, while much of the Queens Republican establishment supported John Catsimatidis.
“NYC lost a great friend today,” Lhota tweeted Tuesday morning.
Ognibene also served as vice president on Christ the King High School’s board of trustees for over two decades.
The school’s board, chaired by former state Sen. Serf Maltese, issued a statement Tuesday calling Ognibene a model civic leader.
“Christ the King is deeply saddened by the loss of our long time board of trustees Vice Chairman and Chairman of Christ the King’s Scholarship Committee, Thomas V. Ognibene. Mr. Ognibene was dedicated not only to the students and parents of the school, but also as a public servant during his years as a member of the New York City Council and as the minority leader of NYC Council.”
Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), who represents a younger generation of Queens Republicans and grew up under the guidance of Ognibene, saw him as a friend and mentor.
“Tom Ognibene was like a second father to me and I am deeply saddened by his passing,” Ulrich said in a statement Tuesday. “He was my pillar of strength and most trusted friend. Undoubtedly, I would not have been elected to public office had it not been for Tom’s constant encouragement, help and guidance. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Margaret, his children Guy and Eve and his entire family.”
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
WAKE
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7-9 pm
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2-5 pm, 7-9 pm
George Werst Funeral Home
71-41 Cooper Ave.
Glendale 718-821-8777
FUNERAL MASS
Friday, Oct. 16, 9:30 am
Sacred Heart R.C. Church
83-17 78 Ave.
Glendale
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
