BY TIMOTHY BOLGER
Marguerite Suozzi, the matriarch of the political family that produced four Glen Cove city mayors, one of whom became Nassau County executive and is now a congressman representing part of northeast Queens, died Saturday. She was 93.
The mother of five and grandmother of 14 was widely known for launching the Morgan Park Summer Festival, a series of outdoor concerts and events that has run for more than half a century.
“This is my first love,” Suozzi, referring to the nine-week concert series, told The New York Times in a profile that likened her family to a local version of the Kennedy dynasty.
Marguerite’s husband, Joseph Suozzi, was mayor of Glen Cove from 1956 to ’60 and a former judge. Her brother-in-law, Vincent “Jimmy” Suozzi, served as mayor of the Gold Coast city from ‘73 to ‘79 and ‘84 to ‘87. Thomas Suozzi, her youngest son, served four terms as Glen Cove mayor beginning in ‘94 before he was twice elected Nassau County executive and last year, to the congressional seat that represents the North Shore of Nassau as well as parts of western Suffolk and eastern Queens. And her nephew, Ralph Suozzi, served as Glen Cove mayor from ‘06 to ‘14.
Marguerite was born on February 19, 1924 in St. Albans, Queens. A nurse and accomplished golfer, she married her husband in 1953. She is predeceased by her husband and son Joseph. Besides Thomas, she is survived by her sons William Suozzi and Christopher Suozzi as well as her daughter, Rev. Rosemary Suozzi Lloyd.
Visitation will be held 7-9 p.m. Monday as well as 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at McLaughlin Kramer Megiel Funeral Home, which is located at 220 Glen St. in Glen Cove. The funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of St. Patrick in Glen Cove. Her burial will follow at Locust Valley Cemetery.
Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to All Saints Regional Catholic School, 12 Pearsall Ave., Glen Cove, NY 11542.
