Senate Resolution No. 3436

BY: Senator JACOBS

MOURNING the death of Michael J. LoCurto, renowned
public servant, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Michael J. LoCurto of North Buffalo, New York, died on
Friday, December 29, 2017, at the age of 46; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to his city and fighting injustice, Michael J.
LoCurto was best known for representing the Delaware District on the
Buffalo Common Council where he was viewed as a progressive voice from
2006 to 2015, before serving as deputy commissioner of the Erie County
Department of Environment and Planning; and

WHEREAS, Michael J. LoCurto's years on the Council reflected the
values he developed while growing up on Wellington Road in North
Buffalo, where he lived his entire life; and

WHEREAS, The son of a teacher and cement mason, Michael J. LoCurto
graduated from City Honors School in 1989; he then attended the
University at Buffalo (UB) where he graduated cum laude in 1994 with a
bachelor's degree in media studies; he went on to receive a master's
degree from UB in architecture and urban planning; and

WHEREAS, With a true passion for movies, arts and culture, Michael
J. LoCurto also taught a course at the University at Buffalo on "The
City Through Film;" and

WHEREAS, Michael J. LoCurto began his illustrious career in politics
as an intern for former United States Representative John Falce in the
early 2000s; in 2005, he became a legislative aide to former Assemblyman
Sam Hoyt until 2006, when he filled the Delaware District council seat;
and

WHEREAS, Of his countless career achievements, Michael J. LoCurto
was particularly proud of his work opposing Bass Pro coming to the
Buffalo waterfront, attaining a community benefits agreement for
Canalside, and working with the Clean Air Coalition to introduce
participatory budgeting to the City of Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he was instrumental in the successful efforts
to enforce a living wage in Buffalo and increasing city funding for the
arts; and

WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Michael J.
LoCurto was selected as Grand Marshal of the Italian Festival; he also
received the first City Honors Alumni Award, as well as a Leadership
Award from the Coalition for Economic Justice; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his parents, Joan and Dennis, Michael J.
LoCurto is survived by his sister, Tina LoCurto; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Michael J. LoCurto leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Michael J. LoCurto, renowned public servant,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Michael J. LoCurto.