Statement from Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of Senator John Marchi, a man who served his district and this state with great distinction for 50 years.
 
During his remarkable half century of service in the Senate, Senator Marchi served at various times as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Vice President Pro Tempore, and Chairman of the Senate Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee, among other positions. He was one of the longest serving legislators in the country at the time he retired in 2006
.
I had the honor to serve with him for seven years. I always admired his commitment to the people of Staten Island. He had an unwavering dedication to the people he served and Staten Island is an even better place to live because of his work.

On behalf of the people of New York, my condolences are with Senator Marchi’s family today.”