Ralph E. Quattrociocchi
Encyclopedia
Raffaele "Ralph" E. Quattrociocchi (June 11, 1929 – February 24, 1996) was a 20th century politician most notable for having served as New York State Senator
. He was a Democrat
for most of his political career.
Quattrociocchi was born in Rochester, New York
and attended Edison Technical and Industrial High School. After graduation, he served the United States Air Force
where he became Airman First Class
in a radar unit. He then began a 30-year career as a communications technician at AT&T
, where he joined the Communications Workers of America
.
His first foray into politics was an unsuccessful run for the Monroe County, New York
legislature in 1973. He prevailed in the election two years later for the same seat, representing part of Greece, New York, and held that office for a total of five consecutive terms.
In 1984, he unseated incumbent William M. Steinfeldt for the 55th district Senate seat.
Quattrociocchi's accomplishments include securing state funding to extend New York State Route 531
to Ogden, New York
, forming a senate task force on teen stress, and instituting "Operation Watch" to reduce the likelihood of mishaps at railroad crossing signals.
In 1988, Quattrociocchi was swept up in Robert M. Morgenthau
's investigation of Senate Minority Leader Manfred Ohrenstein and the alleged misuse of state monies to fund the 1986 campaigns of several state Senators. The presiding judge found that Quattrociocchi was aware that a full-time aide had been hired for the sole purpose of campaigning, but since the deed had taken place outside of New York County, the District Attorney had no jurisdiction.. District Attorneys in Albany
and Monroe counties subsequently declined to prosecute.
In the early 1990s, the 55th senate district was redrawn to include Brighton, Monroe County, New York
and parts of the city of Rochester, ultimately leading to his defeat in both the 1992 Democratic primary and the general election. Quattrociocchi switched political parties the year before the 1994 election , only to be defeated again.
He died of a heart attack in 1996 and is interred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
.
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
. He was a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
for most of his political career.
Quattrociocchi was born in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
and attended Edison Technical and Industrial High School. After graduation, he served the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
where he became Airman First Class
Airman First Class
Airman first class is the third enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, just above airman and below senior airman. The rank of airman first class is considered a junior enlisted rank, with the non-commissioned officers and senior non-commissioned officers above it.Airman first class is a...
in a radar unit. He then began a 30-year career as a communications technician at AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
, where he joined the Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America is the largest communications and media labor union in the United States representing about 550,000 members in both the private and public sectors. The union has 27 locals in Canada via CWA-SCA Canada representing about 8,000 members...
.
His first foray into politics was an unsuccessful run for the Monroe County, New York
Monroe County, New York
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 744,344. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
legislature in 1973. He prevailed in the election two years later for the same seat, representing part of Greece, New York, and held that office for a total of five consecutive terms.
In 1984, he unseated incumbent William M. Steinfeldt for the 55th district Senate seat.
Quattrociocchi's accomplishments include securing state funding to extend New York State Route 531
New York State Route 531
New York State Route 531 is a limited-access, east–west state highway located in Monroe County, New York, in the United States. The route extends for from the far northwestern suburbs of Rochester to the town of Gates located just west of the city...
to Ogden, New York
Ogden, New York
Ogden is a town in Monroe County, New York, USA. The population was 19,856 at the 2010 census.The Erie Canal passes through the Town of Ogden.-Geography:...
, forming a senate task force on teen stress, and instituting "Operation Watch" to reduce the likelihood of mishaps at railroad crossing signals.
In 1988, Quattrociocchi was swept up in Robert M. Morgenthau
Robert M. Morgenthau
Robert Morris Morgenthau is an American lawyer. From 1975 until his retirement in 2009, he was the District Attorney for New York County, the borough of Manhattan.-Early life:...
's investigation of Senate Minority Leader Manfred Ohrenstein and the alleged misuse of state monies to fund the 1986 campaigns of several state Senators. The presiding judge found that Quattrociocchi was aware that a full-time aide had been hired for the sole purpose of campaigning, but since the deed had taken place outside of New York County, the District Attorney had no jurisdiction.. District Attorneys in Albany
Albany County, New York
Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204...
and Monroe counties subsequently declined to prosecute.
In the early 1990s, the 55th senate district was redrawn to include Brighton, Monroe County, New York
Brighton, Monroe County, New York
Brighton is a town in Monroe County, New York, USA. The population was 36,609 at the 2010 census.-History:The Town of Brighton, located on the southeast border of the city of Rochester, was originally settled approximately 1790, and formally established in 1814—earning it recognition as one...
and parts of the city of Rochester, ultimately leading to his defeat in both the 1992 Democratic primary and the general election. Quattrociocchi switched political parties the year before the 1994 election , only to be defeated again.
He died of a heart attack in 1996 and is interred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Rochester, New York)
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery is a Catholic cemetery in Rochester, NY. The cemetery is across Lake Avenue from Riverside Cemetery.- Notable Burials :...
.