Andrew Amato, Sr.
05
February
2/5/2010:
A loss for the Hoboken community: Andrew Amato, Sr.
As reported in last night’s Hoboken411 Incident Report, former Hoboken Councilman Andrew Amato, Sr. passed away from cardiac arrest in his home at Marion Towers early this morning. He will be missed by countless Hoboken residents, and will be seen as a tremendous loss to the community.
Amato was a spirited 4th Ward Councilman who ran for Mayor in 1993 and 1997. In ‘93, he backed Anthony Russo in the runoff. While Russo only took his own 3rd Ward and Amato’s 4th Ward, it was enough to beat challenger Ira Karasick who won the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th Wards.
In 1997, he challenged Russo, but lost again.
In May of 1997, the New York Times reported:
“City Councilman Andrew Amato is running for mayor of Hoboken on a simple platform: ”To stop all this corruption.”
Without being specific, Mr. Amato has accused the incumbent in Tuesday’s election, Anthony Russo, of using his office to extort payments from local businesses. Mr. Russo flatly denied the allegation yesterday and asked voters to consider its source.
Mr. Amato is awaiting trial after being indicted in July on charges that he paid seven people $40 each to apply for bogus absentee ballots in the 1995 election for Hudson County executive. Mr. Amato maintains that the charges were politically motivated.A third candidate, Ed Shirak, is the author of a book about Hoboken’s most famous native, Frank Sinatra, and has proposed that the city build a Sinatra museum.”
Here’s a video showing the energy Amato brought to City Council meetings in 1993:
February 5th 2010 - 07:21:59 |
My deepest condolence to Florence and the Amato family who are good friends of my family. RIP.
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February 5th 2010 - 08:22:01 |
My deepest sympathy to Flo and the family and to all the people he has helped out in his very productive lifetime. I was honored to know Andrew for many years and he was a tireless worker and learner his entire life. Not able to get a formal education, he mastered the ‘University of Life’.
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February 5th 2010 - 11:28:11 |
I am so sorry, FLO….Andrew was a staple in this town, and generous to a fault. He helped a lot of people and was loved.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF SORROW…
Margaret O’Brien
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February 5th 2010 - 11:36:34 |
A Great Guy who always held out a helping hand to anyone in need. He will surely be missed by many! My heart goes out to his family…
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February 5th 2010 - 11:36:58 |
my deepest sympathy to my aunt flo and my cuz mary and the rast of her family my aunt is my heart and i know loseing her parter will be so sad for her…. I WILL MISS my uncle the fun and jokes we use to have whenever we saw each other he was to funny love you and you will me missed…. R.I.P.UNCLE LOVE U ALWAYS YOUR CRAZY NIECE THATS GOING TO MISS YOU..LOVE MARILYN…. BUT TO MY UNCLE I WAS MA-MA…..
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February 5th 2010 - 11:39:31 |
YEAH HE WAS I GREAT GUY THATS MY UNCLE FOR YOU I WILL MISS HIM
In response to justaview who said:
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February 5th 2010 - 12:44:12 |
Rest In Peace Tony
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February 5th 2010 - 13:14:06 |
RIP UNCLE
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February 5th 2010 - 13:38:48 |
debra his name is andrew..I remember him before all the anti and remformers or who ever. In 1956 andrew opened up a dry cleaners to compete with the one hr martinizing ..he worked hard and paid his dues..He hooked up with former councilman louis francone and got involved in politics..btw lous old blg is not the mayors but she had an elevator..wow lou had a bakery business and andrew was intrested in politics…he made his way hss three beautifull kids and grand children..hugs to my pal florie…
In response to debra who said:
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February 5th 2010 - 13:52:21 |
Hi Whiskey—yeah, remember him well too. He and Louie were pals indeeed. I remember Lou when he lived at 79 Madison street and the bakery was across the street from there. Next door was Mary’s grocery store run by the family. Used to get RC cola there in the big chest with ice. Remember My mom campaigned for both at one time or another.
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February 5th 2010 - 15:18:48 |
Yes I am so sorry. I did the same thing here in work and my coworker looked at me weird. I don’t know why I kept saying
Tony. I too know the Amatos, have been in Hoboken for all of my life. I couldn’t get back on line until now.
Rest In Peace Andrew.
In response to wiskeytango1 who said:
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February 6th 2010 - 01:11:28 |
This is Andrew Amato’s grandson…I just wanted to say thank you to hoboken 411 and to all the people who have posted comments and for writing such nice words about my grandfather….He truly loved this community and the people that represented it…To my grandmother who truly is a saint and was my grandfathers right hand women we are all here for her and our prayers are with her…I know my grandfather would have wanted to thank the community of hoboken for the support and the love that you have displayed to his family through out these tough days so I sit here and say Thank you for him…Rest in Peace Grandpa We all Love you and miss you…from the Amato family
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February 6th 2010 - 10:14:27 |
Andrew was one of the seasoned ‘old-time’ officials who served as a city councilman. His wisdom was based on his life experience, which will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Andrew.
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February 6th 2010 - 10:22:12 |
In 1955 andrew opened up a dry cleaning place on 1st and madison st..three panel trucks painted hot pink..Funny..Andrew was having some problems with neighbors because of his trucks parked on the street.Councilman Louis Francone introduced Andrew to Mayor Grogan to address the matter..That is what started Andrew off into politics..Wonderfull dad and grandpa and lord have mercy on this man..
In response to realstuff who said:
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