Al DelBello, First Democratic County Executive, Passes Away at 80

Alfred DelBello, Westchester’s first Democratic County Executive, passed away Friday at the age of 80.

Most recently a Lewisboro resident, DelBello served as mayor of Yonkers in the early 1970s and was elected three times as County Executive before becoming Lieutenant Governor in 1982.

DelBello resigned from that post in 1985 to practice law in the private sector. He was a partner in the law firm DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr LLP in White Plains.

County Executive Rob Astorino has ordered all flags at county office buildings to be flown at half-mast in honor of DelBello.

“It was with great sadness that I learned today of Al’s passing,” Astorino said in a statement Saturday. “We were from different parties but we were good friends and I always appreciated his advice and counsel. Perhaps the greatest advice he shared with me, and something I’ve always adhered to is, always make sure you get home and spend quality time with your family. The job is hectic but always make time for your family. And today, the thoughts and prayers of my family go out to the DelBello family.”

State Sen. Terrence Murphy, who counted DelBello among his constituents, wrote the following on his Facebook page, “My thoughts and prayers are with the family of former Lieutenant Governor Al Del Bello. A Lewisboro resident for some years now and one of my constituents, he was legendary in New York State politics and accomplished a great deal as County Executive from 1974 to 1982. He will be sorely missed.”

The following is a biography of DelBello from the Westchestergov.com website:

The fifth county executive, and the first Democrat in that office, was Alfred Benedict Del Bello, elected in 1973. He was re-elected in 1977 and 1981.

As county executive, Mr. Del Bello ran a fiscally conservative government to deal with the economic recession that was gripping the country. The county’s unemployment rate was at seven percent - a post-Depression high. Mr. Del Bello managed to keep the tax rate relatively stable despite the growth of county government. He worked with minority representatives for increased social and health-related services. His most important contribution was the building of the Westchester County Medical Center. Other accomplishments include the vast garbage-recycling plant near Peekskill, several secondary treatment plants and establishing a countywide bus system. He created the first Office for the Disabled and the first Office for Women in the state. The county’s only boat launching ramp on Long Island Sound was built at Glen Island Park and bicycle paths were constructed along the Bronx River Parkway. An infamous riot at the Westchester County Jail occurred during his tenure in 1981 and caused a million dollars in damages.

Mr Del Bello was born on Nov. 3, 1934 in Yonkers. He graduated from Halsted School and, in 1956, from Manhattan College, with majors in economics and political science. He received his law degree from Fordham University Law School and entered private practice after a brief tour with the National Guard. Mr. Del Bello’s political career started as councilman in Yonkers, before he became mayor of Yonkers in 1970.

Mr. Del Bello left county government to become Lieutenant Governor in 1982. Three years later he resigned and left public service to accept a job in private industry.

Photo: Alfred DelBello. Photo credit: DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr LLP