Mario Cuomo 1932-2015

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo at an Association for a Better New York (ABNY) breakfast in New York City, May 11, 2004.

The grocer's son who rose to serve three terms as the Democratic Governor of the state of New York, and became renowned as a leading orator for the progressive ideals of an American melting pot, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. He was 82.

Cuomo died on the same day his son, Andrew Cuomo, was sworn in for his second term as governor of New York

Cuomo

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, Oct. 19, 1994.

Cuomo was governor from 1983 to 1994. He was the first Italian-American to be elected governor in New York and was in office longer than anyone except Nelson Rockefeller.

Democratic Machine

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch and former Governor of New York Mario Cuomo attend a party hosted by New York Times publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. publisher, at the Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City, Aug. 30, 2004.

Cuomo and Koch had a long history, having run against each other for mayor of New York City and later for governor of New York. Koch won the election for mayor in 1977. Cuomo went on to defeat Koch in the 1982 Democratic gubernatorial primary to become governor. Koch and Cuomo were forced to work together as friendly competitors.

Columbus Day Parade

From left, Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale, a security agent, Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro and New York Governor Mario Cuomo step carefully as they follow a mounted unit in the annual Columbus Day parade in New York City, Oct 8, 1984.

Cuomo was very proud of his Italian-American immigrant roots.

Cuomo and Ferraro

New York Governor Mario Cuomo, right, clasps vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro's hand at Queens Borough Hall in New York City, as New York State Attorney General Bob Abrams looks on, at center in the background, July 31, 1984.

Cuomo had been on Walter Mondale's list of vice presidential candidates in the 1984 presidential election before Ferraro received the nomination.

Shining city on a hill

New York Governor Mario Cuomo gives a thumbs up during his keynote address to the opening session of the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco, July 17, 1984.

Cuomo rose to national prominence with his keynote address and its forceful defense of liberalism. In attacking President Ronald Reagan's policies and record he declared, "There is despair, Mr. President, in the faces you don't see, in the places you don't visit in your shining city."

The speech made Cuomo a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for President in 1988 and 1992.

National stage

New York Governor Mario Cuomo welcomes Democratic candidates for the White House at a campaign forum in New York City, Oct. 6, 1983. The candidates at the table are from left: former Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota, Sen. Alan Cranston of California, Sen. Ernest Hollings of South Carolina, former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew, Sen. John Glenn of Ohio, Sen. Gary Hart of Colorado, and former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Cuomo was repeatedly encouraged to run for national office because of his popularity within the liberal wing of the Democratic Party during the 1980s and 1990s, but he was always reluctant. He was referred to in some circles as the "Hamlet on the Hudson".

Koch and Cuomo

Democratic Mayoral runoff candidates Mario Cuomo (L) and Edward Koch talk to reporters in New York during a debate, Sept. 16, 1977.

Koch defeated Cuomo with 54.94% of the vote in the mayoral runoff. Cuomo ran the following year for Lieutenant Governor and was elected alongside Governor Hugh Carey in the general election.

Mandela and Cuomo

Nelson Mandela addresses the crowd at John F. Kennedy International Airport after arriving in New York City, June 20, 1990. With Mandela from left are Winnie Mandela, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, New York Mayor Dinkins, and New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.

Dukakis and Cumo

New York Governor Mario Cuomo embraces Calliopi Grigorellis, a Greek immigrant from Queens, New York, as she speaks with Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis (R) in New York City, Oct. 10, 1988.

Baseball came first

New York Governor Mario Cuomo throws the first ball at the dedication of Hudson River Park at Battery Park City in New York City, June 4, 1992.

Cuomo played on the baseball team his freshmen year at St. John's University. While at the university, Cuomo signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an outfielder for a $2,000 bonus. After a head injury he returned to St. John's to finish his education and decided to pursue a legal career.

Clinton and Cuomo

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton huddles with New York Governor Mario Cuomo during a meeting of the National Governors’ Association in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 1, 1993.

White House

President Bill Clinton chats with New York Governor Mario Cuomo while watching Super Bowl XXVII at the White House, Jan. 31, 1993. Also pictured are Texas Governor Ann Richards. Chelsea Clinton, and her cat, Socks.

Cuomo and Kennedy

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and Ethel Kennedy applaud for Andrew Cuomo during a campaign stop in Brooklyn, New York, April 16, 2002.

Andrew Cuomo ran a successful campaign to unseat Republican Governor George Pataki, who had unseated Mario Cuomo eight years earlier.

Swearing-In

Andrew Cuomo is sworn in as Governor of New York at the Executive Mansion by Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals Jonathan Lippman in Albany, New York, Dec. 31, 2010. Governor Cuomo's girlfriend Sandra Lee, his daughters Michaela, Mariah and Cara (obscured), and his parents former Governor Mario M. Cuomo and Matilda Cuomo, look on.

Cuomo

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo reacts to applause at a swearing-in ceremony for his son, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, at the Capitol in Albany, New York, Dec. 31, 2010.

Cuomo famously said," You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose."

Mario and Matilda Cuomo

New York Governor Mario Cuomo and Matilda Cuomo attend the 6th Annual Exploring the Arts Gala hosted by Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, Oct. 4, 2012.

The couple were married for more than fifty years. They have five children, including Andrew (the current governor of New York), Maria, Margaret, Madeline and Chris (a journalist at CNN).

Father and son

Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reacts with his father Mario Cuomo after being elected to a second-term as New York governor in New York City, Nov. 4, 2014.