Frank Skartados facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Skartados
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| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 104th district |
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| In office March 21, 2012 – April 15, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Kirwan |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Jacobson |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 100th district |
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| In office January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Kirwan |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Kirwan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 3, 1956 Astypalea, Greece |
| Died | April 15, 2018 (aged 62) Newburgh, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | State University of New York at New Paltz (BA) California State University, Sacramento (MA) |
| Profession | Politician, businessman |
Frank Skartados (January 3, 1956 – April 15, 2018) was a Greek-American politician and businessman. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Skartados served in the New York State Assembly, representing districts in the Hudson Valley. He was known for working to improve his community.
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Life Before Politics
Frank Skartados was born on January 3, 1956, on the Greek island of Astypalaia. He grew up helping his father on a small farm.
In 1970, when he was 14, Frank and his mother moved to New York City. He went to George Washington High School in Manhattan. After school, he worked in restaurants and eventually owned his own.
His success in business helped him pay for college. He earned a degree in political science from the State University of New York at New Paltz. While studying, he also worked at the New York Military Academy. Later, he earned a master's degree in International Studies from the State University of California at Sacramento. He even had an internship at the United Nations.
Working in the Community
For eight years, Skartados worked at the New York Military Academy. He was in charge of the Health Department and taught Environmental Studies and American History.
After leaving the academy in 2000, Skartados focused on improving downtown Poughkeepsie. He renovated buildings and helped create the Aegean Entertainment Center. This was a large entertainment spot between Albany and New York City. He also started the Academy Street Business Association in Poughkeepsie. He worked to make the area better and change how people saw it.
Skartados also helped the Poughkeepsie Partnership, which connects businesses and city government. He was part of the mayor's committee to attract new people to Poughkeepsie.
Serving in the Assembly
Frank Skartados began his political career in 2008. He won against Thomas J. Kirwan, who had been in office for 14 years. Skartados served the 100th district of the New York State Assembly from 2008 to 2010.
However, Kirwan won the seat back in 2010. Sadly, Kirwan passed away in late 2011. A special election was held on March 20, 2012, to fill the empty seat. Skartados won this election with more than 60 percent of the votes. He was then re-elected for a full term in November 2012, and again in 2014 and 2016.
During his time in the Assembly, Skartados supported many important laws. These laws focused on protecting the environment, making changes to criminal justice, and helping consumers. He also worked on benefits for veterans and reforms for family courts.
Skartados helped secure millions of dollars for schools in areas like Marlboro, Highland, and Poughkeepsie. He also helped get state money for things like fire trucks, plows, and police cars. He supported environmental projects, such as the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. Skartados also helped expand non-profit groups like soup kitchens and Habitat for Humanity. He continued to serve in the Assembly until he passed away in April 2018.
Later Life and Passing
Frank Skartados had one child.
On April 12, 2018, Skartados was hospitalized in Newburgh, New York, due to a serious illness. He passed away three days later, on April 15, 2018, at the age of 62. His death was caused by pancreatic cancer.
After his passing, U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney spoke about Skartados. He praised Skartados' "legacy as a fighter for the people he loved and a voice for many who had none."
See also
- List of Greek Americans
- List of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
- List of Sacramento State people
