Ralph J. Lamberti facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ralph J. Lamberti
12th Borough President of Staten Island
In office November 10, 1984 – December 31, 1989
Preceded by	Anthony Gaeta
Succeeded by	Guy Molinari
Personal details
Born	Ralph James Lamberti (1934-11-14)November 14, 1934 New York City, U.S.
Died	June 14, 2025(2025-06-14) (aged 90) New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Susan Lamberti
Alma mater	Wagner College
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Years of service	1955–1957

Ralph James Lamberti (born November 14, 1934, died June 14, 2025) was an American politician. He was the Borough President of Staten Island, New York from 1984 to 1989. He also held many other public jobs in Staten Island. For ten years, he was the Deputy Borough President. Ralph Lamberti was the last Democratic Borough President of Staten Island.

Early Life and Education

Ralph J. Lamberti was born on November 14, 1934. He grew up in the West Brighton area of Staten Island. His grandparents came from Italy in 1899 and settled on Staten Island.

In the late 1940s, Lamberti went to Curtis High School. He played football there for Coach Andrew Barberi. Coach Barberi is known as one of the best football coaches in Staten Island's history. Lamberti also studied at Wagner College and the College of Staten Island.

From 1955 to 1957, Lamberti served in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Public Service Career

Ralph Lamberti had a long career in public service. He worked in various government roles before becoming Borough President.

Early Public Roles (1957–1984)

In 1961, Lamberti became the acting assistant director for the state's Department of Motor Vehicles office in Staten Island. Later, he was appointed as an assistant to the Motor Vehicles commissioner. He also served as the department's acting director of investigation.

In the mid-1960s, Lamberti became the Business Administrator for New York State's Narcotics Control Center in Staten Island. This facility later became the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility in 1976.

In 1972, he was appointed as an administrator for Staten Island Borough President Robert T. Connor. In 1973, he changed his political party to the Democratic Party. The next year, Lamberti was appointed Deputy Borough President of Staten Island by Robert Connor. He held this important position until 1984. He was re-appointed Deputy Borough President in 1977 by Anthony Gaeta.

Serving as Borough President (1984–1989)

On November 10, 1984, Ralph Lamberti became the 12th Borough President of Staten Island. During his swearing-in ceremony, he spoke about his family's journey. He said his grandfather worked hard digging ditches. A century later, his grandson became the president of the borough his family loved.

As Borough President, Lamberti started the "Harmony Street Fair." This was an annual event that celebrated the many different cultures on Staten Island. He also created an "action center." Here, his staff would take complaints from the public about the city government. Lamberti was also the first to give money to Project Hospitality, a charity.

In the late 1980s, Lamberti strongly opposed a plan to change the New York City Charter. This plan would have removed the New York City Board of Estimate. This board made big decisions about the city's budget and land use. The mayor, comptroller, and city council president each had two votes on the board. The five borough presidents each had one vote. The proposed changes would greatly reduce the power of borough presidents.

This led Lamberti and other officials to talk about Staten Island leaving New York City. In 1986, Lamberti formed a committee to study if Staten Island could legally and financially separate from the city. He said they did not want to leave the city. But he added that if their voice in city government was taken away, they might have no other choice.

In 1987, Lamberti made a deal with then-Mayor Ed Koch. Four homeless shelters planned for Staten Island were not built. In return, Staten Island accepted a new city jail. In 1988, Lamberti announced that the city agreed to limit the jail to 1,000 beds. This was much less than the 4,000 beds first planned. He said this was Staten Island's "fair share" of jail space.

On March 22, 1989, the United States Supreme Court made an important decision. They ruled that the New York City Board of Estimate was unfair. Lamberti's vote represented about 400,000 Staten Islanders. But it had the same power as the Brooklyn Borough President's vote, who represented 2.3 million people. This violated the "one-man, one-vote" rule. Because of this decision, Lamberti was the last Staten Island Borough President to serve on the Board of Estimate.

He lost the election in 1989 to Guy Molinari. This was the first time in 20 years that a Republican won the office. Ralph Lamberti was the most recent Democrat to serve as Borough President of Staten Island.

Later Career (1990–2005)

After leaving Borough Hall in 1990, Lamberti became the Executive Vice President of Staten Island University Hospital. He worked there for 15 years and retired in 2005.

Personal Life

Ralph Lamberti lived his whole life on Staten Island. He lived with his wife in the Sunset Hill neighborhood. They had four adult children and five grandchildren.

Lamberti passed away on June 14, 2025, at the age of 90. He died from complications of Alzheimer's disease in Staten Island.

Awards and Honors

Ralph Lamberti received several awards for his service and contributions.

• In 2001, he was given the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by NECO. This medal honors American citizens who have done great things in their communities.
• In 2007, Wagner College gave him the Outstanding Community Member Award. In May 2013, Wagner College also gave him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
• St. John's University honored Lamberti with an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree.
• In 1991, the Staten Island Zoo named one of its sections after him. It is called the Ralph Lamberti Tropical Rainforest.

Community Involvement

Lamberti was involved in many Staten Island committees and groups.

• Chairman of Snug Harbor Cultural Center
• Chairman of the Wagner College DaVinci Society
• Chair of the Staten Island United Way
• Founder of the annual Harmony Street Fair
• President of the Staten Island Council of the Boy Scouts of America

He also served on the boards of many charities and community service groups. These included the American Red Cross, Aid for Retarded Children, the VNA, the Heart Foundation, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.