Ralph J. Lamberti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph J. Lamberti
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| 12th Borough President of Staten Island | |
| In office November 10, 1984 – December 31, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Anthony Gaeta |
| Succeeded by | Guy Molinari |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ralph James Lamberti
November 14, 1934 Staten Island, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 14, 2025 (aged 90) Staten Island, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Susan Lamberti |
| Alma mater | Wagner College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1955–1957 |
Ralph James Lamberti (November 14, 1934 – June 14, 2025) was an American politician who served as the Borough President of Staten Island, New York, from 1984 to 1989. A Borough President is like a mayor for one of New York City's five boroughs.
Lamberti is an important figure in Staten Island's history because he is the last member of the Democratic Party to be elected as its Borough President.
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Early Life and Education
Ralph J. Lamberti was born and grew up in the West Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island. His grandparents had moved to Staten Island from Cava de' Tirreni, Italy, in 1899.
In the 1940s, Lamberti went to Curtis High School, where he played football. He later attended Wagner College and the College of Staten Island.
From 1955 to 1957, Lamberti served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia.
Career in Public Service
Getting Started in Government
Lamberti began his career in public service in the 1960s. He worked for the state's Department of Motor Vehicles and later helped run a state facility on Staten Island. This facility later became the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility.
In 1972, he started working for the Staten Island Borough President's office. He switched to the Democratic Party in 1973 and was named Deputy Borough President the next year. He held this role until 1984, serving under two different Borough Presidents.
Leading Staten Island (1984–1989)
On November 10, 1984, Lamberti became the 12th Borough President of Staten Island. At his swearing-in ceremony, he proudly mentioned his family's history. He said, "My grandfather dug ditches and corked pipes for the water department... Now, a century later, his grandson [has become] president of the borough he so cherished."
As Borough President, Lamberti started the "Harmony Street Fair." This was an annual festival to celebrate the many different cultures of the people living on Staten Island. He also created an action center where people could report problems with city services.
The Fight for Staten Island's Voice
In the late 1980s, New York City planned to change its government. The plan involved getting rid of the New York City Board of Estimate. This board made big decisions about money and land for the whole city.
On the board, the leaders of each of the five boroughs got one vote. This meant that the Staten Island Borough President's vote, representing about 400,000 people, had the same power as the Brooklyn Borough President's vote, which represented over 2 million people. In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that this system was unfair and violated the "one-man, one-vote" principle.
Lamberti worried that the new changes would reduce Staten Island's power in the city government. He even started a committee to study if it was possible for Staten Island to secede, or break away, from New York City and become its own city. He said, "If you take away our voice in city government... we may have no other choice."
Because of the Supreme Court's decision, Lamberti was the last Staten Island Borough President to serve on the Board of Estimate.
In 1989, he lost his re-election campaign to Guy Molinari. To this day, Lamberti remains the last Democrat to be the Borough President of Staten Island.
Later Career
After leaving office in 1990, Lamberti became an Executive Vice President at Staten Island University Hospital. He worked there for 15 years before retiring in 2005.
Awards and Honors
Lamberti received many awards for his service to the community.
- In 2001, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This award is given to American citizens who have made great contributions to the country.
- Wagner College and St. John's University both gave him honorary doctorate degrees.
- In 1991, the Staten Island Zoo named its tropical rainforest exhibit the Ralph Lamberti Tropical Rainforest in his honor.
Community Involvement
Lamberti was very active in his community and served on many committees. He was the chairman for the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and the Wagner College DaVinci Society. He was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, and other charities.
Personal Life
Lamberti lived on Staten Island his whole life. He and his wife had four children and five grandchildren.
On June 14, 2025, Lamberti passed away at the age of 90 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
