LUPINACCI APPLAUDS ORGANIZERS OF FUNDRAISER IN CONTE'S MEMORY

Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) joined dozens of diners at Applebee’s November 22 to raise funds for the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society in memory of the late Assemblyman Jim Conte.

Organized by his niece, Lisa Farmer, the flapjack breakfast raised funds for the organization ahead of her participation in a half-marathon at Disney World in January in support of the organization and in Conte’s memory.

“It is deeply satisfying to know that Sunday morning’s pancake breakfast was such a great success,” Lupinacci said. “I applaud Lisa and the entire Conte family for their ongoing efforts in support of finding a cure for blood cancer, and join them in keeping alive in all of our hearts the memory of a beloved public servant.”

Farmer is also running the race in honor of a man who is battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia. His family was on hand for the early-morning festivities in Huntington Station.

During a nearly quarter-century in the legislature, Conte was a tireless advocate for residents of the 10th Assembly District and rose to the rank of Minority Leader Pro Tempore. Twice the recipient of a kidney transplant, Conte particularly distinguished himself as a leading figure in efforts to promote organ donation across the state. He died at the age of 53 on October 16, 2012 after battling T-cell lymphoma.

Conte, a lifelong Huntington Station resident, was first elected to the New York State Assembly in a March 1988 special election. He succeeded Toni Rettaliata-Tepe, who left the Assembly after being elected Huntington Town Supervisor.

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