This is the latest in a new series about important Italian American figures on Long Island.
A longtime influential Republican leader from Long Island, Joseph F. Carlino was also the first Italian American to serve as Speaker of the New York State Assembly, a post he held from 1959 to 1964. He was an Assemblyman from 1945 to 1964.
The New York Times credits Carlino as “one of the first truly powerful Italian-American Republicans in New York.”
In Carlino’s 2006 New York Times obituary, longtime New York State Senator Alphonse D’Amato said Carlino was a “trailblazer” and “a bridge builder.”
A native of Long Beach, his father Lorenzo was a Republican leader in their hometown for many years.
He was 89 when he passed away at his home in Syosset.
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Chris R. Vaccaro is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Italian American Heritage Society of Long Island. He is a media executive, professor, historian, and author from Long Island. If you suggest who we should profile next, email [email protected].