Vincent J. Montalbano

Vincent J. Montalbano, 74, passed away at his New Brighton home on December 8, 2023. He was born to Mary and Dominic Montalbano of Tottenville, where he grew up with his older sisters Marie and Charlotte.

Vincent attended Our Lady Help of Christians elementary school and later graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School. As a teen he sang for the rock band, The Vectors. 

Continuing his education at Stony Brook University, he was elected student body president and graduated in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Early in his professional career, Vincent worked as a caseworker at Mount Loretto, a foster care agency. There he met his wife of more than 47 years, Ester, a coworker. He later worked at United Cerebral Palsy and helped establish the Nina Eaton Center. 

Vincent was active in Staten Island politics. In 1975 he became president of the Staten Island Democratic Association. He also served on Community Board 1 on the north shore. He ran twice for the Democratic nomination for State Assembly, in 1976 and 1978. 

Vincent spent ten years working for the union members of AFSCME DC37, achieving the position of Director of Political Action and Legislation at the organization. He also worked on successful political campaigns at multiple levels of government. He served as Assistant Secretary of State under Mario Cuomo from 1983 to 1984, and Counselor to Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer from 1989 to 1990.

One of Vincent’s proudest achievements was conceiving of and proposing legislation, passed in 1985, that banned New York City deposits into banks aiding apartheid South Africa. 

In 1990, he launched his legislative and public affairs consulting firm, Montalbano Initiatives, Inc., where he provided representation and strategic advice to a range of clients engaged in advocacy in many areas, including childcare, rail freight, waste management, labor, and land use. 

He was a sought-after voice on television news, appearing on NY1, CNBC, FOX, and CUNY TV, as well as WCBS-AM radio. He wrote a monthly column, “Point-Counterpoint,” for the Staten Island Advance in 2010. After retiring in 2014, he wrote a column called “My Two Cents” for The Chief. He also provided support and advice to the Adult Congenital Heart Association.

Vincent’s hobbies included music, gardening, and a lifelong interest in politics and current events. He loved visiting the family’s country home in Prattsville, NY, which they owned from 1992 to 2019. He especially loved spending time with his sisters, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and lifelong friends — but most of all, with his wife and two sons. Vincent is survived by his beloved Ester; his loving sons, Peter and Joseph; and his sister, Marie.

Funeral Service at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Road, on Saturday at 9:45 a.m. Cremation to follow at Rosehill Crematory.

Friends may visit Bedell-Pizzo on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

Contributions to the Adult Congenital Heart Association in Vincent's name would be appreciated.