Former lawmaker and Nassau Justice Angelo Roncallo dies

Former U.S. congressman and Nassau Supreme Court Justice Angelo D. Roncallo of Massapequa died Tuesday at 82 of a heart attack, his family and associates said.

Services were scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Maria Regina Church in Seaford, where Roncallo was a founding parishioner in 1955.

"His life could be summed up in one word: 'faithful,' " his former law clerk and current State Supreme Court Justice Stephen Bucaria said. "He was extraordinarily faithful to his god, to his church, to his country and to his civic responsibilities. He saw civic responsibilities as an obligation, so that others would benefit after he was gone, to make their life easier."

For decades, Roncallo had been active in Republican Party politics, mentoring politicians like Peter Schmitt, now the Republican presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature.

"I would say that Angelo was the nicest person I have ever met. He gave me my start in politics," Schmitt said. "I worked on his 1972 congressional campaign, and the rest is history."

Former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato said Roncallo had been "like an older brother to me. His heart was big - and he was a big man. . . . He loved his family, and he loved his country."

Friends said Roncallo had a sense of humor and often laughed that he was outliving several doctors who had been telling him over the years to lose weight. He left instructions for his funeral that specified it should cost no more than $7,500, plus 3 percent annually after 2005, the date of the note. "P.S. I hope I'm not leaving soon," the note said.

Born in Port Chester in 1927, Roncallo later moved to Nassau County, with a brief stay in Laurelton, Queens. He dropped out of college to enlist in the Army toward the end of World War II and served as a medic at a hospital in Europe.

He graduated from Manhattan College in 1950 and married Priscille Pouliot in 1952. He got his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1954, formed the firm Roncallo & Dunn, and practiced law until 1967 when he was elected Nassau comptroller. He was elected to the 93rd Congress in 1972 but did not win re-election. He was elected to State Supreme Court in 1976 and retired in 1995.

He loved to read, especially history. And he had a regular card game with friends. "He was a terrible card player, but he loved the camaraderie," Bucaria said.

He is survived by his wife and four children: sons Paul of Kent, N.Y., John of Yalesville, Conn., and James of Farmingdale; a daughter, Jean Roncallo of Massapequa; and five grandchildren.

Donations can be made to the Interfaith Nutrition Network, 211 Fulton Ave., Hempstead, NY 11550.