Ex-GOP leader John Powell mourned at wake

Anthony Powell, a son of former Suffolk Republican leader John Powell, said his father's strongest moments often came when times were hardest -- such as in 1989, the year the Long Island politician's 2-year-old son William died after he was struck by a postal truck.

The elder Powell, whose wake was held Sunday in Patchogue, was a state assemblyman and rising star in the state GOP at the time of his toddler son's death. But he decided to move home to care for his family, Anthony said.

"He was on the rise. And he left to come support my mother and myself," said Anthony Powell, 27. "He made some mistakes throughout his life, but I don't want that to eclipse all the great things he did."

John Powell, also a former Brookhaven Town Board member and Brookhaven GOP leader who went to jail more than a decade ago in a corruption scandal that shocked Long Island, died Wednesday at age 51. Family members have said he had been suffering from heart disease.

Powell, who was convicted in U.S. District Court of extorting $20,000 from a trash hauler and later pleaded guilty to other charges, served 27 months in prison and was released in 2002.

At Sunday's wake, which drew more than 350 people to an afternoon viewing at Ruland Funeral Home on North Ocean Avenue in Patchogue, Powell's casket was surrounded by mementos of his career.

Among them were a Patchogue Knights of Columbus banner and a Republican elephant logo wreath made of flowers. The room was dotted with pictures of Powell with many of New York's biggest political players of the past few decades -- including Ed Koch, Alfonse D'Amato and Rudy Giuliani.

SEE PHOTOSRecent notable deaths

Powell's coffin also had a bumper sticker from one of his political campaigns, a crucifix, a picture of the Manhattan skyline and a pack of Marlboros.

The memorial was a fitting tribute to a man who helped many Suffolk Republicans get their start in politics and public service, said Jesse Garcia, the town's Republican chairman. "He instilled that you have to be involved in your community," Garcia said.

Several people who spoke about Powell outside the wake did not shy away from talking about his criminal past, but said they hoped it did not define him.

"It probably hurt what he loved so much, which was his involvement in politics," said Assemb. Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue).

Anthony Powell said his father's time in jail took a toll on the family. "He wasn't around when I graduated from high school. When I was in love with a girl for the first time, he wasn't around to ask for advice," he said. "But I've never met anybody who was more loyal."

Powell is survived by three other children, John Jr., Mia and Alexandria.

The wake continues at Ruland Funeral Home Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Patchogue. Burial is to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram.