Joseph F. Periconi

Joseph F. Periconi (July 14, 1910 – February 16, 1994) was an American politician from New York. He was a New York State Senator; and Borough President of the Bronx, to date the last Republican in this office.

Bronx Borough President Joseph F. Periconi in Hunts Point in 1962

Life

He was born on July 14, 1910.

Periconi was a member of the New York State Senate (27th D.) in 1953 and 1954. In November 1954, after legislative re-apportionment, he ran in the 29th District for re-election, but was defeated by Democrat Francis J. McCaffrey, the incumbent of the 28th District. In November 1956, Periconi defeated McCaffrey for re-election.

Periconi was again a member of the State Senate (29th D.) from 1957 to 1960, sitting in the 171st and 172nd New York State Legislatures. In 1957, he ran for Borough President of the Bronx, but was defeated by the incumbent Democrat James J. Lyons. On April 14, 1960, Periconi was appointed as a member of the Board of the New York City Transit Authority.[1]

Periconi was Borough President of the Bronx from 1962 to 1965, elected on the Republican and Liberal tickets in 1961. During his time in office, he fought countlessly for the preservation of Bronx Borough Hall as a landmark. In 1965, he was narrowly defeated by Herman Badillo, who was then a Democrat. During Badillo's tenure, the landmark building was demolished.

In 1970, Periconi was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress.

Periconi died on February 16, 1994, in the Bronx.[2]

See also

• Timeline of the Bronx, 20th c.

References

1. PERICONI NAMED TO TRANSIT POST in the New York Times on April 15, 1960 (subscription required)
2. Joseph Periconi, 83, a Borough President and a State Senator in the New York Times on February 18, 1994