Paul Vallone, a former New York City councilman from Queens, died of a heart attack Saturday evening.

Vallone, 56, was currently the Veterans Services deputy commissioner in the Eric Adams administration.

The former councilman suffered the heart attack at his home and was rushed to a Flushing hospital.

However, he could not be revived.

“Absolutely heartbroken over the passing of my friend Paul Vallone. Paul Vallone was an incredible person who cared so much for his community in Queens and all of New York City. My heart is with his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said.

The New York Post reports:

Vallone served on the City Council from 2014 through 2021, three terms which were dominated by a dedication to furthering education in Queens’ District 19.

In addition to expanding his schools’ capacities by 4,500 seats, Vallone reinstated the New York City Council Merit Scholarship, which awards students up to $350 a semester.

He also helped bring the Free Senior Transportation Program to District 19, a benefit that shuttles seniors to and from medical appointments at no cost, according to the Chronicle.

Vallone came from a line of city public servants stretching back over half a century.

His grandfather, Charles Vallone, served as a Queens judge, and his father, Peter Vallone, served as the speaker of the City Council. Vallone’s brother, Peter Jr., served on the City Council and is a judge.

Tributes have begun pouring in from Queens politicians such as Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., who described Vallone as “a loyal friend to everyone.

“In that role and as a member of our administration, he was a committed advocate for veterans — serving those who have served our country,” NYC Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.

“It was an honor to serve alongside him, and I know New Yorkers will join me in keeping the Vallone family in your hearts today,” he added.

From the New York Daily News:

Vallone is also credited with leading a decade-long effort to renovate Bowne Park in Queens that concluded last year.

He came from a civic-minded family, starting with his grandfather Charles Vallone Sr., who’s a former civil court judge. His father, Peter Vallone Sr., was the City Council’s first speaker. Paul’s brother, Peter Jr., has been both a councilman and a civil court judge.

Vallone discovered there’s sometimes a price to pay for unpopular decisions in 2021 when the word “refund” was scrawled across three of his cars in Murray Hill after he voted in favor of cuts to the NYPD budget. But when he ran for office in 2014, Vallone was supported by several police unions and supported the city’s stop-and-frisk policy. He enjoyed the endorsement of the Queens Democratic Party and several local officials in his bids for office.

His family reportedly asked supporters to donate to St. Mary’s Hospital For Children or the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers.

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