Assemblyman Tom Alfano, a 15-year incumbent in the New York State Assembly, will retire at the end of his current term, according to Michael Morrisey, the legislative director with his office.

Alfano's retirement comes as a surprise to many community members. With few challengers to his position, the 50-year-old lawmaker leaves a lot of legislating time on the table.

In a statement, Alfano said he was honored by the time he's served in Albany, but wanted to spend time focusing on family and other interests.

"For the last 15 years I have had the incredible privilege of representing my community in the Assembly," Alfano said. "My whole career has been centered around social justice, education, and creating jobs. I am pleased with the progress that has been made. However, I feel that it is now time for me to concentrate on my family and my outside interests in the law and business."

Sandra Smith, an Elmont resident who frequently works with Alfano, said the community would certainly feel his absence.

"I think it's a huge loss to our community," she said. "He's been such a fighter for us and he's brought so much money to our education system and allowed our voices to be heard on so many issues."

Smith said she couldn't speculate on who might step up from the community to take Alfano's place, and that who ever it was had some "large shoes to fill."