By JEFF LIPTON
Mr. Scaduto was most noted for putting the Republican Party “on the map” in Long Beach in November 1971 when he “engineered” the first all-Republican City Council, breaking 50-year Democratic rule in the community.
He served as chairman of the Long Beach Republican Committee from 1962 until he retired in February 2001.He also served as county treasurer for 21 years, working under three county executives, before retiring from that post in 1992.
“This is a sad day for the people of Long Beach, particularly those of us in the Republican Party,” said Jim Moriarty, a former city councilman and current Long Beach Republican Committee chairman who succeeded Mr. Scaduto. “His roots are very deep in Long Beach. He was a guy who really loved Long Beach.
“He was involved in a lot of history-making campaigns,” added Moriarty. “He was really a very fair guy. He never believed in personalizing a campaign, always sticking to the issues.”
He pointed out that Mr. Scaduto also supported campaigns that included bi-partisan coalition governments, if it meant the community would be represented by the best candidates. “He believed that it was more important to elect the right person than along party lines,” Moriarty said.
Moriarty credited Mr. Scaduto with getting him involved in politics, when he walked into Long Beach Republican headquarters as a 10-year-old boy seeking bumper stickers, buttons and other campaign keepsakes.
“He immediately put me to work, and ever since I've been involved in politics,” he said.
Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, a Democrat from Long Beach, said of Mr. Scaduto, “While we were adversaries in our political beliefs, we were good friends with a common interest of serving the people in Long Beach.
“The man dedicated his life to public service and the community he loved.”
Weisenberg was part of a bi-partisan coalition ticket, with Roy Tepper and Bruce Bergman, put together by Moriarty in the 1970s. “It was an example of people working together on a bi-partisan basis, and the city thrived,” the assemblyman said.
Judge Jack Mackston credited Mr. Scaduto with launching his career behind the bench with his appointment as acting City Court judge in 1972.
“In my 15 years as a judge in Long Beach, not once did he ask me to do a favor for him,” said Mackston, who later became a County Court judge. “He was straight as an arrow. He was a very honest and a good person, and politicians generally do not fall into that category.
“He was just a wonderful person, known for his integrity,” he added. “He was very hardworking and very diligent.”
As the former Democratic Committee chairman in Long Beach, Larry Elovich butted heads many times with Mr. Scaduto, but still held a deep admiration and respect for his political counterpart.
“We had many political battles, but afterward we always shook hands,” said Elovich, who is the current chairman of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.
“He put the Republican Party on the map. John never made any enemies in politics, he made friends.”
A lifelong resident of Long Beach and graduate of Long Beach High School, Mr. Scaduto was also a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus and served on the Long Beach Hospital Board of Directors. He was also active in the American Legion, and also did some duty as a lifeguard.
He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic actions in the “Battle of the Bulge” during World War II. He was also known for having a good singing voice and for his tennis playing.
“He always had a smile on his face,” said Elovich. “He had a great voice and he sang quite often at many political affairs.”
Mr. Scaduto's daughter, Patti, said, “He didn't have too many hobbies. His family was his hobby. He gave us a lot of sage advice. He was just a very special man.”
He is survived by his wife Jeanne; four daughters, Joanne of Long Beach, Barbara of Port Jefferson Station, Patti of Midland, Mich. and Theresa of Bay Shore; and nine grandchildren.
Following a service at Sacred Heart Church in Island Park, he was buried at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.
Comments about this obituary? Jlipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
