Senate Resolution No. 1658

BY: Senator BRESLIN

MOURNING the death of Matthew Thomas Peter,
cherished family man and devoted public servant

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, On December 14, 2023, the City of Albany lost a beloved
resident and community leader when County Legislator and Parking
Authority Executive Director Matthew Thomas Peter passed away at the age
of 38; and

WHEREAS, Matthew Peter was born on July 25, 1985, in Manhasset, New
York to William Peter and Nancy (Flacks) Peter; he first came to the
capital city to attend State University of New York at Albany where he
earned his bachelor's and master's degrees and spent his adult life
working to make Albany better; and

WHEREAS, After working in the Governor's Office, the State
Department of Taxation and Finance, and the State Senate, Matthew Peter
ran Kathy Sheehan's inaugural race for mayor and later became her first
Chief of Staff; in 2016, he became Executive Director of the Albany
Parking Authority, where he took pride in making it profitable and used
his position as a vehicle for improving conditions in the city; and

WHEREAS, Growing up in suburban Long Island made Matthew Peter a big
believer in urban living, but he missed the bagels from his hometown; he
most recently called Center Square in Albany his home and was a champion
for the Lark Street community; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, Matthew Peter was appointed to the Albany County
Legislature representing the Fifth District; he was elected to that post
twice, most recently November of 2023; and

WHEREAS, Matthew Peter spearheaded beautification efforts with the
Capital Walls mural program and helped build the city's infrastructure
for electric vehicles; in 2021, he helped get new state legislation that
modernized and expanded the power of the Parking Authority passed and
signed into law; and

WHEREAS, Matthew Peter was universally respected in the County
Legislature where his work ethic, intelligence, and intellectual honesty
earned him admirers from across the political spectrum; he believed that
government could be a force of positive change and politics is the art
of addition, not subtraction; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Matthew Peter believed a society can only be
truly judged by how it treats the least fortunate among us; during the
COVID-19 pandemic, he co-founded Feed Albany to help ensure no one went
hungry during that crisis; in the County Legislature, he championed new
policies that provided treatment for those with mental health and
substance abuse issues who encounter police; and


WHEREAS, Matthew Peter also served on the boards of Park Playhouse,
Capitalize Albany, and the Albany County Visitors Bureau; he was a
dedicated member of the Democratic Party, serving as Albany County Young
Democrats President, Capital Region President, and New York State Vice
President; he was an Albany County Democratic Committee member for
nearly 10 years and served as the Ward Leader for the 6th Ward; and

WHEREAS, Above all else, Matthew Peter loved his friends and family;
he showed his love through acts of service and quality time, as was
reflected in the always-open door to his home, with a meal and drink
offered to all who entered, and in his immense generosity and kindness
to everyone he knew, as well as to those he did not; and

WHEREAS, Making the most of every second and turning every day into
an adventure and a celebration of being alive, Matthew Peter would throw
a party just for the sake of it and held tight his traditions; every
birthday, anniversary, holiday, Sunday dinner, beach week, weekend, or
day trip was an event and he made it specific and special for all who
came along for the ride; and

WHEREAS, Matthew Peter is survived by his adored fiance, Dr. Corinne
McLeod; parents, Bill and Nancy Peter; sister, Sara Peter (Pete
Uzarwoski); brother, Brian Peter; niece and goddaughter, Gabriella
Fanti; aunt, Peggy Figueroa (Emil); uncles, Edward and Thomas Peter; his
beloved canine companion, Athena; and friends, Amal Jacobson, Jessica
Giordano, Richard Azzopardi, Abigail Barker, Brian Shea, and Becky
English; and

WHEREAS, Matthew Peter's infinite selflessness and benevolence will
shine on through his friends' and family's vivid and happy memories; his
insight and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light, and
hope to the countless lives he touched; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Matthew Peter leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all who
were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he will be
deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Matthew Thomas Peter, cherished family man and
devoted public servant; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Matthew Thomas Peter.