John LaFalce, former congressman whose district included Orleans, dies at age 85
Photo by Tom Rivers: John LaFalce, a retired congressman, speaks on April 22, 2018 during a fundraiser for the Geneses-Orleans Ministry of Concern during the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration.
John LaFalce, a powerful former congressman whose district included Orleans County, has died at age 85.
LaFalce served in Congress for 28 years until the end of 2002. During his tenure, he helped many of the towns and villages in Orleans County secure federal Housing and Urban Development grants to expand public water, including in very rural areas.
LaFalce, a member of the House Banking Committee, was critical in getting Dime Bank to come and expand in Albion in the late 1990s.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer issued this statement about LaFalce this afternoon:
“Congressman LaFalce was as Buffalo as they come,” Schumer said. “He had one of the biggest brains and the biggest heart. John was a legislative giant and a dear friend going back to our time serving together in the House. He would see a problem, whether in his beloved city of Buffalo or across the country, and dedicate every fiber of his being to making sure it was solved.
“His dedication to public service and passion for helping others knew no bounds. He loved Buffalo and always defended Western New York. He was a good and loyal friend, and I will deeply miss him. My prayers are with his loved ones and Western NY as they mourn this tremendous loss.”
LaFalce, a graduate of Canisius College, served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was a lawyer in private practice and then was a state senator and assemblyman before being elected to Congress at age 35 in 1975.
Gerrymandering pitted him against another long-time member of the House, Louise Slaughter of Rochester, in 2002. LaFalce opted to retire rather than face Slaughter in a what would have been a bitter primary of two Democrats.
LaFalce was in Orleans County for the 50th anniversary of the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern in April 2018. During that celebration at Hickory Ridge in Holley, LaFalce praised the agency for serving residents in need for a half century. He was an honorary board member for GOMOC.
LaFalce said the Ministry of Concern followed one of the great commands of Jesus by loving their neighbor, by providing shelter, clothing and food.
“You are sharing love for your neighbors in Genesee and Orleans counties when you provide for those in need,” LaFalce said during the celebration.
