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.