Joseph Mondello, a former American ambassador, chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee and the New York Republican State Committee, has died at 84.
Family members announced that the former county political powerhouse died Monday night at the Glen Cove Hospital.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman remembered him for his efforts as a soldier, public servant and family man.
“He was also one of the most decent and patriotic men I’ve ever known,” he said. My prayers are with his wife Linda, his children and his many grandchildren who he loved so much.”
Mondello served as the United States ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago from 2018 to 2021 during the administration of former President Donald Trump. Joseph Cairo, the chairman of the Nassau Republican Party, said Mondello was dedicated to his work.
“Throughout his service as an elected official, his tenure as the U.S. ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago and his time as chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee,” he said in a statement. “Joe Mondello was always focused on service to others and improving our society.”
Mondello, he said, embodied many strong values.
“Principled in conduct, competitive by nature and compassionate in action, Joseph N. Mondello was an emblem of the very finest ideals and aspirations of those who work in the world of government and politics,” said Cairo. “I will miss him dearly.”
Mondello was born on Feb. 13, 1938, in Brooklyn. He served in the Air National Guard from 1955 to 1956. He then transferred to the U.S. Army, serving there from 1956 to 1958.
He attended Hofstra University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1962. He worked as a teacher in the East Meadow school system and later became a county probation officer.
Because of his work as a probation officer, he returned to his legal studies. He enrolled in the New England School of Law in 1966 and graduated in 1969.
After that, Mondello worked in a variety of legal capacities. He served as an assistant district attorney in the complaint, felony and trial bureaus and as counsel to the New York State Legislature. Later, he would work as a special agent for the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence.
He ran for and won the election to the planned Nassau County Legislature in 1975. Yet, he never served in that capacity since the electorate rejected a referendum establishing a legislative form of government in the county.
Mondello served as a councilman for the Town of Hempstead from 1979 to 1987. He became Hempstead’s town supervisor in January 1987. Later, he won re-election with large majorities in 1987, 1989 and 1991.
Mondello was appointed chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee in 1984. He held the post until his resignation in May 2018.
Trump nominated Mondello to be U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago in March 2018 and appointed him later that July. He would resign on Jan. 13, 2021.
