Update to Previous News Item: Politician Passes Away
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Assemblyman Zebrowski dies at 61
www.thejournalnews.com
By Suzan Clarke
Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski died yesterday morning at Nyack Hospital after a battle with hepatitis C.
The cause was a combination of liver and kidney failure, according to the family.
Zebrowski, 61, was “a force of nature,” said Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell, who knew him for more than 35 years.
“I think his family was just so important to him, and he really was very, very loyal to friends and … he really loved the art of governing,” Cornell said. “It was just something he really loved, and I think he’d been very, very happy in the New York state Assembly.”
Zebrowski, of New City, was first elected to the county Legislature in November 1973 at age 29 and was then the youngest member of the body. That began a 33-year career in elected office.
Representing the 5th District, which includes New City and part of the Mount Ivy area in Haverstraw, he served in the county Legislature for 21 years, including four years as chairman and two years as majority leader.
During his tenure, he was chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee and led a panel of legislators that investigated alleged misuse of authority by trustees at Rockland Community College.
In 2003, when Zebrowski was running for his fifth term on the county Legislature, he cited among his accomplishments co-sponsoring a law that banned the sale of ephedra in Rockland and helping pass laws to protect open space and waterways.
Zebrowski was first elected to the Assembly in 2004, representing the 94th District, which covers Clarkstown, Haverstraw and parts of Ramapo.
He ran unopposed after former Assemblyman Alexander Gromack left the race to take the Clarkstown town supervisor position.
While running for his second term in the Assembly, the senior Zebrowski said that the health and welfare of senior citizens were his top priority and that he was working with state Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-New City, on getting help for those affected by the Mirant tax challenge.
One bill he sponsored allows seniors to bypass automated telephone menu systems when dealing with medical insurance companies.
He served on the Assembly’s Aging, Codes, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Governmental Employees, Judiciary, and Racing and Wagering committees.
Zebrowski twice ran unsuccessfully for state senator – once in a special election in 1999 and again in 2000. Both times were against Morahan.
In spite of their respective political affiliations, the men had a long friendship that began when both were Rockland County legislators.
“We served on two different sides of the aisle in the local Legislature, but it was always with respect for each other, and we always strove for a consensus and a compromise, so that we could get a result, and working together we got much done,” Morahan said.
“When he came to Albany, we worked together on bills. … We did a lot together. He was a pleasure to work with, and this is a very, very sad day.
“I think Rockland County lost a great spokesperson, a man who loved his job and loved being a legislator and loved writing laws. He was a wonderful man, and we’ll miss him.”
Morahan talked with Zebrowski a few days ago. The conversation was jocular, reflecting their need to keep their spirits up, Morahan said.
“It’s hard to describe the emotion and the words that may have passed between us,” he said. “They were from my side, encouragement, and from his side, he was fighting. He was fighting to get better.”
Jeffrey Adams of Haverstraw called Zebrowski a mentor, colleague and friend who was always willing to help everyone.
“I’m numb, because even though I heard he was in ill health, and I spoke with him several days ago, Kenny was going to be back, and everything was going to be fine, and he was a battler, and he never quit,” said Adams, an attorney.
In an interview with The Journal News in 1975, Zebrowski described having worked, while as a high school and college student, as a busboy, then waiter, then dining room manager, at Dellwood Country Club in New City.
He had complained to his father about how hard he labored and what little recognition he got.
“You get paid to do a good job, not a bad one,” he recalled his father, Vincent, saying to him.
“I really am in love with the law,” he said later during that interview. “I know that’s about as corny as you can get, but I really think it gives you perspective on people’s lives.”
In 1973, he underwent surgery to remove a benign tumor from his brain lining.
A Roman Catholic who has supported funding for Planned Parenthood, Zebrowski has said his views on abortion were “his own” and that he didn’t believe he had a right to legislate other people’s outlook on the issue.
Zebrowski began missing Assembly votes in late February and was listed as “EOR,” meaning he was excused for other reasons than legislative business.
The last session for which he was present for all votes was Feb. 14.
He underwent a procedure March 2 to treat the hepatitis and also was being treated for a blood clot in his leg.
Vince Monte, the chairman of the Rockland Democratic Committee, said he was saddened by Zebrowski’s death.
“Quite frankly, I’m going to miss the discussions of politics and government,” Monte said. “I’m really going to miss him, and reminiscing about our time when we came up as young Democrats.”
Zebrowski was born on Nov. 12, 1945, in Brooklyn.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; children Kristen, Kevin, Kenneth P. Jr., Kristopher, Kraig and Kathryn; his mother, Jean Zebrowski; and a sister, Ronnie Horn.
His father, Vincent, died in 1989.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, 321 S. Main St., New City.
A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Augustine’s Church, South Main Street, New City.
Zebrowski’s local Assembly office will remain open today, spokesman Keith Braunfotel said.
