Gloria DeMonte D’Amico, 1927-2010

First Woman to Serve as Queens County Clerk

Gloria D. D’Amico, county clerk for Queens County, NY, for the past 19 years and the
first woman ever to hold the position, died on Tuesday, December 21, at home with her
family at her side.

Mrs. D’Amico was diagnosed with cancer in September 2009. She suffered a relapse in
April 2010. Despite Mrs. D’Amico’s deteriorating condition, however, she was able to
continue most of her normal activities until late October. Since then, her family has cared
for her at home.

Among her achievements as county clerk, Mrs. D’Amico was responsible for the
complete computerization of the office, overcoming budgetary constraints of the past
decade. Under her leadership, Queens became the first county to initiate off-site
microfilming of records. In her capacity as commissioner of jurors, she relocated the jury
commission to the new Civil Court building, where citizens now enjoy up-to-date and
juror-friendly facilities. Most recently, she monitored the final stages of the total
renovation and revitalization of the County Clerk’s Office. Throughout her years of
service to the county, Mrs. D’Amico was noted for her dynamic leadership, her strong
moral convictions and her personal warmth.

Mrs. D’Amico began her political career at the Taminent Regular Democratic Club in
Astoria. In 1970, teaming with the late Ralph De Marco, she became a Democratic
district leader, later continuing her co-leadership role with State Senator George Onorato.
Also in 1970, she went to work for the Queens County Board of Elections within two
years, she ascended to the position of chief clerk. During the nearly 20 years that she
served in that capacity, the clerk’s office earned a reputation as the most efficiently run
office in the City of New York. One of her most notable achievements was the
computerization of the Queens County Board of Elections’ records of one million voters.
In 1978, she became treasurer of the Queens County Democratic Organization, a position
she held until she was appointed county clerk. Mrs. D’Amico was also a New York
delegate to the 1980 Democratic National Convention. In 1984, Mrs. D’Amico was a
primary candidate for the 9th Congressional District seat vacated by Geraldine Ferrara.
Although she was unsuccessful, she went on to fully support her colleague Thomas
Manton during his tenure as the congressional representative for the district.

A graduate of the Professional School of Fashion Design, Mrs. D’Amico worked in the
fashion industry until her marriage in 1949. At that time, she gave up her career to take
on the role of housewife and mother. Though raising her sons was her priority, her strong
leadership abilities were evident through her participation in various civic and youth
organizations. A prominent member of her church, Immaculate Conception (Astoria,
NY), she became president of the Rosary and Altar Society, as well as president of the
booster organization. She chaired numerous fundraising events, providing valuable
assistance to the church and its youth. Her interest in the children of the community also
led to her serve as a den mother for the Boy Scouts of America. Throughout her life, she
continued to support the youth of Astoria, serving for nearly a decade as a member of the
board for the Variety Boys and Girls Club, including supporting the annual Hon. Gloria
D’Amico Fun Run/Walk, held each September in Astoria Park.

She also served the community as a member of the board of Sharing and Caring, a local
agency providing multiple forms of support for women with breast cancer. She actively
supported the affiliation of Western Queens Hospital with Mount Sinai Hospital, which
resulted in improved community health resources at Mount Sinai Queens.

Mrs. D’Amico was the youngest of six children born to Antoinette Vasquenza and Louis
DeMonte. The widow of the late Leonard H. D’Amico (2005), she is survived by her
sons, Louis S. (Catherine O’Neill) and Leonard T. (Wendy Mayer); her four
grandchildren, Leonard, Michael, Amanda and Lauren; and two great grandchildren,
Olivia and Chloe (Leonard).