‘Legendary’ Long Island Congressman Lester Wolff Dead At 102

MUTTONTOWN, NY — Former U.S. Congressman Lester Wolff, described as a champion of the environment who stood against plans to construct a controversial bridge from Oyster Bay across Long Island Sound, died Tuesday at the age of 102.

Wolff, a Democrat, served eight terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1965 to 1981, where he shaped the United States' Asian affairs policy and helped create Medicare and Medicaid, Newsday reported. He was the oldest living person to have served in Congress, according to the outlet.

In the 1970s, he challenged developer Robert Moses and then New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller on the construction of the bridge across Long Island Sound by contacting the U.S. Department of Interior to survey the bay and wetlands, according to liherald.com. Based on the department’s findings, the bay bottom was later designated the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge, stopping plans for the bridge.

The refuge was named after him in honor of his 100th birthday two years ago.

In a Facebook post, U.S. Rep. Thomas Suozzi, who is serving in Wolff’s former seat, called Wolff a “tenacious and lifelong defender of the environment" and said the renaming of the refuge honors his "significant contributions, and hopefully, informs and inspires others to carry on his legacy of safeguarding and protecting our environment."

"Congressman Lester Wolff was a statesman, a champion of civil rights, a formidable proponent of our environment, a mentor, and my friend. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant," he said.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine, a fellow Democrat from Glen Cove, described Wolff as “legendary.”

“Congressman Wolff was a dear friend,” Lavine said. “His contributions to our community, our state, and our nation were truly extraordinary. All of us who worked with him were fortunate to have learned from him. I am sending much love and strength to his family and those closest to him.”

Before his political career, Wolff hosted the Emmy-nominated show, “Behind the Lines,” The Herald reported. On the show, he met President John F. Kennedy who suggested he run for office, and he later credited Kennedy for inspiring him to seek office, according to the outlet.

In 2014, he received the Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a sub-chaser with the Civil Air Patrol, according to The Herald. Wolff spent much of his later years living in East Norwich, and remained active posting to social media platforms like Twitter up until the end, Suozzi told the outlet.

He is predeceased by his wife, Blanche, who died in 2000, and survived by his son, Bruce, and his daughter, Diane, according to reports. A memorial service is planned Sunday at Temple Emanuel in Great Neck.