Anthony Gaeta

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Anthony R. Gaeta (September 8, 1927 – December 26, 1988) was a Staten Island, New York politician. He served as Staten Island's Borough President from 1977 to 1984. Over the course of 39 years in public service, Gaeta also held positions as a tax collector for the Real Property Assessment Bureau, as chief of staff to Congressman John M. Murphy, and as a city council member.

Gaeta was born in West Brighton on September 8, 1927, and graduated from McKee High School in 1945. He served in the armed forces for a short time, and afterward continued his education at New York and Cornell Universities. His career as a public servant began in 1949.

As a staffer and an administrator, Gaeta worked to improve roads, sewers, and schools in Staten Island. He also worked on the creation of the Greenbelt environmental program. His many accomplishments and down-to-earth attitude earned him tremendous respect. Known for his ability to transcend party lines and petty politics, Gaeta exemplified a citizen-legislator of the highest integrity and dedication. Anthony R. Gaeta retired in 1984. He died of a heart attack on December 26, 1988.