NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 13, 2025) — The City of New Rochelle will lower its flag to half-staff for one week starting May 12, 2025, to honor the life and leadership of former Mayor Vincent R. Rippa, who passed away recently.
Updated with obituary, see below.
Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert announced the tribute in a letter to City Clerk Kim Jones, citing Section 1, Chapter 151-3(4)(a)(i) of the city’s flag policy. The flag will remain at half-staff through May 19, 2025. Rippa served as mayor from January 1, 1976, to December 31, 1979.
“On behalf of the City Council, we honor his service and extend our deepest sympathies to his family,” Ramos-Herbert wrote in the letter dated May 12, 2025.
Rippa, a Democrat, had a distinguished career in law and public service. He graduated from Georgetown University with a B.S. in 1959 and earned a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1962. Admitted to the New York Bar in 1963, he also gained admission to the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York in 1964 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1970. With over 49 years of legal experience, Rippa participated in more than 350 jury and non-jury trials in both civil and criminal matters across various courts in New York, including Federal District Courts, the Supreme Courts of multiple counties, and the Appellate Division. He also served on the panel of the American Arbitration Association and was appointed as a referee by Surrogate and Supreme Court Justices in Westchester County to resolve complex litigated matters.
Before becoming mayor, Rippa was a Westchester County Legislator from 1972 to 1975, serving as Minority Leader from 1974 to 1975. After his mayoral tenure, he held several prominent positions, including Associate Counsel in the Office of the Speaker of the New York State Assembly from 1982 to 1985, Chairman of the Westchester County Tax Commission from 1980 onward, and Chairman of the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency starting in 1999. He also served as Acting City Judge of New Rochelle from 1997 to 2002 and was involved with the Westchester County Mental Health Association, chairing its Audit and Finance Committees and serving as Vice President from 2004 onward.
During his time as mayor, Rippa received a “special recognition” award from the U.S. Mayors Conference for his commitment to promoting volunteerism, making his office a clearinghouse for volunteer efforts and integrating volunteers with city workers through the city’s personnel office. This marked the second consecutive year New Rochelle was cited for its volunteerism efforts, an award given jointly by the conference and the Alliance for Volunteerism.
Rippa’s decision not to seek re-election in 1979 shifted the political landscape in New Rochelle, a city dominated by registered Democrats but with a strong Republican turnout in elections. His announcement led to a contentious Democratic nomination process, with the city’s Democratic chairman, Miriam Jackson, describing it as a “bloody fight” for the mayoral candidacy. Republican Councilman Leonard C. Paduano emerged as a strong contender, criticizing Rippa’s administration for deficit spending practices that he claimed did not adhere to budget constraints.
Rippa was married to Monica A. Rippa, an interior designer in New Rochelle, and was the father of Claudine Marie Rippa, who married Jonathan Lane Childs in 2006. His brothers included Eugene Rippa, who passed away in 2013, and Richard Rippa. Rippa was a proud grandfather and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
Hon. Vincent R. Rippa Obituary
Hon. Vincent R. Rippa
New Rochelle, New York
July 1, 1937 – May 10, 2025
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our father Vincent Raymond Rippa, 87, of New Rochelle, New York, Nantucket, Massachusetts and Fort Lauderdale, Florida who passed away on May 10, 2025.
Vincent was born on July 1st, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York to Florence and Gene Rippa and was the eldest of 4 boys. Vincent met his beautiful wife of 62 years, Monica A Cirillo, at a wedding and knew at that moment he was going to marry her, which he did on September 8, 1962 . They moved to Westchester County where they lived for 56 years and raised their four children, Jennifer, Scott, Claudine and Mark in New Rochelle, NY.
He was a generous and loving grandfather to Madison, Ainsley, Lane, Luke and Samuel. A proud father-in-law to Peter (Jennifer) and Veronica (Scott) , survived by his brother Richard and predeceased by his brothers Robert and Eugene. Brother-in-law to Elizabeth and loving Uncle to his brothers’ children: Jeanine, Larissa , Phillip, Paul and Tim.
He graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science degree and from Fordham Law School with a Juris Doctor.
Vincent dedicated his life to service, to his family and to his community. He spent more than 50 years practicing law, a man who was devoted to the City of New Rochelle where on two occasions they elected him as their County Legislator, then as their Mayor and finally he was appointed a City Court Judge.
He respected the law and those who administered the law and he spent more than 50 years working in his own law practice and was involved in politics in Westchester County. He understood the tremendous responsibility and obligations he had to his community.
He led with his dedication, honesty, respect, patience and humility, qualities that he passed on to his four children and grandchildren. He had a quick sense of humor, a personality that filled the room, along with his huge heart. He loved his family and friends deeply and was someone you could always count on. He had an unwavering work ethic, kind spirit, always helping those that were less fortunate through his charitable works, he had a passion for fishing and crabbing which he shared with his grandchildren, a love for gardening, planting herbs and vegetables which he would then share with neighbors and cook many family meals. His home was always filled with music, and you would often hear him belting out Aretha Franklin’s RESPECT with a few of his famous dance moves thrown in. He believed in tradition and was proud of his Italian and Irish heritage.
He was a man of deep faith. A devout catholic who attended daily mass, was a Eucharistic Minister and volunteer in the church and the community.
His wake will be held at Lloyd Maxcy Funeral Home in New Rochelle, NY from 4pm to 8pm on Monday, May 19th.
A Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle, NY on Tuesday, May 20th at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Our father will be deeply missed by all that knew him and his memory will forever be a blessing.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Hon. Vincent, please visit our
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New York Times (Dec. 23, 1979)
“New Rochelle is a city that’s really a village,” said its Mayor, Vincent R. Rippa. “It’s a city with all the big-city problems, but then it’s a village where everybody knows everybody else’s business.”
Mr. Rippa, during a recent interview at his law office at 271 North Avenue, conceded that there were “a lot of antagonisms,” that “the oldtimers don’t like the newcomers.” But “there’s also a lot of good here,” he quickly added. “There’s a tremendous volunteerism here.
The people of New Rochelle are a dedicated people. We’re probably our greatest critics.”
As he sat in his fourth-floor office five blocks from City Hall, his mood changed from melancholy to spirited optimism as he reflected on his fouryear tenure as Mayor of the county’s third-largest city.
Mr. Rippa, a Democrat who won the 1972 election by a sizable margin, is stepping down on Dec. 31 because, he said, he can no longer afford to devote the required time to the job.
The flag policy, adopted on June 18, 2024, governs such commemorative actions at City Hall, located at 515 North Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10801.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.