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Ex-NY Gov. Cuomo dies on day son begins 2nd term

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2014, file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo kisses his father, Mario Cuomo, as he celebrates after defeating Republican challenger Rob Astorino, at Democratic election headquarters in New York. Andrew Cuomo is the first New York state Democratic governor since his father to win re-election in the state. Cuomo died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, the day Andrew started his second term as governor, the New York governor's office confirmed. He was 82. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2014, file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo kisses his father, Mario Cuomo, as he celebrates after defeating Republican challenger Rob Astorino, at Democratic election headquarters in New York. Andrew Cuomo is the first New York state Democratic governor since his father to win re-election in the state. Cuomo died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, the day Andrew started his second term as governor, the New York governor's office confirmed. He was 82. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

By Associated Press January 2, 2015 1 min read

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Mario Cuomo, a leading liberal voice who served three terms as governor of New York, has died. He was 82.

Cuomo died Thursday just hours after his son Andrew began his second term as the state’s chief executive. The cause was heart failure, according to a statement released by the governor’s office. He was surrounded by his family. Hours earlier, the younger Cuomo delivered an inaugural address in which he honored his father.

The son of Italian immigrants, Mario Cuomo played minor league baseball before embarking on a legal and political career. His oratory and his dedication to progressive policies made him a political star, but despite calls to seek the White House, he never made a run for president.