Mario Cuomoa three-term New York governor ( 1983-94 ) and father of the state's current governor, Andrew Cuomodied New Year's Day at 82.
Mario's death came the same day as Andrew was inaugurated for a second term, USA Today noted.
George Pataki overcame Mario's bid for a fourth gubernatorial term.
Mario decided against a run for president in 1991, leaving the door open for Bill Clinton to win the party's nomination and the presidency a year later.
Liberal views were his hallmark. For example, he opposed the death penalty. He also opposed abortion, but was pro-choice because he believed it wasn't a state's right to prohibit it.
One of Mario's more notable fights during his three decades in politics was with former New York City Mayor Ed Koch during the Democratic Party's nomination in the 1977 mayoral race, Towleroad noted. During the campaign, signs appeared on city streets saying "Vote for Cuomo, not the homo" in reference to Koch's rumored sexuality. Mario denied responsibility for the signs, but Koch reportedly maintained a grudge against Cuomo and Andrew.
Among those surviving Mario are five children, including Andrew and journalist Chris Cuomo, currently at CNN.
The Towleroad article is at www.towleroad.com/2015/01/former-new-york-governor-mario-cuomo-dies-at-82.html .
The USA today article is at www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/01/former-new-york-governor-mario-cuomo-dead-82/21170217/ .