Media outlets are reporting on the unfortunate death of former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo, at the age of 82 on January 1, 2015.

The former Governor was famous for his impressive keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in July, 1984. Many consider this political figure to be one of the greatest speakers of his time. Political consultant George Arzt described him as "the most eloquent public official in the nation... He certainly carried the torch for progressive ideas."

Mario Cuomo carried New York through two recessions, and despite democrat supporters' hopes, he never ran for presidency. Arzt commented, "people really expected him to take that flight and to run."

However, Queens-native Cuomo wasn't always a public figure. He was once no more than the son of a couple of small grocery store owners in South Jamaica. After an early ending to his baseball career, Cuomo excelled in law school and married his college love, Matilda Raffa. The two remained together for 62 years until his death on January 1^st, 2015.

In 1984, Cuomo gave the speech of the century when he passionately demonstrated the growing gap between the wealthy and the poor. "A shining city is perhaps all the President sees from the portico of the White House and the veranda of his ranch, where everyone seems to be doing well," Cuomo said.

"There's another part of the city, the part where people can't pay their mortgages ... and middle-class parents watch the dreams they hold for their children evaporate."

Cuomo died of heart failure, but he is survived by all of his beloved family including his son, Governor Andrew Cuomo.