Former New York Gov. Carey dies at 92

Hugh L. Carey, former Governor of New York, is dead at 92.

Carey's family announced his passing through current Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Newsday reports.

He died Sunday at his summer home on Shelter Island, NY, according to the New York Times.

From the Times Union:

Today, New York State mourns the loss of one of our finest leaders, Governor Hugh L. Carey.

Governor Carey led our state during a time of great financial turmoil and pulled us back from the brink of bankruptcy and economic ruin.

Governor Carey was a true American success story. He was born and raised in Brooklyn. He served with valor in Germany during World War II and when he returned home to Brooklyn, he married and started a family. He became a civic and business leader and was elected to Congress, where no one fought harder for New York.

Carey won the first of his two terms in 1974, after serving seven terms in Congress. By the following spring, the largest U.S. city was facing default, and then-President Gerald Ford refused to intervene.

Carey and other state leaders, public and private, stepped in to set up a state financing company that kept the city afloat, a process that involved layoffs, tax increases and fee hikes.

"He was tough, he was smart, and he was the person our state needed to see us through crisis," Cuomo said in a statement.

Cuomo also cited Carey's fight on behalf of the mentally ill and his ability to solve legislative fights through "charisma, wit, and intellect."

"His administration was one that will be remembered for its remarkable achievements and superlative competence in the operation of government, as well as the governor's energy, enthusiasm and love of New York and for all New Yorkers," Cuomo said.

The Brooklyn native is survived by his five daughters, six sons, 25 grandchildren and six great grand-children.