Ex-Huntington Supervisor Toni Tepe RIP

Antoinette “Toni” Tepe, the first woman Supervisor of the Town of Huntington and a former NYS Assemblywoman, passed away this week. Tepe, a Republican, served as Huntington Supervisor from 1987-89, and in the NYS Assembly from 1979-87. Her husband, Phil Tepe passed away just three weeks ago from a heart attack. “Toni was a wonderful, tough, thoughtful and totally committed person. She was interested, caring and a pioneer for women leaders in our community. She made history as the first woman Supervisor of Huntington. Toni was a friend and a champion. She will be missed.” stated Grant Lally, the Publisher of the North Shore Leader.

“Toni, my dear friend, has been called home by the Lord after a heroic battle with cancer. She is at peace now. There is no more pain. She joins her love, Phil who also recently passed,” noted Suffolk County Republican Chairman Jesse Garcia.

“I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the Tepe Family during this difficult time in their lives. Toni’s family has all our thoughts and prayers. The streets of heaven are crowded with one more angel today.” “Toni Rettaliata-Tepe was someone who was and is very near and dear to me.” said Chad Lupinacci, the current Huntington Supervisor, as he spoke emotionally. “Toni” has been an integral part of my life for more than two decades. To say that Toni was a mentor to me would be an understatement. Toni was first a member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 10th Assembly District – the same district I had the pleasure of representing years later. Toni then went on to become the first female Supervisor - the only woman Supervisor to date - of the Town of Huntington. God Bless you Toni, and thank you for being a friend and for your service to our great state and the Town of Huntington.”

Toni Tepe became the Chair of the Huntington Republican Party fifteen years ago. Under her leadership, the party's nominees were able to win back a majority of the Town Board - after twenty years of Democratic Party rule - just two years ago.