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Terenzi had a long, proud career of public service, both in the Village of Port Chester and beyond its borders. He was first elected to the Port Chester Board of Trustees in 1988, and he served until 1994. He was re-elected in 2010 and 2013.
During his most recent teem, he was deputy mayor in 2013-2014, as well as chairman of the Village Finance Committee.
Terenzi volunteered on several village boards and commissions, including the Village Recreation Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Village Planning Commission.
He'd also held several appointed positions for the Town of Rye and City of Yonkers. Terenzi recently was providing Rye with professional accounting services. He also held positions on the Westchester County Conservative Party and the Rye Town Conservative Party.
Terenzi was also a coach with the Port Chester Recreation Office from 1992-1999.
“Sam loved Port Chester deeply and certainly added tremendous value on the Board of Trustees," said Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla. "Today is a very sad day in Port Chester. We lost a good friend -- and a very good man.”
Rye Town Deputy Supervisor William Villanova said, “Sam’s life was dedicated to Port Chester. He was an athlete and volunteered countless hours coaching baseball and youth sports. But before all this, Sam was a very loving father and husband.”
“He was insightful and possessed a remarkable grasp of both Village history and the intricacies of budgets," Westchester County Legislator David Gelfarb said. "His long history of public service allowed him to know and work with so many people upon whom he left an indelible impression.”
Terenzi is survived by his two children, Samantha Mercadante and Jake Terenzi, and by his three stepchildren, Maria, Patrick and Joseph Bellantoni.
He was predeceased by his wife, Tillie.
Flags at village parks and on village buildings have been lowered to half-staff to honor Terenzi and mourn his passing. Information about funeral services is pending.
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