Governor Hochul Directs Flags to Half-Staff to Honor Former Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari

Governor Kathy Hochul today directed that flags on all State government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of former Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, who died November 9, 2026. Flags will be flown at half-staff on Saturday, November 14 from sunrise to sunset.

"I'm deeply saddened by the passing of former Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari - a veteran, dedicated public servant and lifelong Cohoesier who devoted his life to giving back to the community that raised him," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "From his time as Mayor of Cohoes to his leadership in the State Assembly, the mark he left on education and economic development will continue to be felt across New York. My heart goes out to his family, friends and the entire Cohoes community as we mourn his loss."

A lifelong resident of Cohoes and Vietnam-era veteran, former Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari served as Mayor of Cohoes from 1976 to 1989, during which time he also served as President of the New York State Conference of Mayors, before going on to serve in the State Assembly, where he rose to Majority Leader and chaired the Higher Education Committee. Throughout his career, Canestrari championed increased state aid for local schools and municipalities and supported critical economic development initiatives across the Capital Region, including early investments that helped lay the foundation for Albany's nanotechnology industry.