Joseph Carl Anthony Mercurio, 72, of Garrison, died on Sept. 18, 2019, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
He was born Feb. 6, 1947, in New York City, the son of Fortunato and Antoinette (Pizzarelli) Mercurio.
Joseph was well-known in the political arena, where he worked for more than 50 years and where he provided polling, media buying and strategic communication services throughout the U.S. He was best known nationally for having worked on a senior level of more than 600 campaigns, as well as on many propositions and other ballot initiatives.
He also lectured on media and polling at national and regional political party candidate-training academies, before university journalism, political science and campaign management classes. For decades, he routinely conducted seminars for the U.S. Department of State for foreign candidates, political consultants, elected public and party officials.
Joseph had been on the adjunct faculty at Fordham University’s Master of Arts Political Campaign Management Program, teaching Strategies and Mechanisms in Political Communication. He also taught and been the director of the Political Campaign Management Program at New York University. He was a member of the American Association of Political Consultants and president emeritus of the board of its Greater New York Chapter.
Outside politics, he owned J. Mercurio Books, Maps and Prints, and was known for his extensive collections. He also co-owned Mercurio Farms, where he kept heritage breed sheep and bees and raised organic freerange chickens and laying hens, as well as organic fruits and vegetables. He also co-owned Eleanor’s Best, which produced small-batch jams, marmalade and maple syrup.
Joseph was a firefighter with the Garrison Volunteer Fire Co. and a former commissioner of the Garrison Fire District.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and his daughter, Eleanor.
Friends and relatives may call on Monday, Sept. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Clinton Funeral Home, 21 Parrott St., in Cold Spring. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the funeral home, with interment to follow at Cold Spring Cemetery.
