SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON PASSES BILL SECURING ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFITS FOR THE FAMILY OF FALLEN PORT AUTHORITY OFFICER AND MLB PLAYER ANTHONY VARVARO
Editor’s note: State Sen. Scarcella-Spanton has been a champion for veterans and First Responders since being elected. She also introduced legislation to classify electronic harassment and monitoring in the same manner as physical harassment and stalking, and she introduced a crime victim’s rights bill.
STATEN ISLAND, NY – New York State Senator Scarcella-Spanton has successfully passed Senate Bill S8589-A on the senate floor, permitting accidental death benefits to be awarded to the beneficiary of port authority officer and MLB pitcher Anthony Varvaro. Through this legislation, Varvaro’s death is to be deemed to have died as the natural and proximate result of an accident sustained in the performance of duty.
Varvaro died on the 21st anniversary of 9/11 after his car was struck by a wrong-way driver along the New Jersey Turnpike while on his way to work. The crash occurred near the Holland Tunnel, hours before the annual Sept. 11 Memorial Ceremony near the World Trade Center site. Officer Varvaro left behind his wife and four young children.
Anthony Varvaro was a Staten Island native, proudly born and raised in the borough. From a star player on the Curtis High School Baseball team, the school which he graduated from in 2002, Varvaro went on to play for St John’s University Red Storm, graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice. Varvaro left Staten Island in 2005 after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners, playing in the Major League for six seasons before voluntarily retiring in 2016 to accomplish his greatest dream: becoming a Port Authority Police Officer. His return to Staten Island and subsequent career with the PAPD enabled him to contribute to the welfare of New York City while simultaneously affording him additional time with his family.
Anthony Varvaro was a valued member of his community– advocating for an increase in funding for the Snug Harbor Little League, spoke of the importance of education in public schools throughout the island, and, according to his loved ones, was cherished by all just as he “cherished every moment spent with friends and family.”
“Anthony Varvaro was more than an officer or a baseball player; he was a dedicated member of the Staten Island community who spent his entire life serving others. His tragic death continues to impact his family, friends, and everyone he touched. This legislation ensures that his family is taken care of and honors his service and sacrifice. I am immensely proud to have fought for his family to access this and that we are one step closer today,” said Senator Scarcella-Spanton.
Senator Scarcella-Spanton was appointed as Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs and continues to advocate for legislation that benefits veterans and their families. She is also a member of the Committees on Civil Service and Pensions, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Disabilities, Insurance, Labor, and Women’s Issues.
Banner Image: ANTHONY VARVARO. Image Credit – State Sen. Scarcella-Spanton
