Richard Joseph Daronco

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American judge (1931–1988)

Richard Joseph Daronco (August 1, 1931 – May 21, 1988) was an American lawyer and judge. Born in New York City , he studied at Providence College and Albany Law School before serving for several years in the United States Army . Daronco was first elected a judge of the Westchester County Family Court in 1971. Three years later, he was elected to the Westchester County Court . In 1978, Daronco was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey , and later that year elected, as a justice of the New York State Supreme Court . In 1987, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York .

Daronco was on the federal bench for just over a year before he was assassinated at his home in Pelham, New York , by the father of a disgruntled plaintiff whose protracted sexual harassment lawsuit against her former employer had been dismissed by Daronco for lack of evidence. The Westchester County Courthouse and the Pelham Town House were both renamed in his honor.

Early life and education

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Richard Joseph Daronco was born on August 1, 1931, in New York City. His father was a tiler who had emigrated from Italy . Daronco attended the New York Military Academy in Cornwall, New York , and Providence College in Rhode Island , where he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1953. He then attended Albany Law School , receiving his Bachelor of Laws in 1956.

Daronco married Joan O'Rourke in 1957, and they had five children together.

After graduating from law school, he served in the United States Army as a private , until 1958. Upon the end of his military service, Daronco entered private legal practice as a trial lawyer in New York City. The following year, he moved his practice to White Plains, New York .

Judicial career

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New York State judiciary

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In 1971, Daronco was elected a judge of the Westchester County Family Court . Three years later, he was elected to the Westchester County Court . He remained a county judge until 1979, and served for a year as an administrative judge of the county.

Daronco was appointed as an acting justice of the New York State Supreme Court by Governor Hugh Carey in 1978 and elected as a justice of the New York Supreme Court (9th judicial district) on November 8, 1978 (see https://www.nytimes.com/1978/11/09/archives/peyser-cites-moderation-in-victory-over-a-republican-in-westchester.html ), where he served until 1987. He became Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of courts outside New York City in 1983, administering the 450 courts outside the city and managing their budget of $185 million (equivalent to $520 million in 2025).

Federal judiciary

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Upon the recommendation of Senator Alfonse D'Amato , Daronco was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on February 2, 1987, to become a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York , filling the seat vacated by Lee Parsons Gagliardi . He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 7, 1987, and received his commission the same day. He was officially sworn in by Chief Judge Charles L. Brieant on June 8, 1987, and served until his assassination one year later.

In addition to his judicial offices, Daronco was an adjunct professor at Pace University School of Law and Fordham University School of Law from 1983 to 1988, as well as at Iona College .

Death

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Richard J. Daronco Westchester County Courthouse

Preceding trial

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In April 1988, Daronco became the third judge to preside over a years-long civil lawsuit brought by Carolee Koster against her former employer, [Chase Manhattan Bank](https:

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