Guy Velella, Former Bronx State Senator, Dies at 66

Former Bronx state senator Guy Valella, whose influence was felt from Westchester Chester to Albany during his 30-year tenure in the legislature, died Thursday from lung cancer. He was 66. 

Valella, who was first elected to the State Assembly in 1972, stepped down from his post in 2004 after he was convicted of conspiring to accept bribes from parties seeking state contracts. He was sentenced to a year at Riker's.

Valella was first elected to the State Assembly 1972, but returned to his family’s law firm in the 1980s, before returning to politics in 1986.

There will be a public viewing on Saturday and Sunday at Ralph Giordano Funeral home in the Bronx from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.