YORKTOWN, N.Y.—With 2024 drawing to a close, we look back at some of the most noteworthy stories in our community from the last 12 months. Everyone at Yorktown News wishes all our readers a happy and healthy new year in 2025.
Sadly, the year started with tragedy with the loss of a local icon.
Supervisor Tom Diana Passes Away
When Supervisor Tom Diana died suddenly in January at age 66, he was about to embark on the next chapter in a lifelong love story with his hometown of Yorktown. Born and raised in Shrub Oak, Diana had risen from the Town Board’s deputy supervisor to the town’s top spot in 2023 following then-Supervisor Matt Slater’s election to the New York State Assembly and had just celebrated the election win confirming him in town government’s top spot.
Diana’s colleagues and friends remembered him as a dedicated public servant who embodied Yorktown’s spirit.
“Tom was always proud to be an ‘Oakey from Shrub Oak,’” said then-Deputy Supervisor Ed Lachterman, who stepped in as acting supervisor before winning a special election later in 2024. “He was as much a part of Yorktown as Yorktown was a part of him. However, I had never seen him as proud as the moments before his first meeting as the duly elected supervisor. Before starting the meeting, he showed me the election certification certificate for his election, which was beautifully framed by his wife Donna for his office.”
A graduate of Lakeland High School, Diana’s local roots ran deep. His family settled in Shrub Oak in the early 20th century, and he lived in the home his father and uncle built. Before politics, he had a long career in law enforcement, serving as a Putnam County sheriff’s deputy, before transferring to the Yorktown Police Department where he worked as a member of the K-9 unit. He later served in Cortlandt as a patrol commander sergeant before finishing his law enforcement career in 2005 with the Westchester County Police Department.
Diana’s leadership saw Yorktown achieve milestones like being named the No. 1 safest town in the U.S. and completing key infrastructure projects. Colleagues praised his dedication, positivity, and compassion.
“Tom’s leadership illuminated every room,” said Councilwoman Luciana Haughwout.
Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble called Diana’s passing a profound loss.
“The town lost a giant. Rest easy, Supervisor Diana,” Noble said. “We have the watch from here.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here