Preceded by Newly Created Name Edward Rath | Political party Republican Party Succeeded by B. John Tutuska | |
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Spouse(s) Mildred K. Rath (1906-1965) Died 1968, Buffalo, New York, United States | ||
Edward A. Rath was the first County Executive of Erie County, New York. Following the transition from the Board of Supervisors form of government for Erie County to a County Executive form, Rath was elected in 1960 to an initial three year term. The main Erie County office building Edward A. Rath County Office Building, the home of county government's executive branch, is named after him. Rath was re-elected as County Executive in 1963 and 1967. He died in office in 1968 and was succeeded by Erie County Sheriff B. John Tutuska.
Family
Rath is the patriarch of a prominent Western New York political family. His son, the late Edward A. Rath, Jr., served as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court and his daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Rath was a New York State Senator and a former minority leader of the Erie County Legislature. His grandson, Edward A. Rath III won election in 2007 to the Erie County Legislature.