Rob’s Story

I grew up in Binghamton in a middle class family, below poverty income. Due to the amazing sacrifices of my parents, we never knew how close we were to that line.

Raised by Kennedy democrats who genuinely believed in the famous John F. Kennedy line “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” community service was instilled in us by my parents’ example.

My Father was a World War 2 hero decorated for helping to save his ship and many lives in the war. He served his entire navel career on one of the most famous ships during the war, the USS Barr. The book “Movies on the Fan Tail” referenced his heroic actions.

After the war, dad was a Barber, and my mom a homemaker. When I was seventeen, my dad died suddenly, and my world changed dramatically with the responsibility of being there for my mom and helping raise my 4-year-old sister becoming my reality. I put myself through college while working and stayed local to be there for my family.

I have been a resident of Broome County all my life and a resident of the Town of Union for the past 33 years. I have been married for 41 years. My wife, Celeste Pazzaglini-Mack an Endicott native, and I are both registered nurses and my sons are also in health care, a pharmacist, and a radiation Therapist.

I have been involved in community service my entire life, coaching multiple sports including youth football and Lacrosse, also I was a scout leader, a Church lector and served on multiple boards and committees.

In 2006, my nephew John Mack died while playing in a high school club lacrosse game, John’s life would have been saved if the facility had a lifesaving AED on site. After that tragedy, I formed the John Mack Foundation, which has provided CPR training and donated AED devices to over two hundred organizations around the country. To date, we are aware of at least six lives that have been saved!

After my sons were raised, I reached out to the Town of Union to ask how I can be of service. I was appointed to serve on the Town Planning Board, elected to Town Council, appointed Town Constable, and elected as Town of Union Supervisor where I have continued to serve these past two years.

I have over thirty years of management experience and 12 years serving the town. I am uniquely qualified to continue leading and managing the town for the next two years, overseeing greater than twenty million dollars in projects, already in progress or on the table ready to start.