Recalling Carl Eilenberg’s legacy: 'His impact on all of us was profound'

Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo remembers working on Carl Eilenberg’s first campaign for the city’s top seat.

Izzo said Eilenberg was a newcomer with new leadership in the Republican Party, citing the energy around that first campaign for mayor as “infectious.”

Eilenberg brought young people together and introduced campaigning door-to-door, as he loved the personal interactions, Izzo said, adding the campaigning style was very grass roots and effective.

Eilenberg won that first campaign and went on to serve as mayor from 1980-1992.

An icon in the Mohawk Valley and a former Rome mayor, Eilenberg, died Monday, July 10. He was 93.

The kingmaker

Through his campaigning and leadership, Eilenberg helped herald in a whole new generation of elected officials, Izzo said.

“His administration spawned a new generation of leaders, Joe Griffo, Ray Meier, Bob Comis in Sherrill, Ron Conover up north and me,” Izzo said. “Two mayors, two county executives, two state senators, a city manager and a town supervisor. His impact on all of us was profound and pointed us in the direction to serve the community through elective office for decades.”

“Carl's impact on local politics was felt long after he left office, but more importantly his popularity as someone who would still participate in events and activities with many different community organizations lasted long after he left the mayor's office.”

Griffo remembers Eilenberg as a mentor and friend who quickly wove himself into the fabric of the community after arriving in Rome.

Eilenberg was everywhere, supporting a wide variety of events and activities and playing instrumental roles in forming several organizations in the city, including the Rome Sports Hall of Fame, Honor America Days and the Roman Runners, Griffo recalled.

Griffo further recalled Eilenberg as an avid runner, he would run through all parts of the city so that he could see firsthand what was happening, the senator said.

"Carl was the personification of Rome – a positive influence, an engaging and popular personality, an energetic and passionate community advocate and promoter and a dedicated public servant,” Griffo said. “His wit, charm and intellect endeared him to all those he met, and he was embraced by all segments of the community.”

A street is named after him, near the James Street parking garage, called Eilenberg Lane.

Talented, gracious and humble

Eilenberg was well known in Central New York for other reasons. Specifically, he announced Syracuse University football, basketball and lacrosse for 28 years. He also was an established parade announcer who emceed Honor America Days in Rome for several years.

Michael Veley, director and chair of Syracuse University’s Department of Sport Management, worked with Eilenberg for 11 years when he was associate athletic director at SU. Veley became the voice of the Carrier Dome upon Eilenberg’s retirement in 2006.

“Carl Eilenberg was a consummate professional in every sense,” Veley said. “He was to Syracuse University what Bob Sheppard was as the voice of Yankee Stadium. His legacy will endure as a talented, gracious, and humble person who loved the Orange.”

Veley said Eilenberg never made the game about himself, describing the longtime emcee as a professional, fair and balanced in his work. These were qualities that Veley said he admired in Eilenberg.

He was a historian of the game and was always prepared, Veley said.

“I admire him and always tried to carry on his legacy with pride and dignity,” Veley said.

Pat Campbell is a retired Syracuse University associate athletic director and was the managing director of the Carrier Dome when Eilenberg worked there.

Campbell said SU was extremely lucky to have “Mayor Carl” on the microphone for so many years.

There was no bigger fan of SU sports than Eilenberg, Campbell said. He had a unique talent to show great enthusiasm for the Orange as he announced the action on the field or court, but he always showed great respect for the coaches, players and fans of the visiting opponent, Campbell added.

“We were so fortunate to have such an accomplished professional serving as the voice of the Carrier Dome and Syracuse athletics for such a long time in the Dome’s history,” Campbell said.

Loved his community

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said he had the opportunity to work with Eilenberg during the early days of his county government career.

Picente remembered Eilenberg as a dedicated public servant that loved his city and was a strong advocate for his community.

“First and foremost, Carl was a friend,” Picente said.

Picente said Eilenberg would be sorely missed in Oneida County, due to his commitment to Rome and his emceeing of various local events.

Steve DiMeo, president of Mohawk Valley EDGE, thanked Eilenberg for all his contributions to Rome.

DiMeo recalled Eilenberg as a major part of the Rome community as a businessman, broadcast and sports personality, and as a former Mayor of Rome,

"He will always be remembered with great fondness as a person who loved his community and was a major spokesperson for its success.”

Raymond J. Durso Jr., president and CEO of the Genesis Group, also noted Eilenberg’s love for Rome, and the region.

Durso called Eilenberg a dedicated public servant, a statesman and an ambassador for Rome and the entire region. He also called Eilenberg a sincere friend to all.

"He loved his community, and he loved life,” Durso said. “Mayor Eilenberg will be missed, but his legacy will last forever.”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Death of former Rome Mayor Carl Eilenberg: Leaders reflect on impact