Ricky Weisenberg of Plainview, advocate for the disabled, dies at 66

Though unable to speak, Ricky Weisenberg helped serve as an advocate throughout his life for those with physical disabilities.

Weisenberg, 66, who had cerebral palsy and lived in a Plainview group home, died Sunday night from complications of pneumonia, his family said. He had served as motivation for his father, former state Assemb. Harvey Weisenberg, 90, (D-Long Beach) who made helping those with disabilities his life's work.

"Ricky’s my special angel. I’m there to honor him and because the love I received from Ricky allowed me to be able to do things and have success for people with disabilities," Weisenberg said. "My goal is to help people. As long as I am alive, I will tell the story of Ricky’s life, and people will see special children give love, and we should thank God for what we have. I will be ever vigilant to help people with love and kindness."

Raised in Long Beach

Harvey Weisenberg, a former Long Beach police officer, married Ricky’s mother, Ellen, when he was a child and adopted him shortly after. Ricky Weisenberg was one of five siblings raised in a blended family in Long Beach. His mother helped care for him until her death in 2016.

He lived in group homes in Pittsburgh, upstate and in Melville, where his family said he received improper care and was abused. Ricky Weisenberg spent the past 30 years at the AHRC Nassau group home in Plainview. 

His father served on the Long Beach City Council and was elected to the state Assembly in 1989, where he served for 25 years.

The alleged abuse of his son spurred Harvey Weisenberg to work as an advocate for children with special needs and disabilities. 

In 2007, Weisenberg introduced Jonathan’s Law, requiring reporting of abuse or neglect of the disabled. In 2013, Weisenberg helped pass legislation to restore $90 million in then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget for people with developmental disabilities. Also in 2013, he settled a lawsuit with AHRC Nassau that alleged Ricky Weisenberg had been physically and a psychologically abused by an employee while a resident, according to a Newsday story at the time.

When the claim was filed, AHRC Nassau issued a statement saying that an employee "was immediately relieved of his duties."

Life chronicled

Ricky Weisenberg's life was chronicled in a book and documentary. A bench on the Long Beach boardwalk was dedicated to him.

"Ricky changed Harvey’s life and in turn my dad changed the lives of thousands of people," said Ricky's sister, Vicki Laufer. "We called him the million-dollar child and the governor put this money back. Even today, my dad is 90 years old and has not stopped advocating for people with disabilities."

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli recalled meeting Ricky while Harvey Weisenberg was in the Assembly.

"Despite a very severe disability, Ricky’s life was impactful," DiNapoli told Newsday Tuesday. "The love and care Harvey and Ellen gave him, he gave back and made Harvey an incredible and effective advocate for people with disabilities and pass legislation to help the most vulnerable among us. And that’s the beautiful legacy of Ricky’s life."

Laufer recalled playing with her big brother as a child and even though he couldn’t speak, she said she could see the twinkle in his eyes. Laufer said her parents would visit him several times a week.

She also tried to get her brother to talk to her, reasoning he was saving his first words for her.

"Ricky knew when he heard my voice," Laufer said. "I’d say, ‘Hello angel,' and his eyes would perk up. He would put his head on our shoulders, hold hands and fall asleep in my dad’s lap and my lap. He knew he was loved and he knew it was us."

Services are set for Thursday at Gutterman’s Funeral Home in Rockville Centre. Visitation is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. followed immediately by a funeral.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.