Chuck Schumer, born on Thanksgiving, to spend holiday with ailing father in hospital
New York senior senator Chuck Schumer, who was born on Thanksgiving Day 1950, plans to mark the holiday — and his birthday — in a Long Island hospital by the side of his ailing 98-year-old father Abe.
Schumer, who turned 71 Tuesday, told reporters at an event this week in Brooklyn that his father had a procedure for heart problems. He wasn’t sure how much more time he’d have with Abe — but was thankful for at least one more holiday with his old man.
Father and son have enjoyed a close relationship throughout their lives, Schumer said. Abe worked as an exterminator and with his wife raised three kids in Brooklyn, the oldest of whom was Charles, better known as Chuck.
Schumer recounted family lore about his own birth at the now-shuttered French Hospital, which was on W. 30th St. between Eighth Ave. and Ninth Ave. in Manhattan.
“What they used to do in those days — there was none of this spouse in the delivery room, touchy feely — they sent the husbands down to a room, they paced and smoked cigars and waited for the blessed event,” Schumer said.
His father realized he was just a few blocks from Macy’s. “So he said he was going to watch the parade,” Schumer recounted.
Abe bumped into a friend at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the pair decided to slide into a pub to celebrate Chuck’s imminent birth over a few drinks. Abe lost track of time — and was throwing back a few when the future Senate Majority Leader was born at 11 a.m..
“My father showed up at 4 p.m., creating the first fight my parents had over me,” Schumer joked. “They’ve been happily married for 72 years.”
The Democratic leader is now the one heading to the hospital to see his father, a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific theater. Schumer spent much of the year in Washington working to pass COVID-19 relief legislation and President Biden’s infrastructure package.
But his work in 2021 is far from finished.
The House of Representatives earlier this month passed a $1.75 trillion spending bill aimed at fighting climate change and improving the social safety net for Americans.
The bill must pass the 50-50 Senate to make it to Biden’s desk. But before Schumer reenters a gauntlet of negotiations to get it there, he said he’s eager to spend time with his father over Thanksgiving.
Schumer was unavailable for further comment because he was visiting his dad in the hospital. But the senator has often sung his father’s praises on social media.
“My dad, Abe, is 98 years old. He served our country proudly in the Pacific in WWII. And I’m thankful for all he’s done for our country and our family,” Schumer tweeted on Veteran’s Day.
