New York State Sen. Thomas P. Morahan passed away on Monday after a six-month battle with Leukemia, according to spokesman Ron Levine.

Morahan, 78, died at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornel Medical Center in Manhattan at around 4:30 p.m. He died peacefully surrounded by his family, Levine said.

Morahan represented all of Rockland County as well as the towns of Tuxedo and Warwick in Orange County.

He was a member of the New York State Senate for 11 years and a champion of mental health reform.

Morahan was first elected to the state Senate in 1999. Before being elected to the state Senate, Morahan served in the Rockland County Legislature, eventually becoming chairman of the lawmaking body.

Morahan was elected to the state Senate in special election in the spring of 1999, defeating fellow Rockland County Legislator Kenneth Zebrowski.

(Source: LoHud.com / Times Herald Record)