Leaders are mourning the loss of a former Westchester district attorney who is credited with modernizing the office.

Carl Vergari passed away Sunday in Florida at the age of 84 due to complications from a fall last month. Vergari served as DA for more than 25 years. He is being remembered for expanding the county?s criminal justice system and maintaining a 95 percent conviction rate. County Executive Andy Spano (D-Westchester) worked with Vergari for 11 years while Spano was county clerk. The lawmaker fondly remembers Vergari. Current Westchester DA Janet DiFiore says Vergari was a mentor and she says he always supported her career.

Vergari?s grief-stricken family plans to hold a wake Wednesday and Thursday in Bronxville.