Lacey Mayor Nick Juliano Mourned; 'A Man Of Great Character'

LACEY, NJ — Lacey Township officials are remembering township Mayor Nicholas Juliano, who died Tuesday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He was 63.

Juliano died of a very aggressive form of cancer and was surrounded by his family, according to his obituary and a Facebook post from the Lacey Township Police Department, which called him "a dear friend."

Funeral services are set for Friday and Saturday through Riggs Funeral Home, 130 North Main St., Forked River.

"Mayor Juliano came from a family of law enforcement, and was very supportive of our police department and our local emergency services," the post said, adding he was "a man of great character and respect.

"He was thoughtful and intelligent and always put others first," the police department said.

Juliano, a Republican, was first elected to the Lacey Township Committee in November 2014 and served as deputy mayor in 2017 and 2021, and served as mayor in 2018 as well as being chosen mayor among his fellow committee members for 2022.

In addition to his committee service, Juliano was an honorary member of the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department, Lacey Township Citizen of the Year through the Elks Lodge 2518, and a Little League Hall of Famer, his obituary on the Riggs Funeral Home website said.

"He made a positive difference in the lives of many of us," the police department said. "Mayor Juliano’s support of our local community organizations has had a very positive impact on Lacey Township and we thank him for his service."

Juliano was born in Newark and lived in Ocean Gate before moving to Forked River in 1989. He owned a NAPA Auto Parts store from 1986-2009, and was most recently the field supervisor of Spirits Unlimited, the obituary said.

Juliano was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Carol, and his brother-in-law William Doheny in 1987. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Peggy Sue (nee Doheny), children Nicholas William Juliano and Marisa Sue Juliano, his mother-in-law Marie Krieger, and many other family members, friends and his pets.

"Mayor Juliano cared so much about our community and he will be truly missed by all of us," the police department said.

The viewing Friday is set for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and 10 a.m. Saturday until the funeral service begins at 11 a.m.

Donations to the Popcorn Park Zoo, P.O. Box 43, Forked River, NJ 08731 in Nick’s memory are requested instead of flowers.