Husky Brook Park Renamed For Former Eatontown Mayor Gerry Tarantolo

EATONTOWN, NJ — The Eatontown borough council voted to rename Husky Brook Park in honor of longtime former mayor Gerry Tarantolo. The dedication ceremony and unveiling of the new sign will take place at 11 a.m. this Saturday, July 29 at the park, which is located on Grant Avenue, southside of Rt. 36 across from the Community Garden.

The proposal honoring Tarantolo, a Democrat, was brought forward by then-Councilwoman Maria Escalante, a Republican, and approved unanimously across party lines in fall of 2022.

Tarantolo served 16 years as mayor and 24 years as councilman and on Borough committees. Among numerous other accomplishments, Tarantolo made it a mission to bring parks to residents in every quadrant of Eatontown, so it is an especially appropriate way to honor the former mayor.

Rain date is Aug. 5.

Tarantolo got his start in Eatontown government in 1972 as a volunteer on the Eatontown Environmental Commission. In 1975, he was elected to the Board of Education, where he served for ten years, three of them as president.

In 1985, at Mayor Joseph Frankel’s urging, Gerry filled an unexpired term on the Borough Council, which was then followed by four elected terms. He served on the Planning Board for 26 years and as liaison to the Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Commission, Community Center Advisory Committee, and the Recreation Advisory Committee, where he conceived the annual Eatontown 5K Run/Walk event to support unfunded local recreation programs.

In 1998, Gerry was elected to his first term as Mayor of Eatontown. Three more terms were to follow. During his 16-year tenure, Gerry built a significant record of accomplishments that have enhanced the quality of life for all residents and businesses with long-lasting benefits for many years to come.

He is especially proud of his achievements in expanding green space and recreation in Eatontown. He realized his goal of a nearby park for residents in every quadrant of the borough with the development of 80 Acres and acquisition of land for Wampum Memorial and Husky Brook parks. In typical progressive style, Gerry established the Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Green Team.

After being honorably discharged from the NJ Air National Guard, Gerry served two years on active duty in the US Air Force. He is a retired electrical engineer, having worked for Bell Laboratories, Bellcore and Telcordia Technologies.

Gerry has been a resident of Eatontown for 50 years, and he and his wife, Patricia, have two grown children, Tricia and Gerry Jr., and three grand- children, Courtney, Kendall and Luke.