Parsippany Mourns Tax Collector Who Died In Town Hall

PARSIPPANY, NJ — The Parsippany community is mourning the loss of its longtime tax collector after he was found dead in his office this week.

On Wednesday morning, authorities found Terence Whalen, 59, of Brick Township, unresponsive in his office. He was later pronounced dead.

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Details on his death were not immediately available, but police said no foul play was suspected as of Thursday afternoon.

More: Parsippany Tax Collector Found Dead In Town Hall, Cops Say

Whalen has worked as Parsippany's tax collector since 2008, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was in charge of the township's Division of Collections, dealing with property tax bills, water and sewer billing, delinquent tax collections, and more.

Mayor Pulkit Desai called Whalen's death "a heartbreaking loss."

"He was a good man, a dedicated employee, and someone who spent many years serving our community alongside his colleagues and friends," Desai said. "There are people who quietly come to work every day, do their job, serve their community, and become part of the fabric of this Township. He was one of those people."

Born in Denville, Whalen lived in Rockaway before moving to Brick Township 31 years ago. He attended Morris Catholic High School before graduating from William Paterson University in Wayne.

According to his obituary, Whalen was an avid sports fan who enjoyed golfing, crabbing, and fishing, and, "to some surprise," Hallmark Christmas movies.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church in Brick. Interment will be private.

"My thoughts are first and foremost with his family, his loved ones, and his coworkers who are grieving this sudden loss," Desai said. "In Parsippany, we take care of each other. Tonight, one of our own is gone, and we mourn together."