Politics & Government
Hundreds Attend Funeral of South Brunswick Mayor
Mayor Frank Gambatese oversaw South Brunswick at a time of a population boom, and his top concerns were low taxes and public safety.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - More than 500 people attended funeral services Wednesday morning for South Brunswick Mayor Frank Gambatese, the longest-serving mayor in the Township's history.
Crowds of Township residents, police officers and other public servants crowded into St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church in Monmouth Junction, where a funeral mass was held at 10 a.m. Gambatese died unexpectedly Saturday at 81 after a short illness; however, he had spent the past few recent years battling heart issues and pneumonia.
Gambatese is remembered by many as a stand-out mayor.
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"He was very fair; he treated all the Township employees like they were his own family," Police Chief Raymond Hayducka told Patch. "He was very good to the police department. I always say every police department should have a mayor like Frank Gambatese. He was instrumental in getting us new vehicles, modern equipment and just keeping us contemporary as an agency."
As Patch reported, Gambatese and his wife Ellen originally came to South Brunswick to retire in 1992. But this former accountant and one-time mayor of Woodland Park couldn't help but be attracted back into municipal politics and the day-to-day running of a Township. Under Gambatese's 20 years in office, South Brunswick's population exploded. Gambatese was known to be aggressive on recruiting corporations to the Township for tax ratables.
Find out what's happening in South Brunswickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"He will always be remembered as a tireless advocate for not only the residents, but also to the business community," said Township spokesman Ron Schmalz. "He worked diligently to improve our community’s overall quality of life. The mayor will be truly missed. He was a true 'Town Father.'"
Gambatese's other main concern was keeping South Brunswick residents safe.
"He was a very hands-on mayor," said Chief Hayducka. "If there was an officer injured, he would call me. If there was a serious crime in town, he would call me. If a big storm was coming, he would call and ask if we needed anything. He was just a great mayor. He knew how to work with people."
Photos and video supplied by Azra Baig
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