South Brunswick Mayor, 55, Dies After 1 Year In Office

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick Mayor Chris Killmurray passed away Sunday morning at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 55 years old. He died just one year after succeeding Mayor Frank Gambatese, who was the longest-serving mayor in South Brunswick's history.

According to Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic, Mayor Killmurray lived a life of public service. He was first elected as a Councilman in 2003, serving until when he was appointed last April to become Mayor to finish Mayor Gambatese's term.

He was elected by the residents of South Brunswick five times to serve on the governing body.

"Mayor Killmurray fully embraced the significance of public service as a true calling and profoundly affected the lives of many South Brunswick residents," according to a statement from the South Brunswick police. "He was a passionate advocate for the South Brunswick Township Library where he served on its Board of Trustees. He was a long-time member of the Woodbridge Irish-American Association as well as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Monsignor Cream Division No. 1 in Hamilton, and the St. Cecilia Knights of Columbus, Council No. 7046. He served as Pro Bono Legal Counsel for The Central Jersey Boy Scouts – Joyce Kilmer District, and volunteered as a religious education teacher for St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church in Monmouth Junction. He was also a member of VFW Post 9111 in Kendall Park Men’s Auxiliary."

Mayor Killmurray was a graduate of Rutgers University Camden School of Law and was a partner in the law firm of Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas in the firm’s Employment and Civil Rights Litigation Section, handling cases statewide with an emphasis on defense of public entities and their employees.

He was named the 2011 Irishman of the Year by the Central Jersey Police Emerald Society.

He was also the recipient of the 2016 Professional Lawyer of the Year Award. This award is given annually to lawyers from Bar Associations across the state who, by virtue of their conduct, competence and demeanor, set a positive example for others in the profession.

Killmurray is survived by his wife Karen and four children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Photo provided by the South Brunswick Police Dept.