Esparza Appointed Mayor In South Toms River

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — The South Toms River Borough Council has appointed Gidalty "Gigi" Esparza to serve as mayor for the remainder of 2022.

Esparza, who was sworn in Tuesday, was appointed to fill the post held by Gregory Handshy, who died Aug. 21.

Esparza, who served two terms on the Toms River Regional Board of Education as the representative from South Toms River, was one of three people whose names were submitted to the council by the South Toms River Democratic Club, Borough Clerk Jamie Jubert said. The council's vote was unanimous, Jubert said.

"I knew Greg; he was a great man," Esparza said Wednesday. "It's an honor to serve and continue his work."

Handshy was seeking re-election as mayor at the time of his death. He has been replaced on the ballot by Debra DiDonato, who will face off against Republican Oscar Cradle.

Handshy, 66, had been mayor of the borough since 2019, and served as a councilman for two separate terms before that. He has been named mayor emeritus, Borough Administrator Joseph Kostecki said.

A memorial service was held for Handshy on Sunday. He grew up in the Silverton section of Toms River and had lived in South Toms River for more than 30 years, according to his obituary. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a pipe fitter with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 9 in Englishtown, from his apprenticeship in 1977 until he retired in 2012.

"He was always thinking of what was best for the town he loved, was always ready to help a friend or fellow Democrat and he will be sorely missed," the Ocean County Democratic Club said on Facebook.

Note: This article has been updated with comment from Esparza.