Brendan Byrne Tribute In West Orange; Former Gov. Remembered Fondly

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Political luminaries, friends and West Orange Township community members gathered at Thomas Edison National Historical Park (TENHP) on Aug. 15 to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of native son Governor Brendan Byrne.

West Orange Township Mayor Susan McCartney organized the celebratory event with support from TENHP, the Downtown West Orange Alliance, Friends of Edison, the West Orange Public Library, and several local vendors.

Attendees and speakers included Byrne’s widow Ruth, former Govs. Christine Whitman and Richard Codey, Sen. John McKeon, former Congressman Leonard Lance, family friend Jenny Newman, former NJDEP commissioner Chris Daggett, Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr., Mayor McCartney, and councilperson Michelle Casalino, who read an excerpt from “New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne: The Man Who Couldn’t Be Bought,” by Donald Linky, chronicling Byrne’s incredible legacy as Governor from 1974-1982. TENHP Superintendent Tom Ross and Mayor McCartney welcomed attendees as the ceremony began, and Rich Silivanch of the Friends of Edison served as emcee.

It was clear that Byrne was beloved not only by New Jersey Democrats, but by Republicans as well.

“I will always remember his sense of humor,” noted Gov. Christie Whitman.

In mentioning the Pinelands Preservation Act, she said, “Gov. Byrne cared about the whole state. He didn’t care if you were a democrat or republican. He just wanted to do his best for the State of NJ.”

“He would have loved this,” she continued, “and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude.”

Born April 1, 1924, Byrne lived on Prospect Place with his parents, Francis and Genevieve, and four brothers and sisters. He attended Washington Elementary School, Gaston Street Middle School, and West Orange High School, where he was president of the student council and the debate team. After graduating in 1942, Byrne attended Seton Hall University for a year before joining the United States Army and serving as a B-17 navigator until 1945.

Congressman Leonard Lance shared tales of Byrne during WWII, and his humility in preferring to elevate other soldiers’ exploits over his own. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal.

After studying law at Princeton and Harvard, Byrne began his career as a private attorney in Newark and East Orange. His political career took hold in 1955 when he was appointed Assistant Counsel to Gov. Richard Meyner. He went on to serve as Essex County Prosecutor and head of the NJ Public Utilities Commission. He was appointed a Superior Court judge until he resigned in 1973 to run for governor of New Jersey.

“Brendan Byrne was my hero,” explained Sen. McKeon, whose political mentorship started with Byrne.

Running under the campaign moniker “the man who couldn’t be bought,” Byrne was instrumental during his two terms in preserving the Pinelands, bringing professional sports to the state, and overseeing the development of Atlantic City gambling casinos. He returned to private life and continued his law practice, and became a columnist for the Star Ledger along with former NJ governor Thomas Keane.

Brendan Byrne fell ill and passed away on Jan. 4, 2018, in Livingston, NJ.

Mayor McCartney and Ruth Byrne unveiled the memorial marker honoring Byrne, which will be placed near Prospect Place.

“Brendan loved West Orange,” said Mrs. Byrne as they displayed the memorial marker, “and he would be so proud.”

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