NJ Leaders Remember DeCroce

As those in public office mourned the passing of State Assemblyman Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany), who died suddenly late Monday night at the Statehouse, many are offering their thoughts about the Assembly Republican Leader. Here is what some of them had to say:

• Parsippany Councilman Michael J. dePierro: Alex and I have been friends for over 35 years. I was saddened to hear about his passing. Alex was a good legislator ... always placing New Jersey's best interests first. My condolences go out to Betty Lou and the De Croce family. He will be missed.
• District 26 Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains): Today I mourn with deep sadness the loss of my friend and colleague Assemblyman Alex DeCroce. Alex was a tireless public servant who cared deeply for our great State, Morris County, and his beloved hometown of Parsippany. Over a career of public service spanning five decades, Alex displayed an extraordinary dignity and commitment to his constituents that was an example for everyone in public life. Alex was generous, compassionate, and smart, and those gifts and more allowed him to be a very effective and successful legislator. Quite simply, Alex DeCroce has left New Jersey a better place than he found it. So even as I grieve with and for his beloved wife BettyLou over Alex’s passing, I can’t help but celebrate his life, and be grateful and encouraged that I have been blessed to count Alex DeCroce as a mentor, leader, and friend.
• District 26 Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Pine Brook): It is with sadness that New Jersey awoke to the news that Assemblyman and Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce died suddenly last night. Alex was a dedicated public official, but importantly a caring and loving husband, father and grandfather. My condolences and prayers go out to Betty Lou, their children and grandchildren. Assemblyman DeCroce was a leader whose public dedication was taken from principled beliefs in an America that still offers the same opportunities today, as they were available for Alex. New Jersey has lost a leader and I have lost a friend.
• District 21 Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield): I am deeply saddened by the shocking and painful loss of Leader DeCroce. Alex became a close personal friend over the years, and I spent many hours by his side. He was a model statesman who led our caucus with grace and integrity. Alex was a mentor to many of us, and his wisdom and kindness made this state a better place. Our thoughts and prayers are with Betty Lou and the entire DeCroce family. We have lost one of our most dedicated public servants.
• Gov. Chris Christie, via Twitter: Late last night, I lost a dear friend, colleague, and mentor–Assembly Republican Leader Alex De Croce. I have known Alex for nearly twenty years. He helped to give me my start in elective politics in Morris County in 1993. Mary Pat and I offer our most heartfelt condolences to his wife, Betty Lou De Croce, and to Alex’s entire family. .
• Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R- Union): The New Jersey Legislature lost one of its own today, and with him, a great leader and public servant. ... Alex was a true leader for the Republican caucus in the Assembly, and was loved and respected by legislators of both chambers, on both sides of the aisle. He worked tirelessly for his constituents, for our party, and to make sure this institution never lost sight of who it was supposed to serve- the people of New Jersey. I knew Alex DeCroce long before my first term in the Assembly, and we forged a special bond as leaders of our respective caucuses. ... Alex DeCroce will leave a huge void in this institution and in the hearts of the loved ones he leaves behind. Read Kean's full statement here.
• Assembly Deputy Speaker John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex): New Jersey has lost a true public servant in Alex DeCroce. ... His passing leaves a great void in our Legislature and it is with immense sadness that I join my colleagues in offering my condolences to his wife, his family and to all who had the privilege of calling him a friend. Read Wisniewski's full statement here.
• Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-Union): Alex DeCroce was a great public servant dedicated to the people of New Jersey. His loss is unimaginable and tragic. It’s impossible to even picture the New Jersey General Assembly without having Alex DeCroce seated at his aisle desk advocating for his beliefs and constituents. ... My prayers and thoughts are with Alex’s friends and family at this difficult time. Read Cryan's full statement here.
• District 39 Assemblyman Robert Schroeder (R-Washington): I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my friend and colleague, Alex DeCroce. Alex was a dedicated public servant, respected statesman and gifted leader who served the State of New Jersey with honor and distinction. His knowledge, experience and good humor will be greatly missed. My prayers and thoughts are with Alex’s family during this difficult time.
• New Jersey Assembly Republicans, via their AssemblyNJ Twitter handle: Mourning our friend, boss and leader, Alex DeCroce.
• District 6 Senator Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch), via Twitter: The passing of Minority Leader DeCroce is loss to all NJ. He was a tireless public servant and I extend my condolences to his family.
• Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D- Metuchen), via Twitter: So sorry to learn of Assemblyman Alex DeCroce passing, Always kind to me as minority assemblywoman. Says a lot bout kind of person he was. Very decent human being.
• Senator Robert Menendez (D-North Bergen): Last night, New Jersey lost one of its most respected elder statesmen. Assemblyman Alex DeCroce was a model public servant, a dedicated leader who always brought civility and a smile to the legislative process. The people of New Jersey have lost a great man, but his legacy of leadership and service will be remembered for many years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Betty Lou, his family, friends, and the people of Morris County he represented so well for 23 years.
• Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11): I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Alex DeCroce’s passing. He has been my friend since I got out the Army in 1971 and first became involved in New Jersey politics. I was proud to serve with him as a Freeholder and in the New Jersey State Assembly. Alex was a mentor, a colleague, and a comrade. He and Betty Lou are wonderful partners in public service! My thoughts are with his family.
• Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ-8): On behalf of my family, I want to express my deepest condolences to Assemblyman DeCroce's family. Alex was a good man with whom I got along very well. He took courageous positions in the Assembly, but always treated everyone fairly. What you saw is what you got with Alex. He was a true patriot. He had many friends. This is a tragedy for his family, for those who worked with him in the State Legislature and all of us. We will miss him very, very much. May he rest in peace.
• District 12 Senator Jennifer Beck (R):Alex was a kind, generous, patient man who earned the respect of everyone he met. He was a public servant in the truest sense of the word and both New Jersey and Trenton lost a great leader. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Betty Lou DeCroce, and family. Read Beck's full statement here.
• District 40 Senator Kevin O’Toole (R): I am truly saddened to learn that my friend and mentor Alex DeCroce passed away last night. He truly loved New Jersey and from an early age dedicated his energy, his intellect and his spirit to serving the people of this State. I learned a lot on how to be an effective legislator, under Alex’s tutelage, during my tenure in the General Assembly as part of his leadership team. Read O'Toole's full statement here.
• Distict 23 Assemblymen John DiMaio (R-Hackettstown) and Erik Peterson (R-Franklin):We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce. His passing leaves a void in our hearts and in the organization that will be difficult to fill. As a leader, Assemblyman DeCroce took the time to encourage and guide the members of our caucus, offering wisdom and support to all. He brought sound reasoning and deep commitment to the people of the State of New Jersey. He will long be remembered for his many contributions to the community he proudly served.  The DeCroce family has lost a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather. His colleagues have lost a friend and mentor. The state has lost a gentleman and leader who served with dignity and distinction. Our deepest sympathies go out to the DeCroce family in their time of loss; we hope they find peace and comfort in the expressions of love being offered. 
• District 12 Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R): I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce. He was a great leader who worked tirelessly for our caucus and fought for the issues he believed in. On a personal note, Alex was my friend and an inspirational leader. Whether knocking on doors with me in my district or working with me on legislation he was generous with his time and effective in his leadership. He was a rare breed of politician who always led with kindness first. No matter how fierce the battle, he always remained a gentleman. I am a better Assemblywoman for having served with him.Alex DeCroce will be missed by all of us who served with him in the Legislature. My prayers and condolences go out to his wife Betty Lou, his family and his cherished grandchildren as they deal with this tragic loss.
• Assembly Republican Deputy Conference Leader Scott Rumana: Words cannot express the utter shock and sadness at the sudden passing of Leader DeCroce. Alex was, first and foremost, a loving, kind and generous family man. As a legislator, he fought for what he believed in, but he was always the ultimate gentleman. For me personally, I have lost a trusted friend. The sting of his passing will be felt for a very long time by our caucus and all those who knew and loved him. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Betty Lou, and his family.
• District 2 Assemblymen John Amodeo (R) and Vince Polistina (R): Alex’s sudden passing is a shock to both of us. Our prayers go out to his wife Betty Lou and his children and grandchildren. Alex cared deeply for the people of New Jersey and fought passionately for the ideals that he knew would improve the lives of everyone. The realities of the Legislative politics certainly challenged his efforts as our caucus leader, but he kept rallying the troops and kept fighting for what he believed in. He would not give up. Through his efforts, we were able to know Alex DeCroce, the man. Alex was an authentic gentleman who kept his character intact in an all-too often ungentle profession. He was generous to us with his time and advice. Alex was our mentor, our colleague, and our friend. We miss him deeply.
• District 2 Senator Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic City): Deeply saddened by the passing of Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
• District 11 Assemblyman David Rible: Our entire caucus will miss Alex deeply. He was a friend to everyone he met, from governor to custodian. Alex epitomized a tireless and selfless public servant–often running circles around legislators who were half his age. I learned how to be an Assemblyman because of Alex DeCroce. His generosity, leadership and public service made New Jersey a better place. I thank his family for allowing him to spend so much time serving the people of New Jersey and offer them my sincere condolences.
• District 16 Senator Kip Bateman (R-Branchburg): Alex DeCroce was a dear friend and long time colleague who I will truly miss. The State House just won't be the same without him, and the State of New Jersey is poorer for losing him. My sincerest condolences and prayers go to Betty Lou and the DeCroce family.
• District 16 Assemblyman Ciattarelli (R-Hillsborough): To say Alex DeCroce will be missed would be a huge understatement. Like many others, I will miss his mentorshipterribly. The best way to honor Alex's memory is to do what he would want most–serving the people of New Jersey in the way they expect and deserve.
• Westfield Councilman Keith Loughlin, via Twitter: Thoughts and prayers to the family of NJ GOP Leader Assemblyman Alex DeCroce and those he served with in the Legislature.
• Bridgewater Township Council President Matthew C. Moench, via Twitter: What a tragic loss.

For more on what local officials had to say about the passing of Alex DeCroce, click here.