“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell. 

“I will forever be grateful to Bill for the mentorship he showed me in my earliest years on the Passaic County Board of Commissioners, and for his friendship in every year after.

“Bill has been my family’s representative in Congress for nearly three decades and has been a force for good in New Jersey for even longer. A son of Paterson, Bill served in the Army for nine years before returning to his home state to teach. He served his students well before serving his community as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, as Mayor of Paterson, and finally as our representative in Congress. 

“To those of us who call Passaic County home, he will always be the sandlot player, who grew up to have a real shot at the big leagues, but chose New Jersey instead.

“Our heartfelt prayers are with his wife Elsie, their three children — Bill, David, and Glenn — and six grandchildren, during this difficult time.”