Bill Pascrell Jr., the spirited and devoted congressman from New Jersey, passed away in 2024 at the age of 87, leaving a profound legacy of public service and passion for his community. Born and raised in Paterson, Pascrell embodied the resilient spirit of his hometown throughout his life, from his early days as a public school teacher to his tenure as mayor and later as a 14-term representative in Congress.
Pascrell was known for his fiery speeches, dedication to working-class families, and advocacy for his district, which included diverse communities in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties. A champion of healthcare reform, labor rights, and veterans' services, he also played a key role in restoring the state and local tax deductions that benefited New Jersey families. His ability to bridge divides and tackle contentious issues earned him respect on both sides of the aisle.
Beyond politics, Pascrell was a proud veteran, a lifelong baseball enthusiast, and a steadfast supporter of public education. His vibrant personality and unwavering commitment to service endeared him to his constituents and colleagues alike. His passing marks not just the loss of a leader, but also the loss of a steadfast advocate for the people of New Jersey and the values of community and perseverance.
Bill was a longtime supporter of Passaic County Community College and the Poetry Center and a friend of Maria Gillan. Maria says:
Bill Pascrell was the longest serving member of the House of Representatives when he left us in August. Previous to his time in Washington, DC, he served as the mayor of Patterson for many years and also as representative in the New New Jersey state legislature. Clearly, he led a lifetime of service to the people of Paterson, NJ and the country.
But when I think of him, my first thoughts are about his enthusiastic support for The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College in his beloved Paterson.
A few years ago when we had the 40th anniversary celebration for the Center, we invited him to speak. He came to the Hamilton Club and spoke about what the Center means to the city and region and how it is known far beyond New Jersey. He also surprised us by reading a poem of his own.
In his role in the legislature, he was fearless and spoke truth to power, and gave a feisty defense of the poor and the middle class. He never forgot where he came from. In the past few decades, he worked tirelessly to have the the Great Falls named a National Historic Park and to restore historic Hinchcliffe Stadium. Gratefully, he succeeded at both of those enormous projects before his passing.
Bill, we will never stop being grateful for all that you did for us and for the country.
Archive photo of Pascrell and Gillan with Allen Ginsberg to the left
talking with students at an event at The Poetry Center
Maria Mazziotti Gillan's newest poetry collection is When the Stars Were Still Visible (2021). Other recent publications are the poetry and photography collection, Paterson Light and Shadow, and the poetry collections What Blooms in Winter and The Girls in the Chartreuse Jackets, a pairing of her poems with her paintings.
Maria's artist website is MariaMazziottiGillan.com and her poetry website is MariaGillan.com.