PATERSON – Since his death a week ago, Bill Pascrell Jr. has been described as just an “average guy” – an ordinary guy.
He was the type who drove himself around – odd for a member of Congress – who never “migrated’ from his home city of Paterson and who enjoyed “having a pint” in working class bars.
All that was true, but today, the long-time congressman got quite the un-ordinary sendoff.
His funeral Mass in the historic and awe-inspiring Cathedral of St. John the Baptist included a color guard, bagpipers who played Amazing Grace and an overflow crowd. Yes, many were average folk.
But there were many luminaries who came to pay tribute to the guy from Ninth Avenue in Paterson.
There was Gov. Phil Murphy. And a former governor, James McGreevey.
There were an array of local elected officials and many members of the state’s congressional delegation from both parties.
Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader was there, as was Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker.
In a brief conversation afterwards, Pelosi said there was no question she would be there.
“Oh my God, he was a friend for decades,” Pelosi said.
In one of a number of eulogies, Pascrell, who was 87 when he passed, was described as a “man of the fifties.” Born in 1937, Pascrell went to high school and college – Fordham University – in the 1950’s.
That description may have struck some as a bit odd. Pascrell was one of the most liberal members of the House, a political trait not necessarily associated with the fifties and the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower.
But it wasn’t that simple.
The point was that the 1950’s were an era of optimism. America had won the world war and now it was time to settle down, and raise a family. Hence, the Baby Boom generation. The nation was expanding too, among other things, beginning to build the interstate highway system.
The message here was that Pascrell shared that optimism and what was more important, carried it with him all his life. Which is why he saw the good in people and had no trouble interacting with and building trust with those with whom he disagreed politically.
That paid dividends.
Paterson’s Great Falls are now a national park because of Pascrell’s work. And by the way, it was mentioned that the falls “are roaring today.”
Like all successful politicians, Pascrell liked to joke.
And on this day. Monsignor Geno Sylva had a joke – or at least an observation – of his own to offer.
He said he was recently told that Route 19, which cuts through Paterson, was named the William Pascrell highway a few years ago.
The monsignor said he didn’t know that, because there is no sign on the roadway saying as much.
As noted, Gov. Murphy was in attendance, so that will probably change.
The larger point was that Pascrell was a public servant who did his job.
He did not need recognition.
But he got it today. When the Mass ended, a cavalcade of police vehicles led Pascrell’s coffin to its resting place in a Totowa cemetery.
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After years of providing insightful commentary and analysis on New Jersey politics, Insider NJ is bidding farewell to one of its most beloved contributors, ‘an Average Guy.’ Known for his unique perspective and down-to-earth approach, ‘an Average Guy’ has been a staple of the Insider NJ team for many years, offering readers a refreshing take on the often complex world of New Jersey politics.
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