Former cop, teacher who served on Newark council for 28 years dies – NJ.com

Public officials are mourning the death of longtime Newark City Councilman Anthony Carrino, who represented the North Ward for 28 years.

Carrino was 79 when he passed away Sunday. He was the last Italian-American councilman on the governing body and dedicated his life to public service, working as a police officer and teacher.

“He was an independent voice on the council for 28 years who always looked out for the interests of the North Ward,” Anibal Ramos, North Ward Councilman, said in a public post on Sunday about Carrino’s passing.

Carrino sat on the council until 2002, when he was beaten by Hector Corchado, who became the ward’s first Latino councilman.

Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James called Carrino a “pit bull fighter” for his constituents.

“As councilmen we would often debate which had more grass and more homeowners, (the) Forest Hill section in the North Ward or the Weequahic Section in the South Ward. He was someone despite political differences you had to respect and like,” James said. “He tried to teach me to ride a motorcycle and I tried to teach him tennis, we both failed.”

A North Ward native, Carrino grew up on Parker Avenue, went to Newark Academy and Upsala College in East Orange. He eventually earned a master’s degree in education.

He taught at Barringer High School and later joined the Newark police ranks in 1968, juggling both jobs.

“He greatly influenced the development (of) the city as a councilman for 28 years, kept the city safe as a police officer, molded the lives of young athletes as a Barringer football coach and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of our residents through his civic association,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family.”

As his decades-long council tenure came to a close, Carrino told the Star-Ledger in 2002: “This is my life. I’m going to be doing the same thing I did as a councilman. Nothing is going to change in my life.”

Carrino eventually relocated to Bonita Springs, Florida. He leaves behind his wife, Ann Marie Carrino and four children.

Visitation will take place at the Leonardis Memorial Home at 210 Ridgedale Ave. in Florham Park on Thursday. The funeral mass begins at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover on Friday. In leui of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Alzheimer’s New Jersey.

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.

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