N.J. Sen. Gerald Cardinale dies at 86 following brief illness, officials say – NJ.com

State Sen. Gerald Cardinale, the second-longest-serving state lawmaker in New Jersey history and a revered leader in the state’s Republican Party, died Saturday morning at age 86.

The Bergen County legislator — who was in the final year of his 12th term — died at Pascack Valley Hospital after a brief illness, not related to the coronavirus, the Senate Republican Office said.

Cardinale represented North Jersey’s 39th legislative district for 42 years, first in the state Assembly and then the Senate. He was a longtime member of the Senate’s influential judiciary committee.

Only state Sen. Richard Codey, D-Essex, has served longer in the New Jersey Legislature.

”Gerry was one of the best politicians I’ve ever seen,” Assemblyman Robert Auth, R-Bergen, said. “There was never a hand he did not want to shake, a door he did not want to knock on, or a train station where he did not want to greet commuters with a smile.”

“He was my mentor and close friend,” Auth added. “It will be a long time before we see another public servant like Gerry Cardinale who had guts, commitment and passion for his constituents.”

Gov. Phil Murphy said all state flags will be lowered to half-staff in Cardinale’s honor when the Senate reconvenes in Trenton on Monday.

“Senator Cardinale’s 54-year record of public service to the state of New Jersey speaks to the level of trust his constituents placed in him,” said Murphy, a Democrat.

Codey said he fondly remembered working with Cardinale for decades.

“We never had issues,” Codey told NJ Advance Media. “We didn’t care what party we belonged to. I admired the guy. He was still working.”

“He lived up to his word. He always told me he no intention of resigning,” Codey added with a laugh.

Cardinale was born in New York City in 1934 and received a chemistry degree from St. John’s University and then a degree from the New York University College of Dentistry in 1959. He was dentist by profession.

Cardinale entered politics as a member of the Demarest school board in 1967 and served as the borough’s mayor. from 1975-79. He was elected to the Assembly in 1979 and moved up to the the Senate in 1981 after one term in the lower house.

He ran for the Republican nomination form governor in 1989 and U.S. House in 2002 but lost both times in the primary.

State Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, called Cardinale ”the dean” of the Republican Senate caucus.

”Generations of Republicans and Democrats who served alongside him in the Legislature were guided by his sage advice,“ Kean said. “We are all better legislators for having served with him.”

Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor this year, said Cardinale’s “life of public service is legendary and his impact on our state has been profound.“

Former state Sen. Raymond Lesniak remembered working with Cardinale for more than two decades on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Despite differences in policy, I found Senator Cardinale always well prepared and intentioned,” the Union County Democrat told NJ Advance Media.

Cardinale is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carole Cardinale, and five children.

Cardinale was planning to run for a 13th term this year and was expected to face a Republican primary challenge from Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, his district mate.

It is now up to local Republicans to choose a replacement for Cardinale in the Senate until November’s election.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.