State Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-25th Dist.) has died, his family said in a statement on Monday evening.
“It is with great sadness I share that Senator Tony Bucco suffered a major heart attack this morning at his home,” said family spokesman Michael DuHaime.
“He passed peacefully this evening with his family by his side at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville. The family kindly asks for privacy at this time.”
Bucco, who was 81, had been diagnosed with throat cancer in February.
In a political career spanning more than four decades, he served as mayor of Boonton, a Morris County Freeholder, a state assemblyman and, since 1998, as a state senator.
He had been appointed to the Assembly in 1995 to fill the unexpired term of Rodney Frelinghuysen, who was elected to Congress. In 1997, Bucco defeated state Sen. Gordon MacInnes, a one-term Democrat.
In his first GOP primary, Bucco and running mate Michael Patrick Carroll defeated then-Morris County Freeholder Chris Christie and three other candidates.
Bucco, a resident of Boonton Township, was president of Baker Titan Adhesives in Paterson. He was served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1957 to 1965.
His son, Anthony M. Bucco, represents the 25th District in his former Assembly seat. The district includes Morristown and Morris Township.
Noting Sen. Bucco’s 41 years of public service, Gov. Phil Murphy said:
“He took on issues small and large, including one of his last laws, to ensure that schoolchildren learned ways to prevent and escape sexual abuse, a bill I was proud to sign just two months ago,” Murphy said in a statement.
“A dedicated public servant and successful businessman, Senator Bucco brought a perspective and commitment to his work that elevated our public discourse,” the Governor said.
“On behalf of the entire Senate Republican caucus, I extend our condolences to all who knew and loved Tony Bucco. He was a great man and a great friend who will be sorely missed.”
New Jersey Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. also issued a statement:
“On behalf of the entire Senate Republican caucus, I extend our condolences to all who knew and loved Tony Bucco. He was a great man and a great friend who will be sorely missed.”
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon grew up in Boonton knowing Bucco.
“They say all politics are local and I always very much appreciated the way Sen. Tony Bucco honored his dedication to his family, his friends, and his neighbors. He was always very much a local man of honor,” the sheriff said in a statement.
State Senator and former Gov. Richard Codey said in a statement: “I had the pleasure of serving in the Legislature with Senator Bucco for many years, and always respected his hard work on behalf of his constituents.”
Bucco is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen Jayne.
This story has been updated to include remarks from Sheriff James Gannon.