Bill Pascrell Jr., the longtime Democratic Congressman representing the Paterson area, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87, according to his family.
A resident of Paterson and a former mayor, Pascrell was first elected to Congress in 1996 and had been a member of the House Ways and Means Committee since 2007. Known for his fiery personality, he embraced a reputation as a tenacious political fighter and valued his relationships with local law enforcement and first responders.
Pascrell was a staunch advocate for firefighters, successfully pushing for grants to benefit his district and initiating the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act of 2000, which created the only federal program that provides grants directly to fire departments nationwide.
Though Pascrell had been hospitalized for 24 days before his death, battling health issues that required breathing assistance, he had recently returned home from the hospital. After experiencing a medical setback in August, he was readmitted for care.
Under his leadership, the Great Falls of Paterson was designated a national historical park during Barack Obama’s presidency. He also co-chaired the Italian-American Congressional Delegation.
Pascrell’s family announced his passing on social media, expressing deep sorrow and stating, “Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved.” They highlighted his lifelong dedication to Paterson and his service to the nation.
During his congressional career, Pascrell won 14 elections, including a fierce primary in 2012 against fellow Democrat Steve Rothman, which he won with approximately 61% of the vote. Most recently, he faced a primary challenge in June from Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, which he won by a significant margin.
Before his congressional tenure, Pascrell served in the New Jersey State Assembly and was a mayor of Paterson. He was also a U.S. Army veteran, honorably discharged in 1967.
Pascrell’s early years in Paterson shaped his community-oriented approach to politics. He graduated from St. John the Baptist High School, where he was involved in various student activities. Later, he attended Fordham University, earning degrees in journalism and philosophy. He began his career as a high school history teacher before becoming active in local politics, ultimately leading to his election to Congress.
Pascrell is survived by his wife, Elsie, their three children, and five grandchildren.