“NORTH HUDSON COUNTY IS HIS UNION BUSINESS!!!” West New York native Thomas DeSocio has finally settled into his role as the New Jersey Education Association Representative as its Uni-Serve field officer and representative for all of North Hudson County’s municipalities. Mr. DeSocio’s field office is located in West New York on Boulevard East at the Versailles Building No. 6600, Region-19, Hudson County North.
With the retirement of former Uni-Serve Officer Frank Cocuzza, Tom DeSocio now has taken over all school districts in the area as the NJEA representative regarding union business and membership dues, and Member Rights within the jurisdiction and contractual agreements thereof! Among his school systems of jurisdiction is the Hudson County Schools of Technology, whose administrative offices are in North Bergen, but there are also centers in various other parts of Hudson County, and Mr. DeSocio oversees them too as their union representative.
Joseph Mantineo, also of West New York, is the president of the Hudson County Area Vocational-Technical Education Association, which is the specific union for the Hudson County Schools of Technology. Thomas DeSocio began his educational career as a West New York Memorial High School teacher in 1970 and retired in 1999 to become a UniServe Representative for NJEA. Prior to this he was a part time consultant to NJEA while at Memorial High School’s Association Local.
DeSocio achieved a Bachelor of Science degree from Alliance College in Pennsylvania. DeSocio also achieved a Master of Arts degree from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, N.J. in 1982.
Married to his lovely wife Nancy, they have three children, daughters Kristen and Leah, and a son Thomas II, who are all married. They also have five grandchildren named Tyler, Chandler, Aidan, Olivia, and Thomas III, who are all the apples of their eyes!!!
Nancy DeSocio is a legal secretary and is employed by several attorneys in Cliffside Park, N.J. Tommy DeSocio tell us that working now for NJEA has given him the opportunity to “help people,” which in turn “drives his passion for people,” namely the association membership!
Much of DeSocio’s professional time is spent at NJEA meetings throughout the state on legislative matters revolving school employees, employee training, legal training. And as for his own training, it never ceases!
As for leisure time aside from the NJEA, DeSocio has coached youth soccer and baseball for 12 years. However, he just loves to watch his grandchildren play soccer and other sports! He does try to get in some golf for himself when he has the time! DeSocio also tells us that he is a New York Yankees and New York Giants fan! As for traveling, DeSocio has visited parts of Europe and hopes to visit London, England one day! Thus, NJEA and family take up mainly all his time, and he enjoys it all immensely!!! Education in one’s own life never ceases, thus education is for life! Tommy, all the best!!…
Guttenberg’s living legend track star Brian Guashino tells us that he was guided by his mentor, retired North Bergen High School Track Coach Tom Muir, who guided Guaschino to become “all American!” It certainly is “an honor” to be remembered by a former student. Great going coach!!…
Former legendary retired Mayor Stanley Iacono and his lovely wife Anna Marie are both very proud of their grandson Michael Visaggio, a Fordham University sophomore, because he is now interning at the ABC-TV Channel 7, Good Morning America Show and is meeting many interesting celebrities there!
The former Weehawken Mayor Iacono also tells us that he is feeling better since having a recent bout with illness and that his grandson Michael has brightened his daily outlook with pride! Good going Stanley!!!…
The Hudson County Improvement Authority has recently created the “Our Hudson Home 16-Month Calendar for 2006/2007.” This calendar of art showcased some of our North Hudson County Schools students in recognition of their Annual HCIA Earth Day celebration! These student-artists were: Alexa Ruiz, Brandon Perez, Andres Orbe, and Nicole Perez of Union City’s Saint Francis Academy; and Yamilex Molina of Union City’s Robert Waters School. John L. Shinnick of Secaucus is the HCIA chairman. Richard Budinich, the assistant recycling coordinator of the HCIA, tells us that any North Hudson County resident in need of a calendar can contact him at (800) 540-0987, extension 219, and he will get one to them. Now, that is service to the people!!…
Former Union City Commissioner Tina Yandolino, founder of the Douglas P. Yandolino Memorial Association, Inc., tells us that on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006 that the organization will host their event at the LaReggia Restaurant in the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel in Secaucus. This will be their third annual Dinner Dance event, and proceeds will be going toward financial assistance to high school seniors who will be furthering their education going on to college! All interested parties can contact the organization by telephoning them at 201-865-5013. Have a successful evening!!…
And so it goes, until next time, see you around town. – MATT
P.S. Readers who would like to contribute to this column can mail news items and photographs with your name, address, and telephone number c/o Matthew Amato, columnist, The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, New Jersey 07030. Thank You!