Dear Editor:
The political turmoil of the past few months obscured the passing of one of Hoboken’s beloved residents. John DePalma died on July 12 at the age of 59 after a long battle with an inoperable brain tumor. John had worked for the City since 1992, most recently as Deputy City Clerk.
His commitment to the civic life of the community knew no bounds. An avid collector of Hoboken memorabilia, he served as the second president of the Hoboken Historical Museum, as a member of the Museum’s Board, and as a member of the editorial committee of the Hoboken History Magazine. He was also an active member of the Hoboken Historic Preservation Commission.
But perhaps the role in which John touched the lives of most residents of the City was as president of the 6th Ward Block Association. In that role, he founded the Church Square Summer Concert Series, which he ran and organized for 22 years – as a volunteer!
John’s friends were legion, and I’m sure they all join me in expressing their condolences to his daughter Christina Lyon, his mother Loretta DePalma, and his former wife Claire McHale. A gentleman and a gentle man, his many friends will miss him.
Leonard Luizzi