I want to take this time to talk about a man who has been a mentor for me to get involved in public life for the better of Hoboken. His name is Tom Mooney or as I always referred to him as Mr. Mooney.
On Monday evening, I was saddened to hear Mr. Mooney had passed away at the age of 92. For those that don’t know him, Mr. Mooney was a lifelong resident of Hoboken and was as former mayors described “Hoboken’s first newcomer.” He served on the Hoboken Planning Board for over fifty years, serving as chairman for nearly half of those years.
During his years on the board, Mr. Mooney witnessed the town he loves change drastically from an industrial neighborhood to the enriched community we all love. As a working Manhattan executive, Mr. Mooney loved his neighborhood so much, he decided to give back his time voluntarily.
I have had the honor and privilege to know Mr. Mooney the past ten years from when I was a teenager starting to get interested in public life to the candidate who’s running for my first city wide election. If I can be just one percent of the public servant Mr. Mooney was, I know Hoboken will be a better place. Hoboken has lost a true son, but hopefully Mr. Mooney will never be forgotten. I will miss him greatly.
Respectfully Yours,
Peter Biancamano