Edward F. Clark Jr., the first person to serve as Hudson County executive when the county executive form of government came into existence in 1978, has passed away at the age of 85.
Clark is credited with helping to issue in a reformed government after a corruption scandal brought down many high-profile officials in the early 1970s.
A strong promoter of honest government, Clark retired from government service after a coalition of Jersey City Democrats backed Robert Janiszewski in the 1987 Democratic Primary.
Although he lost in the countywide balloting, Clark carried Bayonne by almost 3,000 votes in that election, testifying to his popularity in his hometown.
“He was a consummate gentleman with a good old fashioned Irish wit.” – Bill O’Dea
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Clark was involved in various elected positions in Hudson County government since the 1960s, serving as a freeholder and freeholder director prior to serving as the first county executive.
Prior to that, Clark was involved in a private trucking business. Clark’s father, Edward F. Clark Sr., served as mayor of Bayonne prior to mayors Francis Fitzpatrick and Dennis Collins.
Clark Jr. was a close associate of Collins, and part of the political group that included Collins and Fitzpatrick.
“I met him when I was in high school and tutored his son in math. I got to work with him from 1985 to 1987, when he was county executive and I was councilman,” said Freeholder Chairman Bill O’Dea. “He was a consummate gentleman with a good old fashioned Irish wit. As county executive, he attended every freeholder meeting and answered the board and the public’s questions.”
“The passing of Edward F. Clark Jr. is to be considered an end of an era in the history of Hudson County,” said Robert Knapp. “I had the honor of serving Ed Clark since the late 1960s, both in an administrative and political capacity, and remained his friend. Ed was an icon in government. He left the county in a much better condition than when he started in the 1960s. His memory will live on and on.”
Dr. Joseph Ryan, spokesperson for the City of Bayonne, said Clark lived in Bayonne until the 1990s, after which he moved to the shore area.
“The family lives on West 46th Street, and attended St. Vincent’s Church,” Ryan said.
Knapp said Clark served as an usher at the Saturday evening masses.
“He was always telling us he had to get back to do the 6:30 p.m. mass,” Knapp recalled.
Although Clark passed away peacefully in his sleep, he did have an opportunity to see most of his friends during an 85th birthday celebration held in September at Angelica’s Restaurant in Sea Bright, N.J.
“Many of his friends and relatives were there,” Knapp said.