HUDSON COUNTY – Former Hudson County Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons died late Sunday night at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City at the age of 57. He had been hospitalized since last week.
A Hoboken native, Fitzgibbons worked in government for two decades before he decided to run for freeholder in 1993, a job in which he eventually served for 15 years.
Fitzgibbons became Hoboken’s recreation director at age 20 and was the Hoboken Democratic chairman twice — from 1994 to 1998 and then again in 2008.
Over the years, he also served as a trustee at the Jersey City Performing Arts Center in the Loew’s Theater.
A proponent of the arts and local tourism, Fitzgibbons pushed for funding for the Hoboken Museum and for restoration of the Hoboken YMCA, as well as for the Boys and Girls Club, improvements to Columbus Park, and the now-ongoing reconstruction of the 14th Street Viaduct.
Fitzgibbons was also recently renominated by Gov. Christopher Christie for a role on the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Fitzgibbons ran a local public relations firm and went to great lengths each summer to publicize the popular St. Ann’s Festival in western Hoboken.
Assemblyman Ruben J. Ramos (D – Hudson) released a statement on Monday morning:
“Maurice was like family to me, but more so than anything, he was a mentor and a true guide. Maurice’s reputation as a freeholder extends far outside our city’s limits. Since I was elected to the Assembly, I haven’t met anyone in the State House who hasn’t experienced Maurice’s random acts of kindness and generosity. His loss is one that will ring throughout the state. Maurice … fought relentlessly for the city of Hoboken.”
Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer expressed her condolences to the family and friends of Fitzgibbons on behalf of the city of Hoboken. Among family members, Fitzgibbons was the brother of longtime city housing inspector Jude Fitzgibbons.
Zimmer said of Fitzgibbons, “He was a strong advocate of the arts, with a long history of service to our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Freeholder Anthony Romano said it was an honor to succeed Fitzgibbons in office. Romano was elected in 2008 after Fitzgibbons surprisingly decided not to seek another term as freeholder.
“Maurice was a big influence in Hoboken all of his life,” Romano said on Monday morning. “He was always thinking of the people of Hudson County.”
Funeral arrangements had yet to be made as of Monday morning, but watch hudsonreporter.com for updates.
Former county freeholder, Democratic leader Maurice Fitzgibbons dies at 57
