JERSEY CITY — Eileen Gaughan, 42, daughter of former Jersey City councilman Bill Gaughan, died as result of being struck by a car in Wall Township on August 18. She was apparently struck when trying to cross a highway, officials said.
Eileen is a former assistant director the Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs, and chairperson for the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority. Her father, Bill, serves as chief of staff for County Executive Tom DeGise.
“We were shocked,” DeGise said. “We worked closely. She was very talented and loyal to me and to the county. She loved what she was doing.”
During her stint with the county Department of Cultural Affairs, she ran the county music series that took place in the Brennan Court House.
“That was Beanie’s protection,” DeGise said. “She booked the talent, dealt with the agents, made all the travel arrangements. If they needed a place to stay while in the New York area, she arranged it. They needed a place to eat, she found it for them. They loved her, and this is the reason why some them came back for repeat performances. She loved doing it. She was an artist at heart.”
DeGise said Eileen was like a member of his family.
“We are one big family here, and we’ve lost one of our own,” he said. “Billy and I used to talk a lot about the greatness and problems of having two daughters. She was Billy’s little girl. I can’t imagine the pain that he and his family must be going through. But we’re going to make sure that we help the Gaughan family through this.”
“Eileen was a special person and a friend,” said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
For more, see this weekend’s Jersey City Reporter.
Our Digital Archive from 2000 – 2016
