Commissioner Theresa Ferraro passes away

North Bergen Public Safety Commissioner Theresa Ferraro, who served the people of North Bergen as an elected official since 1999 and as a community leader for decades, has passed away at the age of 90. Ferraro also served as chairperson of the North Bergen Housing Authority Board of Trustees and was a successful business owner.
Ferraro enjoyed a groundbreaking, illustrious career serving the people of North Bergen. The first woman elected as a township commissioner in 1999, Ferraro was also the first woman to head the North Bergen Police Department as Public Safety Commissioner, leading it to become one of the most effective and diverse police units in the state. She was also an advocate for senior citizens, supporting many important programs and initiatives like North Bergen’s Senior Citizen’s Picnic and other activities.
In North Bergen’s form of government, five people are elected to the Board of Commissioners, and they pick a mayor from among themselves. The others get a department to oversee on a part-time basis.
In addition to her role as a commissioner, Ferraro was a trailblazer in business as the owner of the James Nolan Insurance Agency in the township, which she purchased in 1964 and operated with her son Anthony. She was an active member of the North Bergen Democratic Committee for over 30 years and was awarded for her public service last year by Hudson County’s Women of Character, Courage and Commitment Awards. She was named Hudson County Senior of the Year in 1995, and in 2001 the Theresa V. Ferraro Senior Citizen Building was named in her honor.

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“North Bergen is a safer, better place because of Theresa Ferraro’s leadership and we are all incredibly saddened to have to say goodbye to her today.” –Nicholas Sacco.
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Speaking to the Hudson Reporter last year about her position on the Housing Authority, Ferraro said, “I remember when I first got the position I said to my mother, ‘I don’t know what this is all about.’ She says to me, ‘Always remember, treat those people as you would treat me. Do all you can to help them.’ And that’s what I did.”
Ferraro suffered a fall several months ago and was subsequently absent from public view as she recuperated. It was announced that she would retire from her commissioner role in May after serving out her term and would not seek reelection.
She passed away on Tuesday, March 17.
“North Bergen is a safer, better place because of Theresa Ferraro’s leadership and we are all incredibly saddened to have to say goodbye to her today,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “She leaves behind an incredible legacy and we will always remember Theresa’s tenacity, her pride in North Bergen and her love of her family and the community she served for so long.”
Funeral services for Commissioner Ferraro are as follows:
Visitation at the Vainieri Funeral Home, 5923 Kennedy Blvd. in North Bergen on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22. Hours: 2 – 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. Monday the funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m. for visitors that want to pay their respects before working hours.
A funeral mass will be offered on Monday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 81st Street and Kennedy Boulevard. Burial will be at the Grove Church Cemetery, 46st Street, North Bergen.

Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.