Veteran Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. who represented the Paterson area in Congress for nearly three decades, died Wednesday. He was 87 years old.
Pascrell had recently had a 24-day hospitalization during which he needed what his staff said was “breathing assistance.
He was released, but then on Aug. 11 suffered a medical setback and was taken from a rehabilitation facility in Essex County to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
Pascrell’s family posted Wednesday on the congressman’s account on X, formerly called Twitter.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,” the family wrote. “As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved.
“Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served,” the family said. “He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America.”
He was first elected to Congress in 1996 and has served on the House Ways and Means Committee since 2007. He was very aggressive with his politics and he enjoyed many friendships with first responders.
The congressman was widely known for being an activist for first responders, especially firefighters. He worked to bring grants back to his district and led the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act of 2000.
By the time he died, Pascrell had garnered 14 congressional election victories. He faced a primary challenge this past June, but he easily shoved the Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah by winning 76% of the vote. Khairullah had been critical of Pascrell’s stance on the war between Israel and Hamas.
The congressman was going to face Republican Billy Prempeh of Paterson — whom he had beaten twice before — in the November general election.
Pascrell is survived by his wife, Elsie, three children and five grandchildren.
