Peter Shapiro has Died – Insider NJ

From The New York Times: Peter Shapiro, who as a 23-year-old insurgent was the youngest person ever elected to the New Jersey General Assembly and who later became the first Essex County executive, died on Thursday at his home in South Orange, N.J. He was 71.

The cause was respiratory failure after long being treated for lung disease, his wife, Bryna Linett, said.

As a young assemblyman, Mr. Shapiro helped streamline the way local government worked after successfully campaigning in 1977 for a charter change that coupled Essex County’s nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders (now the Board of County Commissioners) with a strong county executive in what was the state’s most populous county, which includes Newark.

A statement from Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo:

“I am greatly saddened that Peter Shapiro, the first person to serve as Essex County Executive (1979-1987), passed away on March 28. Peter helped steer Essex County down a better path after the change in government and was a role model and close personal friend of mine. I worked for him when he served as Executive and leaned on him for advice and guidance when I was first elected to the position. Peter was gentleman who always had the best interests of Essex County, even after he left office. My heart and prayers go out to his family.”

In 1985, Mr. Shapiro – a Democrat – ran unsuccessfully for governor against incumbent Gov. Tom Kean, Sr.

Take a look at Mr. Shapiro in his prime, impeccable at a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill HERE.

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