Eugene Carmody, who was Roselle Park’s Mayor from 1969 till 1978, passed away in Brick Township last night. He was 80 years old.
Mr. Carmody started out his public service as a First Ward Councilman before being elected to mayor. Besides being one of four Roselle Park mayors to get married while in office, Mr. Carmody was the head of the borough when Roselle Park’s Borough Seal was enacted in 1969 – his first year in office as mayor – as well as during the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. He served during the groundbreaking of the Hawthorne Detention Basin Flood Project and sponsored the Roselle Park Beautification Committee. One of his mayoral campaigns was to provide a lighting program for all of Roselle Park. He illuminated the borough with modern powerful mercury vapor lamps.
In 1979, after being elected into office the previous November, Mr. Carmody became a Union County Freeholder where he served until 1981. He was also an active member on the Board of Trustees for Union County College. Among other accomplishments, he was a member of the American Society of Personnel Administration, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), and the Mountainside Teachers Association as well as the School PTA.
Having graduated from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Mr. Carmody received a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University. He was the Department Chief of the Customer Planning Division for Western Electric in Kearny, New Jersey. He and his wife, Rosemary, shared a passion for skiing in Vermont.
“Eugene Carmody used to live behind me. Our families go back a long time,” recounted Roselle Park Mayor Carl Hokanson, “I recall him being the one to push for the Hawthorne Basin, or Lake Carmody as we used to call it. He was a great guy, a true Parker. It’s a sad day for Roselle Park.”
Former Mayor Joseph Accardi stated, “I never knew Eugene Carmody personally but he was certainly highly regarded and well-loved. I have great respect for him and I wish to pass on my sympathy to his family.”
Former Mayor Joseph DeIorio commented, “Eugene Carmody was a well-respected Mayor. He was well-loved by the community and respected from both sides of the aisle. I recall when I first was sworn into office, he sent me a personal written card and in it, advised me that the position of mayor is difficult and I would not be able to please all of the people but to focus on what’s best for Roselle Park.”
County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, who was also a Union County Freeholder and served with Mr. Carmody, shared her thoughts, “Gene was a gentleman and a completely dedicated public official. Not only did he serve as mayor in Roselle Park but he was a very effective Freeholder. He gave a great many years of diligent, responsible public service and he will be deeply missed.”
Mr. Carmody is survived by his wife Rosemary. Arrangements regarding final services for Mr. Carmody have not yet been announced. Memorial bunting has been placed outside Borough Hall in his honor.
Eugene Carmody
November 21, 1934 – March 24, 2015
(photographs courtesy of Patrica Butler and the Roselle Park Historical Society)
