NEWARK—Port Authority Police Officer John M. Cortazzo, a Montvale resident who died from a 9/11-related illness after his heroic efforts during the rescue and recovery mission at Ground Zero, will be honored at the Archdiocese of Newark’s 31st Annual Blue Mass on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will preside over the Mass, which will be attended by law enforcement officers of all faiths representing federal, state, county, and municipal departments and agencies. They will be joined by the families of the deceased being recognized as well as multiple police honor guard units, bagpipers, and drummers. Numerous community members — including several high-ranking public officials — will also be present to show their support.
“The Blue Mass is a reminder of the sacrifices police officers make, but it’s also a chance for the community to come together in prayer, reflection, and unity,” said Lt. Christopher Whiting of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, who is co-chairman of this year’s Blue Mass. “In a time when law enforcement faces numerous challenges, this event is an opportunity to bridge divides and reinforce the support that officers need, both spiritually and from the public. The Mass serves as a powerful reminder that the work they do impacts everyone, and they deserve our appreciation and respect year-round.”
This year’s Blue Mass will pay tribute to nine local police officers who died in the line of duty within the past few years, including many who succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses: New Jersey State Police Trooper Marcellus E. Bethea, Sayreville Police Capt. William Gawron, Elizabeth Police Sgt. Michael “Zini” Kurinzi, Port Authority Police Capt. Richard L. Ruiz Sr., Port Authority Police Captain John M. Collins, Port Authority Police Officer David J. Lee, Port Authority Police Officer Anthony J. Mezzacappa, Port Authority Police Officer John M. Cortazzo, and New Jersey Transit Police Inspector Robert Noble.
Additionally, Millburn Police Officer Luke Lyons and Fairfield Police Detective James Ciampi — two police officers who passed away outside of duty — will be recognized for their years of commitment to law enforcement.
“The officers being honored this year were individuals dedicated to their profession, embodying courage, selflessness, and a deep sense of duty,” Whiting said. “They always put the safety of others above their own, and they were highly respected within their departments and communities. Their passing is a profound loss, but their legacy of service and sacrifice will be remembered and celebrated during the Mass.”
Cortazzo, who developed blood cancer in 2005 as a result of spending countless hours at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks, succumbed in 2009. In 2017, he and Montvale officers Jeff Hanna and Jason Pierri, both of whom served as NYPD officers on 9/11, were honored at the borough’s Sept. 11 remembrance. The event, held around a piece of World Trade Center steel the borough had acquired that year, featured remarks by Mayor Michael Ghassali, who urged attendees to remember their sacrifices and the enduring American spirit.
For more information on the Blue Mass, contact Vincent Nardone and William Schievella at 1-800-427-7651 or bluemass@embarqmail.com.
The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. The Archdiocese has 211 parishes, 67 Catholic schools, and many missions and ministries. Hundreds of Masses are celebrated in more than a dozen languages each week. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, leads the Archdiocese with four auxiliary bishops. Together, they serve the northern New Jersey community through faith, education, and social services. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.