TRENTON—New Jersey’s second-longest- serving legislator, and the longest-serving GOP lawmaker in state history, Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen), D.D.S., died on Saturday, Feb. 20 after a brief illness.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Cardinale went on to become a respected public servant, successful dentist, and accomplished businessman.
He died, in the final year of his 12th term, at Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood. His illness was not related to the coronavirus, according to the Senate Republican Office.
Gov. Phil Murphy on Feb. 21 ordered that the U.S. and New Jersey flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities in recognition of the loss.
“Tammy and I were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Sen. Gerry Cardinale, a true public servant,” Murphy said. “Sen. Cardinale’s 54-year record of public service to the state of New Jersey speaks to the level of trust his constituents placed in him. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Legislature.”
He said, “All flags will be lowered to half-staff on Monday when the Senate returns to session.”
Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, who was preparing to make her own run for the state Senate this year, issued a statement:
“It is with deep sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of my friend and longtime colleague Sen. Gerald Cardinale who had been battling an illness.”
She said, “Gerry was a well respected and revered senator for nearly 40 years, fighting for our community and working to make New Jersey a better place to live, work, and retire. I was fortunate to work with him for nearly a decade and will miss his friendship and principled leadership in Trenton.”
She added, “We have lost an icon in our state. Paul and I and our entire family send our love and support to his family, especially his wife Carol and children, during this difficult time.”
And Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said, “Our Senate Republican family is deeply saddened by the passing of our longest serving member, Sen. Gerald Cardinale.
“Gerry, the dean of our caucus, was a trusted voice in the Senate for nearly four decades. Generations of Republicans and Democrats who served alongside him in the Legislature were guided by his sage advice. We are all better legislators for having served with him.
“Please join us today in praying for Gerry and his family. Rest in peace, Senator, and thank you for everything you have done for New Jersey.”
A life of service
Cardinale attended Brooklyn Prep, graduated with a BS in Chemistry from St. John’s University College, and completed his education at the New York University College of Dentistry. Since 1959, Cardinale practiced dentistry with office in Fort Lee.
As a small businessman in the real estate industry, Cardinale built the first multi-floor office building in Fort Lee as well as Cardinale Square, which is now Fort Lee Plaza.
Cardinale’s true calling in life though was service to community, and he dedicated his life to civic and social causes.
An active resident of Demarest, he was elected to and served on the Board of Education from 1967 to 1973, including as president in 1969 and 1970.
From 1975 to 1978, he served as mayor of Demarest where he established a senior citizen center in the historic Demarest railroad station, which he was instrumental in preserving.
A former trustee of the Regional Mental Health Center in Dumont, Sen. Cardinale helped establish a program for the frail elderly, which continues to flourish today. As a philanthropist, he contributed to and helped raise funds for the Boy Scouts, the Heart Fund, Bergen County Women Against Rape, Shelter Our Sisters, Save Our Sisters, and the John Harms Center for the Arts. He was active in the ARC of Bergen & Passaic Counties, and was the co-founder of the Bergen County Task Force on Sexual Abuse of Children.
Cardinale served in the State Assembly from 1980 to 1982. During his first year, the casino industry and Byrne administration were rocked by the federal government’s ABSCAM investigation.
As a freshman assemblyman, Cardinale led the fight for casino reform legislation; he was the prime sponsor of twelve casino reform bills, which were voted into law, keeping the casinos in Atlantic City free of political manipulation and mob influence.
Cardinale was elected to the State Senate in 1981 and was re-elected nine times. He was a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee. He was also a member of the State House Commission and the Legislative Oversight Committee.
During his lengthy tenure, he served on the Senate Bioethics Committee and the Port Authority In-Lieu-of-Tax-Payment Study Commission. He was a delegate to four Republican National Conventions and was a candidate for governor in 1989.
Cardinale’s advocacy for women, children, and the family was the hallmark of his long and distinguished legislative career.
He co-sponsored Joan’s Law in the late 1990s and conceived and co-prime sponsored Megan’s Law, establishing the model for other state and national laws. In 2001, his bill requiring parental consent prior to children being subjected to surveys in public schools became law. In 2002, he saw the passage of his of his Stress Abstinence in Sex Education Bill.
More recently, his bill establishing involuntary commitment to outpatient treatment for persons in need of such treatment was passed into law, benefiting the thousands of individuals and families struggling with psychiatric issues.
Cardinale was recognized for his leadership in sponsoring major tort reform overhauls that included limitations on product liability and punitive damages. His Affidavit of Merit requirement in malpractice suits was one of the first in the nation.
Cardinale sponsored a series of bills which became law enabling small business and affinity groups to obtain health insurance coverage at favorable rates. HMOs must now allow consumers to have their prescriptions filled at the pharmacy of their choice as a result of his legislation.
His tax law for Mutual Money Market Funds encouraged back office operations of major stock brokers and money managers to relocate in New Jersey.
Cardinale received more than 70 Legislator of the Year or similar awards from state and national groups in recognition of his exemplary service to the people of New Jersey.
Despite his many professional accolades and accomplishments, Cardinale was most proud of his family. He and his wife Carole (née Petrullo) married in 1959 and together raised five children: Marisa and her partner Linda; Christine; Kara; Gary and his wife Kirsty; and, Nicole. They also have four grandchildren: Sebastian, Allegra, Tamara, and Chloe.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at Mt. Carmel R.C. Church, Tenafly. Interment followed at historic Brookside Cemetery in Englewood.