SECAUCUS — Paul Amico, who served as the mayor of Secaucus for over two decades, died on Thursday. He was 103.
Amico was born in New York and moved to Secaucus as a young boy. He was the owner of Paul’s Diner up until he was 43 and decided to work in public service full time.
He was first elected mayor in 1964 and has been credited with turning Secaucus into a community oriented town separated from its commercial district.
Current Mayor Mike Gonnelli described Amico as being a man who was dedicated to serving Secaucus and did great planning to build the Meadowlands town.
“He was a great man,” Gonnelli said. “He was a great mayor.”
Since leaving office, the town has dedicated Paul Amico Way and a section of Secaucus High School in his honor. Gonnelli said he and the town council are planning to honor Amico is some capacity.
Following Gonnelli’s first term election, Amico wrote a letter to The Jersey Journal where he described the important or supporting elected leaders.
“We must do our part to support our leaders, both by our words and our actions,” he wrote in 2010. “Our goals should be for the betterment of our town, not ourselves. We must be patient, reasonable and honest in our demands of our government officials. And if we disagree, we can do so without being disagreeable.”
Amico leaves behind two stepsons, eight nieces and nephews, 10 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.
A wake will be held on Sunday and Monday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Mack Memorial Home in Secaucus. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the town’s fire department expected to participate in the procession.
Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
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