“Jack once said, ‘Being a Marine was the best thing I ever did, I had the honor to serve.’ Jack’s official military record may show five years of service, but we all know he served proudly and humbly for decades. He spent every day honoring the New Jerseyans who served our nation, as a respected voice for veterans and as the veterans’ liaison for Senator Joe Vitale, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez. We were honored to host him at Drumthwacket for the Marine Corps Birthday celebrations he helped organize.

“Our condolences are with Governor McGreevey and his sisters, Caroline and Sharon, and their families. I hope they find comfort in knowing that New Jersey shares in their loss. Jack so perfectly represented the selflessness of all who wear our nation’s uniforms — he put our nation above all and his fellow New Jerseyans before himself. We should all endeavor to be such an example.”