Statement from Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. about the passing of retired Prudential President/CEO Arthur Ryan:

“I am truly saddened about the passing of Art Ryan. As President and CEO of Prudential, he understood the impact that businesses could have in the community and was a tremendous corporate partner and neighbor. Even in retirement, he remained active and continued giving back. Art loved Newark and Essex County. He helped bring the Prudential Center to Newark’s downtown, he was the first person to step in and sponsor an animal exhibit when we started to turn things around at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and, with his wife Pat, was a strong supporter of everything we did to revitalize Essex County Branch Brook Park. Art was a close personal friend who I relied on for guidance and counsel and his unexpected passing leaves a void in our community. I will miss him greatly. My deepest condolences go out to his family.”