NA MAYOR JOSEPH BIANCHI PASSES AT THE AGE OF 77

North Arlington Mayor Joseph Bianchi Passes at the age of 77

Five Decades of Public Service as a Volunteer Firefighter, Planning Board Member, Councilman and Mayor

Mayor Joseph Bianchi at a ground breaking ceremony for Kearny Bank

North Arlington lost Mayor Joseph Bianchi Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.

His passing was met with shock and sadness by friends, neighbors, colleagues, constituents and residents alike.

A life-long resident and 53-year businessman with a hair salon on Ridge Road, Bianchi spent a lifetime serving North Arlington.

“Joe was well-liked and respected by all. He cared about our community and his service is the standard for others to follow,” offered one resident upon hearing of his untimely passing.

Local Democrats were stunned by his death and called upon the community to remember his dedication to North Arlington as the standard those should admire and emulate.

“This is a sad day for North Arlington and my deepest condolences go out to his family for all that the Mayor did to make North Arlington the special place it is today,” Councilman Mark Yampaglia, who has served with Bianchi on and off since 2008.

Bianchi who ran for councilman in 2006 ran again in 2007 and was reelected in 2010 and again in 2013. He became mayor four years ago when he defeated former mayor Peter Massa. Massa and Bianchi had a strong and cordial relationship that extended beyond politics and government.

“North Arlington is a small town and individuals like Mayor Bianchi and Pete Massa represent the best of that tradition of public service,” said one resident when asked to comment.

Details as of this writing have not been released and NA Today will continue to cover this story once new information becomes available.