Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce died at the Staehouse on Monday night. Reaction to his death has been swift from Trenton lawmakers.

Governor Chris Christie

Chris Christie & Alec DeCroce
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“I lost a dear friend, colleague, and mentor – Assembly Republican Leader Alex De Croce. I have known Alex for nearly twenty years. He helped to give me my start in elective politics in Morris County in 1993. He was one of the most kind, considerate, and trustworthy people I have ever had the pleasure to know. He was an enormously accomplished legislator and a tremendous servant to the people of New Jersey. Mary Pat and I offer our most heartfelt condolences to his wife, Department of Community Affairs Deputy Commissioner Betty Lou de Croce, and to Alex’s entire family. This is an enormous loss for our state and for me personally.”

Senate President Steve Sweeney:

Senator Steve Sweeney
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"Alex DeCroce was a good man, a good leader, a good legislator and an outstanding New Jerseyan.

Alex was always willing to meet on the issues important to us all, and despite our political differences, he always approached the work before us with resolve and good humor. We may have had disagreements, but we did not have arguments.

"Just last evening, I had the pleasure of working with Alex on legislation important to us all. Without his help, passing these bills would not have been possible. I am grateful that I had this chance to work alongside him on issues that will benefit our state for years to come.

"Many senators, having worked directly with Leader DeCroce on legislation or having started their State House careers in the Assembly, knew Alex as a kind and caring family man who dedicated his public life to serving his constituents. And that is how we will remember him. His death is as much a loss to the Legislature as an institution as it is a loss to us individually and personally."

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen

Loretta Weinberg (D)
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It’s with great sadness that we mark the passing of our friend and colleague, Assemblyman Alex DeCroce. His commitment to public service was unquestionable, and, though we weren’t always on the same side on all the issues, when we disagreed, it was always respectful.

I first met Alex and his wife BettyLou while working with her on issues involving advocacy for the victims of crime. We were more than just Legislative colleagues – we were friends. I am absolutely stunned and saddened by his passing.

This is an unimaginable loss for the State of New Jersey, for the people of Alex’s district, but mostly for the DeCroce family. My thoughts and prayers go out to them at this time.

 

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno

Kim Guagagno
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The sudden passing of Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce is a great and profound loss for New Jersey. Republican Leader DeCroce was a gentleman who was well liked and respected by all who were fortunate to know him.

He was a mentor for all women who wanted to serve in elected office, including to me when I ran for sheriff and again as I ran for lieutenant governor.

His disarming smile, his compassion and his dedication to the people of Morris County and the entire state will be sorely missed.

Alex, his wife Betty Lou, and his entire family are in my thoughts.

Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa

As Chief Counsel to the Governor, I had the opportunity to work very closely with Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce. I was consistently impressed with his character, leadership and absolute dedication to the people of New Jersey. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family.

Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic) and Assembly Majority Leader-elect Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden)

Sheila Oliver
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The Assembly and the state of New Jersey has been struck by a terrible and shocking loss. Alex DeCroce was a friend, colleague and leader. He was a dedicated public servant. He was a true New Jerseyan.

He was always someone ready with a handshake and a laugh, no matter the circumstance, and his devotion to the people of New Jersey was unwavering.

The Assembly has lost one of its great institutions. His absence will never be filled.

We are saddened beyond words. We grieve his loss and know that the prayers and condolences of the entire New Jersey General Assembly are with his friends and family.

 

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union)

Tom Kean
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The New Jersey Legislature lost one of its own today, and with him, a great leader and public servant. Assemblyman Alex DeCroce passed away while serving the people of New Jersey shortly after adjournment of the 2010-2011 legislative session.

Alex was a true leader for the Republican caucus in the Assembly, and was loved and respected by legislators of both chambers, on both sides of the aisle. He worked tirelessly for his constituents, for our party, and to make sure this institution never lost sight of who it was supposed to serve- the people of New Jersey.

I knew Alex DeCroce long before my first term in the Assembly, and we forged a special bond as leaders of our respective caucuses. It is hard to believe we will start a new legislative session without his wit, charm, and energy.

My deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to his wife, Betty Lou, and the entire DeCroce family, as well as the Assembly Republican members and staff who fought alongside Alex until his last minutes on Earth to make our state a better place.

Alex DeCroce will leave a huge void in this institution and in the hearts of the loved ones he leaves behind.

His passing leaves a great void in our Legislature and it is with immense sadness that I join my colleagues in offering my condolences to his wife, his family and to all who had the privilege of calling him a friend."

Assembly Deputy Speaker John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex)

John S. Wisniewski
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New Jersey has lost a true public servant in Alex DeCroce.

I first met him when I entered the Legislature and was assigned to the Assembly Transportation Committee he chaired. I came to know him as an honorable adversary whose disagreements were never disagreeable and whose motivation was always to do his best for our state and the constituents he represented.

His passing leaves a great void in our Legislature and it is with immense sadness that I join my colleagues in offering my condolences to his wife, his family and to all who had the privilege of calling him a friend.

 

Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-Union)

Joseph Cryan
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Alex DeCroce was a great public servant dedicated to the people of New Jersey. His loss is unimaginable and tragic. It’s impossible to even picture the New Jersey General Assembly without having Alex DeCroce seated at his aisle desk advocating for his beliefs and constituents. I had the honor of sitting across from him for two years, and I can tell you that even when things got tough, Alex DeCroce was always a gentleman. His vast experience and understanding of New Jersey was always helpful. His leadership was always steady. His humor was always present. My prayers and thoughts are with Alex’s friends and family at this difficult time.

 

 

 

 

 

Assembly Republican Whip David Rible, R-Monmouth

David Rible
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Our entire caucus will miss Alex deeply. He was a friend to everyone he met, from governor to custodian. Alex epitomized a tireless and selfless public servant – often running circles around legislators who were half his age. I learned how to be an Assemblyman because of Alex DeCroce. His generosity, leadership and public service made New Jersey a better place. I thank his family for allowing him to spend so much time serving the people of New Jersey and offer them my sincere condolences.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris & Passaic)

Jay Webber
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Today I mourn with deep sadness the loss of my friend and colleague Assemblyman Alex DeCroce. Alex was a tireless public servant who cared deeply for our great State, Morris County, and his beloved hometown of Parsippany. Over a career of public service spanning five decades, Alex displayed an extraordinary dignity and commitment to his constituents that was an example for everyone in public life. Alex was generous, compassionate, and smart, and those gifts and more allowed him to be a very effective and successful legislator. Quite simply, Alex DeCroce has left New Jersey a better place than he found it. So even as I grieve with and for his beloved wife BettyLou over Alex’s passing, I can’t help but celebrate his life, and be grateful and encouraged that I have been blessed to count Alex DeCroce as a mentor, leader, and friend.

State Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris/Passaic)

 

Joe Pennacchio
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It is with sadness that New Jersey awoke to the news that Assemblyman and Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce died suddenly last night. Alex was a dedicated public official, but importantly a caring and loving husband, father and grandfather. My condolences and prayers go out to Betty Lou, their children and grandchildren.

Assemblyman DeCroce was a leader whose public dedication was taken from principled beliefs in an America that still offers the same opportunities today, as they were available for Alex. New Jersey has lost a leader and I have lost a friend.”

 

 

 

 

 

New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech

Charles Wowkanech
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It came as a shock to learn of the sudden passing of Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, a dedicated public servant and dear friend to many in our state. Assemblyman DeCroce leaves behind a proud legacy after serving in the legislature for over 20 years. We recognize his commitment to New Jersey’s working families during his distinguished term of service.

As we mourn this loss to our state, we offer our sincerest condolences to Assemblyman DeCroce’s family and will keep them in our prayers.

 

 

 

Statement Of NJGOP Chairman Samuel Raia

“Last night the state of New Jersey lost not just a capable and dignified public servant but a truly great and passionate human being. Throughout his long and dedicated career, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce defined what it meant to faithfully represent the people of this state. His strong leadership and thoughtful voice will be missed for years to come. It is with great sympathy and a heavy heart that I send my deepest condolences to his wife BettyLou, the entire DeCroce family, and all those who got the opportunity to work with Assemblyman DeCroce.

 

Senator Jennifer Beck  (R-Monmouth)

Jennifer Beck (R)
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I had the privilege of working with Leader DeCroce during my time in the Assembly and continued to have a close relationship with him after I was elected to the Senate. Alex was a kind, generous, patient man who earned the respect of everyone he met. He was a public servant in the truest sense of the word and both New Jersey and Trenton lost a great leader. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Betty Lou DeCroce, and family. He will be missed in the legislature but he left a rich legacy behind through all of his hard work and the many lives he touched.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Representative Jon Runyan (D-NJ)

Congressman Jon Runyan (R)
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Last night the state of New Jersey lost a great legislator and an even better man, Republican Assembly Leader Alex DeCroce. Leader DeCroce, who has served more than 20 years in the State Assembly, was a great inspiration to many public servants including myself. I appreciate his friendship and his sound leadership and service to the people of New Jersey. His wife and family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)

Robert Menendez
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Last night, New Jersey lost one of its most respected elder statesmen. Assemblyman Alex DeCroce was a model public servant, a dedicated leader who always brought civility and a smile to the legislative process. The people of New Jersey have lost a great man, but his legacy of leadership and service will be remembered for many years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Betty Lou, his family, friends, and the people of Morris County he represented so well for 23 years.

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