Mourners remember the late Rep. Bill Pascrell as devoted to family and Paterson

Mourners remembered the late U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell of Paterson at his funeral Mass Wednesday as a witty, fiercely dedicated public servant. (OIT/NJ Governor’s Office)

Despite holding many public titles throughout his life, Bill Pascrell was remembered by his family Wednesday as a lifelong Patersonian who had a fierce dedication to helping the working people of New Jersey.

Pascrell had endless energy, a witty sense of humor, spoke with conviction, and made friends with anyone, family members said at Pascrell’s funeral Mass in Paterson. His son Glenn recalled two family friends the family referred to as Uncle Grasshopper — a truck driver who helped support his six siblings — and Uncle Larky, a sign painter who lost his arm when he fell off a moving train.

“Uncle Larky and Uncle Grasshopper were the kinds of people my parents, and my father especially, were drawn to and deeply admired, and they wanted us to learn from them as their children,” said Glenn Pascrell at a packed Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson.

Pascrell died Aug. 21 at 87 after a prolonged hospital stay. For more than a quarter-century, he represented the 9th Congressional District, which includes his native Paterson.

The first pews of the church were filled with prominent state and national politicians, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), members of New Jersey’s House delegation, Gov. Phil Murphy, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

But Pascrell’s decades-long career wasn’t the focus of his funeral — it was his commitment to Paterson (“spelled with only one ‘T,'” a remark Pascrell made many times).

“I’m glad they really focused on the family, because in the end, that’s what it was really all about. He fought for our families. He fought for our future,” said Paterson Mayor André Sayegh.

Family and friends said Pascrell was a “late bloomer” when it came to his political career. He first entered the political sphere in his 50s after serving in the U.S. Army and working as a teacher. His son Bill Pascrell III said that meant he and his brothers were able to spend time with their dad throughout their entire childhood.

Pascrell was elected to the state Assembly in 1987, started serving as Paterson’s mayor in 1990, and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996.

He was married to his wife, Elsie, who sat in the front pew, for more than 60 years. There would be no Bill Pascrell without Elsie, Glenn Pascrell said during his eulogy, prompting hundreds of mourners to stand and give her a round of applause.

“He loved people, their stories, their journeys, their struggles, and their humanity, and I think the most important achievements in his life came from those personal connections,” said Glenn Pascrell.

Pascrell became motivated to advocate for first responders after Paterson firefighter John Nicosia died while responding to a massive 1991 fire at the former Meyer Brothers department store.

As mayor, he helped modernize the city’s communication equipment and later spearheaded similar efforts in Congress. He spearheaded the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act of 2000, which delivers federal dollars directly to fire departments across the country.

As recently as March, more than $1.3 million was allocated to 25 fire departments in Pascrell’s district.

Monsignor Geno Sylva, who delivered the homily, remembered Pascrell as a “self-proclaimed tough guy” who was able to fight without hate. They often debated issues, but Sylva said Pascrell was a devoted Christian who fought battles daily on Capitol Hill.

His work in Congress led to Murphy designating Route 19 as the William J. Pascrell Highway. Sylva quipped to the governor, sitting in the front pew, that he didn’t know about the honor because there’s no sign noting it.

“May you speedily arrive home to heaven, where there’ll be no need for you to be fiery and fierce,” Sylva said. “We’re going to get that sign up on Route 19.”

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX