US congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. dead after brief illness & sudden setback as family says he ‘fought till the end’

A US congressman has suddenly died after suffering from a month-long illness.

Representative Bill Pascrell Jr., of New Jersey , fought to his last breath before his death on Wednesday morning, his heartbroken family said.

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Pascrell Jr.’s family shared the news of the US congressman ‘s death on social media .

A Wednesday, August 21 post to his X account stated, “It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning.

“As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved.

“Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served.

“He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America.”

Many responded to the post to share their condolences and kind words about Pascrell Jr.

“He was a great mentor. Will celebrate your life,” Congressman Lou Correa wrote .

“Oh no. He was such a special person. My condolences to his family,” Congressman Jared Moskowitz said .

“My condolences. Bill was a great man and tireless advocate,” epidemiologist and health economist Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding commented .

Pascrell Jr. served 14 congressional terms and spent 28 years in office, according to the New Jersey Globe .

The longtime Democrat who represented New Jersey’s Ninth District died at age 87 following a month-long illness, the outlet reported.

He was first elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 1987 at age 50.

In 1990, at 53 years old, the passionate politician became the major of Patterson.

In 1996, he defeated Clifton Republican Bill Martini by a small margin and became the second-oldest member of the House at age 59, per the publication.

Who was Bill Pascrell Jr.?

Bill Pascrell Jr. was a Democratic congressman who represented New Jersey's Ninth District.

He was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on January 25, 1937, and spent a lifetime in the town he loved.

He attended St. John the Baptist High School in Paterson, where he played baseball and served as class president.

He then earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and his master’s degree in philosophy from Fordham University.

Pascrell Jr. worked as a high school history teacher and also pursued a decades-long political career.

He was first elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 1987.

In 1990, he became the major of Patterson.

In 1996, Pascrell Jr. became the second-oldest member of the House at age 59 after defeating Clifton Republican Bill Martini in a close race.

He served 14 congressional terms and spent 28 years in office.

On August 21, 2024, Pascrell Jr. died at age 87 following a month-long illness.

The politician is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elsie, his three sons, and five grandchildren.

Pascrell Jr. was “a proud liberal” who was “a beacon of integrity” and a strong advocate of tax fairness, according to the New Jersey Globe.

He possessed “a genuine love of democracy” and enjoyed “finding ways for government to help the people.”

He was also a staunch advocate for organized labor, per the outlet.

In addition to his work in politics, Pascrell Jr. was a former high school history teacher who loved his family, baseball , and Paterson.

He was also a US Army veteran and the grandson of Italian immigrants, born on January 25, 1937.

His father, born William Joseph Pascrelli, worked as a traffic manager for the Eric Lackawanna Railroad, per the New Jersey Globe.

Pascrell Jr. served as class president and played baseball at St. John the Baptist High School in Paterson.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and his master’s degree in philosophy from Fordham University .

He taught Paterson before working in Paramus and later at Fairleigh Dickinson University, according to the outlet.

Pascrell Jr. is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elsie, his three sons, and five grandchildren.

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