A towering local figure and formidable presence in any room, former Old Bridge Mayor Art Haney has died.

He died in Florida of pancreatic cancer.

A Republican, Mr. Haney also at one time served on the Middlesex County Freeholder Board and chaired the Old Bridge Municipal Utilities Authority.

Mayor Haney challenged Senator Sam Thompson last year in a 12th District Republican Primary and lost.

But along the way he demonstrated considerable local clout in the always interesting town of Old Bridge.

“He will be sorely missed,” said Senator Thompson, shortly after the conclusion of a Manufacturing Caucus hearing in Metuchen earlier today.