Mayor Gerald Tamburro of Monroe has died.

Elected in November 2015 and sworn-in as the Township’s new Mayor on January 1, 2016 for a term of four years. Tamburro was a resident of Greenbriar at Whittingham with his wife Carole with whom he shared six children and nine grandchildren.

A veteran of the U.S. National Guard and a retired banker, he served as vice president of commercial lending for the National State Bank of Elizabeth and as president of a community bank in New Jersey. Mr. Tamburro earned his bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University.

Prior to taking on the duties of Mayor, Mr. Tamburro had been elected in November 2001 as the second ward Council representative, serving as council president for eight years.  He was a member of the Monroe Township Planning Board and previously served as chairman of the Affordable Housing Board, chairman of the Master Plan Review Committee, Council representative to the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee, vice chairman of the Middlesex County Planning Board and a member New Jersey Training School Citizens Review Committee.

Miriam Cohen becomes acting mayor of Monroe.

The Township of Monroe issued a statement:

Governor Phil Murphy issued a statement in response to the news.

“Mayor Gerald Tamburro was an example of the right person going into public service for the right reasons. Instead of spending his retirement from the private sector in quiet pursuits, Jerry dedicated his last two decades to the people of Monroe, his adopted hometown, which responded by electing him to township council and twice as their mayor.

“Jerry’s legacy of service will be his tireless work to protect Monroe’s taxpayers and their quality of life, and the pride he took in never having let a developer pull a fast one against the township.

“More than anything, however, Jerry was a friend to many and a loving family man. He lost his wife of 60 years, Carole, last year and I take some solace in knowing he and Carole are now reunited. He was a good and unwavering personal friend, even in those early days when he didn’t have to be, and his support was always truly meaningful. Tammy and I send our most heartfelt condolences to his and Carole’s six children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”