Bloomfield honors, remembers Iacobacci at meeting

Gary Iacobacci

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Township Council honored Gary Iacobacci at its April 26 meeting, remembering the life of the former councilman. Serving as 3rd Ward councilman from 1990 to 1996, Iacobacci had lived in Belleville before his family moved to Bloomfield and he graduated from Bloomfield High School. He died in February.

“Gary was on call and present 24/7, and thousands of people sought Gary’s assistance because of his knowledge and honesty,” Councilman Nick Joanow said in a proclamation at the meeting. “Councilman Gary Iacobacci wasn’t just an elected official, he was a public servant and took pride in his office and went out of his way to help any resident, 3rd Ward or not, Bloomfield or not.”

Joanow said Iacobacci was a big supporter of the police department, having ridden along with them on multiple occasions.

“During his years in office, Gary valued the citizens,” Joanow said. “He fought for top-of-the-line equipment to protect police and residents. He was a champion for senior issues and an advocate for children.”

In addition to his time on the council, Iacobacci was a candidate for mayor, a member of the Friends of the Bloomfield Public Library, a member of the Municipal Youth Guidance Council and served on the Essex County Planning Board. He also ran campaigns for other people in town and elsewhere. He became known for his political ads and signs.

State Sen. Ronald Rice also sent a proclamation to the meeting to honor Iacobacci. Rice could not be at the meeting; former Bloomfield Councilwoman Janice Litterio-Frazzano read the proclamation for him.

“Gary Iacobacci not only served Bloomfield as the 3rd Ward councilman but continued to serve the public, elected or not,” Rice’s proclamation read. “Gary had no other agenda except to assist anyone he could. When something was unjust or unfair, Gary tried to make it right. He was smart, he was kind, he was loyal, he was a driving force. He was always on the side of justice.”