Reginald Butler, who served as an Old Bridge councilman for 27 years, died today after a lengthy illness.
Reginald Butler OLD BRIDGE -- Democrat Reginald Butler was first elected to the township council in 1989 and he became a fixture, being re-elected for five additional terms--whether Democrats controlled the governing body or it was in Republican hands as it is now.
Butler, 75, died Tuesday after a long illness, according to Mark Razzoli, the chairman of the Old Bridge Township Democratic Party.
Razzoli said Butler's family only wanted him to say that Butler "passed away after battling a long illness."
"Reggie loved his family and he loved Old Bridge and Old Bridge loved Reggie Butler," Razzoli said. "He was always there for everyone. That's why they elected him to six terms on the council."
Butler represented Ward 3 which included Madison Park in the northern part of the township.
"He was there for everyone, even those he didn't represent," Razzoli said. "This is not only a loss for his family and Old Bridge Township, but its a loss for the state of New Jersey. My condolences go out to his family."
He said Butler's council term expires the end of 2017.
"Now is the time for grieving," Razzoli said. "Later we'll think of the political side."
Mayor Owen Henry called Tuesday a "sad day for Old Bridge."
"Reggie is going to be missed on the council," Henry said. "He was dedicated to public service. He was also enthusiastic -- dedicated and enthusiastic. He was also very influential, not just in the ward he represented but throughout Old Bridge."
He said his "prayers go out to Reggie's family."
Henry, a Republican, said while Butler was the only Democrat on the council for the past few years, "99 percent of the time Reggie was non-political."
"We agreed on a lot more than we disagreed on," the mayor said. "I'm going to miss him."
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