Officials Praise Life, Legacy of Nutley High Grad Lautenberg

While Frank Lautenberg worked in the U.S. Senate, the Nutley High School graduate never forgot his local roots. 

"Senator Lautenberg always had kind words about Nutley and his alma mater, Nutley High School," Nutley Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli said.

Inducted into the Nutley hall of fame in 2011, he reflected on living with his family as a teen in a second-floor apartment across the street from the high school on Franklin Avenue. 

"He was very honored to be inducted," Nutley Hall of Fame Committee member Sam Carella. "He really was a Nutley shining star." 

Lautenberg, the last remaining World War II veteran in the senate, died Monday morning. He was 89. 

The five-term senator succumbed to complications from viral pneumonia at 4:02 a.m. at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell, his office said in a statement. 

Lautenberg was first elected in 1982 at 58 after founding Automatic Data Processing, a payroll services company. The Paterson-native served in the U.S. Senate for three terms before retiring, but returned to public service when Senator Robert Torricelli opted not to run for reelection in 2002. Lautenberg, a Cliffside Park resident, won the seat and was re-elected in 2008. 

In February, the senator announced that he would not seek a sixth term, but promised that he was undergoing "a two-year mission to pass new gun safety laws, protect children from toxic chemicals and create more opportunities for working families in New Jersey."

Scarpelli noted Lautenberg's journey from a child of immigrants to succesful businessman to the holder of one of the highest offices in America. 

"His is an inspirational story, rising out of poverty to found one of New Jersey's most successful companies and eventually serving the people of New Jersey for over 20 years in the US Senate," Scarpelli said. "New Jersey has lost a true leader." 

Commissioner Steve Rogers described Lautenberg as a great American who served his nation well. 

"His service as a United States Senator strengthened the spirit of our nation, and the freedoms we cherish," Rogers said.