New Jersey
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. remembered at funeral as “dapper,” compassionate public servant • New Jersey Monitor
Neighbors from the street he lived on his whole life, members of Congress, state lawmakers, and hundreds of Essex County residents packed the pews of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark to mourn and celebrate the life of the late Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. at his funeral Thursday.
Payne, who family and friends called “Chop,” was remembered as a loving family man and a dedicated public servant who poured his heart into social justice and serving his district, which includes Newark. Nearly every speaker remarked on Payne’s fashion sense — the handmade bowties and pocket squares he coordinated, the colorful socks he’d sport, and the glasses he switched out to match his outfit.
“We all talked about how dapper he was,” said former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. “He put us all to shame. ‘Oh my gosh, what color will his bowtie be today? Or his socks?’ Whatever it happened to be, he looked so dignified.”
Payne died on April 24 at age 65, 18 days after suffering a heart attack. The six-term congressman was elected to the seat after his father, Donald Payne Sr., died in office. His flag-draped casket was placed at the front of the church beside a photo of him in a bowtie.
Family and friends wore orange outfits or pinned orange bows to their shirts in Payne’s honor. They spoke about the importance of celebrating Payne’s commitment to the people of New Jersey and remembering his legacy of the positive impact he made on society.
Nearly 20 people spoke at the three-hour funeral, including Gov. Phil Murphy, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Rep. Maxine Waters of California, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. Speakers read letters from President Joe Biden and singer and Newark native Dionne Warwick. Family members, including his triplets, also spoke in remembrance of Payne.
About 60 members of Congress and dozens of members of the state Legislature also attended.
Jeffries told mourners he and Payne entered Congress around the same time and became friends. He said Payne joked about wanting to be the “Michael Jordan of one-minute speeches on the House floor, and that’s exactly what he did.”
He told the story of how Payne earned the nickname Chop and Choppy, which even his Congressional colleagues called him.
“Apparently, when he was young his father, the great Donald Payne Sr., thought that his face was so delightful, that he looked like Porkchop,” he said to laughter. “He was beloved.”
Many spoke about Payne’s impact on his hometown of Newark. Colleagues said he was a prolific legislator who always spoke out even when other members of the House were leaving chambers for other commitments. He advocated for voting rights, secured funding for clean drinking water, championed lower drug prices, and, as co-chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, shined a spotlight on men’s health issues.
Payne’s political endeavors started when he organized the Newark South Ward Junior Democrats as a teen, his daughter said. His public service journey began when he became a toll booth operator on the Garden State Parkway, and later served on the Essex County Board of Freeholders and Newark City Council.
He also came from a family well-known in New Jersey politics. His father was the first Black person elected to Congress from New Jersey. His cousin and uncle served in the state Assembly, and his cousins also are involved in politics in New York.
Rep. Donald M. Payne’s funeral was held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on May 2, 2024. (Sophie Nieto-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor)
Rep. Donald M. Payne’s funeral was held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on May 2, 2024. (Sophie Nieto-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor)
Congressman Donald M. Payne’s funeral was held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on May 2, 2024. (Sophie Nieot-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor)
Local police honor Congressman Donald Payne Jr. at his funeral on May 2, 2024. (Sophie Nieto-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor)
Local police carried the flag-draped casket of Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (Sophie Nieto-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor)
The family of Congressman Donald Payne Jr. looks on as local police carry his flag-draped casket. (Sophie Nieto-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor)
Rep. Donald M. Payne’s funeral was held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on May 2, 2024. (Sophie Nieto-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor)
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaks during the Celebration of the Life of Donald M. Payne, Jr. at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Ed Murray for NJ Advance Media | Pool)
Honor guard carries in Donald M. Payne, Jr. for the Celebration of the Life of Donald M. Payne, Jr. at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Ed Murray for NJ Advance Media | Pool)
Gov. Phil Murphy speaks during the Celebration of the Life of Donald M. Payne, Jr. at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Ed Murray for NJ Advance Media | Pool)
Booker was mayor of Newark when Payne was council president, and together they addressed difficult challenges in the city during the Great Recession, from the foreclosure crisis and budget allocations to issues like sewage systems. Between making “godawful choices and hellish ones,” Payne would pull Booker away from his work and pray with him, he said.
“To have him as my partner in Congress, two people from Newark, New Jersey, growing up just a few miles from each other, coming up on the same streets, representing the same communities — it was amazing to have him there,” Booker said. “He never let my head get too big and always kept my feet on the ground.”
The congressman also battled diabetes, a personal struggle that led him to underscore the importance of affordable medication and work with others who suffered from diabetes. Foluso Fakorede, a cardiovascular doctor in Mississippi, recalled his first meeting in 2018 with Payne. They discussed the high rate of amputations Black people face because of diabetes, in part due to lack of awareness and screening.
Payne was a tireless advocate for health equity in “particularly marginalized communities grappling with preventable amputations,” Fakorede said. He pointed to a bill Payne sponsored called the Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act, which would require Medicare and Medicaid to fully cover screening tests for people at risk of peripheral artery disease, which can lead to heart attacks and amputations.
“His legacy extends beyond just policy. It was rooted in the human connection. He saw beyond statistics and bureaucracy, connecting with individuals on a personal level, understanding their struggles, and offering the comforting presence of his humor, compassion, and love for the arts,” he said.
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Summer may be over, but the Jersey Shore does not shut down when the umbrellas fold.
In Cape May, winter has become one of the most popular times to visit, especially during the holidays, when the seaside town transforms into a Victorian village. What was once the quiet off-season is now a stretch of celebratory weeks filled with music, trolley rides and holiday lights that glow for miles.
Cape May leans into its heritage this time of year. Gas lamps flicker along the streets. Evergreens wrap the porches of its grand Victorian homes. The Washington Street Mall shines with ribbons, seasonal displays and unique gifts. The shift from summer’s bustle to winter’s calm does not signal a slowdown. Instead, it reveals a different rhythm, one that invites people to explore.
“Christmas in Cape May is the best,” said Stephen Gatier, owner of the Magic Brain Cafe. “My June and my December sales are usually about the same, which should tell you how busy December is. The West Cape May Christmas Parade … is consistently our busiest day of the year.”
Travel+Leisure magazine lists Cape May as one of its 25 best Christmas towns in the U.S.
According to the Cape May County Department of Tourism, the region is becoming a “nine-month vacation destination, with the City of Cape May at the forefront of year-round tourism. Foot traffic in Cape May surges during the holiday season.”
The Greater Cape May Chamber of Commerce said more than 10,000 people visited their information booth last year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The Washington Street Mall attracted an estimated 45,000 visitors during the same time period.
Cape May’s winter tourism underscores a larger story about the Jersey Shore. Towns once defined by a short summer season are building new traditions that bring visitors back year-round. Cape May County officials said that in December 2024, lodging revenue in the county increased by $104 million compared to December 2023, highlighting the surge in holiday tourism.
The winter season supports restaurants, shops, inns and nonprofits like Cape May MAC, which uses tour proceeds to preserve the Victorian structures that define the town’s identity.
Here are the top experiences that define Cape May’s holiday season.
The New Jersey Devils still have their focus on the goaltending in the NHL. Jacob Markstrom hasn’t played well this season, and fans are even calling for a new face of the franchise. Jake Allen has been great, but he’s still firmly their backup. Nico Daws had one start, and it was stellar.
However, we don’t want to lose sight of the future. There has already been bad news with a very important prospect. Jakub Malek was terrible in the AHL this season, putting up an .861 save percentage in five starts. Don’t get us wrong, the Utica Comets are terrible this season, but Malek hasn’t helped.
The Devils decided to send Malek down to the Adirondack Thunder to help his development and stop hurting the Comets in the standings. He’s been much better there, allowing just four goals on 53 shots.
Malek is important for the Devils in net, but the most important prospect for the Devils is Mikhail Yegorov. The Boston University product was incredible last season, driving the Terriers to a Beanpot win and to the National Championship Game.
This season, things didn’t go great to start. The Terriers lost a ton of players this offseason, including fellow Devils’ prospect Shane Lachance. The defense hasn’t been great, but Yegorov hasn’t done his part, either.
Going into the weekend, Yegorov had a save percentage below .890. He wasn’t stepping up for the Terriers like he was last season. It has become a problem.
Devils prospect Mikhail Yegorov finally gets a signature win for Boston University
This weekend, the Terriers took on the University of Cornell. They are 6-2 and are ranked 16th in the country, at least prior to their matchup with BU.
Cornell sent everything Boston’s way, taking 29 shots on Yegorov. He stopped all but one, securing a 2-1 victory for the Terriers.
It’s just one game, but it was the first time we’ve seen Yegorov really show why we think he will be a great NHL goalie.
Even better, the win came at Madison Square Garden. We like that Yegorov is getting used to winning at the home of the Devils’ biggest rival. We like it even more that he’s winning big games again. This performance has his save percentage back over .890. Hopefully soon, it’ll be over .900, and then .910. We need Yegorov to keep going up if we plan on getting him into professional hockey as early as next season.
It was a first for South Amboy police Sgt. David Kales and patrolmen Mark Lewis and Paul Noble on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000 when they helped deliver a baby.
Less than two minutes after arriving at a Washington Avenue home on the report of a woman in labor, Jeriel was born to Jennifer Llibre, with an assist by the three city cops.
Here’s a look at events that happened in Central Jersey from five, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years ago this week.
Five years ago
Dec. 3, 2020: It was reported Ray Cipperly Field at Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools’ East Brunswick campus had been named the 2020 Schools and Parks Baseball Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association, a nonprofit professional organization for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide.
Dec. 4: In a statement, it was announced Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and bill sponsors Sen. Nick Scutari and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano had reached a deal on bills that would establish a framework for a legal weed industry, setting up a key vote in the coming weeks.
Dec. 4: Six NJ hospitals ― Hackensack University Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, University Hospital in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City and Cooper University Hospital in Camden ― were selected to receive the first COVID-19 vaccines, it was reported.
Dec. 4: It was reported Juan Hector Padilla, 29, of Bound Brook, was indicted in connection with a seven-alarm fire that damaged two apartment buildings under construction on West Main Street in Bound Brook in January 2020.
Dec. 7: Hillsborough had become a “Stigma-Free Community,” a campaign, an initiative of the Somerset County Department of Human Services, to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and create an environment where people feel free to seek support without fear of being stigmatized, it was reported.
Dec. 7: State officials said an unidentified resident at the Menlo Park veterans home died over the weekend from COVID-19 ― the first death at one of the state-run veterans homes in 180 days.
Dec. 7: It was reported celebrity chef David Burke would open Orchard Park, his fourth restaurant to open during the pandemic, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, at the Chateau Grande Hotel in East Brunswick.
10 years ago
Dec. 2, 2015: Appearing on ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” Gov. Chris Christie defended his hard-line opposition to relocating Syrian refugees to NJ and said former Gov. Thomas Kean ― his latest critic on the issue ― was all wrong.
Dec. 3: A day after 14 people were killed in a mass shooting in California, lawmakers failed to override Gov. Chris Christie’s veto of a gun-control bill by just three votes.
Dec. 3: The Westfield High School football team beat Bridgewater-Raritan, 10-7, in a sectional final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Dec. 5: George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic with TL Shider, Garden State Line, Midnight Mosaic and Underground Logic, performed at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville.
2000
Dec. 2, 2000: About 70 supporters of Texas Gov. George W. Bush rallied outside the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville on behalf of his claim to the presidency.
Dec. 3: Two divorcing parents ― Jim Price of Raritan Borough and Jennifer Price of Clinton ― who were battling over the circumcision of their 3-year-old son, would appear on Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, in Superior Court in Somerville for a hearing ordered by the Supreme Court to determine whether the surgery should go forward, it was reported.
Dec. 6: In women’s college basketball, Rutgers University beat Virginia Tech, 61-53.
Dec. 7: It was reported Dave Keyes and his band, winners of the W.C. Handy National Blues Talent Search, would perform at Old Bay Restaurant in New Brunswick.
1975
Dec. 2, 1975: U.S. District Court Judge Frederick B. Lacey, sitting in Newark, issued the go-ahead for the planned public deer hunt scheduled for the next week in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Passaic Township.
Dec. 3: Many milk drivers continued on a “business as usual” basis in Middlesex and Somerset counties, in spite of a strike of 880 union drivers.
Dec. 4: Several homes in South Amboy were showered with kerosene after a United Airlines jet with 120 passengers on board jettisoned 40,000 gallons of fuel when an engine caught fire. The plane returned to Newark International Airport safely, with no injuries.
Dec. 5: In Elizabeth, Edward Nolan and Robert Madurski, defendants in a case involving the theft of $4 million worth of home heating oil from the Exxon Bayway Refinery in Linden, received suspended prison sentences and were fined $1,000 each.
Dec. 5-7: “Bye Bye Birdie” was presented at Middlesex County College Performing Arts Theater in Edison.
Dec. 6: In college basketball, Phil Sellers scored 36 points and Mike Dabney added 21 as Rutgers beat Seton Hall’s Pirates, 119-93, at Rutgers Gym in New Brunswick, setting a Rutgers Gym record for most points by one team.
1925
Dec. 2, 1925: In basketball, St. Peter’s Lyceum beat the Maroon and Gray quintet of South River, 36-27.
Dec. 2-3: The movie, “Thunder Mountain,” a dramatic story of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was shown at Reade’s Strand Theatre in Perth Amboy.
Dec. 4-5: The movie, “The Half Way Girl,” starring Doris Kenyon and Lloyd Hughes, was shown at Reade’s Strand Theatre in Perth Amboy.
Dec. 6: Fire of an unknown origin started in the south wing of Winants Hall on the Queens Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, for the second time within a month. Students helped firemen fight the fire.
Dec. 6: The New Brunswick Soccer Club won the first half championship in the Capital City Soccer League at Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick by beating the Highlanders of Trenton, 3-1.
Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com
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