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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Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.
Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.
A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned
And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.
And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?
The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey
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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.
The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.
The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations
The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.
The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.
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PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
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Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
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So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
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If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
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