'Trailblazer,' Fire Commissioner Mourned In Cherry Hill

CHERRY HILL, NJ — William "Bill" McCargo, a longtime community leader in Cherry Hill who's been described as a "trailblazer," died Thursday. He was 77.

McCargo was the third African American to join the Cherry Hill Police Department, according to township officials. He later served on the Cherry Hill Board of Education and as a longtime leader of the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association.

In 2014, he became a township fire commissioner and was an at-large member on the current Board of Fire Commissioners.

"Bill dedicated much of his life to serving Cherry Hill and its residents," Mayor Susan Shin Angelo said in a statement. "Outside his role as Fire Commissioner, he was a dedicated family man and beloved by all. On a personal level, Bill was my dear friend and I will miss his radiant smile."

Township Council President David Fleisher called McCargo a "trailblazer and pillar of our community decades."

"He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather," Fleisher said Friday on the council's behalf. "Town Council and I extend our deepest sympathies to the McCargo Family. On a personal note, Bill was a dear and longtime friend to Jen, me, and my colleagues on Township Council. His family and many contributions to our community are his lasting legacy."

McCargo was a founder of the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association (CHAACA) — a nonprofit organization that advocates for the township's African American residents.

"All of our hearts are broken but we know God has a master plan," the CHAACA said on social media. "Bill was not only our President and Vice President, but he was the glue and foundation for all of our work and efforts."

A cause of death has not been announced, but the organization said McCargo "fought a valiant battle but his heart could not take it anymore."

The Cherry Hill Fire Department said the following: "The Cherry Hill Fire Department mourns alongside the McCargo family as we reflect upon the vast public safety career, military service, civic involvement and friendship Bill had with so many in our community."

Those who knew McCargo can share a memory in a tribute book via May Funeral Home.