Services Set For Former 5-Term Mayor (And U.S. Quarter Expert) In Bergen County

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — He was a coin collecting expert, five-time Bergen County mayor, freeholder, author, and lawyer — and local officials are mourning him.

David L. Ganz, who had served five times as mayor of Fair Lawn, died on Tuesday, officials said. He was the county's longest serving freeholder as well.

"Bergen County lost a giant," said County Executive Jim Tedesco. "David L. Ganz was a dedicated public servant, a brilliant legal mind, a nationally respected expert in coin collecting, and most importantly—a kind and decent man who gave so much of himself to the people of Bergen County."

The Borough of Fair Lawn announced Ganz's passing Tuesday in a social media post, calling him "a devoted public servant, community leader, and esteemed resident whose legacy has left a lasting imprint on Fair Lawn and beyond."

He was the 29th mayor of Fair Lawn, first elected to the Borough Council in 1997, then as mayor in 1999.

He also served as a Bergen County Freeholder, representing nearly 900,000 residents, the county noted.

"Beyond his local service, Mr. Ganz was a nationally respected attorney, author, and numismatic expert," the Borough said. "A managing partner at Ganz & Sivin, LLP, his legal career spanned litigation, municipal law, land use, and guardianship. He was a prolific writer, publishing numerous legal
articles and books."

Tedesco said, "He also believed deeply in an approach to service rooted in mutual respect. David showed that people could disagree without being disagreeable—that bipartisanship, decency, and common ground still mattered in government. That example is more important now than ever."

He's also been called the “Father of the U.S. Mint’s State Quarters Program," having published a book and website dedicated to the state quarters. He was a past president of the American Numismatic Association and advised national and international coin programs, the county said.

On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said, "Saddened by the passing of David Ganz, former Fair Lawn mayor and longtime public servant. We are praying for David’s family and all who knew and loved him."

Wife's Tribute

"Thank you. I am devastated," wrote Ganz's wife, Kathy, on a social media post about him from the town. "Just trying to get from day to day."

On her own page, she wrote, "I woke up yesterday to a world changed forever. My beloved David was gone. I never knew a heart could grieve so much and not literally break. Thank you to everyone who has called, texted, stopped by and emailed with their love, support and stories of how David changed their lives. Mine will never be the same, but I know that David & I had a rare love and even to the end, he was my sweet, loving, caring David."

Services Set

Funeral services will begin Friday at 9:30 a.m. at Robert Shoem's Menorah Chapel, 150 Route 4, Paramus.

He will be buried afterward at Beth David Cemetery at 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bergen County Animal Shelter.