Governor Pays Tribute To Former Mayor From Mendham (Video)

MENDHAM, NJ — A former Mendham Borough mayor received a special tribute from Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday during his daily COVID-19 news conference.

Murphy honored former Mendham Borough Councilman and Mayor Robert Mulcahy III, 85, as one of two New Jerseyans “who played vital roles in our state.”

Along with the other person he remembered, Thomas Gallagher — the chief financial officer of New Jersey’s Department of Banking and Insurance — Murphy described Mulcahy’s death as “the passing of a giant.”

Mulcahy was best known as Rutgers University’s athletic director, Murphy said, who “paved the way for Rutgers’ entrance to the Big 10 Conference.” He also named Mulcahy’s other accolades, including his role as head of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, chair of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, chief of staff to Gov. Brendan Byrne and as New Jersey’s first commissioner of corrections.

Murphy also mentioned Mulcahy’s role on Mendham Borough’s Council, stating, “You talk about a life of service, unbelievable.”

“Bigger than life guy, he did a lot throughout his career and accomplished much more, we are grateful for his many years of public service,” Murphy added.

Mulcahy died on Feb. 8, according to his obituary. He lived in Mendham with his family, including wife Terry and their seven children, for 37 years, having served on the council and then as mayor, before moving to Basking Ridge in 1999.

Mulcahy and his late spouse were close friends of New Jersey’s Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Murphy said during the conference.

There was also a special post in Mulcahy’s memory on Murphy’s Facebook Page:

Watch the segment with Murphy’s tribute to Mulcahy below:

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.