Funeral, Viewing For Donald Payne Jr. Will Take Place In Newark

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Funeral arrangements have been announced for recently departed congressman Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), who died this week at the age of 65.

For more than a decade, Payne has been a fixture in New Jersey’s 10th District, taking up the mantle of his father – the first Black lawmaker to represent the Garden State in Congress – and carving out a legacy that was “uniquely his own,” as a fellow lawmaker put it.

Payne, a Newark resident, was hospitalized earlier this month after he suffered a heart attack related to his diabetes. His death was announced this week. See Related: Mourning Continues For NJ Congressman With ‘Big Heart’

Payne will lie in state in the Essex County Historic Courthouse, 470 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Newark on Wednesday, May 1, according to a statement from his family and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr.

A private viewing will take place from 11 a.m. to noon. A public viewing will take place from noon to midnight.

Here’s what to know if you plan to attend, county officials said:

“Members of the public will enter and exit through the West Entrance of the building on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Handicap accessibility is available via the entrance under the front steps of the Historic Courthouse on Springfield Avenue; upon entering the building there is an elevator to bring handicap visitors to the first floor. If unable to locate this entrance, contact Sheriff’s Communication at 973-621-4111 for assistance. Parking for the public will be available in the Essex County Juror’s Parking Lot; the entrance is on South Orange Avenue.”

Payne is the third person to lie in state in the Essex County Historic Courthouse. Previous honorees include his father, Donald Payne Sr. in 2012 and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver in 2023.

• See Related: Congressman Donald M. Payne Dead at 77
• See Related: Essex County Native Sheila Oliver Dies; NJ 'Hero' Had Deep Local Roots

FUNERAL

Payne’s funeral will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street in Newark at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 2.

Parking for the funeral service is available at 208 Clifton Avenue across the street from the Cathedral Basilica.

In lieu of flowers, mourners can make donations to the Donald M. Payne, Sr. Global Foundation, 111 Mulberry Street, Unit 5C, Newark, NJ 07102.

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