Sewerage Commission Mourns Passing Of Ex-Chair, Bob Davenport

NEWARK, NJ — The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission is mourning the passing of its former chair, Robert Davenport, who died at the age of 87 on Friday.

Davenport was born in Paterson and lived in Hawthorne. He served on the Newark-based Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) for 32 years, serving as commissioner, chairman, deputy executive director and executive director.

According to a statement from the PVSC, Davenport’s contributions to the agency were "as significant as they were numerous." He also made a difference for communities across North Jersey, the commission said:

“A lifelong public servant, Bob also worked in multiple roles at the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department before retiring as chief in 1989. He was also appointed as a commissioner of the North Jersey District Water Commission in 1970, subsequently serving as the commission’s chairman. A United States Army veteran, Bob served our country in Germany during the Cold War.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s family at this difficult time, including Bob’s son, Brian Davenport, who served as PVSC’s superintendent of river restoration and facilities prior to his retirement in 2023,” the commission said.

A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Browning-Forshay Funeral Home, 557 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Passaic County Police Chiefs Association 214 Oldham Road, Wayne, NJ 07470

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