Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey (1990–1997)
William J. “Bill” Pascrell Jr. (January 25, 1937 – August 21, 2024) served as the 41st Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, from 1990 to 1997. A lifelong Paterson resident, educator, veteran, and public servant, Pascrell dedicated more than three decades to serving his hometown before embarking on a distinguished career in the United States Congress.
Born and raised on Paterson’s south side, Pascrell graduated from St. John the Baptist High School before earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fordham University. Following service in the United States Army and Army Reserve, he spent many years as a public school teacher and became deeply involved in civic affairs. His commitment to education led him to serve as President of the Paterson Board of Education from 1979 to 1982 before being elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1987, where he served as Minority Leader Pro Tempore.
Pascrell became mayor following the death of Mayor Frank X. Graves Jr., winning a special election in 1990. During his administration, he emphasized economic revitalization, neighborhood redevelopment, and public safety while working to restore confidence in city government. One of his lasting accomplishments was the creation of Paterson’s first Economic Development Corporation, which focused on attracting investment, encouraging business growth, and promoting job creation. His administration also championed the preservation of Paterson’s rich industrial and cultural heritage while pursuing infrastructure improvements and downtown redevelopment. In recognition of his leadership, he was named New Jersey Mayor of the Year in 1996 by the bipartisan New Jersey Conference of Mayors.
In 1996, Pascrell was elected to the United States House of Representatives, resigning as mayor when he took office in January 1997. He went on to represent northern New Jersey in Congress for nearly 28 years, becoming one of the state’s longest-serving and most influential federal legislators. Throughout his congressional career, he remained a proud advocate for Paterson, securing federal support for transportation, public safety, education, healthcare, and the preservation of the city’s historic resources, including the recognition and development of the Paterson Great Falls as a national historic landmark.
William J. Pascrell Jr. is remembered as one of Paterson’s most prominent public servants. His tenure as mayor helped lay the groundwork for the city’s economic renewal while reinforcing civic pride in Paterson’s historic legacy. His lifelong dedication to public service left a lasting impact on both the City of Paterson and the State of New Jersey.