Nutley Hall Of Fame Member, Ex-NJ Senator Dies: Carmen Orechio

NUTLEY, NJ — Carmen Orechio, a member of the Nutley Hall of Fame and a former New Jersey state senator, has passed away, officials said Monday.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. shared his condolences for Orechio’s passing, calling him “a devoted public servant for his hometown of Nutley and Essex County as a commissioner, mayor and state senator.”

DiVinzenzo spoke with admiration of Orechio:

“As an elected official, he was a staunch advocate for public safety, health care and services to benefit children and senior citizens, and the legislation he sponsored has enhanced the quality of life for generations of residents. Carmen personified what it meant to give back to the community, and it was an honor for us to recognize his numerous contributions by naming the Carmen A. Orechio Recreation Complex in Essex County Yanticaw Park in 2009. He was a legend and a friend, and will be missed.”

New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie also offered his condolences for the loss of Orechio.

"Carmen Orechio was a friend and a legendary leader, both in the state legislature and in his community. His passing is a loss to all those who knew him... I am confident that he will be remembered as someone who was wholeheartedly dedicated to the people he served and to improving their lives in tangible ways."

According to the Nutley Public Library website:

“Carmen Orechio was born in Nutley and is a graduate of Nutley High School (1944) and Rutgers University. He is a Veteran having served in the US Army with the European Occupational Forces during World War II. He was first elected a member of the Nutley Board of Commissioners in 1968. He served as Mayor during the period 1972-1976, 1980-1984, and 1992-1996. During his 40-year tenure as a commissioner, he served as Director of the Department of Public Safety for 28 years. He also served as Director of the Department of Public Affairs for 12 years. He was elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 1973. He served as Senate Majority Leader in 1981 and was elected Senate President in 1982. He served as Senate President from 1982 through 1985 [also serving as Acting Governor during the Kean administration in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985].”

In addition to his political life, he was Chairman of the Board at the New Jersey District Water Supply and sat on the Board of Trustees of the Clara Maass Hospital Foundation in Belleville and Garden State Cancer Center.

He was actively involved in the Nutley Old Guard where he served as president, and was a member of the Nutley UNICO. Orechio also served as a member of the Meadowlands Development Commission, was president of the Nutley Jaycees, was commander of the Nutley Amvets and was the proprietor of the Nutley Travel Service.

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