Longtime Clark Business Administrator Dies At Age Of 90

CLARK, NJ — The Clark community is mourning the death of longtime township business administrator John Laezza, Jr.

Laezza, Jr., 90, of Cranford, died peacefully on Saturday, according to his obituary by Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake.

Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso shared the news on Monday about his friend and right hand for 21 years.

"John joined me at the start of my tenure as mayor to get the township on track financially and remained at his post until his death. He will be sorely missed," said Bonaccorso.

Bonaccorso said Laezza was known amongst township employees to be fiscally conservative with town resources and to run a tight ship. His focus was on always protecting the growth and financial stability of the township.

Prior to serving in Clark, Laezza was known as one of the best known municipal accountants in New Jersey.

He previously served as the Administrator/Clerk/Director of Finance for the Township of Cranford and held the title of Senior Advisor to the accounting firm of Hutchins, Laezza, Farrell and Allison.

In 1970 when he was named Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs from 1970 to 1979 under the administration of Republican Governor William T. Cahill.

Upon leaving public office, Laezza became a partner in the accounting firm of Arthur Young & Co. (which later became Ernst & Young). He retired from that firm in 1990.

However, Laezza was not done. In 1990, he became managing partner in the accounting firm of Hutchins, Laezza, Farrell and Allison. In 1992, he went back into public service in Cranford as the Administrator. He served as Business Administrator for the Township of Clark from Jan. 1, 2001 until his death on May 22, 2021.

"We were fortunate to have had him as a leader and mentor to so many," Bonaccorso said.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Saint Joseph the Carpenter Church in Roselle with interment to follow at Saint Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia on Inman Avenue. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Higgins and Bonner on Springfield Avenue in Westfield.

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