Animal Control Officer Dies Suddenly, Temporary Officer Appointed

Hackettstown's beloved Animal Control Officer (ACO) Gary Wysocki died suddenly this past weekend, just four months after his wife, Betty, who served as the ACO just prior to his appointment, died.

Town Administrator Bill Kuster posted an announcement about Wysocki's death on the Hackettstown Police Department Facebook page.

Commenters called the Wysockis' deaths "a great loss to the community."

The Wysockis were married for more than 40 years and lived in Washington Borough, having previously lived in Hackettstown and Betty Wysocki having graduated from Hackettstown High School, according to her obituary. As ACO, Betty Wysocki served several towns in addition to Hackettstown, including Belvidere, Lopatcong, Franklin, Oxford, White Township, Washington Borough and Washington Township.

Betty Wyscocki died on Feb. 25, just a few weeks after her 81st birthday. Information on Gary Wysocki's death and funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

Kuster said Hackettstown Mayor Maria DiGiovanni temporarily appointed Kim Bennett, a certified ACO and Hackettstown resident who had previously worked with Gary Wysocki, as the ACO.

"We believe that Kim will provide professional, compassionate, and prompt ACO services to the residents of Hackettstown and we know Kim will take what she learned from Gary to provide this important service in a way that honors both Gary and Betty’s commitment to pet and wildlife care," Kuster said.

Have a special memory of Gary or Betty Wysocki? Share in the comments below.