Ocean County Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr. Dies At 71

PINE BEACH, NJ — Ocean County Freeholder John J. Bartlett Jr., the driving force behind of much of the county's park system and its longest-serving member, died Wednesday following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 71.

Bartlett died at his home in Pine Beach, the Asbury Park Press reported.

"John’s passing is a profound and deep loss for all of us on the Board of Freeholders," the board said in a joint statement Wednesday afternoon. "While he was the longest serving freeholder in the state of New Jersey, we all had the privilege to call him our longest-serving friend."

Bartlett was born in Lakewood and moved to Pine Beach in 1947, where he and his wife, Peggy, raised their family. He started his public service in 1974, serving as mayor and as a councilman on the Pine Beach Council. Bartlett first was elected to the Board of Freeholders in 1980 and from the get-go worked to make the Ocean County park system one that provided recreational opportunities in every part of the county.

"For 39 years, he has served as a steward of our environment, the architect of the county budget, a champion of Ocean County College and a man truly dedicated to public service," the freeholders said. "He often said that being a freeholder was the best elected position you can have, doing the most good for your constituents, because you always remained close to them."

The Ocean County parks system became a vibrant part of the county due to Bartlett's passion, and now counts 27 parks and conservation areas, including two golf courses, two off-leash dog parks, areas for swimming, canoeing, fishing and sports fields and playgrounds. There is a historic cranberry farm, a tavern (currently closed) on the National Register of Historic Sites with rumored ties to the Revolutionary War, and the Barnegat Branch Trail is part of the system.

On Halloween, the renovated Berkeley Island County Park was renamed to honor Bartlett and his commitment to the system. Berkeley Island County Park, which opened in May 1983, was one of the first in the Ocean County Park system.

A 28th park that will be built in Manchester Township was approved in March 2018.

"That will put a county park within reach of residents throughout the county," Bartlett said at the Manchester Township Council meeting where it was announced.

He chaired the county’s Department of Finance in addition to the parks department, and was liaison to the county’s Natural Lands Trust Fund program and to Ocean County College, where his ties ran deep. Bartlett was a member of the college's first graduating class in 1968 and an unwavering supporter of the college. In his work as a freeholder, Bartlett ensured that OCC was able to offer quality education at an affordable cost.

"No matter the circumstances, Freeholder Bartlett staunchly protected the well-being of the college and its students, not only through aid to its operating budget but also by assisting the college with capital programs," OCC officials said in a statement. "He was a champion of the Kean-Ocean program and had a strong hand in the funding to construct the Gateway Building, jointly owned by OCC and Kean University."

In August 2009, OCC honored Bartlett through the dedication of John C. Bartlett Jr. Hall. The 32,000-square-foot building, which is LEED-certified, was built to accommodate our fast-growing student population, and comprises 17 multipurpose classrooms, some of which double as computer labs, along with offices and lounges.

He also received the Ocean County College Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013 at the commencement ceremony.

"Ocean County was John’s home, and his calling. And OCC was fortunate to have him by its side," OCC officials said. "He will be missed."

Bartlett received his associate's degree from OCC, a bachelor’s degree from Western Maryland College, and a master’s degree in political science from the Graduate School of Public Affairs, State University of New York at Albany. Following a successful career as a history teacher at Toms River High School North, Bartlett was a professor of social sciences at OCC for several years.

Bartlett was present to cut the ribbon at the now-named John C. Bartlett Jr. County Park at Berkeley Island, following extensive renovations there following the devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. The ceremony was his last public appearance.

Bartlett, who had been seeking to return to the freeholder board earlier this year, withdrew his re-election bid during the summer as his battle with cancer worsened.

"Freeholder Bartlett always spoke with great delight about his wife, Peg, his children and his beloved grandchildren. They all became our family too," the freeholders said. "(He) leaves an indelible mark on Ocean County and we are so very sorry that he will no longer be with us to serve our citizens and work with us as a board."

"Saying goodbye is difficult for all of us," the freeholders said. "With our deepest condolences and sympathy, we keep his family in our thoughts and prayers."

Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., with Manchester Mayor Kenneth Palmer and Council President Craig Wallis show off a preliminary rendering of the area where a new county park will be built in Manchester. Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff