Joe Fiordaliso
Livingston has lost an icon with the passing of Joseph Fiordaliso. The dictionary defines an icon as “a person or thing regarded as… worthy of veneration;” and Mr. Fiordaliso certainly fit that definition. Before becoming a grandpa, he was known affectionately as “Joe Fee-o;” but once his precious grandchildren arrived he was always “Papa Joe.”
His ready smile and affable way were the gateway to his caring personality. He started his career as an educator and that desire – to teach and to help others – followed him throughout his life. A graduate of Montclair State, he taught at Vailsburg and Bloomfield High School for 18 years before founding We Drive, a service that used the client’s car to take customers to their destinations.
After attending President John F. Kennedy’s speech in Newark in 1962 as a student, the seed of public service was planted. More than two decades later, Joe Fiordaliso was elected to the Livingston Township Council and our town benefited from 12 years of his caring leadership. He served as mayor three times and worked tirelessly to bring housing for senior citizens to the community, a need that had been stalled for many years.
Despite some heated debates, he always maintained a warm smile and a handshake for those who might have disagreed with him. Papa Joe reinvigorated the Livingston Arts Council during his tenure, and was mayor when the Olympic torch was carried through town in 1996. His pride for his hometown was evident as he welcomed the flame on its way to Atlanta.
As a family man, Papa Joe was unparalleled. He adored his wife, Marilyn, and his children, Joe and Dana; but the lights of his life were his six grandchildren. He worked hard and lived by the saying, “I wouldn’t change my grandchildren for the world; but I certainly want to change the world for my grandchildren.” His work on the Board of Public Utilities and his efforts to mitigate climate change were proof of that.
An extensive obituary can be found in this week’s edition of the Tribune, listing the many contributions Papa Joe made to the state, to the country and to the environment during his lifetime.
The world, most especially our little corner of it, will miss his patient guidance, his warm smile, his strong work ethic and his willingness to lend a hand no matter how large or small the need. Our condolences are extended to the entire Fiordaliso clan with hopes that his memory will be a blessing for all.
Back to School
Summer is over already? Really? Well, maybe not according to the weather, but it is if you go by the school calendar – classes for Livingston Public School students began last week, on September 5. We have officially arrived at that time of year that harried parents cherish, and children looking to squeeze every inch out of summer vacation dreads: Back to school.
We are excited for the return of fall sports and band recitals; the robotics tournaments and art shows; the new friendships forged and memories made. To all of our parents, teachers, and students, welcome back to school. We hope you are as excited about it as we are. And with school back in session, it is a good time to consider what more we can do to keep our children safe.
Back-to-school season means increased automobile and pedestrian traffic. According to AAA, nearly one-fifth of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians under the age of 15, and more school-aged pedestrians are killed between the hours of 3 and 4 p.m. – once school ends – than any other time of the day.
With these frightening statistics in mind, we implore drivers to slow down and remain alert behind the wheel. That means keeping speeds low in areas where children are most likely to be present, such as schools, playgrounds, and recreation areas.
It also means driving distraction-free. Glancing away from the road for even just two seconds doubles the chance of being involved in a crash.
In addition, it’s important to scan between parked cars. Children can quickly dart out from between parked vehicles, forgetting to look for oncoming traffic. Such an accident occurred in town just a few years ago; luckily, the child involved did not suffer serious injuries.
Now that school has started again, parents need to learn – and obey – the traffic patterns for dropping off their children at their particular schools. These patterns have been developed by the officials to maximize safety. But the safety of the children can only be ensured if the motorists follow the rules.
It’s up to all of us to make sure that our community is a safe place for our children. We need to slow down. We need to be careful and to follow the rules. By taking a few precautions, we can help to avoid a tragedy.
