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Paul J. Smith, RIP

Paul J. Smith 1953-2020

Paul J. Smith, the mayor of Union Beach, passed this afternoon at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. He was 66 years old.

Smith took a fall at home at about 2 p.m. this afternoon, according to his friend Charles Cocouzza, a Union Beach councilman. He appeared to be recovering in the hospital and unexpectedly went into cardiac arrest.

Smith was in his third term as mayor. He served Union Beach as a borough councilman for 37 years prior to becoming mayor.

“Paul was for the people all of the time, not just when it was convenient,” his long time friend Bob Burlew said.

Smith is survived by his wife Sharon, two daughters and a granddaughter.

Tributes to Paul are prolific on social media.

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Posted: April 30th, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Monmouth County News, Union Beach | Tags: , , , | 4 Comments »

4 Comments on “Paul J. Smith, RIP”

  1. T said at 7:19 pm on April 30th, 2020:

    I met him in 2015. He was such a great guy. I was really shocked and saddened to hear about this.

  2. Very sad news. said at 7:36 pm on April 30th, 2020:

    Lovely gentleman, so kind, dedicated and loyal. So sorry for his town and family.

  3. Michael Kelly said at 8:50 pm on April 30th, 2020:

    Most people in Monmouth County might not know Paul. As far as people in Union Beach…he was part of our families. He was our Mayor, He was our friend, he was our brother. He was a mentor to the Children in our community for over 30 years. We knew him as Mr. Mayor, Mr. Smith…..he would always respond with Mr. Smith was my father…I’m just Paul……we are devastated by the loss of this giant of public service, and our friend

  4. Steve Murray said at 4:06 pm on May 1st, 2020:

    What a sad day for all of us that knew Paul, simply put he was the absolute best of the best. We will miss him dearly . RIP my old friend