Longtime Woodbridge, Middlesex County public servant Vincent Martino remembered
Vincent Martino, the former Middlesex County freeholder and Woodbridge councilman, is being remembered as a dedicated public servant who didn’t let politics stand in the way of serving the community’s best interests.
Martino, who died April 21 at the age of 88, served as both a Democrat and Republican for more than three decades in public office.
"Labels didn't matter to Vinnie. He was a public servant, and he didn't care much for the politics. He just wanted to serve the people," said Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac.
Former Woodbridge Mayor and New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey agreed.
"None of those partisan labels were particularly relevant because he was Vinnie," McGreevey said. "He was always direct and straight forward."
Martino, a Port Reading section resident, served on the Woodbridge Township Council from 1972-1980, 1992-1995 and 2002-2005, representing the 3rd Ward and at-large.
He also served as a Port Reading fire commissioner, a five-year term on the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency starting in 1996 and as a Woodbridge Planning Board member from 1992-94.
He was appointed to the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders to fill a vacant post in 1979 and then elected to three terms before being forced off the Democratic Party ticket following a disagreement with former Woodbridge Mayor Joseph DeMarino. After losing a bid as an independent candidate, Martino later became a Republican and won a seat on the Woodbridge Township Council.
He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in Woodbridge as a Republican in 2003.
McCormac said Martino was known for "anything Port Reading."
"He was active in the church, the school, the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, the fire company. He was an amazing man and quite a character," McCormac said. "You couldn't not like Vinnie Martino. You couldn't be around him and not smile. You could never be angry with him, and to say that about someone with a long political career is almost unheard of."
McCormac added that Martino was a fun guy to be around.
"We could argue and debate and never raise our voices," the mayor said.
McCormac recalled that with Martino there were always healthy debates during budget discussions.
"He once told me if I wanted to save money, we could just take the jelly out of the doughnuts and just get plain at senior luncheons," McCormac said. "He was just a funny guy."
Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald Rios said he and the Board were saddened by the news of Martino's death.
"Mr. Martino was a devoted public servant who held a freeholder position in Middlesex County from 1983-1989; he served several terms as a councilman in Woodbridge Township; and worked for the county. He had a passion for the railroad, having worked for Port Reading Railroad in his youth. A son of Italian immigrants, Vincent believed in American ideals of freedom, service and dedication. Our community benefitted greatly because of his tireless work for the residents," Rios said in a statement while extending condolences to Martino’s wife Rosie, his brother Marty and the rest their family.
Martino as freeholder served as chairman of the parks department and park police.
McGreevey described Martino as "an extraordinary person" with whom he has a deep love and affection for.
As a young mayor in 1996, McGreevey recalled multiple sources offering him advice about a fuel tank fire in town. McGreevey's father told him to call Martino and Carteret Mayor Peter Sica for advice, while others had urged McGreevey to drain the tanks. Martino warned him against that.
"Vinnie's point was if you drain the tanks the vapors will be far more combustible and the liquid actually will cool the outer perimeter of the shell as opposed to the vapors," McGreevey said.
Sica agreed with Martino, and McGreevey chose to trust his gut and the people he knew. Later a vice president of the fuel tank company confirmed Martino was correct, McGreevey said.
"Knowing his life's wisdom, his experience, his judgement was so valuable," McGreevey said.
McGreevey said Martino's personal relationships fostered his ability to serve in different political parties and in different branches of government.
"All of us were so fond of him. He was always a gentleman. In today's world so much of government and politics is unfortunately pointed, sometimes ugly; never with Vinnie. He was always a gentleman, always caring," McGreevey said. "Everything he did was for the common good, he never did for himself. He was always about the community and helping others. His motivation was always honorable and good."
Martino was a member of the United States Marines Reserve from 1952-1953 and served in the United States Army from 1954-56, including 18 months in Germany, according to his obituary.
Visitation for Martino will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 436 Port Reading Ave., in the Port Reading section of Woodbridge. A funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 28, at the church followed by entombment at St. James Chapel Mausoleum in Woodbridge.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Vincent Martino, longtime Woodbridge public servant, remembered
