Remembering Congressman Bill Pascrell: A Lifelong Champion for Paterson and NJCDC
August 21, 2025
The story of NJCDC cannot be told without celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. From our founding in 1994, when he served as Mayor of Paterson, Congressman Pascrell didn’t just support our mission, he embraced it as his own. For more than three decades, he stood alongside us as we worked to transform lives and neighborhoods, attending countless NJCDC events, encouraging our students, and sharing his boundless optimism for Paterson’s future.
Our connection to the Pascrell family runs deep. Bill Pascrell III has served as a founding board member of NJCDC and today holds the honor of being our “Dean of the Board” — a living testament to his family’s enduring commitment to our work.
“Congressman Pascrell was more than a friend to NJCDC, he was family,” reflects NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci. “From the very beginning, he believed in our mission and stood with us in making Paterson a place of opportunity. He never missed a chance to lift up our young people, and his love for this city was boundless. His legacy of service will continue to inspire us every single day.”
One of Congressman Pascrell’s most meaningful moments with our organization came just last spring during our Paterson Youth Council’s annual trip to Washington, D.C. In what would be one of his last meetings with Paterson teens, he urged them to believe in their potential and channel their passion into meaningful service. That encounter perfectly captures his essence: a leader who never stopped investing in the next generation, who saw promise in every young person he met.
Champion for Paterson
Congressman Pascrell’s story is inseparable from Paterson’s own. Born and raised here, he carried his roots with him throughout his remarkable journey — and he never let anyone forget how to spell his beloved city’s name (with one “t,” he would remind with a smile). His path of service began in the classroom as an educator, led him through the mayor’s office and New Jersey Assembly, and ultimately to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he proudly represented his hometown for nearly three decades.
His most visible gift to Paterson stands as a monument to his vision: the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Through his tireless advocacy, he elevated one of America’s most important industrial landmarks to national prominence, ensuring that Paterson’s rich history — and its bright future as a destination — will be celebrated for generations to come.
But his impact stretched far beyond the Great Falls. Congressman Pascrell fought with equal passion for public safety, public health, and the wellbeing of working families across New Jersey. Whether speaking on the House floor or walking the streets of Paterson, he brought the same urgency, grit, and deep affection to every challenge facing the people he served.
A Legacy of Service and Mentorship
To NJCDC and countless others, Congressman Pascrell was far more than an elected official; he was a mentor, guide, and proud champion of Paterson’s potential. He regularly honored members of our Great Falls Youth Corps, presenting them with Certificates of Congressional Recognition and reminding them that their work as “future stewards” of the park was vital to Paterson’s continued growth. In every interaction, he instilled in young people the unshakeable belief that they could — and would — carry their city forward.
This commitment to creating opportunities took tangible form in 2021, when the Full Service Community School at JFK High School launched with a $2.5 million federal grant secured through Paterson Public Schools with Congressman Pascrell’s strong support. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, he articulated his educational philosophy with characteristic passion:
“Our push for equality in equitable education must be multi-faceted. I mean, strong federal investments. That means state support and it means collaboration within the community, working together. Because only together are we going to do the job of educating our kids.”
His words captured both his governing philosophy and decades of action, consistently investing in institutions that bring real resources to students and families.
Forever in Our Hearts
Congressman Pascrell passed away on August 21, 2024, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy measured not just in legislation and landmarks, but in the thousands of lives he touched throughout Paterson. His loss is deeply felt by his family, his friends, NJCDC, and the entire city he loved so dearly.
Yet his spirit continues to guide our work. Every time a child begins preschool at our Paterson Family Center, every time a teenager finds their voice through our youth programs, every time families gather at the Great Falls to celebrate their city’s heritage, we are reminded of Congressman Pascrell’s unwavering belief in Paterson's promise.
NJCDC will forever be grateful for his friendship, his support, and his example. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. will be remembered not only for his remarkable achievements in public service, but for the love he showed his community and his steadfast commitment to the people of Paterson — the city he was so proud to call home.
