Gerald Calabrese
Gerald Calabrese | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 4, 1925 Cliffside Park, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | April 13, 2015 (aged 90) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, professional basketball player |
| Years active | 1950–2015 |
| Known for | Mayor of Cliffside Park, New Jersey (1965–2015); NBA player for Syracuse Nationals |
Gerald Anthony Calabrese (February 4, 1925 – April 13, 2015) was a prominent American political figure who held the position of Mayor in Cliffside Park, New Jersey for an extensive period of 50 years, spanning from 1965 until 2015. Affiliated with the Democratic Party, he also had a professional basketball career, competing in the NBA for two seasons with the Syracuse Nationals.
Biography
After graduating from Cliffside Park High School, where he captained the basketball team to a state title, Calabrese served in the United States Navy during World War II. Following his military service, he enrolled at St. John's University, where he earned recognition as an All-American. Subsequently, he played professionally with the Syracuse Nationals, the franchise that would later become today's Philadelphia 76ers.
Calabrese's political career began with his election to the Cliffside Park Borough Council in 1955, and he first assumed the mayoralty in 1959. He secured re-election in 1965 and maintained continuous service until his passing in 2015. In addition to his mayoral duties, he was elected to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders in the years 1975, 1978, and 1982, serving as Freeholder Director in 1984. Between 1960 and 1991, Calabrese was employed by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, retiring as director overseeing water and sewage operations. He also led the Bergen County Democratic Organization as its chairman for several years.
By 2008, Calabrese held the distinction of being New Jersey's longest-tenured mayor. He consistently obtained substantial annual funding for Cliffside Park and ranked among the most enduring mayors nationwide.
Calabrese passed away on April 13, 2015, at the age of 90. Following his death, his son Thomas Calabrese succeeded him as mayor.
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950–51 | Syracuse | 46 | .355 | .693 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 4.4 | |
| 1951–52 | Syracuse | 58 | 16.2 | .344 | .709 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 5.0 |
| Career | 104 | 16.2 | .348 | .702 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 4.7 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Syracuse | 6 | 8.8 | .417 | 1.000 | 1.3 | .7 | 4.0 |