Services held for Congressman Bill Pascrell in Paterson

PATERSON, N.J. (PIX11) -- Hundreds of politicians and constituents paid their respects to the late Congressman Bill Pascrell at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson on Tuesday.

Pascrell proudly called Paterson his lifelong home. The 87-year-old passed away last Wednesday after being hospitalized for respiratory issues in July.

Pascrell dedicated his life to public service. After graduating from Fordham University, he served in the U.S. Army and spent a dozen years teaching high school before breaking into politics.

Pascrell was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1987, then went on to serve two terms as the mayor of Paterson. He was elected to Congress in 1996, where he served until his death.

Pascrell, who was expected to win reelection in November, would have become the oldest-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh remembers Pascrell fondly.

“I worked for him for many years,” said Sayegh. “In fact, in 1996, I volunteered on his first congressional campaign. I learned a lot. He swore me in twice when I was a councilman and twice when I was the mayor.”

Sayegh said Pascrell was proud to call Paterson his home.

“He never forgot where he was from,” said Sayegh. "When he was on the House floor, he would fondly say, ‘I’m Congressman Bill Pascrell and I’m from Paterson.’”

Pascrell will be laid to rest Wednesday morning. His final resting place will be the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and Mausoleum in Totowa.