Dominick Marino, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, has died, according to a post on the association’s social media.
Marišno was a North Bergen native who šhad been a firefighter in the township.
He served for more than 25 years as a firefighter in the North Bergen Fire Department and North Hudson Regional Fire Rescue, retiring from active service in 2011. He heš¦ld multiple leadership positions in the firefighter union locals in botš“h departments.
According to the association, Marino served for many years as 2nd Vice President and Treasurer of the PFANJ, the chartered sštate association of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), before becoming president in 2008.
Marino also serź§ved as the North Bergen Firefighter union president prior to the formation of theš¦© North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue (NHRFR). He was the NHRFR union president after its inception.
North Bergen Mayor and State Senator Nicholą¼as Sacco called Marino a great public servant and offered his condolences to the family.
“We are profoundly saddened by the death of Mr. Marino,” Sacco said.Ā “We join his family, friends and loved ones in their mourning and wish them strength and grace during this difficult time.”
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, who worked with Marino to help 9/11 responders, said he would miss Marinoās adāvice.
āDominick Marino was a tireless and vigorous advocate for New Jerseyās firefš¼ighters,ā Menendez said. āTruly one of our stateās bravāest, he never backed down from a fight and put the health and safety of his members first and foremost.ā
Menendāez said he was proud to work with Marino to develop and pass the Firefighter Cancer Registry, extend lifetime benefits for 9/11 heroes, and increase federal investments to ensure firehouses have the staffing and equipment they need to protect local communities.
āI will always appreciate and miss Dominickās counsel on some of the most pressing issues facing our first responders,ā Meš¦nendez said. āMy heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all the members of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey mourning this tremendous loss.ā
Commended by Gov. Murphy
Gov. Phil Murphy also lamented the loss of his friend Maršino, recalling his bravery.
āDominick Marino ļ·ŗdidnāt just run into burning buildings, he ką¹nocked down walls to protect his fellow firefighters,ā Murphy said. āHe put his heart and soul into everything he did for his members, and in doing so he exemplified everything you ever could want from a leader.
Murphy said that one of the great honors of his governorship was signing the Thomas P. Canzanella 21st Century First Responders Protection Act, noting that the billź©µ could just as easily have carried Marinoās nameš¦© because of the dedication he showed in getting the legislation passed.
āI will miss his friendship andš» good counsel, and his regular check -ins, including this week,ā Murphy said. āHe was one of a kind. My deepest condolences go out to his family, his membership, and the entire New Jersey firefighting community.ā
Marino was 61. It is not clear what the cš¼ause of death was, nor if it was COVID-19 related.
Mš°arinoą¼ŗ leaves behind his wife Ellen and two children.
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