20 Oct ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES “THOMAS J. TUCCI, SR. PLAYGROUND” IN ESSEX COUNTY CEDAR GROVE PARK Honor Recognizes Mr. Tucci’s Lifelong Dedication Promoting Youth Recreation Programs and Upgrading Athletic Facilities in Newark and Cedar Grove
Published on October 20, 2021
Cedar Grove, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the playground in Essex County Cedar Grover Park as the “Thomas J. Tucci, Sr. Playground” in honor of the late Thomas J. Tucci. Mr. Tucci was a Cedar Grove resident who had a lifetime of involvement promoting youth recreation activities and upgrading public athletic facilities.
“Mr. Tucci was a role model and father figure for many of the children in Newark when I was growing up and was very influential in my life. He was a champion for youth recreation and was continually lobbying for improved fields,” DiVincenzo said. “When he moved to Cedar Grove, he continued his involvement in the community and his remained dedicated to creating safe recreation opportunities for youth. Naming the playground in Cedar Grove Park is a fitting honor and will bring recognition to his life’s work,” he added.
“This dedication means so much to me and my family. My father’s passion in life was helping people. When he was coaching, he was not just teaching his players about the game; he was teaching them about values and teamwork. He left his legacy in all the programs he ran and fields that he lobbied to improve. My father was the greatest to me, but it feels even better when other people acknowledge it,” said Tom Tucci, who serves as the Cedar Grove Town Manager.
“I have known the Tucci family for so many years. I believe Tom would be overwhelmed by this honor. He was like a father to all of us and was one of the greatest human beings,” Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Board of Commissioners Chairman Kevin O’Toole said.
“I never knew Mr. Tucci, but I feel my life has been touched by his influence. My husband played baseball on the fields that Mr. Tucci coached at and my daughter plays in the park where he created recreation programs for children,” NJ State Senator and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.
“I commend our County Executive for recognizing someone who never held public office and was a great family man. This dedication is a great tribute to his family,” Assemblyman Ralph Caputo said.
“This dedication is a testament to his numerous contributions to the community, which are still being felt by our residents. Mr. Tucci’s work ethic an resolve to help others has lived on through his family and now his legacy will live on in a park, which was his life’s mission,” Cedar Grove Deputy Mayor Joseph Maceri said.
A bronze plaque and wooden sign were placed at the entrance to the playground. The bronze plaque begins with a quote from Fred Rogers from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood: “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, “Thomas J. Tucci, Sr. worked for Charms Candy in Newark for 33 years and at the Essex County Police Academy for 25 years, but his real passion was providing children with meaningful and safe recreation opportunities. As a founder and member of the Cedar Grove Youth Advisory Commission, Mr. Tucci developed programs, activities and athletic teams that kept children active, taught them sportsmanship and fostered leadership skills. Seeing the need for improved recreation programs, Tom became one of the founders of the Branch Brook Little League, President of the Newark Pop Warner Football Program and President of the Sacred Heart PTO. In the 1980s, he lobbied County officials to give the first-ever facelift to the athletic fields in the Branch Brook Park Middle Division. His spirit and legacy can be seen every spring when thousands of boys and girls run the bases on their ‘field of dreams.’ To recognize Mr. Tucci’s many contributions and his lifelong purpose of providing children with opportunities and places to learn, grow and have fun, we are pleased to dedicate the Playground in Essex County Cedar Grove Park in his honor.”
Mr. Tucci passed away in 1999. He is the father of Cedar Grove Township Manager Thomas Tucci, Jr. and Nutley Mayor Mauro Tucci.
Essex County Cedar Grove Park was formerly part of the old Essex County Hospital Center, formerly known as the Essex County Sanitorium. It was preserved as open space and developed into parkland by DiVincenzo and the Board of Chosen Freeholders (now known as the Board of County Commissioners). Dedicated and opened in December 2016, the 90-acre park became the 22nd park in the Essex County Parks System and the first county park in Cedar Grove. The park includes passive walking trails, the Robert O’Toole Community Center and a farmhouse-themed playground that connects the facility to the property’s roots when the farm there supported sanitorium operations.
DiVincenzo has named several playgrounds to honor Essex County individuals, including the Eleanor Guarino Playground in Essex County Belleville Park in 2018, the Carl Sharif Playground in Essex County Weequahic Park in 2016, the Frank A. Cocchiola Playground in Essex County Yanticaw Park in Nutley in 2006, the James “Jim” Wallace Playground in Essex County West Side Park in 2006 and the Shakil Williams Playground in Essex County Branch Brook Park in 2006.