Following the sudden and tragic passing of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President Joseph Fiordaliso on Sept. 6, remembrances and condolences are flooding in from around the Garden State.

As NJBIZ reported, Fiordaliso, who has served as NJBPU president since the first day of Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration, died Wednesday evening at age 78.

“Joe Fiordaliso was a consummate public servant, a trusted colleague, and a good friend,” said Murphy in a statement released by his office confirming Fiordaliso’s passing, which was first reported by the New Jersey Globe. “Above all, he was a devoted husband to his wife Marilyn, father to Dana and Joe, and grandfather to six loving children.”

Business groups, leaders, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, fellow cabinet members, key stakeholders, and so many more have offered their tributes and memories.

“I am sorry to hear about President Fiordaliso’s passing,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District. “He was a talented, dedicated public servant in local and state government. He set a tone of collegiality and respect, bringing people together to get things done for New Jersey.”

“I am saddened to hear about the passing of the Board of Public Utilities President Joe Fiordaliso. Joe’s public service began in the late 1980’s and his dedication to making New Jersey a better place never wavered,” said Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, R-25th District. “Whether he was serving on the Livingston Council, directing Planning and Development for Essex County, or helping provide resources after natural disasters, his decades worth of experience and knowledge made him a stalwart public servant. There is no question that New Jersey is a much better place thanks to Joe’s hard work over the years. He will be sorely missed.”

“Joe Fiordaliso was a leader, a passionate advocate for clean energy, and the embodiment of a public servant. He was also one of the kindest and most decent people you’ll ever meet – and pretty funny, too,” said Attorney General Matthew Platkin. “A son of Newark and former Mayor of Livingston, Joe’s New Jersey roots run deep. From his longstanding place as a Commissioner on the Board of Public Utilities – with bipartisan support – to his elevation as President in 2018, Joe never stopped looking for ways to make life better for New Jerseyans. No matter what issues arose – from hurricanes to complex policy debates about clean energy – he never shied away from a challenge, and he handled them all with a class and grace that is sadly all too rare today. I will miss Joe as a friend and a colleague, and the state is left without one its most capable and dedicated public servants.”

“Joe was not only a committed public servant, devoted to the mission and work of the BPU, he was a kind and thoughtful colleague always with a smile and words of encouragement for those he worked and served with,” said Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “He was a true pleasure to know and will be greatly missed.”

“Terribly sad news about Joe Fiordaliso. A giant. When I first came to Trenton, and basically knew no one, he was incredibly kind to me and took me under his wing,” Tim Sullivan, New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) CEO wrote on social media. “He became a friend and mentor and an incredibly staunch ally in the fight for a clean energy economy. RIP Pres.”

“Shocked by the sudden passing of my friend and partner in climate policy + more, @njbpuprez Joseph Fiordaliso – a kind and thoughtful man who will be sorely missed,” New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette wrote on social media. “His career-long commitment to public service has improved the quality of life for many across the Garden State.”

“Both as President and in his years prior with the BPU, Joe was truly and passionately committed to his job and its many missions,” said New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “And even when we didn’t agree on policy issues, President Fiordaliso always had an open door, took part in many NJBIA events and had receptive ears to our concerns. NJBIA offers our heartfelt condolences to Joe’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed.”

“We mourn the loss of BPU President Fiordaliso, who had the right traits for a public servant – insightful, passionate, authentic, straightforward and pragmatic. He led the Murphy Administration’s push for clean energy in a thoughtful way – and we were grateful that he considered all who would be affected, including the business community,” said New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Tom Bracken. “He was a special guest at New Jersey Chamber events on multiple occasions, and the give-and-take between him and our members was invariably genuine and constructive. We may not have always agreed with Joe’s positions, but we respected him. He will be missed.”

“Throughout his esteemed career, President Fiordaliso was a dedicated public servant and leader in statewide energy policy,” said Christina Renna, president and CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ). “His impact extended beyond the realm of energy, as he was a respected figure within New Jersey’s business community, working collaboratively with the CCSNJ and its members to promote economic development and job creation. The CCSNJ had the privilege of hosting President Fiordaliso many times during his tenure as President of the Board, as recently as last month, and as always, we appreciated his willingness to address our members thoroughly and candidly. We send our sincerest condolences to his family during this difficult time.”

Jim Fakult, president of New Jersey operations for FirstEnergy Corp., said that New Jersey is a better place to live, work, and raise a family thanks to Fiordaliso’s public service and leadership.

“He recognized and celebrated the opportunity to help lead our state in securing a brighter future. Joe treated everyone who dealt with the BPU with fairness and humility while fostering collaboration between the state’s utilities – all for the good of New Jersey’s residents and businesses,” said Fakult. “We are thankful for and honor his decades of service to the people of the Garden State.”

“His unwavering commitment to both his family and the mission of the Board of Public Utilities was truly exceptional. He demonstrated this dedication each day, balancing the demands of his role with the warmth and care he showed to his loved ones,” said New Jersey American Water President Mark McDonough. “His passion for the work of the Board of Public Utilities was unparalleled, and he was instrumental in shaping policies that helped ensure reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services for all. His leadership will be deeply missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his staff.”

“It would be difficult to find a more caring, dedicated person than Joe Fiordaliso. He exemplified the best in what we could hope for in a public servant, first as a councilman and mayor, then in his work with Governor Codey and then leading the Board of Public Utilities,” said Dave Rible, executive director, Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA). “It is a remarkable legacy. Joe was approachable and easily likable but perhaps most importantly, he was a family man, dedicated to his wife, children and grandchildren. This is a sad day for New Jersey.”