Obituary for Harry A. McEnroe
Harry A. McEnroe, of Mantoloking, a long-time Essex County legislator, father of seven and grandfather of twelve, died peacefully on February 8th after battling cancer for several years. He was 90 years old.
A proud Vailsburg, Newark native, he was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Mary (McCormack) McEnroe, his sisters, Mary Ryan and Ellen Golding, as well as a brother, Eugene F. McEnroe.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Margaret Harte McEnroe, with whom he attended his junior prom, and their children: Elizabeth (Herb Hirsch), Moira McEnroe Carey (Daniel), Harry (Carla), Paul (Beth Hirschhorn), Brian, Thomas (Ashley), and Robert (Maureen).
After graduating from Seton Hall Prep, where he recently attended his 70th reunion, Harry earned his Bachelor’s Degree from St. Bonaventure University, where he played baseball and on their nationally-ranked basketball team. After a short time in his father’s plumbing business, he embarked on a thirty-plus year career as an Executive Sales Representative at Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. where he garnered numerous national sales awards.
An Army veteran, Harry served the people of New Jersey while holding political office continuously from 1973 to 1996. He was also Chairman of the South Orange Democratic Party for many years. He was an Essex County Freeholder from 1973 to 1979, serving as Director during the bicentennial year. Thereafter, Harry represented Essex County in the New Jersey State Assembly for eight terms, from 1980 to 1996.
Among his many legislative achievements were his substantial contributions in developing New Jersey’s solid waste recycling program through the “McEnroe Act.” He also sponsored legislation that created the New Jersey Poison Control Center, the State’s primary defense against injury and deaths from poisoning.
A long-time South Orange resident, Harry was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows parish and the local Knights of Columbus council. He enjoyed an extended retirement, often playing golf on Monmouth County’s courses and at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He shot his age well into his 80s. Also, active parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Bay Head, Harry and Peggy loved spending time at the beaches in Manasquan, Mantoloking and Ponte Vedra. While juggling two careers, Harry was an inveterate home contractor, with no job too big or small to tackle. He was also a Giants season ticket holder and avid supporter of Seton Hall University basketball.
Harry and Peggy were blessed with twelve grandchildren who provided them much joy in their later years: Steven and Daniel Hirsch of Baltimore; Owen, Brendan, and Julia McEnroe of Mendham; Ryan and Elle McEnroe of Mantoloking; Thomas, Remmey, and Aileen McEnroe of Chatham; and Mary and Robert McEnroe of Morristown. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A wake is scheduled for Thursday, February 11th from 4 – 8pm at O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road @ Highway 70, Brick. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 12th at 9:30am at St. Mark’s Church, Sea Girt, with in-person attendance limited to 200. The Mass may also be viewed by live stream: https://player2.streamspot.com/?playerId=7d00d653.
Facial masks must be worn for all indoor gatherings while maintaining social distancing.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s memory are welcome for Seton Hall Prep, 120 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052, and St. Bonaventure University, P.O. 2519, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778.
A proud Vailsburg, Newark native, he was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Mary (McCormack) McEnroe, his sisters, Mary Ryan and Ellen Golding, as well as a brother, Eugene F. McEnroe.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Margaret Harte McEnroe, with whom he attended his junior prom, and their children: Elizabeth (Herb Hirsch), Moira McEnroe Carey (Daniel), Harry (Carla), Paul (Beth Hirschhorn), Brian, Thomas (Ashley), and Robert (Maureen).
After graduating from Seton Hall Prep, where he recently attended his 70th reunion, Harry earned his Bachelor’s Degree from St. Bonaventure University, where he played baseball and on their nationally-ranked basketball team. After a short time in his father’s plumbing business, he embarked on a thirty-plus year career as an Executive Sales Representative at Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. where he garnered numerous national sales awards.
An Army veteran, Harry served the people of New Jersey while holding political office continuously from 1973 to 1996. He was also Chairman of the South Orange Democratic Party for many years. He was an Essex County Freeholder from 1973 to 1979, serving as Director during the bicentennial year. Thereafter, Harry represented Essex County in the New Jersey State Assembly for eight terms, from 1980 to 1996.
Among his many legislative achievements were his substantial contributions in developing New Jersey’s solid waste recycling program through the “McEnroe Act.” He also sponsored legislation that created the New Jersey Poison Control Center, the State’s primary defense against injury and deaths from poisoning.
A long-time South Orange resident, Harry was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows parish and the local Knights of Columbus council. He enjoyed an extended retirement, often playing golf on Monmouth County’s courses and at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He shot his age well into his 80s. Also, active parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Bay Head, Harry and Peggy loved spending time at the beaches in Manasquan, Mantoloking and Ponte Vedra. While juggling two careers, Harry was an inveterate home contractor, with no job too big or small to tackle. He was also a Giants season ticket holder and avid supporter of Seton Hall University basketball.
Harry and Peggy were blessed with twelve grandchildren who provided them much joy in their later years: Steven and Daniel Hirsch of Baltimore; Owen, Brendan, and Julia McEnroe of Mendham; Ryan and Elle McEnroe of Mantoloking; Thomas, Remmey, and Aileen McEnroe of Chatham; and Mary and Robert McEnroe of Morristown. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A wake is scheduled for Thursday, February 11th from 4 – 8pm at O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road @ Highway 70, Brick. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 12th at 9:30am at St. Mark’s Church, Sea Girt, with in-person attendance limited to 200. The Mass may also be viewed by live stream: https://player2.streamspot.com/?playerId=7d00d653.
Facial masks must be worn for all indoor gatherings while maintaining social distancing.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s memory are welcome for Seton Hall Prep, 120 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052, and St. Bonaventure University, P.O. 2519, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778.