Dr. Thomas Paterniti remembered as an outstanding statesman

MIDDLESEX COUNTY - Dr. Thomas H. "Doc" Paterniti was remembered Monday as a stellar statesman and outstanding mentor to countless New Jersey politicians.

A dentist for 60 years with a private practice in Metuchen, Paterniti died Saturday at John  F. Kennedy Medical Center's Haven Hospice Care Center in Edison. He served twice as Edison's mayor and worked 12 years in the New Jersey Legislature, representing the 18th District as a state Senator and Assemblyman. He also was Middlesex County’s longest-serving Democratic Municipal Chairman, a post he held in Edison for a total of 31 years until 2015, according to his obituary. 

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Paterniti is widely regarded as the "Dean of Middlesex County Democrats" for his long and distinguished public service career, his legislative accomplishments, his skillful political strategies and for mentoring many successful local, county and statewide candidates, his obituary said.

"It’s a daunting task to summarize Doc Paterniti’s lifetime of public service and his countless contributions in just a few words," Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey said in a statement. "Doc was a larger-than-life presence in Edison, throughout Middlesex County and on the statewide stage. As a state lawmaker and Edison’s mayor, Doc worked tirelessly to improve the quality of people’s lives, showing special concern for working-class families, for veterans and senior citizens, and for people with disabilities."

But Paterniti not only had his own distinguished career in government service, he also mentored and launched the political careers of many other people who have served and are still serving in municipal, county and state government, Lankey said.

"They are part of Doc’s legacy, too," the mayor said. 

Middlesex County Democratic Organization Chairman Kevin McCabe said in a Facebook post that  "Dr. Thomas 'Doc' Paterniti was a legend in Middlesex County politics."

"Doc served in many capacities over the course of his career: Councilman, Mayor, Assemblyman, and State Senator," McCabe wrote. "He spent 31 years as the Chairman of the Edison Democratic Organization. In all of these roles, his dedication and integrity were unparalleled. He built a remarkable record of public service to Edison and to the state of New Jersey. A whole generation of public servants, myself included, learned from Doc Paterniti’s example. Doc was an extraordinary leader and mentor. In addition, Doc was a wonderful family man, a dedicated father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He set a high standard for all to follow, and he will be missed."

Peter J. Barnes, former Senator, Assemblyman and member of the Edison Township Council, who is now a Middlesex County Superior Court Judge, also remembered Paterniti as an excellent role model and leader. 

Barnes knew Paterniti for more than 50 years, first as his dentist and then his mentor.

"He'd be working on your teeth and ask what you did in school, what sports you're playing and things like that," Barnes said. "I always found that funny because you couldn't answer because he was working on your teeth."

Barnes said Paterniti always stressed the importance of treating people with respect - whether it be in your personal and professional life or political career. 

"He taught us the importance of showing respect - not only in your personal dealings, but respect for the voter," Barnes said. "That's something I always followed. He had integrity and was very disciplined and wouldn't get caught up in the moment. I never heard him say bad things about anybody even if he was challenged or attacked. He always kept his composure and treated people respectfully all the time."    

Barnes said he taught candidates running for local office the importance of understanding the issues that impact the town, as well as learning the geographics of the town.  He told us to campaign early - engaging in a door- to-door campaign. 

"He would say "put the time in," Barnes said. "Go out and meet the people where they live and work. Get to know them and get to know the town."

When Barnes was in his 20's, Paterniti embarked on a campaign for a seat on the state assembly. 

"He asked me to go door-to-door with him," Barnes said. "He had a bag around his shoulder and had all his literature in the bag and he had already marked it up with names of people who lived in the area. In case people weren't home, he would leave notes under the mat or in the door. I remember how energetic he was and he wasn't a young man."

Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, learned from Paterniti, too.

"One of the things Doc taught me and he stressed a lot is that you have to walk in the districts, knock on people's doors, shake their hands, listen to their concerns, look them in the eye and become personable with as many people as you could," Karabinchak said. "That was the best advice that anybody has ever given me."

Karabinchak said Paterniti "was the first one to get me involved in the political game in Edison."  

"He's been a true friend and mentor since then," Karabinchak said. "He's always been there for me. Words can't describe what he's meant to me. This is a sad day. It's the end of an era. He will be missed."

Former Gov. James Florio said Paterniti "is a good friend and a very loyal supporter." 

"He was in a sense the face of the Democratic party in the county," Florio said.

Florio met Paterniti around 1977 when he was considering running for governor.

"I started reaching out to all the leaders in the counties and I had his name referred to my people as someone who was very active and someone who had a great future in the party," Florio said. "He was a very nice man and was able to reconcile all the different factions over the years that developed in the county. He was a peace maker and everyone had such good things to say about him." 

During Florio's run for governor, Paterniti always gave him good advice and aided him in his win.

"He was always very loyal to the campaign," Florio said. "He was a very big supporter and helped me in the county. He helped me to make peace wherever splits occurred. Loyalty was his overriding quality. When he gave you his word, unlike a lot of others, you could count on it."   

Florio said Paterniti also shared his thoughts on policy regarding dentistry.  

"What I remember about Doc is he mentored so many former and current elected officials," Paterniti's son-in-law, Middlesex County Freeholder Charles Tomaro, said.

The list is so numerous, he said, adding it includes himself.

Tomaro said he and Paterniti would talk about how to get involved  politically. 

"I once said if I could fill one of Doc's shoes I would be a great politician,"  Tomaro said. "He will truly be missed by so many people. The outpouring of support and love has been tremendous."   

READ: The obituary for Dr. Thomas H. Paterniti

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at Good Shepherd Parish of Holy Rosary Church, Hopelawn. Interment will follow in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Hopelawn. Visitation will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave., Fords. In lieu of flowers donation may be made to the Auxiliary of JFK Medical Center Reflections Program, 65 James St., Edison 08820.

Staff Writer Susan Loyer: 732-565-7243; sloyer@gannettnj.com