John C. Giordano Jr.

1930 - 2014

John (Jack) C. Giordano Jr.

Southampton, NY & Middletown, NJ

John C. Giordano, Jr. (Jack) of Southampton, NY and Middletown, NJ, died peacefully at his beloved Southampton home on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014. Jack was born in Long Branch, NJ on March 17, 1930 to Ruth Hadenwald Giordano and John C. Giordano, Sr. - the third of 3 children.

He leaves behind his wife, Andrea J. (Cerullo) Giordano; his 3 sons whose mother was the late Mary Kay Wertheim Giordano: John C. (JC) Giordano III (Errol Train Giordano), Mark V. Giordano (Sallie Dinkel Giordano), and Paul G. Giordano; and his step-son, V. Andrew Cerullo. Jack has 5 grandchildren, John C. Giordano, IV (Jake), Schuyler H. Giordano, Nicholas B. Giordano, Leta K. Giordano and Allegra L. Giordano. He is also survived by his sisters, Gloria Henneberry and Joy Conhagen and their families.

Jack attended The Lawrenceville School (1948), Princeton University (B.A. 1952); Rutgers University School of Law (1955), Phi Delta Phi. He was Editor of the Rutgers Law Review from 1953-1955 and Law Secretary to NJ Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. from 1954-1955.

Upon completing his clerkship with Justice Brennan, Jack formed the Giordano & Giordano law firm in Long Branch, NJ with his father, the Honorable John C. Giordano, Sr. who served as a Superior Court Judge in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and retired from the bench to join his son's new law practice. The law firm grew much larger over the years and ultimately became Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla of Middletown, NJ. Under Jack's leadership and vision, GH&C became a multi-service law firm focusing on business, real estate, health care, environmental and securities and litigation. Today GH&C employees a total of 116 lawyers and support staff.

During his distinguished career, Jack represented major commercial and residential real estate developers throughout NJ. He was instrumental in the enactment of legislation to permit a new NJ Turnpike interchange and bridge to provide turnpike access to and from the Jersey Gardens Retail Center in Union County. He served as a trusted advisor to clients on a variety of legal issues including the acquisition and subsequent management of the Boston Celtics, as well as the formation of the Hartford Whalers and related application to the National Hockey League.

As well as having an outstanding legal career, Jack was instrumental to the success of several business ventures. He was a promoter and a founding member of the First State Bank of Ocean County, subsequently the Middletown Banking Co. Jack was a principle in Countrywide Development Corporation and 2 JG Associates, in which he participated in the acquisition of developable land, obtaining approvals, construction of the projects and subsequent sale.

In 1963, Jack was one of 3 founding members of the Navesink Country Club in Middletown, NJ. He oversaw the acquisition of the club's magnificent site overlooking the Navesink River, the development of the clubhouse, PGA golf course, hockey rink, tennis and paddle courts. Early in his career, Jack was active in the Monmouth County Democratic Party and ran for State Assembly.

He was an advisor to NJ Governor Robert Meyner and an election campaign advisor and chief strategist to NJ Governor James Florio. Jack remained be involved in the political process as a mentor to state senators and assemblymen.

Jack Giordano was an inspirational and charismatic leader for his law firm for more than 55 years. Due to his extraordinary legal acumen and counsel, Jack is responsible for the ongoing prosperity of GH&C and its clients. His work ethic and ability to develop professional and personal relationships was unsurpassed and as result many clients became lifelong friends and confidants who never lost touch with him. He will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

Arrangements are being handled by O'Connell Funeral Home of Southampton, NY. Receptions honoring Jack will be private.