Paul J. Contillo

Paul J., of Paramus passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, following a brief illness. He was 94 years of age.
Paul was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 8, 1929 to Joseph and Alice (Klune) Contillo. He was the older brother to Lawrence Contillo, who predeceased him, and Nancy Calabrese, who survives him. Paul was proud of his Brooklyn roots, and often spoke warmly of his upbringing among an extended family of Italian American and German American grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Paul lived near Marine Park. On the other side of the park lived a beautiful lass, Kathleen McConville. They met when she was in 8th grade, and he was in high school. So began a love that lasted through 69 years of marriage. The marriage was fundamental to who they were. It was built on faith, respect, and affection. Their love and commitment to each other supported them throughout all the joys and sorrows of this life.
Paul attended James Madison High School. He excelled at football in an era of leather helmets and thick skulls, as he would say. Following high school, Paul served his country in the Naval Reserves. He and his friend Kenneth Delavante formed a small mimeograph company in Lower Manhattan named Allied Reproductions. They grew it into a financial printing powerhouse.
Paul had a long and distinguished public career, characterized by a fierce independence and dedication to public welfare. He managed to build allies and adversaries on both sides of the political aisle. A reporter once asked him if he had a food taster. He was Chairman of the Paramus Zoning Board, and then served on the Paramus Council (1971-1973). He served District 38 as a State Assemblyman (1974-1980) and as State Senator (1984-1991).
In the Senate, Paul served as Assistant Democratic Majority Leader. His proudest legislative accomplishments include sponsoring the first mandatory recycling law in the nation and sponsoring the Local Ethics Law, which mandates public disclosure of sources of income for all public servants. He also co-sponsored a moratorium on building adjacent to reservoirs, a law that continues to protect our water supply to this day. Paul then served as Chairman of Common Cause (1986-1988) and was Vice Chairman of the New Jersey Parole Board (2004-2009). In 2013, at the age of 84 and after 22 years out of elected office, Paul returned to the Assembly to serve out the term of a member who had retired from office.
Paul was a gifted athlete. He loved to water ski down the shore and snow ski in Upstate New York and Colorado. He was an insanely good boogie boarder well into his eighties, and an accomplished sailor. He had vibrant friendships spanning decades, right up until his passing,
Paul was a devoted Catholic whose faith in God never wavered. He was a member of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Paramus since 1955 and a member of St. Francis Church on Long Beach Island since 1967. Said the Apostle Paul: I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.
Paul was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen, and his daughter Joan (Ginger) Contillo. Paul is survived by his son Robert Contillo and his wife Christine, daughters Debra Contillo-Davis and her husband Doug, Kathleen (Kait) Contillo, Margaret (Pegie) Contillo and Angela Andersen and her husband James. He is also survived by his grandchildren Caroline, Emily, Benjamin, Justin, LaTessa, Anthony, Joleen, Cat, Sarah, Liam, and Nolan and by great-grandchildren Brayden, Easton, Leah, and Colin. Many many nieces and nephews loved their Uncle Paul, as he loved them.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 11, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 113 South Farview Avenue Paramus, NJ. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 12, 2024 at Our Lady of the Visitation Church, 234 N. Farview Avenue, Paramus. Interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Association of New Jersey Recyclers, 120 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. www.anjr.com