Richard Mola

MOLA
Richard A., of Elmwood Park passed away on October 20, 2016. Among the longest-serving elected officials in the country, he was the 45-year Mayor of the Borough of Elmwood Park and had also served as Councilman for two years and Bergen County Freeholder for 23 years.
Loving husband of Geraldine (nee Badami) for 53 years, he was devoted father of Stacy, Jill Ruth and her husband Kevin of Wyckoff, and Melissa Collesano and her husband Peter of Galloway, and fond grandfather of Devin, Julia, Peter Richard and Milana. He was predeceased by his brother Salvatore.
Raised in Lodi, he was a Lodi High School graduate and United States Army Veteran. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from William Paterson University and a Master of Arts Degree plus a second Masters equivalency from Montclair State University. He had a 39-year career in education that included Social Studies teacher and football and baseball coach at Westwood High School and guidance counselor at Ridgefield Park High School. After retiring, he spent full-time on his government responsibilities.
Mayor Mola served the public since 1968. He was a member of the Elmwood Park Library Board, Planning Board, Republican Club, American Legion Post 147, Elks Lodge 60, St. Anne's Catholic War Veterans and Bergen County Republican Mayors' Association. His many previous involvements included UNICO, West Central Bergen Mayor's Association and Bergen Community College Adult Learning Center Advisory Council. Among his many honors, he was elected Outstanding Citizen by the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 5084; honored by Palisades Park UNICO as Man of the Year; listed in American Encyclopedia of Civic Government; selected on the basis of scholarship and achievement to Kappa Delta Pi, National Honor Society in Education; and was a charter member of the Montclair State University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, professional education association. He was inducted into the Bergen County Baseball Hall of Fame and in 2013 he and team mates of the 1959 William Paterson Baseball Team were inducted into the William Paterson University Athletic Hall of Fame.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday October 25th, 2016 at St. Leo's R.C. Church, 324 Market Street, Elmwood Park at 9:30 AM Entombment George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. In lieu of Flowers donations in Richard's memory for the Elmwood Park Free Public Library would be appreciated.
Visiting will be at the Patrick J. Conte Funeral Home, Inc., 274 Market Street, Elmwood Park on Sunday 4 to 8 PM and Monday 1 to 8 PM.