A while back I was roasted for the benefit of the Mooch Soccer Program, and one of the roasters was Gil Lugossy.
The first to “attack” me was my mom, Dianne, who graduated from Hamilton High with Gil (it wasn’t West then, just Hamilton). Then it was Lugossy’s turn and you could see the crowd wearing expressions like “What, another old person?”
The “old guy” started to talk and said “A lot of people don’t know, but Fish’s mom and I went to school together.” He looked down at her, smiled, and cracked “In fact, Fish could be my son.”
The room erupted and with that, Gil was off and running.
It was that playful sense of humor that defined the man as much as his incredible commitment to community service.
Although he was joking, I would have been proud to have had Gil Lugossy as a dad. From that point on we’d joke when seeing each other: “Be home early son!” “Give me my allowance, Dad.”
In fact, he seemed to be everyone’s father thanks to that easy, calming, upbeat personality.
And if there was an event happening, Gil was there.
“He was such a public figure, he resonated with everybody,” said Harold “Bird” Fink, who co-emcees the Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame dinner with Charlie Inverso. “You could be mayor Jeff Martin, you could be Obama you could be Bird Fink, he’d treat you just the same.”
If someone was in mourning, Gil was there.
In fact it became a running joke as to how many viewings he would attend in a week.
While emceeing a banquet, former Rider University soccer coach Charlie Inverso quipped that “Gil Lugossy reads the obituaries the way other people read the movie section. ‘Hmmm, let’s see, we can make the Smith service at 5, then head over to the Jones memorial at 7.’”
It was all in good fun, and Gil laughed along with it; but his concern for others was serious. He attended those viewings to provide comfort to the family, and his presence usually did just that.
Gil’s brother, Frank Lugossy, chuckled when he heard Inverso’s comments and then confirmed them.
“He scoured the paper every day and started right at the obituary; that was the first place he went,” Frank said. “When (The Times) did away with the paper, he called me and said, ‘Frank you gotta go on Legacy.com and let me know.’ He didn’t want to miss one.”
There was really no one like him.
Sadly, Gil had has own viewing after passing away on March 15, four days past his 90th birthday. It was a packed house that needed police to direct visitors to the overflow parking at Independence Mall.
The crowd was a true indication that there was suddenly a void in Mercer County, and especially Hamilton Township, where he was always seen around town.
“Gil represented the people, he always did what’s best for Mercer County and put the people first,” Frank Lugossy said. “He touched the lives of thousands of people. If he could help you, he would help you. He didn’t care who you were or what your status was. He would go out of his way to help you.”
Born in the shadows of Hamilton High and a lifelong resident of the township’s Broad Street Park section, Lugossy shared goalkeeping responsibilities on the 1953 Hornets state championship soccer team and was his senior class president. After graduating in 1954 he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brown, which he put to good use in a life committed to community service.
Gil served on the Hamilton Board of Education from 1962-68 and was a Mercer County Freeholder from 1971-76. From 1977-1990 he was elected sheriff of Mercer County, which seemingly belied his affable personality.
“I don’t think anybody ever said a mean thing about him, and I don’t think he had a mean bone in his body,” Fink said, adding with a laugh. “I couldn’t see him being an enforcer. But he definitely was, if somebody deserved it.”
From 1990-97, Lugossy was a member of the New Jersey State Parole Board. During all that time he was Fire Commissioner of Hamilton’s District No. 3 for an amazing stretch from 1962-2016. He was a long-time volunteer for Rustling Hose Fire Department.
In the 1960s and 70s, Lugossy worked with such men as Mayor Jack Rafferty, Councilman Jack Lacy, Director of Health, Education and Welfare Bob Ricciani and Senator Fran McManimon to spark the growth of Hamilton as people began migrating to the township.
“He was a leader supportive of the community that Hamilton was,” said Marty Flynn, a long-time educator and former director of economic development for the township. “It was a community that was put together from guys like Gil, they had a blank canvas. He’s one of the framers with a lot of those guys. They were movers and shakers; they dedicated themselves to making the community grow.”
Gil’s life as a public servant went beyond politics, as his obituary noted. He was a member of American Legion Post 313, Hamilton Elks Lodge 2262, the Ancient Order of Hibernians — where he could be seen having a meal and a drink every Friday afternoon — Msgr. Crean Div. 1, Hamilton Lodge No. 20 of the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the FBI National Academy Associates — New Jersey Chapter, and the Mercer County 200 Club.
For good measure, he served on the Board of Directors of Yardville National Bank, the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey, Capital Health System in Trenton, and was a member of the Board of Managers of New Jersey Firemen’s Home in Boonton. His honors are too great to list here, but probably his greatest reward was the compliments he received from all he met.
And that worked both ways.
“He always had a kind word to say to everyone,” Frank Lugossy said. “He never had a bad word to say about anybody. When he was elected, before and after, if you were his friend he supported you. He didn’t care what it was. He would help anybody if he was capable. Over the years he just helped so many people.”
His passing brought a wave of sadness and accolades from admirers after I posted it on my Facebook page. Several examples were:
Attorney Dan O’Donnell: “Loved Gil! Always had a smile and a kind word for everyone.”
Former educator and basketball coach “Doctor” Don Hess: “Great guy! We used to see him at the historical meetings at the Library. He would always come over to talk. Great stories of yesteryear!!”
Local sportswriter Joe O’Gorman: “Truly a great man always a pleasure to be around.”
Former Steinert Athletic Director/Hamilton West Principal Dave McWilliam: “Lived a block from Hamilton West and was a great supporter of everything in Hamilton Twp. Such a special leader!”
Former Rider University Sports Information Director Pete Manetas: “Heartfelt condolences to Gil’s family and legion of friends and admirers. A first-class gentleman.”
That was just a small sample size of so many others that basically stated simply Gil was a great man.
As much as he meant to the community, Lugossy meant even more to his siblings, Frank and their late sister, Rose Taylor.
“He was a guiding light for us, very supportive,” Frank said. “He kept my sister and I straight all the time. He was the rock of the family.”
Gil lost his rock, beloved wife Helen “Lee” several years ago. He still continued to make the rounds, but every so often he would tell me how much he missed her and how it was tough getting over it. I am sure he confided in others as well but for the most part he remained his happy, smiling self.
And lest the portrayal of Gil is that of a complete saint, there were exceptions to his not saying a bad word about anyone. When he wanted to, he could bust on someone with the best of them.
Frank Lugossy provided one example.
Many years ago during a comedy show at the Italian American Sportsman’s Club (now the Stone Terrace restaurant), the comedian decided to pick on Gil, who was seated next to Mayor Rafferty. The exchange was as follows:
“So what’s your name?”
“Jack Rafferty.”
“And what do you do?”
“Nothing.”
It was classic Gil and it was that kind of biting wit that built his legend as much, if not more than, his community service.
To say he will be missed is obvious.
To say he will be remembered as one of the all-time giants in Hamilton Township and Mercer County, is a must.
RIP “Dad”: and thanks for giving all our lives a little more pleasure.
Gil Lugossy.,
