Route 53 dedicated as Alex DeCroce Memorial Highway

Want to get from Denville to Morris Plains? Just hop on the DeCroce.

Nearly two years after Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill to rename Route 53 after the late Assemblyman from Parsippany, several New Jersey legislators and other dignitaries attended a ceremony Tuesday to formally dedicate the state highway as "Alex DeCroce Memorial Highway."

A bill approving the name change was unanimously passed by the state legislature in 2013, and signed by Gov Chris Christie in January 2014.

The ceremony took place during a cloudy, rainy morning outside of Verdi restaurant, followed by a celebration luncheon at the eatery on Route 53 in the Mount Tabor section of Parsippany.

DeCroce, the Assembly's Republican leader from 2003 until his death on Jan. 9, 2012, was a longtime Parsippany resident and businessman who represented the 26th District from 1989 until he died after collapsing in the Statehouse. He was 75.

DeCroce, who partnered with the late U.S. Rep. Dean Gallo in a Parsippany real estate office, also served as a Morris County freeholder from 1984 until 1989, when he was appointed to fill a vacant Assembly seat. He was elected in 1989 and re-elected 11 times, and was scheduled to be sworn in for his next Assembly term the day after his death.

His widow, BettyLou DeCroce, was appointed to succeed him and last week was elected to a second full term in the Assembly.

"It was an honor for our entire family to see the kind of respect people had for him, and still do," she said. "I said when the bill was passed that Alex would have pitched a fit over this because he was not one to flaunt his accomplishments. He just wanted to get the job done for the people of his district and the state. Alex was a huge supporter of transportation issues. To have Route 53, which runs through his hometown and district, named for him is truly a great honor to his legacy. And as a former freeholder, it was so very appropriate."

DeCroce added people at the ceremony were jokingly attributing the inclement weather to her late husband because everyone was making such a fuss over him.

"He was a modest man," she said. "He didn't live by his title, but for the people of New Jersey."

Jay Webber, who also represents the 26th in Trenton, joined DeCroce at the ceremony, along with Assemblyman Anthony Bucco from the 25th. Sen. Tom Kean Jr., who represents Chatham and Long Hill in the Morris County portion of the 21st District, also attended, as did Assembly GOP leader John Bramnick.

Parsippany Mayor James Barberio hosted the dedication, which was organized by the New Jersey Motor Truck Association. DeCroce, frequently a champion of transportation bills, once sponsored a law that renewed the state Transportation Trust Fund and dedicated motor-fuel taxes for transportation projects.

“This is a fitting tribute for a person who dedicated his life to public service especially transportation issues," said Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford, who also attended the event.

“Dedicating Route 53 in his name is certainly a fitting recognition of the legacy of Alex DeCroce, a committed, long-time public servant who will always be remembered for his leadership on many of New Jersey’s most pressing issues, particularly the state’s transportation challenges," said Christie spokesman and former Morris County reporter Brian Murray. Gov. Christie spoke of that leadership role and much more in remarks he gave to the legislature after the sudden passing of his dear and loyal friend.”

Christie, who postponed his State of the State address after DeCroce's sudden passing, praised his friend, who he described at the time in remarks to the legislature as a "close friend and mentor for almost 20 years."

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.