I worked with Peter in the early years of the Brendan Byrne administration. We were both in our early twenties. But we all knew that Peter was special and he proved us right. He did great things and should always be remembered for his work in Trenton, Essex County and beyond. And most of all, he will be missed.

Bryna and Sam -  I have been so horribly saddened about Peter.  My deep heartfelt prayers go out to you both.  Peter was a remarkable person, a great friend, and a tremendous business partner as we put Swap Financial together and made it what it was.  Like good solders, I hope you can pick up his fallen flag and carry it high onward in his memory – as he would want.  He will be missed by all.  JK

My deepest sympathy to the Shapiro family for their loss of Peter.  He was a  very special person.  I will always fondly remember our shared childhood as neighbors on North Ridgewood Rd; his quiet demeanor, his intelligence, his handsome visage; his fearlessness in taking on challenges. He traveled the world and published wonderful accounts along the way before becoming a politician at 23.  A life well lived, a credit to his parents and family, and an outstanding member of the community.  Rest in peace, Peter.  Colleen Thornton

On behalf of myself and Dan , we send  our sincere condolences on Peter’s passing . As you know we have known you Three as neighbors as well as friends. 
When Peter was honored at SOPAC  a few years ago he received the well deserved praise that was so well deserved & it was pleasing to see it was acknowledged by so many.

Again , so sorry for your loss,
Dan & the other Sam on Hartford

It is with deep sadness that I learned of Peter's passing.  My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family.
Starting from way back, Peter was quite a few things to me.  While 14 years old, I first met him as a fellow staff trainee for Camp Hidden Valley in Maine.  He was 13 and very precocious; I was rather immature.  Immediately finding him a very driven person, I befriended him and thereupon experienced him as supercompetitive, sometimes to the point of exasperation but always exhilarating.  He seemed partly like family to me, with a lot in common demographically, while truly surpassing me in various ways-- ways I hadn't been used to.  Though this was sometimes hard for me to take, egotist that I was, he taught me a great deal; but moreover, he somehow served to unleash abilities that had been dormant in me.  You might say he was a mental catalyst or some kind of fast-acting psychoactive drug, basically harmless.
Though our temperaments were quite different, sometimes incompatible, he was a very special experience for me.  Peter was a wonderful conduit of cultural awareness, and he had an effect that I, among others, can only describe as good strong medicine.  And he had an aura that was enormously evocative, wordlessly calling up true consciousness of things and events.  I have never known anyone else with quite this quality.
Peter was much more to me than a buddy, peer, high school classmate, and, yes, competitor (a difficult one).  In large part he was an antidote for the very troubled times and personal circumstances in which I grew up during the 60's.  And he just seemed to exude exceptional healthiness.
We were very different personalities, but we shared some very basic values-- truth, reason, and decency.

There is nothing I can add about his political career; it was extraordinary.  But his more underlying achievement orientation was inspirational to me and many others.  To me he was an admirable phenomenon, an enlivening experience, an illuminating personage, and a stimulating challenge that in large part was more than I could handle.  But through it all, Peter represented a great deal to emulate.  He was a major influential figure in my youth; but his legacy will live on in me and in many others.  He was some special kind of hero.  Along with his revitalizing aura and his charismatic common sense, our times together will remain etched in my memory; and I will go on cherishing the goodness he's brought into my life, in nostalgia and in perpetuity.
God bless him; may he rest in peace.

Peter was brilliant & dedicated to a better NJ. He was the youngest elected member to the NJ Legislature at 23 - then elected the 1st Essex Co. Executive at 26. I was his first appointment as Director of Essex Co. Division of Employment Training - recruited & appointed in December 1978.  We transformed employment & training - provided hope & opportunity for thousands over a 3-year period.  I’m forever grateful to have served in the Shapiro Administration & made many wonderful friends in Essex. RIP Peter -  condolences & prayers for the family.

Dear Bryna,

I am so very sorry for your loss.

I will always treasure my visits with Peter.  What a gift it was to sit and talk about politics, great wines, great restaurants, music, Canada, cars (blue fast ones), and his extraordinary life.  

I knew I was in the presence of greatness, but he never made me feel that way. 

My fondest memory of Peter is when we took walks around the neighborhood.  

He"d walk up to total strangers with a warm and engaging smile and a twinkle in his eye and just start chatting them up.

The first time he did this I cringed because most of us don't have the courage or the willingness to defy social conventions to do this.  But Peter invariably engaged with everyone and took a genuine interest in them. It was anachronistic and wonderful and pretty amazing.  Such a simple thing. 

May his memory be for a blessing.

Sincerely,
Mark Packer

To Bryna: I was deeply saddened to learn of Peter's passing.  It has been years since I've seen you, when I was working at Jersey City Medical Center, but we shared several lunches during those years. My life has taken me around the country - but I remember you with great fondness, and am truly heartbroken for you and your son.  May the light of Peter's extraordinary work always remain with you, and may you find peace and solace in your many years of memories of your shared lives.  Thinking of you during this difficult time.  With warm regards, Rebecca Rabinowitz  (Moorestown, NJ)

My deepest condolences to the Shapiro family.  Peter was a bright star and such an elegant man.  He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

A political star has passed.Peter Shapiro had rock star charisma,  a twelve  cylinder brain and a record of substantive achievement.
I met him but once at a 1982 event. He was one of the greatest men I ever had the high honor and pleasure of hearing speak.

Bryna - so sorry to learn of Peter's passing.  I can think of nothing to add to the wonderful things others are saying about him,  He will be missed.  Nancy Oxfeld

So sorry to hear of Peter’s passing. I worked as an intern for  Peter when he was an assemblyman and then worked closely with him on his campaign for county executive.  He was just a special person who I always held in high regard. Condolences to his family.

I was privileged to be part of Peter’s first group of interns as the new County Executive. Working with the late David Hull, Director of the Transition Office, Peter served as a trailblazer promoting shared services and inter governmental relations between municipalities before it became popular.  He was  never afraid to challenge the status quo. His leadership in “ good government“ and ethics inspired me to pursue careers in law and public service which I am still involved in today.  May his memory be for a blessing.  Andy Baron. ambaron@comcast.net

Peter was a youthful, energetic and hard working individual with a great sense of humor.  He set the tone high as the first County Executive in Essex County. 

I was proud to have been a small part of his administration at Health and Rehabilitation and in the Labor Relations Office.  He brought out the best in those around him.

May God bless Peter and my condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.

As your former Director of Health and Rehabilitation during the years you served as County Executive and as a member of your cabinet I was always proud of your support not only for all the patients at Essex County Hospital Center and Essex County Geriatrics Center and related health agencies our department served in Essex County. You cared so much in helping to change the direction for them and my fellow staff by supplying the tools to do the responsibility for quality care and life for those who needed it. God bless you and thank you and thank you for being you.                               Michael P. Duffy

I heard Peter speak in 1982 at a DNC event in Washington D.C. He implored Democrats to invoke the Jeffersonian strand of democracy.
He was the greatest first Jewish President we never had, Peter had rock star type charisma

I remember Peter from high school. He was a brilliant student and everyone knew he was going to go far.  Became Essex county executive and subsequently ran for governor( he lost, unfortunately) He apparently turned his back on politics.


This was unfortunate. If he would’ve won, it would’ve been a takeoff perhaps run for president in which would be magnificent.

I lost track of Peter at this point apparently he went into private enterprise.

I will remember him and a smile, his sarcasm and his brilliant academics. My condolence to his family and his loved ones as he is still in my memory, and will always be a friend from high school, a classmate and a man who ran for governor who should’ve won.

I remember Peter very well from Columbia High School. He always engaged in discussions, not condemnations. And always with a sense of humor and innate humanity.
Richard Crecco
CHS, '69.

My sincere condolences. I remember Peter as being extremely smart, brilliant, great sense of humor and always friendly. So sorry for your loss. 
Gerri Gruber (Malcolm)
Columbia H.S. '69

Peter Shapiro was a wonderful and gifted man,  High Schol days at Columbia HS were great.  He will truly be missed,
Peter was a real Mensch.  May His Memory Live On As A Blessing.  Rabbi / Cantor Dennis Tobin

I met Peter Shapiro more than 50 years ago. He was one of the most remarkable people I've ever known.

Rabbi Zusya said, "When I pass on, God will not ask why I was not Moses? He will ask, "Why was I not Rabbi Zusya?" The Peter Shapiro I knew when we were 18 remained Peter Shapiro thoughout the many fascinating turns in his life, up to and including the superhuman courage with which he faced his long illness.

May his memory be a blessing to his family, and to all of us.

Rest in peace dear Peter. Condolences to your family.

So sorry to hear this. Played golf with Peter at Green Brook over the past two years. Texted with him just a couple of weeks. My old doubles partner. Even when he struggled physically the last couple of years he had such a great attitude. RIP Peter.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Peter Shapiro

18 avril 1952 – 29 mars 2024

Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

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