Kevin M. O' Halloran

Honorable Kevin M. O’Halloran, respected lawyer and judge, passed into eternal life on November 3, 2015, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Bobbie; seven children: Mary Ubriaco (Dean), Kathleen O’Halloran, Sheila Kenny (Stephen), Alice Vlasak (Randy), Kevin S. O’Halloran (Diane), Maura Deegan (John) and Neil O’Halloran (Erin); 23 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; his adoring sisters, Aileen Gallagher and Maureen Humiston; brother-in-law Ken Humiston and sister-in-law Fran Woods; and many nieces and nephews.

Kevin was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on July 15, 1931, to the late Margaret (Sullivan) and James O’Halloran. Raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, he graduated from Regis High School in Manhattan before earning degrees at the College of the Holy Cross and Fordham Law School. Kevin was a proud and active alumnus of all 3 institutions. He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1956 and joined the law firm of Morrison, Lloyd & Griggs in Hackensack, where he later became a partner. He was also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Kevin was appointed to the District Court of Bergen County in 1976 by Governor Brendan Byrne, elevated to the Superior Court in 1980, and became the presiding Chancery Judge of Bergen County (General Equity and Probate Parts) in July, 1987. He retired in 1996. He loved being a judge, respected the lawyers who appeared before him and held a special affection for his 20 law clerks. Even after retiring, his love for the courthouse ultimately drew him back, and he returned to the bench on recall from 2001-2005.

Before his appointment to the bench, he also served as President of the Bergen County Bar Association in 1974 and Chairman of the Bergen County District Ethics Committee. He was a lifetime member of the New Jersey Bar Association and served as municipal prosecutor for the Township of Washington and Village of Ridgewood. A devout Catholic, he was one of the founding parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Washington Township, a parishioner of St. Gabriel’s Church in Saddle River and a member of the Knights of Columbus – Mother Seton Council and the Holy Name Society.

A soft-spoken, unassuming man with a quick wit, Kevin’s primary focus in life centered around his family, his faith and his profession. Kevin and Bobbie raised their 7 children in Washington Township in a house filled with warmth and laughter. He and Bobbie cherished the company of their wide circle of friends. During retirement, he enjoyed traveling, reading and teeing up with golf buddies John, Frank, Dick and Bob. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, taking great satisfaction in their accomplishments and even more pride in their character and friendship. They continue to return this love by living the example set by the man they affectionately called “Gramps”. They are: Michael, Julie, Philip and Madeline Ubriaco; Colleen and Andrew Petrik; Stephen, Daniel, Patrick and Maeve Kenny; Katherine and Andrew Vlasak; Annie, Jack, Mia and Zoe O’Halloran; Aileen, James and Natalie Deegan; Will, Katie, Peter and Jane O’Halloran; and great-grandson, Owen Kenny.

Visitation will take place on Friday, November 6th from 2 to 8 PM at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 7th at 10:00 AM at St. Gabriel’s Church, 88 East Saddle River Road, Saddle River, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Villa Marie Claire hospice, 12 West Saddle River Road, Saddle River, New Jersey 07458.