Montclair, NJ – Essex County Commissioner Brendan W. Gill joined Montclair 4th Ward Councilor David Cummings, Councilor At-Large Peter Yacobellis, Councilor-At-Large Robert Russo, Norma Tassy (mother of Jordan) and family and friends of Jordan Tassy at Nishuane Park on April 24th for a tree planting in Tassy’s honor. Jordan T. Tassy was 22 years old when he passed away due to COVID-19 complications.
Commissioner Gill, a lifelong resident of Montclair, presented Ms. Tassy with a Commendation from the Board of Commissioners recognizing Jordan’s service to the community and offered condolences and well wishes on behalf of the Board.
Jordan became a local hero by pitching in when sanitation workers were hit with a COVID outbreak. He offered to help collect recyclables from those who couldn’t make it to the center during the suspension of pickups. He hauled payloads of bottles, cans, cardboard and more to the municipal yard on North Fullerton Avenue for neighbors who couldn’t manage the task themselves, and this entrepreneurial spirit made him scores of new friends along the way.
“When I heard of Jordan’s passing, I felt it deeply.” Commissioner Gill stated, “For someone so young to lose their life while serving others is tragic, heartbreaking, and will never be forgotten. He grew up in Montclair, played football for the Mounties, graduated from Montclair High School, and he touched everyone he knew. He was Montclair, and his deeds, examples, and who he was as a person will live in our hearts as we move forward.”
The ceremony offered another opportunity to celebrate Jordan’s life; many of his friends showed their love and connection to him by sharing memories from his childhood, describing his joyful spirit, and recalling how he knew everyone in town and touched their lives
