Nicholas J. LaRocca (October 4, 1913 – August 30, 1999) was an American Democratic Party politician who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature from the 33rd district. He served a partial term in the New Jersey Senate succeeding his mentor William Musto and then a single term in the New Jersey General Assembly.
Nicholas J. LaRocca | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 33rd district | |
| In office June 24, 1982 – January 10, 1984 | |
| Preceded by | William Musto |
| Succeeded by | Christopher Jackman |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 33rd district | |
| In office January 10, 1984 – January 7, 1986 Serving with Robert Ranieri | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Gallo Christopher Jackman |
| Succeeded by | Ronald Dario Jose Arango |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 4, 1913 Union City, New Jersey |
| Died | August 30, 1999 (aged 85) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Union City, New Jersey |
| Alma mater | Fordham College New York University |
LaRocca was born in 1913 in Union City where he attended the local public schools. He graduated from Fordham College in 1934 and received a law degree from New York University in 1937.[1]
He worked as a legislative aide for State Senator (and Union City Mayor) William Musto at the time of Musto's removal from the Senate for his conviction on receiving kickbacks from a developer. LaRocca was essentially handpicked by Musto to be the Democratic nominee for the special election to fill the remaining 1.5 years of the Senate term.[2] In his first bid for elected office, LaRocca defeated independent Libero Marotta, Republican Dennis Teti, and independent Carlos Munoz in a June 23, 1982, special election.[3][4] In the next regular election in 1983, LaRocca and then-Assemblyman Christopher Jackman switched seats where Jackman ran for Senate and LaRocca ran for Assembly. Both won their respective races.[5] After serving alongside Robert Ranieri for one term from the 33rd district, LaRocca did not seek reelection in 1985.[6]
He died on August 30, 1999, aged 85.[7]
References
edit- ^ Fitzgerald, J. A. Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey.
- ^ Levine, Richard; Douglas, Carlyle C. (May 23, 1982). "The Region in Summary; Musto Replaced - Not Entirely". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ Sullivan, Joseph F. (July 4, 1982). "Court Ruling May Give Musto Redefined Role". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ "Special elections to fill vacancies in the State Legislature" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ Sullivan, Joseph F. (January 8, 1984). "Changes Afoot In Roles of State And Localities". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ Edge, Wally (June 6, 2007). "The Harvey Smith Club". Observer. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ "Social Security Death Index". Retrieved March 16, 2019 – via Genealogy Bank.