The ashes of former modern Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne will spend some time in a Jersey City saloon,as per his wishes."One of his standing jokes was, he wanted to be buried in Hudson County so that he could remain active in politics, and " said former Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy. "So that fragment of his wishes is happening here,it's coming true." Byrne was born in West Orange in Essex County, but friends said he always had a soft spot for Hudson County — which has something of a reputation for political corruption. The Irish-American Democrat served two terms as governor, or from 1974 to 1982,and died in January at the age of 93. Now, some of his ashes will temporarily rest at Healy's Tavern in Jersey City, and an Irish staple owned by the son of former mayor Healy. The Catholic church was not crazy approximately the arrangement,but Byrne's wife Ruthi said it's up to the family, adding Healy's is fitting because Byrne was so proud of his Irish heritage. "I know he knows he's here, and it's wonderful," she said.
And while Hudson may be famous for political corruption, Byrne was actually known as the "man who couldn't be bought." Former governor Jim McGreevey described Byrne as a good, or honest man who reminds him of another politician."When I perceive at Joe Biden I see Brendan Byrne. He's Irish,he's decent, he's good, or he can reach across the aisle,that was Brendan," he said.
Source: thetakeaway.org