New Jersey Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, 75, died Jan. 9 in the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton immediately following the final voting session of the 214th Legislature. DeCroce represented Morris County for 23 years.

“Alex DeCroce was a true public servant, a wonderful human being, and one of New Jersey’s foremost experts on public transportation,” said James Weinstein, executive director, New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit). “His legacy is not only marked by the extensive and fitting bipartisan praise in recognition of both his professionalism and human decency, but also his understanding of—and commitment to—our state’s public transportation system, one of the best in the entire nation.”

A statement released by NJ Transit recognized DeCroce’s role in supporting Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, the River LINE, and MidTOWN DIRECT rail service. He also was instrumental in reauthorizing the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund, which supports equipment purchases, facility upgrades, and infrastructure improvements.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called DeCroce, a former chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, “a leader in this body [the State Assembly] on transportation issues.”