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Red Bank - Mayor and Council recognized Joe Azzolina, former State Senator, Assemblyman and Navy Captain for his years of service within the borough as a public servant, business owner and his dedication to many events and charitable organizations. Red Bank Mayor, Pasquale Menna introduced the Resolution at its' regular business council meeting and stated "it is most appropriate that the Resolution is presented on Flag Day," June 14.

Present to accept the Resolution were his family; wife Lynn, sons John, Joseph Jr., Mark, Grandson Michael and members of the Scaduto family and friends.

"Although Joe Azzolina resided in Middletown he loved Red Bank for its' restaurants, culture and considered it his downtown," said Joseph Azzolina, Jr.

Resolution Commending Joseph Azzolina offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:

Whereas, Joseph Azzolina has given a lifetime of service to the citizens of our community as a local businessman, member of the military and public official; and

Whereas, Mr. Azzolina worked long hours in a small corner grocery opened by his parents in 1927 and later opened his own self service market known as the Food Basket in 1950 with five employees and eventually formed Food Circus Supermarket, Inc. which grew to a major company of 1,400 Team members operating 10 Super Foodtowns in three counties; and

Whereas, at the age of 18 Mr. Azzolina enlisted in the United States Navy as an apprentice seaman, serving both World War II and the Korean War, rose to the rank of Captain and gave 42-years of service in the Navy and the Navy Ready Reserve, the last 30 without pay including a stint in 1983 where he served as Special Assistant to the Captain on the USS New Jersey in a mission that was supposed to be a "Goodwill Shakedown Cruise" but escalated in to an intense combat situation, as well as serving active duty aboard the USS Albany, the USS Portsmouth and the USS Toledo, doing five tours of duty on cruisers and destroyers and several tours of duty in the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy; and

Whereas, Mr. Azzolina remained actively involved in Naval affairs as a retired officer serving as Vice President and National Director of the US Navy League in Washington, DC, is widely recognized for his successful involvement in Navy recruiting and in 1980 was appointed by Governor Brendan Byrne to serve as Chairman of the State of New Jersey's USS New Jersey Battleship Commission, an organization charged with the task of obtaining the vessel from the Navy and establishing it as a museum and memorial in its home state; and

Whereas, Mr. Azzolina served as Chairman of the Republican Party in Middletown for 14 years ending in 1976, served in the State Assembly, the State Senate and lost a hard-fought US Congressional race by less than two percent before returning to the Assembly, and in 1992 was named Chairman of the prestigious Assembly Task Force on Business Retention, Expansion and Export Opportunities and upon retirement from the Legislature in 2006 was appointment by Governor Jon Corzine to the New Jersey Maritime Pilot and Docking Commission; and

Whereas, through it all Mr. Azzolina has held a special place for the people of the Borough of Red Bank as a valued member of our Business Community and a true friend and he and his family have shown unparalleled generosity to the Borough, particularly through support of many Borough programs including those of our Parks and Recreation Department.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Pasquale Menna, Mayor of the Borough of Red Bank and the members of the Red Bank Borough Council do hereby extend our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of Joseph Azzolina and express our appreciation for his contributions to the community as well as his dedication, generosity and friendship.