Politics & Government

Watchung Mayor Gerald Mobus Dead at 70

Reports say he was attending a breakfast for local athletes when he suffered heart attack.

Watchung Mayor Gerald Mobus 70, died Sunday, Borough Administrator Tom Atkins confirmed Sunday afternoon.

"Nobody was a bigger supporter of our town than Jerry, he will be deeply missed," Atkins said. "Borough Hall will never be the same without him."

According to friends posting on the Watchung Community Facebook page, the mayor was attending a breakfast for local basketball players, when he collapsed.

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Mobus, a plumbing contractor, was a life-long resident of Watchung, attending school at Valley View School, in Watchung, and member of the Class of 1960 at Watchung Hills Regional High School, where he lettered in baseball and basketball.

After graduation, he attended Lock Haven University.

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He served as a volunteer firefighter in town for more than 40 years, and several terms on the Borough Council before being elected mayor in November 2010.

At his swearing-in as mayor, he said his grandfather was the borough's first municipal clerk, according to the Echoes-Sentinel newspaper.

During much of his adult life, Mobus enjoyed announcing games for Watchung Hills Regional High School varsity athletics, including football and baseball games. When he was inducted into Watchung Hills Regional's Hall of Fame as one of the 15 charter members in 2008, his biography noted "Many know Jerry as the 'Voice of Watchung Hills,' a gifted announcer at many Watchung Hills tournament games in several sports."

His involvement in the school's alumni association and as an announcer earned him the Skyland Conference Community Service and Achievement Award in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, three sons and several grandchildren. 

Funeral arrangements will be posted as soon as available.


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