Page 4 • Wednesday , August 18 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette
Former Councilman Paul Esposito dies at the age of 72
ESPOSITO , from Page 1 prayers are with the family . He had a great compass . He always knew what the right thing to do was for the taxpayers and town of Hammonton . He was always spot-on and knew what the right thing to do was . He was compassionate and caring , and tough when he needed to be . He was a tremendous asset to anyone who served with him on council at the time , especially myself ,” DiDonato said .
Born in Philadelphia , he lived most of his life in Hammonton . Esposito was a graduate of Hammonton High School , where he excelled in football . Most said he was the fastest in his class when he took off with the football , his obituary said . He was on the basketball and baseball team , but he loved being part of the gymnastics team .
After graduation he attended Oklahoma Christian then transferred to Wilmington University where he graduated with a business management degree . In 1972 , he began work at Bank of New Jersey , working his way up to branch manager , then moving on to New National Bank . Paul was hired as a bank consultant working at F . E . DiBacco as a bank consultant ; he traveled the east and part of the southern coast meeting with the bank ’ s board of directors to help efficiently run operations while making sure no employees would be let go .
After working and traveling for some years . Paul was recruited by Anchor Savings Bank to run their Bank Operations . Esposito was then heavily recruited again by Ocean City Home Bank in 1993 ,
Paul Esposito
where he finished a long and highly successful career . During his time with OCHB , Paul was the Senior Vice President in charge of Operations . Security and Compliance , Marketing and Retail Branch Banking , according to his obituary .
“ There was nothing that Paul could not do and excel at ,” his obituary said .
Esposito continued his education while at OCHB and was a graduate of the BAI Graduate School of Bank Operations and Technology .
On the personal side , his obituary said while Paul was known for his intellect and ability in banking , he was also known as the most dapper of dressers and a true gentleman through and through . The lives and careers of others he impacted was immeasurable .
Paul was a member of Kiwanis and Rotary in the 1970s and 1980s . He was treasurer and vice president on the Hammonton Swim Club Board . He served on Hammonton town council for four years . During his time on council , He served as Chair of the Quality of Life Committee , Chair of the Business and Industry Committee , and Chair of the Administration Committee . He was a member of the Ethical Standards board , was the Mayor ’ s Representative to the planning board , he was on the obscenity review board , and he was also a representative to the Hammonton Revitalization Corporation . Paul was compelled to support his community and loved ones as his father , uncles and grandfather had done before him . He was also an active member of
SCHOOL , from Page 3 setting with multiple layers of PPE , and those multiple layers being beyond one or two masks over your face ,” Penza said .
Penza said that such masks are “ creating a false sense of protection for people from an airborne virus .”
“ That , coupled with the data of outcomes from those infected with COVID , creates a level of risk assessment that parents , students , teachers and boards of ed . can take into consideration when formulating a plan for the school ,” Penza said .
Penza said that such decisions should fall outside the purview of the state .
“ Local boards of ed should be able to make decisions for their communities based on the residents , parents and taxpayers of those municipalities , number one . Number two , parents should be able to make the best decisions for their children . Number three , the entire concept of ‘ wear any retail mask or cloth covering and you ’ re protected against contracting an airborne virus ’ is a false sense of security that ’ s not based on real science ,” Penza said . Ellen L . ( last name withheld by request ), a nurse anesthetist who holds a doctorate in nursing , concurred with Penza .
“ There ’ s not enough evidence to be threatening and forcing and coercing people , rather than presenting them with the facts for informed consent — free from coercion — since that ’ s one of the basics . I think people would be more willing and less freaked out if the
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supporting his daughter , Devon . Esposito enjoyed traveling with the love of his life Susan . They enjoyed camping and traveling to their condo in Florida , which he always called his Happy Place . Throughout his life , Paul took pride decorating their home for holidays and especially Halloween and Christmas . He loved spending time with family , dear friends and classmates , reading history and mystery books , playing solitaire , listening to music like Bruno Mars and the Beatles , telling stories about his family ’ s past , golfing with friends , discussing sports in Philadelphia - the Phillies , Eagles and 76ers , he loved his little dog Caesar and playing dinosaurs with his grandson , tea parties with his granddaughter and snuggling them both and also stealing their belly buttons which made them laugh with their Nonno .
Esposito is predeceased by his parents , Dr . Joseph I . Esposito and Rita H . ( Santora ). Paul is survived by his wife of 48 years , Susan nee Ravelli ; his daughter , Devon Sebasovich ( Zane ); his loving grandchildren , Silva and Flynn ; his sister , Vickie Rita McLaughlin ( Jeff ); his sister , Donna Ingram ( Gregg ) and his brother , Lee Esposito ( Mary ), as well as nieces , nephews , great-nieces and greatnephews .
A Memorial Mass was held for Esposito on August 14 at the St . Mary of Mt Carmel Parish St . Joseph Church Third and French Streets Hammonton . Inurnment was private . In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Hope Rural School at 15929 SW 150th St ., Indiantown , FL 34956 .
Arrangements were by the Landolfi Funeral Home .
Reaction to school mask mandate
threats and bribes stopped , and if they were given a choice after being educated . Knowledge is power , and I ’ m all about empowering people to make decisions about their healthcare and being active participants in their care . Not everyone has the same life and medical history ,” she said .
Jennifer Rajkowski said she is in favor of the mandate .
“ We are navigating a new reality with the Delta variant — it poses a more serious danger to everyone , including those vaccinated , and to children , who are largely unable to be vaccinated ,” Rajkowski said .
Rajkowski ’ s daughter is too young to receive a vaccine ; therefore , her health “ is contingent on those around her .”
“ In my daughter ’ s school community we are invested in the health of all of the children in the school , their siblings , their family members — you really become aware that one instance of illness can affect so many lives , and some of those folk may not get ‘ just a mild case .’ Kids are excellent at being contagious , especially when packed indoors in large groups . With so many being unable to be vaccinated , the least invasive and most prudent remedy is indoor masking ,” Rajkowski said . Rajkowski said that her daughter has been “ in school , masked , full-time since last July .” “ All children in her school over the age of 2 are masked — and have been since the school reopened . It ’ s just another part of their day . They play outside
See REACTION , Page 18