Governor Philip D. Murphy
Executive Order No. 300 (2022)
An Order for Flags to Fly at Half-Staff Following the Death of Dr. Anthony M. Villane, Jr.
Issued: July 5, 2022.
Effective: July 5, 2022.
WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony M. ("Doc") Villane, Jr. was born in Newark, New Jersey on December 24, 1929, to Anthony and Margaret Villane; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Villane was educated in the Newark Public School System, graduating from
Barringer High School in 1948; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Villane attended Rutgers-Newark's pre-dental curriculum and was a multiple letter winner in fencing, track, and wrestling; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Villane earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1955 from Temple Dental School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, following his graduation, Dr. Villane served as a Captain in the United States Air Force for three years; and
WHEREAS, upon his return from service in 1958, Dr. Villane established a dental practice in Eatontown, New Jersey, which he maintained for nearly 55 years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Villane continued to remain active in public service and was elected Long Branch Republican municipal chair in 1972; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Villane was appointed to the Long Branch Board of Education in 1975 before winning a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly, which he held until 1988; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Villane ascended to several positions in Assembly leadership, including Assembly Minority Whip and Deputy Assistant Minority Leader; and
WHEREAS, during his time in the Assembly, Dr. Villane was a champion for New Jersey's coastal communities, fighting illegal dumping and sponsoring legislation to provide lasting sources of funding for shore protection; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, Governor Tom Kean appointed Dr. Villane to his Cabinet as Commissioner of Community Affairs, a position he held through the end of the Kean administration in 1990; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Dr. Villane continued his public service at the federal level by joining President George H. W. Bush's administration as regional administrator of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the New York and New Jersey Region; and
WHEREAS, in 1953, Dr. Villane married his high school sweetheart Sarah, with whom he had five children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Villane passed away peacefully on June 29, 2022, at the age of 92 with his wife and children by his side; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Villane will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and former colleagues; and
WHEREAS, as we mourn the passing of Dr. Villane, it is appropriate to honor his history of leadership, his many achievements, and his exemplary legacy;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
N.J. Admin. Code Executive Order No. 300 (2022)