Richard J. Codey, the Orange native who rose from his family’s funeral home to become New Jersey’s longest-serving legislator and a respected acting governor, passed away peacefully at his home in Roseland on Sunday, January 11, 2026, after a brief illness. He was 79.
Codey, a Democrat, represented the 27th Legislative District — encompassing western portions of Essex County (including communities close to Newark) and southeastern Morris County — for five decades in the state Legislature. His deep roots in Essex County made him a familiar and trusted figure for generations of residents in Newark and surrounding areas.
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said of the elder statesman, “Governor Cody was a friend who supported me early on, when few did. He was committed to people, always looking for ways to make their lives better. And he was incredibly loyal. My heart and prayers go out to his remarkably courageous wife, Mary Jo, his sons Kevin and Christopher, his grandchildren, and all his loved ones.”
Born on November 27, 1946, in Orange, Codey grew up working in his family’s funeral home, where he began assisting with death scene pickups at age 14. He attended local schools, including Our Lady of the Valley High School and Orange High School, before graduating from Oratory Preparatory School in Summit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1981 and became a licensed funeral director before entering politics.
Codey was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1973, representing Essex and Morris counties, and moved to the State Senate in 1982. He served continuously until his retirement in January 2024, holding the record as the state’s longest-serving legislator. He was Senate Minority Leader, then Senate President from 2002 to 2010.
His most prominent role came as acting governor — first briefly in 2002 after Gov. Christine Todd Whitman’s resignation, then for 14 months from November 15, 2004, to January 17, 2006, following Gov. Jim McGreevey’s resignation. He briefly served again in 2007 when Gov. Jon Corzine was incapacitated after a car accident.
During his time as governor, Codey championed causes that resonated locally and statewide: banning smoking in indoor public spaces, boosting funding for mental health services (a passion he shared openly with his wife, Mary Jo, who spoke about her postpartum depression), improving school nutrition by removing soda and candy from cafeterias, advancing stem cell research, and negotiating the deal for MetLife Stadium. He also imposed a moratorium on capital punishment and cracked down on pay-to-play politics.
Codey was married to Mary Jo Codey since 1981, and they had two sons, Kevin and Chris. The family often highlighted his humility, compassion, and ability to connect with everyone — from presidents to strangers in all-night diners.
In their statement, the family said: “Our family has lost a beloved husband, father and grandfather — and New Jersey lost a remarkable public servant who touched the lives of all who knew him. He lived his life with humility, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility to others. He spoke the truth when others wouldn’t and fought tirelessly for the people of New Jersey during his record-setting 50 years in the Legislature.”
Codey’s passing has drawn widespread tributes across New Jersey, with many remembering him as a “legend” dedicated to public service, mental health advocacy, and the people of Essex County.
