Former New Jersey Governor James J. Florio[Photo Credit: J Taylor Design.]Gov. Jim Florio has passed away. He was 85 years old. His lifelong commitment to public service, the people of New Jersey and the nation is unchallenged. He had political courage and deeply believed that government could better the lives of people.

He grew up in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York in a working class family. He received his high school equivalency diploma in the Navy, ultimately retiring at the rank of lieutenant commander. He went to Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), and then attended Columbia University and Rutgers Law School, Camden. During law school he worked as a night watchman at a high school where he could study and earn money to support his growing family of three children. His work ethic continued throughout his life.