SOUTH BRUNSWICK – South Brunswick is mourning the loss of its second mayor in just over a year.
Mayor Christopher J. Killmurray passed away on April 8 at his home surrounded by his family, according to Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic.
He had been battling brain cancer, according to information provided by the M.J. Murphy Funeral Home in Monmouth Junction of South Brunswick.
Killmurray was born in Perth Amboy and grew up in the Sewaren section of Woodbridge, according to his obituary.
Killmurray was first elected as a councilman in 2003. He was appointed by his fellow council members last year to finish the term of the late Mayor Frank Gambatese, who passed away on March 25, 2017, while in office. Killmurray was then elected in November 2017 to finish out Gambatese’s term, serving a collective five terms with the governing body.
“Mayor Killmurray fully embraced the significance of public service as a true calling and profoundly affected the lives of many South Brunswick residents,” Hvozdovic said in the statement.
Killmurray served on the South Brunswick Township Public Library Board, the Recreation Advisory Board, the South Brunswick Family YMCA Board, and the Flame of Charity Foundation for the Diocese of Metuchen. He served as the co-chair of the Annual Flame of Charity Foundation Fundraising Dinner. He was a member of the St. Cecilia Knights of Columbus Council No. 7046 as well as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Monsignor Crean Division No. 1 in Hamilton. He was an active member of St. Cecilia’s Parish in Monmouth Junction and a past volunteer CCD teacher, according to his obituary.
He was also a longtime member of the Woodbridge Irish-American Association, and was a member of VFW Post 9111 in Kendall Park Men’s Auxiliary, according to Hvozdovic.
He was also active in local scouting through his sons’ participation in Cub Scout Pack 108 and Boy Scout Troop 888, as an assistant leader in both units, according to his obituary. He served as pro bono legal counsel for The Central Jersey Boy Scouts – Joyce Kilmer District, according to the township. He was honored with the Good Scout Award from the Central New Jersey Council of Boy Scouts of America in 2004, according to his obituary.
Killmurray was a graduate of Rutgers University Camden School of Law and was a partner in the law firm of Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas in the firm’s Employment and Civil Rights Litigation Section, handling cases statewide with an emphasis on defense of public entities and their employees.
His work defending matters filed against police officers and police departments earned him the distinction of Irishman of the Year by the Central Jersey Police Emerald Society in 2011, according to the statement.
Killmurray was also selected by the Middlesex County Bar Association, and the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law, as a recipient of the 2016 Professional Lawyer of the Year Award.
“Mayor Killmurray always strove to try his best for those around him and help them reach their potential,” Hvozdovic said in the statement.
Killmurray is survived by his wife Karen and four children. The funeral was planned for April 12 at St. Cecilia’s Church, Monmouth Junction, with burial following in the Holy Cross Burial Park. Calling hours will be from 3-7 p.m. on April 11 at St. Cecilia’s Church.
In lieu of sending flowers, make a donation to the South Brunswick Public Library or South Brunswick Food Pantry.
