BERKELEY – John Camera wore a number of hats during his decades as a public official. The business administrator of Berkeley, School Board President of Colts Neck, and former councilman and administrator of Seaside Heights passed away from complications related to pancreatic cancer.
“He was quite a man,” Mayor John Bacchione said. “He was an asset to the town.”
A business administrator is the head of day-to-day operations for a town, answering only to the mayor. Those close to him said Camera was positive about fighting the disease, and didn’t let it slow him down.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of John Camera,” said Bacchione, who worked with Camera as a member of the Township Council before winning the mayoral election last year. “John helped lead our township for almost nine years with distinction, grace, and a relentless pursuit of a better future for Berkeley Township. His institutional knowledge of our town was astounding. The information he provided to my team during my transition into the mayor’s office was invaluable. He was a great help to me, the town, and the community and he will be sorely missed.
“On behalf of the Township of Berkeley and our employees, I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Phyllis, and his entire family,” he said. “In this time of sorrow, may they find comfort in John’s cherished memories and legacy.”
In a 2015 article in the Asbury Park Press about Camera’s hiring in Berkeley, it was noted that he was the business administrator for Seaside Heights for 20 years and was formerly a councilman there.
Carmen Amato, who was the mayor who hired him, said he was looking forward to Camera’s knowledge of matters relating to Superstorm Sandy, since both towns were hurt badly by that disaster.
Now a state senator, Amato told The Berkeley Times that he was very saddened by Camera’s passing.
“He was a good friend, and he did a great job as administrator,” he said. “Berkeley is certainly a better place because of John Camera.”
Camera brought the institutional knowledge of government operations that is hard to replace, he said. Amato noted that the recent installation of Berkeley’s solar fields is evidence of his diligence and know-how. Camera was the point person for 260 employees and 42,000 residents.
“He went with my crazy ideas and made a lot of it come to fruition,” Amato said. “What a tremendous loss.”
Amato said his heart goes out to Camera’s family, who lost him before Father’s Day weekend.
He leaves behind his wife Phyllis and four school-aged children. His father had passed away earlier this year.
