League Mourns the Passing of Jack Trafford, Former Executive Director
It is with regret and sadness that I must relay to you the news of the passing of Jack Trafford, the former League Executive Director after a long illness at age 88. Jack passed away overnight, surrounded by family.
Trafford started at the League in 1958 and became Executive Director in 1980, taking over for Robert H. Fust. During his tenure, Trafford was active in the legislative analysis program, the Bureau of Municipal Information, and New Jersey Municipalities magazine, where he advanced through the ranks to Editor. Trafford retired in 1995, and was succeeded by Bill Dressel.
Trafford was a statesman and an artist. Experimenting and perfecting his photography work, his photos often graced the pages of the League's magazine and helped advance the design of the publication.
His leadership work at the League in the 1980s and early 1990s tirelessly promoted New Jersey’s municipalities, advocating for them with federal and state legislations and offices to ensure local governments got their fair share of revenues and striving to ease the burdens on local property taxpayers.
Under his guidance, the League began offering independent training and education programs to supplement its Annual Conference. He also worked with New Jersey’s municipalities as they petitioned the legislature for tort reform and for the authority to join together to insure against liability claims. Passage of the act opened the door for the Municipal Joint Insurance and Excess Liability Funds, which have provided an affordable option to traditional insurance arrangements.
Trafford is survived by his daughter Deborah Delutis (Pete) and son Gregory Trafford (Jamie), as well as Kyle and Jacob Delutis; Emma, Rosie, and James Trafford, all residents of Ewing, NJ.
The League will share information about arrangements as soon as possible.
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