Dedication, Vision, Integrity
Describing him as a friend, mentor, and a longtime leader in both public service and private business, Joseph Buckelew recently was recognized by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, numerous public officials along with friends and Ocean County Government staff, as the Ocean County Administration Building in downtown Toms River was dedicated in his honor as the Joseph Buckelew Ocean County Government Center. In a proclamation presented to Buckelew during the Jan. 6 dedication ceremony, the Board noted the action was taken as a testament to Joseph Buckelew’s dedication, vision and integrity creating countless opportunities for generations to come. Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi served as the master of ceremonies during the event, while Commissioner Virginia E. Haines was joined by 9th District State Sen. Carmen F. Amato Jr., 30th District State Sen. Robert W. Singer and Jeff Sagnip, representative for Congressman Christopher H. Smith, Ocean County’s newest Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Robert S. Arace and others in highlighting the decades of unwavering support Buckelew provided to Ocean County from his early days as a Lakewood Police Officer, to serving as the Mayor of Lakewood, as a member of the Freeholder (now Commissioners) Board from 1972 to 1975 to his philanthropic and civic leadership throughout the years. “He has had a significant role in making Ocean County a premier county to live in,” said Commissioner Sadeghi. “Since Joe served on the Board when this building first opened we, as a Board, collectively agreed it was appropriate to pay tribute to him by dedicating the building in his honor.”
