ROXBURY TWP. – For their ongoing efforts to preserve, protect and promote the state’s largest natural water resource, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11, has honored Marty Kane and Gay Ann Bucci.
Both individuals, Kane of Mountain Lakes and Bucci of Rockaway, have earned the praise – and public recognition – by Rep. as part of her “2023 Heroes” program.
“I launched the 2023 Heroes program to recognize members of our community who have made a difference in NJ-11 over the past year,” Sherrill said.
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“This was an opportunity to remind our everyday heroes— teachers, healthcare providers, first responders, family members, volunteers or others who have impacted another person’s life in a positive way— that our community is incredibly grateful for all of their work,” she said.
“All of our 2023 Heroes live or work in NJ-11. We had an outpouring of submissions from the community and we selected our 25 Heroes based on the heartfelt testimonies provided to us by the individual that nominated them,” Sherrill said.
“While all of our selected Heroes received a congressional certificate recognizing their achievement, we also wanted to share the heartfelt submissions of their nominators, in their own words. We hope you find them as touching and inspiring as we do,” she said in a release issued at the end f last year.
Kane was Kane nominated by Alan Hunt, a colleague and Bucci was nominated by Marty Kane.
Hunt said of Kane:
“Marty is a retired employee at Picatinny Arsenal and a lifelong resident of Lake Hopatcong. He is board President of Lake Hopatcong Foundation and has tirelessly sought to improve the quality of life for lake residents. He is kind and brings people together from all perspectives, including downstream residents on the Musconetcong River. In his time as President, the foundation has grown in staff, successfully converted the old landing station into a working office and meeting space, launched the lake circuit trail, donated for water quality improvements, and partnered with the Musconetcong Watershed Association to get the federal designation for the Musconetcong Watershed National Water Trail. He’s also brought federal investments to restore a historic fountain at Hopatcong State Park, which receives over 400,000 visitors annually and advocated for funding for sewering Jefferson Township with support from the Army Corps of Engineers. He’s committed his life to promoting, protecting, and restoring Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest lake.”
Kane said of Bucci:
“Gay is a retired educator, who taught fifth grade and third grade for thirty-seven years with the Denville Township School District. She is a graduate of The College of Saint Elizabeth (now Saint Elizabeth University) and Seton Hall University with degrees in elementary education and educational leadership. Gay first became involved with the Lake Hopatcong Foundation in 2016 as a volunteer for the organization’s annual field trips and has since found a home on its Education Team. As a volunteer, she has continued to use her teaching skills to bring awareness of the importance of protecting the Musconetcong Watershed and Lake Hopatcong. Gay almost never misses acting as a volunteer for educational trips aboard the Floating Classroom for students in the spring or families in the summer. She has been a mainstay in the Lake Hopatcong Foundation’s efforts to educate the next generation of environmental stewards. Along with being a proud member of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Gay serves on the Board of Trustees for Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, where she frequently volunteers as a docent. She also leads and plans events for the women’s group at her local church in Rockaway.”
According to the foundation, Gay Ann Bucci grew up surrounded by stories of her family’s experiences as concessioners at Bertrand Island Amusement Park in the 1940s and 1950s. When Gay was in high school and college, she would have the opportunity to make her own memories working alongside her aunt and cousins in the Creamy Whip stand. Her time at the Park included hard work, but so many good times with extended family and friends.