When was George Papawick the mayor of Manville NJ?

Answer 1

George Papawick was Mayor of Manville NJ, in 1952-3, 1964-5, 1966-7, & until his death 2 Feb 1968 from leukemia. As a Republican in a predominantly Democrat town, his re-elections were the true test of his popularity. He began as a member of the Board of Education, then Councilman, Police Commissioner, G.O.P. leader and member of many organizations. In his book Ellis Island, The Coal Mines, to the Asbestos Capital of the World, E.J. Purzycki, 1987, said, "George Papawick was not only mayor, he was part of everything that happened in town, the VFW, Moose, Elks, St. Mary's Church, the Citizens and Taxpayers Association, Boy Scouts, Red Cross and the Planning Board. Papawick Park was named in his honor."

"He will long be remembered as a man who put community welfare above party demands for he was a man who moved with the courage of his convictions. One of those convictions was that he live a life of service in the face of exhausting demands. His life should serve as an inspiration to all." (From Somerset Messenger-Gazette, 8 Feb 1968.)

Upon his death, Joseph Wilhousky, Jr., wrote the following letter to the Editor of the Manville News, 15 Feb. 1968:

"Mayor George Papawick has gone to his eternal rest. It is but a few short months ago Manville returned him to office for a fourth term with the greatest majority ever given a candidate for local office.

What sort of a man was this who generated such public confidence? Those who knew him well recognized in him a quality of greatness. George lived, breathed and dreamed of his home town. Here was a man who concentrated his thoughts on the two square miles which comprised his borough. He spent most of his time endeavoring to better the living conitions of its 13,000 inhabitants. His ambition was to improve the image of Manville.

To many Manville is but an insignificant town in this great country of ours, but George never considered it as such. To him, Manville was the most important town in America.

Because he was born to poor parents and because of his awareness of the difficulties encountered by the less privileged to acquire a home and raise a family in an atmosphere which does not offer opportunity for improvement, George found himself well suited to lead the Manville Council toward an improved atmosphere of opportunity.

Poverty denied him the opportunity to go to college. He confided to close friends that he was never quite satisfied that he was effectively "putting across" his message when asked to speak at public affairs. However, his sincerity more than compensated for his lack of rhetoric. Destiny decreed that George retain his simple and direct manner of speaking so that everyone could not fail to understand him. His dry humor will not be soon forgotten.

George epitomized the great American tradition. Here was representative government at its best. Honesty and integrity prevailed during his entire public life. Here the lowliest citizen had direct contact with his mayor, at George's invitation.

Had George Papawick been destined to be the mayor of some large city, he would have been recognized as one of our nation's great leaders.

Manville will miss him."