Highlands Bridge Dedicated In Honor of Joseph Azzolina

photo by Matt Morehead via Facebook

Yesterday the new Highlands Bridge was officially renamed in honor of  long time Middletown resident, former NJ State Senator, NJ Assemblyman and respected local businessman Joseph Azzolina. The bridge is now know as the "Captain Joseph Azzolina Memorial Bridge".

Among those present for the dedication ceremony were Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Congressman Frank Pallone, State Senator Jennifer Beck and Senator Joseph Kyrillos. Conspicuously missing from the proceedings were representative from Middletown; No Mayor Fiore, No Deputy Mayor Massell, No Township Administrator. Nope, nobody.

How disrespectful was that?

Azzolina who passed away on April 15, 2010, was  a true patriot, he served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1944-1986, Captain (Retired).  As a reservist, he returned to active duty in 1983 for a tour of seven months – four of them off the coast of Lebanon – aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. He received three Meritorious Service Medals and two Navy Secretary Commendation Medals in addition to other combat awards and honors. As an Assemblyman, Azzolina led the effort to acquire the retired ship and have it docked in New Jersey waters where it has been transformed to a floating museum.

By all accounts yesterday's ceremony was a respectful and fitting tribute to Azzolina, Senators Beck and Kyrillos and Congressman Pallone delivered heartfelt words honoring him. 

I was told however last night by a someone who attended the ceremony, that the lack of any officials from Middletown did not go unnoticed. Evidently the battle scars over the proposed Town Center project still run deep within Middletown's GOP. 


You would think that for just one day, the local Republicans would put aside their differences with the Azzolina family, to honor a man who had done so much for the state and bayshore region and who was so greatly respected by both Democrats and Republicans alike. Instead, they snubbed the Azzolina family and disrespected the memory of "Big" Joe Azzolina himself. 

Captain Joseph Azzolina Memorial Bridge in Highlands/Sea Bright Awaiting Governor's Signature

Almost forgotten over all the commotion surrounding Thursday night's pension and health care reform debate down in Trenton, was the fact that pension and health care were not the only business being debated and adopted that day.

Also approved by the Assembly Thursday night was legislation sponsored by Senator Sean T. Kean and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini that designated the bridge which spans the Shrewsbury River, as the “Captain Joseph Azzolina Memorial Bridge”.

All that is left to making the naming of the bridge in honor of Joseph Azzolina is the signature of Governor Christie, which is expected to soon.

Renaming Of New Highlands Bridge "Captain Joseph Azzolina Memorial Bridge" Passes Senate Committee

In tribute to one of the leading voices of the Bayshore, Joseph Azzolina, the NJ Senate Transportation Committee approved yesterday the renaming of the new Highlands bridge the "Captain Joseph Azzolina Memorial Bridge".

Azzolina who passed away on April 15th of this year was a life long resident of the Northern Monmouth Bayshore area and a leader of the community who served in both the NJ State Senate and Assembly from 1965 until 2006.

Mr. Azzolina was a true patriot, he served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1944-1986, Captain (Retired).[1] As a reservist, he returned to active duty in 1983 for a tour of seven months – four of them off the coast of Lebanon – aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. He received three Meritorious Service Medals and two Navy Secretary Commendation Medals in addition to other combat awards and honors. As an Asemblyman, Azzolina led the effort to acquire the retired ship and have it docked in New Jersey waters where it has been transformed to a floating museum.

In an email sent to family and friends, John Azzolina issued the following statement:

" Our family is proud to announce that a Bill renaming Highlands Bridge passes senate committee Today will be named after our father Joe Azzolina. The Senate will vote in the fall to finalize. We are so proud of his accomplishments in life and will never be forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!
The Azzolina Family"

To read more about the renaming of the bridge in honor of Joseph Azzolina you can check out the article on the Bayshore Courier News website.