Florio entered public service in 1969 serving three terms in the New Jersey General Assembly. He served in the United States House of Representatives from the 1st Congressional District from 1974 – 1990, and as the 49th Governor of the State of New Jersey from 1990 through 1994. After leaving public office, Florio entered the private practice of law. In 1996, Florio and Michael J. Perrucci started the law firm which is known today as Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC. Florio was Chair of the firm’s Environmental Group and Government and Regulatory Affairs Group.
In addition to his law practice, Florio was involved in a variety of professional, civic, and political activities. He was a Senior Fellow for Public Policy and Administration at the Edward J. Bloustein Graduate School of Public Policy at Rutgers University. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank New York, as Chairman of The Pinelands Commission in New Jersey, on the Board of Directors of NJ Future, on the Board of Directors of the NJ Health Care Quality Institute, Co-Chairman of the Regional Plan Association’s New Jersey Committee, and as a member of the Board of Trustees Fund for New Jersey. Florio served on the Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board during the Clinton administration. He was a member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC) to the U.S. Trade Representative, and a member of The Bretton Woods Committee , a private bipartisan group committed to international economic leadership.
Florio holds numerous honorary degrees and was the 2019 recipient of the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hughes Center Honors. In 1993, he received the “Profile in Courage Award” from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. In 2008, he was designated as a Lifetime Honoree Member of the New Jersey Short Line Railroad Association.
Florio is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served four years of active duty and 18 years in the Active Naval Reserve and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1975.
Florio graduated from Trenton State College, was the recipient of the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship at Columbia University, and received his law degree from Rutgers School of Law – Camden.
Monday, October 3, 2022 | 2:00 PM
Dennis Flyer Theater at Lincoln Hall
Camden County College, Blackwood Campus
Memorial Service Video
Memorial Program:
WELCOME
Louis Cappelli, Jr., Esq.
Camden County Commissioner Director Law Partner and Longtime Friend
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Michael Perrucci, Esq.
Law Partner and Longtime Friend
PRESENTATION OF COLORS
Camden County Sheriff Officers New Jersey State Police
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Governor James Florio’s Grandchildren
Matthew Louis Florio
Chelsea Eileen Florio
Alexandra Rosalie Florio
Elizabeth James Florio
Peter James Florio
Victoria Florio Pipas
Stephanie Florio Pipas
TRIBUTE
Governor Phil Murphy
TRIBUTE
Congressman Donald Norcross
TRIBUTE
Amy Mansue
President and CEO, Inspira Health Former Senior Health Advisor to Governor Florio MUSICAL TRIBUTE
Camden City Creative Arts High School Choir
“Always Remember” by Andrae Crouch “Count the Stars” by Andy Beck
TRIBUTE
Steve Weinstein, Esq
Of Counsel, Connell Foley LLP and Longtime Friend
TRIBUTE
Carl Poplar, Esq.
Carl Poplar Law Offices and Longtime Friend
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Brenda Bacon
President and CEO, Brandywine Senior Living LLC Former Chief Policy Advisor to Governor Florio
TRIBUTE
Carl Van Horn, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Public Policy
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University
MUSICAL TRIBUTE
Chris Florio
Son
TRIBUTE
Dr. Catherine F. Pipas
Daughter
MUSICAL & VIDEO TRIBUTE
“Healing Invitation” by Chris Florio
Performed by Symphony in C
