Kids & Family

Updated: Former Postmaster, Veterans Advocate J. Robert Tracey Dies

Veterans Park was renamed after Tracey in July.

Former Morristown Postmaster and veterans advocate J. Robert Tracey has died. He was 87 years old.

Friends were informed early Thursday morning of Tracey's passing, said Mayor Tim Dougherty.

"Obviously my wife and I and our family send our condolences to the Tracey family and keep them all in our thoughts and prayers," he said.

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tracey served as Morristown's Postmaster for 30 years. A World War II veteran, he has long been an advocate for veterans and was honored for his efforts when Veterans Park was renamed in July the J. Robert Tracey Veterans Memorial Park.

Clean Communities Coordinator Kathleen Margiotta, who called Tracey "a dear friend and all around good Morristown guy," said further information about services was expected to be available by Friday.

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A former resident of Early Street, Margiotta was Tracey's neighbor there for 10 years. She and Tracey's daughter, Debbie, have been friends since high school.

"Bob is a founding member of the Morristown Clean Communities volunteer board and never missed a clean up event in the past 22 years," Margiotta said. "Ironically, I was planning on calling him today to see if he was up to attending this Saturday’s Fall Clean Up."

She also noted Tracey's longtime volunteer contributions on the Morristown Recreation Committee and as the Easter Bunny during the annual Easter Egg Hunt. "I was his photographer at the event, and in later years his extra ears when he began to have trouble hearing. Again, he never missed the event."

"Bob did a lot for Morristown and I always enjoyed his friendship, and boy could he tell good stories about old Morristown," Margiotta said.

"There's not enough time to mention all the things he has been active in in the community," Dougherty said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here