For those who attended last week’s Cherry Hill Council meeting, the first following the death of long-time Councilman N. John Amato, a comment from council President David Fleisher summed up the emotions everyone was feeling.
“He simply loved the people of Cherry Hill,” Fleisher said. “And Cherry Hill loved him back.”
Amato died on the night of Sept. 18 at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer. He served on council for 31 years, longer than any councilman in Cherry Hill history.
During the meeting, Amato’s seat was empty, with a black ribbon draped across it. A bouquet of flowers was placed at his seat, with his nameplate draped with a black ribbon right in front.
Township officials and members of council were overcome with emotion throughout the night. A special moment of silence was held at the beginning of the meeting. Prior to the moment of silence, Fleisher and Mayor Chuck Cahn each shared the impact Amato had on the township.
“He represented everything right about public service,” Fleisher said. “He was smart, accessible, caring and always put people first.”
“He was an inspiration to three decades of our community’s leaders,” Cahn said. “He was our historian, and he always held himself accountable to our residents and businesses.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, members of council took some time to share their memories of Amato with those in attendance. All of them had a unique way of expressing their affection for him. Councilwoman Melinda Kane wrote a top 10 list of things she loved about Amato.
Councilwoman Carole Roskoph said Amato always went out of his way to encourage and help members of council. “I’ll miss my friend, but I’m a better person because I’ve known him,” Roskoph said.
Council Vice President Sara Lipsett recalled when Amato asked her to take the role of vice president in 2010. She said his selfless attitude had a positive effect on the community.
“He thought that it was so important that young people get involved in their community,” Lipsett said.
Cherry Hill named the council room after Amato in August of 2012. Cahn said the honor will allow Amato’s memory to forever be preserved for future elected officials and residents.
“It is fitting that we sit here tonight in the N. John Amato Council Chambers, and comforting to know that his legacy will be preserved here forever,” he said.
