Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., longtime New Jersey congressman, dies at 87 [Video]

PATERSON, N.J. — Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. has died. 

His family announced his death Wednesday on social media. 

“As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America,” they wrote.

Pascrell was 87. A cause of death was not immediately released released, though it comes after a month-long illness that had him in and out of the hospital.

A look back at Bill Pascrell’s career

Pascrell, a Democrat, was a graduate of Fordham University and served in the Army for six years. He was first elected to the New Jersey General …