Former Howell councilman dies unexpectedly
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

HOWELL - Former Township Councilman Wayne Lucey, 48, died unexpectedly on the afternoon of April 16.

Lucey was pronounced dead at his Porter Road home at about 4:30 p.m. by paramedics who were responding to a 911 call made from the home by a family member.

The emergency responders who found Lucey dead upon their arrival at the home were a second wave of paramedics who had been to the home that day, according to Howell police Lt. Andy Kudrick.

According to Kudrick, police dispatch had initially received a 911 call from Lucey's home at 8:39 a.m. Kudrick said in that instance, the caller, a family member whose identity he did not know, had called for emergency responders because Lucey was "unconscious and unresponsive and appeared to not be breathing."

Kudrick said when the first aid responders arrived at the home in the morning, Lucey was up and around, said he was fine and refused medical treatment.

Later that afternoon another 911 call was made from the residence by a person who reported that Lucey was "not breathing," the lieutenant said.

Kudrick said CPR instructions were given over the phone to the family member and shortly thereafter, responders from the Ramtown Fire Company, Ramtown First Aid Squad, Howell Police Department EMT and MONOC paramedics all converged on the home.

Kudrick said Lucey was pronounced dead at the scene by a MONOC paramedic. He did not know the exact time of death.

Kudrick said the Howell Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office will conduct an investigation of the matter "even though there appears to be nothing suspicious at this time."

Lucey, a private contractor, was ap-pointed to a seat on the Township Coun-cil in January 2005 after being selected from among three applicants to fulfill the unexpired council term of Joseph M. DiBella.

DiBella, who was serving on the council, was elected Howell's mayor in November 2004. His election opened the council seat. Lucey received the appointment over a pair of other Republicans, Robert Walsh and Edward Skibicki.

In November 2005, Lucey was defeated by Walsh, who ran as an independent for the right to serve the final year (2006) of DiBella's unexpired council term.

Running again as an independent, Walsh won a full four-year council term in November 2006, defeating Skibicki.

Remembering his former political adversary, Walsh said of Lucey, "I respected the man. He worked hard and ran a clean campaign. He had a willingness to serve the people of his community and that should always be commended. It's a great loss for his family and the community of Howell."

Walsh said his prayers are with the Lucey family.

DiBella said, "This is a very sad day. Wayne was a person who was full of life and full of energy. A pleasure just to be with."

DiBella said Lucey "served with distinction and cared a great deal about our community. He was a great, dear friend and I will miss him terribly."

Lucey leaves a wife, Mary Lou, and three children.

Kudrick said the police department did not have funeral service information available by press time Tuesday morning.