Charles (Chuck) Tahaney, Jr., a third generation favorite son of Livingston, passed away quietly on February 10, 2021, with his wife by his side.
Chuck was born in 1945 in Summit, New Jersey to Helen (Falk) Tahaney and Charles Tahaney, Sr.
Educated in the Livingston public schools, he was a proud graduate of the LHS class of 1963. He graduated in 1967 from St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, with a BS in English/education. In 1972, he earned an MBA in public administration from Seton Hall University’s Paul Stillman School of Business.
His military experience began in 1963 as a freshman at St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, where he participated in the ROTC program. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Chuck served in an Advanced Infantry unit in Vietnam (HHC 2nd Bn Mech 8th Inf 4th Inf Div), was wounded in combat, and awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze star for valor. He held our country’s veterans in the highest regard. He was a life member of the Livingston VFW Post 2856.
Chuck spent his more than 36 year career in public service, embracing the motto “service above self.” He became the assistant township manager to Livingston’s first town manager, Robert Harp, who was his mentor and friend. Chuck served as town manager of Montville Township for six years before returning to Livingston to assume duties as manager when Mr. Harp retired. Chuck was a silver shining thread in the fabric of Livingston. He cared for his employees and was ready with a smile and sometimes easily moved to tears with pride and emotion. Chuck completed his tenure as manager and retired in 2005.
As a widely respected civil servant, Chuck received many awards and citations from state and local government organizations. In the late 1980s he travelled to Russia as a delegate with the ICMA (the International City Managers’ Association), representing New Jersey. In 2010 he was honored as UNICO Citizen of the Year. Chuck was a veteran honoree selected by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2015. He served as a past president of the New Jersey Municipal Management Association (NJMMA). In 2019 he was honored at the League of Municipalities with a recognition of 50 years service in the NJMMA. He was well thought of in the professional managers’ community.
After retirement, Chuck continued to serve the town for 15 years as ...
