Richard Piatkowski, Former School Board Member, is Dead

Longtime Republican activist and elected school board official Richard Piatkowski died Weds. evening at Alameda Care Center in Perth Amboy after a prolonged illness.

Piatkowski, who was 65, was a fixture on the political scene in Woodbridge and in the county since his first run for county surrogate in 1984. Piatkowski, a real estate agent who once worked for J.J. Elek in Woodbridge, lived in the Sewaren section of Woodbridge with his family, and was involved in party politics through runs for various political offices, eventually being elected to the Woodbridge Board of Education.

An active member of the township's Republican party, Piatkowski served on the zoning board and as a committeeman. He most recently ran for State Assembly in 2009.

"He was tenacious, like a bulldog. He was certainly a watchdog for taxpayers in Woodbridge when he was on the school board," said former Assemblyman Stephen Mikulak, who briefly served with Piatkowski on the school board.

Piatkowski was known for his conservative political beliefs throughout his life. He was active in one of the area's Tea Party movements that sprung up in recent years as a reaction to excessive government spending.

"Rich pursued his conservative beliefs and values throughout his life. He was absolutely tenacious," Mikulak said. 

Piatkowski eventually moved to Perth Amboy, where he was an official in the city's Republican organization and served on many boards and committees. 

Visiting hours will be held Saturday from 2 to 5 pm at Gustav J. Novak Funeral Home at 419 Barclay St. in Perth Amboy.