Having reached an age when many friends and people I knew professionally have passed on, I try to remember the good times and their contributions rather than mourn the loss. Comes word that former New Jersey state senator and governor, Richard J. Codey, 79, has passed away. This hurts more than most but I will remember the fun times — through watery eyes.
Dick Codey and I had an unusual relationship. He had a keen sense of humor and I was his favorite target.
Once a news conference was jammed with so many outside people there was no room for media. I wrote in my syndicated Politics Patrol column news people had to get in and out quickly and they should block off some seats for working press.
At the next news conference there was a single wingback chair amongst the usual folding seats with a big sign: “Reserved For Bob Ingle.” No one took credit but we knew it was the governor’s handiwork.
Probably the strangest and funniest thing that happened to me was the time Codey held me hostage in the governor’s office.
His wonderful wife, Mary Jo, had written of her postpartum depression in a frank, straightforward article designed to help other women. Craig Carton, my radio partner on “The Jersey Guys” on 101.5 FM, made light of it. Codey was not happy.
The governor decided to confront Craig unannounced in person on air. But he couldn’t get in the building after the office staff left.
Since I worked there, I knew the security codes. Codey invited me down to the governor’s office to explain what he planned. He also said I could not leave his office because he was afraid I would tip off Carton.
I told him News Editor Mike Symons would wonder where I was. Codey said I could call Mike and tell him I was in the governor’s office but no more. He stood by while I made the call which itself was embarrassing since I couldn’t remember Mike’s number. Codey had his press secretary give it to me.
About 5 pm, the governor, his State Trooper security and I were in a trooper SUV headed to the studio with 101.5 FM on the radio. As luck would have it, the 4 pm hour was guys who said they were terrorists — and worse, they stayed over to the 5 pm segment.
The state trooper pulled into an apartment parking lot. (I often wondered what occupants thought if they looked out the window and saw the governor loitering there.)
Codey told me to call the station and get rid of the self-described terrorists. I called the producer and said I wanted to talk about something important and could he get rid of them.
They wrapped it up and we drove the rest of the way. I get Codey and the troopers into the studio and as Carton waited for me to call in with that important stuff the governor headed into the studio. Carton, mid-sentence, looked through the airlock window and said, “Here comes the governor of New Jersey.”
Codey marched in like he owned the place then boldly defended his wife. Carton apologized and the two became friends. Codey was like that: forgiving, kind, friendly. He supported causes others wouldn’t touch. Many times later he called into our show as Dick from Essex County. He loved to talk sports.
Codey wrote a good book that didn’t do as well as he wanted so, naturally, he blamed me. “You took the air out of the room with ‘The Soprano State.’”
Mary Jo is a treasure as well. At a Christmas party in the governor’s mansion in Princeton, she said, “Come on, Bob, I will take you on a tour of what the public doesn’t see.”
As I said, this one hurts more than most. Mike Symons messaged me Sunday morning with the news. When he heard he thought of me. I told Mike I would tell about being held hostage.
Dick Codey, funeral director in civilian life, was one of New Jersey’s best. I will always remember the good times with him and there were many. And his time at the helm of the Great Garden State. Rest in peace, my friend, you touched so many lives and made your state a better place.
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