By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

On Jan. 11, the Pennsauken Sewerage Authority Commissioners, employees, as well as family and friends, gathered together as they dedicated their conference room in honor of the late James J. Pennestri, a longtime Pennsauken resident who served as a Sewerage Authority Commissioner for over 25 years.

“The Sewerage Authority wanted to make sure there was a remembrance of Jim’s dedication, not only to the Authority, but certainly to the Township of Pennsauken, for years to come,” said Bill Orth, executive director of the Pennsauken Sewerage Authority. “This is the room where we hold our meetings, where we have major discussions and make important decisions. We’ll have Jim watching over us.”

“Jim was a guy that really cared, not only about the Pennsauken Sewerage Authority, but he really cared about Pennsauken. It really shined through,” said Township Committeeman Marco DiBattista, who also serves as the assistant director of the Authority. “I felt lucky that I knew Jim, and I’m happy to say that this room will remember him forever.”

Pennestri served his country in the United States Army during the Berlin Crisis and in the Army Reserves. He was graduate of LaSalle University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and taught for many years in Camden City, both at Davis Middle School and Camden High School. Jim worked for the County of Camden in the Office on Aging and was then appointed by former New Jersey Governor Cahill to be the director of the Office on Aging in the Department of Community Affairs. He also had served as a senatorial aid for United States Senator Bill Bradley and was a past member of the Pennsauken School Board of Education. Jim served as a commissioner on the Pennsauken Sewerage Authority up to his passing in August of 2022. He was also a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Immaculate Conception Council #3512 and member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Bishop B.J. Eustace Assembly.

“Jim had 25 years of service with the Sewerage Authority, but really, it’s a lot longer. He was a man of service to his town, county, and country,” added Oren Lutz, chairman of the Authority. “He was never an ‘I’ person. He was always a ‘we’ person. He will be missed.”