Jonathan Bitman, who served as a councilman in Little Silver for nine years and was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in November 2011, died Tuesday morning, according to the borough's mayor.
Mayor Robert Neff, Jr. said in an e-mail, "Little Silver had no more devoted servant. His love for his town was exceeded only by his love for Dale and the girls, and his friends and family."
Bitman leaves behind his wife, Dale, and daughters Cori, 18 and Jordan, 23.
In May, Bitman spoke at the start of the Relay for Life of the Two Rivers event at and told the audience, ""This is the fight of a life, for a life."
Bitman said that he was diagnosed on Nov. 15, 2011, just two days after going to the doctor for abdominal pain. "Yikes," he told the crowd gathered around the stage for the opening ceremonies of the annual event, "how your world can change in 48 hours."
He said it was his positive attitude that helped him cope with the 52 hours of chemotherapy he endured each week. And he said the support he received from his family, friends and the community had also provided solace during his fight.
"If caring was an Olympic sport, my wife and girls would be gold medalists," said Bitman.
Aside from his terms as councilman, Bitman also served as a member of Little Silver's Planning Board. According to the borough's Web site, Bitman was an active volunteer with the New Jersey Special Olympics and was born in Newark and grew up in Millburn,.
"We will miss his sense of humor, hard work and devotion to public service every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," said Neff. "His legacy will endure for decades to come."
Love, Peter
Lorrie
Peter Hough