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N. John Amato, 82, councilman called 'Mr. Cherry Hill'

As the longest-serving township councilman in Cherry Hill history, N. John Amato embraced his role as "Mr. Cherry Hill." Besides attending council meetings, he was a familiar face at dedications, school fairs, and church and synagogue events. He built a reputation as a popular Santa at the Cherry Hill Mall and at private parties in South Jersey.

N. John Amato, councilman who often played Santa.
N. John Amato, councilman who often played Santa.Read more

As the longest-serving township councilman in Cherry Hill history, N. John Amato embraced his role as "Mr. Cherry Hill."

Besides attending council meetings, he was a familiar face at dedications, school fairs, and church and synagogue events. He built a reputation as a popular Santa at the Cherry Hill Mall and at private parties in South Jersey.

"He was a public servant in the truest sense of the world," said former Mayor Susan Bass Levin. "He volunteered his time to make this town better."

Mr. Amato, 82, died Thursday night at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees after a lengthy battle with thyroid cancer.

"We were very blessed to have him," said his daughter Rosemary Watkins of Cherry Hill.

Mr. Amato was elected to the council in 1983 and had served continuously for the last 30 years. A Democrat, he had lived in Cherry Hill for more than 50 years.

"He will be forever remembered as a special person whose dedication to Cherry Hill was unparalleled," Mayor Chuck Cahn said in a statement. "He will be deeply missed."

Friends and colleagues Friday remembered Mr. Amato as a mentor who took aspiring young politicians under his wing and always gave good advice.

Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D., Camden), who ran for the council along with Mr. Amato in 2003, said he gave her confidence "that you can do anything."

"There will be a void for all of us in Cherry Hill without John," Lampitt said. "It may take 10 people to replace a John Amato. But I don't think he is replaceable."

During his tenure on the council, Mr. Amato served with five mayors: Maria Barnaby Greenwald, Art Simons, Bernie Platt, Levin, and Cahn.

He was elected three times as council president and seven times as vice president. He relinquished those positions at times to give younger council members a chance to serve.

"He was accessible, smart, and devoted to improving the lives of the people he served," said Council President David Fleisher. "Council has lost a giant - a leader, a friend, and a Cherry Hill institution."

Mr. Amato held "unofficial" office hours at Ponzio's diner, where constituents could find him weekday mornings. "He went there every day for 30 years for breakfast," his daughter said.

As a tribute, Levin stopped by Ponzio's on Friday morning and took a seat at the counter where Mr. Amato would hold court. The diner flashed a message on its digital sign in his honor.

Choking back tears, Levin said she wanted to let her longtime mentor know that "he will continue to be at my side. He was Mr. Cherry Hill."

Mr. Amato was last elected to a four-year term in November 2011. The council will select a replacement to fill the unexpired term from nominations by the township Democratic Committee.

A licensed public accountant, Mr. Amato was employed as a school business administrator in numerous South Jersey systems, including Camden, Cherry Hill, Sterling, and Bellmawr. He retired in 2010.

He was active in the Sons of Italy and served as a board member at the Camden County Vocational Schools and the Y.A.L.E. School for special-needs children. He was a eucharistic minister and lector at Queen of Heaven Roman Catholic Church.

At his 80th birthday, in 2012, the township honored Mr. Amato by naming the council meeting room after him.

He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Rutgers-Camden and a master's from Kean College.

Mr. Amato, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., spent three years in the Army and served in Korea, his daughter said.

He moved with his family to Cherry Hill's Erlton South neighborhood in 1963. He was honored as the grand marshal of the neighborhood's July Fourth parade.

Mr. Amato enjoyed being a grandfather and playing Santa Claus, a role he took on when he encountered a "tipsy" Kriss Kringle.

He started out with a fake white beard, but later grew his own to accompany his wide girth and friendly smile that endeared him to children. He occasionally made runs in a borrowed red scooter or convertible.

Mr. Amato donated the pay from the Santa gigs to local charities, while he reaped a priceless political advantage.

"Who can vote against Santa Claus?" he asked in a 2003 Inquirer interview.

Cahn ordered that flags on all township buildings be flown at half-staff until Mr. Amato is buried. A moment of silence is planned before Monday's council meeting.

Mr. Amato is also survived by daughter Irena Viola; two grandchildren; and a sister and a brother. His wife of 57 years, Marion, died in 2012.

A viewing will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 700 Route 70 W., Cherry Hill, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.

Donations may be made to the Cooper Foundation, 1 Cooper Plaza, Camden, N.J. 08103.

Condolences may be left at www.schetterfh.com.