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Long-time Brooklawn resident, former mayor, and current councilman, Mike Mevoli was celebrated at the Borough’s annual Arbor Day Celebration with a tree dedicated in his honor on April 21.
Brooklawn Councilman and Chairperson of The Shade Tree Commission, Patrick Moses, noted that eleven trees have now been dedicated in the Borough. This includes the four trees that were planted at Alice Costello School.
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A Red Oak tree was selected to honor Mevoli. “It is the official state tree of New Jersey. It is a deciduous tree, which means it loses it leaves. It can grow to 92 feet tall up to a maximum of 141 feet tall and the diameter of its trunk can reach up to 29-39 inches,” Moses said.
Mayor Teri Branella had the distinction of listing many of Mevoli’s accomplishments. “Mike is very proud of his family,” Branella said. He is a 64-year resident of Brooklawn, graduated from Gloucester City High School, and has been married to his wife, Mary, for 45 years.
Their daughter, Regina, and her husband, Joe, have two children, Ben and Max.
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Mevoli served as Brooklawn mayor for eight years. He is also a Council member and served several times as Council President. “He loves this town,” she said. “Over the years, he has been chair of every Council committee at least twice and currently, he leads our Public Safety Committee.”
He is past chairman of Planning and Zoning Committee, where he continues to serve. “Once you’re on, we don’t let you go,” Branella laughed.
Mevoli is also the current chairman of the Camden County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund and chairman of its executive safety committee.
Mevoli is also famous for his annual Italian Fiesta Dinner. “He cooks everything, with some help from Mary,” Branella said.
He is also a past president of the Brooklawn Athletic Association. He coached many successful baseball teams throughout his career. He was the coach of the Brooklawn American Legion Baseball team when they won the title of American Legion World Series in 1991. “We all know how proud we are of them,” Branella stated.
Mevoli also served as vice-president of the Brooklawn School Board for seven years and treasurer for two years.
He is a member of the Camden County Mayor’s Association and served as treasurer for two years. He continues to be part of that as Mayor Emeritus. Currently, Mavoli is an active member of the Mayor Emeritus Advisory Council.
“I don’t know how somebody gets all that done,” Branella said.
Honoring him was from her heart, she said. “He has helped and shaped me to be a leader in this community.”
“Today, we dedicate a tree. If Mike wasn’t already rooted in our community, we are going to make sure he stands forever,” Branella said.
Bill Moen spoke on behalf of the Camden County Board of Freeholders. “It’s an honor to be here — to not only honor Mike, but also to help celebrate Arbor Day, which is April 27.”
“Mike is someone I’ve known for about a decade since I got my start in politics,” Moen said. “To my colleagues, he is well-respected and a dedicated public servant. He has served the residents of Brooklawn well, but [he has also] served the 510,000 plus residents of Camden County well too.”
Mevoli’s daughter Regina Klepka and her husband, Joe, along with their sons also paid tribute.
Regina said: “I am honored to be your daughter. I am blessed. You’ve shown me what it is to be a wonderful person– to love your family unconditionally [and to] always be there for me when I need you. You do so much for the town and your family and never ask for anything in return. I couldn’t be more proud to be your daughter.”
Joe Klepka said he was the son-in-law Mevoli always wanted and helped Joe “become the man he is today.”
Mevoli’s grandson Max said: “He is the greatest pop in the world. My pop-pop makes me eggs and … does the Easter Egg Hunt.”
Big brother added: “My pop is the most loving, caring, patient person in the world and I love him very much. He is the greatest person in the universe. He helps me whenever I am feeling sad. He gives me something that I like and I bring it back when I am done with it — just like I did with the screwdriver, the wrench, and the magnifying glass.”
Filled with emotion, Mevoli addressed the crowd and expressed his thanks: “I want say that a couple of years ago, I went through a very hard time and I didn’t know if I could be around to see something like this. I thank the Lord that I am still here. [To] my friends and family, and all the people who came out today, I will always remember. I thank the Lord that I could see this day happen.”
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