Gilbert W. Lugossy

Gilbert W. Lugossy, 90, of Hamilton Township, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, at the Serenity Hospice Inpatient Unit at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.

Born on March 11, 1936, and raised in Hamilton Township, Gilbert was a proud graduate of Hamilton High School West, where he served as Senior Class President in 1954. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brown University and pursued advanced training in public safety and leadership at the National Sheriffs’ Institute at the University of Southern California, the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and the Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar.

A lifelong public servant, Gilbert began his career in community leadership as a member of the Hamilton Township Board of Education from 1962 to 1968. He went on to serve on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1971 to 1976 before being elected Sheriff of Mercer County in 1977, a position he held with distinction until 1990. He later continued his dedication to public service as a member of the New Jersey State Parole Board from 1990 to 1997. For more than five decades, from 1962 to 2016, he served as Fire Commissioner of District No. 3 in Hamilton Township, reflecting his deep commitment to public safety. He was also a dedicated member of the Rusling Hose Volunteer Fire Company for over 70 years.

Gilbert remained actively involved in numerous civic, professional, and charitable organizations throughout his life, including the Mercer County Firemen’s Association, the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association, American Legion Post 313, the Hamilton Elks Lodge, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the FBI National Academy Associates. He served on the boards of Yardville National Bank, the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey, Capital Health System, and the New Jersey Firemen’s Home. His many years of leadership and service earned him numerous honors and awards from local and state organizations.

Predeceased by his parents, Frank and Vilma (Antal) Lugossy, his sister Rose Lugossy Taylor, and his beloved wife Helen “Lee” Lugossy, he is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Eileen Lugossy, his brother-in-law Richard Taylor, his brother-in-law Arthur Blazewski, his sister-in-law Pearl Capes, his nieces and nephews Frank (Kristi) Lugossy, Michael Lugossy, Christopher (Christine) Lugossy, Lisa (Jim) Hutchison, Jackie (Peter) Wighton, and John (Elizabeth) Blazewski, along with many great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives, dear friends, and colleagues.