John F. Cryan

Cryan was born in Baslick, Castlerea, County Roscommon, and emigrated to the United States in 1948.

After serving as a Commissioner of the Newark Park Authority under Mayor Hugh Addonizio, Cryan ran for the New Jersey General Assembly in 1965.

He did not seek re-election to a second term in 1967, instead becoming Essex County Undersheriff under Sheriff Ralph D'Ambola.

[3] In 1978, Cryan ran against, and lost to, Peter Shapiro in the June primary selecting the Democratic candidate for the first Essex County Executive, with Donald M. Payne coming in third.

[5] His son, Joseph Cryan represents Union County in the New Jersey Senate, and served as Assembly Majority Leader and as Democratic State Chairman under Governor Jon Corzine.