Pareti made a name for himself in the small, quaint borough at an early age when his aspirations after serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Air Force during World War II led him to the political forum. By age 24, he was elected to council, becoming the youngest in history to garner the post until current Mayor William Roseman took that title away when he was elected councilman at the age of 18.

Soon after, he set his eyes at education, first elected to the board of education and then to the president of the board. By 1959, at the age of 37, he was elected mayor, again, the youngest to hold the post and the first Republican that had sat as the head of the town’s local government in 38 years. He would go on to serve 12 years in the seat, culminating in a total six-term tenure at the helm of Carlstadt’s local government.

"My father was always a real eternal optimist, it was never a question of the glass being half empty or half full…it was always full. There was never a false pretense with him either," said one of Harold’s five children, Russ Pareti on the stereotype he says is often given to many politicians. "He was always a friendly, outgoing and smiling type of guy. There was no façade with that, that was just his persona. At home, he and my mother were always optimistic and happy, and that was the same way he was in business and in politics."

Russ said it was sometimes difficult growing up with such a busy father, especially one in the political forum because he was sometimes pointed at as a kid as the mayor’s son, but it didn’t bother him one bit. He said the lessons and upbringing at home proved successful enough to shrug off any of that.

"My parents always told us to get an education and all five of us graduated college with master’s degrees, law degrees…it was always something big around the dinner table," said Russ.

Pareti then set his political sights higher. In 1971, he garnered an assembly seat, but was defeated on a bid for re-election in 1973. Although the re-election bid failed, it did not hold him back. He aimed higher the next year as garnering the GOP candidacy for Congress, representing the ninth district. It was the same year that Republican President Richard Nixon resigned amidst the Watergate scandal and that alone was a tough year for Republican politicians. He lost his congressional race to Democratic candidate Henry Helstoski, who ironically attended East Rutherford High School alongside Mr. Pareti, both graduating in 1940.

"He was a white collar guy with a blue collar mentality," said Russ Pareti. "He had a certain conservatism about him and felt very strongly that government should not overextend its powers. He always wanted to keep taxes low and he treated everyone equally, have it so everyone’s voices were heard."

Roseman said that while playing as a kid at the Pareti home and seeing all the resolutions, ordinances and local governmental documents in the basement, it intrigued him. Years later, at 18 when he was petitioning to run for office, he said he knocked on the former mayor’s door and asked for his signature.

"I would go knock on doors and ask people to sign my petition and they would say ‘he’s 18 years old, what if he’s a character?’ because a lot of 18-year-old’s really didn’t have a good sense of maturity yet," said Roseman. "I went to Harold’s door and he said ‘if you are really serious then come back.’"

Roseman said he went back and after an hour of conversation, Roseman said Pareti knew he was committed. In one hour of speaking to Pareti prior to garnering his endorsement however, he said he learned more about politics than he had known in his 18 years growing up. Pareti became a mentor.

"He always told me that if people come up to you with a problem, it’s enough of a problem for them to come and talk to you," said Roseman. "He told me not everyone always needs to here yes, but they need to hear an answer."

Politics wasn’t everything for Mr. Pareti however. He raised a large family in the borough, was described as having a keen eye for business and was active in civic and charitable organizations. For 60 years, he was an insurance and real estate broker for his self named business, Harold A. Pareti Real Estate and Insurance, keeping active in the business up until the latter years of his life. According to Russ, he also owned a couple restaurants and a travel agency.

In addition, through the years, he served on several hospital and bank boards, including the Board of Governors at Hackensack University Medical Center. In his hometown, he was active in various civic organizations including the Lions’ Club, the C.G. Burkadt American Legion Post 69 and the Schmidt-Hoeger V.F.W. Post 3139. Daughter Carol Ann Pareti said that was his lifestyle, getting involved with everything he could and befriending anyone he could. And through it all, she said he never took the smile off his face.

"He never yelled at us, he was never grouchy…well, in case of course the Yankees lost, but that was the only time," said Carol Ann. "He had two true loves besides his family, the beach and the Yankees."

Along with Russ and Carol Ann, Harold left behind three other sons; James, Harold and Glenn. He is also survived by his sister Ann Beggs, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sisters; Marie Jones and Vivian Fox as well as by his wife Alice who passed in 1991. Last week would have been their 60th wedding anniversary.

"My father always had a little house down the shore, but he never had an ambition to leave," said Russ. "He had a good fundamental connection to the town I think that’s why Carlstadt was always his home."