NORTH BRUNSWICK – Flags will fly at half staff this week to honor the passing of Township Councilman Robert Corbin.
“With great sadness we must announce the passing of Councilman Bob Corbin,” municipal officials said in a statement they released on March 16. “Bob was much more than a councilman for our township, he was a friend to us all.
“Whether as a prosecutor, lawyer, neighbor or friend, Bob was one of the most respected people in Middlesex County. His quick wit and willingness to always lend advice or a friendly word brought him close to everyone who knew him. Bob will be sorely missed,” officials said.
During the March 16 Township Council meeting, Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack said, “Tonight is a sad meeting of the North Brunswick Township Council. A very sad event has occurred during the course of this week.”
Councilman Bob Davis, who spoke via telephone due to limitations imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, said, “We lost a great friend and a great councilman in Bob Corbin. We could always count on Bob to lead us down the right path … to make sure things were done properly.”
“As an attorney, he offered many insights on lots of legal matters,” Council President Ralph Andrews said.
Corbin was serving his sixth term on the council and his current term was scheduled to end this year. He lived in North Brunswick for 37 years.
Corbin served as a municipal prosecutor and as a Middlesex County assistant prosecutor, with the last position being first assistant prosecutor for Middlesex County from 1992-98.
He received his Bachelor of Science in commerce from Rider College (now Rider University) and his Juris Doctor from the Dickinson School of Law, according to information provided by the township.
His wife, Connie, served as a member of the North Brunswick Township Schools Board of Education for 18 years. The couple have four children.
Davis said he met Corbin 18 years ago when they were screened as potential candidates for the Township Council. The two became running mates and sat side by side on the dais ever since.
“If you got to know him, you get to count yourself lucky,” Davis said.
Andrews added to Davis’s statement of Corbin being a “wonderful family man,” recounting how his family would travel all over the country with Corbin, his wife Connie and their son Michael to soccer tournaments since Michael was 12 years old.
“It was a great family as a team and I know everybody loved the Corbins and everybody loved Bob,” Andrews said.
A moment of silence was held for Corbin during the council meeting. Womack said the township will post Corbin’s obituary and arrangements at www.northbrunswicknj.gov as soon as they become available.
Corbin’s passing was not related to coronavirus, according to municipal officials.
Because Corbin was a Democrat, the local Democratic Party will provide the names of candidates to succeed him on the council and the members of the governing body will select one of those individuals to fill the vacant seat.