SEE COMMENTS IN BOLD
By Jennifer Amato
Staff Writer
MONROE — The township’s public information officer was laid to rest this week.
Joseph Harvie, 36, died on Aug. 6 while cycling in East Windsor.
Harvie graduated from Monroe Township High School in 1998 and Rowan University in 2003.
He was a reporter for several years for the South Brunswick Post and the Cranbury Press. Since 2007, he worked for Monroe Township as the public information officer.
“The sudden and unexpected death of Joe Harvie is a tremendous loss to the administration and the township at large,” Monroe Mayor Gerald Tamburro said.
“Joe worked for Monroe Township for over nine years and led our communication efforts as the public information officer. He was instrumental in the start of our council meeting and event videotaping and production which airs locally on Channel 28-PEG Central. He also used his journalism experience by writing and producing the Monroe News. His insight, dedication and love of the township was apparent in every project he worked on.
“Joe grew up in Monroe and has many friends and family in our community. His smile will be sorely missed here in town hall and across our municipality.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, Eric and Jean, and his fiancé, Eileen.”
Harvie was an avid cyclist and a devoted participant in Bike MS, riding for his cousin who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 15 years ago, according to his obituary.
According to the East Windsor Police Department, officers responded to a report of a struck pedal-cyclist on Route 33 near the intersection of Airport Road around noon on Aug. 6.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Jake A. Hopfinger, 64, of Hightstown, was traveling south on Route 33 approaching the intersection of Airport Road. Harvie was also traveling south on Route 33, reportedly attempting to make a left turn in the area of Airport Road. Harvie reportedly began to make a left turn, entering the path of the vehicle, resulting in the collision, according to police.
Harvie was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton Township where he was later pronounced dead. Hopfinger was not injured.
The incident remains under investigation by the East Windsor Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Unit.
Funeral arrangements for Harvie were made under the direction of Brunswick Memorial Home, East Brunswick. Services were held Aug. 10 at Immaculate Conception Church, Spotswood, with interment following in Holy Cross Burial Park, South Brunswick.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org.