By Terrence T. McDonald

Anthony Cucci, the former mayor, Downtown councilman and decorated war hero, died today at Jersey City Medical Center. He was 92. Cucci, known to everyone as "Tony," was big-hearted and modest, "the people's mayor," according to Lou Manzo, a former state assemblyman who worked in the Cucci administration.

"He was a street guy," said former Mayor Gerry McCann. "Everybody looked to him for every little possible thing." City Clerk Robert Byrne was overcome with emotion upon hearing of Cucci's death. Byrne worked in the mayor's office during the Cucci administration, and it was Cucci who "strongly suggested" Byrne take over as clerk when Helen Kozma retired, Byrne said.

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Source: http://www.nj.com/