State Sen. Gerald Cardinale, the second longest-serving state senator in New Jersey history who was known for his political acumen and wit, died Saturday morning at Pascack Valley Hospital following a brief illness. He was 86 years old. His illness was not related to COVID-19.

“Gerry, the dean of our caucus, was a trusted voice in the Senate for nearly four decades,” Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, said in a news release. “Generations of Republicans and Democrats who served alongside him in the Legislature were guided by his sage advice. We are all better legislators for having served with him.”