Richard S. Hyland

Richard S. Hyland, age 86, of Marlton, NJ died on February 5th, 2022, at Wiley Christian Retirement Community. He was the last of six children born to Theodore J. and Margaret M. Hyland (Gallagher). He is survived by sons Richard S. Jr., Anthony B. and daughter, Stephanie A. Hyland. Also survived by sister-in-law, the esteemed Marcia Hyland and Marianne Venditti, a special cousin. Also survived by nineteen (19) nephews and nieces, numerous grandnieces and nephews and great-grandnieces and nephews (he was “favorite uncle”). He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Theodore J., William F. and John E. Hyland and sisters, Margaret M. Van Sciver and Jeanne Malloy. He wanted to make a difference and did so in the areas of the law, politics, music, education, community service and wellness. He was an Honors graduate of Camden H S and then attended St. Joseph's College (now University) graduating in 1957. He received an academic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania Law School. His father loved music and passed that love on to his children, so that Richard and his three brothers at one time were successful and talented professional musicians, belonging to Local #77, (Philadelphia) American Federation of Musicians. While at St. Joe's he co-founded the City Line Five, a Dixieland Jazz Band (clarinet) which initiated the playing of the school's fight song ("When the Hawks Go Flying In…”) in 1955 at the Palestra, which tradition continues at its basketball games to this day. After law school he joined the 63rd Army Band with the New Jersey National Guard until 1966, when he was discharged honorably with the rank of Sergeant. In 1961 he joined his brother's law firm in Camden and its later move to Cherry Hill Township. He was appointed attorney for the Cherry Hill Planning Board during the growth period of the Township and recommended new procedures for ensuring that the commitments made by applicant builders were legally enforceable. He was later appointed as the first Counsel for the newly-formed South Jersey Port Corporation and successfully negotiated the purchase of the then-defunct New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard for $8 million. He became active in the Camden County Bar Association. He was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court as Chairperson of the Camden County Ethics Committee. Following a family tradition, he became active in politics and was the campaign manager for the first successful Democratic ticket for Council in Cherry Hill in memory. Frustrated by Camden City's dominance of the County Committee compared to that of Cherry Hill and other suburban communities, he filed a pro bono suit against party leaders which was successful at restructuring the Committee more along the concept of "One Man-One Vote." Shortly thereafter, the Republican Party also filed suit based on his case and achieved a similar result. In 1965 he was elected to New Jersey's General Assembly from Camden County. While in the Legislature, he sponsored and spearheaded the drive for requiring local school districts to provide busing for private and parochial school students which law is still in effect today after signature by Gov Richard J. Hughes. Unhappy with the inefficiency of freeholder-run county government, he conceived of and sponsored a bill creating the position of County Administrator, which has now been adopted by virtually every county in New Jersey and which provides for professional and modern administration. In 1967 he was selected as the "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" by the Greater Camden Jaycees and was listed in Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in American Politics and Who's Who in American Law. In 1969 he married Anne D'Arcangelo, a beautiful and accomplished Winslow Township school teacher who became his best friend and was devoted to their children. In 1976 and thereafter, he was a lecturer for SmokeEnders, a smoking cessation program which successfully curbed his smoking habit. Intrigued by its success, he later became qualified to present the program in the Cherry Hill area and had more than 200 people in his classes, including numerous judges and lawyers. He was concerned that the business community lacked sufficient influence in dealing with local issues, so he started the Cherry Hill Chamber of Commerce which later became the Camden County Regional Chamber of Commerce and now has over 800 members. Richard was also a Director of the Child Guidance Clinic and lnterBoro Savings and Loan Assn. He was a member and 1st Chair Saxophone with the Cherry Hill Wind Symphony and played in concert with the Stan Kenton Band, jammed with jazz trumpeter Clark Terry, and composer and conductor David Amram. In 1978 he was appointed by Gov. Brendan Byme to the Superior Court, sitting in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions where he authored several published Opinions. As a Judge, he earned the reputation of being a fair and competent jurist. In 1988 he returned to private practice with the prestigious Philadelphia law firm of Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhodes in its Cherry Hill office. He was designated a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court and represented clients such as Microsoft, Praxair, Lexmark, Wawa and AIG. Aware of the cost and delays inherent in the traditional judicial system, he pioneered in New Jersey the concept of Alternative Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation) by former Judges, which is now an often-used option for litigants. When his children attended Cherry Hill schools he was concerned about the discrimination and partiality shown by the School Board towards Cherry Hill West High School, as opposed to the East School. He filed a pro bono suit against the School Board, which was eventually settled requiring the Board to adopt a policy of open enrollment, allowing a child to choose either school as was appropriate for the student’s needs. He continued his interest in music and formed the Judge Hyland Jazz Quartet featuring his dear friend and outstanding jazz guitarist, Sonny Troy, playing at diverse venues in the area, including a special Jazz Vespers program in collaboration with Fr Michael Doyle at Sacred Heart Church in Camden. In 2014 the Camden County Bar Association recognized his service to the bar and the community by designating him a recipient of the Peter J. Devine, Jr., Award, the Association’s most prestigious honor. Above all, Richard loved all things Irish, power boating on the Mullica River with family and friends on the “Judge Knot,” performing music from the Great American Songbook with his dear friend Sonny, gatherings with his family and friends, military history, sobriety, the Reading Terminal, scrapple, Cape May, the Pine Barrens and taking and acquainting his children with museums, concerts, the theater, historical sites, and sporting events. A viewing will be held on Friday February 11, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Leroy P. Wooster Funeral Home, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ and again on Saturday February 12, 2022 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at St. Joan of Arc Church, 100 Willow Bend Rd., Marlton, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin 11:00 am. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ, where he will rest with his beloved wife and brothers. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Mr. Hyland’s memory to Sacred Heart School, 4th and Jasper Streets, Camden, NJ 08104.