WE HAVE LOST A GREAT LEGEND ...
THERE WILL NEVER BE
ANOTHER LIKE
PIERRE HOLLINGSWORTH 
 
By HARRY HURLEY
Editor & Publisher
HarryHurley.com 
 
What can you even say about a man who meant so much to so many of us. A true difference maker in a world of pretenders.  
 
It hardly seems possible that we are now living in a world without Pierre Hollingsworth physically in it. I almost can't believe it.
 
Pierre's passing yesterday has hit all of his friends and family very hard.
 
When Don broke the news to me yesterday morning at about 9:30 a.m., I literally lost my breath.
 
Pierre Hollingsworth was a GIANT amongst men. From the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's ... to the corrupt Atlantic City Hall of several generations ... Pierre was always there and could be counted on to do the right thing, always!
 
Pierre took on every worthwhile good fight there was. Whether it was the unthinkable and criminal marking of colored persons election ballots in Atlantic City ... to any meaningful problem at City Hall.
 
Pierre was a career Deputy Fire Chief and distinguished City Father and Commissioner. He was as honest and decent as any man I have ever met and called friend.
 
Pierre was a loyal ... no, make that a fiercely loyal friend. He would never, ever let anyone badmouth a true friend of his. And, if you did it, and, maybe you didn't know that Pierre was within ear shout ... He sure let you have it.
 
Men like Pierre are not born anymore. Pierre had it all. Compassion, dignity, professionalism, class and strength. If Pierre signed onto a cause ... he would never retreat ... He would never surrender. And, you could always count on Pierre to be with you in that fox hole, while the bad guys were sniping at you ... You were never alone with Pierre by your side.
 
He always had your back. That is so rare today in life. We all have friends and acquaintances. But, how many of you can really say that you had a person in your life that would support you unconditionally? No matter what. If Pierre truly believed in you, and, you proved yourself to him ... which was no easy task in itself ... But, if you did ... You had a friend for life in Pierre.
 
He would never let harm come your way. You could always count on Pierre to be there for you.
 
This kind of man cannot and will not ever be replaced.
 
I will miss Pierre more then words can ever say. His instincts were so good. He knew when to soothe with kindness. He also knew when to manage with a big stick.
 
Pierre was a supremely fair-minded and decent man. He always saw the best in people or any situation. But, if a situation required it, Pierre demonstrated strength of purpose and resolve like no person I have ever known.
 
Pierre had the ability to bridge the gaps if other people had differences. Pierre always first looked to reconciliation, but, when necessary Pierre never shied away from required confrontation. 
 
Pierre's ability to bring people together was unparalleled. Pierre commanded the respect of all ... with the exception of a handful of animals ... and, you know who you are. If I hear from any of you ... and you even whisper a negative word about Pierre, today or ever ... expect the wrath of "Hurley in the Morning" like you have never seen before.
 
I will respect and remember Pierre for all the days of my life. He taught me many great lessons. He had a Fatherly way about him ... However, he also respected worthy young adults for the men and women that they were. He never made you feel subservient or intergenerationally inferior.
 
To Pierre's credit, he also kept up with technological advances. He was able to surf the internet in 2007, or, recall a civil rights agenda item from 1968 with ease.
 
I am so happy and proud that we selected Pierre to be reigning the "Hurley in the Morning" and Harry Hurley.com Person of the Year. He was so deserving ... and, I'll never forget his face when we surprised him with the LARGEST PLAQUE that I have still ever seen, at Gary's Restaurant. Only a few people knew about this surprise for Pierre and no one spilled the beans. He never saw it coming and he was so deserving.
 
To see this legend overcome and overwhelmed by the outpouring of deserved respect that he received this day, is something we will always remember and be able to cherish together. That we recognized this great man's lifetime contributions to make our Region and better and more inclusive place. 
 
To have gotten to know and become great friends with Pierre over the past 20 years is one of the true blessings of my life.
 
The Region is so much poorer for having lost Pierre Hollingsworth, however, I take ultimate comfort in knowing that Pierre has now touched the face of God ... and he is reunited with his wife Soundra, who he missed so much each and every day.
 
I strongly suspect that Pierre somehow knew that his mortal end here on Earth was about to end. Because on his last full day of life, he went on a trip down memory lane ... of course ... directed fully by him, whereby Iris and Bobby Turner took Pierre on a drive throughout Atlantic City this past Saturday. Pierre wanted to see Mayor Lorenzo Langford's house ... Council President Speedy Marsh's house ... He visited with several deserving Atlantic City Council candidates ... and, many other Atlantic City landmarks and important sites.
 
It appears that Pierre even knew when he would leave us. Don made a great point to me yesterday ... telling me that Pierre must have known and accepted that Atlantic City is in good hands again and that the recent gains made will be further advanced.      
 
I am rededicating all of my efforts to continue to pursue good public policy, and assign the necessary quality time to help accomplish all of the items that I know that Pierre wanted accomplished.
 
I am asking everyone to always remember Pierre. Keep him and his spirit in your heart. Let's all continue to learn and practice the important life lessons that he taught.
 
I am dedicating the rest of what I have previously named my Summer to Remember Tour to the memory of Pierre Hollingsworth. I also want to work with like-minded people to establish an annual and meaningful award in his name, so that we always keep Pierre's memory alive in this Region. 
 
I can't bring myself to say good bye to this great man and friend ... so, I will end by saying that I loved Pierre Hollingsworth.  I considered him a trusted advisor. You could say anything to Pierre and he would never betray your confidence.
 
I am a much better person for having Pierre as an unconditional friend in my life. My deepest condolences to Teddy and all of Pierre's family and friends.