Full of Grace – A family advocate in and out of the courtroom

At the time of his death in November 2003, at the age of 71, Joseph M. Nardi was remembered as a man who inspired others with his life of service to his family, the Catholic Church and to his community, as State Superior Court Judge, Mayor of Camden and Haddonfield lawyer.

Msgr. Thomas J. Morgan, then-apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Camden, recalled “a great parent, great lawyer, great judge, and great mayor…(with) nobility, truth, and integrity, (who) gave witness to Christian values and virtues in all of his dealings with people, and with society in general.”

“The two anchors of his life were…faith and family,” said Msgr. Michael Mannion, then-rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden.

Born to Italian immigrants in Camden, he attended old St. Mary’s School in Camden, Camden Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s College (now University), before graduating from Rutgers University School of Law in 1956.

From 1969-73, Nardi served as Camden mayor, during a time of unrest and riots in the city. Before this post, he had served in Camden as a city attorney, assistant county prosecutor and municipal court judge.

After his time as mayor, Nardi served for 17 years as a partner at the Haddonfield law firm of Lario and Nardi.

In 1989, he was sworn in as a Superior Court Judge in Camden County and served in the Family Division. Nardi was a strong believer in the importance of family and thought it was key in keeping juveniles from committing crimes.

Nardi retired in 2002, but he still served on judicial recall in Burlington and Camden counties. During his law career, he also saw a brief stint as Municipal Court Judge in Voorhees Township, and the Presiding Judge of the Family Part in Camden County.

In addition to his law work, Nardi was involved in a variety of judicial committees, including the Children in Court (Ad Hoc) Committee; the Youth Services Commission of Camden; and the Family Violence Committee.

In his community, Nardi was a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, and lent his time to the Salvation Army, and the Camden County Girl Scout Council.

For his service, Nardi was honored with various awards such as the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Rutgers University School of Law, the Bishop’s Medal and the St. Thomas More Society Award, both from the Diocese of Camden, and Knight Commander of the Knights of St. Gregory, from Pope John Paul II.