New Jersey Senate Republican Conference Leader Anthony R. Bucco, who represented Morris County, died Monday. He was 81.

Michael DuHaime, a spokesman for the senator's family, said in a statement that Bucco died of a heart attack.

“He passed peacefully this evening with his family by his side at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville,” DuHaime said. “The family kindly asks for privacy at this time.”

In February, Bucco was diagnosed with throat cancer and began a seven-week outpatient course of chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Morristown Medical Center.

Sen. Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, said in a statement that he was sad about Bucco’s death.

“He was a leading voice in Morris County politics for more than 40 years and in Trenton for more than two decades. He was a gentleman who earned trust on both sides of the aisle by being a man of his word,” Kean said. “Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather.”

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“He took on issues small and large, including one of his last laws, to ensure that schoolchildren learned ways to prevent and escape sexual abuse, a bill I was proud to sign just two months ago," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. "A dedicated public servant and successful businessman, Senator Bucco brought a perspective and commitment to his work that elevated our public discourse."

Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, a native of Boonton and a close friend of Bucco, said, "I am deeply saddened on the passing of Senator Tony Bucco. Senator Bucco was a tremendous public servant who cared about his family and constituents. May God bless him and his family at this time."

Bucco was elected to the Senate in 1997.

"It’s fitting that he died in office, doing what he loved: serving," said Michael Patrick Carroll, who is retiring this year after representing Bucco's 25th Legislative District as an assemblyman for more than two decades. "Because he couldn’t imagine not serving, in some capacity and at some level. His greatest joy was to work for other people. He truly took JFK’s admonition to heart: He always asked what he could do for others. He will be sorely missed."

Carroll has served in Trenton with two Buccos: the senator and Bucco's son, Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco.

A native of Boonton, the elder Bucco started his career in politics when he won a seat on the town's Board of Aldermen in 1978. He later became mayor in 1984 and left in 1989 when he won a seat on the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

"Tony always showed a passion for the needs of our county residents and worked tirelessly on their behalf, whether in Boonton, Morris County or the Statehouse in Trenton," said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana, a longtime friend and fellow Boonton native.