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FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Lawyer Robert F. Muñoz, 68, a respected member of the local legal community who served as city attorney in Freehold and Millstone townships, died on September 11 at Ocean Medical Center in Township of Brick.

Muñoz was a founding member of Davison, Eastman, Muñoz & Paone, Freehold Township.

A statement provided by the firm said: “Bob Muñoz was a wonderful partner, a qualified lawyer and a dear friend. One of his greatest accomplishments has been to create a company made up of extremely talented people. Bob had an unrestrained love of the law and was widely respected by judges, lawyers and his clients. He was a good and honest man who will be sadly missed.

In a Facebook post, Freehold Township officials wrote: “The Township of Freehold mourns the loss of our longtime lawyer Robert ‘Bob’ Muñoz… Bob has served the Township of Freehold for over four decades, providing unrivaled advice in the canton.

“He was a resident of the township and brought his personal and professional expertise to his role, helping to shape the township during his years of involvement.

“He was extremely respected in the legal community and his loss will be deeply felt by all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. Bob’s seat was left empty at the September 14 city committee meeting in recognition of our great loss, ”city officials wrote.

member of the municipal committee Alan Walker of Freehold Township wrote on Facebook: “Bob, thank you for your advice over the past two years after I became a member of the township committee. I appreciated the time you took to answer my questions and the patience you showed when I asked you to take the lawyer out of a document and explain what something meant to the ordinary citizen. . I will miss our discussions about Devils hockey and fondly remember our over 30-year friendship. “

Muñoz brought youth football to the community and in an online condolence message Barbara Kanzler wrote: “My heart is broken for the Muñoz family and the entire Freehold community. Every football parent knew that Bob treated every player as if that player were their own (child).

“I am honored to say that our families have spent countless hours together watching our daughters, Lisa and Candice, play soccer, lacrosse and field hockey; middle school, Freehold Borough High School then Kean University. You and your family hold such a special place in our hearts. We will always continue to support our beloved New Jersey Devils in your honor, ”Kanzler wrote.

Lawyer Frank Accisano, who has represented the Freehold Township Planning Board for decades, wrote online: “I have never known a better gentleman, a better lawyer or a more honest man. It is a terrible loss on so many levels. “

Alain Salowe, president of Mid Atlantic Resources Group, Wall Township, recalled Muñoz as “a longtime client, friend and center of influence for many of us at the Mid Atlantic Resource Group” who passed away “after leading a courageous battle (against cancer) that seems to become more common today as we age.

“We have often spoken of a mutual passion in children and grandchildren. Art Hodes, Larry Buccheri and I had a relationship of over 45 years with him as he represented our firm as well as many clients.

“This is the tragic loss of an unbelievably honest, caring and knowledgeable lawyer and friend. I will miss his advice and expertise in his profession, but most of all I will miss his friendship. He will always be remembered,” Salowe said.

Millstone Township officials recognized Muñoz at a township committee meeting on September 15. After the meeting’s period of regular silence, Deputy Mayor Nancy Grbelja called for members of the public to stand in memory of Muñoz.

“I have known (Muñoz) for a long time. We extend our condolences to her family, her son and daughter and her law firm, ”she said.

Muñoz was born in Brooklyn, NY, and lived in Michigan in his youth. He moved to Manalapan when he was in high school and stayed in Manalapan until he moved to Freehold Township in 1975, according to an obituary posted online by Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Township. from Freehold.

Muñoz was called to the bar in 1978 and admitted to the United States Supreme Court, United States Tax Court, United States Court of Appeals – Third Circuit, District Court of the United States – District of New Jersey and to the bars of the States of New Jersey and New York.

According to his obituary, Muñoz has handled several important cases in municipal and land use law, and has successfully litigated in courts at all levels of the state.

Muñoz is survived by his wife of 46 years, Dolores “Dee” Muñoz; son, Robert B. Muñoz and his wife, Melissa of Maple Glen, Pennsylvania; daughter, Melissa D’Agostino and her husband, MJ de Howell; grandchildren, Robert T. Muñoz and Maximo D’Agostino; father, Robert Muñoz; siblings, Joanmarie Myers and her husband, Michael, Mary Muñoz Mitchell and her husband, Bob, and Steven Muñoz and his wife, Audrey; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.