Former Atlantic County Executive Richard E. Squires of Egg Harbor Township passed away Wednesday, April 2 at the age of 91 at Shore Medical Center with his family by his side.
He was born December 1932 in Atlantic City Hospital to parents Clyde and Myra (McCoy) Squires.
Squires attended Farmington and Cardiff schools in Egg Harbor Township and graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1950. He enlisted in the United States Navy in May 1951. Over his four-year tour of duty, he served in hostile waters off the Korean coast aboard the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) before his honorable discharge in May 1955.
Upon returning to civilian life, Squires worked for Coca Cola in Atlantic City as a driver and salesman. In 1956, he accepted a position at the Atlantic City Loan Company. In 1957, he left to accept a position as a candidate for the New Jersey State Police, but regretfully resigned seven weeks later due to a training injury.
He was nominated to serve as tax collector for the City of Northfield in 1962. During this time, he developed an interest in politics and subsequently joined the Northfield Men’s Republican Club where he was elected president.
In June of 1967, Squires became a licensed New Jersey tax assessor and was hired as a part-time tax assessor in Pleasantville and a tax consultant for Brigantine. In 1974, he began service as president of the Egg Harbor Township Tax Assessor’s Office, a position he held for 10 years.
Squires political career began with his election to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1975. He served as chairman from 1978 to 1983. He was then elected to serve as Atlantic County’s second county executive.
Squires served in that role for 16 years before retiring in 2000. During his tenure, he initiated many innovative and award-winning projects.
One of his proudest accomplishments was establishing the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery in Estell Manor, where he will be buried.
During his terms as county executive, Squires served as chairman of the South Jersey Economic Development District, chairman of the South Jersey Transportation and Planning Organization, president of the County Executives of America Association, and was on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Counties and co-chair of the NACO Task Force on Aging and Intergenerational Issues.
He also served on the New Jersey Assembly Task Force and was appointed by Gov. Christie Whitman as a member of the New Jersey Property Tax Commission. He was also a member of the Korean War Memorial Committee.
Among his affiliations were VFW Post 9462, American Legion Post 295, and USS Wisconsin BB-64 Reunion Committee. He was a board member of the Atlantic County Historical Society, serving as president from 2002 to 2016, and was chairman emeritus of the Atlantic County Veterans Museum Committee. He became a private consultant after his retirement.
Squires is predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Winnie Cullen Squires. He is survived by his three children from a previous marriage, Keith D. (Keryl) of Utah, Kevin A. (Carol) of Florida and Kristin L. Squires of California; two stepchildren, Ronald Cullen (Marianne) of Egg Harbor Township and Winifred Hayes of Mays Landing. He was very proud of his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sisters, Janet Allister and Claudia Jacques (Donald) both of the Villages in Florida, and Carol Jones of Georgia and her three daughters, Marianne, Joanne and Candice.
Services will be held 1 p.m. Monday, April 8 at Adams Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road, Northfield. Visitation will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
He will be buried with military honors at Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, Estell Manor.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made to the Atlantic County Historical Society, P.O. Box 301, Somers Point, NJ 08244, or the Atlantic County Veterans Museum Foundation, PO Box 194 Northfield, NJ 08225.
