NEW JERSEY (WABC) — Longtime Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. of New Jersey has died at the age of 87.

His death was announced on his X-Account on Wednesday morning:

“It is with profound sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away this morning. As our United States Representative, Bill fought until his final breath to return to the job he loved so much and the people he loved. Bill lived in Paterson his entire life and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He now rests in peace after dedicating his life to our great nation of America.”

Pascrell had recently been in and out of the hospital because of an illness. According to his longtime chief of staff, Ben Rich, he died Wednesday morning at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey.

The incumbent, who had already served 14 terms, was scheduled to run for a 15th term in the fall.

Pascrell was an Army veteran and former high school history teacher who entered politics later in life.

The Democrat was elected mayor of Paterson at the age of 53 and was elected to Congress seven years later.

While in Washington, he led a successful mission to designate the Great Falls in Paterson as part of the national park system and secured funding for the Route 46 corridor and New Jersey transit projects.

Known for his outspokenness and willingness to exploit New Jersey’s reputation for tough politics, he served on the influential House Appropriations Committee, which handles tax legislation. After Superstorm Sandy devastated the state’s coasts in 2012, causing $65 billion in damage, and some lawmakers refused to approve aid, he took to the floor of the House to rebuke them.

“I don’t think this is the time for a pedantic debate. It’s time to take the gloves off – Jersey style,” Pascrell said. The House of Representatives passed the bill two days later.

He was the second oldest member of the house.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was saddened by the death of “a giant of New Jersey and a lifelong champion of the rights of our most vulnerable people.”

“As a son of Paterson’s south side, Bill developed a passion for public service at an early age,” Murphy said in a statement. “He grew up in a close-knit Italian-American family that instilled in him a tireless work ethic, a deep devotion to giving back to his community and an unwavering instinct to draw strength from the diversity of our state. He was a unifier in the truest sense of the word – always seeking to bring the people of New Jersey together on the basis of our shared principles.”

Representative Andy Kim of New Jersey issued a statement:

“My heart is breaking right now. What a deep sadness there is in New Jersey over the loss of Bill Pascrell. I miss him and I give his family and community all the love and strength I can muster.”

Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. made the following statement:

“Bill Pascrell embodied the spirit of New Jersey. He fought tirelessly for his community. As the First Son of Paterson, he never forgot where he came from and left an indelible mark on North Jersey as a mayor, public school teacher, assemblyman and congressman who never wavered from doing what was right. Bill was a passionate champion of the working class who always stood up for the little guy and fought to ensure that New Jersey families were treated fairly – whether on the factory floor, in the classroom or in the doctor’s office. Aside from his dedication, Bill was one of the funniest and most entertaining people you could ever meet. He was my friend and I was his.”

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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