Advocate for the Mentally Ill

The children of George Otlowski Sr. — Matthew & George Otlowski Jr. and Kathy Totin — are presented with a proclamation by Mayor Wilda Diaz

PERTH AMBOY – On Friday, September 13, the skies were overcast and there was a chill in the air. But there was a warmth that filled the atmosphere of those who were present to honor the late George Otlowski Sr.

George Jr. thanked several people in attendance. Some of them included George Boyd, the Sisters from St. Joseph Center, the Polish Cadets, the Freeholders and other politicians in the audience. He gave a heart filled thanks to Mayor Diaz who intervened to make sure this occurred. He also thanked the Perth Amboy City Council for passing the resolution and Tommy Hudanish who made the accomplishments of George Otlowski Sr. known to the Council, Community and the State Legislatures who could push this bill forward to honor his Dad.

George Jr. said that his father lived through the Depression, “But it helped my father to see how the mentally ill needed help. Because of my father, the County budgeted money for this facility and it was the first Mental Health Facility paid for by the County.”

“Some of the accomplishments of my father was the passage of the first Bill of Rights for patients in the United States. This included not having patients being subjected to medical research or shock treatments.”

Roosevelt Hospital in Edison was changed from a tuberculosis hospital to an all inclusive services facility.

The family of George Otlowski Sr. is surrounded by local, state, and county officials. The new plaque honors the late George Otlowski Sr., former Perth Amboy Mayor, Freeholder Director, State Assemblyman and Champion of Quality Education. *Photos by Joe Bayona

Kathy Totin was happy that her brother, Matthew and her daughter, Elizabeth were in attendance. She said, “This building may have my father’s name on it and he may have been an advocate for a mental health facility. But it was the people who carried out my Dad’s vision. My father established the George Otlowski Civic League. There was 100 people dedicated to education in Perth Amboy. The first College Center was in downtown Perth Amboy.”

Totin was happy to see neighbors from 50 years ago attending this dedication. “This is like an old time political rally,” she said.