Grand Exalted Ruler,Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.), 1954,
Nutley Commissioner, Mayor, Humanitarian
1902-1982
William John Jernick was born on May 24, 1901 in Newark, NJ. In 1922 he established residence in Nutley, NJ. Years later, life there was saddened by the loss of his wife, Madeline, and of his son, William, Junior. His family life then centered around a son, Robert, a daughter, Betty Jane, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His educational background included St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, Drake Business College, studies at the School of Accounting, New York University, plus many years of practical experience in the business community. At an early age he became employed with Thomas A. Edison, Inc. in Belleville, NJ and rose to the position of Production Manager, and Assistant to the Vice President and General Manager of their Primary Battery Division, retiring in 1957 after serving 41 1/2 years with the company.
Jernick’s credits in civic affairs cover a wide range of community service and included many years as Nutley Director of Revenue and Finance, Director of Public Safety, and in a number of advisory and influential capacities, highlighted by his eight-year term as Mayor beginning in 1944. His service had also extended to the Nutley Historical Society, where he was a charter member, and to the Nutley Symphony Orchestra where he was on the Advisory Board. In addition to serving as a member of the NJ Crippled Children’s Commission and the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, he also was a long-time member of the Nutley Rotary Club where he served in various capacities and became its president in 1952. For his outstanding civic service over the years, the Nutley Jaycees in 1979 honored Jernick by presenting him with their Distinguished Service Award. Also in 1979 he received further recognition as the recipient of the Dr. Virginius D. Mattia Distinguished Community Service Award.
His career with the Elks began in 1919 upon his affiliation with Nutley Lodge No. 1290. He was elected their Exalted Ruler in 1933 and subsequently continued to serve as chairman of several of the major committees. His active membership on the lodge’s Crippled Children’s Committee covered a span of 16 years. In 1939, he was elected as the 27th President of the NJ State Elks’ Association after serving in several capacities at the state level. He served as a member of the state-level Crippled Children’s Committee for 13 years. Jernick expanded his activities to include service at the Grand Lodge level and was elected Grand Treasurer in 1950 and 1951, served on the Grand Lodge Board of Trustees and became the Approving Member of that body for the year starting in 1953. He resigned that post to become Grand Exalted Ruler, highest office in the Order, in 1954 at the Annual Convention in Los Angeles. NJ Governor Robert B. Meyner made the nominating speech. William J. Jernick was the 78th Grand Exalted Ruler and only the second New Jersey Man to ever hold the office.
At his installation, Jernick struck the keynote of his administration with the slogan, “As Elkdom Sows, America Reaps,” and stated the objective of broadening the Order’s youth and community service programs to strengthen the nation, spiritually and physically for its role as leader of the free world. He served on the advisory board and also as chairman and treasurer of the Elks National Service Commission whose credo is that “So long as there is a disabled veteran in our hospitals, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget him.”
On his 1979 Anniversary Year the State Association and all Elks extended felicitations and best wishes to Past Grand Exalted Ruler William J. Jernick on his 50 years as a member Elk, for his 40th Anniversary as a Past State President, and for his 25th anniversary since his installation as Grand Exalted Ruler. (Source: New Jersey Elks’ Bulletin, March 1982).