41-year Jersey City educator, high-ranking teachers union official, Tina Thorp dies from cancer

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A 41-year educator and the Jersey City Education Association Second Vice President Tina Thorp died yesterday after a bout with cancer, friends and family announced.

Jersey City Education Association Second Vice President Tina Thorp.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Thorp, 63, graduated from Snyder High School in 1975 and then from Jersey City State College, with honors, in May 1979.

In September of the same year, she began her teaching career in the Jersey City Public Schools, which appeared to leave a deep impact on many students and colleagues based on the dozens of tributes on her Facebook page.

“I am heartbroken … My dear buddy Tina Thorp has left us after a short illness. She was a work wife to me and took care of me any way any time. I loved her like a sister after all these years,” wrote retired teacher Bob Cecchini.

“Tina Thorp was my teacher in P.S. #5 when I attended there as a kid. I became her colleague in 2008 also in P.S. #5. She was always with a smile, always asking about my family, and always giving me pointers on how to be better as an educator. I always said, one day I would like to be like her,” added Jasmine McTague in her own post.

In 2012, Thorp became the second vice president of the Jersey City Education Association, becoming the first female African American grievance chair.

She was also active with the New Jersey Education Association for 25 years and served on their Human and Civil Rights Committee as a representative for the Hudson County Education Association.

“For her colleagues, we can all attest to her most generous caring spirit. She was motherly to all of us and was a guiding force and light for many people,” said JCEA President Ron Greco.

” … Her family came ahead of all else. She was the consummate daughter, sister and mother. She was the caretaker and guardian of her family and showered them with love and was the protector of the family home. Family was most important to Tina; she truly lived for them and their happiness was paramount.”


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