Samuel S. Okparaeke, the director of the Essex County Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Action, died on December 24. He was 51.
“Sam was dedicated to Essex County, helping residents & small business owners,” said County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo. “Our thoughts & prayers are with his family.”
Okparaeke was also a member of the Middlesex County College Board of Trustees.
He started working for Essex County in 1999 as the director of Busines Development and has served as executive director of the Essex County Workforce Development Board for 20 years.
Funeral arrangements are pending.