Scalia, who died last week at the age of 79, was born in Trenton and lived in Ewing. He was a Supreme Court justice since 1986.
Diocese of Trenton Bishop Rev. David O'Connell met with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia several times over the years and lauded the Trenton native as a devout Catholic with a brilliant legal mind.
O'Connell could not attend Scalia's funeral Mass today in Washington, D.C., but he fondly remembered his time with the justice, who died last weekend and served nearly 30 years on the country's highest court.
Bishop O'Connell and Justice Scalia. "Having had the privilege of knowing him and enjoying his company on numerous occasions, I did not want to miss the opportunity to add my voice to the chorus of those who mourn the passing of this native son of the diocese," O'Connell said in a statement.
Scalia was born in Trenton and lived in Ewing as a you boy before his family moved to New York City.
O'Connell said Scalia was baptized at the Trenton diocese's cathedral.
The bishop first met Scalia at St. John's University in New York City, where O'Connell was a professor and administrator from 1990 to 1998.
Later, when O'Connell was president of Catholic University in Washington, D.C., from 1998 to 2010, the two met often.
"He was the first commencement speaker I had selected and he often honored our law school there with his presence, wit and wisdom," O'Connell said. "I never passed up an invitation to court proceedings or lunch with him afterwards in chambers."
O'Connell said Scalia was a regular participant in Washington's annual Red Mass - for judges and attorneys - and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Dinner, where O'Connell said Scalia laughed at the bishop's stale Irish jokes.
"I could not hope to come close to his brilliant mind but always felt the better for being exposed to it and to him in so many wonderful settings. May God, the loving and merciful judge, welcome him home into his eternal court," O'Connell said.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.