One Of The Most Powerful Events In Atlantic City, NJ History

Former Atlantic County, New Jersey Commissioner Ernest Coursey passed away on August 5, 2025. Exactly one year to the day, Atlantic City and surrounding communities came together.

It was such a uniting and powerful celebration of Ernest Coursey’s life.

Ernest D. Coursey, Sr.

City of Atlantic City

City Hall

The re-naming of Atlantic City Hall in memory of the late Ernest Coursey is the idea of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small.

Mayor Small told Coursey about it before his passing, which made yesterday’s occasion even more special.

Leslie Coursey — Amazing, Brief Speech

Leslie Coursey delivered a beautiful and profound speech about her late husband, Ernest Coursey. She is an elegant and eloquent woman.

Prior to yesterday’s ceremony, she visited her husband’s office for the first time since he passed away, exactly one year ago.

Mayor Small has left Ernest Coursey’s Atlantic City Hall office untouched for the past year,

Small has also not filled Coursey’s Chief of Staff position, saying that “Coursey is irreplaceable.”

Ernest Coursey, Jr. Speech — Wow

Ernest Coursey, Jr. & Ethan Coursey — Edward Lea photo.

Ernest Coursey, Jr. delivered one of the most incredible speeches about his late Father that I have ever heard.

And, when Ernest Jr. was feeling the weight of the moment, his brother, Ethan came to his side — put his hand on his brother’s shoulder and stood with him for the remainder of Ernest, Junior’s speech.

The genuine love that The Coursey Family has for one another is beautiful to watch.

Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey

Former Governor McGreevey delivered a tour de force speech about Coursey and his willingness to always do what he thought was right — even if it went against current popular opinion.