COURT HOUSE – Daniel Lockwood, a former Middle Township mayor, Republican Party leader and Cape May County director of facilities and services, died suddenly on Sunday, June 22. He was 57.
His longtime friend, Tim Donohue, also a former Middle Township mayor, said Lockwood died due to complications from a stroke.
“Dan Lockwood’s political courage led to historic changes in Middle Township and inspired me and many others to step up in service of our hometown,” Donohue said.
“Dan never stopped working to make Middle Township a better place to live. He was a great public servant and an even better friend. I will sorely miss his intelligence, integrity, wit and wisdom and his brutal honesty. He was a genuinely good man.”
He leaves behind his wife, Sylvia, and daughters Megan and Danielle.
Lockwood graduated from Lower Cape May Regional High School before attending Rowan University, where he earned a B.A. in accounting. He moved to Middle Township in the mid-2000s and took up residence in downtown Cape May Court House.
He was elected to the Middle Township Committee in 2009, the first Republican elected to the committee in 47 years. In 2011, fellow Republican Donohue was elected to the committee, giving the GOP a majority on the governing body.
Lockwood in 2012 became the first Republican mayor in Middle Township in 74 years, holding that post through 2013. In all he served two three-year terms on the committee.
He also was a longtime member of the township Planning Board. He was the Middle Township Regular Republican Organization leader from 2020 to 2025, but worked on campaigns for at least a dozen years.
Lockwood worked the last several years as the director of facilities and services for the county. County Commissioner Melanie Collette said Lockwood was “my big brother in politics, known him for years.” She said his wife Sylvia is a dear friend and asked people to pray for his family.
“It’s a huge loss for our community, for Middle Township and for his family,” Collette said.
Commissioner Bobby Barr said he got to know Lockwood really well over the last 5 1/2 years.
“Dan was particularly hard on people, but if he was hard on you, that was his way of showing that he loved you – and he was particularly hard on me, and I’m grateful for it because it made me a better public servant, made me a better leader and, most importantly, made me a better person,” Barr said.
Barr talked about Lockwood’s sense of humor and his kinship in the sense that neither of them was a Philadelphia Eagles fan.
Donohue said that Lockwood was a longtime Green Bay Packers fan; his loyalty to Green Bay led to the establishment of the “Lockwood Rule,” in effect when watching games with his friends. He said that by the rule, Lockwood was not to wear more than one item of Packers gear and could not criticize the Eagles. Donahue said Lockwood was not in a group photo after the Eagles’ first Super Bowl win because he was taking the picture for his friends.
County Commission Vice Director Andrew Bulakowski said he worked with Lockwood for more than 10 years outside of county business.
“It’s horrible. He was taken from us too young, and I wish him godspeed and keep his family in your prayers,” Bulakowski said.
Current Mayor Chris Leusner knew Lockwood while Leusner was police chief.
“Former Mayor Dan Lockwood’s passing is a tremendous loss for Middle Township,” Leusner said. “I had the privilege of working for Dan during my time as chief of police, and I greatly valued his leadership, guidance and friendship.
“Dan was deeply committed to our community and made a lasting, positive impact through his years of service. On behalf of the township, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Sylvia and the entire Lockwood family. He will be greatly missed.”
Services are being planned for July 22. No further details were available.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
