Cary Booker, father of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, died in Las Vegas Thursday at age 76. He had recently suffered a stroke and also was battling Parkinson's disease.

"Many people in our city came to know and love Cary Booker. Mayor Booker's father was an inspiration to him, and someone the mayor has often credited with being a principal reason for him entering public service," City of Newark spokesman James Allen said in a statement. "The mayor's public events have been canceled as he gathers with his family and close friends,"

Booker was scheduled to kick off a statewide tour on Friday before facing Republican Steve Lonegan in an Oct. 16 special election to replace the late U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

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