A New Jersey attorney and prominent environmental activist has been found dead in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest, where he had gone hiking last month.
Another hiker found the body of the attorney, A. Gregory Auriemma, 63, of Brick, in the Crawford Notch area of the White Mountains, according to media reports.
Auriemma was a solo general practitioner in Brick, but was more known for being the longtime chairman of the Ocean County chapter of the New Jersey Sierra Club.
Auriemma was last seen in Conway, New Hampshire, on June 24, and was reported missing after he did not return to the town by July 5, as scheduled, according to reports.
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said Auriemma was an avid hiker who particularly enjoyed the White Mountains in northeastern New Hampshire.
Although Auriemma's private practice primarily consisted of estate, trust and wills work, Tittel said Auriemma also was a vital member of the Sierra Club's litigation committee, which decides whether to litigate against development projects the organization believes may be harmful to the state's environment.
"Greg Auriemma was a long-time Sierra Club member and volunteer. He has worked tirelessly for the club on so many issues, especially those around coastal areas. Greg helped restart the Ocean County Group close to 20 years ago. As chair of the Ocean County group, Greg has worked tirelessly on ocean issues while building the group into one of the strongest in the state," Tittel said in a statement.
"He tackled many important issues from overdevelopment in Ocean County, to the Climate March in D.C. to protecting Barnegat Bay. Whether it's trying to preserve land for open space, organizing beach clean-ups, or stopping a massive sprawl development, you could always find Greg at the meetings. He was a big advocate for the oceans and marine issues as well as an avid hiker," Tittel said.
"Greg was one of the strongest voices in our club on climate change, sea level rise, and rebuilding after Sandy. He's also been very active in politics and enjoyed getting involved in campaigns," Tittel said.
After he was reported missing, the U.S. National Guard conducted an unsuccessful ground and air search for Auriemma, press reports said.
Contact the reporter at mbooth@alm.com.