New Jersey Politician and Jurist Martin L. Greenberg, who was a New Jersey State Senator from 1974 to 1979, and a Superior Court judge from 1992 to 2002, died on Friday March 22nd in Palm City, Florida. He was 92.

Judge Greenberg, a former resident of South Orange, Essex County, N.J., had been living in Palm City, Florida since 2012.

Born on February 24, 1932, in Brooklyn, NY, he attended Weequahic High School in Newark N.J. He is a 1954 graduate of Rutgers University and received his law degree from Rutgers Law School in 1956.

Judge Greenberg was an Assistant Legal Counsel to Governor Robert B. Meyner and an Assistant Essex County Prosecutor. Judge Greenberg went into private law practice – first with the law firm Simandle Leff & Greenberg, and then as a law partner of Governor Brendan Byrne at Teltser Byrne & Greenberg.

The son of labor union leader Max Greenberg, Judge Greenberg practiced labor law and became General Counsel to the RWDSU International Union Pension Fund. At the same time, he became founding partner of Greenberg Margolis Ziegler & Schwartz. In 1973 he won the NJ Senate seat for the 28th District. During his six years as a Senator, Greenberg served as Chair of the Municipal and County Government and Senate Judiciary Committees. As the main Senate advocate for Governor Brendan Byrne’s platform, Judge Greenberg sponsored legislation on Pinelands preservation, affordable housing, the Casino Control Act and a total revamp of the state criminal code.

Judge Greenberg resigned from the Senate in 1979 and later became General Counsel to the Golden Nugget casino to assist in its efforts to obtain a gambling license in Atlantic City and was its President until he was able to obtain a license for the Golden Nugget CEO, Steve Wynn. After leaving the casino industry, he was appointed by Governor Jim Florio to serve as the General Counsel to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority while still at his law firm. Florio appointed him to serve as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in 1992 in Essex County and later he became the Presiding Chancery Judge in the General Equity and Probate divisions in Hudson County. He reached mandatory retirement in 2002 and went on to continue to practice law and become a mediator and arbitrator for many years.

Judge Greenberg had a lifelong passion for golf, all things Sinatra, Broadway theater, and travel. He was known for his incisive wit, dry humor and storytelling prowess. He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Ginger Provost; his first wife, Sondra (Parent) Kornfeld; a sister, Marsha Rein (Irwin Rein), of Wyckoff, N.J.; his daughter, Jennifer (Dave Wolpov), of South Orange, N.J.; three sons, Clifford of San Jose, CA; Mitchell (Jayne) of Mill Valley, CA; and Andrew (Miriam Moussaioff ) of Berkeley, CA; and nine grandchildren (and 3 bonus grandchildren).

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 4:00PM at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Rd, Livingston, NJ 07039.

 

Greenberg with daughter Jennifer

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As news of Peter Shapiro’s death on March 28 reverberated across South Orange and Maplewood, those who served and campaigned with him throughout his remarkable political career and enjoyed his presence as an engaged and active South Orange neighbor, began posting remembrances on social media and messaging Village Green. We are posting some of those comments here. Read more about Shapiro’s accomplishments as the youngest person ever elected to the NJ Assembly, as the first-ever Essex County Executive, and as a 33-year-old gubernatorial candidate, in The New York Times and The Star-Ledger.

Peter Shapiro. Photo courtesy of Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. via Facebook.

Former Maplewood Mayor and current Township Committee Member Victor De Luca:

“It is so sad to hear of Peter Shapiro’s passing. It came the day before a federal judge overturned the closed primary election system controlled by the party bosses. The boss system that Peter bucked nearly 50 years ago. Peter Shapiro was all about opening up the political process and he was pretty good at it.

“I met Peter in 1975 when, at 23 years old, he took on the Essex Democratic Organization. He won an Assembly seat in the old 28th district that included South Orange, Irvington and sections of Newark’s west and north wards. Peter won that election with an overwhelming number of votes coming out of South Orange. He had no problem winning the general election and his 1977 reelection bid.

“In 1977, a coalition of political reformers won a referendum to change Essex County’s form of government to a strong County Executive. A year later, Peter was the candidate supported by the reformers. The 1978 campaign was legendary. Peter was up against the popular Essex County Sheriff John Cryan, Freeholder Donald Payne, Sr., and County Treasurer Sam Angelo. I worked for Peter on Election Day in Newark’s Vailsburg neighborhood, Cryan’s home base. The Cryan people were not very happy to see us in their turf. The election was a nail-biter. We anxiously gathered at the Irvington Manor on Springfield Avenue (now a furniture store). Just after midnight, Peter’s campaign manager stood on a chair and announced that the Star-Ledger declared Peter as the winner. That November, he went on to win the general election and in January 1978 Peter became Essex’s first County Executive.

“Peter served two terms (8 years), instituting many progressive policies and reforms. In 1985, he lost the gubernatorial election to Tom Kean and the next year, some county Dem leaders quietly threw their support behind former Democrat turned Republican Nick Amato, who beat Peter in the 1986 general election. After politics, Peter had a successful career in finance.

“I last spoke to Peter three years ago, when he called to talk about a SOMA school board candidate. We talked about politics, his political campaigns and his health challenges. Although his body was failing him, Peter still believed in politics as being an instrument of positive change.

“Today we remember Peter Shapiro as a man, husband and father, and for all the good he did in his life. We also thank him for putting us on the path of political and electoral change in New Jersey.”

Former Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee:

“Peter was a contributor/advisor on my assembly campaign last year. He felt that what I was trying to accomplish by running off the line was a huge lift but similar to his own journey/campaign years ago when he also fought against the Essex Democratic organization.

“Throughout my assembly campaign, we spoke periodically and discussed tactics – especially from a geopolitical perspective. I sincerely appreciated that he proactively reached out to me, and became part of our campaign and was a player behind the scenes. Peter was a true fighter for reform and democracy.

“My deepest condolences to his loved ones.”

Former Maplewood Mayor Fred Profeta:

“Peter Shapiro was one of the most illustrious graduates of Columbia High School. What he accomplished politically at a young age was truly remarkable. I was amazed by him then, and remained amazed by all the good work he did throughout his life, notwithstanding his physical challenges.  His leadership on environmental matters coincided with the work I was doing at the time to get Sustainable Jersey off the ground. His practical approach was always helpful.  Peter was never one to let pure ideology get in the way of important progress. He was so giving of his time, and I was grateful for his advice in local political matters. Peter was one of a kind.”

Former NJ Assemblywoman (27th) Mila Jasey:

Neil and I will also miss Peter. We admired him and enjoyed random conversations with him when we saw him in the neighborhood. He was a political trailblazer and earned his place in NJ history.”

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.:

“I am greatly saddened that Peter Shapiro, the first person to serve as Essex County Executive (1979-1987), passed away on March 28. Peter helped steer Essex County down a better path after the change in government and was a role model and close personal friend of mine. I worked for him when he served as Executive and leaned on him for advice and guidance when I was first elected to the position. Peter was gentleman who always had the best interests of Essex County, even after he left office. My heart and prayers go out to his family.”

South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum:

“I’m gonna miss Peter deeply. Probably many new residents don’t know what a political rockstar he was. Most people today knew him through his love for arts, tennis, and being a really nice guy. When South Orange was completing its Master Plan, Peter offered to help proofread every section (and he did). What a life and loss to our town. Prayers to his family and friends.”

The post Peter Shapiro, 71, Remembered as Groundbreaking Political Reformer & Friend appeared first on The Village Green.

From the South Orange Historical and Preservation Society:

Gone, but impossible to forget: John Richard Overall, Jr., a South Orange legend and a Village treasure. A good friend. Someone who never said no and always showed up. A warm human being. Someone who did not know hate. A great mind with infinite capacity to gather ever more knowledge and to share insights and his passionate, infectious love of history.

John Overall, the unofficial historian of South Orange Village and Chief Historian of South Orange Historical and Preservation Society, died suddenly on March 28, a month after his 77th birthday, taking with him a mental filing cabinet of South Orange and regional facts, knowledge, and legends, some that seemingly only he knew of.

As a founding member of the South Orange Historical and Preservation Society and Board Member Emeritus, John actively contributed both historical knowledge and new ideas to the village he had called home for many years.

Mellow and soft-spoken, he nonetheless was a spark plug at the forefront of a number of campaigns to preserve or improve facets of the village he loved and knew so much about.

If not for John’s input, South Orange would not look the way it does now. He was instrumental in campaigns to preserve the historic firehouse and Village Hall. He quietly lobbied for projects such as rehabilitating the village’s Old Stone House, one of the oldest structures in the state. Recently, he was an outspoken part of the Historical Society’s task force to preserve  as much as possible of the 18th-century Squier farmhouse overlooking Meadowlands Park. Through the years, he helped identify homes and research their history for the Historical Society’s House Tours and also contributed historic photos and narrative for the South Orange Before-and-After exhibit permanently displayed at the Taylor|Vose Apartments top-floor gallery.

Overall at Taylor|Vose gallery

Also at Taylor|Vose, permanently affixed to an interior wall visible from Taylor Place is a 90-square-foot blowup of a 19th century South Orange Village map that John restored.

John was a lead historic researcher on the 2005 documentary “Once Upon a Gaslight: A Walking Tour of South Orange.”

John, of lively and lightning wit, was always ready to comment on a topic with a pun or bon mot, often incorporating several languages. Surprising and delighting those around him, his delivery was modest, deadpan, and quiet. But his points always hit home. That was one of his powers.

His history in South Orange began when John fled Manhattan for space more appropriate for his music memorabilia and library of vinyl, buying the most spectacular “painted lady” Victorian home on Prospect Street. That home also provided space for his voluminous accumulation of South Orange and neighboring local postcards, maps, correspondence, and other ephemera surpassing the archives of any library. John was a relentless and unstoppable researcher who apparently never forgot anything, amazing friends by reciting the history of any house they would point out.

He was born to John Richard Overall and Florence Kimbrough on February 27, 1947 in Manhattan.

With a lifelong love of pop music, he was a walking archive of ’50s and ’60s recordings. A skilled graphic artist, he enjoyed and made the best of the move from pen and paper to computer keyboard. He also was one of the “Window Warriors” who painted scenes on empty store windows in downtown South Orange.

John Overall’s legacy will live through the friendships he formed, the people he inspired, and his devotion to South Orange Village manifested visibly in results of his preservation pursuits. A memorial will be held at Preston Funeral Home at 153 South Orange Avenue, South Orange on Wednesday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m.

About SOHPS: South Orange Historical and Preservation Society (SOHPS) was formed in 1986 to encourage awareness and study of the Village of South Orange, New Jersey and to support, promote, and preserve all that is special and unique about its history, architecture, landscape, people, and culture.

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From the Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home:

Crawford “Ed” Sabin, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and pillar of his community, passed away on April 8, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on May 3, 1930, in Manhattan, New York, Ed was the cherished son of Elizabeth and Edward Sabin, hailing from the vibrant heritage of Dominica. He brought light, love, and laughter into the lives of all who knew him, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and unwavering devotion.

Growing up in the diverse neighborhoods of Harlem and Brooklyn, Ed was surrounded by the rich tapestry of New York City life. From an early age, he embodied the spirit of determination and generosity, assuming the role of caretaker and protector for his mother and sisters, Sylvia, and Florence. Their Dominican roots instilled in Ed a deep sense of pride and cultural appreciation, reflected in his fluency in French, Patois, and later German, a testament to his thirst for knowledge and connection with others. Education was paramount in Ed’s life, guiding him on a path of intellectual curiosity and academic achievement.

He attended Our Lady Queen of Angels School in Harlem, where he laid the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. His journey continued at Bronx Science, where he graduated in 1948, followed by Brooklyn College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1952. Ed’s pursuit of knowledge knew no bounds, leading him to NYU, where he obtained his PhD in Physics, a testament to his dedication and perseverance. In 1951, Ed answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Military. As a member of the Air Force flight squadron, he bravely served during the Korean War, stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1955. Ed’s military service instilled in him a profound sense of duty, honor, and camaraderie, values that would guide him throughout his life.

Following his military service, Ed embarked on a distinguished career as a cardiovascular pharmacologist, dedicating over three decades to groundbreaking research and innovation. His work at Schering-Plough Pharmaceutical Company, later becoming Merck, for 36 years, cemented his reputation as a leader in the field, earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues and peers.

Ed and Sabarah

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ed was a devoted family man, finding joy and fulfillment in the love and laughter of his beloved wife, Sabarah. Their love story was one of true devotion, spanning over six decades and weathering life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience. From their first date, in July 1959, to their magical wedding on a cold winter day in January 1960, Ed and Sabarah’s love was a beacon of light, inspiring all who knew them.

In the summer of 1959, Ed and Sabarah were introduced to Martha’s Vineyard. There, they fell in love again, with The Vineyard, which would become their second home.

Ed’s love for sports was legendary, rooted in his childhood experiences playing stickball with Tito Puente during the Harlem Renaissance. He was a die-hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan, drawn to the spirit of Jackie Robinson and the team’s historic legacy. Over the years, Ed’s allegiance shifted from the Yankees and later the Mets, but his passion for the game remained unwavering. His involvement in sports extended beyond the sidelines, as Ed coached his sister-in-law, Jackie, to the track and field Olympic trials and influenced countless others to pursue their athletic dreams. Whether cheering from the stands or providing guidance and support to young athletes, Ed’s passion for sports was infectious, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him.

In addition to his love for sports, Ed had a deep appreciation for jazz music, cultivated during his formative years in Harlem. Growing up, he was an active member of the Catholic Church community, serving as an altar boy and contributing to various charitable endeavors. Ed’s commitment to service extended to organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and United States Track and Field, (USATF), where he volunteered his time and expertise to support aspiring athletes and promote youth development. Throughout his life, Ed remained deeply connected to his roots, cherishing the memories of his upbringing in Harlem and Brooklyn.

In 1972, Ed and Sabarah moved to Maplewood, New Jersey, where there were considerable opportunities for them to raise Chris and Leslie, in a promising community. They were one of the original “Brooklyn-West” couples to move to the suburbs of New Jersey. They shaped their family and established their home in Maplewood, where the door was always open. Ed actively participated in Chris and Leslie’s lives, from Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Indian Guides, and Indian Princesses to their sporting events like basketball and track and field.  You could always hear him cheering from the stands and at times giving critiques, not just to Chris and Leslie, but to their teammates.

His Maplewood home was a sanctuary of warmth and hospitality, where friends and family were always welcome, and expected to stay over…laughter echoed through the house. Ed’s greatest joy in life was his grandchildren, Thaddeus, Quincy, and Tatum, whom he adored with all his heart. From picking up at school to attending their sporting events, he was a constant presence in their lives, offering unwavering support and unconditional love. His legacy lives on in the hearts of his grandchildren, a testament to the enduring bonds of family and the power of love to transcend time and space. We cannot forget his precious four-legged friend, Ginger, who was also the love of his life, whose tail would wag uncontrollably whenever he walked into a room.

He was a proud patriarch of his family, affectionately known as “Uncle Eddie” to his nieces, nephews, and extended relatives. In memory of Crawford “Ed” Sabin, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose light will continue to shine bright in the hearts of all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crawford and Sabarah Memorial Scholarship Fund, which can be made through the chssf.org website (indicate that it is for the Sabin Memorial).

Visitation

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Donald Payne Jr., who represented Maplewood and South Orange as part of the 10th Congressional district in New Jersey for 10 years, died today.

According to The New York Times, Payne had been hospitalized and unconscious since April 6, “when he sustained a heart attack resulting from complications of diabetes.”

His death was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy:

Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our friend, and a steadfast champion for the people of New Jersey, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.,” wrote Murphy in a statement.

With his signature bowtie, big heart, and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the very best of public service. As a former union worker and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working families face, and he fought valiantly to serve their needs, every single day. That purpose was the light that guided him through his early years as Newark City Council President and during his tenure on the Essex County Board of Commissioners. And it guided him still through his more than a decade of service in Congress.

 

It was my great honor to work side-by-side with Donald to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey, and we will hold his memory close to our hearts as we build upon the Payne family’s deep legacy of service in advocating for the communities they served so dearly.

Donald’s love will live on in the homes of his neighbors in Newark, who now have access to safe drinking water, and in the good-paying jobs he helped create for his brothers and sisters in labor. And it will live on in his wife Beatrice, and their three children, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne, who were the pride of his life. Our heartfelt prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

South Orange – Dignitaries and residents gather to celebrate the merger of the South Orange and Maplewood Fire Departments on October 9, 2022 in South Orange, New Jersey (Photography by Matt Peyton Photography)

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.:isued the following statement on Payne’s passing:

“The Payne family has a legacy of public service and Donald Payne Jr. continued that tradition as an elected official representing our community as a Councilman, Freeholder and Congressman. He was a passionate leader and advocate who adored Newark and Essex County and cared deeply about our residents. I am saddened by his passing. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to his family.”

South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum posted to Facebook:

I’m really sad to share, if you haven’t heard the news, Congressman Donald Payne Jr. passed away. He was our Representative for a decade in South Orange. This is a shot of him from our firehouse welcoming new recruits to the South Essex Fire Department two months before our congressional redistricting took effect. I last saw him about a month ago on a Zoom and that was the last time I saw him.

 

My deepest condolences, on behalf of the South Orange Village Council and the South Orange community to all his family, friends, staff, colleagues, and to all the constituents who loved him. Way too young. I’ve spoken to our Fire Chief, and we are lowering our flags to remember his service to South Orange and a lifetime of service to New Jerseyeans. May his memory be a blessing.

 

Our flags are now at half-staff. Thank you South Essex Fire Department.

This story will be updated.

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The following was published on the Menorah Chapels at Millburn website and was shared with Village Green by Stanley Varon.

Francine Varon lost her battle with cancer on April 1, 2024. But, as with everything Fran did, she gave it a hell of a fight!

Francine Ella Gorenstein was born in the Bronx on February 7, 1946, to Samuel and Jennifer (Wigdorovich) Gorenstein. Jennifer died when Fran was two years old. Fran’s father was remarried three years later to Nettie Kalkstein, a holocaust survivor, who raised her. Fran’s strength in facing these early challenges became a defining characteristic of her life. As friends and family recollected at her memorial service, a standing-room-only celebration of her life at Menorah Chapels in Union on April 2nd, Fran was one of the toughest people and one of the fiercest fighters anyone had ever known. From teaching at PS 85 in the Bronx throughout her 30-year career, to beating cancer twice, to defending our democracy and combating the rise of anti-semitism, Fran never shied away from a fight. Though she was not tall in stature, Fran’s courage and conviction made her an outsized presence and a force to be reckoned with.

Fran earned a BA with a Major in Political Science in 1968. Despite the fact that she and her future husband Stanley went to the same High School, graduated the same year, and then went to the same college both and majoring in Poli Sci, they did not meet until many years later in 1981. Stan and Fran were married in 1982 and moved to Maplewood the next year, where they raised their son Sam. Fran was an active presence in the Maplewood community, and was a familiar face at the Maplewood Library, where she worked in the children’s room for ten years.

Fran leaves behind her husband, Stanley, son, Samuel, loads of cousins and scores of friends. Donations can be sent to Maplewood Library Foundation, 129 Boyden Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey, 07040, or online at https://www.maplewoodlibraryfoundation.org/ or SOMA Action, https://www.somaaction.org/, the local political organization where she was an engaged member and volunteer. If there was anything Fran would want you to remember it’s to use your voice to speak truth to power and, most importantly, vote!

Francine Varon

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The following obituary was shared by Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania:

Sister Ann Infanger, SC, entered eternal life at the age of 90 on May 20, 2024 at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, in her 68th year of religious life. Sister Ann was born in Maplewood, New Jersey, on December 20, 1933, the third and youngest child of Adolph and Louise Stuern Infanger. She entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill on September 8, 1956, from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in South Orange, New Jersey. Her parents and brother Frank preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Fred Crehan, nieces, nephews, and her religious community.

Sister Ann, a distinguished scholar, earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Seton Hill University and continued her academic journey at Cornell University. There, she pursued her passion for genetics, culminating in a Ph.D. Her groundbreaking research on the DNA of bread mold, co-authored with Helmut Bertrand, was published in Current Genetics, a testament to her significant contributions in the field. Her academic competence and dedication to her studies led her to join the faculty at Seton Hill University, where she inspired and educated nearly two generations of students, teaching biology courses, including General Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, and Seminar in Evolution. She encouraged and prepared students for careers in scientific research, medicine, health, ecology, policy-making, and other scientific fields.

In 1991, she was chosen as Seton Hill University’s Case Professor of the Year and was also awarded the Sears-Roebuck Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. Later, in 2010, she received a Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award at Seton Hill University for her exceptional achievement and leadership.

Sister Ann’s faith was a guiding force throughout her life. Along with Sister Mary Francis Irvin, she founded the Family of God prayer group within the Greensburg diocese. This is a testament to her commitment to fostering spiritual growth. Sister Ann’s dedication to her faith was further demonstrated when she was appointed as a liaison moderator for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal with a mission to guide individuals toward a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Sister Ann obtained a pastoral ministry certificate and served as a faculty advisor for the Respect Life Organization.

On April 5, 2005, a momentous event, “A Lifetime of Service to Seton Hill University,” was held to honor Sister Ann Infanger’s retirement. The event was a testament to her profound impact on the university and its community. The guests, including relatives, students, colleagues, and Sisters of Charity, gathered to express their gratitude for “her forty-seven years of service, her love of students, her deep intellectual curiosity, her commitment as a teacher and scholar, her respect for human life and the environment that she always modeled for the students, her honoring of tradition, her ability to recognize the need for change and embrace the new, her stewardship of the biology major, the core curriculum and academic excellence, and her joy, humor, and personhood.” The event was a fitting tribute to a woman who had dedicated her life to the betterment of the university and its students.

In 2006, in celebration of Sister Ann’s 50 years as a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill, her colleagues, relatives, and former students established the Infanger Research Endowed Fund. This fund is dedicated to honoring Sister Ann’s contributions as a faculty member and her lifelong commitment to her religious congregation.

When Sister Ann moved to Caritas Christi, she volunteered until she needed the loving care provided by the nursing staff, employees, Sister He Chun, and eventually hospice.

Rest in peace, Sister Ann, as your loving and faithful God welcomes you home to unite eternally with our Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Company of Charity, and your loved ones.

The funeral liturgy will be live-streamed; access through the link:  https://venue.streamspot.com/2af9e1eb

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From the family of Randi Ehrich Feno:

BATH, PA- Randi Ehrich Feno, resident of Creekside Meadows in Bath, Pennsylvania, died in the evening of July 5^th peacefully in her home around the comfort of family and loved ones at the age of 72. Randi courageously fought the battle of cancer for the past two years and will be remembered for being a pillar of wisdom and strength in her family circle along with the communities she resided in.

As many who had the opportunity to meet and speak with Randi know, she was a free thinker. She was not afraid to speak her own opinion as well as give realistic guidance and hard truths to loved ones. This was a trait she inherited from her family of origin. Born in Newark on March, 13^th 1952 to Shirley and Melvin Ehrich, Randi grew up in Maplewood, NJ with her mother, father and brother, Bill, and had great pride in her community. She loved doing crossword puzzles and engaging in spirited conversations with her father, who died in 1997, and was extremely close to her mother until she died in 2022. Randi spent her childhood vacations traveling the country by car with her family. As a young adult in the late 1970s, she spent much of her time traveling the United States with friends seeing all the beauty our country has to offer.

Randi graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ, where classmates are known for the creation of Ultimate Frisbee in 1968. She and her family were also longtime members of B’Nai Israel in Millburn. Randi graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s in business administration. She later had a long and tenured career with Lord & Taylor as a Manager of their Accounts Payable Department for department stores in the Tri-State area for decades until her retirement in 2014. She was known to her colleagues as an organized and fair leader.

In 2006, Randi married the love of her life, Joseph Feno, at their home in Shickshinny, PA. This began the journey of motherhood for her as Joseph had two young sons at the time. The boys could not have asked for a better person to join their family and she truly loved them like they were her own.

Randi Feno

After Randi’s retirement, her memories were filled with fishing and small hiking trips with her husband. They also enjoyed many trips to farmers markets and local art festivals. Randi also found amusement as well as anguish as she and her husband watched every televised Penn State football and basketball game together and he would jump for joy when they won and bellow when they lost. Randi also served on different community boards as treasurer, and loved supporting the communities where she lived, whether that be in Maplewood, NJ, Shickshinny, PA or Towamensing Trails in Albrightsville, PA

Randi is survived by her husband, Joseph Feno, of Bath, PA. Sons Peter Feno of Wilkes-Barre, PA and Joseph Feno and his wife, Holly Feno, of Frederick, MD along with her grandchild, Caroline Feno. She also leaves behind her brother, Bill Ehrich and his wife, Patricia Ehrich of Monroe NY, her nephew, David Ehrich, her niece and nephew, Kathy Ehrich Dowd and Mark Dowd, along with a great nephew and great niece Jack and Maggie Dowd of Maplewood, NJ. She also leaves behind a mother, Margaret Feno of Freeland, PA. Riley, the family dog, will also miss her dearly.

Randi would tell her family time and time again not to cry or worry as she knew God has place in heaven for her. Even at the end she worried more about others than herself. She was and is a role model for how to live and how to say goodbye.

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Anne Nye, devoted wife, loving mother, and beloved grandmother, went to be with the Lord on August 18. She was 91.

Anne was born in Newark, NJ on November 11, 1932. After graduating high school, Anne graduated from beauty school and became a beautician for several years, until she left to start her family. She was a devoted mother to her three children. Later in life, she had a fulfilling career with Visiting Nurses in Morristown, where she retired. In retirement, Anne volunteered as an advocate for nursing home patients, which she found very rewarding.  Anne enjoyed knitting, sewing, cooking, tennis, and skiing.

Anne was remarried to Charles Nye on September 9, 1985, and they enjoyed 36 happy years together in their home in Montville, NJ. Anne and Charles enjoyed skiing, camping, and traveling together. They loved going to their favorite getaway in Lancaster, PA. Anne enjoyed collecting owl figurines, which was a reflection of her quiet wisdom. She also collected angel figurines and artwork, which was a reflection of her profound faith. Anne was known for her amazing Thanksgiving dinner, which she loved to host for her family and extended family for many years. Anne’s greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. Anne was a faithful member of “The Chapel” church in Lincoln Park for 20 years and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Anne will be deeply missed by her family, who will forever remember her kind spirit and sassy personality.

Anne Nye

Anne is predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles Nye. She is survived by two daughters, Donna Dickson (Chris) and Debbie DiBernardo, and her son, Raymond DiBernardo, grandchildren Casey Dickson, Grace Richards, Daniella, Raymond, and Kevin Di Bernardo; great-grandchild Genevive Rose, and her dear sister, Judy Ferrentino.

Instead of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association Of New Jersey at 23 Vreeland Road, Suite 105, Florham Park, NJ 07068 would be appreciated.

Anne Nye’s obituary was first published by the Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home. 

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In Loving Memory, August 27, 1958-August 17, 2024 — Patricia A. Bell (“Pat”), beloved Mother and Grandmother and one of the country’s premier private wealth advisors, who spent her 45-year career at Merrill Lynch championing women, the arts, and mental health awareness, died on August 17th. She was 65. The cause was metastatic breast cancer, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2022. Pat left this world holding her son’s hand, surrounded by love and family.

Patricia A. “Pat” Bell

Pat had an unconventional beginning to her four-and-a-half-decade career. As she relayed to Forbes in 2017: “The way I got started in business was through a ‘Fashion and Finance’ seminar with high-end department stores. I got the women’s groups in the area to find two women to be models in the fashion show. Six-hundred and fifty people came to that show.” After that, she had clients flooding in and raised $50 million in two years – primarily from women. Being both a woman in a male-dominated industry, and her location in Short Hills, NJ, were assets to her as she grew her portfolio. “In our area, there were a lot of first – and second – generation immigrants, and they really trusted women, and they were happy to deal with a woman,” she said. Her acumen and close relationships helped her eventually grow the Bell Group to oversee more than $700 million in assets.

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Jerry Ford, the interim transportation director for the South Orange-Maplewood School District, died on Friday, Sept. 6, from injuries sustained from a fall in late August.

“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jerry Ford,” said SOMSD Buildings and Grounds Director Tom Giglio in a statement. “He was not only a remarkable colleague but also a genuinely kind and hardworking individual. His dedication and positive attitude made a significant impact on everyone here in the maintenance and transportation building. It was truly a pleasure working with him.”

Giglio added, “Jerry will be greatly missed by all of us. His memory will live on in the ways he touched our lives and inspired us. Always taking time to offer his life experience and guidance. My thoughts are with his family and I will mourn his absence.”

“Jerry stayed in lieu of retirement because he always put our students first,” said Stanley Valles, SOMSD Director of Safety and Security.

Supt. Jason Bing had notified the community about Ford’s accident at the August 29 BOE meeting, saying,  “We did want to wish Jerry Ford, our director of transportation, a quick recovery. He’s going through a scare right now. We just wanted to get positive thoughts out to him, and just put that out into the universe and thank him.”

Following news of Ford’s death, Bing said, “Jerry always went above and beyond — he took over during a tumultuous time and really settled things down.”

Ford came on board with the district last year in the midst of a major expansion of busing. In a communication with parents last October explaining the difficulties the district had in finding a vendor, drivers and transportation administrators, former Supt. of Schools Dr. Ronald Taylor wrote, “At a recent meeting with our Co-Op representatives, they lauded how fortunate we are to have our Interim Transportation Coordinator, Mr. Jerry Ford, as he is well-known in the New Jersey transportation community for his stellar work throughout his long and distinguished career.”

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South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum’s grandmother, Bok Soon Park, born January 24, 1922, passed away late Wednesday evening, September 11, at the age of 102.

Collum, who led a virtual town hall on an upcoming water utility referendum earlier in the evening, was by the side of her halmeoni (할머니) — Korean for grandma — and posted this loving tribute on Facebook:

From Sheena Collum:

The OG of my Korean Ninja Clan went to heaven last night. Bok Soon Park January 24, 1922 – September 11, 2024 (102 years-old). I called her halmeoni (할머니), which is “grandma.”

After losing her husband at a young age, she worked to bring all five of her children to this incredible place called America. My aunts and uncle ranged in age from their teens to early 20s. She didn’t have the money to bring everyone at once, so they came at different times, and she was in the last group with the two youngest. When she arrived, she didn’t speak English and ultimately never did, but we knew how to communicate. I was told she worked in a cafeteria for a bit at Ethicon…not surprising because she owned the kitchen. Sadly, she buried two of her children while in this country, one aunt and one uncle, but was surrounded by their children these past few days.

She lived with my family for a couple years when I was really really young, and the little Korean I know are phrases she would say to get me out of bed in the morning and tell me to wash my face, brush my teeth, and hurry to catch the bus. I came home one day from school and found her outside with a shovel, and she was trying to dig herself a vegetable garden. She was a very determined woman. In the past few years, when I would visit, we would play cards (“hwa-tu”), and she never let me win, a total boss in a flower dress who looked unassuming until we would play for money, lol.

My mom and aunts would always tell me she was very proud of me, which is a nice feeling – especially since everything I’ve done or will ever do in this world started with the decisions she made for her family to give them a better life. I’m alive and here because of her.

This is my first direct experience watching a loved one die and the process of active dying. I’ve learned an incredible amount of information and am truly grateful to the hospice workers.

I’m lucky that I got to spend the last week with her and hold her hand. While she was physically unresponsive, she totally knew her family was all around her. I decorated her room with pictures of her children and family. She was also staunchly religious, so I found a candle with Jesus on it and put it beside her bed.

She held on for the past several days, and I know exactly what she was doing. She wanted to see our family come together. She wanted to know that her last act on earth as our Matriarch was to reinforce “family” and that whatever little differences or squabbles or feelings of the past were not important, and that the love we share always needs to come first because life is too damn short.

I said my final goodnight to my halmeoni at 11 pm last night, thanked her for being the best grandmother in the world, and told her that the family was gonna be okay.

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Willie Joyce Howard’s “much-used heart” gave out after a lifetime of sharing her home and hearth with a legion of family, strays and others who were blessed to receive her care throughout her 75 years of life.

A longtime resident of Daytona Beach, Joyce died on September 10, 2024 in her Daytona Beach home, surrounded by her children and a pack of tiny dogs, whose laughter, story-telling, barks and love peacefully heralded her on to her next
journey.

She was a loving wife, fierce-but-firm mother of seven, grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of three and was unofficially “Mom” and “Granny” to so many more children and youth throughout her blessed life. She was beloved by all she encountered.

Joyce was born on February 3, 1949 in DeLand, the third of eleven children. She graduated with honors from Southwestern High School in 1967 and on September 17th of the same year, she married her high school sweetheart, James Howard, who had recently enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Their first three children were born in Charleston, SC in 1969 and 1971.

Always outspoken and a strong advocate for her family, she offered her beloved husband options — stay in this family or in the Navy — sharing her struggle to parent three children alone as he was regularly deployed elsewhere. In response, James transferred his enlistment to the Air Force which allowed them to parent in-person as full partners while he served his
country.

Willie Joyce Howard

Joyce was certified as a nurse in Texas and worked for 20 years as a LPN while raising her children and relocating to Air Force bases around the world. Upon James’ retirement in 1987, the family relocated to Daytona Beach where Joyce obtained her BSN degree from Daytona State College in 1993. She continued working as a registered nurse until her retirement in
2007.

In her final years, she spent her time gardening, watching game shows, cooking, and spending time with her family by birth and by choice. Joyce enjoyed gospel and classic R&B, all the “Law & Order” shows, and harbored lifelong crushes on actor Sidney Poitier and singer Lou Rawls although her James was the only one she would ever share 7Up and Pringles with each year.

She was a mother and grandmother to all who knew her, ensuring everyone knew they were worthy of love and respect. She never was one to join organizations yet she could be counted on to support local causes with her time and talent. She tutored neighborhood children in reading and math. She served on the Nurses Guild, the Stewardess Board, and the Sunday School program at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church where she was a member for 37 years.

She is predeceased by her lifelong best friend, cribbage partner, and soul-mate James Howard, Jr. and her parents Rebecca and Willie Douglas of DeLand. She leaves behind, with aching hearts, her children, Janet (Willie) Curtis of Taylor, TX, James (Miriam) Howard III of Ormond Beach, Jamaine (Richard) Cripe of Maplewood, NJ, Jennifer Howard (Joseph Wilson) of Daytona Beach, Jeffrey Howard of Daytona Beach, and Jillian & Jessica Howard of Riverview, FL; grandchildren, Jade West, Douglas (Bianca) Howard, Kourtney Howard, India Bott, Alice Cripe, Joseph Wilson, Jr., and Antwinette Curtis; great-grandchildren, Amelia Curtis and Esiah & Giselle Howard; and many other loving extended family members and
friends.

With our deepest gratitude, she was lovingly and respectfully cared for by family and friends as well as Dr. Donald Fornace and, in her final months, by the wonderfully compassionate Dr. Margaret Bell and the staff of Advent Health of Daytona Beach.

The family received visitors at Herbert Thompson Funeral Home (901 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd., Daytona Beach) on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Joyce’s celebration of life service was held on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 12:00 Noon at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church (449 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Daytona Beach). She will be interred immediately afterwards at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home & Memorial Park (548 Nova Road, Ormond Beach).

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Joyce’s honor to Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., a national network of Black women-led organizations and multi-disciplinary professionals who work to ensure that all Black Mamas and birthing people have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.
(https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Black-Mamas-Matter-Alliance)

“Please wear spring colors as Mom wanted us to celebrate her entry into Heaven.”

HThompsonfunerals.com

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From the South Orange Rescue Squad:

It is with profound sadness that the South Orange Rescue Squad (SORS) shares the untimely passing of life member Melanie Troncone. Affectionately referred to as “Mel”, she passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon following a medical emergency at the age of 47.

Mel was a keystone member of our community. Born and raised here in South Orange, Mel was known throughout town for the many hats she wore. In addition to the countless lives she touched and at times saved through her volunteer work with our agency, she worked for the Village of South Orange as the town’s animal control officer and at King’s Market in Maplewood Village. Beyond her professional roles, she loved spending her evenings with her friends at Bunny’s Sports Bar and being a proud mom to her daughter, who is also a SORS life member, Mackenzie.

Mel was an integral part of SORS for over 15 years and held many leadership positions during that time, including President. During her Presidency, she led the squad through many challenges including the loss of our building and the eventual fundraising effort and building process of our current headquarters at 62 Sloan Street. This is tragic news that comes only two days after her most recent shift.

It is safe to say that she directly touched the lives of thousands of community members, mentored countless SORS EMTs, and helped shape the squad as we know it today. When her passing was announced in an inter-departmental notification, the outpouring of grief was overwhelming. The amount of love we all have for her is palpable and the love she showed us was immeasurable.

Mel was known to be outspoken, larger than life, an unstoppable force of nature which makes this loss that much harder. She brought a jovial spirit to those around her, giving those lucky to be close to her this rare sensation that is hard to describe, but could possibly be understood as a warmth in your heart that some would say is contentment. She loved hard, was a fierce friend, and was an excellent EMT that so many of our personnel, former and present, learned from.

Mel shared a lot of wisdom during her tenure here at SORS, about EMS and about life in general. As Mel once said “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, we at SORS do not have that problem”. What can certainly be said about Mel is that she made a difference, the world is a better place because of her.

The Board, on behalf of all SORS members, sends our deepest condolences to Mel’s family.

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We pause to remember those who made their final departures from our South Orange and Maplewood community this year. They all made indelible marks upon our community and took pieces of our hearts with them.

If you know of anyone we should add to this memorial, please email us at VillageGreenNJ@gmail.com.

Melanie Troncone

Melanie Troncone, 47, ‘Fierce Friend,’ Proud Mom, Selfless Volunteer & Mentor

Joyce Scott, Resident of South Orange for 53 Years 

Willie Joyce Brown

Willie Joyce Howard, Beloved Mother of Maplewood Deputy Mayor Jamaine Cripe

South Orange Mayor Posts Loving Tribute to Her Halmeoni (할머니)

Jerry Ford, Who Led South Orange-Maplewood Schools Transportation, Dies Following Accident

Patricia A. “Pat” Bell

South Orange Mourns Patricia ‘Pat’ Bell—Pioneering Business Woman, Champion of Mental Health & The Arts

Anne Nye, 91, Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother & Woman of Faith

Edith Oxfeld, 104, Peace Activist & Long-Time South Orange Resident

Thomas J. Gates (credit Playbill)

Thomas J. Gates, Broadway Stage Manager, Struck & Killed by Train at South Orange Station

Obituary: Randi Ehrich Feno, Mother, Wife, Maplewood Native, Dies at 72

Sister Ann Infanger

Sister Ann Infanger—Maplewood Native, Groundbreaking Genetics Researcher, Educator & Woman of Faith

Francine Varon, 78, ‘Never Shied Away From Fighting for What’s Right’

Donald Payne Jr. (Photography by Matt Peyton Photography)

Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., 65, Leaves a ‘Legacy of Service’

Crawford “Ed” Sabin

Crawford ‘Ed’ Sabin, 93, Pillar of His Family & Community

John Overall, 77, Unofficial South Orange Historian & Friend to Many

Peter Shapiro

Peter Shapiro, 71, Remembered as Groundbreaking Political Reformer & Friend

Martin L. Greenberg

Martin L. Greenberg, 92 — State Senator, Judge & Beloved Husband, Father & Grandfather

Jed Michael Stern, 70, New Yorker at Heart

The post In Memoriam: Those We Lost in South Orange-Maplewood in 2024 appeared first on The Village Green.

The following obituary was first published on bradleyfuneralhomes.com:

Anthony Michael Thomas Garrubbo (05/09/1942 – 12/30/2024) — The man who spent 82 years forging his own path and making life far more interesting for himself and every human he met passed away on Monday, December 30. His energy moving on to the next adventure. But only doing so after charming the world with his original mind, boundless spirit, and ferocious soul. He simply didn’t see the world with the same limitations the rest of us do. Everything he did, he did with all his love and might.

*Click here to livestream the funeral mass on Tuesday, January 7th at 10:00am*

Truth be told, his love was his might. He loved his family with a clarity that has always and will forever light each of them with strength. His marriage to his wife Renee was (and is) a union cast in laughter, awe of each other, and the truest, deepest of love. From day 1 to year 54 of marriage, the two laughed like kids, as they shared and deciphered the world together, enjoying each other’s company every breath of the way. A marriage for the ages, the kind the rest of us aspire to, the kind that gives birth to four larger than life daughters.

Anthony Garrubbo

Anthony is survived by his wife, three daughters—Janine, Ashley, and Rebecca—and four grandkids, Ella, Zachary, Samantha, and Reid Anthony. He was predeceased by his special daughter Christin Paige. Never has a father loved his children more, fathering each of them differently but in exactly the way they needed in the moment. There’s a light behind each of his daughter’s eyes that mirrors the electricity that was (and is) Anthony. And it’s in his relationship with Paige that it was most evident that this lion of a man, was also a lamb, as he cared for her with enduring tenderness, giving her a beautiful life.

Age-defiantly good-looking and philosophically curious, Anthony kept everyone on their toes with a mischievous sense of humor. He lived for the moment, toyed with the moment, always seeking ways to stay present, be it through humor, fantastic Italian food, meditation or the constant flow of non-fiction audio books he listened to. “I met the most interesting people, had the most interesting conversations” was a common refrain in the life of Mr. Saturday Night. His motor was always running, likely why he was so drawn to other motors: motorcycles, unquestionably cool cars, trucks, jet skis, fishing boats, sailboats, his touring bicycle, not to mention his drum set and Spanish guitar.

The world was his playground. Yet he worked incredibly hard. Every ounce of his success was earned. He opened the Anthony Garubo Salon in Maplewood, NJ in 1975. Fifty years later it still stands proudly. More than just a business, it was a platform for him to be who he was—the man you listened to and learned from. He nurtured, tutored, encouraged, challenged and inspired the hundreds of employees that passed through his doors. At this very moment out in the world, there are countless lives he touched who still carry the torch he helped light. Whether you literally had the pleasure of siting in his chair getting your hair cut or not, to know Anthony means you’ve figuratively sat there, in his chair and in his hands, being engaged by his playful sense of the world.

Truth really be told, there’s not enough ink in the world to capture Anthony in words. Because he was a feeling. Something that can’t be bottled. Or adequately described. When you were with him, you felt it. He gave you a glimpse into how much life there could be in this life. It was electric. And he left that indelible feeling on us all. For us all. He was (and is) a force of nature. He was (and is) one of the Greats. We love you dearly, Anthony. Pass the macaroni.

---

Funeral Home:
Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home

Funeral:
St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Rd. in Madison, NJ on Tuesday, January 7th at 10:00am.

Committal:
Following Mass at St. Gertrude Cemetery, 53 Inman Ave., Colonia, NJ.

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From the South Orange Maplewood Adult School:

The South Orange Maplewood Adult School Board of Trustees and Staff mourn the passing of Eva Samo at age 103 (November 1, 1921 – January 10, 2025). Eva’s remarkable 51-year career as the longest serving staff member left an indelible mark in the Adult School’s history and in the lives of the many staff, students and trustees she mentored and supervised.

During her career, Eva held various positions at the Adult School, rising from Registrar, to Executive Secretary, Assistant Director (1970-1977), and then Associate Director (1977-1996). Eva mentored countless trustees on the Adult School board by the way she “showed up” with her brilliance, fierce good sense, and an uncanny instinct for creating new initiatives for the community’s evolving needs. In recalling Samo, long-time Adult School Trustee Rose Gilbert noted, “Eva was so much more than a member of the staff: she was an idea engine! The main brain and strong hand that guided the Adult School as it evolved into the vital organization immortalized by the United States Library of Congress’ Bicentennial Local Legacy Program.”

Eva Samo

Trustee Emily Zacharias elaborated upon Gilbert’s statement, noting that “Eva was the guiding soul and spirit of The Adult School.” Trustee Rich Cohen fondly recalled that “Eva loved our community and in her feisty but loving way, made it a better place for all of us.”

Eva was particularly influential in establishing a number of seminal Adult School and community activities of lasting importance:

● When, in 1974, local parents bemoaned the lack of local summer programs for their children, Eva called a meeting of representatives from the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education, local recreation departments, and local libraries to serve as an advisory committee to create a community Children’s Summer Program. For six years the Children’s Summer Program was a joint effort, but in 1980 it became the full responsibility of SOMAS.

● In 1983, the summer advisory committee that Eva had established in association with the local YMCA, developed a much-needed After School Program. The After School Program was later assumed by the YMCA.

● Eva was also the catalyst for the South Orange-Maplewood First Night Program – a family friendly New Year’s Eve program which was held for many years.

● In 1975, Eva was designated “Woman of the Year” by the local newspaper, The News-Record of Maplewood and South Orange. She and her husband, Harvey Samo who predeceased her, were both recipients of the Maple Leaf Award, a community service award, in 1993.

Eva & Harvey Samo with Ralph Buultjens – 2009. Photo by Marilyn Lehren.

In 1996, in appreciation of the enormous time and love that Eva invested in establishing high quality lectures for the Adult School, the Board of Trustees renamed its “#1 Course” as “The Eva Samo Lecture Series”. Over the years, Eva and Harvey Samo provided generous funding to support the series, which continues to attract astounding speakers each year and memorializes Eva’s steadfast commitment to lifelong learning.

In remarks following Eva’s passing, the Adult School’s Board President Amy Dahn affirmed the school’s gratitude. Dahn shared, “Eva Samo remained involved with the Adult School as a volunteer consultant and generous donor for her remaining years. Eva was a beacon of light in our community – her dedication and personal commitment to the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School has left an indelible mark and is a lasting legacy not only to our organization, but also to the greater community. We will be forever grateful to her. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Eva’s sons and daughters-in-law Daniel and Jeanette Samo, Toby Samo and Genie Landon, to their immediate and extended family, and to all who knew Eva.”

The Adult School will publicly recognize Eva’s legacy on March 24, 2025 at its biennial event, “Likely Stories”, held at the Woodland in Maplewood, NJ.

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The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race deeply mourns the sudden passing of Carol Barry-Austin, a founding trustee whose unwavering leadership, drive, and commitment over the past 28 years both shaped and built the organization we are today.

Her mentorship of trustees, executive directors, and volunteers profoundly influenced the Coalition’s trajectory, ensuring its positive growth and impact. To those of us who worked with her at the Coalition, Carol was a fierce ally and collaborator, and a warm and wise friend. She pushed all of us to give the time, energy, thoughtfulness, and passion towards racial equity – particularly in our local school district – that she knew we had, driving all of us to be our most effective advocates for our beloved community. She touched countless lives, and her unwavering commitment to racial equity and inclusion remains her enduring legacy.

Carol Barry-Austin

Carol served as Chair of the Community Coalition on Race from 2006 to 2008, on the Executive Committee for multiple years, and she chaired the Nominating and co-chaired the Schools Committees. In her tenure on the Schools Committee, Carol spearheaded critical discussions on the Academic Achievement Gap. She organized forums, parent advocacy workshops, and study groups. Under her leadership, initiatives like Math Frenzy for rising sixth graders and Planning Ahead for middle school parents were launched as part of the Aim High! Focus on the Minority Achievement Gap Program, which earned the 2007 “Exemplary Program Award for School Partnerships” from the New Jersey Association of Partners in Education and the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.

Carol was a consistent and staunch advocate for equity in the school district, championing reduced academic tracking, school and classroom integration, support for students of color, and advocacy for building a successful, diverse teaching staff. She also introduced programs like Talking to Children About Race, helping parents and teachers understand racial development stages and navigate conversations about race with young learners. Her efforts contributed to the Coalition receiving numerous awards from organizations like the South Orange Civic Organization, American Psychological Association, and Leadership NJ, and the townships of South Orange and Maplewood, as well as recognition in publications such as The New York Times and The Star-Ledger.

Carol’s commitment extended to other local organizations, including the Columbia High School Scholarship Fund, South Orange Civic Organization, Tuxedo Park Neighborhood Association, and the South Orange Maplewood Awareness Committee. She also served as PTA/HSA President for several schools and led the PTA/HSA Presidents’ Council. Her contributions earned her numerous accolades, such as the Beloved Community Award, the Citizenship Award from the Rotary Club of Maplewood, and the South Orange Villager of the Month Award.

Carol and Clarence Barry-Austin

A South Orange resident for 46 years, Carol, who cherished her family, lived with her husband Clarence, raised three children, and took great joy in her role as a grandmother. Carol often concluded reflections about herself with these words: “I am proud to be a part of a community that values integration and diversity.” While every single person in South Orange and Maplewood has benefited from the advocacy for true inclusion that Carol led, her friends from the Coalition were truly blessed to have learned from and loved her as she modeled what living a life with grace, purpose and intention can be.

In honoring her legacy, the Coalition pledges to continue embracing the values Carol taught us, and to be unwavering as we strive toward the inclusive, equitable community she envisioned.

See more photos of Carol on the Coalition website at: www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/the_community_coalition_on_race_mourns_the_loss_of_founding_member_carol_barry_austin

Carol and Coalition President Nancy Gagnier

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The South Orange-Maplewood community continues to mourn Carol Barry-Austin, who died suddenly on January 26.

Barry-Austin, born September 9, 1953, was remembered in January by the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race for her decades of work as a founding member and Co-Chair of the Schools Committee.

The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund has also shared a remembrance of Barry-Austin:

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our long-time trustee, Carol Barry-Austin. Carol passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 26. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, community advocate and volunteer. She had a strong sense of right and wrong, and worked tirelessly to better the communities of Maplewood/South Orange and the lives of the families in them.

For years, Carol carried out her responsibilities as Chair of CHSSF’s Selection Committee in a strong, fair-minded and even-handed way. She ensured that the process ran smoothly. She lovingly went above and beyond to make sure students, both CHS seniors and graduates, had the opportunity to apply for need-based financial assistance to continue with their education. With knowledge, good humor and grace, she helped shape the organization into a leading nonprofit in the SOMA district.

The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund will honor Carol’s legacy by continuing in her footsteps. She will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

Barry-Austin’s family has shared service information with the community as well. Carol’s memorial service will be held February 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew AME Church, 336 Oakwood Avenue, Orange, New Jersey 07050. A repast will follow at 1:00 PM at the Loft at SOPAC, One SOPAC Way, South Orange, New Jersey, 07079.

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Max Philip Goldstein, a prolific artist, master storyteller, and proud student at the University of Texas at Austin, died on February 11, 2025, leaving his adoring family and the legions of friends he made everywhere he went broken-hearted.

Max packed more into his 24 years than many people manage in a lifetime. Obsessed with the Hero’s Journey, including his own, he craved new and varied experiences and never stood still for too long – unless deep in a music or art project, and then hours or days could pass before he emerged excited to share a finished piece.

Born on January 13, 2001, and weighing in at 10 pounds, 4 ounces, Max was dubbed “King of the Nursery’’ by the staff at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. From that day on, and through his childhood obsessions with LEGOs, Minecraft, baseball and fishing, he was larger than life, bringing an exuberance to everything he did. Nicknamed “Maximum Max” as a toddler, he lived life at full volume.

Max, earlier this year

Music, filmmaking and photography became his biggest passions and defined him. He started each as a teenager in South Orange, New Jersey, where his family moved when he was six years old. His films screened at festivals throughout New Jersey and across Texas. Max’s photography won two Scholastic Gold Key Awards, and, at 15, he was one of the two youngest artists ever to be featured on the SOMA Artists Studio Tour in 2016. In music, he was a verified artist on Spotify in two distinct genres: as MOSHE, and as Kid Baudelaire.

Max created more than 20 short films, music videos or vlogs, many of which can be found at mpgarchive and maxphilipgoldstein on YouTube. He acted in several of the films, leaving family and friends the blessing of being able to forever see him doing something he loved. Besides his music, Max was perhaps proudest of his animated short Colors of the Spirit, which was chosen among the “Best of the Fest” at the Garden State Film Festival and shown at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s annual convention at a showcase of high school filmmaking. It also won at numerous other festivals, and he was invited by CinemaEd when he was 19 to speak on a panel at the Austin Film Festival.

He wrote, co-directed and acted in Max’s Candy Crush, deemed a classic by friends and family and honored at numerous film festivals and by the Essex County Board of Commissioners.

Max in Shakespeare in Love

Besides film and photography at Columbia High School, Max was a member of the Parnassian Society and performed as Marlowe in the CHS production of Shakespeare in Love. The Arts weren’t his only endeavor in high school: he was captain of the swim team and served four summers as a lifeguard at the South Orange Community Pool.

When it came time to apply to college, Max wanted to follow in his sister Mia’s footsteps to the University of Texas. He was determined to get in, building up his film portfolio, going to Austin two summers in a row for a film camp at UT’s Radio-Television-Film program and setting up annual visits with the Dean of Advising, who was so impressed with Max’s work that he put him on a list of students he wanted accepted. Max only found out about that after committing. His application essay was used as a writing example on a website helping high school students applying to UT. When Max was admitted, he ran down his street in South Orange wearing a shirt with a Texas flag design, carrying the football team’s flag over his head. He delighted in being a Longhorn. 

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Max took a couple of breaks from school to focus on his mental health and his music, starting in 2021. Max set off on a series of adventures on his own, traveling across the continent to see his favorite musical artists perform and to camp out for a week at Burning Man. He wrote and produced numerous singles and an album, and had another in the works. “Kid Baudelaire” only ever had one show, but Max had plans to DJ his music for a set at SXSW at the Pearl Street venue in March. Max was living at the Fountain Terrace apartments in Austin at the time of his death and intended to return to school in the fall and set up open mic events. His death appears to have been accidental, police said. 

Max loved deeply and was deeply loved by family and so many friends across the globe, as someone with the ability to transcend social groups – fellow artists, musicians and filmmakers, his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers, and the hippies and international students he lived with during his year at the Pearl Street Co-Op, where he helped host poker and trivia nights, played his music at dance parties and was voted “Loudest Pearlie.”

Without Max’s light, the world is a dimmer – and quieter – place.

He is survived by his parents, Laura Griffin and Alan Goldstein, his sister, Mia Goldstein; his grandparents Linda Hardy and Jack and Rachelle Goldstein; aunts Amy Griffin, Linda Goldstein, Heidi Goldstein Shepherd, Bonnie Hardy and Emily Galyon; uncles Danny Goodwin, James Hardy, Guy Manuel, Jay Shepherd and Patrick Galyon; cousins Ella and Anna Goodwin, Alison and Clifford Douglas Hardy, Andre and Stefan Manuel, Rebecca and Samantha Shepherd; and Reyna and Bodie Galyon; and so many extended family of great aunts, great uncles and second and third cousins and friends around the globe. He is predeceased by his grandfathers John Michael Griffin and Clifford Hardy.

There will be a celebration of his life in New Jersey on March 22, 2025 in The Loft at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (details forthcoming), and UT-Austin will honor him with a memorial and flag-lowering ceremony in the fall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to UT’s Radio-Television-Film Department in Max’s memory. You can also honor him by listening to his music and watching his films. To add a memory or condolences, visit Max’s Dignity Memorial page. 

The post Max Philip Goldstein, 24 — ‘Maximum Max’ Lived Life at Full Volume appeared first on The Village Green.

From Flynn & Son Funeral Home in Fords, New Jersey:

Harold Stephen Jaffe, 82, of Marlboro Township, passed peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at JFK Hospital in Edison, NJ. Born on February 20, 1943, in Maplewood, NJ, he had resided in Marlboro for the past 10 years. He was a graduate of Columbia High School, Class of 1960, where he excelled in wrestling. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he proudly served his country for four years.

After his honorable discharge from the Marines, Harold opened his first sandwich shop, “Sandwiches Unlimited,” in East Orange; it remains in business to this day. Throughout the years, he opened 25 more shops, building them up and selling them to his managers. Harold’s motto was always, “You eat with your eyes.” Out of that motto, the concept of huge portions was born. Harold continued to grow his business. He opened “Harold’s Pub” in Randolph, NJ, then bought the landmark “Clairmont Diner” in Verona. In 1985, he took a position managing the Carnegie Deli in New York City where he was a partner in “Har-Mil,” Carnegie’s meat processing and cheesecake factory on New York’s lower east side. In 1990, Harold left Carnegie and opened his first “Harold’s N.Y. Deli” in Lawrenceville, NJ. It was a huge success. He expanded “Harold’s” and opened in Lyndhurst and Parsippany, NJ. In 1998, Harold opened in Edison, NJ, where “Harold’s N.Y. Deli” still thrives today.

Harold always attributed his work ethic to his training with the Marines. “One foot in front of the other” was always his motto. His restaurants served millions of people who came for the outstanding quality and unprecedented huge portions. Harold was an incredible businessman and a person loved by so very many.

Harold was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Jennifer Scheuermann; his former wife, Lainie; his parents, Lou and Rose Jaffe; his sister, Janet; and his brother, Joel.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his beloved daughter, Jessica Griscom and her husband, Rob, of Brown Mills; his grandchildren, Ronnie and Hannah Scheuermann; his partner, Ester Serrano; his long-time store Manager, Yvette Cuevas; and his former wife and life-long friend, Kathleen Jaffe, of Nyack, NY.

Private Cremation Services are under the direction of Flynn and Son / Mitruska Funeral Home, 23 Ford Avenue, Fords, NJ. A private memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Harold’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Read more here: Harold Jaffe, best known for his massive Harold’s New York Deli sandwiches, has died

The post Harold Jaffe, 82, Maplewood Native, CHS Grad & Sandwich King appeared first on The Village Green.