Obituaries

Suzanne Waltman Newmann of Livingston and West Orange died on Saturday, December 30, at the age of 89.

Mrs. Newmann was a teacher at Temple B’nai Jeshurun, and earned her bachelor of arts degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas, and is survived by her daughter, Katherine; her son, William; and one grandchild.

The family will receive guests for Mrs. Newmann today, Thursday, January 4, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. at the Bemheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston. Entombment will follow at 2:15 p.m. at B’nai Jeshurun Cemetery in Hillside.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that contributions be made to the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, 194 Route 10 West, East Hanover, NJ, 07036.

Award WinningHome

Dedicated and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, 89, Dr. Edward Weiss of Morristown, formerly of Livingston, NJ, died peacefully at home on December 25, 2023.

Edward was born in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated with the 197th class at Central High School. He was an Eagle Scout, a varsity track athlete and an avid Phillies fan.

Upon graduating from SUNY Downstate Medical School, he opened an ophthalmology practice in West Orange, NJ, where he practiced for nearly 50 years. He served as the Chief of Ophthalmology at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. He loved being a physician and caring for his patients.

Michael D. Russo Jr. of Livingston, died on Tuesday, December 26, at the age of 91.

Mr. Russo was a Livingston Old Guard member, and worked at Anheuser-Busch in Newark for 50 years before retiring.

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Michael and Concetta; and his wife, Lucy. Mr. Russo is survived by his children, Romano, Vincent, Michael, and Lawrence; his eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, January 2, at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home in Livingston. A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, January 3, at St. Raphael’s Church in Livingston, and entombment followed at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Russo’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. If it’s not about Livingston, it’s not in the Tribune! Strictly local coverage of the things you care about in Livingston.

Livingston resident Beulah Samuel died on Saturday, December 16, at the age of 83.

Mrs. Samuel immigrated to the United States from Yadgiri, India in 1970. She was a registered nurse and licensed practical nurse at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for 35 years.

She is survived by her husband, Samuel Yesudas; her three children, Rajesh, Sanjay, and Asha; her brothers, David Edison Simeon and Ebenezer Simeon; and four grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Saturday, December 23, at the Livingston United Methodist Church. Interment took place at Restland Memorial Park in East Hanover.

Martin Rinaldi of Livingston died December 22. Private services will be held under the direction of Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home in Cedar Grove. Memories and condolences may be shared at shookscedargrove.com.

Kevin Drake of Wilmot, New Hampshire, formerly of Livingston, died at his home on December 22, at the age of 70, following a brief hospitalization.

Mr. Drake was bom on May 21, 1953 and graduated from Livingston High School in 1971. He later moved to New London, New Hampshire and had a career as a process control specialist with Yokogawa.

Mr. Drake was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Carol O’Brien Drake. He is survived by his daughters, Larissa Ragazzo and her husband, Robert, and Ashley McCarthy and her husband, Sean; his brothers. Lawrence Drake Jr. and his wife, Joan Jacobs, Roger Drake and his wife, Jennifer; his mother-in-law, Catherine O’Brien; his sisters-inlaw, Mary-Kay O’Brien, Laurie O ’ Brien Smith, and Teresa O ’ Brien; and two grandchildren.

Gloria Flores David, age 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Kelly House in Evansville, WI on December 20, 2023. Gloria lived previously on Mounthaven Drive in Livingston, NJ for 45 years, in the same house where she raised her family and where she stayed after her husband passed away.

She was born in Pampanga, Philippines on March 27, 1937 and her earliest memories were of the Japanese occupation during WWII. Gloria graduated from Centro Escolar University in Manila in 1959 with a degree in education and she taught home economics at a public school for several years.

She moved to the United States in 1973 and worked as an accounting clerk for Drake’s Bakery, Exxon, SPX, Atlantic Design, and Burrelles, before retiring in 1998 when her first grandchild was born.

Phyllis loved the fact that she was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, so much, that even in her last week of life, said she wished she could be either there or in heaven. She was a devoted wife and mother of two children. She and her husband, Franklin, adopted them after they moved to Livingston, NJ.

Throughout her lifetime, she embraced her Judaism, as she sprinkled unconditioned love and acceptence everywhere she went, regardless of the nationality, political affiliation, or religion of the person she was with.

It didn’t matter if you were related to Phyllis or not, she would become your biggest cheerleader; calling out the greatness she was able to see inside of you. It’s no wonder so many lovingly called her Nana!

On Friday, December 15, Suzette Joseph, of Livingston, died at the age of 95.

Mrs. Joseph was born and raised in Acul-Du-Nord, Haiti, and lived in Brooklyn and Queens, NewYork, before settling in Livingston, in 1967.

She was an elementary school teacher before retiring.

Mrs. Joseph is predeceased by her husband, Michelet. She is survived by her children, Albert, Frederique, and Lemoine; her four grandchildren; and sisters, Therese and Deliverance.

Philip Julius Solondz, father, builder, philanthropist, died on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at his home in Boca Raton, Florida. He was 97.

Born in Newark to Polish immigrants Israel and Jenny, he was valedictorian of his Weequahic High School class and later studied civil engineering at M.I.T., with an interlude in the Navy serving at Guam during World War II.

He acted as president of the New Jersey Home Builders Association in 1965.

He was a major donor toTemple Beth Shalom in Livingston, New Jersey, M.I.T., and various Jewish and Zionist philanthropies.

He leaves behind four children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.