community news from Livingston

The Camuso Holiday Display will open for the season this Saturday, December 5.

Although there had been early doubts that the display would open due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the beloved holiday tradition will continue.

However, there are no special events planned, and the display has been reconfigured to enhance social distancing.

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SANTA’S MAILBOX, a long-time and cherished Livingston tradition, has been set up on the front lawn of the Livingston Fire Department, 62 South Livingston Avenue. Shown here mailing his letter to Santa is eight year old Austin Lewis, with his father Josh Lewis, LFD maintenance technician, and Fire Chief Chris Mullin. Letters — with return addresses — may be dropped in the mailbox until noon on Friday, December 18. Assisting Santa in answering his mail are staff members of the township’s Senior, Youth, and Leisure Services Department. LFD Photo

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A Livingston man and his family were recently featured as the subjects of the popular “Humans of New York” page, a photoblog of portraits and interviews collected around New York City.

Due to the pandemic, the project has begun to expand beyond the city streets, which is how Brad Scher, 53, came to be featured. He was high-lighted by his daughter, Clara, 25, with the help of her siblings Lily, 22, and Sam, 18. She told a story of her father’s love for her mother, Susan, 53; how he would draw personal pictures on their paper lunch bags each morning before school; and how he continues to live his life to the fullest following a recent ALS diagnosis.

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The Livingston Zoning Board of Adjustment, at its meeting on Tuesday evening, November 24, heard five residential applications and approved three. Two applications were adjourned to future meetings.

First Floor Addition

Kawsar Kamal of32 East Harrison Place was granted corner lot setback variances of 5.1 feet and 5.43 feet for a first floor addition and deck. The Board noted that the lot is undersized and the addition is modest and does not encroach on the neighbors. The final square footage of the home will be 1,788 square feet.

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As of Wednesday morning, December 2, the Livingston Health Department has reported that a total of 905 Livingston residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was recorded in mid-March. 75 ofthose residents have died as a result of the virus. Compared to the same time last week, there are 49 new cases, with one additional death.

In the month of November, there were 225 new cases, compared to 93 in October and 21 in September. The Livingston Health Department urges residents to continue to observe COVID-19 protocols.

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Felicia Polito (nee DeLorenzo), 82, died on November 24.

Born and raised in Newark, Mrs. Polito lived most of her life in Livingston before moving to North Caldwell eight years ago.

Prior to her retirement, she was an executive assistant to the dean at Rutgers University in Newark. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Frank Polito; her daughter, Sandra Bellomo (Ralph); her son, Frank A. Polito (Cindy); her brother, Anthony DeLorenzo (Virginia); and four grandchildren.

Due to the pandemic, a private funeral service was held on November 28, under the direction of ShookFarmer Funeral Home, Roseland. Interment was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations in Mrs. Polito’s memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

David A. Persing passed away Friday, November 20, in New York City. He passed with his beloved wife, Hope Cone, and their twins, Syd and Zach, by his side.

David grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, where his friends and Bergen Catholic classmates knew him as just “Bear.” He ventured west to proudly attend the University of Notre Dame, which led to a lifelong love affair with Notre Dame football, basketball, and his college buddies. David came home to New Jersey to attend Rutgers Law School where he earned his law degree but, more importantly, met the love of his life, Hope. They were married for more than 33 years. David also earned an MBA from Columbia University.

Judith “Judy” Ann Brown Cussen of Essex Fells, formerly ofLivingston, died on Wednesday, November 25.

A Private Liturgy for the Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Our Lady ofthe Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Roseland on Saturday, December 5. At noon, visitors are welcomed to a brief outdoor service at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Westville Avenue, Caldwell.

Mrs. Cussen was born to Frank and Grace (Lauterette) Brown in St. Mary’s Hospital, Orange, in 1938, and raised in Livingston. She graduated from Mt. Saint Dominic Academy and St. Elizabeth College and taught grammar school in Wharton before raising her three sons. She was married to the late Jack Cussen.

Surviving are her sons, Donald (Marla), Douglas and Matthew; her sister, Maureen Housel Domino; her brother, Frank Brown; and one grandchild.

As winter approaches and the sun sets by 5 p.m., we must remember, as drivers and pedestrians, to be wary of others on the roadways. Especially given the COVID-19 pandemic, with many more people taking to the streets to get some fresh air and exercise, drivers must remember to be careful, particularly when it gets dark out. And walkers, runners, and bicyclists should not assume that motorists can see you; particularly when navigating around leaf piles into the center of streets, be sure to look out for vehicles, wear reflective clothing, and use flashlights.

Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) began partnering with Bimbo Bakeries USA, in July. Bimbo is a national baked goods distributor with its local operation in Wayne. Through LPI and its distribution partners in Newark, Bimbo donations have passed 23,000 name-brand units distributed to the homeless, profoundly poor and disenfranchised since mid-July.