community news from Livingston

At the end of this week, two respected Livingston police officers will leave the department. Effective March 1, Lieutenant Reese Riley will retire after 26 years of service, and Sergeant Deborah Shumaker will retire following 27 and half years in law enforcement.

Additional information on Lt. Riley and Sgt. Shumaker will be featured in next week’s edition of the West Essex Tribune, which will be sent to every household in town, but we wanted to briefly acknowledge them in this week’s paper before they exited the force and enjoyed some well-earned time off.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

Tanya (Hodes) Tabak, of Verona and Boca Raton, Florida, formerly of Livingston, died on February 10. She grew up in Brooklyn.

Mrs. Tabak taught high school social studies, co-owned two child care centers, and was a child care director for Catholic Charities.

Predeceased by her husband of 63 years, S. Charles, in 2017, she is survived by two daughters, Elissa (Frank) Lombardo and Karen (Steven) Honig; a brother, Eugene Hodes; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services were held February 13 with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (lustgarten.org) or the Foundation for Diabetes Research (njdiabetes. org) .

James J. Ernst, 80, of Livingston, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2020.

Born in Elizabeth to Edna and Charles E. Ernst. James served his country proudly in the U.S. Air Force.

He was the devoted husband of Margaret (Peg) Ernst; the loving father of Daniel J. Ernst and his wife, Linda, and Gregory S. Ernst and his wife, Lacie; the cherished grandfather of Jack, Kyle, Olivia, Ava, Leah, and Kate Ernst; and the dear brother of Nancy Knight and her late husband, Reese, Peter A. Ernst and his wife, Gail, and the late Carol Lieurance. James is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and close friends.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a memorial gathering at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 East Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, on Saturday, February 29, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Elbio E. Ermossi, 81, died on Wednesday, February 19. He was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, to Dominga and Alberto Ermossi.

He was the husband of Delia Ermossi; the father of Rossana Mattia and her husband, Jim, and Fabiana Di-Gregorio and her husband, Thomas; the grandfather of six.

A Funeral Mass was offered at St. Philomena Church, followed by a committal service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, on Tuesday, February 25.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Ermossi’s name to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, www. mskcc.org would be appreciated.

Condolences may be left at quinnhoppingfuneral.com.

Cody, a small brown Havanese was safely returned home after he went missing for several days last week. He was reunited with his family, thanks to a helpful community, with many residents keeping tabs on the missing dog and reporting his whereabouts on social media.

Below, in their own words, Debbie and Yarin Kirchen, who were pet-sitting for Cody, detail the experience.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

Livingston residents may now register for renewal and new memberships to the town’s community pools.

A variety of memberships are available, including weekend, weekday, half season and full season memberships for families, couples, individuals, and seniors.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

The Livingston Police Department is continuing its increased patrols on five different streets this week, according to Chief Gary Marshuetz.

In the upcoming week, the police will perform radar enforcement and address other traffic safety concerns on West McClellan Avenue, Westmount Drive, South Ashby Avenue, Crescent Road, and Sycamore Avenue.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Brian Boyle of Livingston has been named Livingston UNICO’s “Citizen of the Year” for 2020. A Vietnam veteran who has been active in town, he will be honored for his many years of volunteer service to both the community and the nation. The award will be presented at UNICO’s 65th annual Awards Brunch, to be held on April 18 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. For more information, contact Matt Ladolcetta at mjladolcetta@verizon.net.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

EXCITING FINISH: The Lingston High School varsity boys’ basketball team led Millburn High School for most of the game on Thursday, February 13, and built a 36-24 lead by the end of the third quarter, but Millburn came back at the end of the game getting to within one point, 43-42. Livingston, however, scored once more to win the game, 44-42. Shown above, Livingston’s Evan Goldenstein, #11, shoots under the basket past the Millburn defense. At right, Livingston’s David Gbadamosi, #33, scores with Millburn’s Austin Wolk, #3, and Benjy Goldberg, #10, defending during third quarter action.

Jerry Siskind Photos

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

Frank J. Biondi, Jr., died at home in Los Angeles on November 25, following a battle with bladder cancer. He was 75 years old.

Mr. Biondi grew up in Livingston and graduated from Livingston High School, where he served as the captain of the baseball team.

At Princeton University, he majored in psychology, and was a baseball center fielder. Mr. Biondi earned an MBA from Harvard University in 1968.

He was, at various times, chief executive of HBO, Viacom, and Universal Studios.

Mr. Biondi is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol Oughton Biondi; his daughters, Anne Biondi Simonds and Jane Biondi Munna; six grandchildren; and his brother, Robert Biondi.

Memorial services were held in January in Los Angeles and are also being planned for this summer in Cape Cod.

Contributions in Mr. Biondi’s name may be made to the Biondi Family Scholarship Fund, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, PO Box 28552, New York, NY 10087.