Livingston community

Former Livingston residentAgnes Mary Mascarenhas died at the age of 97 on Saturday, January 6.

Mrs.Mascarenhas worked in many senior administrative roles before her retirement.

Mrs. Mascarenhas is predeceased by her husband, Louie; son, Vincent; and siblings, Malcolm, Aelred, Raphael and Ignatius. She is survived by her children, Michael and Patricia; her four grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Avisitation for Mrs. Mascarenhas will be held Friday, January 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home in Livingston. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, January 20, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Philomena Church, in Livingston.

A committal will occur Saturday, January 20, from 12 to 12:30 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum, East Hanover.

The family of Mrs. Mascarenhas will hold a repast at the Hanover Manor after the interment.

Dr. Alfred William Christopher, Jr., MD, known by many as Chris or Dr. Chris, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 7, surroundedby his devoted family. Loving husband, father and grandfather, Dr. Chris lived with his family in Livingston, New Jersey for 53 years. Dr. Chris was on hospice for the last 3 and a half years (including during the pandemic) and his family was able to keep him comfortable at home. This was important to him and his children felt honored to be there for him.

Joan E. Higgins, of Livingston, died on Monday, January 8, at the age of 90.

Mrs. Higgins sang with the Living Tone Choir, and made rosary beads with St. Philomena’s Rosary Group.

She is survived by her husband, Basil; her children, Eileen and Gerri; and her five grandchildren.

A visitation for Mrs. Higgins was held on Thursday, January 11 at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home in Livingston. A funeral mass occurred on Friday, January 12, at St. Philomena Church in Livingston. Cremation was private.

Fly the flag on national holidays.

As New Jersey experienced its first snowfall of the season this past week, let us offer a friendly reminder to shovel your sidewalks.

After every major snowstorm, there are dozens of homeowners throughout town who do not clear their sidewalks. As a result, individuals trying to safely walk or jog around Livingston (including children walking to school) are put in unnecessarily dangerous situations, forced to walk in a lane of traffic on one of the town’s busiest roadways, for example.

We do understand that shoveling is difficult for some of our residents, but those residents still miraculously find a way to get their driveways cleared! Whether homeowners take care of the snow themselves, have friends or family lend a hand, or they pay someone to clear the area, the driveways get done, and so should the sidewalks.

A Newark teenager is facing charges stemming from a burglary that occurred in town last summer, Livingston Police said.

At 2:09 a.m. on Sunday, July 23, officers responded to a Melrose Drive home on a report of an active burglar alarm. Upon arrival, responding officers observed screen damage to a first floor bathroom window, and the window was open.

Officers then entered the home, which was unoccupied. They next discovered that two motor vehicles had been stolen from the residence, a 2022 gray BMW M3 and a 2020 black Range Rover. Since the date of the incident, the Range Rover has been recovered in Newark.

During the conference meeting of the Township Council on Monday, January 8, resident Saba Khan asked its members to recognize January as Muslim Heritage Month, which the Council agreed to do. New Jersey first established January as Muslim Heritage Month last spring, meaning this is the first month that it is officially recognized statewide.

The Council told Khan that they plan to pass a resolution during the January 22 meeting.

At the end of the conference meeting, other residents came in with concerns regarding the recognition. Specifically, they were worried that the town planned to fly the Palestinian flag in front of Town Hall, which the Council said was not the case.

During its reorganization meeting on Wednesday, January 3, the Livingston Board of Education formally swore in Fang Gong as its newest member, and named Board members Pamela Chirls as president andJenissaAmette as vice president.

Gong Sworn In

At the beginning of the meeting, school business administrator and board secretary, Thomas Lambe, swore in board election winner, Fang Gong, as a Board of Education member.

Gong thanked the Board and residents of Livingston for voting for her during the election,.

“Thank you for your trust,” she said. “Your vote means so much, and that is the motivation that will keep me going. I am committed in leading up to your expectations. Together, I’m sure that we will make a collective, positive impact in this beautiful Livingston community. Thank you for this incredible opportunity.”

President, Vice President Named Board member Seth Cohen nominated Pamela Chirls as president.

The Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating two unlocked vehicle burglaries that occurred in town last week.

At 7:17 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, officers responded to a Devonshire Road home on a report of two vehicles that had been entered in the early morning hours.

Officers arrived and met with the homeowner, who said that after reviewing his surveillance video, he noticed several suspects enter his two unlocked pickup trucks parked in his driveway. Nothing was reported missing at the time and the Detective Bureau is investigating the matter.

The township’s recycling calendar has been published in this week’s issue of the West Essex Tribune, on pages B-3 and B-4.

The calendar page also includes several 2024 Livingston Curbside Residential Recycling reminders, including the 2024 curbside residential recycling schedule, the 2024 metal recycling, bulk garbage and holiday schedules.

For more information on recycling, go to livingstonnj. org/Recy cling.

Jocelyn Rebecca Brandes, reported at press time to be Livingston’s first baby of 2023, has been named the winner of the

annual First Baby Contest. The little girl was bom - seven pounds, nine ounces - on January 1 at 4:09 p.m Central Time (5:09 p.m. Eastern Time). She was bom in Northwest Health - Porter hospital in Indiana, through surrogacy. As the first baby bom at her hospital in the New Year, she was also celebrated with gifts and a feature on the Northwest Health Facebook page.

Her parents are Karen and Ross Brandes of 29 North Road. Mother Karen is a stay at home mother, and father Ross works as a talent agent.

Karen’s parents, Max and Julie Silbermann, also reside in Livingston. Ross’s parents, Ramona Toyen and Joel Brandes, both live in Westlake, California.