Livingston community

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. 

The Livingston Fire Department extinguished a blaze in a pick-up truck on Friday, November 20, at about 10:30 a.m. The fire took place on Route 280 west of exit 5, at the Livingston/Roseland border. No injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished without incident. The Roseland Fire Department also responded to the scene.

Leaf, Utility Pole Fires

In an ers extinguished a leaf fire in front of 47 Sherbrooke Parkway. The fire had apparently been caused by a car parked on leaves left at the curb for pick-up.

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Livingston Boy Scout Troop 12 held its first outdoor Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday, November 15, for Eagle Scout Jayson Melhorn.

Melhorn had received his Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank attainable in Scouting, in December of 2019. His Eagle project was to raise funds for, and purchase, three defibrillators, which were presented to the Township Council for the Tevlin Fields and for the Police Department. He had worked with the Horowitz Foundation to obtain the defibrillators.

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At the Monday, November 23, meeting of the Livingston Township Council, members discussed a nearly $2 million appropriation to cover COVID-19-related deficits, and again held open a mixed-use housing ordinance, among otherbusiness. The meeting was held virtually and may be seen on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Alyse Berger Heilpern asked the Council what could be done by the Council to curb the spread of COVID-19, particularly in regard to working with the school district.

As of Tuesday morning, November 24, the Livingston Health Department has reported that a total of 842 Livingston residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was recorded in mid-March. 74 of those residents have died as a result of the virus. Compared to the same time last week, there are 63 new cases, with no additional deaths. In the past month, there have been 237 cases.

Governor Phil Murphy cautioned residents to have small holiday gatherings due to the pandemic, to prevent further spread of the virus.

“16,500 families will have empty spaces at their Thanksgiving tables this year because of COV1D-19,” he said. “The last we want is for anyone’s Thanksgiving to lead to empty spots in their homes for the celebrations to come. Plan for a small gathering. Be safe and smart.”

CAMUSO DISPLAY: A shed, loaned by the Little League to the Camuso committee for storage use for the holiday display, is moved, as Camuso “elves” prepare to soon open the display. The lights on the display will turn on beginning on the evening of Saturday, December 5, and will remain on every night (weather permitting) through January 2. Lights typically turn on at 5 p.m. and remain on until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. On Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, the lights will remain on until 11 p.m. “So far everything is going exactly as planned,” Camuso “Elf” Tom Cooney said. “The Committee turnout for set up has been absolutely tremendous, with masks worn and some unexpected help from Mother Nature. As promised, the layout is slightly different, designed to help deter large groups from meeting in the walkways.