Livingston New Jersey news

Former Livingston resident Emilio Menarguez died Monday, December 9, in Morristown. He was 81 years old.

Visitation will be held onThursday, December 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston. The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 13, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

Born in Newark, Mr. Menarguez resided in Livingston for 26 years, before moving to Morris Township 23 years ago.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; his children, Greg and his wife, Barbara, of Basking Ridge, and Dona Zappulla and her husband, Joe, of Easton, Connecticut; his brother, Jules Menarguez of Little Egg Harbor Township; and seven grandchildren.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and as we continue through this holiday season, we wanted to reflect on some matters that are regularly brought up around this time.

We are always thrilled to see our already magnanimous community give even more come the holiday season, but as we approach the New Year, let us not lose that generous spirit.

In the cold winter months ahead, do not forget that your donations will continue to be needed, as contributions to charitable groups and organizations tend to fall off dramatically after the holidays end. So if you are able, try to give a little more in the coming months. Here at the Tribune, we will continue to gladly accept your coat, winter accessory, and toiletry donations for Livingston Philanthropies, and non-perishable food items for CHOW.

At recent Township Council meetings, members unanimously approved the two largest open space purchases in Livingston’s history.

In October, the Council purchased the nine-acre Strahman property, located at 321 East Cedar Street, for $4.050 million. Last week, the Council purchased the 11-acre Licari Miniature Horse Farm property, located at 240 East Northfield Road, for $2.557 million.

Both purchases were made through the township’s Open Space Trust Fund, designed “to preserve properties for open space preservation or for conservation, recreation, or permanent preservation,” according to the group’s mission statement.

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Herbert Bresky of Boca Raton, Florida, formerly of Livingston, died December 7, at the age of 100.

Mr. Bresky was born in Elizabeth, grew up in Newark, and lived in Livingston for 35 years before retiring to Boynton Beach and Boca Raton, Florida.

He was in the first graduating class of the new Weequahic High School in Newark in 1936.

Mr. Bresky served in World War II, as a staff sergeant in the 169th Infantry. He served in New Guinea and in the invasion of the Philippines, where he was awarded several citations and the Bronze Star.

For 30 years after the war, he owned the Argyle Food Market in Orange and Livingston.

Mr. Bresky is survived by his sons, Mark Bresky of Succasunna, and Scott Bresky and his wife, Gail, of Randolph; and six grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Gertrude Bresky, and his son, Rabbi Jan Bresky.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Barbara Lee Nestler (née Zimmerman), 86, died on Saturday, December 7, at her residence in Brandywine at Livingston.

Mrs. Nestler taught third and fourth grades in the New Providence school system for 30 years before retiring. She earned a master's degree from Kean College and was an active member of Temple Emanu-El in Westfield, and of Hadassah.

Born in Newark, she lived in Mountainside, West Orange, and Boynton Beach, Florida, before moving to Livingston 2½ years ago.

Predeceased by her husband, Monroe Nestler, she is survived by her daughter, Susan Wohlgemuth and her husband, Jerry; her son, Gary Nestler, and his wife, Anna Winderbaum; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Menorah Chapels at Millburn on Monday, December 9.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Jewish Federation or to Parkinson's Disease Research.

Ryan Lem, parent of a young student in the Livingston public schools and a professional in the cybersecurity field, brought up his concerns about the ransomware incident in the school district.

Lem said he would like more information “in terms of the scope or depth of the breach,” and about the the process going forward to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

“I don’t want us to be the next Baltimore, where you have two breaches, back to back, and it cost over $10 million for remediation,” he said.

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At the regular meeting of the Township Council on Wednesday, December 4, the Council passed an ordinance authorizing the purchase of the Licari Miniature Horse Farm property – block 7300, lots 68, 82 and 83 at 240 East Northfield Road – through the Open Space Trust Fund. The 11 acres of land will be purchased for $2,556,750.

“This is a big year for our open space,” mayor Al Anthony said. “Really a momentous year. The most we’ve ever had for open space in a year is two acres, and this year we have 20 acres.”

The Council also purchased the Strahman property on East Cedar Street through open space funds earlier this year.

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On Monday, School Board president BuddyAugust presented a plaque to outgoing member George Shen in appreciation of his dedicated service to the Board and community.

Shen did not seek another term in the November School Board contest, in which incumbent Samantha Messer and newcomer Seth Cohen were elected.

Vice president Ronnie Konner agreed, saying that Shen “brought a different perspective sometimes in the questions you asked and made us look at things in a different way.” She also noted his support of global education.

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CIRCLE CRASH: At 6:49 p.m. on Monday, December 2, Livingston Police responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Eisenhower Parkway and West Mt. Pleasant Avenue. A 2011 Ram pickup truck operated by John Genao-Perez, 37, of Plainfield, was traveling east on West Mt. Pleasant Avenue, while Michael Amorosi, 64, of Denville, was operating a 2011 Chevy Silverado north on Eisenhower Parkway. Genao-Perez told officers that he entered the intersection while the traffic light was still yellow, while Amorosi stated he had a green light. Responding officers determined that Genao-Perez ran a red light, causing the accident. Four passengers in Genao-Perez’s vehicle were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The impact of the accident caused Amorosi’s vehicle to spin and strike a traffic signal pole, knocking it down.

CAMUSO DISPLAY OPENING: With preparations under way for the opening of the Camuso Holiday Display, the first snowstorm of the season covered the Livingston Oval with a blanket of white on Monday, December 2. The Camuso Display will open on Saturday, December 7, with a lighting ceremony to be held at 6:30 p.m. There will also be train rides for children, guest appearances from Batman and Wonder Woman, and a performance from the Livingston Starliners dance team. The annual fundraiser is also taking place this season. People may buy a tree or dreidel for $20, and it will be added to the display with the person or family’s name on it. They will be for sale on opening night and every evening after that. All proceeds go to the restoration and upkeep of the characters in the display. Jerry Siskind Photo