Livingston news

The West Essex Tribune is celebrating more than six decades of showering the first baby of the new year with an assortment of gifts generously donated by our advertisers. The first baby of 2024 born to Livingstonparents will be named the winner of the Tribune’s 66th annual First Baby Contest.

The rules to determine the winner are the same each year: The first baby of2024 must be bom in a nearby hospital to parents who currently reside in Livingston. The exact time of the birth must be certified in writing by the attending physician.

Entries must be received in the West Essex Tribune office by noon on Tuesday, January 2. The winner will be announced in the January 4 edition of the newspaper.

The Tribune office will be closed on New Year’s Day; however, entries may be emailed to WETribune@gmail.com.

The Livingston Fire Department (LFD) presented a donation to the Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center last week, at the Camuso Holiday Display. The funds were collected during the LFD’s Annual Fire Prevention Week open house. Kathe Conlon, director of community outreach of the Burn Foundation and liaison to the Camuso Committee, accepted the check next to the Fire Department’s antique 1954 Mack Engine, known as “Sweet Pea.” Shown here are LFD members Jim Kedrie, Tom Cooney, Ryan Cooney, and director Conlon. 

Livingston Police were busy this week, responding to two incidents of shoplifting at Nordstrom Rack; two burglaries into vehicles; a residential burglary and an attempted residential burglary; and a stolen vehicle.

Winchester Road Burglary

On Sunday, December 24, at 2:31 a.m., Livingston officers responded to a Winchester Road residence on a report of a burglary. The homeowners told the officers they returned home after being out for several hours and found the home had been burglarized. Entry had been made through a rear window, and the house had been ransacked. At press time, the homeowners are compiling a list of the items that were stolen. The Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating.

Attempted Burglary

Livingston Boy Scout Troop 12 member Maxwell Miller has recently earned the honor of Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank that the Boys Scouts of America offers. He celebrated his Eagle Court of Honor on Saturday, December 16. He is the son of Peter and Kelley Miller of Livingston.

He began his journey to Eagle as a Pack 16 Bear Scout in 2014. After completing the Boy Scout ranks, Miller was awarded the Arrow of Light and bridged over to Troop 12 in 2017. When he earned his first class rank, Miller became a troop guide; which he actively remains today.

Miller was trained at the Junior Leader Training Course at Camp NoBeBoSco, and has earned a total of 22 merit badges.

Livingston resident Beulah Samuel died on Saturday, December 16, at the age of 83.

Mrs. Samuel immigrated to the United States from Yadgiri, India in 1970. She was a registered nurse and licensed practical nurse at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for 35 years.

She is survived by her husband, Samuel Yesudas; her three children, Rajesh, Sanjay, and Asha; her brothers, David Edison Simeon and Ebenezer Simeon; and four grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Saturday, December 23, at the Livingston United Methodist Church. Interment took place at Restland Memorial Park in East Hanover.

WRESTLING TEAM WINS: On Wednesday, December 20, the Livingston High School wrestling team defeated the Kearny Kardinals, 51-25, in the Fitness and Wellness Center. Shown above, Lancer 144 pound weight class wrestler Christopher Taddeo sets up Kearny’s Lucas Ruiz prior to a pin. Below, Livingston’s 144 pound weight class wrestler Christopher Taddeo pins Kearny’s Lucas Ruiz. Referee Jack Meyer hits the mat signaling the pin.

Martin Rinaldi of Livingston died December 22. Private services will be held under the direction of Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home in Cedar Grove. Memories and condolences may be shared at shookscedargrove.com.

Kevin Drake of Wilmot, New Hampshire, formerly of Livingston, died at his home on December 22, at the age of 70, following a brief hospitalization.

Mr. Drake was bom on May 21, 1953 and graduated from Livingston High School in 1971. He later moved to New London, New Hampshire and had a career as a process control specialist with Yokogawa.

Mr. Drake was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Carol O’Brien Drake. He is survived by his daughters, Larissa Ragazzo and her husband, Robert, and Ashley McCarthy and her husband, Sean; his brothers. Lawrence Drake Jr. and his wife, Joan Jacobs, Roger Drake and his wife, Jennifer; his mother-in-law, Catherine O’Brien; his sisters-inlaw, Mary-Kay O’Brien, Laurie O ’ Brien Smith, and Teresa O ’ Brien; and two grandchildren.

Gloria Flores David, age 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Kelly House in Evansville, WI on December 20, 2023. Gloria lived previously on Mounthaven Drive in Livingston, NJ for 45 years, in the same house where she raised her family and where she stayed after her husband passed away.

She was born in Pampanga, Philippines on March 27, 1937 and her earliest memories were of the Japanese occupation during WWII. Gloria graduated from Centro Escolar University in Manila in 1959 with a degree in education and she taught home economics at a public school for several years.

She moved to the United States in 1973 and worked as an accounting clerk for Drake’s Bakery, Exxon, SPX, Atlantic Design, and Burrelles, before retiring in 1998 when her first grandchild was born.

The Livingston Township Council held its final regular meeting of the year on Monday, December 18. To start the meeting, each Council member thanked their respective spouses for helping them to serve in their positions.

“We couldn ’t do what we do for the community (without our spouses),” Mayor Michael Vieria said, “and this is our way of saying ‘thank you.’” Each spouse was given flowers and a gift card to their favorite restaurant.

Livingston Fire Department president Tom Cooney also addressed the Council. He has been working on creating a book documenting the history of the Department, and while digging through ledger books, he found the original 1938 rendering of Monument Park at the Oval. At the meeting, he gifted the Council the framed document, to be hung in Town Hall.