Livingston news

The Livingston High School girls’ varsity basketball team hosted the Lions of Mount Saint Dominic in a final pre-season scrimmage on Monday, December 10. Shown at right, Lancer guard Aliza Gelman, #11, drives the lane to score against the Lion defense. Above, the team congratulates Kiera Healy, who scored a last-second basket against Mount Saint Dominic. The Lancers open their regular season on Friday, December 14, at Science Park.

Don Schwartz Photos

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The proposed renovation of Riker Hill Art Park is long overdue, and the county quickly stepped up its commitment to the site after last October's meeting. Within weeks, workmen were busy cleaning up the access roadway, clearing weeds that inhibited the sight line for motorists, putting in new curbing, painting lines on the road, and installing flashing stop signs and intersection warnings. Two beautiful monument signs have been erected, one on Beaufort Avenue and one on Eisenhower Parkway. Our scraggly, dilapidated park is soon to join the ranks of Essex County's gems.

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As far back as we can remember, “The Rock” has been a part of Livingston. For those who don’t know which rock we’re referencing, it’s the huge one on Shrewsbury Drive, on the northbound side just past the spot where Laurel Avenue and Shrewsbury Drive come together.

Although we’ve done some asking around, nobody seems to know where The Rock came from, nor when the tradition of painting The Rock began. However, for many decades, going back to the 1970s and perhaps even earlier, The Rock has been painted for a variety of reasons.

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In keeping with their mission statements of promoting patriotism and assisting fellow veterans in need, members of the Livingston Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion, and the Jewish War Veterans have conducted many activities throughout the month of November.

Veterans visited Hillside School, where they spoke to Jeanne Silberman’s fi fth grade class. They also assisted the students with “Operation Gratitude,” sending packages to U.S. troops overseas.

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Santa’s Mailbox is open now through December 19, on the front lawn of the Livingston Fire Department headquarters, 62 South Livingston Avenue. As part of a long-standing annual holiday tradition, local youngsters are invited to write to Santa and deposit their letters in the mailbox. Santa Claus, with help from staff members of the Livingston Senior, Youth, and Leisure Services Department, will answer letters to those who include a return address.

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Felice “Phil” Picillo, 97, of Livingston, died Thursday, November 29. Visitation was held at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston, on Sunday, December 2. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Philomena Church, Livingston, on Monday, December 3, followed by entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Born in Caprilgia, Irprina, Italy, Mr. Picillo lived in Orange from 1954 to 1985 before moving to Livingston. He was a supervisor for the City of Orange, Department of Public Works, before retiring in 1986. He was also a part-time landscaper until the age of 90. Mr. Picillo was the husband of the late Giuseppina Picillo, and the father of Vincent Picillo (Yolanda), and Joanne DeNotaris (Joseph). Additionally, he is survived by four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to Istituto Antoniano dei Rogazionisti, Via Tiziano Minio, 15, 35134 Padova (Italy); or to St.

Barry Gimelstob, of Harding Township and formerly of Livingston, died on October 26 at the age of 75. Born and raised in Newark, Mr. Gimelstob graduated from Weequahic High School and Long Island University. He coached three championship basketball teams at Newark's South Side High School (Shabazz), received two “Coach of the Year” honors and was elected to the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Gimelstob formed FBR Group, a financial advisory firm, in 1989, and was a supporter of the Valerie Fund, Shabazz High School and Newark Academy. He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 47 years; his three sons, Joshua, Justin, and Russell; and a grandson. Funeral services were held at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel. The family would appreciate memorial donations to the Valerie Fund, 2101 Millburn Avenue, Maplewood, N.J. 07040.

Cesarea D’Abramo, 98, of Livingston, died on Saturday, December 1. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Philomena Church in Livingston on Thursday, December 6, at 10 a.m. Born in Terlizzi, Italy, to Pietro and Maria Baldassarre, she was the wife of the late John D’Abramo; the mother of Frank D’Abramo (Angie), and Irene Curiale (Aldo); grandmother of six; and the great-grandmother of six. In lieu of fl owers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org.

Irwin Halper of Verona, formerly of Livingston, died Wednesday, November 28. Funeral services were held the following day at Temple B’nai Abraham in Livingston, followed by interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements were under the direction of the Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston. He was the founder of I. Halper Paper and Supplies of Bayonne. Mr. Halper was the husband of Vicki Halper and his late wife, Donna Halper; the father of Tara Halper and Jaret Keller, Matthew and Erin Halper, and Andrew and Heather Halper; the stepfather of Justin and Tali Panetz, and Heather Panetz; the brother of Robert Halper, Jane and Steven Eisenstat, and Carol and Arthur Amster; and the grandfather of eight.

Albert J. Romano, 84, died Sunday, December 2, in Livingston. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 8, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Quinn- Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. The funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Raphael Roman Catholic Church, Livingston, with entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Mr. Romano had been a resident of Livingston for the past 56 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He later attended the Pratt Institute in New York, then worked for Allied Chemical and Merck Pharmaceutical. Mr. Romano was predeceased by his wife, Joan, and his sister, Francesca Kokoszka. He is survived by his children, Albert, Joan, John, Stephen, Robert, and James; his sister, Leonarda Neilson; and ten grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.