Livingston Tribune

I have always enjoyed board games, but rarely do I have the opportunity to play them. Growing up, my parents weren’t big fans, and I could only rely on my brother and neighbors to play on a rainy day. I had to wait until college to find a group of friends who really enjoyed a good game of “Catan.” Now, my wife humors me on occasion, but playing a game is never her first, second, or third choice of activity when the kids finally fall asleep. And we rarely have the free time to host a game night. But now, at long last, I have two budding board game partners.

In the past six months, my threeyear- old boys have become obsessed with board games. They started with the basics, games like Hi-Ho Cherry O and Candyland. But the real fun started after Christmas, when I gave them Trouble. We weren’t sure if it would be too soon for them to understand a “real” game with more rules and (minimal) strategy, but they took right to it, especially Henry.

As the newest staff member at the West Essex Tribune, I’ve spent my first month learning as much as I could about Livingston, its history, and what makes this township special. Among the interesting tidbits I learned, I was shocked to discover that many celebrities were born and raised within Livingston’s borders. Sure, there are some A-listers everyone has heard of like Chelsea Handler, Jason Alexander, and Wendy Williams, but there are many more.

New York Times Bestselling author Harlan Coban graduated from Livingston High School, but he was not the only acclaimed writer to receive an LHS diploma.

Underground horror author Jack Ketchum was a pen name for Livingston’s Dallas William Mayr. Described by Stephen King as one of the scariest writers of all time, some of Ketchum’s notable credits include The Girl Next Door. Offspring, and Off Season.

Norman W. Spindel, 76, died on Sunday, February 25.

Born in Newark, Mr. Spindel lived in Livingston for 30 years before moving to Parsippany-Troy Hills 12 years ago. He and his wife, Sharon, also lived in Florida for several months each year.

After earning a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, Mr. Spindel received a law degree from Georgetown University. He worked as an environmental attorney for Lowenstein Sandler LLP for many years. He was also a member of the New Jersey Bar Association, Cedar Hill Country Club, Temple B’nai Abraham, and was on the board of PEEC – Pocono Environmental Education Center.

He was the husband of Sharon Spindel for 53 years; the father of Melissa Hendrix (Scott) and Carrie Bashoff (Evan); and grandfather to four.

A funeral service for Mr. Spindel was held Tuesday, February 27, at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston.

Stephen Messarosh, 91, of Livingston, passed away on Saturday, February 24, with his family by his side. Born on October 22, 1932, in Throop, Pennsylvania, Stephen led a life filled with passion, purpose, and service. A proud veteran, Stephen served his country honorably in the Navy during the Korean War, stationed aboard the USS Midway.

Margaret Judith Doran – Judy to all who knew her – passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 12, in Livingston. Judy was born on September 12, 1943 to the late William and Mabel (Sullivan) Doran.

Judy graduated from Catholic Central High School (Troy New York) in 1961, Manhattanville College (Purchase New York) in 1965, and received a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1975. Judy had a long career as a management consultant at AT&T.

Judy was devoted to opera music, mahjong, bridge, and the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Judy is survived by two sisters: Linda (Ted) Lupul of Saratoga Springs, New York, and Wilma DeLucco of Delmar, New York, and the late Susan Klein of Delmar, New York. Judy is survived by many nieces and nephews and great niece and nephews.

A funeral service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday March 2, at The Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar, N.Y.

This week, the municipal courts heard a number of cases, including charges of a broken door at Cooperman Barnabas, disorderly conduct, and fraudulent checks.

Criminal Mischief

A Newark man was arrested and charged with criminal mischief at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center on September 3. Marquise Granger, 30, kicked, pushed, and subsequently damaged a magnetic door. Damages totaled $2,532.08.

When reviewed by the Essex county prosecutor, the charge was downgraded to a disorderly persons charge. Granger pled guilty and was assesseda $300 fine, plus $33 in court costs; $75 for the Safe Neighborhoods Fund; and $50 for the Victims of Crimes Compensation Organization( VCCO). Granger must also pay $2,532.08 to Saint Barnabas Health.

Disorderly Conduct

LIVINGSTON GIRLS’ WRESTLING IN TOURNAMENT: The Livingston High School girls’ wrestling team competed in the Essex County girls’ tournament on Friday, February 16. The competition was held at Nutley High School. Two members of the team placed in their respective weight classes. Shown above, left, Livingston High School’s Ashlea Budzinski placed first within her weight class, receiving a gold medal. At right, Izadora Boneares placed second.

Livingston won the Essex County championship at the 2024 Essex County Mock Trial tournament, held over six weeks in January and February. The team will advance to the regional tournament to be held in New Brunswick at the end of February.

The Essex County tournament is sponsored by the Essex County Bar Association and the Essex Vicinage (part of the New Jersey state court system) and consists of 22 teams from public and private high schools in the county. Teams from Millbum, Montclair, West Orange, and other schools participated this year.

Livingston prevailed over Verona in the final round of the tournament at a trial presided over by New Jersey Supreme Court justices Ann Patterson and Michael Noreiga. Patterson has served on the New Jersey Supreme Court since 2011 and was previously the Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey. Noreiga was appointed in 2023 by Governor Phil Murphy and is the first former public defender to serve on the Court.

LIVINGSTON WRESTLERS IN DISTRICT 10 TOURNAMENT: The Livingston High School wrestling team competed at the NJSIAA District 10 tournament on Saturday, February 17, in Nutley. Three wrestlers placed in the tournament earning the opportunity to advance to the Region tournament this Friday and Saturday in West Orange. The three wrestlers will need to place in the top four at their respective weight classes, to advance on to the NJSIAA State Tournament in Atlantic City from February 29 through March 1 at Boardwalk Hall. Shown here, are Joseph Jean Marie, who placed first in the 165 pound weight class; Alexander Diorio, who also placed first in his weight class at 157 pounds; and Chris Taddeo, who placed third at 138 pounds. 

The Livingston School district will open schools for a single session day on Friday, April 5, said superintendent of schools Matthew Block, in a letter sent last Thursday to the LPS community.

Due to a calculation error, this year’s Livingston Public School calendar only built in one, rather than two snow days, Block explained. With two snow days already used, the district will have to make up the one day of school to meet the State-required 180 days of school for students.

When all snow days are used, the calendar, which was approved two years ago, states that the district will begin adding days beginning with the Friday of spring break, and work backward through the spring break week as needed.

April 5 will be an early dismissal day, said Block. He acknowledged that many families have plans for the spring break, and that there will likely be an elevated absence rate that day of both students and staff.