Livingston Tribune

Renovations have started on Littel People’s Park. Livingston’s Department of Public Works recently removed the playground, which was in poor condition, to make way for a brand new one. The new playground, which will feature a rubberized surface, has already been purchased, according to township manager Barry Lewis. It will be installed once the weather permits, likely in March. MIPhoto

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Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill addressed the crowd at Livingston’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event Monday afternoon at the Senior/ Community Center. This is the 21st Day of Service in Livingston, according to Billy Fine, co-chairman of the Livingston Committee for Diversity, which organizes the event.

“We have many great programs here, which embody our community as a whole,” Fine said, adding that Sherrill’s appearance marked the first time a public official above the county level has spoken at the event. “It gives us an opportunity to grow as a committee and leave our mark in an impactful way.”

Sherrill (D-11), discussed Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with the crowd, while also touching on the federal government shutdown. Following her speech, Sherrill posed for photos with those in attendance and learned about the service projects taking place throughout the building.

Wilbur F. Hoffman of Livingston died January 6. He was exactly 100 years and four months of age, to the day.

He was born on September 6, 1918, in Irvington, and moved to Livingston with his family as an infant. He had lived in his home on Glendale Avenue from the age of six until his death.

Mr. Hoffman was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Louise Hoffman. He is survived by his daughter, Janice Woodruff and her husband, Lahr Woodruff, and one grandchild.

He attended Central School in Livingston until Harrison School opened, and was in Harrison’s first eighth grade class. Mr. Hoffman was graduated in 1937 from West Orange High School, as Livingston did not have its own high school until 1953.

Mr. Hoffman joined the United States Navy in 1939. He spent six years in the Navy, and was discharged with the rank of Chief Water Tender in 1945 after the end of World War II.

Ruth (Sabloff) Bernstein, 101, of West Orange, died on December 25, 2018. She was born in Newark and raised in East Orange.

She was an active member of Margulies Senior Group at the JCC MetroWest where she volunteered at the Nutrition Program and was a member of the senior group at Temple B’nai Abraham. She had a zest for life and loved being with family.

On her 100th birthday, Ruth was given the Legends Award from Essex County, which recognizes the tremendous contributions of our senior citizens, for advocating and providing assistance that is helping their fellow seniors to remain active and continue living in our community.

Eric Joseph Magnusson, 60, who grew up in Livingston, died on January 8. A celebration of his life will be held at the Sheraton Parsippany on Saturday, January 12 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Magnusson, a resident of Aberdeen, was a founder and co-owner of the Rascals Comedy Club.

Predeceased by his parents, Art and Patricia, he is survived by his wife, Ellen; his children, Mark and Melissa; and his brothers and sisters, Mark and Cathy, Guy and Angela, Drew and Lynn, Ward and Judy, John, and Vicki.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Magnusson’s name may be made to the Summit Medical Foundation.

Antonio Antoniello, 96, of East Hanover, formerly of Livingston, died on Sunday, January 13.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 16, at the Hancliffe Home for Funerals in East Hanover, followed by a Mass at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, East Hanover. Entombment took place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

Born in Avellino, Italy, Mr. Antoniello came to the U.S. in 1967, settling in Orange. He then resided in Livingston before moving to East Hanover 15 years ago.

He was employed as a construction worker for Salvatore and Sons in Newark prior to his retirement in 1987. He was a member of the Laborers’Union, Local 472 in Newark, and the East Hanover Senior Citizens.

Mr. Antoniello was predeceased by his wife, the former Ida Colucci, in 1997, and by a sister, Teresa Colucci.

Edward F. Deren, 88, of Livingston, died Friday, January 11.

Visitation was held Monday, January 15, at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston. A funeral Mass was offeredTuesday, January 15, at St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church of Livingston, followed by a committal service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

Mr. Deren was born in Newark to William and Rose Deren. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, aboard the USS Albany (CA-123) and the USS Missouri (BB-63) as a radioman.

He worked for A&P supermarkets for a number of years before joining Village Supermarkets (ShopRite) in 1960. He managed stores in East Orange, Morris Plains, Watchung, Chatham Township, and Florham Park, before leaving to form his own business, E.F. Deren Company, supplying restaurants with provisions.

At the end of his career, Mr. Deren returned to ShopRite in Caldwell, where he worked until he was 86 years old.

Robert (Bob) Leopold, 93 years old, passed away peacefully at home in Livingston, New Jersey. Bob, a true gentleman, could be described by many roles, including husband, father, grandfather, volunteer, veteran, Mayor, engineer, among others. Bob grew up in Weehawken and Union City, New Jersey. He had fond memories of his years attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he obtained both his bachelors and masters in electrical engineering, interrupted by his enlistment in the U.S. Navy to join the efforts to defeat the Nazis in World War II. On his first day of combat duty, he says, the Nazis promptly surrendered. Bob once hoped for a naval career but did not obtain acceptance to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. (Bob had said that he could not get the required nomination from his congressional representative or senator because he was Jewish.)

The Livingston High School varsity ice hockey team defeated West Morris Central, 4-0, at the Codey Arena on Monday evening, January 14. Shown above, Lancer center and captain Max Solomon, #16, prepares to beat the Wolfpack goalie. Below, Lancer winger Austin Vecchio, #8, sets to snap a shot on goal against the West Morris Central defense.

Don Schwartz Photos

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The American flag in Memorial Park was lowered to half-staff in memory of Robert Leopold, a former mayor and Township Council member during the 1980s, and a decades-long member of the Planning and Zoning Boards. Mr. Leopold died Saturday, January 12, at the age of 93. The family has suggested memorial donations to Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood or the Southern Poverty Law Center.

NKP Photo

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