FEBRUARY 24, 2023

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Hi WHS Alumni Forum Chat-Folks

Marty Powers (6/62) advises of classmate’s passing:



Stanley Goldstein, passed peacefully. He had resided in Edison for over 50 years before recently moving to Clark, NJ. Stanley had been retired several years after over 47 years as a shipping and receiving manager with the Newark Star Ledger, working in both the Newark and Piscataway plants. An avid bowler, he once bowling a perfect 300 game.

Stanley leaves behind his beloved wife of 56 years, Harriet Goldstein, his daughter, Tracey Dalla Chiara and his son-in-law, Alberto, of Venice, Italy, his beloved son Jeffrey Goldstein and his daughter-in-law, Monica, of Weston, CT, and his four dear grandchildren, Matteo, Luca, Jeremy and Mic. Marty

Ron Schaffer (64) and Sharon Rous Feinsod (66) share additional “It’s a Small Weequahic World” tales:

I was drafted in August 1968 after graduating from Rutgers Newark. I initially had orders to be sent to Vietnam, but managed to get that canceled and then served a year in Vicenza, Italy. While in the service, I saw fellow Weequahic grads Michael Gottfried (1/64) at Ft Dix, David Ontell (6/63) at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and Charley Rosen (65) at F.t Huachuca, Arizona.

Then, when in Italy, several soldiers from my battalion went on leave to Venice and upon their return to the base, they told me they met a Sonia Rosen (64) from Newark. My fellow soldiers knew that I went to Weequahic. We had seen the movie” Goodbye Columbus” at the base theater and when I saw Benny Ribnick (64) seated at a table in the wedding scene, I stood up and yelled, “Hey that is Benny Ribnick from my high school!  Ron

My husband and I were having a late lunch at Casa Vasca on Elm Street in Newark’s Ironbound on a weekday in December. The woman in the photo, who was sitting next to us with her friend, struck up a conversation with us beginning with, “Where are you from?” One word led to twenty minutes more and her joy in announcing herself as a 1950 WHS graduate; June Selesner Fischer. She now lives in Clark, NJ and would love to hear from anyone who might remember her (junefischer@gmail.com). 

BTW, always a great meal at Casa Vasca. June and her friend Ubered there. Sharon

REMINDER from NJ Public Library:

NJPAC has organized "Philip Roth Unbound: Illuminating a Literary Legacy," a remarkable festival of readings and performances marking Philip Roth's 90th birthday. Info at Link to NJPAC Philip Roth Series.

Over the course of this three-day festival in Roth’s hometown of Newark, NJ, we’ll investigate the significance and impact of the celebrated writer’s unique literary legacy with over a dozen events and some of today’s most accomplished actors and performers.

The Philip Roth Personal Library is also open, with an inaugural exhibition, at the Newark Public Library (Link to Newark Public Library Philip Roth Collection), during normal library hours.

Enid Hinkes (60) submits the latest installment of Weequahic heroes who fell in action during period of military service:

Frank Reingold (6/43) was born on January 5, 1926 and died on December 14, 1944. His “Legend” entry read, “Now and always, he’ll have brains; Hard work for him has ne’er held pains; Honor Society, Officer of Air Service, Student Council, Math Club, Track, Science Club; College Prep; Engineering.”

Frank planned to become an engineer enrolling after graduation at Newark College of Engineering for a short time and then enlisted in the Army. He was in the Army Specialized Training Program at Cornell to continue engineering. That was disbanded, as were many other programs due to the Army’s need of troops for the invasion of France and Germany.

Frank (pictured, below) was a private in the 345^th Infantry Regiment, 87^th Infantry Division, that landed in France on December 1 through 5, 1944 and took over the Metz, France sector from the 5^th Infantry Division. It then moved to the Gross Rederching area of the Saar-German border on December 11, relieving the 26^th Infantry Division. Attacking on December 14, 1944, the Division took Remling in heavy combat on December 15^th, 1944. It was during this fighting at Petit-Redcherching, that Frank was killed less than a month before his 19^th birthday. He is buried at the King Solomon Memorial Park, Clifton, NJ.

Frank was the youngest of the three children of Harry and Anna Reingold. In 1940 the family lived on Weequahic Avenue according to the 1940 census. He wanted to be an engineer like his older brother Irving (1/38) with whom he was very close. His older brother was shattered by Frankie’s death. His older sister was Neddie Reingold Itkoff.   Enid

Commentquahics:

Steve Epstein (6/63)

Thanks for printing pics of WHS basketball legends. Great to see guys like Larry Layton and Chris Perval around and still enjoying life. As head manager of the 62 State Championship team, I have fond memories of those two. Larry was sort of a cut up! Chris was a class act. I followed Chris’ career through Coffeeville and Iowa as I was a student at rival Big 10 University of Illinois. He lit us up for over 20 points and the next night outscored All American Gail Goodrich of UCLA.

My best to all of those men who may have played basketball at Weequahic. At least I know for sure that among the others, Larry Bembry played at WHS. I’m sorry Larry, but Coach Fein was right in saying on that particular team you served them best at forward, rather than point guard. May Coach Fein rest in heaven. Steve

Bill Pollack (1/53)

I would like to bring to your attention that Richie Roberts (6/56) has just published a book that is available on Amazon (Link to "American Maverick" at Amazon).  It is called American Maverick. Richie was portrayed in the hit movie "American Gangster" by Russel Crowe. The movie chronicles his successful pursuit of drug czar, Frank Lucas. The book, which just came out, is more biographical and is a must buy for all in the Weequahic community. Bill

Mel Goldstein (57)

A personal confession and in response to Susan Lazar Katz (64), I remember the wonderful goodies sold by Silver’s Bakery. I worked there on weekends in 1955 through 1957. I partook of the Russian coffee cake, brownies, cookies and other great baked goods. When I sliced rye breads for our customers, I would push the little tasty ends between the blades to the tray in the bottom of the slicer and ate them secretly in the back of the oven area. Those little heel slices were a real treat. So, if your little heels were missing it was probably me that made them disappear.

I miss the Kaiser rolls, salt sticks, onion rolls, etc. Since I left Newark and went to California and thence back to the east coast in the deep South, I have never tasted anything resembling Silver’s wonderful baked goods. Bakeries are few and far between in the South. The bagels are surprisingly good but not like Watson's. Oh, to taste a Victory Cake once again; and a bialy. Mel