FEBRUARY 7, 2025

TO RESPOND WITH A COMMENT OF YOUR OWN, PLEASE CLICK ON WHSALUM63@AOL.COM.

Hi Raconteurs of Histoire Weequahic,  

E-Mail address changes:

Susan Jayson Saltz (61) is now receiving email at 1277forever@gmail.com. 

James Schwarz’s (58) revised email address is jamesschwarz1941@gmail.com. 

Mike Kopin (1/62) laments the loss of an alum-pal:

Sad to report the passing of one of my oldest dearest friends, Stephen Mandel (6/62), suddenly last week on the 9th of January. There are no words to express the loss of a great person. Steve was always ready with a joke on just about any topic. We had known each other since a 1957 meeting at Shadybrook Swim Club.

We participated in each other's weddings, the births of our children, and, in retirement, enjoyed many adventures. Larry Josloff, Steve, Kenny Frenchman, and myself were like the “4 Musketeers.” And, sadly, it's just Kenny and myself now. I so vividly and appreciatively recall this past Dec 15th, my birthday, Steve came to my house and surprised me with Cheesesteaks from Spanky’s. I miss him dearly. My heart goes out to all his family. Mike

Dennis Estis (65) promotes class reunion:

The Class of 1965 will be holding its 60th Reunion on Saturday night, October 11, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Calabria’s Catering Hall, located at 588 South Livingston Avenue in Livingston, NJ. For additional information and questions as to cost for the evening, please contact me at destis@greenbaumlaw.com. Dennis

“SAVE THE DATE” reminder for WHS Class of June, 1963:

Happy 80th Birthday to the Classmates of June 1963. This is the year to celebrate our shared special event at the Archer Hotel in Florham Park, NJ on Saturday, June 7, 2025 (Noon-3PM). Put the date and event on your calendar of must things to do. For more info, contact Jacob Toporek, whsalum63@aol.com.  

Jacqueline Kaufer Klein (66) shares holiday memory:

I traveled back east to see my dear son, his wife and my two little grandsons,

Thereby, creating new family Chanukah memories for future joy and bringing forth happy memories to share with our readers. Though I have few memories of my grandmother, I recall so well. The bitter cold evening, after my mother closed her store, we walked and came home cold and tired. The kitchen was so warm and the windows were all steamy. My grandmother was frying potato pancakes, as only she could make them. And though I was probably only four years old, cannot ever forget how they tasted. No latke ever tasted the same.

Seventy-one years later, I clearly remember the steamy windows, my Grandma Helen over. the stove, and the taste of her potato pancakes. And, perhaps to a great degree, that is what life is about and memories are made out of; a plate of fried potato pancakes and a little apple sauce.  Jacqueline

Teachers always come to mind:  

Marilyn Frank Jacks (64)

Seeing the names of some favorite Bragaw Avenue School teachers was a delight! I, too, remember Mrs. Felber and Mr. Gaiter. I even remember the “Boys” side and the “Girls” side entrances, though that changed while I was going to Bragaw. A favorite 3rd grade teacher of mine was Miss Persley, who became Mrs. Chasid during the school year. There was regal Mrs. London, and Miss Mullin always dressed in black. I hope I am remembering the names correctly. I certainly remember the good times we shared at Bragaw which grew even better at Clinton Place! Those were the days. Marilyn

Arnie Kohn (56)

I was very fortunate to have both Ms. Patton for four years of Latin at Weequahic, which really helped me to be very good lover of English and American literature. I also had two years of Hebrew with “Mar” (Mister) Chasen. For two years in a row, I had successive periods of Latin, English, and Hebrew. Sometimes I found myself speaking the wrong language in the wrong class. Arnie 

Allan Markus (66)

To classmates Howard Klein and Dan Fink, while I believe Bragaw had two classes for each grade, as I recall, my teachers were Mrs. Levine – Kindergarten; Mrs. Legge - 1st grade; Mrs. Beckeret (sp?) - 2nd; Ms. Kaplan - 3rd; Mrs. Gladstone - 4th; Mrs. Schwartz - 5th; Mrs. London - 6th. 

I think Howard was in my class with most of these teachers. Hope there is somebody else out there who remembers them. The only Gym teacher I remember is Andy Weckstein, who owned a sporting goods store down the road from the Osborne Library. Allan

Joe Zagorski (66) 

Does anyone know the status of Mrs. Norma Katz, my homeroom and typing teacher? Let me know at jzagorski1@aol.com. Joe

Memories of that special Thanksgiving Day football game continue to get “extra points:”

Mel Lissner (6/53)

Regarding the many comments on the Weequahic v Hillside Thanksgiving games in 1951 and 1952, I have a thousand stories but will add only a few memories. First though, I say “Hi” to some who wrote; Don Rosen, my fellow 1953 classmate; Larry Lewin who I remember and think his dad taught at Weequahic; Bill Pollak (1/53), who among other things once shot me with his BB gun; Jac Toporek (6/63), one of my brother’s best friends, WHS soccer teammate, and also an apartment dweller as was my family at 225 Meeker Avenue.

As a reminder to Bill Pollak, the Hillside lineman that scored the TD on that muffed punt was Doc Martucci. Almost 30 years later, Doc walked into my real estate school to sign up for classes. After feigning anger at him, we had some good laughs about that game for which I suited up and sat the bench. All these guys bring many memories to me that could fill a chapter in the book I so far have not written. Mel. 

Marvin Rausch (Hillside 56)   

I was at the 1951 Thanksgiving game watching from across the street in an empty lot next to Syd’s. I was sitting on a large advertising billboard. It was cold, dreary, and damp. The field was very wet; no one could move the ball. The game ended 0-0.  Marvin

Don Rosen 1953

Thank you for the large response to my comments of a few weeks ago regarding the Thanksgiving Day football game of 1951. Regretfully, I neglected to

mention the many talented and beautiful cheerleaders who most the guys admired only from afar. To name a few; Barbara “Cookie” Klein, Beverly Weissbard, Paula Katz, and Sheila Grabelle. Do any of our readers remember them? Don

Norman “Nibby” Barr (6/54)

The 1951 WHS Championship football team lost one game all year (to Bloomfield) and tied one game (with Hillside). Because the football team had previously been a perennial loser, sometimes winning zero or one game all season, the 1951 Championship was a really big deal at school. Part of the “celebration” was that everyone received a City Championship jacket, including me, the Student Manager or “water boy.”  

About 65 years later (I think in 2016), I donated my “Championship Jacket” to the school. Appearing, below, is a picture of me at the school giving my jacket to the WHS Alumni Association’s Phil Yourish (6/64) and Myra Lawson (70). (I hope the current-day students enjoy seeing that history.) Nibby

Myra Lawson (70; Executive Director, WHSAA)

We have Norman "Nibby" Barr's jacket hanging in our office at the HS. Students are always coming in asking to buy it.  Myra

The WHS NOTE is emailed to you by the WEEQUAHIC HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION for the CLASS OF 1963 ASSOCIATION and editor, Jacob Toporek.



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