MARCH 22, 2024

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Hi Astroquahics of the Weequahic Universe,  

Congrats and best wishes to Phil Yourish (6/64; former Exec. Dir., WHS Alumni Assn) who on February 1st became the new part-time Executive Director for Newark Landmarks, a nonprofit community organization that dates back to 1973. Its primary mission is to identify and nominate historic districts, buildings, and homes in Newark to be placed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The organization advocates for preservation and protection of these historic landmarks.  

Newark Landmark’s latest newsletter featured articles about Phil’s appointment, Nancy Zak and Arnold Cohen (6/64) receiving a Newark Landmark's Award for their longtime community work in the Ironbound and Weequahic High School being approved for placement on the state register of historic places.

Michael Simon provides insight on his father:

My late father, Sandy Simon (1/50), who passed away after a short illness on December 29, 2023 (Westfield Leader printed obit; LINK TO PDF OBIT), told many stories to the family about growing up in Newark. He was a prolific writer (not as much as Phillip Roth!). Dad wrote the attached story, "The Candy Store" about his family and business in Newark. It was never published anywhere and I am pleased to share it with you. Opening paragraph appears, below, as a teaser to read the rest on the Simon family story of settling in Newark. PDF file attached (LINK TO PDF). Not many of his generation left!  Michael

“My grandfather William Simon was a cabinetmaker. He and his four brothers were highly skilled craftsmen working together living in Manchester England. As their families grew it became apparent that there wasn’t enough business for all four families. One other brother a tailor moved to Toronto Canada and “Pop” Simon decided he would move on and gathered his wife, one son and two daughters and embarked for the new world. My dad was conceived onboard the ship coming over in 1908. The family settled in Newark, New Jersey because there was work.”

Saul Wolfe (61) shares memories and an historical perspective on the occasion of a significant birthday, #90:

I read our publication with great interest in everything pertaining to our remarkable shared experiences. Interestingly to me, there is rarely any mention of Bergen Street School. I have always believed that high school boundaries changed as the demographics changed. In any event, I did not have the privilege of attending the WHS Annex, but went to Madison Junior High with many people who went on to high school at West Side and South Side among other high schools.

Arriving at Weequahic as a sophomore was a great disadvantage, socially and athletically. I immediately joined the football team, and was one of the worst players on a team that did not win one game in the three years I attended. Although, quite astonishingly, largely the same group won the City Championship in the fall of 1951 after we had graduated in June.

I didn’t know it at the time, in addition to all the other wonders of the school, I met my classmate, Gary Skoloff. I can say the he is still proud of his banana splits at Lehigh Drugs. Caught up with him again during 3rd year of law school while visiting a professor at Rutgers. We’ve been together since 1958, studying for the bar, as buddies in the army, and as law partners since 1961. He became one of the foremost authorities on matrimonial and family law authoring the definitive text on the subject. Proud to note that Gary won every award and distinction in his field, including being elected Chair of the American Bar Association’s Family Law section. 

As young lawyers, we believed that people of good will could make Newark a model integrated city in New Jersey, this relatively liberal state. Gary and I each served a year as Chair of the NJ State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers, and then a year as a trustee of the Association. In those days, young men on the rise, became known through the Jaycees (the US Junior Chamber of Commerce). Newark had the largest JC chapter in the state; but only two black members.

Together with other people of Good will, Sam Convissor (Central 48) comes immediately to mind, we recruited membership for an integrated chapter and obtained a charter for “the south Newark, JCs. The initial membership of the group included our first president, an itinerant preacher named Ralph Grant. He was later elected President of the Newark City Council. Also recruited was a nice young engineer employed by the Newark Housing Authority named Ken Gibson, later, elected as Newark’s first black mayor. 

There is so much on the mind of this old soul that I could go on and on, especially, for those of you who have not heard the stories before. My nine grandchildren are pushing me to put it on paper, and maybe one day, be the good Lord willing, I will get to do that. Just know that I treasure all your stories, and look forward to receipt of the weekly Weequahic HS alumni newsletter. Saul 

Alan Ginter (64/65) comments on remembering those who passed:

A question arose in recent newsletters as to mentioning the deaths of the many Weequahic alumni whose passing appear in almost every mailing. For me, they are not forgotten since virtually all of my dreams are populated by kids with whom I went to Chancellor Avenue School.

To Phil Yourish (6/64) re: Sam Mayer's (6/64) passing, I remember Sam from “waaaaaay” back at Chancellor, probably Kindergarten Class of January 1952. He and I were in Cub Scouts together; our Den Mother was Elliot Braun's (1/64) mother. I think Sam and I were in every single class together throughout 9 years at Chancellor. He and Arthur Lubin were always the smartest kids in the class. I remember Sam as being tall and thin with a bouncy kind of walk that was easy to imitate.  

In another newsletter, the passing of Bobby Marcus (64) was mentioned among other Weequahic athletes who have passed. Bobbie was another kid I remember from our "group" at Chancellor, although he moved here later. We belonged to the same bunch of guys who would "roam" the neighborhood and hang out late at the Bunny Hop after Friday night canteens. Besides football, Bobby played trumpet. I think it was freshman year at Weequahic, at either the Veteran's Day or Memorial Day Parade downtown, when Bobbie got to play Taps on the parade viewing stand to begin the parade. His father, a veteran, had passed previous to Bobby and me becoming friends. As things happen, I lost touch and track of both of them.  Alan  

Replies to Bill Pollak’s (1/53) Chancellor Avenue School Playground touch football comment:

Mel Lissner (53)

About the touch football games at Unterman field, the day of my wedding, December 11, 1960, started out as a nice sunny day. Along with many of the people Bill mentioned, I climbed the fence at Untermann Field to play in the touch football game. Lining up across from me was one of the best players Weequahic ever had in football, Arnie Taub, who became first team All-State. Knowing I was going to get married that evening I was somewhat cautious that maybe I shouldn’t be playing.

On one play, to put it bluntly, Arnie knocked me on my butt. As I broke my fall, my hand hit the ground. That evening the hand swelled up so much that it can be seen today in my wedding album. Thank God I could climb over the fence to get out. 

As Billy put it, that fence was locked so we wouldn’t be playing there on Sunday. I always wondered what would have happened if I broke that hand. To compound the day’s events, we had one of the worst snowstorms ever that evening.  Mel

Marty Goldblatt (65)

Having read the alum letter of a few weeks ago makes me recall the amazing people at the playground. My thoughts are that Misters Harris , Barone, and Drexler were our surrogate FATHERS. So many of our parents would never come to the playground because they were working or had passed away. Now that we are grandparents, we see the complete opposite of FAMILY participation in the lives and activities of our grandchildren. I’m also truly grateful for my son’s loyalty to his family. But, I remain thankful for those hero men who have served us as “fathers,” teachers and MENTORS. Marty

Oh those nostalgic W-moments:   

Fred Goldman (6/62)

So good to read about notable Weequahic alumni and their accomplishments and even that some indicate their success has some sort of basis in their Weequahic education. But as with all things in life, some are destined to be “notable” and others can have access to the same schooling and, yet, do not reach the heights and acclaim. Of course, it helps to be born with a certain talent or to be blessed with a high IQ. And then, there are some cases, despite getting all kinds of advice, the education available was either a waste of time or not impactful on the person one turned out to be or the career or life style that followed high school.

Sure, Weequahic can boast of a legion of graduates who made a difference and whose talents and passion benefited so many. I want to put a plug in for the Weequahic grads who may not be the subject of notoriety, but have lived a life of good will, respect for their neighbors, making a difference in their own way and contributing as citizens in their community. To the WHS grads who became teachers, law enforcement officers, store keepers, postal employees, secretaries, and serve in so many other positions in support of family, friends, community, and economy, you, too, have lifted the Weequahic banner “oh so high. Fred

Mel Rubin(56)

In listing notable WHS athletes, did we leave out Jerry Greenspan (59)? He was a hell of a basketball player and a force to be reckoned with. A knee injury at the Philly 76s try-out forced his early retirement. He went on to commercial real estate at Kislak.  Mel

Roberta Blake Abramson (1/54)

To Toby Stein Udine (62), I have an apartment on beach across from Boca Beach Club. Unfortunately, missing winter there, but I live there in spring and summer. So, would like Toby and others to contact me as we relive our twirling/singing whatever days. I can be reached at Robertaabramson@aol.com. I was a twirler when Bill Pollak (1/53) played football. To the envy of many, including my husband (Burt Abramson 48), Bill played baseball well beyond the age most athletes give it up! Roberta