MAY 16, 2025

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Hi Builders of the Weequahic Legacy,  

Remembering WHS alumni recently passed:

Ann Weinstein

Sorry to report that my husband Jerrold “Jerry” Weinstein's passed away in December 2024. He graduated in June, 1957. His obituary appears at Obituary for Jerrold (Jerry) Weinstein. Ann

Myra Lawson (70; WHSAA)

DelMarie Roberts, 1968, teacher and long-time WHSAA supporter passed away in March 2025. DelMarie, who lived with her family on Chancellor Avenue, was a retired Newark schoolteacher. Here is a link to her on-line tribute page; On-Line Tribute Page for DelMarie Roberts.  Myra

Paula Schaefer (6/58) & Roni Wiernik

Joe Schaefer and Barry Wiernik, graduates of the Weequahic Class of June 1958 both passed away recently. They lived in Southeast Florida. Joe and Barry were friends, accountants, had May birthdays a week apart as well as being buddies till the end.

Joe’s obituary can be read at Obituary for Joseph Schaefer.

Barry’s obit appears at Obituary for Barry Wiernik. Paula & Roni

Norman Barr (6/54) points to comment error in the last “WHS Note.:”:

The Report attached to the letter by Enid Hinkes (60) about WHS alumni soldiers stated that Leonard Resnick passed away on “April 5 1943,” and that he was married on “July 4, 1943.” Should it be “April 5, 1944” or “July 4, 1942”

Norman

Recommended Read:

Rosanne Litwak Skopp’s (57) latest article in the NJ Jewish News, “Here’s to the Orange and Brown,” is a worthy nostalgic read; Link to Article. Thanks for sharing the memories, Rosanne. 

Larry Koenigsberg (64) adds to the folklore on Weequahic-Pop and performers:

Reading Herman Rosenfeld’s (67) reminiscences of musical companions at WHS reminds me of a some of friends from my years in orchestra and marching band. I think of Mike Lawrence (6/63), a brilliant trumpet player, whose excellence Mr. Scocozza, the Music teacher and Ensemble director, sometimes remarked on. I had my first experience of jazz improvisation in an impromptu jam session in the instrument room when Mike encouraged me to take a chorus.

I visited Mike once in the 1960's when we were both living in Alphabet City in Manhattan. He was sitting, looking relaxed, casually playing guitar. I was surprised to see him so competent with an unrelated instrument, but he thought it was natural for his musical understanding to transfer so easily. I understood this myself when I started playing piano some fifteen years later.

On another occasion, I visited him once at his house when he was ill with, I believe, colitis. Both times that I visited him, I was in awe, in part just from being younger, and also because of his superiority as a musician. He was always very welcoming to me.

His biography at “Allmusic” reads, "A gifted trumpeter who played with Joe Henderson and Larry Coryell in the 70s, Lawrence died in 1983 after a battle with cancer at age 37. He was posthumously featured on his own 1989 Optimism release, “Nightwind." Part II, next issue. Larry

Hal Lipton’s (1/55) commentary on his relationship with WHS basketball great Alvin Attles (55) received responses from classmates:

Marty Mack (55)

I played JV basketball with Al. My two sons went to Camp Weequahic one summer and Al was a guest speaker. When the kids all lined up to say hello and shake his hand, he would ask their names. When my boys said they were the Mack brothers, Al asked if their father was Marty Mack. They said yes and Al said to say hello to your dad from me. They didn’t walk back; my sons levitated and flew bac home. They told me, “Alvin Attles knew who you were.” I went up six notches in their thinking about me.

Also saw Alvin years later when Joel Kampf (55) and I chaired a reunion for our class. Al traveled in from California and was very gracious to all his old friends. He was always a gentleman. Marty 

Ed Winokur (55)

Just thinking about Al Attles. Pix of the 1955 Weequahic HS basketball team appears below. We finished in 2nd place in the city despite Al being injured halfway through the season. L to R; Monroe Krichman, Ed Winokur, Walt Kearny, Joel Moskowitz, Al Attles, and Fred Tarnofsky. Al, Monroe, and Fred are deceased. Don’t know about Walt or Joel.

Al and I both lived in the Watson Avenue area but weren’t close friends. I turned down a scholarship offer to play at Rider College and enlisted in the Air Force before graduation. Al went on college. He was a super athlete. I knew I couldn’t play at that level. 

Only saw him once after that, at a game in Washington. Brought my son to the game and yelled down to him using his nickname. He immediately recognized me and came up into the stands to say hello. I have other pics of him in football and track poses.  Ed

Pam Scott Threets (66) provides Norman Barr (54) an update on the West Kinney neighborhood:

The area you were referring to, W. Kinney Street, is on the "Hill.” Belmont Avenue is now Irvine Turner Boulevard renamed for the former Central Ward Councilman. The Rev. Hayes Homes were torn down and replaced with garden apartments, two-stories high compared to the 11-13 story projects. The following streets still exist, 17th Avenue, Boyd Street., Livingston Street, Sayre Street. and Hunterdon. The Fourth Precinct was relocated to 16th Avenue. It was a key negative part of the 1967 Newark Riots. 

Schools that existed then included West Kinney Jr. HS which opened in 1958. Currently it has been renamed and is the location of Newark Technical or Vocational. Queen of the Angels and St. Stanislaus Elementary were in the area, both on Belmont and Livingston. St Stanislaus became Project Link Alternative School and is now part of St. Benedicts Prep. Queen of the Angels Catholic Church was demolished a short time ago having become a black parish; very upsetting to the community. Mongomery Street, (still there) had an all-boys school. 18th Avenue School is now a charter school.

The Kruger Beer Brewery, which stood on the east side of Belmont Avenue with the King standing on the stone pedestal in his diner, is gone. Very few stores here; mostly wholesale businesses. One place remains, Fox Liquors. Riccardi Paints burnt down in the late or early 70sIt was located at Belmont and 18th Avenues. The bus stop for the ##5 and 42 buses continues to be used. The #9, now the 99, stopped on the north corner of Belmont with a last stop going south to Lyons and Elizabeth Avenues. This bus now goes to Hillside. Pam  

A few more comments on JFK’s Newark visit:

Arthur Schechner (1/49)

Responding to commentary in the “WHS Note” on US presidents visiting New Jersey, Newark in particular, when Harry Truman ran for President in 1948, he came to the Mosque for a campaign speech. The high schools of Newark were each invited to send one student to meet with Truman. As I was Senior Class President, Mr. Hertzberg chose me to represent Weequahic. It was very exciting. We all shook President Truman’s hand and sat with him on the stage. The entire theater was filled to capacity. I haven’t a clue of remembering what he said. Arthur

Carol Soltanoff Davis (Chancellor/Union 70)

I was there. I believe my mom took my brother and me out of school for that day when President Kennedy came to Newark. Wasn’t he assassinated shortly afterwards? When I found out he was shot, I was in the sixth grade. I burst into tears and after hearing the news, we were sent home. Carol

Tammy “Tamar” Berkowitz (WHS 65-67/Seward Park, NYC 69)

Just to set the record straight, as Barry Gruber wrote, Dr. King did come to speak at Temple B’nai Abraham. However, JFK did not attend a meeting at the synagogue. I have checked these facts with my uncle, Jonathan Prinz. However, as the picture shows, leaders of the March in Washington, including Rabbi Joachim Prinz and Rev. Martin Luther King, met with JFK on that occasion. Tamar

Barry Gruber (1/54)

I recently comments in the “WHS Note” as to JFK’s visit and mentioned Rabbi Joachim Prinz. Prinz of Temple B'nai Abraham. Dr. Prinz was also an author. His book entitled "Popes From The Ghetto" is about when several centuries ago there were three popes named Gregory who were born Jewish. Barry

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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