Hi, Periodical Producers of the Weequahic Period!
Thanks to the generosity of many of our weekly readers, another $1,000 will shortly be sent to the WHS Alumni Association in support of the Weequahic Class of 1963 Scholarship Fund (The Fund) bringing the total amount contributed to date over the years to over $53,000. As a follow up to the request made a number of weeks ago, the ask to those who have, yet, to respond, please lend your individual support by filling out the attached form (Class of '63 Dues and Scholarship form) and committing in 2022 to keep The Fund a difference-maker in furthering the future of WHS students and helping the “WHS Note” keep us connected every week.
Loss of WHS Alumni:
Rosalia Rona DeBenedetto Lalinga Brunner, (“Ronni” to her family and friends) Weequahic Class of 1951 and owner and operator of the legendary Hobby’s Deli in Newark, passed recently. Her full obit can be read at
David Schreiber (1/56)
It is with great sadness that I report the death of Arnold Arnie Moskowitz, Class of January 1956, on Father’s Day, June 19. I first met Arnie when we attended Hawthorne Avenue Junior High in 1952. We bonded over our love of sports, especially basketball. At Hawthorne, we played literally several thousand playground basketball games, many with Alvin (Al) Attles with whom we became great friends, a friendship that has lasted a lifetime.
A Newark College of Engineering graduate and civil engineer, Arnie had a distinguished career, highlighted by his being general manager of the Boston Auto Tunnel Project. He retired to Boca Raton, FL many years ago, but we kept in touch through occasional visits and regular phone calls. He leaves his wife, Isabel Garcia Moskowitz, a son Fred, daughter Elizabeth and four grandchildren.
His physical presence might have been located in Florida, but his heart remained lodged in Newark with the numerous marvelous memories of Weequahic. RIP, Arnie. David
Correction:
In the “WHS Note” last week it was Joe Zager (Hillside 63), not “Sager,” who shared comments about his career in the military.
Sharon Rous Feinson’s (66) essay on life on Custer Place received responses:
Dawn Knight Gaskin (6/63)
I lived at 17 Custer Place. Linda Fleischmann lived right behind me and was one of my best friends. I still have a cut glass dresser set that Linda’s mom gave me and which belonged to Linda’s older sister, Honey. Dawn
Rita Kravet Rzepka (1/55)
I remember Bill Pollak (1/53) very well. He is the big brother of my classmate and good friend, Bonnie Sher, who married Herb Sher (53), of blessed memory. Bill became a dentist like his father. He always played baseball through the years; still plays some softball and still loves it. Rita
Michael Weissman (6/57)
My parents and I lived on Custer in 1956/59! Yes, they were beautiful apartments! Never considered them “LUXURY.” We had one air conditioning unit in my parents’ bedroom! During my time in the army, my mom parked my car on Custer Place and Meeker Avenue. As cars turned the corner, due to the island in the very narrow street my car was always hit on the driver’s side! When I came home six months later the entire driver’s side was demolished!
I don’t remember Matt Naula! As to living there, I remember getting mugged one night as I was coming home from a date. Caught two of the guys because I yelled out for someone to call the police! As to the apartments on Elizabeth Avenue, my father-in-law’s family owned the building. Old but always well maintained!
As to your brother remembering “Tex” (Murray), I remember him! Yes, he was a good baseball player! In response to your mention of Weequahic Park, during the winter the Lake House left the canoes tied to one another in the middle of lake! Once dove in and swam to the canoes and brought 3 back for classmates of June 1957.
Those were great days! Only problem was that I worked after school 5/6 Days a week (Dairy Land) until 11:00pm Monday to Friday. I opened up the store on Saturday at 8.00am to and remained till 5:00pm. Work taught me a lot about the responsibilities of life! Michael
Judy Cherny Albaum (6/62)
Sharon writes that driving the #107 bus was their major desire. Well, I cannot think of the 107 without remembering Phillip Roth's novel Portnoy’s Complaint. Hard to forget the image of Portnoy doing a liver sexual act while sitting on the back seat.
I was almost 16 at graduation which is why I knew virtually no one in the Class of 1962. Judy
Alan Wurtzel (67)
Although I do remember Sharon well, this is to Jac Toporek (6/63), who also wrote about Custer Place and Meeker Avenue neighborhood, I’ve been following the newsletter for as long as it has existed. Each time l read a post, it brings me back to the good old days of our old neighborhood.
I remember so vividly my time growing up at 225 Meeker. I think back to playing in the “courtyard” of our 225 with Clark Lissner (6/63), your twin brother Nor, Howard (later, Richard) Tepp (64) and you. Mr. Brennon was the Super at the time. I remember hot summer days when he would set up a garden hose and we would run through it. That might have been before you and your family arrived from Canada in 1957. I could keep on going for hours with these memories. Alan
Detention at WHS got a mention from Kenny Vogel (64) and Cooki Wax Gulkin (62):
The first game at Shea stadium, myself, Jed Yaney, Ken Dorflaufer, Ron Klurman, Dave Eagle, and, I believe, my cousin Neil Markowitz went to the game. We came back to my house on Goldsmith Avenue and went to a finished playroom downstairs and wrote notes to our teachers saying we were sick. Handed them in the next morning. I do not remember our Homeroom teacher and neither does Jed or Ken Dorf. The Homeroom teacher said to me that I still looked flush (remember we were out in the sun the day before) and I said we just did not want to miss any school and I felt fine. He then proceeds to hold up what Ken Dorf remembers was the Herald Tribune with a big picture of all of us. Detention with Dr. Martino at 6 AM for at least a week. I still get up early to this day.
By the way Jed and Ken still have the half of ticket; they tore the one half off when you entered the stadium. None of us were Mets’ fans either, just wanted to part of history, I guess. Ken
To Jac Toporek (6/63), your mentioning of detention brought to mind my only detention at Weequahic. Mr. Martino (that charmer) made me come in for morning detention. I think it was at 7:00 AM. Since I lived in north Newark and took 2 buses to school, I had to leave home around 6. I can’t recall what I did to warrant this but I suppose I must have deserved it. Cooki
Remember when:
Dena Gittleman Greenstein (64)
I remember when the restaurant at Newark Airport was a destination. It was so lovely; my brother’s small wedding reception and dinner was held there. I think that was in 1963. Dena
Rich Cobin (Linden 64)
To Jay Levinson (66), I feel the same as you do about visiting the old neighborhood. My family moved to Linden in 1956. I attended Peshine Ave School through part of the 5th grade. I have only fond memories of the old area on Hunterdon Street and Custer Avenue. Rich
Bob Dubman (6/52)
To: Michael Kessler (1/60), during 1941, I lived with my grandparents on Watson Avenue between Peshine and Jelliff Avenues. I recall Kessler's Pharmacy because they offered 2 scoops of ice dream in a melloroll (not an ice cream cone). What a treat! That must have been just about the time that you were born. Bob
Steve Bogner (66)
To Warren Bratter (1/60), you have once again provided a great recollection of our neighborhood. The Indian Pizzeria had great food (particularly the “Italian” hot dogs). It was owned by a Weequahic football legend Marv Feinblatt. Marv was a tough guy but treated the kids, like me, with great respect. Sadly, he passed away in his early 30s. My teammate, Barry Marc (another great guy) was one of Marv and the Indian’s great pizza makers. Steve
Ira Melon (6/63)
The mention of Syd’s in recent postings brought back the memory of the “phantom” or the hot dog that wasn’t. If memory serves me well, the “phantom” consisted of the bun, sauerkraut, mustard and relish sans hot dog. They were a nickel each or six for a quarter. Does anyone recall this, or is this the product of my imagination? Ira
Bill (Fruchter) Foster (6/60)
Another recent contributor to the newsletter was the great Tom Boose. I remember him in basketball practice faking me out and whizzing by me repeatedly for easy layups in one-on-one drills. Bill
Robert Kaye (6/62)
I remember well the bialy bakery on Clinton Avenue between South 10th and 11th. The bialys were outstanding. Many of us (WHS alums) who lived on the block lived in two back-to-back apartment buildings at 825 South 10th and 860 South 11th. We were at the outer limit for WHS via the #14 bus.
The block on Clinton Avenue offered a great variety of goods. There was Freidenberg’s Drug Store and the A&P, as well as Freidenberg’s Liquors, the tailor shop and the optician. What more did we need? Robert
