Obituaries 8/29/18
Hans J. Breme
Hans J. Breme, 82, passed away at Penn Princeton Hospital on Wednesday, August 22. He suffered from long-term health issues including cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. He was born on May 18, 1936 in Erfurt, Germany and became a U.S. citizen in 1962. Hans worked at the Western Electric Corporate Education Center in Hopewell. Hans spent most of his career in research and consulting as an engineer with Western Electric, Lucent, and AT&T. His numerous contributions included the development and implementation of advanced communications systems.
Hans lived in Princeton for over 50 years where he enjoyed auditing courses at Princeton University and attending the University’s many public lectures and programs. He also enjoyed the cultural life of Princeton including performances by NJSO and programs at McCarter Theatre. He was a member of CWW House Four. His extensive travels took him to six of the seven continents. Those who had the privilege of knowing Hans will remember him for his love of discussion, penetrating intellect, and personal warmth. He is survived by his beloved partner Beverly Kestenis, dear relatives, and numerous friends from around the world. There is no memorial service at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.
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William S. Clarke
William S. Clarke, 80, of Princeton, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at Virtua Memorial Hospital of Burlington Township.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was a resident of the Princeton area for 50 years. He practiced Corporate Law for 50 years. Bill was the past commodore and trustee of the Barnegat Light Yacht Club and was the Founder of LBIYRA. He was an active member of the International Lightning Class Association, the Catboat Association, Steam Automobile Club of America, and the Nassau Club.
Bill took pride in being active with the Conservation of Land in Hopewell, and was a Philanthropist in land preservation, environmental issues, and animal protection.
Predeceased by his parents, Edwin E. and Kathryn Clarke; he is survived by his wife, Wendy (Wallach) Clarke; his son and daughter-in-law, William S. Clarke, IV and Rose Mary Garcia; his daughter, Marci Crowley; his grandchildren, Kathryn E. Clarke and Aidan and Carter Crowley; his brother and sister-in-law, Edwin E. “Ted” and Beth Clarke; and his niece and nephew, Lisa Geiger and Tom Clarke.
A Memorial gathering and service was held on Monday, August 27, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Loveladies, N.J. 08008.
Cremation took place privately.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Saul Colonial Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ. www.saulfuneralhomes.com.
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Bruce O’Neill
Bruce Andrew O’Neill, 53, of Lawrenceville, passed away August 25, 2018 in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Bruce was born in Princeton to John (Jack) and Elizabeth (Betty) O’Neill on April 14, 1965. He went to St. Paul’s School in Princeton and graduated from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School in 1983 after his family moved to West Windsor. He continued his education at Mercer Community County College and graduated in 1985. In 1985 Bruce began working for his brother at Stephen J. O’Neill Painting and then in 1996 he went to work for the Borough of Princeton alongside his father, Jack. Bruce, Assistant Superintendent of Parking Operations, served the borough for 22 years, and combined with his father faithfully served the Princeton community for 66 years.
Bruce was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend. Bruce loved to learn new things, and as a result he had many talents. He loved cooking, fly fishing (even making his own flies), wood working, caning, music (especially the Grateful Dead), and outdoor activities. Bruce was an avid cyclist for many years and was a former member of the Century Road Club of America. At one time he participated in the Anchor House Ride for Runaways, biking 500 miles for charity. His family and friends enjoyed going to see him race. He was a lifelong fan of Princeton University football, basketball, and hockey. Over the years he enjoyed going to games with his family. Bruce loved baseball, playing for Post 76 Little League in his youth and later playing for the O’Neill Painting softball team at Mercer Park. Of course, we will always fondly remember him with his Yankees hat on, as he was a true Yankees enthusiast and fan.
Bruce is preceded in death by his father and is survived by his mother Betty O’Neill; his brother Stephen J. O’Neill; his two nieces and their husbands, Devin Garcia and Joaquin Garcia and Morgan Barton and Michael Barton; and his grandnephew Tanner Barton.
The funeral will be held 9 a.m. on Friday, August 31, 2018 from the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery.
Friends may call on Thursday, August 30, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Anchor House Ride for Runaways (www.anchorhouseride.org) and the American Heart Association.
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Kirby Westheimer
Kirby Westheimer died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Princeton on July 17, 2018. Kirby was born on February 24, 1938, in St. Louis, the eldest child of Florence (Binswanger) and Louis Westheimer. Kirby lived in New York City, Germany, Mexico, and Hawaii, permanently residing in Princeton for over 40 years.
Kirby was a proud graduate of St. Louis Country Day School, Yale University’s Directed Studies Program, and the Harvard Business School, where he was asked to become a member of the faculty, teaching Sales Management. Always a diverse and creative thinker and consummate workaholic, Kirby sold magazines door to door in his pre-teen years, brought the Mexican Jumping Bean to the States when he was just 21, and by the time he was 23, penned a column on the elderly, under the pseudonym of Arthur Lord, which was syndicated in over 180 newspapers across the country. These are only a very small sample of his lifelong accomplishments. Kirby settled into the banking industry, founding The Westheimer Company, an investment banking firm, which he was President over three decades. Kirby was a member of The Harvard Club of NYC for more than 50 years, forever enjoying the city he could never get enough of.
Kirby was a world traveler, visiting almost every state in the USA and many countries over five continents. Kirby loved music, particularly classical and opera. History was another of his strong passions. He adored sculpture, amazed at the talents of the sculptor, particularly his dear friend Helaine. Kirby was a reader of every newspaper and book he could lay his eyes on, four or five at a time. His writing and vocabulary skills were no less incredible.
Although Kirby excelled in the banking world, his true calling was teaching. Not a child nor teenager escaped his inquisitive mind. Many an eye rolled (which he usually saw and completely ignored) when his questions started, but they were blessed to have had his insight and advice, and have been inspired by him to forge ahead with their passions.
Kirby was gifted with a remarkable brain. He was tirelessly curious about everything and everyone. Sometimes misunderstood by the impatient or judgmental, he was an innate teacher, a generous, soft spoken, caring, and good man. He was a mentor to many, an intense but gentle soul who challenged and encouraged everyone who crossed his path, especially the young, to be the best they could be, work hard and get the very best education available to them, embrace their strengths, and help them set and achieve their goals. To further his attempt to ensure everyone he cared for never stop learning, his gift to everyone for every occasion, and many times just because, was a book, usually a literary classic, which he could recite from memory, line by line and word by word, or the current SAT study guide.
Kirby was a voracious watcher and reader of current events. His understanding of our and most other countries’ political system was beyond admirable. But he was constantly bewildered and frustrated how such smart folks, knowing the importance of their positions, could behave so stupidly, with strong emphasis on the current administration.
Kirby loved reconnecting with lifelong and dear friends, attending his High School and College Reunions, most recently enjoying his 60th Reunion of St. Louis Country Day.
Arrangements were handled by Mather-Hodge, Princeton. At his request, a private celebration of his life will be held at the convenience of his family.
Kirby’s profound influence and guidance will live on and continue to inspire his family whom he showed so much love to, and who loved him unconditionally and with all their hearts. Kirby lived a full, adventurous, and accomplished life, and found such happiness over the past decade spending countless hours enjoying family meals, while learning from each other. We miss him and his gentle voice immensely, and are forever grateful for the lifelong lessons he instilled in us, which will be carried on for generations. Kirby so appreciated how Peggy Lee sang … if that’s all there is my friends … then let’s keep dancing …. Goodnight, Sweetheart.
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Charles Wilbur Ufford, Jr.
Charles W. Ufford, Jr., a 49-year resident of Princeton, died Friday, August 17 at Kendal at Hanover, NH at the age of 87. A former head of the Trusts and Estates Department of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom, he was a leading squash player in the New York area.
The son of Beatrice Wistar Ufford and C. Wilbur Ufford, he was born in Princeton on July 8, 1931. He grew up in Meadville, PA, graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1949, and from Harvard College in 1953. While at college, he was twice Intercollegiate Squash Champion as well as captain of the tennis team, captain of the soccer team, and an All-American soccer player. At his graduation he was chosen to be the Lionel de Jersey Harvard Scholar at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Although a birthright Quaker, he relinquished his Conscientious Objector status to enlist in the U.S. Army, spending two years at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1959 and married Letitia Wheeler, daughter of Prof. John A. Wheeler of Princeton, in 1961. The Uffords have three daughters and spent summers at the Ufford Camp in Pocono Lake Preserve, PA and with the Wheeler family on High Island, South Bristol, ME.
Ufford served as Chairman of the NY State Bar Association Trusts Estates Law Section in 1984 and was a fellow of the American College of Trusts & Estates Counsel. He loved to play games, from chess to those he created for friends and family.
He served as Clerk of Princeton Friends Meeting and, after his retirement from Skadden, Arps, went on the board of the Friends Fiduciary Corporation and the Executive Committee of the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
He is survived by his wife; his daughters Eleanor (and Albert) Léger of Newport, VT and Exeter, NH; Catherine (and Richard) Ufford-Chase of Stony Point, NY; Alison (and Muhammad) Salem; eight grandchildren; and his sister, Beatrice Ufford Zenzie.
A memorial gathering will be held at Kendal at Hanover, NH and on October 13 at Princeton Friends Meeting.