Honorable Morton I. Greenberg

Honorable Morton I. Greenberg, a United States Circuit Judge of the Third Circuit, passed away on January 28, 2021 at the Medical Center of Princeton, New Jersey. His death was attributed to non-Covid pneumonia, a complication of pulmonary fibrosis.

Judge Greenberg was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 1933, to the late Pauline and Harry Greenberg. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, the late Judge Manual H. Greenberg. He grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954 with a major in history and attended law school at Yale University, class of 1957, where he was a member of the Board of Editors of the Yale Law Journal.

Judge Greenberg was married to Dr. Barbara-Ann K. Greenberg for 33 years. Despite numerous medical challenges, he credited his long, full life to the loving care she gave him over the years. They were devoted to each other.

Judge Greenberg’s distinguished law career began with his appointment to the Office of the Attorney General in Trenton, New Jersey, in the late 1950s. In 1960, he moved to Wildwood Crest and practiced law as a community lawyer in a small firm in Cape May, New Jersey, for the next 11 years. His eldest daughter Elizabeth remembers her father taking her to his law office when she was a child in the 1960s and telling her she could be a lawyer, too, at a time when few women attended law school or held professional jobs.  “My father always believed I could do and be anything I wanted,” she said.

In 1971 Judge Greenberg moved to Princeton to take a position appointed by the Attorney General of New Jersey as assistant attorney general in charge of litigation for the state. He would continue to call Princeton home for the rest of his life. His son, Lawrence, said, “I looked forward to having lunch with Dad nearly every weekend, and I often think about what he would do when it came time to make any kind of ethical decision.”

In 1973 Governor William T. Cahill appointed Judge Greenberg to the Superior Court of New Jersey. While on the Superior Court, Judge Greenberg served on all divisions of that court and ended his service there on the Appellate Division.

President Ronald Reagan nominated him to be a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 1987, and he remained in that position until his death.  Judge Greenberg has written thousands of opinions, many of which have been published and have precedential authority. Given his state and federal service combined, Judge Greenberg was the longest serving judge in New Jersey, serving the judiciary for 47 years. His daughter, Suzanne, remembers her father joking that he never worked a day in his life because he always did what he loved. “There was a great lesson in that for me,” she said.

With his passing his Third Circuit colleagues remembered Judge Greenberg as a scholar with an exceptionally strong work ethic and a jurist who enriched the nation and its judiciary. Governor Philip D. Murphy called him a “giant” who served the judiciary for almost a half of a century. His clerks remembered him as a role model – a man of kindness, compassion, open-mindedness, a jurist who showed respect for all who came before him and who had an incomparable sense of humor. They repeatedly expressed feeling honored to be counted among the members of his family of law clerks. At a symposium at Yale, he reminisced: “The more power you have the more restraint you use.” Mary Ann Gartner, the Judge’s judicial assistant for 33 years, said: “He was the most wonderful human being you could ever meet – so considerate and so personable.” 

Judge Greenberg has four children, three from a prior marriage, and his wife’s son, Carl, whom he regarded as his own son. His children are Elizabeth J. Greenberg (Robert A. Blecker) of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Suzanne A. Greenberg (Steven Perrin) of Long Beach, California; Lawrence R. Greenberg (Melissa) of New Hope, Pennsylvania; and Carl Hoyler (Sarah) of Summit, New Jersey. He has numerous adoring grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Carl commented about Judge Greenberg: “He showed so much affection to us and our boys, and was such a devoted husband to my mother. He was one of the most honorable, humble, and genuine people we have ever known.”

The family wants to express its appreciation to Kwasi Bonsu, his loyal caregiver, Dr. Laura Buckley of Princeton Medical Associates, and the staff of the Medical Center of Princeton for all the care they have given to Judge Greenberg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Princeton Rescue Squad, 2 Mt. Lucas Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

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Lenore Gordon

Lenore Gordon, 92, of Princeton, NJ, passed away at home on Thursday, January 28th. Beloved widow and treasured companion of Irwin; devoted mother to Mark (Susan), Princeton, NJ, and Sara, London, England; Grandmom to Thea Colman, (Craig), Winchester, MA, Alene Pearson, (Val Jordan), Albany, CA, and Melissa Gordon, (Jason Lynott), Lynn, MA; and Great Grandmom to Eli, James, Maya, and Zoe.

Lenore had a happy upbringing in Newark, New Jersey. She and her gaggle of “MerryMakers” would often end the school day at the local drug store counter. Fate intervened one New Year’s Eve when her date had to cancel due to illness. At the last minute, she went to a party at her cousin’s where she met Irwin, who had recently returned from military service. They married in June, 1948, after Irwin’s graduation from Rutgers University.  

Lenore embraced the life of a “50s housewife” in much the same way she approached any experience. She cooked and baked from scratch, cleaned and ironed without ever hiring help or using a laundry … ever! She had amazing energy and determination; the latter never more apparent than when confronting the unspoken malady that took over in her final month.

As a teenager and young adult, Lenore worked at Levy’s Department Store in Newark. She would draw on this experience in later years. When her children were in junior high school, Lenore began employment at Bellows, the specialty women’s and children’s clothing store in Princeton. Lenore always spoke her mind and garnered a loyal following with the families who appreciated her candid suggestions and advice.

Despite working full-time, Lenore continued her volunteer activities with many community groups including more than 40 years at Princeton Hospital’s reception desk (and the glorious Fete), many Jewish charities, the “Y” on Avalon Place, the Lawrenceville Library when it was housed in the old fire station, local soup kitchens, and others. Irwin and Lenore were wonderful role models to their children in their energy and generosity to local charities.

A number of years after leaving Bellows, Lenore enjoyed a new career as a telephone interviewer with Gallup Polls. Given her intelligence, she was a natural to draw out the public figures and leading business executives to share their views on current affairs.

Lenore was “before her time” in many ways. She was a woman who expressed her opinions. Lenore was always well-intentioned albeit sometimes the recipient of her advice or opinion was not prepared for either the tone or the stance that Lenore would impart.

Before the term “health nut” came into vogue, Lenore embraced the need for proper nutrition and exercise. She determined that any recipe would taste better if the amount of sugar was halved, orange juice substituted for water in a pastry dough, as well as ground almonds added to a pie crust. Raw wheat germ was sprinkled on otherwise delicious bowls of ice cream while a tablespoon of cod liver oil was required before bedtime when her children were small. 

Lenore was a regular at the exercise classes sponsored by Mercer County in the local libraries before community life was “canceled.” She not only enjoyed Bob Kirby’s hour-long classes but was stimulated by her much younger and wonderful classmates. Lenore was hopeful the classes would resume after “lockdown” given their boon to physical and mental health. 

In the 1960s, before the term “soccer Mom” was coined, Lenore would bake cookies for half-time at Mark’s home soccer games at Lawrence Junior High School. Was this the foundation for the team’s eventual success to win the New Jersey State Championship when the new high school was built?  

Lenore did not consider patience a virtue except if she learned that someone needed help. Then, she had all the time in the world and inordinate energy to make something better. Years after leaving Bellows, she learned that a former colleague (who did not have any family) needed a ride to doctor’s appointments. This soon expanded to doing the woman’s grocery shopping as well as the laundry at Lenore’s home. The weeks, months, and years ticked by as the woman’s
Parkinson’s took its toll. Early on, Lenore contacted a local church and found some wonderful Jamaican caregivers who allowed this woman to remain in her home until her dying day. This was long before “hospice care” became prominent in the community. These caregivers became Lenore’s friends. One remarked that Lenore assisted over 17 of these women to have sustained employment with other friends and family over the years.  

Over nearly 67 years of marriage, Lenore and Irwin traveled to 43 countries on five continents. They enjoyed the sights but the best memories were made from conversations with local people and experiencing their cultures. Intrigued to learn, Lenore often returned with amazing “finds” which ranged from the Grenoble hotel owner’s recipe for garlic potatoes (which he made nightly for her) as well as a black ball of soap from Guatemala to add shine to one’s hair.  

Lenore was a tough cookie who knew from a much younger age “how she wanted to go.”  She often commented on an illness that “if nothing useful could be done, there was no need to know.” Her children and doctors respected that philosophy in December when it was discovered that she had advanced lymphoma.  

Another of Lenore’s mantras was that she wanted to spend her final days in the comfort of her home. Thanks to the support of her children, that wish was granted, too. Princeton Hospice was wonderful in their compassion and responsiveness during Lenore’s last few weeks. The family is especially grateful to Hospice staff members Pat Anene and Gladys Benavides who were especially kind and gentle. 

Lenore’s final wish — with arrangements organized over 20 years ago — was that she wanted to donate her body for medical research to the Rutgers Anatomical Lab. (Her late husband, Irwin, was a proud Rutgers graduate.) Luckily, Covid did not interfere with those plans.  

​Contributions in Lenore’s memory to one of Lenore’s favorite local charities would be appreciated: Rescue Mission of Trenton, HomeFront, or Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK).

In recent years, Lenore had a familiar remark during telephone conversations when a topic was exhausted. What better way to end this account than in her own words. “Well, that’s the story!”

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Orest C. “Chick” Chaykowsky

Orest Clarence “Chick” Chaykowsky of Yardley, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully February 11, 2021 at the age of 87.

He was born on April 27, 1933 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He lived in the Princeton, New Jersey, area since 1956. Chick graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He won the academic gold medal for his achievements in his undergraduate work and earned the Isbister Fellowship. He continued his studies to earn a Master of Science degree in Physics from the same University and earned the University of Manitoba traveling fellowship for continued studies in non-Canadian universities. In 1956, he enrolled in the doctorate program in electrical engineering at Princeton University and was granted The Arthur LeGrand Doty Scholarship in Electrical Engineering.

In 1958, Chick withdrew from his studies at Princeton University to begin his professional career as Chief Engineer and technical advisor to the President at General Devices Inc., a telemetry instrumentation company in Monmouth Junction, NJ. In January of 1961 he co-founded Princeton Applied Research Corp. (PAR) and served as Vice President of Marketing, President, and Vice Chairman in his 19 years with PAR until EG&G Inc. of Waltham, MA, acquired PAR. In 1980, he founded a United States subsidiary of a Helsinki, Finland based Bactomatic Inc. where he was the President and CEO. Chick also founded G & C Advertising and Marketing Inc. as well as Preximco Inc., establishing outlets for U.S. distribution of electronic instrumentation for foreign entities. Chick’s professional lifetime memberships included both the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers and the scientific research society Sigma Xi.

In retirement, Chick enjoyed traveling far and wide and visited almost 70 countries. He was fluent in Ukrainian and “got around” on his French and Russian. He was a longtime member of the Bedens Brook Club in Skillman, N.J., and The Princeton Club of NYC. He was the Bailli of the Baillage of The Princeton Chapter of the international gourmet dining society Confrerie de la Chaines des Rotisseur and an honorary Bailli and Commandeour of the Philadelphia Chapter. He was also a Conseiller of the wine society L’ordre Mondial. Chick was an accomplished violinist in his childhood playing the instruments made by his grandfather.

Chick is predeceased by his wife Ingrid Birgitta Chaykowsky and his parents John and Jean Chaykowsky. He is survived by his brother Arthur Eugene Chaykowsky and wife Bette of Kingwood, Texas. He is also survived by his first wife Joy Ann Chaykowsky Hutchinson; his son Richard Steven Chaykowsky of Ottawa, Canada; his sons John Michael Chaykowsky of Yardley, PA, and Robert Steven Chaykowsky and wife Christine Henderson Chaykowsky of Florida; and his grandchildren John Michael Joseph Chaykowsky and Grant Whelan Garret Chaykowsky of Los Angeles, CA, William Chaykowsky and Maxwell Chaykowsky of New Hampshire, and Ingrid Chaykowsky of Florida. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in Canada and Sweden.

The viewing for Chick will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

A graveside prayer will follow at Princeton Cemetery, 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Chick’s name to The Hun School of Princeton, Attn: Advancement Office, 176 Edgerstoune Road., Princeton, NJ  08540.

To send condolences to the family, or for directions, please visit www.poulsonvanhise.com.

Arrangement are under the direction of Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, Lawrenceville, NJ.

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Albert Mennello

Albert Mennello, 85, of Princeton, NJ, passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Penn Medicine – Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro, NJ.

He was a former Vice President of Princeton Bank, which subsequently became Chemical Bank of New Jersey and from which he retired in 1992.

During his active years, he served as Trustee of the Princeton area United Way, board member and chapter chairman of the Princeton Chapter American Red Cross, and Trustee of the Dorothea House. Albert was a former member of the Princeton Italian-American Sportsmen Club and the Banking Club of the University of Pennsylvania. He was also a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Predeceased by his parents Alberto Mennello, born in Muro Lucano, Italy, and Ergomina Carnevale Mennello, born in Pettoranello, Italy; and his brother Michael Mennello (Dec. 2020); he is survived by his loving wife, Lois Feola Mennello, and many wonderful, loving, and always caring and helpful cousins, both maternal and paternal.

Private graveside services, under the direction of Kimble Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ, will be held in St. Paul Church Cemetery, Princeton, NJ.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Constance (Connie) Parker

Constance (Connie) Parker, 87, passed away February 13, 2021 at the Elms of Cranbury from pneumonia. Born June 5, 1933 to the late Harold and Molly (Cuomo) Parker, Connie was a lifelong resident of Princeton prior to moving into the Elms in 2015. 

After graduating from Princeton High School, she worked for Zinders on Nassau Street for 30 years, retiring in December of 1981. After retirement, she cared for a number of children of family members and close friends. Her family fondly remembers Sunday family dinners at Connie’s.

She is survived by many cousins and close family friends. 

A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home. A graveside service to follow at 12 p.m. at Princeton Cemetery.

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Mary Elizabeth Wisotzkey McClellan

Mary Elizabeth Wisotzkey McClellan, widow of Bruce McClellan, died peacefully on February 2, 2021 at RiverMead, a retirement community in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

She was born in York, Pennsylvania, on September 14, 1923 to Elizabeth Ivison and Harry A. Wisotzkey, Jr., who predecease her, as do her sisters JoAnn Topley and Barbara Jane Ashcroft, and her brother Harry A. Wisotzkey III. She is survived by her children, Ann I. McClellan, William S. McClellan II (Nelda Zaprauskis McClellan), and Robert N. McClellan (Linda Spencer McClellan); and her grandchildren, Kate A. McClellan, Cassandra H. McClellan, and Garrett B. McClellan, and step-grandson Brook Miller, plus many nieces and nephews, grands, and great-grands.

Mary Elizabeth graduated from York Collegiate Institute – York County Academy in 1941 and from Middlebury College in 1945. She married Bruce McClellan in 1946 and accompanied him through his final term at Williams College, his first year of teaching at Deerfield Academy, his two years as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, and his return to Williams in an administrative position before arriving at The Lawrenceville School where he became an English teacher in 1950. In 1953, they were promoted to be Head of House and wife at Hamill House. In 1959, Bruce became Head of School, a position he held and Mary Elizabeth supported in every possible way including entertaining and traveling widely until their retirement in 1986. Mary Elizabeth was a proud honorary member of seven Lawrenceville classes and the grandmother of two Lawrentians.

In addition to raising three children, Mary Elizabeth was the founder of Parents at Lawrenceville, an Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, and a founder of the Artisans Guild at the Princeton YWCA, later serving as a YWCA board member, chairing the fundraising effort to purchase Bramwell House. She authored Felt- Silk- Straw, Handmade Hats, Tools and Processes for the Bucks County Historical Society of Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

After moving to New Hampshire in 1986, she served on the board of the Monadnock Community Early Learning Center and the Garden Club of Dublin, following her deep interests in Horticulture and Conservation. She also served as a Reiki practitioner at the Monadnock Healing Arts Center in Jaffrey. In more recent years at RiverMead, she served as secretary then president of the Resident’s Council. Her essay, “My New Life Without a Car” was published in the Northern New England Review. She also served as the correspondent for her Middlebury Class of 1945 and Class Secretary for the Class of 1947 of the American Association of Rhodes Scholars. She was an avid knitter and gardener throughout her life.

A service of remembrance will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Mary Elizabeth to The Lawrenceville School, or the charity of your choice.

To share a memory or offer condolence on his memorial page, please visit www.cournoyerfh.com for more information.