James L. Thompson Jr.

James L. Thompson Jr., age 84, died peacefully on December 28, 2016 at his Hilton Head South Carolina home, where he had lived since 2000.

Jim was born in 1932 to Madeline Ward and James Thompson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and he remained a lifelong Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan. He spent much of his youth in Grove City, Pennsylvania where he graduated from high school in 1950. Jim proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict from 1953-1955 and later graduated with a BA from Northwestern University in 1957, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduation, Jim moved to New York City where he began a long career in advertising beginning at Benton and Bowles followed by 28 years with Philip Morris U.S.A., as head of media.

He married Rachel Anderson of Allentown, Pa. in 1959 in Princeton. Jim later moved the family out of New York, landing eventually at Glenmoore Farm in Hopewell where he enjoyed many years of work and play on the farm. Jim spent every summer on Lake Memphremagog at “Munkles camp”, their island in Quebec, where he enjoyed rowing, fishing, bridge, the Antique Boat Club, The Owls Head Fish and Game Club, and many evenings relaxing with friends and family.

Jim suffered a stroke in 1999, which left him physically handicapped. Many years of physical therapy and determination left him with 17 good years that he spent cultivating new interests and hobbies. His favorite hobby was jazz music and he was a regular at the Jazz Corner. Prior to his stroke, golf was a passion that he pursued, playing at Bedens Brook Country Club, The Southern Senior Tournaments, plus the famous Prune Juice Open and the Desert Classic. Jim, AKA “Chief Gray Blanket”, was a loyal member of the Seminoles.

Jim is survived by his wife, Rachel A. Thompson; his three children, James L. Thompson III (Charisse), Elizabeth (Paul Bosco), Newell Thompson (Sarah); his brother William “Bill” Thompson; and nine grandchildren Lauren (Travis Young), Katherine Hughes, Brittney, Marshell, Bryce, Tory, Griffin, Miles, and Nina.

Those who earned his love and friendship will always remember his sharp wit and smart sense of humor.

Funeral services for Jim will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head, South Carolina on Saturday, January 7th, 2017 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception at the Sea Pines Country Club at noon. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jim’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry at P.O. Box 3827 Bluffton, SC 29910, or TheJuniorJazzFoundation.org.

Arrangements have been made by The Island Funeral Home and condolences can be sent to theislandfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank the Emerson Family and Hospice of the Lowcountry for their loving care and dedication during his illness.

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Ann Alsofrom

Ann Alsofrom, 87, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016.

She was born on October 19, 1929 in Jersey City to Joseph M. Alsofrom, an attorney and magistrate, and Lylian Alsofrom (née Estrin), an elementary school teacher. Raised in Newark, she attended Weequahic High School. She received a BA from Rutgers University, where she majored in French and Spanish. She went on to receive a PhD in psychology from Teacher’s College of Columbia University, where she taught statistics. Dr. Alsofrom was the author of the chapter on statistics in Dr. George Weinberg’s textbook on psychology. Prior to receiving her doctorate, she worked at McGraw Hill, where she edited an art history encyclopedia. She also wrote an unpublished play, The Prophet Is A Loss In Her Own Time, and was at work on an historical novel and a concise history of World War II.

A long-time resident of New York City, she spent the last four years at Greenwood House in Ewing where she was known as an avid reader.

Dr. Alsofrom is survived by her sister, Audrey Steinberg; her devoted niece, Sally Steinberg-Brent; her nephew, Robert J. Steinberg; a great niece, four great nephews; and two great-grand nephews and a great-grand niece. Funeral services were held on January 2, 2017 at The Jewish Center of Princeton, with burial at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge. Memorial contributions can be made to The Jewish Federation of Princeton-Mercer Bucks, Greenwood House, Jewish Family & Children’s Service, or the psychology department of Teacher’s College of Columbia University.

Funeral arrangements were by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel,1534 Pennington Road, Ewing Township.

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William John Peter 

William John “Bill” Peter, longtime Princeton resident and pediatrician passed away peacefully on January 1, 2017 at his home in Skillman.

Bill was born in Southampton, New York on December 29, 1934, the only child of Eric and Hildegard Peter. Eric and Hildegard had emigrated from Essen, Germany to the United States before the war. They landed in New York City and lived there for a year before moving east to Southampton where they would establish themselves, ultimately as owners of a clothing shop for children. Bill was a serious student and avid athlete. Bill graduated from Southampton High School where he played on the football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. Summers during high school were spent working as a lifeguard on the ocean beaches of Southampton where he met identical twin McDermott sisters, Patricia and Penelope, later marrying Penelope. After high school he went on to the University of Pennsylvania where he played lacrosse and spent a year rowing crew. While at Penn he joined the local chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and earned the nickname “Sneaky Pete” and was known as a somewhat mischievous country boy. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1957, Bill continued his education in Montreal studying medicine at McGill University and completing his medical degree. After McGill, Bill was a resident in New York City at Bellvue Hospital. Bill moved to Princeton in 1964, joining the Princeton Medical Group and practicing pediatric medicine. He would later become a founding partner of Nassau Pediatrics serving the greater Princeton community for over 30 years. He completed his military service as a medical staff member of the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. For a man who pursued a medical career out of an interest in science, Bill truly loved his pediatric practice and the relationships that he developed with his patients, their parents, and the Princeton community that he served.

Bill had many enthusiasms and firmly believed that he could learn just about anything from a book, which proved to be truer for some of his pursuits than it was for others. Anyone who attempted to enter one of his overstuffed garages bore witness to his pastimes; from half finished woodworking projects, to sailboats, canoes, windsurfers, and motor boats in various states of repair and use. He was a self taught sailor, an enthusiastic windsurfer, amateur gardener, accomplished tennis and squash player and an avid bird watcher who could often be seen walking with his favorite dog, Henry, for whom he had a deep affection.

Bill is survived by his second wife Firoozeh Peter who provided him with great comfort, care, and companionship in his later years. He is also survived by Firoozeh’s two daughters Tory and Jasmine and her 2 children all of whom live in New Orleans, La. Bill is predeceased by his first wife Penelope McDermott Peter. He is also survived by his four sons and eight grandchildren among them; Cornelius Peter of Los Angeles, Calif.; Christopher Peter of New Canaan, Conn.; William Peter Jr. of San Jose, Calif; and Jonathan Peter of Darien, Conn.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Church in Princeton at 33 Mercer Street on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 11 a.m.