Nagle Jackson
(Photo by Peter C. Cook)
Nagle Jackson, former Artistic Director of McCarter Theatre Center who brought Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol, to life on the McCarter stage for the first time in its history directing his 1980 adaptation, died July 15 in Rhinebeck, New York, at age 88.
Internationally known theatrical director and playwright, writing 20 original plays and adaptations, Mr. Jackson was a seminal figure in the American regional theater movement, serving as Resident Director of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco (1967–70), Artistic Director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater (1971–77), and Artistic Director of the Tony Award–winning McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts (1979–90).
Nagle Jackson was the first American director ever invited to direct in the Soviet Union where, in 1987, he was contracted to stage Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie for the Bolshoi Dramatic Theater in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). It opened in April 1988 and remained in the repertory of that theater for 12 years.
Mr. Jackson’s directorial career began at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 1965 where he staged Ben Jonson’s Volpone. He returned to direct seven productions there in total — among them a 1994 production of The Two Noble Kinsmen that completed the festival’s Shakespeare canon.
An esteemed playwright, Jackson’s works include the widely performed comedy/drama Taking Leave, the farce Opera Comique, and the award-winning The Elevation of Thieves. In addition to A Christmas Carol, his adaptations include Faustus in Hell, a musical staging of Horace McCoy’s They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, and Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.
Mr. Jackson directed and co-wrote the book for Clark Gesner’s musical The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall starring Celeste Holm, which debuted on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theater in May 1979. A gifted educator, Jackson’s “System of Five” is used throughout the country by actors and directors.
Born in Seattle in 1936, Nagle Jackson was the younger of two children raised in Walla Walla, Washington, by his parents, Paul Jackson and Gertrude Dunn Jackson. After graduating from the Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island, he returned home to attend Whitman College, graduating in 1958 with a BA in English and French Literature, after which he studied as a Fullbright Fellow in Paris at L’Ecole de Mime with Etienne Decroux. In 1995, Jackson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Whitman College.
Mr. Jackson was married to Sandy Suter Jackson in 1963, living the last 44 years of their lives together in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, until her death in 2023, just weeks shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.
He is survived by his daughters Rebecca Morton (Jeffrey Morton) and Hillary Jackson; his grandchildren Martha Morton and David Morton; his sister, Jeannette Jackson Murphy; and nieces and nephews Danielle Murphy McMahon, Mark Murphy, Megan Murphy (Gregg Lachow), Morgan Murphy (Lori Murphy), and Topher Murphy.
A celebration of Nagle Jackson’s life is being planned for spring 2025. Please contact CelebrateNagleJackson@gmail.com for more information.
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Joanne Dix
Joanne Dix, beloved by family and friends, passed away on Saturday, September 21 at the age of 81.
Born to Matt and Timmie Antonovich in New York City, she grew up in Chappaqua, NY, and Mountain Lakes, NJ. From an early age, her parents instilled in her enduring qualities of compassion, kindness, and tolerance, contributing to her eventual career in social work. She was passionate in her defense of the disadvantaged, not afraid to speak out where she witnessed injustice. Throughout her long career she helped innumerable people whose lives were enriched because of her. She gained great pleasure and insight from her interaction with her clients in Ocean Hill-Brownsville and Trenton, with a year working as a social worker in Uganda.
She earned a BA from Drew University, and a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University. As a young adult she lived in New York City, eventually moving to Princeton in 1973, where she was married the following year.
Joanne loved being outdoors, but more than that, she loved talking to people. It was common to see her tending her small garden along Snowden Lane, where she was able to chat with neighbors and passers-by at every opportunity. Her eyes would light up at every passing baby or small dog.
A love of nature led her into the woods and mountains. Backpacking in America’s many mountain ranges; trekking in Nepal, New Zealand, northern England; birding throughout the U.S., as well as Iceland, Botswana, Peruvian Amazon, much of Central and South America.
As waning years gradually took their toll, she got pleasure from poring over her photo albums of family and her many wonderful trips. But her greatest pleasure came from time spent with her family, especially her wonderful grandson Shep.
She is survived by her husband Bill of 51 years; daughter Becky Graham and grandson Shepard Graham; sister Judy Smith and brother Tom Treiman. A small private family gathering will celebrate her life.
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Biagio G. Ruggiero
Biagio (Ben) Ruggiero, of East Windsor, passed away on September 30, 2024.
Born in Chiusano di San Domenico, Italy, on August 8, 1936 to the late Emilio Ruggiero and Elvira DeAngelis, Biagio spent over a decade studying and serving the poor at the Collegio dei Missionari del Preziosissimo Sangue in Albano, Italy, before leaving religious life to move to America in 1959.
Ben’s natural-born talent for working with his hands led him to easily find opportunities in New York City, first performing delicate fabric repair at a fine arts upholstery store and later making mechanical equipment at a machinist’s shop before moving to central New Jersey, where he lived for over 60 years.
In East Windsor, Ben worked for Mettler Instruments making precision equipment, then for RCA Astro as a satellite model-maker before discovering his true gift as a leather craftsman and opening Ben’s Shoe Repair in Hightstown in 1973, where he remained in business until his retirement in 2020.
Ben was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 47 years, Kathleen. Ben’s sister, Giuseppina Ruggiero; his brother, Domenico Ruggiero; and his nephews, Emilio Ruggiero and Tonino Cortesi, all of Italy, also predeceased him.
He was beloved by his children, Bernice Wiles of Hagerstown, MD, Estella Ruggiero (Don Gilpin) of East Windsor, Celeste (Pete) Gray of Robbinsville, and Biagio (Erin) Ruggiero, of Pittsburgh, PA, and his grandchildren, Liam and Nora Gray, Henry Gilpin, and Benjamin and Eliza Ruggiero. He will forever be remembered by his nephews, Felice and Elvio Ruggiero of Montefalcione, Italy; his brother-in-law, Joseph (Geraldine) Higham of Hamden, CT; his sister-in-law, Margaret Hryniuk of Garner, NC; his cousin, Benedetto Ruggiero of Chiusano, Italy; along with his other dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, at St. David the King R.C. Church, 1 New Village Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550.
Interment will follow at the Old Tennent Cemetery, Manalapan, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, in honor of Ben, please offer help to a neighbor and be kind to one another.
Arrangements are under the direction of Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Avenue, Hightstown, NJ.
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Richard T. Tufano
Richard T. Tufano 81, of Blawenburg, NJ, and, Overton, PA, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024. He was born in Princeton and settled in Blawenburg in 1973. He was employed at Hercules Powder Co. and the U.S.
Richard gave freely of his time and volunteered to various organizations including the Montgomery Township Fire Company #2, where he served two terms as a Fire Commissioner; NJ Beach Buggy Association; New Brunswick Horse Show Association; Family Motor Coach Association; and past President of the Jersey Gems camping club and Treasurer of the Delaware Valley German Wirehair Pointer Club. He loved surf fishing, traveling in his motorhome, and hunting at his camp in Overton, PA.
Predeceased by his parents Vincenzo J. Tufano and Anna (Cuomo) Tufano, and siblings Cecelia, Joseph, Francesco (Frank), Vincent, and John, he is survived by his wife of 60 years Kathleen Joyce (Simon) Tufano; sisters and brother-in-law Emma Tufano, Margaret Powers, Ellis Simon; nieces Allison Tufano Clancy, Roseanne Murphy, and Sharon Brown and great-niece Kaitlyn Clancy Flatts; and his four-legged buddy, Ralph. Richard is also survived by his extended family and dear friends.
A Memorial Service was held on Monday, October 7, 2024 at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery EMS.
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Britta Bjornlund Blum
Britta Bjornlund Blum, a cherished member of the Princeton community, passed away peacefully at her home on August 24, 2024, at the remarkable age of 101. For nearly 65 years, Britta enriched the lives of those around her in the Princeton area with her vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication to her community.
Born in Boston, MA, Britta entered the world under the care of her uncle, Frederick C. Irving, head of the Boston Lying-In Hospital. Her father, a Swedish chemical engineer, and her mother, a U.S. citizen and a nurse, had settled in the small town of La Tuque, Quebec, before moving to Cornwall, Ontario. For her high school education, Britta attended the Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA, where she was the editor of the school magazine and the yearbook. She later followed in her mother’s footsteps by enrolling at Smith College. During her freshman year at Smith, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Britta decided to accelerate her education. She graduated from Smith in August of 1944, having been elected president of her accelerated class of 130 classmates.
Following college, Britta began her career at the Office of Cable Censorship in New York City, where she worked to intercept wartime communications. After the war, her compassion led her to the American Red Cross in France and Germany. When she returned to the U.S., Britta became a staff writer at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. She then married Frederick E. Blum, a Naval Academy graduate, a pilot and a flight instructor, and a World War II veteran. Together, they lived in Honolulu, HI, and Pensacola, FL, before settling in Philadelphia and eventually Princeton.
In Princeton, Britta and Fred were founding members of the Bedens Brook Club, while Britta became a prominent figure in the community. She served as President of the Princeton-area Smith Club and was actively involved in local volunteering initiatives. Her passion for tennis led her to manage publicity for the Princeton Community Tennis program. After several years there, she moved to the Office of Continuing Education at Princeton University and then decided to return to school at Rider University where she earned a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling. Following her master’s, she became the Director of College Counseling at both the Hun School in Princeton (where she worked for a total of 11 years) and the George School in Newtown, PA.
Britta loved to travel, and her adventurous spirit took her across Europe and Africa, including a memorable safari in Kenya and a gorilla trekking expedition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She spent her 85th birthday in Kinshasa, DRC, visiting her children. Her favorite place in the world was a family-owned island on the St. Lawrence River where she spent every summer with her children, siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces, and grandchildren. In addition, she loved to ski each winter at Copper Mountain in Colorado with her children and sister, brother-in-law and their children, while she enjoyed playing tennis year-round.
In her later years, Britta remained intellectually and socially active, engaging in editing work, playing bridge, and reading hours daily. She was a member of Princeton’s Present Day Club, a founding member of the Princeton Women’s Investment Club, a member of the Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees, and a member of the Chippewa Yacht Club in the Thousand Islands. Britta’s primary focus was always her family, who, despite geographical distances, spent a good deal of time visiting her.
Britta is survived by her son, Daniel Blum, of Boulder, CO; her daughter Cynthia Carroll and her son-in-law David Carroll of Naples, FL; and her daughter Lauren Blum and her son-in-law Victor Bushamuka of Baltimore, MD. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Britta, Carin, Benjamin, and Kerstin Carroll, and William and Daniel Bushamuka.
Britta’s enduring legacy of love, resilience, and adventure will continue to inspire all who knew her.
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Phyllis L. Kane
Phyllis L. Kane passed away on October 3, 2024. Phyllis was born to Harry and Clara Lazarowitz in Brooklyn and brought up in Manhattan with her older brother, Teddy, and older sister, Ruth. She graduated from Julia Richman High School, and later attended and graduated from Rutgers University as a young mother. She also studied in graduate school at the New School in New York.
Phyllis met Herbert Kane in 1949 and they were married in 1953. Phyllis and Herbert were happily married for 71 years. After marrying, Phyllis and Herbert moved to Princeton, where they raised their children, Alan and Julie. Phyllis created a home that was a warm and safe space for many, where her children and their friends often gathered. She was also a wonderful hostess and she and Herbert were famous for their great parties, including their big election night soirées.
In addition to raising her children, Phyllis worked primarily in the arts and with antiques, and filled her home with her best finds. Phyllis remained an active and outspoken progressive throughout her life, particularly on issues of women’s and animal rights. As a tried and true animal-lover, Phyllis adopted many rescue dogs and successfully lobbied almost her entire extended family to stop eating veal.
Phyllis was deeply loved and appreciated by her family and friends both in Princeton and across the country. She cherished her many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and their children. She had a special love for her children and grandchildren, Alan Kane (deceased) (Eva Fellows), Justin Kane, Rebecca Kane, Julie Kane (John Ortiz), Cydney Ortiz, and Cara Ortiz (Oliver Paprin).
Her family will remember her for her kindness, loyalty, irreverence, and sense of humor, and will miss her deeply.
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Roy Gordon Dollard
Roy Gordon Dollard of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away at home on September 27, 2024.
He was born in Long Island City, NY to William and Ann (Melia) Dollard. He was a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, Cornell University, and NYU Business School. In his youth he was a track star — 1⁄4 mile champ and an Eagle Scout. He served in the military and worked for New York Telephone / NYNEX for 35 years, retiring as President of NYNEX Computer Services. He served as President of the Fifth Avenue Association and 20 years on two school boards in Briarcliff Manor, NY, and Hopewell Valley, NJ.
He loved camping, making furniture, baseball and being with his family.
He is survived by his wife Barbara of 67 years; his children, Cary, Christopher (wife Ellen), and John; and his grandsons, Jim, Andrew, and Ian. blackwellmh.com.
