By Bill Cleary

Rumors have been circulating for several weeks about the housing project planned for the old GAF property at Charles and Water Streets being cancelled. The plans for the development, which was called Meadowbrook II, were announced in October 2004. The builder was Beazer Homes who is currently building 64 single family homes on the old Starlite Drive In movie property at Route 130 and Klemm Avenue.

Wanting to clear up the rumor a reporter from the NEWS contacted Beazer Homes last week and asked if Meadowbrook II was still a go? The following statement was received from a spokesman for Beazer, Hope McHenry, who is the New Homes Information Manager for Central Jersey and South Jersey.

She writes, \”First, I believe you must really be referring to what has been known as \”Gloucester Point\”, which is located along the Delaware River in Gloucester City. Beazer Homes is no longer under contract to purchase the property and all of the parties involved, including Beazer Homes, are considering the best way to develop the property given the current housing market.\”

Demolition of the old GAF plant was completed earlier this year.

Butch Berglund, one of the principals of Gloucester Point Inc., said that the project will continue forward without Beazer. \”Gloucester Point owns the property. We have most of the permits needed to begin construction of single family homes and condos on the site. We are talking to several builders who are interested in the site. The site will be redeveloped. We have too much time and money invested in it to withdraw now. \”

Gloucester City has been trying to develop its riverfront for the past 25 years. The first announcement of a grandeur style proposal was made in 1984 when a group of developers approached the city with a plan to build \”Hollywood East\” on the riverfront. The project called for condos, a marina, restaurants, housing and movie studios. After the \”City Fathers\” authorized several costly studies the idea was scrapped because the developer would not released their source of funding.

That was followed by the King Street Corridor Plan, which was similar to Hollywood East proposal without the movie studios. After spending another $100,000 or so to do one more study it never got beyond the talking stage.

Over the next several years different groups of individuals came forward with an idea of just building a restaurant on the waterfront at the old Coast Guard Base, King Street and the river, surrounded by a marina. The restaurant was thrown out the window when former Mayor Chuck Billingham and council agreed to lease the former Coast Guard office building to Holt Cargo for 99 years.

A small version of the marina (only 25 slips) was built for several million dollars in the late 1990\’s. All the studies that the City paid to have done recommended at the minimum the marina should have at least 100 slips to make a profit. Whoever designed the City\’s marina forgot to include fresh water and fuel for the boats. As such the marina has continued to cost the City more money to operate then what it is making.

It didn\’t help either that the marina was closed for a year or more because of an oil spill. And then there was the lawsuit brought by the dredging company building the marina that cost taxpayers $260,000 to settle along with attorney fees of $300,000 plus.

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Very cute, enjoy!!!

Oh for goodness sake… laugh, or at least groan.
Life\’s too short not to enjoy even these silly little
cute and clean jokes

Sounds to me like she\’s been
\”sweeping\” around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GRUFF, JR.
George J.\’Gruffy\’

Of Westville, NJ on May 9, 2007. Aged 75 years.
George was a native of NJ, born in Woodbury, who served his country in the United States Air Force as a Flight Engineer on both B-29 bombers and KC-97 air refueling tankers during the Korean Conflict. While stationed in California he met and married his wife of 53 years, the late Jennie (nee Yanez) Gruff. After military service, together they relocated to Westville, NJ to raise their family.
George was a Vice President of Mechanical Contracting Company and a member of the Local 19, Sheet Metal Workers Union. After he retired he established Gruffy Consulting, performing freelance design for mechanical contracting companies.
He was very involved with the Westville community. He belonged to the Lions Club, Town Council, and the Westville Fire Department, where he was a \’life time\’ member, holding a variety of positions from Treasurer to President, as well as the Fire Chief for four years. He was very passionate about politics and loved to debate.
George played as hard as he worked. His leisure passions included reading, especially History, fishing followed by making experimental seafood dishes in Jennie\’s kitchen and golf outings with his best friends. He loved the Jersey Shore and spending time with his \’Rat Pack\’- lifelong friends that date back as far as high school. Jennie and George traveled extensively throughout the United States after his retirement.
George was very proud of all of his children\’s accomplishments and he loved to watch his grandchildren grow up, develop and participate in athletic events. He defined his worth by his ability to provide for his family and was never shy about supporting causes or individuals he cared about.
Beloved husband of the late Jennie (nee Yanez). Devoted father of Pamela J. Hartman (Robert), Wenonah, NJ; Cynthia J. Gruff Valeski (Victor), Mullica Hill, NJ ; George W. Gruff., Sr. (Bernadette), Gloucester, NJ; Scott Gruff, Woodbury Heights, NJ; & his \’adopted\’ daughter LuAnn Conner. Dear brother of Charles Gruff. Loving grandfather of George W. Gruff, Jr., Emily Gruff, Aaron Hartman & 3 step-grandchildren Theodore Hartman, Chris Valeski & Megan Valeski.
Viewing Monday 6:30 PM-9 PM and Tuesday 9:30 AM -10:45 AM in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury, NJ 08096. Funeral Service Tuesday 11 AM in the funeral home. Interment Eglington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Delaware Valley Stroke Council, 1528 Walnut St., Suite 903, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or Heartland Hospice, 800 Jessup Rd., Suite 808, Thorofare, NJ 08086.
Tributes may be shared
at www.mcgfuneral.com

Photos by Bruce Darrow

Enjoy the photos, make copies or e-mail to family and friends.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO ALBUM

 Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

(Hank is a former resident of Gloucester City who now lives in Japan)

 Family Life Full Of Give And Take!

After 27 years of wedlock, my Japanese wife and I usually see things eyeball-to-eyeball, especially when it comes to staring at each other. Yet there is one case where we match up like sushi and whipped cream.

Nope, this conflict has nothing to do with daily life, diet, raising the kids or even hopping about in each other\’s underwear–which we both agree we would never ever do.

The difference comes not in how we have adjusted to life in her country; it\’s in how we look at life in mine. Specifically how we approach our periodic visits to my hometown Gloucester City.

For my wife these are moments of keen anxiety. The problem is not one of people, as she is very fond of my family and they are equally fond of her. Instead, what gives my wife the jeebies is deciding what to buy for everybody! What gifts to bring them from the land of the rising yen!

Meanwhile, I view our trips the way sumo wrestlers view all–you–can eat buffets.

My consideration being not what to give, but what to get! And how then to carry all that loot home. For my wife, gift–giving went easier back when we were newlyweds.

In those days any present from Japan was considered rare and enchanting.

My family was thrilled to receive Japanese dolls, fans and screens, as well as all sorts of clothes, toys and ceramics.

As the years passed….Now my sisters and brother has enough Japanese dolls to launch an invasion. My sister Rosemarie has so much stuff that she has probably ran out of room for everything in her china cabinet and curio cabinet. She has drawers full of stuff we\’ve sent over the years.

Now my wife rips her hair.\”What do I buy them this time?!!\” I always offer a one word answer, the consummate souvenir: T-shirts.the, bodies in my family tend to spread larger than Japanese bodies.T-shirts, even the widest ones, usually survive but a single wash I suppose I really don\’t know. People wear them once and that\’s it. My next suggestion is Japanese food stuff: Rice crackers, plum-flavored gum, dried squid and so on.

I know my family will only pick at these goodies before dashing off to spit them into the toilet. Leaving the rest for me. It is a no–lose situation.

But doesn\’t that satisfy my wife. No she hunts persistently for the perfect presents and, soon finding something even remotely popular, she sticks with it.

In most of the omiyage=Present madness, I let my wife fret and fuss on her own. Upon arrival, I turn my attention toward my own concern, which is buying everything I can. My first stop is to the local supermarket (heaven on earth)where I load an entire cart with American goodies so junky it is bad even to look at then, Let alone put them in your body after all these years watching what I eat and all that exercise.\”You\’re not going to eat all that junk food are you?\” My wife shrieks. \”Wanna bet?\” I grin. Who counts calories in heaven?

Then clothing! Shoes that fit! Suits priced less than real estate! Belts that go all the way around! Books! CD\’s! Software! Video\’s of films that will not be released in Japan for months! All at prices I can afford too. I can afford so much; in fact, I always have to purchase an additional suitcase to lug all that stuff back to Japan.

My wife eventually turns to shopping too, though most U.S. sizes tend to fit her perfectly. Then as the day nears for our return, a new worry crops up and overwhelms her. \”What do I get for the people back in Japan!?\”I take a minute to thing, and then here we go again! This, to, used to be simple. We would buy chocolaty American sweets that (unless I discovered where she hid them) my wife would pass out to everyone for months and months. Now such yummies are sold in Japanese convenience such as 7/11. The novelty has vanished. My wife\’s search goes on. Her efforts have included:

Bric-a-brac: Cute oddities not sold on this side of the Pacific. Unfortunately, too many are stamped, MADE IN JAPAN.\”

Sheets and towels; Economical and high quality. Yet, hard to give…\”Here\’s a gift from America, DR.Kohshi! It\’s a sheet!\” Posters: Unfortunately, these don\’t pack well, and who wants Mariah Carey with a crease through her head?\”Though she already has one there anyway!

Native American art: Beautiful did you know sand paintings can leak? Leaving…. what else? You guessed it T- shirts!

Sure, the same shirts are sold in Japan, but there is one essential difference: The ones we buy are cheaper. And a yen saved is a yen earned especially after a buying binge in the States. We need to save money for our next trip to heaven.

Warm Regards From Japan, Hank & Keiko The Miller Family

KANTRUSS
(Kentrus)
Albert (Algirdas)
On May 9, 2007, recently of Deptford, NJ and formerly of Stratford and Ocean City, age 87 years. Beloved husband of 58 years of Elizabeth (nee Gable) Kantruss. Beloved father of Margaret (Jeffrey) Gross, Kathleen(Michael) Nerz both of Wenonah, NJ, and MacKenzie (Michele Hennessey) Kantruss of Mt. Airy, MD. Loving grandfather of Jake and Katie Kantruss, Alex and Andrew Gross, and Julia Nerz. Pre-deceased by his brother Keistutis Kantruss of Cornwells Heights, PA. The son of Lithuanian immigrants, he was born and raised in Philadelphia. He was a graduate of Central High School, class of 1936, where his yearbook described him as \’admired for his sense of humor\’. He worked for the State of Pennsylvania as a clerk before being drafted into the Army during WWII, where he served in the 513th Parachute Infantry and was stationed in Naples-Foggio, Rome-Arno, South France, Algiers and the Rhineland. After being discharged, he returned to Philadelphia where he attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with honors. It was there that he met the love of his life and future wife when they attended journalism classes together. He was a Pullman conductor briefly before he worked as a safety engineer for Liberty Mutual Insurance in Bala Cynwyd and Haddonfield. He later became a safety consultant for Johnson and Higgins in Philadelphia. He was a lifelong sports fan, with a particular fondness for football and baseball and he had a stint as a little League Coach. An aficionado of movies and music (especially Sinatra, Big Band, and classical), he amassed extensive collections of both and knew a wealth of information about them. In his retirement, he enjoyed his grandchildren, all of the family\’s dogs and cats, reading his daily newspaper and mysteries, watching TV, spending time at the shore, and playing poker and craps.
Cremation was private. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial service Tuesday 2pm at
ORA L. WOOSTER
FUNERAL HOME
51 Park Blvd.
Clementon, NJ 08021
At the conclusion of religious services a visitation with the family will be held until 4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Holy Redeemer Hospice, 150 N. 9th Ave. Box 250, Runne-mede, NJ 08078 or the Cat rescue of Maryland, Inc., 6400 Baltimore National Pike, Box 305, Baltimore, MD 21228-3915.

LEYENDECKER
Helen E.
(nee Kluczynski) of Deptford, NJ died on May 10, 2007 at the age of 85 yrs. Beloved wife of Gilbert.
Loving mother of: Glenn A. Leyendecker (Josette) of Greenwood, DE, and Shirley H. Kalla of Clayton, NJ. Proud grandmother of Alexander Levi Leyendecker, her pride and joy. Helen is also survived by: 2 step-sisters Irene Stipcevich of Westmont, NJ, and Eleanore Podolak of Cherry Hill, NJ; numerous nieces and nephews, including her niece Jacquelyn Whitney of Berlin, NJ. She is predeceased by her brother Alfred Kluczynski, and her sister Ceceilie E. Miller.
Helen was a member of Stetser-LaMartine American Legion Unit 281 Auxiliary. She was an employee of RCA of Camden, from 1947-1960, and of Macy\’s Deptford from 1975-1985. She enjoyed going to the movies, spending time with her family and friends, and doing her cryptograms.
Viewing will be Monday eve. 7:00- 9:00 PM, and Tuesday 9:00-9:30 AM at EARLE FUNERAL HOME, 122 W. Church St., Blackwood, NJ 08012. Her Funeral Mass will follow Tuesday, 10:00 AM at St. John Vianney R. C. Church, Deptford, NJ. Interment will take place at Gloucester Co. Veteran\’s Cem. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to St. John Vianney R.C. Church Building Fund, or to Stetser Lamartine American Legion Unit 281 Auxiliary. Condolences may be viewed/posted at www.earlefuneralhome.com

Joe DiGiacomo, (photo, left) and Arthur \”Ott\” Pacifico were bewitched five decades ago by the Boyle sisters from Gloucester City, Eppie and Cissie.

The married couples became an inseparable foursome.

Through years of raising families in the same duplex, vacationing in Avalon Manor when they still had to cart in water, and sharing a household best described as unusual, the two brothers-in-law were also fast friends.

Their friendship grew closer when their wives died and their children and neighbors started referring to them as the \”odd couple of Gloucester City.\”

Both died within the last five months at 87.

\”They headed strong Italian families, with good values, and lots of love,\” says Patrick Healey, whose funeral home welcomed what seemed like the entire town for the funerals of both men.

\”You never saw one without the other, and you never saw either without a smile.\”

Pacifico died in November, several months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. DiGiacomo died April 14.

\”I think he missed my uncle so much that he died of loneliness,\” says one of DiGiacomo\’s five children, Gloucester City resident Jo-Ann Allison.

Both men were ushers at St. Mary\’s Church and attended senior citizen meetings. They drove neighbors to doctor appointments and the supermarket, and were part of a group of about 20 oldtimers who met to play cards.

\”They lived together longer than they were married to their wives,\” Allison says.

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