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Mike Sakowitz’s (67) inquiry on Lyons Avenue fire received answers:
Barry Blinder (59)
I lived on the corner of Lyons Avenue and Leslie Street and remember the fire as if it happened yesterday. The fire took place in the middle of the winter and it was freezing cold outside. The lumberyard was consume as the fire lasted through the night and continuing most of the next day.
I received a phone call from friends and neighbors of mine, Bobby and Frank Interdanardo. Their father being a cop with the Newark Police Department called them and they in turn called me. The three of us ran to the area getting as close to the fire as possible. For the next several hours we and other neighbors were kept very busy. As previously mentioned, it was a freezing night causing the spray of the water to freeze trees, wires, roads and, most important, the firemen.
As needed and allowed, the firemen were taking breaks in a nearby resting area. When they entered the area, we proceeded to chop ice off their hats, coats, boots etc. People in the area brought in hot coffee and tea; we helped set up coffee stations serving the fireman and helping as much as we could. It was a night not easily forgotten. Then sometime later, rising from the ashes the bowling alley was built. Barry
Chet Cohen (59)
I remember the fire and actually walked up to watch it. My memory tells me that it happened at night and I believe it was a lumberyard. Thought it was closer to Stecher than to Fabyan, but I could be wrong. Chet
Steve Bogner (66)
We lived on Wainwright just in from Lyons Avenue. I, too, vividly remember the fire he speaks of. I believe it was in 1956 and a lumberyard burnt to the ground. It was a Saturday night and I recall sparks flying in our backyard. I also remember Mike's mother. She was a lovely woman who worked in the bank on the corner of Lyons and Wainwright. Steve
Jeff Golden (63)
I don't recall a fire at the corner of Lyons Avenue and Fabyan Place.
The Haskin Fuel Oil company was at the northeast corner of Lyons and Fabyan, but I doubt there was a fire there because they were still there in the 1960s. There was a large fire at the other end of your block at the Pik’n’Pay Supermarket on Chancellor Avenue between Fabyan Place and Stecher Street in about 1962. My recollection is that Lyons Lanes was on the north side of Lyons Avenue in Irvington, near the railroad track before you get to Coit Street, near the Drakes Cakes bakery. Jeff
Jac Toporek’s commentary on the “Weequahic lifestyle” motivated e-chatter:
Elaine Hersh Krusch (50)
I respond to Jac and others who expressed interest and opinion on variations of lifestyles in our Weequahic Community. Agree that lifestyles varied, but, notwithstanding the differences, there was much that we all had in common. To get it from the author’s mouth, read the early books of Philip Roth. He tells it like it was. Elaine
Marty Goldblatt (65)
Your soliloquy about Weequahic hood was spot on. I just picked up my grandson from soccer practice and I was explaining to him how our parents and grandparents made us assimilate. The more I think about our upbringing, the more grateful I’m about the amazing neighborhood and its roots. It is a great way to teach our grandchildren. Marty
Sue Katz Bograd 6/55
Thank you, Jac, for your perfect description!! My parents and I were also Holocaust survivors living on the fringe! I cannot imagine a happier, more fulfilling education than the one afforded me at Weequahic (however we want to pronounce it). Sue
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