Leslie Spruill Jr.
Leslie Spruill Jr., 83, a long-time resident of Columbia, North Carolina and Princeton, New Jersey departed this life on May 17, 2015.
Leslie was raised in Alligator, North Carolina where he had fun with his sister, cousins, and friends, and developed a mean sweet tooth. But nothing made him happier than when his mother surprised him with a car out of the blue when he was just 15 years old. He loved his independence. By then he was already working … hard. Years later, after getting married and having children, Leslie moved his family to New Jersey for a better employment opportunity.
He went on to become a dedicated Public Works serviceman in Princeton, New Jersey. He retired from that post after 25 years of service during work hours, nights, and weekends, whenever duty called.
If you knew Leslie, you know he enjoyed a good western, a nice liver dinner, and he had a great, big laugh. Leslie was known to work hard and play hard, and near the end he was happy to be with his children, grandchildren. and great grandchildren.
Leslie was predeceased by his mother Mollie “Lucille” Spruill; his father, Leslie “Junior” Spruill; his wife Virgil Lee Spruill; and is survived by his sister Lula; his aunt Lue; his son Larry Allen Spruill (Fern); his daughter Dale Spruill Redding (Leon); four grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several beloved in-laws, stepchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.
He will be greatly missed.
A service was held Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. John Baptist Church in Columbia, North Carolina.
Arrangements are by Kimble Funeral Home (TheKimbleFuneralHome.com) in Princeton, and Rowsom Funeral Home in Columbia, North Carolina.
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Leonard Punia
Leonard P. Punia, 88, passed away at his home on May 18, 2015. Born and raised in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York, Leonard married Renee Denmark in 1950 and moved to Trenton, New Jersey in 1953.
Leonard served in the Army during World War II. After returning from the war, Leonard oversaw the construction of several developments of single-family homes, apartment buildings, and shopping centers in Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Long Island. In 1950, he started building single-family homes in Mercer County. Thereafter, Leonard together with his brother Herbert, built numerous residential and commercial properties throughout the tri-state area. Leonard was a licensed real estate broker in New Jersey and New York. He was involved in many professional organizations and received several awards for his work in real estate. Leonard was especially proud of his involvement with the Sunnybrae Little League, which was created on land carved out of one of his developments.
During his lifetime, Leonard generously donated to many charities including Greenwood House, The American Cancer Society, The Jewish Federation, The Israel Tennis Centers, Israel Bonds, and other worthwhile charities. Upon the death of his wife Renee, Leonard made several significant donations to the Princeton HealthCare System Foundation, The Hun School of Princeton, Abrahamson Family Cancer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and Mass General Hospital (MGH) Fund in his wife’s memory. In addition, Leonard donated to the Greenwood House Hospice which was renamed the Renee Denmark Punia Community Hospice.
Leonard was predeceased by his wife Renee. He is survived by his daughter Leslie Punia Schwebel and son and daughter-in-law Joseph and Sheryl Punia; grandchildren Elyse and Andrew Rosenfield, Charles Punia, Mathew and Dale Schwebel, Michael Schwebel and Mallory Schwebel; brothers Herbert Punia and Jerome Punia; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services took place on Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m. at The Jewish Center, located at 435 Nassau Street in Princeton. Burial followed at Floral Park Cemetery in Deans, New Jersey.
The period of mourning was observed Wednesday and Thursday at the Punia Residence, located at 170 Gallup Road in Princeton.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers or fruit baskets memorial contributions be made to Greenwood House.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road in Ewing.
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Mahasin Rashada
Mahasin Rashada (formerly Patricia Ann White-Flenoid) died suddenly on October 27, 2014. She was born on June 26, 1951 to the late Olivia Magnum-White and Elisha White Sr. She was preceded in death by her sister Beverly Ann White.
Mahasin was born and raised in Princeton where she graduated from Princeton High School. She then moved to California and married Harlen Flenoid Sr.
She loved live concerts and plays, sewing, vintage stores, and flea markets. Upon being hired by United Airlines, she realized that her dream of travel would become a reality. Her children were now adults and off she went! She visited many parts of the world. Later in life, her struggle with multiple sclerosis slowed her down. She maintained a wonderful attitude as she was determined to live life to the fullest. She joined the Senior Citizens Club which was just minutes from her apartment. She found fulfillment in assuming the duties of “Promotions Coordinator” and the members truly appreciated her skills and energy. She will be sorely missed in California and New Jersey.
Mahasin’s memory will be cherished by her children, sons Lance Sr. (Trekina), Harlen Jr. (Destiny), Muhammed (Kiera), and daughter Atiya of California. She is also survived by her sisters, Cynthia Fisher (Gilbert) of Princeton, New Jersey; Shirlene Wells of Morrisville, Pennsylvania; Gail O. Everett (Robin) of Princeton, New Jersey; and her brother Elisha White Jr. (Michelle) of Stockbridge, Georgia. She was the proud grandmother of 16 grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.
A memorial service was held on April 25, 2015 at 2 p.m. at The Arts Council of Princeton’s Paul Robeson Center, 102 Witherspoon Street in Princeton.
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Willard Gibbs Eldred
Willard Gibbs Eldred, 87, of South Brunswick died Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Bill was born in Camden, raised in Clementon, and was a resident of South Brunswick for 57 years. He was a graduate of The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. and a graduate of Cornell University and Cornell Law School. Bill was a U.S. Army Veteran. He retired after 38½ years as deputy general counsel with Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. He was a very active member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in South Brunswick. Bill served on the South Brunswick Planning and Zoning Board. Bill was an Eagle Scout and leader of Troop 90. His father, Arthur Rose Eldred, was the first Eagle Scout of America.
Son of the late Arthur Rose and Mildred (Gibbs) Eldred; brother of the late Arthur Rose Eldred; grandfather of the late James Hitte; and father-in-law of the late Paul Hitte; he is survived by his wife Margaret (Saecker) Eldred; son and daughter-in-law Willard (Bill) and Kandice Eldred; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Nina Hitte, Susan, and Joseph Santangelo, Margaret (Margy) and Charles Malott; sister Patricia Hudson; 13 grandchildren Allyson, Robert, Jenifer, Mark, Kaitlynn, Kyle, Jordan, Spencer, Tyler, Kasey, Jack, Jacob, and Kaitlin; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 142 Sand Hill Road, Monmouth Junction. Burial followed in Franklin Memorial Park, North Brunswick. Calling hours were held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2015 at M.J. Murphy Funeral Home, 616 Ridge Road at New Road, Monmouth Junction.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Willard’s name to Fox Chase Cancer Center or Boy Scouts of America.