Maximilian Urquhart Wright

Maximilian Urquhart Wright, a longtime resident of the Princeton area, died unexpectedly on September 12, 2024, at the age of 44.

Max was born on October 4, 1979 at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., to Richard LaFollette and Margaret Walker Wright, with whom Max shared a birthday.  In the early 1980s the family moved to Princeton where Max grew up on Jefferson Road in a loving home that was a hub of activity and community.

Max attended Community Park Elementary School, John Witherspoon Middle School, and The Hun School for high school, from which he graduated in 1998. Max attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio, and received a BA in 2002.

In his youth Max cultivated a love for the outdoors and biked around Princeton with his friends. He was fond of furry animals of all sizes and over time developed an eclectic musical preference for Bruce Springsteen, Elvis, Guns & Roses, and Willie Nelson. Max rooted passionately for the New York Mets and San Francisco 49ers. His clear favorite local delicacy was a plate of Buffalo wings from Chuck’s Spring Street Café. He looked forward to annual family trips to Greece and the Jersey shore.

A natural “all round athlete,” Max loved the competition and camaraderie that came from participation in many different sports. Whether it was gymnastics, wrestling, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, football, baseball, or lacrosse — Max had a reputation for excelling within Princeton’s local sporting community. He set scoring records in the Dylan Youth Basketball league in middle school and was known to have hit the very first homerun at the then newly constructed Princeton Little League fields by the Shopping Center. At Hun, Max received many state and regional distinctions in both football and lacrosse, serving as a captain to each team.  Max chose Denison University to play both football and lacrosse, the latter of which was consistently nationally ranked, accomplishing two NCCA Division III Final Four appearances during his college career.

After college Max worked in the commercial and residential real estate sectors in Boston and San Francisco, while traveling the world when he could.  Max eventually returned to New Jersey to manage residential and farm properties. During this time Max developed a lasting love for golf while maintaining a regular presence at the YMCA on Paul Robeson Place for early morning pick-up basketball.

More than his devotion to any hobby, sport or vocation, Max was passionate about people. He truly loved a vast amount of friends and individuals from across the community. Max is survived by his parents Margaret and Richard Wright of Princeton, his older brother Walker Wright of Oakland, California, his two nephews, Cooper and Sawyer, and numerous loving cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Max’s family and close friends will host a celebration of Max’s life on Thursday September 19 at 1 p.m. at Springdale Golf Club, 1895 Clubhouse Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

Robert John Higgins
1927–2024

Robert John Higgins was born in Princeton and remained a lifelong resident. He was an Army veteran who was stationed in Europe during WWII. Bob was also a member of Engine Co. #1 (We Lead, Let Others Follow), Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, and St. Paul’s Church. He was a graduate of Princeton High School and General Motors Institute. Bob retired from Ford Motor Co. after a career spanning four decades.

Bob is predeceased by his wife, Clarice (Chris) Boice Higgins; his parents, James and Julia; his brother, James Jr.; and his sister, Katharine.

Bob is survived by his son, Robert “Bob” Jr. (Janet); his daughter, Lynn Higgins Miller (Paul); his grandchildren, Michele and PJ Miller; and his much-loved great-grandpups, Mulligan (Westie) and Chloe (Frenchie).

A funeral mass will be held at St. Paul’s Church on Tuesday, September 24 at 10 a.m. A burial will follow at Princeton Cemetery, during which time Bob and his beloved wife, Chris, will be laid to rest together, as they desired.

Contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to Engine Co. #1 or Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad.

———

Ernest Samuel “Chubby” D’Andrea

Ernest Samuel “Chubby” D’Andrea, of Ewing, NJ, formerly of Princeton, NJ, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Serenity Hospice at RWJ – Hamilton, Hamilton Township, NJ, at the age of 89.

He was born in Princeton, NJ, and attended the Princeton schools. After graduation, he worked for the Princeton Township Road Department for over 40 years and Tiger Refreshments at Princeton University. After his retirement he was a crossing guard at Littlebrook School and at the Guyot Avenue/Jefferson Road crossing.

Ernest was a member of the Princeton Elks and life member of the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad.

Predeceased by his parents, Ernest P. and Josephine Crocetti D’Andrea, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Jane Duncan D’Andrea; his daughter and her partner, Sarah D’Andrea and Dusty Thayer of Port Leyden, NY; grandson Gregory Griffis and his wife Jaclyn and great-granddaughters Josephine and Guiliana all of Lawrenceville, NJ; sister and brother-in-law Loretta and Steven Derochi of Skillman; nephew Jonathan Derochi of Rocky Hill, NJ; and two nieces and their husbands,Andrea and Luke Moix of California and Elisa and Chuck Welles of Pennsylvania.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Parish, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow, in the family plot, in the church cemetery.

A gathering of family and friends will be on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542.

Contributions, in his memory, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital can be made, in various ways, at stjude.org/donate.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

Robert Fones Williams

Robert Fones Williams, 96, of Princeton passed away on September 3, 2024, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

Bob was born in Bessemer, AL. After studying mathematics as an undergraduate with R. L. Moore at the University of Texas, he received his doctorate from the University of Virginia. He worked as a professor of mathematics at a number of universities, including Northwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin. At various times throughout his career he was a Member at the Institute for Advanced Study. He liked to say he studied chaos, otherwise known as dynamical systems. Both modern dance and mountaineering were important activities for him. He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.

He was predeceased by his parents Elgin and Ann (Brown) Williams, and two brothers Elgin Williams and Joe Williams.

Robert is survived by his wife Karen K. Uhlenbeck, a daughter Ellen Lindsay Williams, nieces and nephews Brett Williams, Robert Williams, Cathy Harrison, Nancy Goodhew, Wade Williams, and Carol Kirksmith.

In memory of Bob, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org) or the Bob Williams Endowment for Excellence in Undergraduate Mathematics (give.utexas.edu/?menu=OGPNSBW)

A memorial service will be held at a later date.