Alvin J. Rockoff, community leader

Alvin J. Rockoff, 84, of New Brunswick, a longtime community and business leader, died Oct. 27, 2011. He was born in New Brunswick.

Mr. Rockoff served as secretary and director of All Star Dairies, a company founded by his father as Middlesex Farm Dairy in the 1920s, and as president and director of Hubbard’s Cupboards, a family-owned convenience store chain. He was president and trustee of the New Jersey Milk Industry Association, trustee of the New Jersey Food Council, director of the New Jersey Convenience Store Association, and board member of the American Management Association.

A member of the Rutgers College class of 1949, his dedication and service to the city and the university continued throughout his life. One of only four individuals in Rutgers’ history to chair all three governing bodies (board of governors, board of trustees, and board of overseers), he was named Trustee Emeritus in 1994 and Overseer Emeritus in 2004. He was instrumental in establishing the Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, and an enthusiastic supporter of Rutgers athletics. He was honored by Rutgers with membership in the Hall of Distinguished Alumni, the Alumni Federation’s Meritorious Service Award and selection as a Loyal Son of Rutgers, and in 1994 was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters. In 2005, in recognition of his long association with the university and the New Brunswick Development Corporation, Rockoff Hall was named in his honor.

His leadership positions of major Jewish organizations included serving as member of the National Campaign Cabinet for Israel Bonds, a member and former national commissioner, national Anti-Defamation League; member, New Jersey-Israel Commission; president of the New Jersey Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County; and trustee of the United Israel Appeal International. In 1988 he received the Torch of Liberty Award from the ADL. He was also a trustee of St. Peter’s Medical Center in New Brunswick, receiving its McCarrick Award in 1994, and a member of the New Jersey Advisory Board of the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

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He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Feld Rockoff; his daughter, Susan Bear; two sons, David and Jerry; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services were held Oct. 30 at Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth with arrangements by Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, New Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rutgers University Foundation or Alzheimer’s Association.