Milton Kleinert

Milton Kleinert of Toms River died Oct. 15, 2010. Born and raised in Newark, he also lived in Irvington, Springfield, Roseland, and Lakewood.

Mr. Kleinert was a furrier in Newark for many years and was once the youngest independent fur retailer in the country. He was an innovator in fur design, considered an expert in all phases of manufacturing, including patternmaking and fitting. He later entered the liquor industry, serving as a distillery representative, wholesaler salesman, and retailer. He owned Milton’s Liquors in Newark, which was destroyed in the riots of 1967 and which he subsequently rebuilt. Later he entered the ladieswear business, creating the Dress Shop in New Providence and, with his wife, the Personal Place, a lingerie shop.

He was a past president of B’nai B’rith Lodge #1010 and the New Providence-Murray Hill Lions Club, a vice president of the New Providence Chamber of Commerce, and past president of the men’s club at Temple B’nai Abraham, Livingston, where he was also a board of trustees and choir member. With a lifelong interest in graphic arts, he produced many organizational newsletters, receiving the grand prize of the National Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs as editor of TBA’s men’s club bulletin as well as the B’nai B’rith Editors Dist. 3 First Prize. He had many letters to the editor published in New Jersey newspapers, and also had articles published in various periodicals.

He is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Dorothy; his daughter, Honi Wasserman; and two grandchildren.

Services were held Oct. 18 with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston.