Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Dear Family of Jake:
I went to school with Jake from 7th grade in Norma School through Vineland High School. What a great guy he was! His picture shows that he aged well. I saw him only once in later years, at a High School reunion.I grew up as Joseph Kaplan but was adopted by Max Klein (of the hardware store at Six Points). I left NJ in 1962 early in my electrical engineering career; then to Oklahoma, New York, and since 1967, in Fort Worth, Texas. Retired from Lockheed as senior avionics engineering specialist.
About two years ago I wrote a series of stories for the Elmer Times --- growing up in Pittsgrove Township (from an octogenarian). The first three chapters were about the Norma-Alliance area and I wrote of the Small family on the corner of Almond and Gershel. Jake's daddy cut my hair when I was a kid.
Again, my heartfelt condolences to you all. I will always remember Jake for the kind of guy he was. A true "mensch"!
Joe Klein
