Victor Opalski, 92, a former longtime West Windsor resident, died on March 19 at Anne’s Choice Retirement Community, Warminster, Pennsylvania. Born in Trenton, he was a lifelong area resident.
The owner of the Burg Dairy for many years, he was later an inspector for the Hamilton Township Health Department. A Navy veteran, he was a member of the Navy Band as well as the Mercer County Symphonic Band. Opalski enjoyed writing essays and was a frequent contributor to the West Windsor-Plainsboro News.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas and Helene, and Phil and Janice; his sisters, Clare and Doris; his grandsons and their wives, Mark and Karen, Michael and Marilyn, John and Erika, and James; and his great-grandchildren, Logan, Marlo, and Danny.
Among Victor Opalski’s many thoughtful newspaper columns were the following, all especially appropriate in view of recent events:
An Observation
Printed October 18, 2006.
When my demise occurs and it will eventually, certain rituals will be manifest and the immediate family will mourn a bit longer than friends. Cursory remarks — I just talked to him yesterday, he seemed like a nice guy, I knew Vic a long time, too bad — would be typical sentiments. My family would be more specific: Vic enjoyed music of all sorts, baking cookies, writing letters to the editor, took pride in his ice cream creations, loved people, and was a soft touch for a sad story.
I hope the family does not go overboard in selecting a coffin. One features coiled springs to soften the pressure of body contact — as if I cared. Most are draped with white satin — I wonder if another color is available incidentally green is my favorite. Should the wood be light or dark?
Finally, a choice has been made. I hope the selection is in reasonable price range, yes, it met my approval. Now I am about to be on view like a fashion model — with new shoes, trousers pressed, and a tie to match my jacket and shirt.
My first audience includes my immediate family; I wish I were able to tell them, I am O.K. in my present state. My earthly problems are gone forever but they still have theirs. Many mourners expressing their respects are complete strangers. Oh, Oh, here comes Pete, I never got along with the man; this may be the last time to make amends, I trust he can empathize with me. Behind Pete is my good friend, Ange; we were in sync with everything even with our family tie each having five sisters and no brothers. Finally, a religious service for the repose of my soul rendered.
My body is now resting in a grave and my soul is in the benevolent hands of our creator, I pray the final verdict is satisfactory. I implore you not to take anything for granted; spread your love and kindness to everyone, the reward will be euphoric.
Medication
March 21, 2008.
Until I reached 80, I was not involved with any medication. I would take an aspirin if a cold were imminent and tolerate a doctor’s prescription when a fever entered the picture. The first ailment of any consequence was diabetes but the prescribed medication was ignored.
Along came 85 and I was introduced to arthritis, which forced the usage of a cane and a fluctuating blood pressure equating the New York Stock Market. Holy Moly, when combined with my diabetes, I realized I had better behave like an educated senior and take my medicine before I am introduced to another ailment. Now, I hope to reach 90 in 2009, 95 in 2014, and — God forbid — 100 in 2019.
Yours in good health.
Fate
September 8, 2006.
Despite precautions, fate prevails. We came along for the ride, which is “bumpy” most of the time as unexpected challenges become a daily routine. Some results remain a mystery, others are incredible, and some are utter failures.
We never knew of our impending birth and at times wish we had never been born but fate intervened, providing our path of life. At times we feel great, happy to have attained life, and regret an inevitable demise, orchestrated by fate. Enjoy the moment the best you can. Good luck!
— Victor Opalski
Gus William Leanos, 87, of Annapolis, Maryland, died February 18. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Robert Haynes of Plainsboro; grandchildren, Jason and Kim Muir of Annapolis, MD, Justin and Aura Muir, and Cecile Haynes of Plainsboro; and one great-grandchild, Danna Vargas of Robbinsville.
Josephine Nicholls Hughes, 99, of Plainsboro died March 8. Born in Seattle, Washington, she was raised in England, emigrating to the United States in 1925. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in library science from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in English literature from Brown University in 1941. She was a research librarian at Yale and Georgetown universities.
Survivors include her four children and their spouses, Winifred Hughes and Fred Spar, Austin L. and Andrea Hughes, Dennis Hughes, and Hildred and Patrick Crill; eight grandchildren, Adam and Alex Spar, Austin L. Hughes, Jr., Helen and Matthew Wise, Harry and Theresa Browning, Patrick and Paula Browning, Brendan and Xenia Crill, and Liam Crill; and 10 great-grandchildren. Her caregivers include Irma McMillan, Jodi-Ann Weir, and Venetia Lobban.
Donations may be made to Queenship of Mary Guatemala Partnership, 16 Dey Road, Plainsboro 08536, or to Arts in Reach, Box 236, Portsmouth, NH 03802.
Janice Ridley Rehrig, 86, of Plainsboro died March 21. She was born in Watertown, Massachusetts. Survivors include two daughters and son-in-law, Pamela Rehrig and Jay Keiser, of Middletown, Connecticut, and Claudia Rehrig of Plainsboro; one son, Stephen Rehrig of North Fort Meyers, Florida; four grand-daughters, Amanda, Kathryn, Rachel and Julia; and two great-grandsons, Benjamin and Timothy.
Jane E. Saggese, 77, of Jefferson died March 23. Survivors include a granddaughter, Danielle Snowflack of Plainsboro.
William R. “Billy” Evans, 58, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, died March 23. Survivors include a nephew, Jeffrey Freuler of Plainsboro. Donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Shriners Hospital.
Sandra Rak Murranko, 69, of Cream Ridge died March 26. She worked for West Windsor Township with the Building Code Enforcement Department, retiring in 2004. Survivors include her husband of 50 years, John P. Murranko; two children; and five grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 30, at noon at St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 872 Brunswick Avenue, Trenton. Donations may be made to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, 901 East Street NW, Suite 405, Washington, D.C. 20004 (www.ovariancancer.org).
