With the deepest of sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Malvin (Mal) Sumka. Mal died on Friday, August 30th surrounded by his devoted family. Mal is survived by his loving wife of over 63 years, Myra (Diener) Sumka and his children; Shelley Gray (Peter), Fran Schlenoff (Marc), Debra Sumka and David Sumka (Grace). Grandchildren; Samantha Gray, Sandy Green ( Jared). Michael Schlenoff (Emma), Gabby Sumka and Elly Sumka. Great-grandchildren; Avi Green and Judah Schlenoff.
Mal was born in Newark, NJ, November,1925. He left Weequahic High School when he turned 18 to enlist in the USArmy and fought in Europe during WWII. After the war, Mal completed high school at Barringer High School in Newark. He attended Columbia University and earned his degree in Industrial Engineering. In his early years, Mal was a dedicated Boy Scout achieving many honors, eventually becoming Scout Master of Troop 96 in Newark (Weequahic) for 13 years.
He loved to teach kids, so Mal went to Rutgers to earn his BA in Mathematics and his MA in Educational Administration and started a new career as a Teacher. During his tenure in the Parsippany Troy Hills School District (1960-1988) he was a High School Math Teacher, Director of Vocational Education where he launched the district’s first Work Study program, Director of Data Processing where he created and ran the district’s first ever computer center, and a Parsippany Hills High School Computer teacher. Mal inspired his students to come to school early (before school hours) to work with him on a cutting-edge project in 1963-1964, building a digital electro-mechanical computer. They named the computer, PLADEMAC. This past year Mal was inducted into the Parsippany High School Hall of Fame.
Mal was an active member at Lake Hiawatha Jewish Center and Pine Brook Jewish Center and was a past president of Men’s Club.
In 2016, after more than 70 years of teaching, which included, Morris County Community College, Corporate Training, plus giving Seminars and teaching at summer Camps for children through his company The Cyberphile Group. Mal prided himself with volunteering to teach women in crisis at National Council of Jewish Women. At age 91 he decided it was time to retire.
One of his great joys was staying connected with his lifelong friends from Weequahic High School. He was an honored committee member of the Sunday Morning Group.
Above all, Mal Sumka was a family man. His legacy no doubt will be that he nurtured, taught, led, loved, and was loved dearly by his family throughout the decades of his life.
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