Samuel Schwartzstein

Samuel Schwartzstein, 95, of Millburn, N.J., passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013. The funeral service is on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Bernheim-Apter- Kreitzman Funeral Home, 68 Old Short Hills Rd., Livingston N.J. Born in Newark, N.J., on July 24, 1918, Sam lived in Millburn for 63 years. Sam left Panzer College in January 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private prior to World War II. Shortly after, Sam was selected to attend one of the first officer candidate schools, graduating as a 2nd lieutenant. After graduation, his superiors designated Sam as the lead on an initiative to educate and train enlisted soldiers who were unable to meet minimum Army standards, including creating a complete physical training course and educating illiterate soldiers how to read in only six weeks. In 1942, Sam volunteered for duty in China, where he led troops and participated in four battle campaigns. He was subsequently promoted to major as an instructor in the Chinese Command and General Staff College. General Chiang Kai-Shek personally awarded Sam the Order Of The Cloud & Banner and was also awarded the Bronze Star. Following his discharge from the Army in 1946, Sam married Muriel Cohen, also of Newark. They moved to Millburn in 1949. Sam began his professional career at Admiral Corporation during the infancy of the consumer electronics industry. During his 25 years at Admiral, Sam rose to V.P. of sales and distribution. In 1973, Sam left Admiral and started his own distribution company, where he worked until his retirement at 94 years old. As a longtime resident of Millburn, Sam was an active member of the community. He was elected to the Millburn Board of Education from 1975 to 1981 and served as its president from 1976 to 1981. Sam was predeceased by his loving wife, Muriel, of 65 years. He was a loving father of Anne Druck, Henry Schwartzstein and his wife, Ann, Richard Schwartzstein and his wife, Sarah, Danny Schwartzstein and his wife, Jen Miller, and Natalie Fleischman and her husband, Mitch; beloved grandfather of Joe Schwartzstein, Laura Druck, Kathryn Schwartzstein, and Andy Smith, Emily and Joe Morette, Peter and Chrissy Schwartzstein, Nick Schwartzstein, Jake Schwartzstein, Hannah Schwartzstein, Erin Schwartzstein, Grace Schwartzstein, Adam Fleischman, Hallie Schwartzstein, and Elias Fleischman, and nine great-grandchildren, Calvin, Stephanie, Amanda, Lucas, Gavin, Charlotte, Peter, Matthew, and Morgan.