Richard Nathan Binetsky passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at his home in Harvey Cedars. Born in Newark, NJ to Irving and Mary Jacobs Binetsky, he moved to Maplewood, NJ when he was seven. At Columbia High School, he met the love of his life, Katherine Burke. They dated on and off for ten years and married in 1966. Richard was a star athlete, excelling in football and shot put in high school and at the University of Michigan. He was also a medal winner in judo. He also attended Uppsala College and received his Masters in City Planning at Ohio State University. He worked for the State of New Jersey for his entire career, first in the Planning Division and then in Housing. Richard was Chief of Regional Planning when the Pinelands Review Committee was formed. He serves as Executive Secretary and authored Planning and Management of the New Jersey Pinelands. As Assistant Director of Housing, he served on the State Licensing Board for Planners and on the State Agricultural Committee. Always interested in helping others, he was a beloved mentor to many planners and other professionals in his office. Richard continued his athletics when he worked. He was an avid racquetball player at his gym and enjoyed boating and playing tennis in the summer. He and Katherine were joggers, bicyclists and hikers, often hiking in the American West and often joined by their son Matt in Arizona. When he became older, Richard belonged to a gym and could be seen walking on Long Beach Boulevard almost every day in his shorts--summer or winter!
When he and Katherine married, they moved to East Brunswick, NJ for three years and then to Willingboro, NJ for seven. Then they moved to Moorestown, NJ for 25 years, raising their son Matt there. In 1972, they purchased a cottage in Harvey Cedars and spent summers there, with Richard enjoying the shore from Thursday night until Monday morning. When he retired, they sold the Moorestown home, tore down the cottage and built a new house on the site. Richard and Katherine traveled their whole married life, beginning with a three-week honeymoon in England, Ireland and Wales. They visited Europe frequently and traveled to many parts of this country, especially the West. After Richard retired, they visited Florida and Arizona in the winter. They were also regular patrons of New York City's theatre and museums, enjoying weekends and day trips to the city and often taking their son and granddaughters along.
Richard and Katherine were long-time members of the Barnegat Light Yacht Club, where Richard served as a Trustee. They were also members of the Beach Haven Yacht Club. Always looking to help those in need, Richard was on the Board and a Past President of Kiwanis of LBI and a Board member on Volunteers of America of the Delaware Valley.
Richard is survived by his wife Katherine Binetsky, his son Matt Binetsky, his sister Lois Binetsky, his granddaughters Sarah Binetsky, Hannah Binetsky and Lydia Collins along with her husband Dylan, and, last but not least, great-grandson Hayden Collins.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Fair Share Housing, 1 Ethel Lawrence Boulevard, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 or to Volunteers of America of the Delaware Valley, 235 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ 08107.
To leave online condolences and fond memories of Richard for the Binetsky family, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com
The Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr., Manahawkin, NJ was entrusted with the private arrangements.
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