Samuel Gudis

Samuel Gudis, 89, of Monroe Township died June 22, 2012. Born in Connecticut, he grew up in Newark and also lived in Irvington, Springfield, and Basking Ridge before moving to Monroe in 1992.

Mr. Gudis was employed as a sales estimator in the commercial furniture and carpet industry for over 40 years, dealing with many local, national, and international companies.

He graduated from Newark’s South Side High School and attended Rutgers University.

He volunteered to serve in the Army, and was stationed in the European Theater with the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division as an artillery forward observer. As a sergeant, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

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He served numerous charitable and philanthropic organizations. He was a past president of both Workmen’s Circle Branch 1017 and B’nai B’rith Irvington Lodge. He actively supported the Jewish War Veterans and Deborah Hospital, working on their fund-raising campaigns.

While a resident of Monroe’s Concordia Adult Community, he was very active with the Concordia Players, creating scenery, stage props, and backgrounds for more than 15 musical stage productions. He also served as president of the Monday morning bowling league. Most recently, he worked with WCOC, Concordia’s TV station, serving as president, show producer, and publisher of its weekly flyer.

He served as chairman of the Middlesex County Superior Court’s Monroe Township Juvenile Conference Committee, which dealt with juveniles who committed petty crimes. He participated for many years with the township library’s Read Aloud Volunteer Ensemble, encouraging children to read, and he also delivered library books to homebound Monroe residents. While on an extended vacation in Arizona, he volunteered to read to children on an Indian reservation.

Predeceased by his first wife of 42 years, Bernice, he is survived by his wife of more than 20 years, Barbara; his daughter, Arlene Luster; three stepsons, Edwin, Kenneth, and Jeffrey Sperber; and two step-grandchildren.

Services were held June 28 with arrangements by Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan. Memorial contributions may be made to Deborah Hospital Fund, Concordia Chapter, 1 Clubhouse Dr., Monroe Township, NJ 08831.