Sol Messer

Sol Messer, 93, of Randolph died Dec. 12, 2010. Born in Morristown, he grew up in Mount Freedom.

Mr. Messer became a principal in the firm Oradell Construction, a major general contractor of school and commercial buildings throughout New Jersey, in 1952. He remained active in the business until his retirement in 2008 at age 91.

He graduated from Dover High School in 1935 and Rutgers University in 1939 with a BS in agricultural engineering.

He was a master bridge and chess player.

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A longtime proponent of Mount Freedom resorts, he managed and was the proprietor of the Messer Farm, which operated until its closing in 1962. The site, his boyhood home, is now occupied by Harbor Hills Day Camp.

He was elected to the Randolph Township Board of Education in 1948 and served on the board until his election to the town council in 1950. He served as mayor and councilman from 1950-1962.

He was a lifetime member and honorary trustee of Mount Freedom Jewish Center.

He is survived by his wife, Toby (Pressman); four sons, Michael of North Caldwell, Howard of Ulster, NY, Irwin of New York City, and Edward of Randolph; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services were held Dec. 13 with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Freedom Jewish Center.