Alan “Wish” Wishengrad, of Livingston, New Jersey, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024 after a brief illness. Wish was 85 years old. Born in Newark, New Jersey on September 15, 1938, he was the son of Rae and Arthur Wishengrad.
Alan received a Bachelor ofArts from Temple University and was a veteran of the Air National Guard. He was the Executive Vice President of his family business, New Jersey Office Supply, was the owner of Forest Gallery, and was a dedicated volunteer for many local organizations and non-profits, including Rosemarie’s Rescue Ranch, where he would greet the transports and comfort rescues at adoptions.
Wish also volunteered with Jeff Friedman and the homeless of New Jersey, delivering winter coats, clothing and produce to shelters in Newark. One of his biggest joys and proudest volunteer opportunities, however, was the role he played at the Whippany Railway Museum. Wish was the restoration and work crew manager, as well as a conductor on ride days.And if you knew Wish, you knew that he had a lifelong passion for trains, with an extensive personal collection that he took great pride and joy in. Alan was also a member of Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston.
Wish was a devoted husband to his beloved wife Judy for 62 years, whom he loved dearly. Judy and Wish traveled the world together and where one was, the other was not too far behind. He was also a family man who cherished time with his two daughters and four grandchildren.
Alan is survived by his wife, Judy (Weintraub) Wishengrad; and his daughters, Andrea Sokol of West Orange, and Abby Sakwa and her husband, Steve, of Livingston. He was the proud grandfather of Rebecca Sokol, Lindsey Sokol, Amanda Sakwa and Jared Sakwa; and brother of Ruth (Wishengrad) Chaiklin and her husband, Jack, of Verona. Alan also leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins, and hundreds and hundreds of friends.
A funeral service for Wish was held on Sunday, July 21, at Bernheim- Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston. Following the funeral service was a burial at B’nai Abraham Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made to any of the following organizations. Please make mention that your donation is in memory of Alan “Wish” Wishengrad.
• The Whippany Railway Museum Attention: Steve Helper, PO Box 16, Whippany, NJ 07981
• Rosemarie’s Rescue Ranch, PO Box 194, Verona, NJ 07044
• Temple Beth Shalom, 193 East Mount Pleasant Ave., Livingston, New Jersey 07039
