By jennifer dome
Staff Writer
Monroe lost two highly valued community volunteers last week.
Planning Board Chairman Cary Mintz, 59, died suddenly after suffering a heart attack on July 9, while Vice Chairman Jack Entmacher, 85, died at his home on July 10.
Both were longtime members of the board.
Township officials said last week that the two men were both fair in their deliberations over board matters, and were equally tough in dealing with unwanted developments or questionable applications.
Entmacher, a board member for more than 20 years, "always served in an unbiased manner," said Township Councilman John Riggs, who sits on the Planning Board.
According to Riggs, Ent-macher had been ill for some time prior to his passing. He recalls that the veteran board member was a tough opponent for many applicants who came before the board with applications he called into question.
"He was willing to go toe to toe to make sure things were done right for Monroe Township," Riggs said.
Planning Board Attorney Jerome Convery referred to Entmacher as a "senior mentor" to many newcomers who were appointed to the board over the years. Entmacher commanded a lot of respect from his colleagues, as well as from developers, because of his integrity, Convery said.
"He made sincere, reasoned decisions," Convery said.
Entmacher was also an officer with the Clearbrook Homeown-ers and Community associations. His service to residents of the township also included work on the Governmental Relations Committee of Clearbrook and the Clearbrook Bylaws Committee.
Born in New York City, Entmacher lived in Westbury, N.Y., for 25 years before moving to Monroe approximately 25 years ago. He graduated from the City College of New York in 1937 and received a law degree from Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., in 1940.
Entmacher practiced law for more than 40 years in New York City. After moving to the Clearbrook community, he established a practice in the township and later retired in 1997.
Besides serving on various municipal boards, he and his wife, Doris, a member of the township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, also both served on the Nassau County Area PTA.
In addition to his wife, Entmacher is survived by two daughters, Rita Cohen, of Norwood, Bergen County; and Joan Entmacher, of Silver Spring, Md.; and a grandson.
Mintz had been a member of the planning board since 1988.
Over the years, Mintz was heavily involved with the community, including past memberships on the township’s Municipal Utilities Authority and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. He was also a long-time active member of the township’s Democratic Club, serving as its president, and he was vice chairman of the Monroe Affordable Housing Board.
"He was one of the finest people you’d ever meet. He was a true friend," Riggs said of Mintz.
The councilman said Mintz actively tried to keep the township from making the same mistakes that officials believed many of the surrounding communities had made in planning for development.
"I’ve never participated in any public meeting that had a better leader," Convery said of Mintz.
Referring to Mintz as a "vibrant" person, Convery said that Mintz always arrived at meetings early and well-prepared. He said that Mintz’s death hit home recently when he arrived at the township’s offices and Mintz’s car was not already in the parking lot.
"He was fully in command of the meeting, yet compassionate and intelligent, and firmly intent on doing the right thing," Convery said.
It was surprising to hear of Mintz’ death, Riggs said, since the board chairman had always been very active and enjoyed playing golf frequently.
"He’s going to be missed," Riggs said.
Mintz was born in New York City and lived in Forest Hills, N.Y., for 20 years before he moved to the township about 33 years ago. He attended C.W. Post College in Long Island, and was associated with his family’s business, Prince Drapery, in Long Island City, N.Y., for 35 years.
Mintz helped establish the Mill Grinder, a Mill Lake Manor newspaper that was published for several years. He was also known for the great love he had for his family.
Mintz is survived by his wife, Judi; a son, Jeffrey, and his wife, Audra Mintz, of Marlboro, Monmouth County; a daughter, Elisa, and her husband, Michael Vaillancourt, of Raleigh, N.C.; a brother, Myron, and his wife, Celina, of Paramus, Bergen County; and a sister, Wendy, and her husband, Herb Brooks, of Larchmont, N.Y. He is also survived by a grandson.