Summit Community Mourns Ben Zukoff

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Summit Community Mourns Ben Zukoff

Michael M. Shapiro

Tuesday, January 29, 2013 • 10:47am

SUMMIT, NJ - The Summit community is mourning one of its own, Benjamin Zukoff, 20, who passed away on Monday after a valiant battle against cancer.

Ben, the son of Mimi and Dr. Paul Zukoff of New Providence Internal Medicine Associates, leaves behind brother Sam Zukoff as well as grandparents, Ella and Martin Zukoff, and Irene Preiser; uncles, Ed Zukoff and David Preiser; aunt, Jane Preiser; cousins, Jessica, Lexi and Greg Preiser, and very special girlfriend, Halli James.

Paul Sears, Principal at Summit High School, told TheAlternativePress.com, "Ben Zuckoff was a 2010 graduate of Summit High School. He was a talented student who was awarded an Award of Excellence in Industrial Arts and was the student technical director for the school musical. Ben was well-liked and respected by the entire school community. Many faculty, staff and students are effected by this tragic loss. We celebrate all that he accomplished in his young life and extend our support and prayers to his family and friends."

Miles D. MacMahon said in 2010, Ben was named as recipient of the American Character Award in recognition of his participation and leadership in the many communities in which he was a member. American Legion Post #322 recognized his talent, his dedication, and his potential for a lifetime contributing to the traditions of our country.

"His gift of artistic expression and the skill of his sensitive hands impressed the awards committee and gave confidence that his career would become a model for others," MacMahon said. "We expect that Summit High School students who see his name on the plaque that memorializes the award will recognize the importance of using the present moment to actualize their lives and be assured that a life can be fulfilled even if has a term much shorter than had been expected or hoped for."

Donations in Ben's memory can be made to Friends of Bucks Rock, Inc., P.O. Box 3515, New York, N.Y. 10163, or The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Morristown Medical Center, 100 Madison Ave., Box 70, Morristown, N.J. 07962. Services will be held 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston, N.J., with interment to follow at Beth Israel Cemetery, Cedar Knolls, N.J.

For more information please, visit www.bernheimapterkreitzman.com or call (973) 422-0600.

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