Born in Poland on April 5, 1927, son of the late Charles and Anna Landis Berger, Monroe was a larger-than-life persona who leaves many true gifts to all he encountered on his path of life.

Growing up on Ridgewood Avenue in Newark, NJ, after his parents emigrated to the United States for a better life, Ridgewood Avenue would be the place that changed Monroe’s world. It was on the opposite end of that street, where a young Ms. Anita Retsky and her family had settled. Never having met or even seen Anita (it was a long avenue in a city!), one day Anita would be at the neighborhood bus stop, when her smile caught Monroe’s eye as he was driving past. He stopped, they exchanged a few words, and the rest as they say, is history!

Married on May 30, 1953, by Rabbi David Freedman at the Hotel Douglas in Newark, the young couple lived briefly in an apartment complex called “Monroe Gardens” in Hillside, NJ, before settling with a growing family in Colonia, NJ. As the family grew and jobs changed, they finally settled long-term in Livingston, NJ.

Family was everything to Monroe, and he was blessed with a daughter, Pauline and a son, Charles. A dedicated father, Monroe did all he could to ensure his children had every opportunity to pursue each of their dreams; a proud Dad he became as they grew is putting it mildly! He was equally as happy when his children found their life partners whom he loved dearly as well, and who made him a proud grandfather four times over!

Extremely humbled to be an American, Monroe enlisted in United States Army in 1945, at the age of 18, and served for one year in the “Army of Occupation” in Germany.  He was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal and served his time as “Chief Clerk for the Finance Department”. His time in the service, in Germany especially, only reinforced his thinking that America was truly the greatest country in the world for many reasons, but particularly because he was allowed to practice his Jewish faith without fear. He would later join the Jewish War Veterans, Joseph Helderman Post, Newark, NJ, and support many veterans’ organizations throughout the rest of his life.

Returning home having seen much good, as well as much evil in the world, Monroe realized he needed to further his education and would attend Rutgers University in Newark, earning a Bachelor Arts in Business, Class of 1950. His love of Rutgers, especially its sports teams, would never falter and he was a huge supporter of Rutgers both as an alumnus and also a parent as his son, Chuck, would attend and graduate with the Class of ’82.

Working hard was a core value Monroe instilled in his children. He himself carried on the legacy of his father by first working in the Newark Farmer’s Market. He would later go on to work at several jobs to help support his family including: King’s Supermarkets, John Rapicano Imports, Francavilla Farms with his close friend and colleague, Nick Martello, and Get Fresh Produce, with his dear friend Sonny Martella. No matter where he worked, Monroe was well-respected by his colleagues and customers alike as he was considered a man of his word.

Rabbi Johnathan Sacks once wrote, ‘“The Jewish way is to rescue hope from tragedy. However dark the world, love still heals. Goodness still redeems. Terror, by defeating others, ultimately defeats itself, while the memory of those who offered kindness to strangers lives on.” Though Monroe’s death brings a feeling of darkness, he would want all those reading this to be strengthened by hope, and the knowledge that his legacy of being kind, genuine, and loving, lives on through so many.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his adored wife, Anita, and his sisters, Pearl Brittman and Rita Shulman.

Surviving are his children and their spouses, Pauline Cheryl Jennis and Paul Jennis, and Charles (Chuck) Berger and Shelley Tauber Berger; his grandchildren, Jennifer Lambert and her husband, Christian Lambert, Austin Jennis, Justin Berger and his wife, Tiffania Berger, and Rachel Berger; several nieces, nephews, and extended family; and many dear friends.