Longport Mayor Nicholas Russo and James Klinghoffer's caretaker Donna Salamone join friends to dedicate a bench in his memory.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT Friends of Longport philanthropist James Klinghoffer gathered in the rain at Thomas B. Reed Park at the foot of the Longport bridge Thursday to memorialize his contributions to the residents of the borough and the greater Atlantic County area.
According to his caretaker Donna Salamone, Klinghoffer shared his wealth generously not only to medical institutions and social service agencies, but to his friends, neighbors and even strangers working to rebuild their lives after suffering tragedies.
It was great for Longport Borough to recognize JK for all he's done for the community over the last 35 years, she said. Some of the things he did was to support the Police Department by providing bulletproof vests, putting computers in their patrol vehicles, and sending them food during the holidays. He liked to buy boxes and boxes of Girl Scout cookies and sent them all over.
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Klinghoffer, who earned his fortune in his family's newspaper distribution business, died on May 20, 2021.
JK knew he had been blessed in life because of his wonderful parents, Mayor Nicholas Russo said. Those of us who really got to know him understood he had morals, spiritual values, high ethical standards, a sense of humor and was truly an acutely compassionate helper for those suffering or less fortunate. He dedicated a significant portion of his adult life to giving and sharing.
Gabe Staino, senior development officer at the Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation Foundation, said Klinghoffer funded millions of dollars toward the Pediatric Care Center at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, and more recently, the Neurorecovery Center at Bacharach in Galloway Township that provides advanced robotic technology for those recovering from stroke, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
Klinghoffer also had a quirky side as a collector of Cadillacs and a lover of the film industry. At one time, he had eight Caddies in his collection.
Beth Joseph, senior director of donor relations for Jewish Family Services, said Klinghoffer was always advising her which movies to watch and giving her advice on raising her children. But more importantly, he was a generous contributor to the agency's food pantry and senior services programs.
According to his obituary, Klinghoffer, in his own words, honored his parents Harry and Edith Klinghoffer: They taught me the nature of life and the nature of people, he said.
The bench, made from recycled plastics, bears a simple plaque, honoring him for his contributions to the people of Longport. It is located near the veterans memorial sundial monument and the brick pavers bearing the names of those who served in the armed forces during numerous wars.
It's a place where people can pause for quiet reflection, Russo said.
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