Post by Marc LeVine on Sept 15, 2006 16:07:19 GMT -5
Builder was cornerstone of Freehold community
BY DICK METZGAR
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — If Freehold Borough has been one of the exemplary melting pots of America, then William Lopatin was one of the choice gems in that pot.
Lopatin was born in Russia in 1911 and arrived in the Freehold area in 1920, joining other Lopatins, including his father and grandfather, who had begun to emigrate to America at the turn of the 20th century.
Lopatin, a self-employed building contractor, would develop into one of Freehold’s most distinguished citizens. He died at his home in Freehold Township on April 21 at the age of 94.
He was a decorated veteran of World War II, a member of many local civic organizations, a member of the Freehold Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment and even dabbled in politics.
Much of Lopatin’s early life is described in “Marching Home: To War and Back With the Men of One American Town,” by Kevin Coyne, an author and journalist who serves on the Borough Council and is Freehold Borough’s historian. The book tells the story of six men from the borough who served in World War II and then came home to build and serve their community.
Much of the material for this story was taken from Coyne’s book.
According to “Marching Home,” after a hazardous journey across war-torn (World War I) Europe, beginning in November 1919, Lopatin, his mother and four siblings arrived in the Freehold area months later, after his oldest sister died during the journey. Lopatin spoke no English when he arrived in America, but he soon learned.
After graduating from Freehold High School, he first studied accounting at New York University and later studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree from Monmouth College at the age of 81.
During World War II, Lopatin would serve as a waist gunner on B-26 Marauders in the European Theater, flying 72 bombing missions.
Lopatin was honored by the French veterans of World War II, and following the war was a charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4374 of Freehold and the Jewish War Veterans.
Following the war, Lopatin, who operated Lopatin Construction Co., which built houses and other buildings, served on the borough’s zoning board, and as a zoning officer and building inspector for the town.
He even ran for the Borough Council in 1951 and 1952 as a Republican. He lost decisively in the 1951 election and in 1952, after a recount and a judge’s decision, Lopatin lost to Democrat Harry Sagotsky by five votes, 1,808 to 1,803. That was his last foray into politics.
He then turned his attention to his building business.
Lopatin was a prominent member of such civic organizations as the Rotary Club and the Optimist Club. He was a charter member of the Freehold Area Hospital (now CentraState Medical Center) Board of Directors and served for 26 years.
Lopatin was predeceased by his first wife, Selma, in 1985, and two daughters, Ruth Lopatin in 2001, and Lynn Seidler in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and son-in-law, Lee Seidler, of Connecticut; a sister, Jenny Blond, of Maryland; a granddaughter, Laurie Seidler-Cinquini, and a great-grandson, Isaac Cinquini.
BY DICK METZGAR
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — If Freehold Borough has been one of the exemplary melting pots of America, then William Lopatin was one of the choice gems in that pot.
Lopatin was born in Russia in 1911 and arrived in the Freehold area in 1920, joining other Lopatins, including his father and grandfather, who had begun to emigrate to America at the turn of the 20th century.
Lopatin, a self-employed building contractor, would develop into one of Freehold’s most distinguished citizens. He died at his home in Freehold Township on April 21 at the age of 94.
He was a decorated veteran of World War II, a member of many local civic organizations, a member of the Freehold Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment and even dabbled in politics.
Much of Lopatin’s early life is described in “Marching Home: To War and Back With the Men of One American Town,” by Kevin Coyne, an author and journalist who serves on the Borough Council and is Freehold Borough’s historian. The book tells the story of six men from the borough who served in World War II and then came home to build and serve their community.
Much of the material for this story was taken from Coyne’s book.
According to “Marching Home,” after a hazardous journey across war-torn (World War I) Europe, beginning in November 1919, Lopatin, his mother and four siblings arrived in the Freehold area months later, after his oldest sister died during the journey. Lopatin spoke no English when he arrived in America, but he soon learned.
After graduating from Freehold High School, he first studied accounting at New York University and later studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree from Monmouth College at the age of 81.
During World War II, Lopatin would serve as a waist gunner on B-26 Marauders in the European Theater, flying 72 bombing missions.
Lopatin was honored by the French veterans of World War II, and following the war was a charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4374 of Freehold and the Jewish War Veterans.
Following the war, Lopatin, who operated Lopatin Construction Co., which built houses and other buildings, served on the borough’s zoning board, and as a zoning officer and building inspector for the town.
He even ran for the Borough Council in 1951 and 1952 as a Republican. He lost decisively in the 1951 election and in 1952, after a recount and a judge’s decision, Lopatin lost to Democrat Harry Sagotsky by five votes, 1,808 to 1,803. That was his last foray into politics.
He then turned his attention to his building business.
Lopatin was a prominent member of such civic organizations as the Rotary Club and the Optimist Club. He was a charter member of the Freehold Area Hospital (now CentraState Medical Center) Board of Directors and served for 26 years.
Lopatin was predeceased by his first wife, Selma, in 1985, and two daughters, Ruth Lopatin in 2001, and Lynn Seidler in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and son-in-law, Lee Seidler, of Connecticut; a sister, Jenny Blond, of Maryland; a granddaughter, Laurie Seidler-Cinquini, and a great-grandson, Isaac Cinquini.
