Alan "Wish" Wishengrad, of Livingston, New Jersey, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024 after a brief illness. Wish was 85 years old. Born in Newark, New Jersey on September 15, 1938, he was the son of Rae and Arthur Wishengrad.
Alan received a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University and was a veteran of the Air National Guard. He was the Executive Vice President of his family business, New Jersey Office Supply, was the owner of Forest Gallery and was a dedicated volunteer for many local organizations and non-profits, including Rosemarie’s Rescue Ranch, where he would greet the transports and comfort rescues at adoptions. Wish also volunteered with Jeff Friedman and the homeless of New Jersey, delivering winter coats, clothing and produce to shelters in Newark, NJ. One of his biggest joys and proudest volunteer opportunities, however, was the role he played at the Whippany Railway Museum. Wish was the restoration and work crew manager, as well as a conductor on ride days. And if you knew Wish, you knew that he had a lifelong passion with trains, with an extensive personal collection that he took great pride and joy in. Alan was also a member of Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston, NJ.
Wish was a devoted husband to his beloved wife Judy for 62 years, whom he loved dearly. Judy and Wish traveled the world together and where one was, the other was not too far behind. He was also a family man who cherished time with his two daughters and four grandchildren.
Alan is survived by his wife, Judy (Weintraub) Wishengrad, his daughters, Andrea Sokol of West Orange, NJ, Abby Sakwa of Livingston, NJ and her husband Steve. He was the proud grandfather of Rebecca Sokol, Lindsey Sokol, Amanda Sakwa and Jared Sakwa and brother of Ruth (Wishengrad) Chaiklin and her husband, Jack of Verona, NJ. Alan also leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins and hundreds and hundreds of friends.
