Edward B. Finkel

Edward B. Finkel, 95, of Watchung, N.J., passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 30. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 2nd at 2pm at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road in Livingston, N.J. The family will be receiving friends from 1:15PM to 1:45PM.

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., Mr Finkel was the son of Celia and Julius Finkel. He was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Elizabeth, N.J., and the University of Illinois where he received a B.S. in Structural Engineering and a Master’s in Structural Engineering from Yale University.

Mr. Finkel was self-employed for over 60 years. Edward B. Finkel Associates, P.A., provided structural engineering services to architects and the private industry. Mr. Finkel was a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Concrete Institute (ACI), and past President of the NJ Chapter of ACI. He was a noted authority who specialized in industrial concrete flooring for clients such as Grainger; both nationally and internationally.

Mr. Finkel was a Renaissance Man. An accomplished and talented tenor saxophonist, he had the privilege and thrill to play aboard the Queen Elizabeth ll with Helen O’Connell and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. For more than 20 years, he was a regular member of the Jazz at Noon Band, the longest running jazz institution in New York City founded by Les Lieber in 1965 for businessmen-musicians.

Combined with his passion for jazz, he was a gifted artist. Mr. Finkel’s professional career, love of music, and his family were the center of his being. He was married for 37 years to his beloved wife, Arlene. Mr. Finkel was an exceptionally devoted and loving father to daughters Celia (Finkel) Solloway (Brad Bickford); Julie (Finkel) Kuehnert (Matthew); son David Finkel (Katherine); and stepfather to Jodi Belizzone (Tom); Craig Friedman (Rhonda); grandchildren Jessica Solloway (Seth Frotman); Adam Solloway (Alyson); Ben (Chelsey), Ella and Tess Kuehnert; Sarah and Rachel Finkel; Adam and Max Belizzone; and great grandchildren Olivia and Nora Frotman and Elizabeth Solloway. He was predeceased by his brother, Hartley Finkel and sister, Barbara Leeds.

Mr. Finkel was a humble and charismatic man who was grateful for a long life filled with all he cherished each and every day.