Mr. Warren W. Wilentz died March 18, 2010, at home surrounded by his family and friends. He was 85. Born in Perth Amboy, Mr. Wilentz was the first son of David and Lena Wilentz.

After graduating from Perth Amboy High School, he attended the University of Virginia, but left after his second year to serve his country in the Army in World War II at the age of 19. He served with the Combat Engineers of the 104th Infantry Division and fought in France and Germany. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, along with the Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal for his distinguished military service.

Upon leaving the Army, Mr. Wilentz returned to the University of Virginia and graduated in 1946. He followed in the footsteps of his famous father, former N.J. Attorney General David T. Wilentz, and went to law school, graduating from the Rutgers Law School in 1949.

He passed the Bar that same year. In a distinguished legal career of more than five decades, he practiced law with only one law firm, the firm his father founded 90 years ago, now known as Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, which has five offices in three states.

Among the many highlights of his legal career, he served as prosecutor of Middlesex County 1956-1960; county counsel 1960-1967; was a founding member of the Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and also the Middlesex County Trial Lawyers Association; president of the Middlesex County Bar Association; trustee and chairman of the Middlesex County Legal Services Corporation; fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and a member of the American Bar Association and the American Association of Justice. He served as chair of the Woodbridge Economic Development Association and general counsel to the New Jersey Highway Authority (Garden State Parkway).

He was also very active in community and civic activities, and was one of the founders of the J.F.K. Medical Center, and past chair of the Woodbridge Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Wilentz received many awards, including The James J. McLaughlin, Esq. Professional Award by the Civil Trial Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association; National Conference of Christian and Jews Humanitarian Award; National Conference for Community and Justice Award, and the Middlesex County Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate in 1966 and was defeated in that election by the incumbent, Republican Senator Clifford P. Case. He described his law practice as representing people from all walks of life, and corporations, both large and small. He specialized in litigation, including criminal, negligence, civil, and matrimonial cases. He was chairman of the board of the Wilentz Law Firm and guided the firm's growth for many years.

Although suffering a catastrophic car accident in December 2002, he remained chairman of the board of the law firm, and remained interested and engaged in all firm business. He was predeceased by his father, David; mother, Lena; brother, Robert; daughter, Gay; stepson, Mark Baime; and brother-in-law, Leon Hess.

Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery Woodbridge. Memorial donations may be made to Kessler Foundation for Spinal Cord Injuries, 300 Executive Dr., Suite 150, West Orange, N.J. 07052.

Source: THE JEWISH STATE
March 26, 2010

Entire obituary with descendants available at: thejewishstate.net

Mr. Warren W. Wilentz died March 18, 2010, at home surrounded by his family and friends. He was 85. Born in Perth Amboy, Mr. Wilentz was the first son of David and Lena Wilentz.

After graduating from Perth Amboy High School, he attended the University of Virginia, but left after his second year to serve his country in the Army in World War II at the age of 19. He served with the Combat Engineers of the 104th Infantry Division and fought in France and Germany. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, along with the Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal for his distinguished military service.

Upon leaving the Army, Mr. Wilentz returned to the University of Virginia and graduated in 1946. He followed in the footsteps of his famous father, former N.J. Attorney General David T. Wilentz, and went to law school, graduating from the Rutgers Law School in 1949.

He passed the Bar that same year. In a distinguished legal career of more than five decades, he practiced law with only one law firm, the firm his father founded 90 years ago, now known as Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, which has five offices in three states.

Among the many highlights of his legal career, he served as prosecutor of Middlesex County 1956-1960; county counsel 1960-1967; was a founding member of the Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and also the Middlesex County Trial Lawyers Association; president of the Middlesex County Bar Association; trustee and chairman of the Middlesex County Legal Services Corporation; fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and a member of the American Bar Association and the American Association of Justice. He served as chair of the Woodbridge Economic Development Association and general counsel to the New Jersey Highway Authority (Garden State Parkway).

He was also very active in community and civic activities, and was one of the founders of the J.F.K. Medical Center, and past chair of the Woodbridge Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Wilentz received many awards, including The James J. McLaughlin, Esq. Professional Award by the Civil Trial Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association; National Conference of Christian and Jews Humanitarian Award; National Conference for Community and Justice Award, and the Middlesex County Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate in 1966 and was defeated in that election by the incumbent, Republican Senator Clifford P. Case. He described his law practice as representing people from all walks of life, and corporations, both large and small. He specialized in litigation, including criminal, negligence, civil, and matrimonial cases. He was chairman of the board of the Wilentz Law Firm and guided the firm's growth for many years.

Although suffering a catastrophic car accident in December 2002, he remained chairman of the board of the law firm, and remained interested and engaged in all firm business. He was predeceased by his father, David; mother, Lena; brother, Robert; daughter, Gay; stepson, Mark Baime; and brother-in-law, Leon Hess.

Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery Woodbridge. Memorial donations may be made to Kessler Foundation for Spinal Cord Injuries, 300 Executive Dr., Suite 150, West Orange, N.J. 07052.

Source: THE JEWISH STATE
March 26, 2010

Entire obituary with descendants available at: thejewishstate.net