Page 20 Thursday, November 8, 2001 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

From the Archives of The Westfield Leader From the Archives of The Westfield Leader John List 30 Years Later: Looking Back At the Case That Terrorized a Town

KATHY HALVERSON Gradually, the public learned about Westfield police, according to Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times the darker dimensions to the tragedy. Chief Tracy, never gave up. They Editor’s Note: Ms. Halverson has Well educated, a military veteran, worked to dig up whatever leads they compiled extensive research mate- List had struggled to keep his family could find on List’s whereabouts. Courtesy of Suzannah Plant rial on the John List murder case, together. He was deep in debt, and Yet, as hard as they worked, he re- AN INTERESTING SIGN OF HOPE...Despite all the devastation at “Ground Zero”, a ray of hope in the shape of a cross which is available at mained at large. remains. The United States flag waves in the background. had frequently renegotiated mort- www.goleader.com/list. gage loans on his home. Out of work It was not until 1989 that List was As Americans of all walks of life for many months in the period lead- found, following a segment on the are caught up in a new form of global ing up to the murders, List had pre- killings that ran on the popular tele- First Baptist Supports Blood Drive Slated terrorism today, law enforcement tended to have a job – walking to the vision show “America’s Most agencies and the news media are Westfield Train Station in the morn- Wanted.” But the show did not come At Church Nov. 19 looking back this month to 1971 – ing, hiding out around the town until about by accident. Humanitarian Efforts SUMMIT – St. John’s Lutheran and a bizarre crime that shocked a the evening hours – and then arriving Chief Tracy, and members of the Church, located at 587 Spring- nation and terrorized an entire com- back home at night as though all was Union County Prosecutor’s Office, had reportedly made contact with WESTFIELD — On October 7, throughout the world and finance field Avenue in Summit, will host munity. well. the First Baptist Church of Westfield, numerous ongoing humanitarian pro- a blood drive in Hinman Hall on On November 9, 1971, John List, His personal life was in disarray. the show’s producers about airing a located at 170 Elm Street, began grams. Monday, November 19, from 2 to a tall, bespectacled resident of Deeply religious, he worried that his segment on List, hoping that it might finally pinpoint his location. collecting donations for the 2001 Such programs include relocation 7 p.m. Westfield, brutally used a German- daughter, Patricia, was becoming part World Mission Offering. of displaced persons currently con- All blood types are needed, but made 9-millimeter Steyr automatic of the hippie generation of the era. The show, as is now well known, Collections received that first day fined to refugee camps; feeding starv- there is a special need for O-cmv pistol to murder his entire family — His wife was ill – later it would be featured a sculptor’s bust of what List might look like in the late 1980s, reached 70 percent of First Baptist’s ing children in North Korea; provid- and O+cmv. The entire process, his wife, Helen; his mother, Alma, revealed that she had syphilis, ac- 2001 goal of $5,000. The Reverend ing AIDS education and care in South from registration to light refresh- and his three teenage children, quired through her first husband. years after the crime. List, who by Dr. Darla Turlington, Senior Minis- Africa, and empowering disadvan- ments, takes no more than an hour. Patricia, John, Jr. and Frederick. John’s mother, who disliked her this time was known as Robert Clark, had remarried and was living in Vir- ter, recently reported that $4,610.95, taged communities suffering from Donors should bring some form But then, leaving behind a written daughter-in-law (the feelings were or 95 percent of that goal, had been economic and political instability. of identification with a picture or confession for his minister, List dis- mutual), had advanced the money to ginia. But a former neighbor of the reached. Among the contributions Anyone interested in contributing signature and have something to appeared – as though he had dropped her son to buy the Westfield man- “Clarks” in Colorado recognized List. was $30 in coins collected by the to the 2001 World Mission campaign eat within three hours before do- off the face of the earth. Police agen- sion. church’s Sunday School children. may call the First Baptist Church at nating. cies from New Jersey to New York List could be terribly demanding, List was arrested, returned to New As a cooperative effort with other (908) 233-2278. Information on these For more information, please and elsewhere searched frantically and also coldly calculating. Shortly Jersey and convicted. He is now in state prison in Trenton, from which Baptist churches that are affiliated ministries can be found on the call the church office at (908) 918- for any evidence of the former Sun- before killing his family, for example, with the American Baptist Churches denomination’s International Minis- 2500. The church is accessible to day School teacher. His car was lo- he let the children have a Halloween authorities say he will never be re- of the USA (ABC/USA), the First tries Web site, the handicapped. cated at JFK Airport in New York, but party. But he was so crabby at the leased. Baptist Church of Westfield collects www.internationalministrie.org. nowhere was John List to be found. party that he kicked one of the young The List family is buried at such donations on an annual basis. From the outset, there were unan- visitors. When List did kill his fam- Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. These gifts fund the worldwide swered questions, from the little to ily, he burned all pictures of himself. Alma is buried in Bay City, Michi- outreach efforts of the ABC/USA, LEARN Program to Focus the large. Such as, whatever hap- But he forgot that his church had a gan, where John was raised. supporting more than 150 missionar- pened to the Lists’ Pekinese dog, picture of the family, including him- Looking back, it is clear that law ies in 28 countries. The International Tinkerbell? It supposedly ran away self. enforcement agencies – especially Ministries of ABC/USA also equip On Auto-Immune Diseases one week before the murders. Why Law enforcement agencies, includ- the Westfield police — deserve ku- indigenous church leaders to man- did List not get counseling for his ing the Westfield Police Department, dos for finally cracking the case. SCOTCH PLAINS – The League academic year on current nursing “America’s Most Wanted” also war- age and lead local congregations for Educational Advancement for topics with Continuing Education/ mental difficulties in the period be- were stymied by the crime. They had fore the murders? Why did authori- a confession, the gun, the bodies – all rants praise. Registered Nurses (LEARN) will Contact Hours through the New Jer- However, one cannot help but re- PUBLIC NOTICE present an educational program en- sey State Nurses Association. ties not notice that the family seemed left behind by List, who had sought to be living on the edge, financially to tie up the case, even going so far as gret that some social agency along BOROUGH OF FANWOOD titled “Why Is My Body Killing Me? This program has been approved the way — a church, or hospital, or TAX ASSESSOR An Overview of Auto-Immune Dis- for 2.4 contact hours. In addition, and emotionally? spelling out how the house could be Outwardly, the family seemed nor- sold to pay for the funeral. But there school official – did not intervene The 2002 Tax Assessment rolls of the eases” on Monday, November 26, at the New Jersey Department of Edu- and get the counseling for List that Borough of Fanwood will be open for in- mal. Helen loved to cook and had was no John List. 7:45 p.m. at the Parish House of All cation, Professional Standards was obviously needed. spection at the Borough Hall, 75 North Saints’ Church, 559 Park Avenue in Board, has granted Professional De- over 300 cookbooks. The boys loved Police Chief James Moran used Martine Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey, on every investigative tool he could to Today, fortunately, such groups are December 11, 2001 between the hours of Scotch Plains. velopment Hours for School baseball, especially the New York Mets. Patricia wanted to be an ac- find List; the case continued on over more active than in the 1970s. 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Marie Kassai, a registered nurse Nurses. The List case is now history. But TAX ASSESSOR tress, and did well in local theater the years, also under current Chief associated with Atlantic Health Sys- The annual LEARN membership for longtime residents of Westfield, BOROUGH OF FANWOOD tems at General Hospital Center in is $40, or a guest fee of $10 per groups. Bernard A. Tracy, who started inves- 1 T – 11/08/01, The Times Fee: $11.73 With the murders, List left behind tigating it in the mid-1970s. Mr. Tracy it will never be forgotten. Nor will its Passaic, will be the guest speaker. program. For information, please lessons ever again be ignored. PUBLIC NOTICE LEARN, a not-for-profit profes- write to: LEARN, P.O. Box 6, Scotch a community not only caught up in later became Chief himself. BOROUGH OF FANWOOD sional organization for registered Plains 07076, or call (908) 754-9499 horror and anger at the crime, but PLANNING BOARD nurses, provides eight programs per or (908) 272-7239. fear. Longtime residents remember Notice is hereby given that on November the climate of apprehension that Elisa F. Koppel Is Ordained 28, 2001 at 8:00 p.m. in the Borough Hall of gripped Westfield – worries that List the Borough of Fanwood at 75 North Martine might still be in the area, eager to Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey the Fanwood As Rabbi at Recent Service Planning Board will hold a public hearing to People for Animals Seeks commit other crimes. Worries lin- consider the appeal of Mr. James Slifer to gered that somehow, in some way, in Worcester, Mass., where she construct a deck on the property at 64 WESTFIELD — During a recent the List case might be the action of ordination and investiture service of served in various capacities, includ- Portland Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey Loving Homes for Cats criminal groups or political radicals. also known as Block No. 22 Lot No. 3 on the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Insti- ing working with youth programs, Fanwood Tax Map. The following bulk vari- But the deepest concerns of all in- GARWOOD – People for Animals, and are spayed or neutered, current tute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New adult education and general rab- ance is requested from the Land Use Ordi- volved the children of Westfield, binical duties. nance of the Borough of Fanwood. a nonprofit animal welfare organiza- with vaccinations and have tested York, Elisa F. Koppel of Westfield confronted with news of the mur- was ordained as a rabbi in a cer- During her internship years, she 12.04E.6 Nature of Deficiency: rear yard tion serving New Jersey, will spon- negative for FIV and feline leuke- ders. setback; Permitted 25 feet; Present: 32 feet; mia. emony that marked the ordination of also created junior congregational Proposed 17 feet and such other relief that sor a pet adoption event on Saturday, In fact, in his sentencing of List, November 10, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the To adopt, or for information, please 31 rabbis and the investiture of 11 programs for fourth through seventh the board may deem appropriate. Union County Superior Court Judge grades; led weekly Torah study All interested persons may be present PETVALU store at 300 South Av- call (908) 688-1073 and press 8 for cantors. William L’E. Wertheimer spoke for Rabbi Koppel grew up in Westfield, groups, and taught introductory He- and heard. enue, Garwood, in the Garwood Mall. cat adoption or visit many when he said that, “an entire The file pertaining to this application is www.pfa.petfinder.org. attended local public schools and brew and religious school classes, as available for public inspection during normal Among the cats and kittens avail- generation of children grew up able for adoption will be “Olivia,” a Foster homes are needed for many received her religious education and well as many adult education classes business hours from the Secretary of the throughout the area, but primarily in in Jewish liturgy, holidays, Reform Board at the Administration Offices of the gray kitten and one of several sib- cats and dogs. Interested individuals training at Temple Emanu-El of Westfield, fearing that some day, Westfield, where her family has been Judaism and Hebrew. Borough of Fanwood at 75 North Martine lings seeking a loving home. Olivia are asked to call (908) 688-1073 and somehow, some way, their father, Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey. members for many years. Rabbi Koppel has also taught In- and her siblings are five months old press 1 for dog fostering or 8 for cat their protector and provider, might James Slifer fostering. In July, Rabbi Koppel became the troduction to Judaism courses 64 Portland Avenue mindlessly murder them.” through the New Jersey-West Hudson Fanwood, New Jersey 07023 assistant rabbi at the Community PUBLIC NOTICE The List case was covered from Synagogue of Port Washington, N.Y. Valley Council of the Union of Ameri- 1 T – 11/08/01, The Times Fee: $27.03 the outset by local news media. Pa- SHERIFF’S SALE She earned her bachelor’s degree, can Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) PUBLIC NOTICE SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, pers ran pictures of List and his fam- cum laude, from Brandeis Univer- for adults interested in learning about CHANCERY DIVISION, UNION COUNTY, ily, as well as his massive estate at sity in Waltham, Mass, with a major Judaism. SHERIFF’S SALE DOCKET NO. F-1062-99 431 Hillside Avenue. SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, NATIONAL CITY MORTGAGE CO., in English and a minor in elementary During her summers, she has CHANCERY DIVISION, UNION COUNTY, PLAINTIFF vs. OMAR TANGARIFE, ET education, and her master’s degree served as a faculty member at the DOCKET NO. F-5128-01 AL, DEFENDANT. in Hebrew literature at HUC-JIR. UAHC’s Kutz Camp in Warwick, INDYMAC BANK, F.S.B, PLAINTIFF vs. CIVIL ACTION, WRIT OF EXECUTION, N.Y. For two years following college JESUELA JULES, ET AL, DEFENDANT. DATED OCTOBER 26, 2000 FOR SALE Clothing Drive Slated While a student at HUC-JIR, CIVIL ACTION, WRIT OF EXECUTION, OF MORTGAGED PREMISES. Rabbi Koppel was a rabbinical in- and before her admission to HUC- DATED AUGUST 07, 2001 FOR SALE OF By virtue of the above-stated writ of ex- To Benefit Class of ’02 tern in Joplin, Mo. and Franklin JIR, she worked for the UAHC’s MORTGAGED PREMISES. ecution to me directed I shall expose for sale Lakes. Most recently, she was the Youth Division, mainly in the col- By virtue of the above-stated writ of ex- by public vendue, at the Union County Ad- At Governor Livingston rabbinical intern at Temple Emanuel lege education department. ecution to me directed I shall expose for sale ministration Building, 1st Floor, 10 BERKELEY HEIGHTS — A used by public vendue, at the Union County Ad- Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, New Jer- ministration Building, 1st Floor, 10 sey on WEDNESDAY THE 28TH DAY OF clothing drive will be held on Satur- Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, New Jer- NOVEMBER A.D., 2001 at two o’clock in day, November 24, to benefit Project sey on WEDNESDAY THE 14TH DAY OF the afternoon of said day. All successful Graduation for Governor Livingston NOVEMBER A.D., 2001 at two o’clock in bidders must have 20% of their bid available High School’s Class of 2002. Westfield UNICO Seeks the afternoon of said day. All successful in cash or certified check at the conclusion bidders must have 20% of their bid available of the sales. The public is invited to bring wear- in cash or certified check at the conclusion The judgment amount is ONE-HUNDRED able, used clothing to the Commu- Literary Award Entries of the sales. EIGHTEEN THOUSAND THREE-HUN- Olivia nity Center at 29 Park Avenue in The judgment amount is ONE-HUNDRED DRED FIFTY ONE & 09/100 ($118,351.09). Berkeley Heights between 9 a.m. WESTFIELD – The Westfield All entries must be original, un- THREE THOUSAND FIFTY NINE & 02/100 The property to be sold is located in city of PUBLIC NOTICE ($103,059.02). ELIZABETH, in the County of UNION, and and 1 p.m. that day. Chapter of UNICO National is seek- published essays or short stories of DOCKET NO.: F-5128-01 the State of New Jersey. BOROUGH OF FANWOOD All types of clothing are requested, ing applicants for the Ella T. Grasso not less than 1,500 nor more than MUNICIPALITY: Elizabeth Commonly known as: 641-643 GARDEN PLANNING BOARD including shoes, belts, handbags, Literary Award, which recognizes 2,000 words. COUNTY: UNION STATE OF NEW STREET, FORMERLY KNOWN AS 641 Notice is hereby given that on November hats, gloves and scarves, in addition the writing of essays and short sto- Entries will be judged on the ba- JERSEY. GARDEN STREET, ELIZABETH, NEW 28, 2001 at 8:00 p.m. in the Borough Hall of STREET & STREET NO: 322 Bond Street JERSEY 07202 the Borough of Fanwood at 75 North Martine to table linens, curtains, bedspreads, ries on the Italian-American expe- sis of creativity, originality, literary TAX BLOCK AND LOT NOS.: Tax Lot No. ACCT#: 407, in Block No. Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey the Fanwood towels and stuffed animals. Pillows rience. merit and suitability for publica- BLOCK NO.: 3 LOT NO.: 841 WARD; 6 FKA LOT NO. 6, BLOCK NO. 407 Planning Board will hold a public hearing to and blankets will not be accepted. The award is named in honor of tion. The topic must relate to the DIMENSIONS OF LOT: 50 feet x 115 feet Dimensions of Lot (Approximately) 40 consider the appeal of Mr. Walter Hack for Donations should not be torn or a former Governor of Connecti- Italian-American experience. NEAREST CROSS STREET: Corner of feet wide by 110 feet long. the construction of a deck on the property at Henry Street & Bond Street Nearest Cross Street: Situate on the north- 10 Montrose Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey stained and must be delivered in tied cut, the daughter of Italian immi- All entries must be submitted in SUPERIOR INTERESTS (if any): NONE erly side of Garden Street, distant 285 feet also known as Block No. 14 Lot No. 4 on the plastic bags. grants, who was educated at Mount double-spaced, typewritten form in There is due approximately the sum of from the easterly side of Maple Avenue. Fanwood Tax Map. The following bulk vari- Holyoke College, where she was a duplicate, on 8½ by 11-inch paper. ONE-HUNDRED SEVEN THOUSAND There is due approximately the sum of ance is requested from the Land Use Ordi- PUBLIC NOTICE Phi Beta Kappa, and elected to Written entries become the prop- NINE-HUNDRED NINETY SIX & 40/100 ONE-HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR THOU- nance of the Borough of Fanwood. ($107,996.40) together with lawful interest SAND FIVE-HUNDRED THIRTY NINE & 12.04E.6 Nature of Deficiency: rear yard BOROUGH OF FANWOOD two terms in the United States erty of UNICO National for pur- and costs. 31/100 ($134,539.31) together with lawful setback; Permitted 25 feet; Present: 33 feet; PLANNING BOARD Congress. poses of publication in the UNICO There is a full legal description on file in interest and costs. Proposed 20 feet and such other relief that Notice is hereby given that the PLAN- Any United States citizen over Magazine or any supplement. Au- the Union County Sheriff’s Office. There is a full legal description on file in the board may deem appropriate. NING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF age 18 is eligible to submit entries, thors retain the right for publication The Sheriff reserves the right to adjourn the Union County Sheriff’s Office. All interested persons may be present FANWOOD after public hearing granted this sale. The Sheriff reserves the right to adjourn and heard. approval to Mr. & Mrs. Todd Della Rocco to which may include personal recol- elsewhere. RALPH FROEHLICH this sale. The file pertaining to this application is construct a patio on the property at 181 lections, thoughts on being an Ital- All entries must be postmarked SHERIFF RALPH FROEHLICH available for public inspection during normal Herbert Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey ian-American or appreciation of no later than April 15, 2002 and WILLIAM M. E. POWERS, JR. SHERIFF business hours from the Secretary of the being Block No. 84 Lot No. 18. one’s own Italian heritage. mailed to: Westfield UNICO, P.O. CHARTERED FRANK J. MARTONE, P.C. – Board at the Administration Offices of the Documents pertaining to this application 737 Stokes Road COUNSELLORS-AT-LAW Borough of Fanwood at 75 North Martine are available for public inspection at Bor- Three prizes will be awarded, Box 11, Westfield 07090. PO Box 1088 4 Brighton Road Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey. ough Hall during normal business hours. which are as follows: First prize, For further information, please Medford, New Jersey 08055-9962 Clifton, New Jersey 07012 Walter Hack Todd & Elisa Della Rocco $1,500; second prize, $750, and third call Charles Grillo at (908) 654- CH-756191 (WL) CH-755668 (WL) 10 Montrose Avenue 181 Herbert Avenue prize, $500. Winners will be noti- 3717 or send an email to 4 T - 10/18, 10/25, 11/1 4 T – 11/01, 11/08, 11/15 Fanwood, New Jersey 07023 Fanwood, New Jersey 07023 & 11/8/01 Fee: $181.56 & 11/22/01 Fee: $187.68 1 T – 11/08/01, The Times Fee: $26.52 1 T – 11/08/01, The Times Fee: $14.79 fied by June 15, 2002. [email protected]. CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK