Saturday, June 24, 2023
I had many fond memories of visiting Uncle Jean's wonderful parents. He was brought up by very kind and generous people. They owned a butcher shop making Swiss/ German wurst and cold cuts products. His parents brought me and my sister and brother beautiful swiss dirndle dresses and lederhosen from their trip to Switzerland. They also outfitted his other nephews, Jean, Alfred , Charles, Thomas and Jeffrey in lederhosen too. This tradition led to Uncle Jean bringing back real silk Japanese pajamas for me and my sister while he was in the airforce stationed over in Japan. What a wonderful treat and memory. My Uncle Jean and my God mother Aunt Pinky opened their home to many Christmas and New Year's Eve parties. (She was some cook). At their home, on 52 Stirling, they threw a tremendous 100 people large surprise 25th wedding anniversary party for my parents George and Mildred Neelen. Mildred was Pinky's sister. It was a party of all time, filled with friends and family! I, Janet, my sister Barbara and brother George were there to help with the festivities. We are their nieces and nephew. My Uncle Jean had many great memories of my father George. They did remodeling work on the house into the wee hours. They were so tired they sawed the ladder in half and backed up into the stove which turned on, setting the radio on fire! They laughed themselves silly and became vast friends which lasted many decades. I know Uncle Jean would take his family on many Sunday drives exploring upstate New York and ending at beautiful restaurants. Bear Mountain was one of their favorite location. They loved antique shopping and decorated their beautiful home. Antique Roadshow , a TV show was much enjoyed. Uncle Jean also had an old time printing press and was very skilled in producing advertisements for his wife's store, The Park Avenue Beauty Salon. Through the many customer's stories they became quite knowledgeable about the history of old time, historic Weehawken and its bluffs including the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. In 1976, We were all at the bluffs watching the sail ships come up the Hudson for USA's 200th birthday celebration. JEAN and Pinky should have written a tour guide. Another memory was that their home was built on a giant blue stone foundation. The sturdiest that could ever be built. At sleepovers we noticed our hands would shake while in bed? They explained that the the Lincoln tunnel, into New York, ran way underground under their home! One more memory, Uncle Jean was a great Scottish terrier owner for decades and they were all named, Pepper. So they are all together now. I loved them too!
