Arrived in the great city of Newark from
Ireland, February 1965.
First I rented room in an old brick house on the corner of Fourth
Ave and No. Ninth St. The Super was a Mr. Campbell. Worked for Ward
Optician in North Arlington, then got work at the Prudential with
the "night waxing gang" from 9pm to 5:30am.
Traveled on the #2 Ampere or #34 Market St. bus. First experience
of a cold winter and very hot summer, used to be difficult sleeping
during the days, no air condition, just hot breezes coming in a
wide open window.
Later that year moved to third floor apartment at 446 Fourth Ave,
also started working afternoon job at "Kleen- Stik Corp, 410
Frelinghuysen Ave. Got on the day shift shortly after, working mixing
adhesives for the big machines.
Recall bussing it to work downtown during the riots, a touchy
time with detours due to fires at Broad and Branford Place. The
National Guard and State police were patrolling the city. Recall
several deaths including a police Detective and fire Captain.
On a lighter side enjoyed many dances at McGoverns and Branch
Brook Park was a great place to visit on a summers evening. The
open air market's on Mulberry Street were bustling, especially on
Saturday's.
Later after I became a citizen, joined the Police Department in
1973, worked in the West District, Housing Patrol Unit, East District
and finished up as a Detective in Subpoena Control in 1999.
Lived on Mount Vernon Place and on Walnut Street near Lang Street
before moving to Kearny.
Now retired and living on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
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