WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN IN OLD KENILWORTH – Kenilworth’s Greatest Generation
This is Part I of a tribute saluting ten living Kenilworth veterans who fought in World War II. They are part of Kenilworth’s greatest generation. The first two veterans featured, Eugene Coppola and Pat Paterson, were classmates together and graduated from Jonathan Dayton Regional High School in 1938.
(above) Eugene V. Coppola
Corporal Eugene V. Coppola of the US Army, born in Kenilworth 99 years ago, still resides here. Corporal Coppola served from 1942 to 1945. He and his wife of 76 years, Evelyn, have a daughter, Evelyn, and four grandchildren. He spent much time at Camp Kilmer, Piscataway, as an instructor, handler of returning troops, and in data management. He served in Panama where he was a poisonous gas specialist. His brothers, Vincent and George, also served in WWII. At 99, Corporal Coppola is the oldest male living in Kenilworth ever born here.
(above) Adolf “Pat” Paterson
2nd Lieutenant Adolf “Pat” Paterson, of the US Army, 98 years old, came to Kenilworth in 1929 at age nine. He currently lives in South Jersey. Lieutenant Paterson served from 1942 to 1946. He and his late wife, Mary Jane, had seven children: Andrea, Bruce, Nancy, Janet, Judy, Charles, and Karen. He served in the European Theater of War, mainly stationed in Austria. He was in combat along the Rhine River in Germany and was heavily decorated. Old timers remember the family business, Charles Paterson Floors, on S. Michigan Ave
(above) Coxswain Kenneth M. Ross (Socofsky)
Coxswain Kenneth M. Ross (Socofsky) of the US Navy, born in Kenilworth 92 years ago, now resides at the Jersey shore. Coxswain Ross served from 1943 to 1945. He and his late wife Florence, had two children Dennis and Betsy (Scheidegger). He transported munitions aboard four different ships in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific. He was trained on big guns at gunnery school in California. His grandfather, David Stein, helped settle Kenilworth in 1898. He and his brother, Milford, owned and operated Ross Brothers’ Tavern on the Boulevard.
(above) Pasquale “Pat” Scorese
Private first-class Pasquale “Pat” Scorese of the US Marines, 92 years old, came to Kenilworth at age nine months. Pfc Scorese served from 1943 to 1945. He now resides in Union with his wife, Jean. They have four children: Pasquale, Carmela, Jean, and Diane. A 112-pound state wrestling champion, he was rejected three times trying to enlist due to weight. A sympathetic officer finally gave him a pass. Stationed in the Pacific he saw some skirmishing in China. He is seen daily at Quality Decorators on the Boulevard with his brother Ronald.
Part II of Kenilworth’s greatest generation will be featured in a subsequent issue of Kenilworth Business Life.
Research provided by Walter E. Boright, Ed. D., historian, and Historic Signs, Inc. assisted by Brearley HS student, Michael Naya, Jr. Persons with living veteran names or inquiries about this or other aspects of Kenilworth history may contact Dr. Boright at drbori@aol.com or 908-256-5200.
Photos courtesy of families and Historic Signs Inc.
(above) WWII Veterans and school buddies Eugene Coppola, 99, and Adolf “Pat” Paterson, 98, meet to talk about their military service and growing up in old time Kenilworth.
