On October 17, 2021, Don Shuman, long-time Flemington resident and developer, drew his final breath at the age of 96. He died peacefully, without fanfare, which will come as no surprise to those who knew him best. Don was born in Philadelphia on April 9, 1925, and lived there until his parents moved to FlemingtonContinue Reading
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On October 17, 2021, Don Shuman, long-time Flemington resident and developer, drew his final breath at the age of 96. He died peacefully, without fanfare, which will come as no surprise to those who knew him best.
Don was born in Philadelphia on April 9, 1925, and lived there until his parents moved to Flemington in 1930 at the beginning of the Great Depression.
He worked from a young age, both in his father’s general store on Main Street and selling newspapers for ‘The Republican’, a predecessor of the ‘Hunterdon County Democrat’.
What he didn’t appreciate was school. He said that youthful cockiness made him certain he knew more than his teachers, so, at the age of 16, he dropped out of Flemington High School . With age comes wisdom and he later said he wished he had stayed in school. He was always a prodigious reader and became a highly knowledgeable, self-educated man.
He joined the Navy in 1943. When he got out, he began his real estate life with his father, the late Max D. Shuman. After a few years, Don struck out on his own, renting an office at 3 Main Street from Helen Opdyke, another long-time Flemingtonian, where he opened his namesake firm, Don Shuman Associates.
In the early 1960’s, he moved his business to a building he had purchased at 130 Main Street, making sure he put his office on the second floor so that he’d be forced to climb the stairs several times each day. He remained in operation at that location until he closed the business on December 31, 2020.
Don considered things from an outside-the-box perspective, his creative solutions often leading, rather than following, the crowd.
He was a visionary, responsible, during his more than 80 years in real estate, for many successes in the development of Flemington, including the Newmarket complex and the Commerce Street Corridor, which includes Shop-Rite.
He was also a workaholic, often spending more than 60 hours a week on behalf of his clients. And his list of clients and friends was almost identical. He truly loved what he did. He also loved talking about the history of Flemington, having an amazing memory of what and when things happened, and who was involved. There was nobody who could tell a story like Don Shuman.
He had the respect of those who knew him and he was a man whose honesty was beyond question, a man of great integrity. When he addressed a problem, he solved it based on what was best for the other person, not himself.
Don is survived by his wife of 68 years, the former Sue Goldman, his sons, Doug and Dennis, his grandchildren, Alison, Nicholas, Adam, and Alexa, and his great-grandchildren, Luke and Lucy.
Don leaves a legacy of what a role model looks like. Remember him in your hearts always.
Graveside services officiated by Rabbi Eric Cohen will take place on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in the Flemington Jewish Community Cemetery, 67 Capner Street, Flemington, NJ 08822, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.
Everyone is kindly asked to begin to arrive at the cemetery at 1:15 p.m. and to follow the parking instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival at the cemetery.
Realizing that some people may be unable to attend, the funeral services will be live-streamed on Wenesday beginning at 1:25 p.m. by clicking HERE. Kindly ensure your pop-up blocker is not active and if you have any issues you may alternatively follow this link: https://vimeo.com/event/1393816/51e23467a5)
Following the services, all are invited to return to the Flemington Jewish Community Center, 5 Sergeantsville Road, Flemington, NJ, for the meal of consolation.
You are encouraged to visit Don’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.
As is custom in the Jewish faith, no flowers please. Memorial contribution information will also be announced.
____________________________
Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”
Nancy Metz
left a message on October 24, 2021:
Dear dennis and family. Your father was/and his presence remains remarkable. My mother loved his hunterdon county Democrat editorials. I remember dinners and pool side times at the shuman residence. Almost everyone I knew knew don shuman. Never in negative ways. He was a peacemaker in my experience. We need more people like him in the world today. I have a very good friend who saw him every week at the egg auction complex and we shared appreciation for him. His social ability and well versed knowledge of so many things. I’m so proud of what’s great son you have been Dennis. We are extended family. It’s been decades but like yesterday. So sorry for your loss. He will be remembered and missed by many
Paula Baldwin
left a message on October 20, 2021:
Don was such a warm person. He shared not only his wisdom but also his heart. I spent a lot of time today thinking about how different our lives have been through knowing him and how many wonderful people we have met through him. He truly changed our lives for the better. He was a member of our family, and I feel like we are members of his family. I am very sad he is no longer with us but I am happy that he was a big part of our lives and we will enjoy the friendships and wisdom we gained through knowing him.
William E Vogt
left a message on October 20, 2021:
My family has known Don since the early 60s, our business was a few doors down from his, I became very close friends with him in the late 80s and have been ever since, he was an amazing man , he was always ready to help you when needed, he was one of a kind and I will miss him very much.
Welles Lobb
left a message on October 20, 2021:
To Doug and Dennis and all surviving Shumans: Peace to all of you at this difficult time. Your father was a fine man who lived a very long and productive life. While you will miss his presence and guidance in your daily lives, due to loss of health and vitality, it is sometimes better when the person you loved passes to the other side. Keep Don in your hearts, and embrace his fatherly gifts and wisdom as you live out your own journeys.
Sal DiFazio
left a message on October 19, 2021:
As a 15 year tenant at The Old Egg Auction, I had the great pleasure of spending many hours in conversation with Mr. Shuman who would stop by ‘to catch up’. Not only was he a true gentleman, he was a source of knowledge and incite. I miss our talks and am sure that he will be missed by the family and friends who were lucky enough to know him. Rest In Peace Don.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Fran Bernstein
left a message on October 19, 2021:
My heart breaks for you though I know memories of Dad will keep you warm forever.
Joey Novick
left a message on October 19, 2021:
I was a personal friend of Don's. From the time I first became involved in Flemington governance, I could always count on Don to share his wisdom, his advice and his sense of humor. He did so very easily.
Don was an excellent storyteller, and had many to share. One time my significant other, Rosi, and I planned to go to the Philadelphia Art Museum on a Sunday, and stopped into the Shaker Café for a quick take-out breakfast. We saw Don sitting at a table by himself, and we stopped by for a quick 'hello'. He invited us to join him for breakfast, which we did. He regaled us with an amazing history of Main Street, story after story of the notable people he met in his real estate business. We gave him our rapt attention and learned a lot, and laughed heartily. Almost two hours later, we left for our art museum trip. After four hours looking at some of the great artwork of the world, Rosi and I agreed that the highlight of our day were Don's stories.
It can be said that he lived a good long life, and never missed a moment of joy. To Dennis and the rest of his family, we express our deepest condolences on your loss. However, be rest assured Don's impact on his community and his many stories live on forever. A local legend has passed.
Mary Hollender
left a message on October 19, 2021:
Heartfelt condolences to the Shuman family, especially to my friend, Dennis. I did not know Don but grew up in Flemington and wish I had the honor of meeting him. Knowing the son he raised assures me that a great man has passed.
Richard Simberg
left a message on October 19, 2021:
To Don's family, may you know that Don was always there for me and he was responsible for my business success in his guidance with the location of my store and 20 years latter with the sale of the property. In getting the approvals for my store he never once cared about getting paid just getting the job done, and that he did. Without his help I don't think I would have been able to be successful. When it came to selling the property he did a great job making sure I was able to get the best deal.
I am truly sorry for your loss but you should know that in his long life he did so much good for people and it is now time for him to rest.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Nancy Metz
left a message on October 24, 2021:
Dear dennis and family. Your father was/and his presence remains remarkable. My mother loved his hunterdon county Democrat editorials. I remember dinners and pool side times at the shuman residence. Almost everyone I knew knew don shuman. Never in negative ways. He was a peacemaker in my experience. We need more people like him in the world today. I have a very good friend who saw him every week at the egg auction complex and we shared appreciation for him. His social ability and well versed knowledge of so many things. I’m so proud of what’s great son you have been Dennis. We are extended family. It’s been decades but like yesterday. So sorry for your loss. He will be remembered and missed by many
Paula Baldwin
left a message on October 20, 2021:
Don was such a warm person. He shared not only his wisdom but also his heart. I spent a lot of time today thinking about how different our lives have been through knowing him and how many wonderful people we have met through him. He truly changed our lives for the better. He was a member of our family, and I feel like we are members of his family. I am very sad he is no longer with us but I am happy that he was a big part of our lives and we will enjoy the friendships and wisdom we gained through knowing him.
William E Vogt
left a message on October 20, 2021:
My family has known Don since the early 60s, our business was a few doors down from his, I became very close friends with him in the late 80s and have been ever since, he was an amazing man , he was always ready to help you when needed, he was one of a kind and I will miss him very much.
Welles Lobb
left a message on October 20, 2021:
To Doug and Dennis and all surviving Shumans: Peace to all of you at this difficult time. Your father was a fine man who lived a very long and productive life. While you will miss his presence and guidance in your daily lives, due to loss of health and vitality, it is sometimes better when the person you loved passes to the other side. Keep Don in your hearts, and embrace his fatherly gifts and wisdom as you live out your own journeys.
Sal DiFazio
left a message on October 19, 2021:
As a 15 year tenant at The Old Egg Auction, I had the great pleasure of spending many hours in conversation with Mr. Shuman who would stop by ‘to catch up’. Not only was he a true gentleman, he was a source of knowledge and incite. I miss our talks and am sure that he will be missed by the family and friends who were lucky enough to know him. Rest In Peace Don.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Fran Bernstein
left a message on October 19, 2021:
My heart breaks for you though I know memories of Dad will keep you warm forever.
Joey Novick
left a message on October 19, 2021:
I was a personal friend of Don's. From the time I first became involved in Flemington governance, I could always count on Don to share his wisdom, his advice and his sense of humor. He did so very easily.
Don was an excellent storyteller, and had many to share. One time my significant other, Rosi, and I planned to go to the Philadelphia Art Museum on a Sunday, and stopped into the Shaker Café for a quick take-out breakfast. We saw Don sitting at a table by himself, and we stopped by for a quick 'hello'. He invited us to join him for breakfast, which we did. He regaled us with an amazing history of Main Street, story after story of the notable people he met in his real estate business. We gave him our rapt attention and learned a lot, and laughed heartily. Almost two hours later, we left for our art museum trip. After four hours looking at some of the great artwork of the world, Rosi and I agreed that the highlight of our day were Don's stories.
It can be said that he lived a good long life, and never missed a moment of joy. To Dennis and the rest of his family, we express our deepest condolences on your loss. However, be rest assured Don's impact on his community and his many stories live on forever. A local legend has passed.
Mary Hollender
left a message on October 19, 2021:
Heartfelt condolences to the Shuman family, especially to my friend, Dennis. I did not know Don but grew up in Flemington and wish I had the honor of meeting him. Knowing the son he raised assures me that a great man has passed.
Richard Simberg
left a message on October 19, 2021:
To Don's family, may you know that Don was always there for me and he was responsible for my business success in his guidance with the location of my store and 20 years latter with the sale of the property. In getting the approvals for my store he never once cared about getting paid just getting the job done, and that he did. Without his help I don't think I would have been able to be successful. When it came to selling the property he did a great job making sure I was able to get the best deal.
I am truly sorry for your loss but you should know that in his long life he did so much good for people and it is now time for him to rest.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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