Teaneck's Been Home to the Famous

By DOROTHY BELLE POLLACK

Through the years, Teaneck has been home to many well-known people.

Among them were John Gambling, the radio announcer whose son continues the "Rambling with Gambling" program begun by his father; John Grande, Metropolitan Opera librarian; Walter Hines Page, famed editor of "The Atlantic Monthly" magazine; and Roosevelt Brown and Dave Winfield, two athletes who need no introduction.

Howland Avenue has been host to Elston Howard and Al Hibbler. Pat Boone lived on Mildred Street; Howard Fast lived on Norma Road.

Myor Rosen, famed New York Philharmonic harpist, lived on Cherry Lane for 40 years, before retiring in 1990 to Florida.

Ozzie and Harriet Nelson of radio renown lived in the big white house on Barr Avenue.

Philip Bosco, the actor and star of many Circle in the Square productions, lives on Ogden Avenue.

Paul Volcker, son of Teaneck's first township manager, grew up in Teaneck, attended township schools, and went on to become chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.

Bob McGrath of television's Sesame Street, beloved by all small frys and now a grandfather, has lived on Francis Street for 35 years. Over the years, he has hosted cottage parties for Board of Education and Township Council candidates, and has given benefit concerts for residents at Teaneck High School.

D. T. Bolinger, president of A and P, built a massive columned house on Queen Anne Road that still stands today on its 310-foot frontage.

Spider Lockhart, N.Y. Giants football great, coached biddy basketball for the town's youngsters. He used to drive about town in his familiar silver-gray Rolls Royce.

Ferde Grofe wrote his "Grand Canyon Suite" when he lived in Teaneck.

Tony Campbell of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers previously played basketball at Teaneck High School and still resides here.

Lebbeus Chapman, a celebrity and international banker at the turn of the century, built a huge home on Teaneck Road and West Englewood Avenue. His grandson added luster to the Chapman name when he married Gladys Swarthout, internationally acclaimed opera star.

And Placido Domingo, the celebrated opera tenor, lived on Herrick Avenue, before buying a castle in Spain. He could be spotted pushing his own shopping cart in a supermarket and told a questioner, 'But we have to eat, too!"

Sculptress Ema Weill, whose works have been exhibited all over the United States and Europe, still lives on Alpine Drive. Some of her sculptures are housed in Teaneck -- in Temple Emeth, the Jewish Community Center and Fairleigh Dickinson University.  Teaneck High School has in its library a bust of Martin Luther King, sculpted by her. Now approaching her 92nd year, Weill still says, "I love Teaneck."

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