Mayor's Speech Honoring Late Residents Perlaw, Sena

Editor's Note: Mayor Mary-Anna Holden gave the following speech at the July 26 Borough Council meeting honoring late life-long Madison residents Alice Perlaw and Nicholas Sena Sr.

I was particularly struck by the burials of two significant, life-long Madisonians this past week and each's community involvement, that I cannot let go unnoticed, because their lives were the essence of what makes Madison–this Madison, in New Jersey–Madison.

The day of our last Council meeting, lifelong resident, Miss Alice Perlaw, who had grown up on Waverly Place, and was also the longest-serving teacher in New Jersey state history, passed away. She was 95. Within days, another lifelong resident, Nicholas A. Sena, Sr., an electrician, one of the Borough's two Veterans' Affairs officers, departed this life at age 90.

Two divergent life paths. Yet two individuals whose life goals were in parallel. They were what defines Madison. They personified the Rotary Club's motto of "Service Above Self" or the Thursday Morning Club's "I Serve." Miss Perlaw touched the lives of not only her fellow classmates, but at least three generations of Madisonians who passed through our high school, be it the "old" one on Main Street or the "new" high school on Ridgedale Avenue. She became fully invested in each and every person she met.

In her gracious way, Miss Perlaw organized and maintained correspondence with her former students, particularly those who would leave to fight in Europe and the Pacific  from 1942 through 1945; and again, in 1950, when more left for Korea; and again, when still more went to serve in VietNam. Her patriotism was deep seated and heartfelt.

Miss Perlaw fondly recalled dancing in celebration in Times Square on V-J Day, August 14, 1945, and she continued her emotional support, for many years after the War, as she frequently sang, danced, read to and generally entertained those hospitalized at the Lyons Veterans' facility in Bernardsville. She adored dancing and singing, and had a terrific sense of humor.

Locally, when the school day ended, Miss Perlaw kept on working and giving. She quietly helped those in financial need–sometimes even outfitting entire families with winter gear; drew out the shyest of students with after-school Library Club activities; taught leadership through mentoring the yearbook (Students twice dedicated the Alembic to her.); served on the Madison Public Library board and on weekends, for 50 years, she taught Sunday school at the Madison Presbyterian Church, where she was affectionately referred to as "Miss Alice."

So it is only fitting that her life receive special attention.

Nicholas A. Sena, Sr., served as a Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Army, experiencing some of the worst of the European fight during that awful winter siege in the Ardennes Forest, December 14, 1944, through mid-January 1945 – the Battle of the Bulge – with the first Allied "break" in the battle coming just before Christmas, on December 22, 1944. Over 600,000 American troops were involved; 81,000 Americans alone were

killed in this month-long fight. It is, therefore, no wonder that Mr. Sena carried immense pride in his military service in this defining moment of World War II, and there is no doubt where the source of his life-long service to his community and to veterans emanated.

Where he could, Mr. Sena helped those who returned from war but continued to suffer its wounds, by making years of frequent visits to Lyons Veterans' Hospital, by serving as a National Service Officer of AMVETS and by becoming one of Madison's Veterans' Affairs Officers, volunteering to be trained and then to guide veterans needing help and direction to the government benefits they had earned, but were often unfamiliar with or at a loss of how to apply for them. Mr. Sena helped cut through the "red tape" and gave great comfort and relief to hundreds of our veterans.

Mr. Sena was also a neighbor of mine. I met him through his niece, Josephine DeBiasse, and her mom, Jenny Sena DelDuca, his sister. Always wanting to know more about Madison history, and admittedly being the greenhorn Madisonian that I always will be by comparison, I remember being curious how the North Stars Club got its name.

Did it refer to a constellation? No, Nick explained patiently (and thankfully not teasing me as he was often wont to do with his great sense of humor) they were the athletic stars of North Street who returned after World War II and bonded together in a way to recapture the youth and innocence that time and separation from friends The War had stolen. To Mr. Sena, or "Uncle Nick," as I was privileged to call him, the North Stars

Club became a way to still showcase athletic talents and to celebrate life and good friends in, to him, the greatest country on earth, while not losing sight of one's Italian heritage and traditions.

And thus, Nick served again, only this time as this Club's first President. Nick and Josephine Sena rarely missed a Sunday at St. Vincent Martyr Catholic Church during their 62 years of marriage, and if there was electrical work to be done there, Mr. Sena willingly loaned his professional talents to it. He patiently, and painstakingly, would teach, explain and share his talents with others, and many times not charging those who needed help. Perhaps that was not always the best course for a businessman, but certainly it is a noble trait to which we can all aspire.

Whether passing along golfing secrets and backyard gardening tips, or sharing his work experience from the 1930s in Madison's rose-growing greenhouses, with a twinkle in his eye, "Uncle Nick" was always available to offer his wisdom and advice with those of any age who would care to listen and learn.

"Miss Alice" and "Uncle Nick" were of the "Greatest Generation." Although so very different, you see the parallels in their lives. Both, also, had lived through the Great Depression; rationing; December 7, 1941; September 11, 2001; and too many wars.

Thus, they appreciated life's existence perhaps because of their witness, living life and sharing it to its fullest.

Their legacy lives in all whose paths they crossed. They are the faces of our volunteers and those who consistently step forward, not looking for a plaque, a picture in the paper or monetary gain for relatives or friends. They are the secret to Madison's spirit and success–that selfless devotion to neighbors and donation of one's talents, treasure and time.

The lesson learned from their lives? As the saying goes "there is no 'I' in Team." But there is one in Madison. Be Alice. Be Nick. Or just be yourself, and make that "I" mean "You." Lend not just a "can do" spirit, but an "I can do" strength.

With that, Alice and Nick, may look down upon us all and say "well done."

Mary-Anna Holden
Madison Mayor