South Brunswick Bids a Fond Farewell to Aaron Rosloff

At an age when most people simply waste away the final days of their lives, Aaron Rosloff couldn't keep his feet on the ground.

Rosloff, whose impact on South Brunswick will live on for generations to come, died peacefully on Oct. 17 at the age of 92.

Known around South Brunswick as the "Skydiving Senior," Rosloff gained recognition two years ago when he jumped 8,000-feet from an airplane to raise money for the township food pantry. In subsequent fundraisers for his next two birthdays, Rosloff raised over $10,000 for the township's less fortunate.

Known for his kind heart and generous spirit, Rosloff left a lasting impression on all who were lucky enough to have known him.

"Aaron meant the world to this community, from the time he moved here a long time ago," said Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf. "He helped start the Willows Swim Club, he helped merge three synagogues into one with B'Nai Tikvah. He has supported the food pantry as long as I've lived here. He wanted it to be his legacy so people would donate to the pantry long after his death."

Rosloff was born in Manhattan, NY and grew up in the Bronx, prior to moving to Kendall Park, where he lived for the past 54 years. He served as a Sergeant in the US Army Air Force during World War II from 1942 to 1946. It was during his childhood and subsequent service to the country that Rosloff fell in love with aviation.

"I started building those rubber band flying models of World War I planes when I was 10-years-old," Rosloff said in 2011.  "My cousin used to joke that when you walked into my room you immediately had to duck because of all the airplanes hanging from the ceiling. As I grew older I became really interested in aviation and read a lot of books on the theory of flight."

Rosloff also served as the Director and Officer of the South Brunswick Community Development Corporation, Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Oak Woods, Inc. and was a member of South Brunswick Board of Health and Recreation Committee. He was a founding member and President of Temple Beth Shalom, a founding member and board member of Congregation B'Nai Tikvah and was the founder of the Rejoice Jewish Music and Culture Festival. 

"My family has always been oriented towards helping others," Rosloff said in 2012. "I've been on the boards for Charleston Place and Oak Woods for over 20 years, and I helped to develop and build Oak Woods. The idea of helping people to make their lives a little better is something my family and I were always encouraged to do."

With the spirit of adventure still living strong inside him as his 90th birthday approached, Rosloff decided he would fulfill a lifelong dream by skydiving. 

"Well I'm a World War II veteran and I was in the Air Force, but I never got a chance to jump out of an airplane and skydive," Rosloff said prior to his first jump. "I was the crew chief for the maintenance crew, but I always wondered what jumping from an airplane would be like. This has been a long time dream. I remember (former President) George Bush did it when he was 80, so I'm gonna beat him and do it when I turn 90."

Rosloff said when he told friends and family about his plans, the first response he received was a text message that read simply, "OMG."

"One of my friends suggested we make a fundraiser out of it and I've always been a supporter of the food pantry," Rosloff said in 2011. "I'm really not nervous about it, it's my first jump so I'll be going with an instructor, and he's jumped about 2,000 times already.  So I figure if somebody is going to jump that many times, then I'm sure they're not suicidal."

Rosloff decided to combine his skydiving dream with his passion for helping others, as the first "Aaron's Jump" raised thousands for the pantry.

"When I first thought of doing this, I didn't think of it as a fundraiser. For me it was just about having fun," Rosloff said. "As long as my health holds out, I'm going to do this annually until I reach 100-years-old, whichever comes first."

Unfortunately, Rosloff would suffer a setback on the jump for his 91st birthday, suffering a broken ankle. 

"The first time I came straight down and the landing was so gradual, I hardly felt it," Rosloff said. "The second time I was still going forward as I looked down to see my son and other friends waving at me. I forgot the rule and dropped my right foot, which got twisted under me. So if I jump again, I'm not going to step like that again. I may be getting old, but I'm not completely stupid."

Rosloff's injury should've kept him immobile for two months. But in typical Rosloff fashion, he was back on his feet in six weeks.

"I was already back to doing jumping jacks and push-ups," Rosloff said. "For a guy my age I amaze myself sometimes. Of course, I don't plan on breaking my ankle again."

As a result, B'Nai Tikvah began a fundraising drive called "Stop Aaron," to raise enough money for the pantry to prevent Rosloff from skydiving for his 92nd birthday. The drive ultimately raised $5,000 for the pantry, with Rosloff donating $1,000 of his own money.

"I think this whole thing is a little bit kooky," Rosloff said. "But there are a lot of people who took care of me and are concerned about me making the jump again. I'm very honored that there are so many people concerned about me."

Rosloff was predeceased by his parents Alexander and Fanny Rosloff and his brother Joseph Rosloff. He was the beloved husband of the late Mili Rosloff and is the loving father of Risa Lotto, Jay Rosloff and his wife Beth and Curt Rosloff and his wife Edna, cherished grandfather of Guri and Shira Lotto, Daniel, Benjamin and Abraham Rosloff and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother and sisters-in-law Reuben Rosloff and his wife and Blanche and Ruth Rosloff and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

"A wink and a smile, that was Aaron," Wolf said. "He was a kind-hearted soul who truly wanted to learn about you and know about you. He was the consummate storyteller, but he also wanted to know your story."

As South Brunswick bids farewell to a community treasure, those who knew him remember his grace and courage, and most of all, the way he remained young at heart until the end.

"When I flew in airplanes, I would look down and see the ground four or five miles down and wonder what it would be like to skydive," Rosloff said in 2011. "The nearest I came was about 30 years ago when I went parasailing while on vacation. I got this great feeling, like what it would be like for an eagle to soar high above as I looked down at the hotel I was staying at. I thought what a wonderful thing.  I want to experience that again."