By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Saturday, December 21, 1991
The Record (New Jersey) | Two Star B | NEWS | Page A04
Spencer Joseph worked so long at the IGA supermarket and was so popular around town that he was affectionately regarded as a borough landmark.
“He was one of the best persons around Maywood,” said Harry Tzimoulis, the owner of the supermarket. “He helped everyone. He was very friendly, and they all knew him by his first name. ”
But last year Joseph, 50, died after a hit-and-run accident. Authorities have not caught the driver.
Joseph was struck about 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 19, 1990, as he crossed West Spring Valley Road near Edel Avenue. He died nine hours later in Hackensack Medical Center.
Although the case remains open, the investigation is dormant because no witness to the accident has come forward, Bergen County Prosecutor John J. Fahy said. Joseph was walking from his house to the Forum Diner on Route 4 when the accident occurred at the busy intersection.
A $1,250 reward donated anonymously by two residents and three borough businesses for information leading to an arrest did not help.
“We believe that the car that was involved was a late model Pontiac,” Fahy said. “We have a small fragment of a light that we think came off the car that hit him. ”
Joseph, who authorities said was mildly retarded and was taking medication for epilepsy, had worked in the IGA store for about 30 years.
Tzimoulis said he hopes the driver will develop a guilty conscience and come forward.
“It hurts me badly,” he said. “Spencer was somebody special.”
ID: 17364220 | Copyright © 1991, The Record (New Jersey)
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