Conrad Warren KRAFTE

KRAFTE Conrad Warren, of Hillsdale passed away peacefully on April 28, 2010 at the age of 82 after a brief battle with cancer. Conrad was born in Newark, NJ on October 20, 1927, graduated from Irvington High School in 1945, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-46. He attended Bethany College and Swarthmore College, was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1949, graduated from Rutgers Law School in 1950, and was admitted as a counselor at law in 1953. He practiced law in Irvington, NJ for ten years. On January 22, 1959, he became associated with the firm that became Liebowitz, Krafte & Liebowitz in Englewood, where he practiced general and matrimonial law until 1979. He was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1975.On January 26, 1979, he was appointed a Judge of the Bergen County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. On January 26, 1984 he was appointed to the Superior Court. Judge Krafte was the first Judge in New Jersey to receive tenure after a five year term in the Juvenile Court. As a Superior Court Judge, he was assigned to the matrimonial division of the Superior Court, where he served until his retirement on February 1, 1994. As a judge, he authored 54 published opinions, several involving cases of first impression in the State of New Jersey, never shying away from breaking new ground when he thought justice demanded it. One of his unpublished opinions was the oft-cited Lynn v. Lynn, an opinion for the proposition that a "[medical] degree and license are property subject to equitable distribution." Judge Krafte also was the author of ground breaking opinions on asset valuation, child support, equitable distribution and interference with custody. In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Krafte enjoyed mentoring and guiding the clerks and young attorneys that worked with or came through his court -- he took enormous pride in watching them develop their legal and advocacy skills. In tribute to Judge Krafte's dedicated service, the funeral procession will drive past the Hackensack courthouse (Bergen County Justice Center).After his retirement from the Bench, Judge Krafte became "of counsel" with Liebowitz & Liebowitz, his former firm, utilizing his matrimonial expertise to arbitrate and mediate divorce matters. He was a proponent of such procedures for their ability to assist divorcing parties in achieving speedy and fair resolution of their issues.Judge Krafte married the former Joan (Joni) Weiser on December 24, 1950 and was a devoted husband until her death on March 31, 2004, and a devoted father and grandfather. Judge and Mrs. Krafte were avid boaters and spent half the year aboard the "Joni Won" in Engelwood Boat Basin and in Martha's Vineyard, MA for more than 30 years. He was a member and officer of the Palisades Yacht Club for many years and served in the Palisades Power Squadron. With retirement, the Kraftes became "snowbirds" and enjoyed winters in Naples, FL. A resident of Hillsdale for over 50 years, he watched the town grow, houses springing up in place of apple orchards, frequently remarking "I moved to the country, but I don't live in the country anymore." He participated in local politics and served as a councilman in Hillsdale from 1972 to 1974. Judge Krafte is survived by daughter Jill Krafte and son-in-law David Oxenham, daughter Lori Krafte and son-in-law Stephen Gillen, son Drew Krafte and daughter-in-law Laurie Church, grandsons Joseph Krafte-Jacobs, Eli Krafte-Jacobs, Jason Varian, and Ian Church-Krafte, brother Burton Krafte, and a niece and nephews. Funeral services are at 1 PM on Monday, May 3, 2010 at Louis Suburban Chapel, 13-01 Broadway (Route 4 west), Fair Lawn, NJ. The family will receive family and friends on Sunday from 3-5 and 7-9 at the funeral chapel. Entombment will follow at Sanctuary of Abraham & Sarah at Cedar Park Cemetery, Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations in Judge Krafte's memory may be made to the Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service, 340 Washington Avenue, Hillsdale, NJ 07642 (www.hillsdaleamb.org) or to Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Jersey, Inc., 945 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618 (www.casaofnj.org) (CASA volunteers assist abused and neglected children in court proceedings.