Paul A. Rifkin was born on Sept. 26, 1954, in Neptune, NJ and passed away on March 2, 2023, at age 68. He lived his whole life on his family farm in Manalapan, NJ and was proud to work alongside his father and brother in the family business. He built the farm market with his father when he was still just a teen. Paul loved and looked up to his two older sisters and his older brother, all of whom he was close with throughout his life. He was a lifelong member of the Perrineville Jewish Center.
Paul was fiercely devoted to his family and worked long and hard every day to ensure that their needs were met. He loved to spoil his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed giving tractor rides to all his nieces and nephews when they would come to visit and looked forward to fishing and boating with them. He never missed a family gathering.
He was a true “people person” and he liked to chat with individuals from all walks of life. He loved to laugh and he made everyone else laugh too.
He was predeceased by his parents, Irving and Helen, and an older sister, Geri Jacobs, all of whom he adored. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 44 years, Andrea (Fyne) Rifkin; a sister, Gail Fiorito; and a brother, Hal; his daughters, Lauren and Melanie (Justin), and five grandchildren; and by many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
As a farmer and a person who loved to feed others, especially with fresh produce, the family suggests that to honor Paul’s memory you consider a contribution to Leket Israel, an organization providing tens of millions of pounds of fresh, excess produce and millions of surplus meat meals to people in need of all backgrounds: www.leket.org/en.
Paul was always first to contribute when a natural disaster struck (and he encouraged others to do the same); therefore you may consider a donation to a disaster relief organization of your choice.
Funeral services and burial will be held March 3, 2023 at the Perrineville Jewish Cemetery, 755 Perrineville Road, Millstone Twp., NJ. Shiva will take place at the family residence.
Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel.
Deepest condolences to the entire family. Paul was always welcoming and kind to me and my family throughout my entire life, and he will be deeply missed by us all.