Hon. Neil H. Shuster (ret.), our Husband, Father, Pop Pop and dear Friend passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 1, 2022. He will be profoundly and forever missed.
Neil was born on August 4, 1945 to Harry and Mae Shuster in Newark, NJ. The family eventually moved to East Brunswick, NJ where Neil graduated from East Brunswick High School in 1963. He was a very proud graduate of Rutgers University in 1967. While at Rutgers, he was the head manager of the Rutgers mens’ basketball team coached by Bill Foster and led by players Bob Lloyd and Jim Valvano.
Inspired by his beloved, late uncle Saul Tischler, Esq., for whom the Tischler Award is named, Neil went on to graduate from Seton Hall Law School in 1970. He clerked in the Appellate Division for the Hon. John W. Fritz Jr. who was a distinguished jurist, mentor and friend to the Shuster family.
From 1972 through 1975 Neil was a Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor under Bruce Schragger, Esq. and Hon. Bill Mathesius (ret.) who both became lifelong colleagues and friends.
Neil started his private practice career in 1975 with the law firm Carchman, Annich and Sochor on Palmer Square in Princeton, NJ. Although it was a general practice, Neil had a concentration in criminal and municipal court law, and was the Prosecutor in East Windsor and West Windsor Townships and later Municipal Court Judge in West Windsor and Hamilton Townships.
He became the First Assistant Prosecutor under Hon. Paul T. Koenig (ret.) when he served as the Mercer County Prosecutor, and was appointed to the Superior Court in Mercer County in January, 1988.
His affinity for the law included 20 years of mentoring and advising his law clerks and he took personal pride in their many professional accomplishments and cherished their friendships. Neil retired from the bench on March 1, 2008.
Neil went on to a busy and successful mediation practice with the firm Dennigan Cahill Smith until 2018.
His personal life was full and rich in many ways. He married Judy Kentsbeer in 1967 with whom he had 2 beautiful daughters – Jamie Shuster Morgan, Esq. and Jessica Shuster. We lost Judy to cancer in March 1981.
After some masterful sole parenting while juggling a law practice, Grace joined the family. Together, the family grew to include 2 fabulous sons in law and 4 amazing grandchildren who gave Pop Pop immense joy and love.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Grace Dennigan, his daughters Jamie Shuster Morgan (Darin Morgan), Jessica Shuster (David Killeen), his grandchildren Emma Killeen, Justin Killeen, Nathan Morgan and Maya Morgan, and many dear friends and relatives.
Funeral services are on Tuesday, May 3, at 11:00 am at Adath Israel Congregation, 1958 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ. Burial is private at Princeton Memorial Park, Robbinsville, NJ.
Shiva will be observed Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the home of Grace Dennigan.
My deepest condolences to Neil’s family for the loss of a wonderful man! He was an outstanding Judge and a roll model to all members of the Bar. He had a great sense of humor . Neil was a real gentleman who will be missed! Sincerely, Joe Bocchini
I am so sad to learn of Judge Shuster’s passing. In so many ways, he personified the best of what it meant to be a lawyer – and a human being. His sense of humor was legendary, but it wasn’t just that he was so quick-witted. It was that his humor was invariably self-deprecating and reflected his complete lack of pretension – which in turn helped make him such a great judge. He was practical, just, and fair, and was universally loved by the entire Mercer County Bar. I am sorry that I won’t be able to attend the funeral, as I am out-of-state, but my deepest condolences to Judge Shuster’s family – and particulalry to Grace, who was such a perfect partner in his life.
Our deepest condolences. May Neil’s memory be a blessing z”l.
had the pleasure of serving on the Park Commission with Neal and he was really one of the good guys. Great sense of humor and wit. Just an overall great guy. Prayers and condolences to his family.
An absolute loss of a remarkable man! We were so sad to hear this news.
He was such an incredible person and emulated the wonderful dad we all hope to have. He was such a joy. Our sincere condolences to Jamie, Grace, and Jess for their heartbreaking loss and to Darin and David and all the kids. Lost much too soon but never forgotten. We are sending our love to you. -Lynsey and Mike
Someone I always admired. Respected. Kind. Tolerated my lack of skills as a young lawyer before the learned Judge. Later on learned the person he was. Stories of Judge Carchman and he court side. Thank you. Well done.
My condolences to the Shuster family.
I worked under Judge Shuster when he was the presiding judge for the Civil and Chancery Divisions in Mercer County. Truly a lovable, humorous and intelligent human being. I was glad to have met and worked with him during his years at Mercer Vicinage.
Sincerely,
Celeste Givens
An absolutely wonderful man & friend
Another sad day Our prayers are with Grace & their beautiful family God Bless 🙏🙏
Judge Shuster was a wonderful person and one of the best judges that I have known. I had the pleasure of working with Neil since I was a young lawyer appearing before him in municipal court and then while he was on the Mercer Superior Court bench. He was bright, fair and an all around good guy. This is such a tremendous loss! My sincere condolences to his family. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
The Desilets Brothers—Michael, Lawrence, Gerard, and Kenneth—offer their sympathy to the family of Neil Shuster, in particular to Grace Dennigan, whom we have known and cherished since her student days at Rowan University—and New England School of Law. As Brother Jerry recalled her time in Massachusetts, “Grace was fun to hang out with. I loved her sense of humor and her great laugh.” We wish you the best in these sad times.