Millburn Man ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike

MILLBURN, NJ - The trespasser struck and killed on the tracks at the Millburn Train Station Friday morning has been identified as Michael Leon Brendzel, 71, of Millburn, according to an NJ Transit spokesperson.

Friday's accident caused the suspension of service on the Morris & Essex Line and Gladstone Branch rail lines for most of the morning. Service was restored early in the afternoon.

According to Michael's son Matthew, his father was born in Poland in 1948; his family emigrated to Israel in 1950, and then to Patterson in 1958. After obtaining a bachelors degree in economics at Rutgers and a JD at Columbia University, Michael worked for many years at the law firm of Delson and Gordon, and then later at Nissho-Iwai America Corporation (NIAC) as senior VP and head of the legal department.

Michael and his wife Helane were married on April 20, 1985, and they remained married until Helane's passing in May 2011, Matthew Brendzel said. Michael is survived by Matthew, his daughter Perri, his brother Henry, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, Matthew Brendzel said.

Michael's funeral will be at Menorah Chapels on Wednesday, Oct., 16 at 10 a.m., Matthew Brendzel said.

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