Lifelong Westfield is proud to spotlight Warren Rorden for his lifelong contributions to the Westfield community. Recently, Warren shared his experiences growing up in Brooklyn during World War II, his family’s move to Westfield, and his career in the U.S. Navy. Born in Brooklyn during the height of WWII, Warren recalled the war years, citing the times he and his sister collected scrap metal and paper in support of the war effort. Warren was raised in Westfield, after his father, an employee of Bell Labs, relocated their family from Murry Hill. He attended Wilson School (remembering the Maypole and flower contest, in which he won a first prize), Roosevelt Junior High School (on occasion, his English Class was cancelled due to a leaky roof) and Westfield High School (Class of ’54), having been part of the historic and well-celebrated move from the former Elm Street facility to the ‘new’ building on Dorian Road in 1952. While at WHS, he played clarinet in the band and started the first WHS Hot Rod Club. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, serving aboard a US naval ship for 2 years, and attaining the rank of 2nd Class. After a stint with the Navy Reserves in Elizabeth, he returned to Westfield where was employed selling vacuum cleaners. He soon realized that was not for him, and, anxious to begin anew, turned down an opportunity for a next-day interview with a radio company to, instead, interview that same day with a real estate broker. The rest is history! Warren earned his Real Estate License in 1959, and he and his wife, Ginny, opened their own office in Westfield in 1971. He operated as President/Sales Manager, while Ginny was the Vice-President and Office Manager. They realized the importance of delegating and growing the business through a well-compensated and motivated staff and for 30 years, they successfully operated Rorden Realty, thriving in an era of liberal corporate relocation policies. The Rordens settled in Westfield, not only because Warren had been raised here, but also because of the excellent education system - and the fact that Ginny especially liked the Norman Rockwell feeling the town embodied. Their first Westfield home was a fixer-upper and through the years, resided in several homes in town, raising their two sons (also WHS graduates). Warren fondly recalled his days of fishing in Brightwood Park, noting with gratitude, the successful efforts in recent years to maintain the park’s natural beauty and accessibility. When asked about his proudest moments, Warren recited a litany of public service in Westfield. He was President of the Westfield Board of Realtors, served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA for seven years, and, with Wally Jackson, began the first Westfield Recycle Center. He was a founding member of the Westfield Symphony, and a member of the Rotary Club, which he joined in 1987, coordinating the bicycle collection for Pedals for Progress, which has collected over 3,000 bikes for low-cost countries. Notably, he and Ginny launched a professional theatre group in town and Ginny continues her active involvement with the Westfield Historical Society. Warren acknowledges that the education system has a significant bearing on a family decision to live in Westfield, along with that Norman Rockwell atmosphere, and makes Westfield an attractive option for raising a family. His advice to young couples coming into Westfield is: “Get involved, become part of the community!” When asked what he enjoys most about Westfield he responded: “The friendliness of the people – the camaraderie of the people. Though it’s evolved through the years, that remains an important benefit of living in Westfield.” Warren and Ginny Rorden are testaments to the value and importance of being active and engaged members of the Westfield community, continuing to make a difference at every step of the way.
