Sharp-eyed friend brings twins together

Press, 28 July 1986, Page 36

Sharp-eyed friend brings twins together

NZPA-AP New Jersey Two volunteer firemen, unaware that they were twins separated at birth, were reunited after a friend spotted their resemblance during a convention.

Mr Jim Tedesco, aged 32, a marketing representative, who works as a fire captain with Mr Mark Newman, is credited with bringing the twins together after seeing Mr Newman’s brother, Mr Jerry Levy, at the September firefighters’ convention in Wildwood. As Mr Tedesco strolled with his wife, Renee, she pointed out a man who looked like Mr Newman. But Mr Tedesco dismissed it because the man, Mr

Levy, was standing too far away.

The next day, the Tedescos were having a drink with a friend when Mr Levy walked into the bar.

“That’s when I really got a close-up look, and I said, ’That really looks like him’, “ Mr Tedesco recalled.

He knew that Mr Levy could not be Mr Newman because the latter was in Paramus.

"I kept looking at him and I listened to him talking and the voice was identical,” he said, adding that he introduced himself to Mr Levy by saying, “I know a fellow that looks like you.” Mr Levy’s birthdate was

close to that of Mr Newman and both had been adopted. Mr Tedesco got Mr Levy’s telephone number and headed home to fit together the pieces of the puzzle. Without telling Mr Newman, he confirmed that the birthdates of the men — April 15, 1954, — were identical, and that both had been born in Manhattan Hospital in the Bronx, New York.

Mr Levy apparently never knew he had a brother, although Mr Newman knew of a brother, but not a twin. A short time later, Mr Tedesco lured Mr Newman to Tinton Falls, where Mr Levy lives, sup-

posedly to look at a firetruck.

“At first, nothing happened. None, no reaction, which was very disheartening,” said Mr Tedesco. After a few minutes, Mr Tedesco told Mr Newman, “Look at Jerry. Doesn’t he look like someone you know?”

But it wasn’t until Mr Levy took off his cap, revealing an identical bald spot, that Mr Newman was convinced he was looking at his brother.

Mr Newman called his adoptive mother, who confirmed it.

Since last autumn, the twins have visited regularly. Both are single.