Helen Florence, “Heidi” Meyers, age 82 of Wayne, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. Her family was present in loving support at the time of her passing.

Born at home on High Street in Clifton, Heidi and her two younger siblings grew up on Gregory Ave. As a young child, she often enjoyed spending days at the playground in Weasel Brook Park. Heidi attended Clifton’s Elementary School Number 15. Because the school was right across the street from her house on Gregory Ave, there was no way she was ever going to be able to play hooky and she could come home every day for a nice hot lunch. Heidi continued through the Clifton school system, graduating from Clifton High School in 1950.

Shortly after graduation, Heidi met a fine young man named Richard Meyers. Their love lights shined bright so they made their vows, marrying on Saturday, July 12, 1952 at Athenia Reformed Church in Clifton. The church was newly built and Heidi and Rich hold the distinct notoriety of being the first couple married there. Following a honeymoon in Florida, they initially settled in Clifton. Soon after, they welcomed their firstborn, a baby girl which they named Gale. Rich was drafted into the U.S. Army, so off to Korea he went. After the war, he returned home and nine months later, Heidi gave birth to their second child – another girl which they named Leslie. This growing family moved to Wayne in 1962 and they’ve called Wayne their hometown ever since. Eventually, Heidi and Rich were blessed with that little boy they were probably waiting for and they named him Alan.

Heidi served well in her role as mother and homemaker when her children were very young. When they were old enough, she went to work for the S.B. Thomas Company, maker of the famous Thomas’ English Muffins. She did so well at her job that the company offered to send her to school – all expenses paid. So Heidi worked during the day and attended classes at William Paterson College in the evening. She earned a B.S. Degree in Accounting and continued to work for the company famous for its “nooks and crannies” for a total of thirty years until retiring at age sixty-three in 1996. Realizing real soon that she hated retirement, she got a job at Wayne’s Terhune School in their Before-School Program. She loved taking care of the kids whose parents had to drop them off early, and, judging by how many gifts she came home with at Christmas, she was loved right back. She was like a loving grandma to many of those kids.

You could say that Heidi had a real thirst for life. While it’s true that she loved going to work every day, she also had lots of interests when she wasn’t “on the clock.” For example Heidi spent many nights playing bingo at the Wayne PAL and DePaul High School. Then there were the trips to Atlantic City with her sister Barbara. The two of them would board the bus and make it a day. They would win a little and loose a little. It didn’t matter…..it was all about the fun. When she was home, Heidi enjoyed curling up on the couch to watch a good Alfred Hitchcock suspense thriller or Agatha Christie mystery film. Of course, popcorn and chocolate ice cream were always in good supply for the show. She was always up for catching a Yankees or Giants game on television too and she actually went to the very first Giants game in the Meadowlands. Heidi’s love of music included listening to classical selections and uplifting hymns. Speaking of hymns, Heidi greatly admired and was always touched by audio and telecasts from world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham.

Heidi was soft-spoken and very kind. She was so kind she wouldn’t even hurt a fly…..literally! If one got into her house, she would carefully catch it, take it outside, and let it go. She loved all animals in their natural habitat. Chipmunks would never come close to other family members but they would almost eat out of Heidi’s hands. She loved to sit outside with her furry friends all around and enjoy the beautiful flower gardens that Rich grew around their house.

Her pain is ended and her loving family is grateful for that, but she will be greatly missed!

Surviving is her beloved and faithful husband Rich to whom she was happily married for 62 years; her three dear children: Gale Meyers of Hopatcong, Leslie and husband Bill Seltmann of Green Township, and Alan Meyers of Bloomingdale; three adored grandchildren: Matthew and wife Larissa, Samantha, and Jake Seltmann; and her dear sister Barbara Golubiewski of Fairfield. Heidi was predeceased by her dear brother Charles Dube.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Heidi’s name are asked to consider Alzheimer’s Association 400 Morris Ave, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834 or American Cancer Society NJ Chapter, 20 Mercer St, Hackensack, NJ 07601 or Passaic Valley Hospice 783 Riverview Dr, Totowa, NJ 07512.

Age 91 of Wayne, died peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2015.  He had been a Wayne resident for more than fifty years.

Henry D. Bjornsen, age 91 of Wayne, died peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2015.  He had been a Wayne resident for more than fifty years.

Helen Niewodowski, age 86, of Wayne, passed away on Thursday, December 31, 2015.

Helen was born and raised in Garfield. She was a resident of Philadelphia, PA and Clifton before moving to Wayne in 2002.

Helen was a purchasing agent with Standard Packaging of Passaic. She and her husband Frank married in 1979 and enjoyed a happy marriage until his passing in 1986. She was a parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of Passaic.

In addition to her beloved husband Frank, Helen was predeceased by her nephew Michael Kovach in 2012 and her great-great niece Alaina. She is survived by her brother Michael and his wife Anneliese Kovach of Caldwell, and her sister Mary Kovach of Wayne; six nieces and nephews: Virginia Jakimowcz, Elisabeth Godlesky, Daniel Kovach, John Kovach, Anneliese Nault, and Thomas Kovach; thirteen great nieces and nephews; three great-great nephews; and her devoted caregiver Meri Nadirishvili.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Helen’s name are asked to consider the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (www.WoundedWarriorProject.org), or St. Michael’s Cathedral, 96 First Street, Passaic, NJ 07055.

Hubert A. Murray, age 79 of Wayne, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2015. He had been a resident of Packanack Lake since 1962.

Hubert was raised in Ridgefield, NJ and graduated from St. Cecilia High School with the class of 1953. When he was a teenager, his mother encouraged him to expand his horizons, so at sixteen years old, he hitchhiked across the United States until he landed in the town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming. He took a job there as a ranch hand and quickly discovered his ‘inner cowboy.’ The experience he had in Wyoming was like nothing he could have ever imagined growing up in the shadow of New York City, but he absolutely loved it and developed a lifelong friendship with the family that owned the ranch. He’s returned there several times to visit, most recently driving out there with his granddaughter Zoe – a trip full of memories she is sure to treasure her entire lifetime.

Upon returning to New Jersey, he finished high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he became a paratrooper. This was a dichotomous time in his life; he loved the adventure, but missed his independence. Ultimately, the experience would shape the rest of his life. After being honorably discharged in 1956, he was employed by the telephone company as an installer. It was at this time that Hubert met his wife Barbara (nee Muendel) at Mass on Holy Saturday in Ridgefield. He ask for a ride home even though he only lived around the block from the church, so she gave him a lift. Soon thereafter he visited one of her gymnastics events and her competitive nature won him over. They went dancing on one of their early dates and Hubert proved to be a fantastic dancer. Barbara taught him the Polka and they enjoyed many nights dancing.

Soon after, Barbara encouraged him to take advantage of the GI Bill and get an education. Hubert earned a Bachelor's degree from St. Peters College in Jersey City. Not only was he the first in the family to earn a degree, but during that time Hubert married Barbara and started a family. By the time he graduated, Robert and Thomas were already born. He began a career as a science teacher at the Anthony Wayne Middle School in Wayne, but within a few years he chose a different path and became a sales representative with Pfizer. He enjoyed thirty one years with Pfizer and created lifelong friendships with many of his clients. In fact last month, while on vacation in Florida, he visited a retired doctor who he had befriended many years ago while representing Pfizer. Hubert retired in 1998, but he never slowed down.

To simply describe Hubert as a pharmaceutical rep. would be an injustice. He had a passionate love of learning and taught himself to be a competent carpenter, plumber, electrician, mason, architect, scientist, engineer, car mechanic, and so much more. He did all of his own home improvements with skill that rivaled the professionals and recently retrofitted his home with a state of the art heating system that he was very proud of. Hubert also had a bit of wanderlust ever since he was a boy, and he tamed that with the help of his custom van and travel trailer, fondly named “Big Blue” & “Sunny.” He had logged over one hundred thousand miles on the travel trailer (for which he kept a thorough written logbook documenting his travels) crisscrossing the nation on numerous journeys. On the 60th anniversary of his hitchhiking out west, he embarked on a five week cross-country tour and visited the Wyoming ranch where he had worked so many years ago. As recently as this month, he and his wife Barbara drove down to the Florida Keys and back, stopping along the way to visit with family and old acquaintances. He loved his many adventures and certainly got his share of enjoyment out of that van and camper.

Hubert also loved his community in Packanack Lake. He became involved in the Packanack Lake Association many years ago, serving on the Board of Governors and as President of the Packanack Lake Athletic Association. He was active as a coach and was recently inducted into the Packanack “Hall of Fame”. He also spent many years as a Packanack Player, particularly noted for his performance as John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Hubert had several friends with whom he would walk every morning, doing the circuit around the lake, beginning at about 5 AM. He looked forward to those jaunts every day and his fellow walkers will surely miss his story telling and presence in the coming days. He has been an active member of the ROMEOS and President of Members of Leisure.

Hubert is survived by his loving wife, of 56 years, Barbara, and four children; Robert and his wife Leslie of Stockbridge, MA, Thomas and his wife Rhonda Gottlieb of New York, NY, Donald of New York, NY, and Charissa Cronin and her husband Brian of Wayne, five beloved grandchildren; Stephen Murray of Lenox, MA, Megan Murray and her husband Chris Morris of Lenox, MA, and Zoe, Patrick and Robert Cronin of Wayne, one brother; Brian Murray of Jersey City, his brother-in-law; Robert Muendel of Hoboken, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother John Murray many years ago.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Hubert’s memory would be greatly appreciated.Please consider the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474, or help support National Public Radio (NPR) with a donation to; WNYC (NPR), ATTN: Membership, 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013.

DeRose, Helen B. age 92 of Wayne, died peaceful

DeRose, Helen B. age 92 of Wayne, died peacefully on July 27, 2015, a resident of Wayne since 1950.

Daughter of John and Mary Bienkowski, born Nov 7, 1922, Helen grew up in Newark, a graduate of Southside HS. She was so proud of skipping 2 grades in elementary school! She worked in the War Dept. during WWII. After moving to Wayne, she held office manager positions at several engineering firms, the last being – John Zanetakos & Assoc. of Wayne.

Helen is predeceased by her parents and her five siblings: Joseph, John, Stanley, Stephanie and Stella, predeceased by husband, Norman in 1967 and daughter Diane Karas of FL in 2007.

She is survived by her beloved children: Richard of Cedar Grove and Cindy Montanye of FL; grandchildren: Jonathan, Brian, Darlene and Eric: Great-grandchildren Zachary, Rowan and Jada and beloved Cairn Terrier Super-dog Jake.

So much love for her heaven sent caregiver Nadiya who helped her through her courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was a kind, giving and loving person. Fond of her childhood parish, St Stanislaus in Newark, parishioner of Holy Cross and OLV. A Golden Age Circle member, who loved her friends at Sisco Village, where she resided during her retirement years.

A big time Yankee fan and so much enjoyed cruises, travel to all the Caribbean islands, and trips to Atlantic City casinos – a slot machine expert! Vacations to Loveladies and LBI, marathon walks, volunteer work and Bingo nights! Always looked forward to Wednesday night dinners with her grandson, Jonathan.

Memorial donations would be appreciated to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Helen Berardi (nee DeMarco), age 95 of Woodland Park died on Saturday, October 17, 2015 with her family at her bedside. Helen had lived in Paterson her entire life and moved to Woodland Park in 2007.

Helen grew up in the Riverside section of Paterson and she enjoyed many years there during the city’s heyday. Just a week after her ninth birthday, in 1929, the stock market crashed and she also experienced the city during some of its most difficult times. At fourteen years old, she left school and began working in one of the many mills located in Paterson. Her first job was as quill winder; tediously spinning thread onto large spools, all by hand. Soon thereafter, she took a position as a nurse’s aid at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson where she worked for several years. Helping others was something she enjoyed, and this turned into a lifelong career. All told, Helen worked for more than fifty years as a nurses aid, moving to the North Jersey Training School where she worked with handicapped people, to the Fair Lawn Memorial Hospital, and then to the Van Dyke’s Nursing Home in Ridgewood. She retired in 1987 after many years of providing loving care to countless other people.

Back in her day, Helen was a skilled bowler. She belonged to a league at the Fair Lawn Lanes and she always looked forward to joining her friends and teammates at the lanes. Helen was, by any measure, one of the happiest and most fun-loving people you could have met. She loved to make people laugh and was especially good at entertaining kids. When her family would get together for social events, Helen would often choose to play with the children; getting out a deck of cards and playing a game, or she would open up the closets and play ‘dress-up.’ Holidays were also a special time for Helen and she would host everyone at her home for Palm Sunday and Easter, her favorite holidays of the year. She was the life of the party, a very social person, and her family will all miss her dearly.

Helen met her husband Dominick when she was just a teenager. Dominick had recently emigrated from Italy and was living in their home when they first met. A romance blossomed and they were married on June 25, 1939 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on River Street in Paterson. A brief honeymoon to New York City was just about all they could afford at the time and then they settled right there in her Riverside neighborhood. Sadly, Dominick passed away in 1959 after just twenty years of marriage and Helen has missed him dearly ever since. Surely they are reunited once again.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Dominick in 1959, and by three brothers: Dominick, Peter, and Anthony DeMarco. She is survived by her daughter; Connie Bogert and her husband Ken of Woodland Park, NJ, by her sister-in-law; Connie DeMarco, five nieces and nephews: Jimmy DeMarco and his wife Michelle, Marianne Balchan and her husband John, Joseph DeMarco and his wife Theresa, Peter DeMarco and his wife Sandra, and Mario DeMarco and his wife Maria, as well as many grand-nieces and grand-nephews whom she loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Valley Hospice, c/o Valley Hospital Foundation, 223 N. Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450.

Harold C. Kuipers, age 72 of Wanaque and formerly of Haledon, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.

Affectionately known as “Har” and “Big Har” by the countless people whose life he influenced, he was born in Paterson, the son of John and Cornelia Kuipers. He lived for a brief time in Prospect Park before moving to the other side of Haledon Avenue into a home on 14th Street in the tiny Boro of Haledon where he would spend his youth.

It was during his days at Eastern Christian High School that Har met a young girl named Barbara Steyling. She was a student at the Manchester High School, and she lived right around the corner from Har on 14th Street and Bernard Avenue. Barb caught Har’s eye, and so much was he smitten by her beauty, he reportedly was known to sneak up into his attic just so he could secretly admire her from a distance, watching her through a little window. He eventually mustered up the courage to get out of that attic and ask her out.

After graduating E.C. High School with the Class of 1960, Har went off to serve in the Army National Guard. While away to serve, he always held Barb close to his heart. Making sure to keep himself close to her heart too, you could say Har was the originator of the “selfie,” frequently sending Barb photos of himself with loving words expressing his affection written on the back. When Har finished his service to his country, he returned home. Soon after, he and Barb excitedly exchanged their wedding promises before God, family and friends - to love, comfort, honor and keep each other for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health. Their wedding took place on June 27, 1964 at the Gospel Tabernacle in Paterson on the corner of Haledon Avenue and North 9th Street in Paterson. They rented an apartment in Wayne for a brief time, then moved into a home on Ida Street in Haledon. They spent many years on Ida Street, and it was there that they raised their two children, Harold and Nancy. When the opportunity presented itself, they moved back into Har’s childhood home on 14th Street.

Har received his professional training in heating and air conditioning installation and service. His first job after school was with Borduin Plumbing and Heating. He then went on to be a refrigeration tech for Grand Union. In 1966, he took a job with Reiner Heating and Air Conditioning where he remained for fifteen years. In 1981, Har purchased Astro Heating and Air Conditioning. God blessed him greatly as he ran his own business for the next 33 years. A year ago, he sold Astro to Air Group, LLC of Whippany where he stayed on as a supervisor. Har loved that last year and was very grateful to Air Group for their kindness and generosity.

Har and Barb were blessed with some great long-time friendships. If their kids were told that some of those friends were coming over “for company,” they knew they were in for a long, long night! “Company” would usually start around 10 PM and could easily go until about 2 AM! As friends enjoyed a great time laughing and being loud, the kids had a hard time sleeping. For years, this group of friends dreamed about going on trips together, but with all of life’s other expenses, it was hard to save the money for such a trip. Eventually, they got the idea of starting a collective pot. They agreed that every time they got together for dinner, they would all bring a little money to throw into the pot. They continued to save their money in this way until they had enough for that first trip. Over the next thirty-some years, Har, Barb and their band of friends kept feeding the pot and going on trips – mostly cruises – to every destination you could think of.

Har and his wife Barbara enjoyed many happy years but also went through great trial as Barb experienced a prolonged illness which she endured until God called her home in 2008. Throughout her years of sickness, Har stood faithfully and lovingly by Barb’s side, tirelessly caring for and supporting her in every possible way that he could. Well done Har! You were a good and faithful servant.

One of the couples that Har and Barb enjoyed cruises with was Bern and Ann De Block. Bern was taken suddenly from this life in 2004 to be with the Lord. Missing his beloved wife Barbara, one day Har asked Ann if she’d like to join him for dinner. They had been friends for all these years anyway, so why not? That dinner led to more dinners and a relationship that grew from friendship to a special love. Har eventually approached his kids to tell them that he wanted to marry Ann, but not without their blessing. Talk about a kind of “shoe on the other foot” scenario! His kids wholeheartedly gave Har their blessing, and Har and Ann married on October 2, 2010 at Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff. After being married they moved to Wanaque.

Har derived great joy in his role as a grandfather. Always youthful and playful himself, he was proud of each one of his grandkids, and he loved seeing them use the gifts that God gave them. Throughout the years he cheered them on at countless baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball games, and musical concerts and plays and graduations.

It’s not surprising that Har had a great relationship with each of his grandkids. After all, ask anyone that knew Har what one of his greatest passions in life was, and you will most likely get the answer, “Har was passionate about helping young people to know Jesus better!” This passion started when he was just nineteen years old. Har’s church – the former Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Paterson – had a youth program for young boys called Cadets which was similar to the Boy Scouts. One of the men who led this group knew that Har had served in the National Guard. Since the boys needed training in marching in tight formation, he thought Har would be the perfect guy to teach them. Har accepted the challenge and became a Cadet leader. His massive stature and big voice, balanced by his warmth and sense of humor made Har the perfect man for the job. On one hand, those young boys couldn’t help being a little bit afraid of Big Har. On the other hand, they couldn’t help feeling a great sense of admiration for him. He had a way of helping boys as young as seven year old feel like young men. Already in that first year, it was evident that God had given Har gifts for connecting with young kids. For the next twenty years, and after countless hikes, campouts, merit badges and games of capture the flag, Har served and pointed boys to a living relationship with God. Then in 1983, he took on a new challenge – serving as one of the church’s high school youth group leaders. In 1990, Bethel Church merged with Calvin Church of Wyckoff and became Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church. Already seven fun-filled years into serving as a youth group leader, Har enthusiastically continued to serve high school kids in this newly formed church. Then one year he was asked to shift gears and help start a youth group for middle school youth. Har again accepted this new opportunity. The group was called Heirborne, and Har passionately served these kids, worshiping, praying, playing, dialoguing, going on retreats, teaching them about world hunger, loving all people and pointing them to Christ right up until a couple of months ago when only sickness could stop him. In all, Har served young people for the last 52 years without ever wanting to stop!

Harold is survived by his wife Ann; his two children: Harold R. and wife Barbra Kuipers of Oakland, and Nancy and husband Steve Martin of Wanaque; three step-sons: Michael and wife Donna De Block of Wayne, Tom and wife Sue De Block of North Haledon, and Marc and wife Rachel De Block of Waldwick; five grandchildren: Kailey, Rebecca, Jarrett, Paige, and Luke; seven step-grandchildren: Matthew, Bethany, Christian, Thomas, Nicholas, James and Kaitlin; his step-mother Betty Tolsma of North Haledon; step-brothers: Bill and wife Wilma Bogertman of North Haledon, and Ken and wife Lorna Bogertman of North Haledon; his step-sister Nancy and husband Ron Van Harken of Webster, NY; and his brother-in-law Bruce and wife Ruth Ann Steyling of Hawthorne.

Har was predeceased by his first wife Barbara in 2008.

Because of his great heart for youth, Har asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory be made to YouthQuest, 422 Cedar Hill Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.

Heinz Jauch, age 92 of the Packanack Section of Wayne, passed peacefully on Friday, May 8, 2015.

Heinz was born November 4, 1922 in the Black Forest region of Germany in the town of Schwenningen to Ernst and Marie Jauch. As a young child, Heinz’s parents, in pursuit of the “American Dream” emigrated to the USA. The family settled in Brooklyn, where Heinz’s two younger sisters, Rosie and Elsie were born.

Heinz graduated from Boys High – a high school for gifted young men located in the Bronx. He went on for further study at City College in Manhattan where he earned a bachelor’s degree at the age of nineteen. Shortly afterwards, Heinz was called into the service of his country. He proudly served as a soldier of the U.S. Army during World War II with tours of duty in England, Germany and the Pacific Theater. Upon his return from war, Heinz took advantage of the government sponsored GI Bill which enabled him to pursue and earn his master’s degree at New York University.

Heinz’s life centered around work and family. He met the love of his life, Toni Weiglein at a dance hall in the Germantown section of New York City. They married in 1950, settling in Brooklyn, where they started their family. In 1958 the family moved to the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne. Heinz and Toni were blessed with five children. Their home was the center of the extended family with weekly Sunday dinners and holiday celebrations including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. In addition to family gatherings, favorite family memories include the annual camping trips to Florida.

Once the children were grown, Heinz continued to want to travel, especially to his beloved Florida Keys, but he no longer wanted to “rough it”. He purchased 14 weeks of time share, and he and Toni traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe making many more wonderful memories for themselves and family.

Heinz was an accomplished and successful financial analyst. His career spanned 50 years and during that time he worked for the likes of Merrill Lynch, Hayden Stone Securities, and The New York Port Authority. During the early part of his career Heinz worked full-time while also pursuing his doctorate. He earned his PH.D. in Economics from Columbia University in 1955.

In 1962, Heinz became a graduate college professor at Pace University, where he taught for thirty years. In addition to teaching doctoral candidates and assisting many students in obtaining scholarships, Heinz was head of Pace’s Information Systems department and helped established the school’s first computer lab. Pace University honored Heinz citing his many years of dedication as a “teacher and advisor of countless students” and as a “ tower of strength to his associates in their mutual academic endeavors”.

Heinz’s avocation and vocation were truly one. He was ahead of his time regarding the role computers would play in society. Heinz spent all his free time in his home office working on computers. He wrote and developed his own computer language: RON (Reorganization of Numbers) and used this language to start Data Store, a company which utilized his unique database library to track the utility and airline industries. He continued this work well into his eighties.

While blest with what seemed like unending talent, Heinz’s greatest love was for his wife and family. In his later years, his grandchildren were the light of his life. Nothing made him happier than a visit from a grandchild, unless it was a bowl of ice cream. While he cherished all of his grandchildren equally, he played very much of a father role for his grandchildren Kibria and Tonia.

Heinz was a loving, intelligent, innovative and a strong–willed man, who lived life on his own terms and followed the beat of his own drummer. He taught his children and grandchildren a strong sense of responsibility, family, individualism and to think and be true to themselves. He will truly be missed.

Heinz is survived by Toni, his beloved wife of 65 years, four children: Ralph and wife Anula Jauch of Iraq, Stefanie Golam of Wayne, Walter and wife Cathy Jauch of Jefferson, and Donald and wife Cathleen Jauch of Dingmans Ferry, PA; eight cherished grandchildren: Kibria, Samantha, Thomas, Daniel, Nicholas, Tonia, Madison, and Peter; and his dear sister Elsie Huegel of Wayne.

He was predeceased by his dear son Peter, his dear sister Rosie Jauch, and his dear son-in-law Kibria Golam.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Heinz’s name are asked to contribute to a charity of your choice.

Gloria M. Pellegrino (nee Mistretta) age 89 of Lincoln Park passed peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2015.

She was born and raised in Fairview and lived in Maywood, Wayne, Lakehurst, and Sparta before moving to Lincoln Park ten years ago.

Gloria will always be remembered for her spectacular, Sunday Italian family dinners, with her special ingredient of love. Her Sicilian style eggplant parmesan, chicken cutlets, deep dish lasagna, clams oreganata, were her signature dishes. Her New Year’s Eve dinners were a smorgasbord that could serve 80 to 100 people. Gloria would bake for a week before all would come over; her cheesecake and lemon meringue pie will be greatly missed. Everything was homemade. She was a talented homemaker, had a great sense of humor, was a creative decorator, and always maintained a spotless home.

Gloria met the love of her life Johnny, while jumping rope in her driveway at 410 Walker Street in Fairview. They fell in love, were engaged to be married, and John was sent off to World War II. He was wounded during his service, and returned just one day before their wedding at Our Lady of Grace Church in Fairview. They married on June 10, 1945 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls, New York. They were truly devoted to each other, were always together, and forever acted like the high school sweethearts they truly were. The two of them were gifted dancers that could clear a dance floor. Gloria and John enjoyed sixty-two years of a loving and devoted marriage before John’s passing in 2008.

Gloria was the beloved wife of the late John Pellegrino. She was the devoted mother of 5 children, the late Linda Hoermann her husband John, Grayce Mouravieff and her late husband Alex, Andrea Holloway and her husband John, Joseph Pellegrino and his wife Bethanne and Maria Murphy. She was the cherished grandmother of Alexis Wilson, Derek Hoermann, Anthony Murphy, Brendan Murphy, Kendall Murphy, Joey Pellegrino, Jennifer Pellegrino and Jordan Pellegrino. Gloria was the much loved great-grandmother of McKenzie, Danny, James and Kailie. She was the dear sister of Helen Gatti, Jane Mistretta and Lorraine Graham as well as her deceased siblings; Vivian Famagletti, Nettie Bergen, Rose Milone, Tony Mistretta and Theresa Morone.

Gloria was also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. She was blessed to have Natalia, her “fifth daughter,” who came to her later in life and was a true friend and caregiver for many years.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Hospice of NJ, 400 Broadacres Drive, 1st Floor, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 would be appreciated.

Guy W. Mazzocchia age 57 of Hawthorne, formerly of Paterson, passed suddenly on Saturday, March 28, 2015.

He was born in Paterson and raised at 44 Don Bosco Avenue in the Hillcrest Section of Paterson. Guy attended PS 27 Grammar School and graduated from Don Bosco Technical High School in Paterson with the Class of 1975.

His first job was with NYU Medical Center in New York City where he worked in the Medical Records and Medical Billing Departments. He soon tired of the train ride to New York City and found work as a Service Writer for Elmwood Park Nissan. He later worked in the same capacity for twenty years at O’Brien Nissan in Hawthorne which eventually became Nissan of Hawthorne. For the past eleven years he has been a partner at The Village Inn in Wayne.

Most will remember Guy as a funny, caring person who loved sports. Baseball was his favorite but he loved just about any sport. For over twenty years he loved to build a team in the Fantasy Baseball Leagues. He was an avid NY Yankees and NY Giants fan. His love of sports carried over into his love of collecting sports memorabilia. He has innumerable miniature stadiums, signed baseballs, and autographed photos. Most of all Guy will be remembered as someone who would do anything to help others-almost to a fault. This caring for others is especially evident in the families offering to let the NJ Sharing Network consider him for organ donation. They are sure this is something he would have wanted them to do.

Guy met Sindy Martino and after a first date to Windows on the World in New York City they soon fell deeply in love. The day Guy was to propose to Sindy he was a nervous wreck. He wouldn’t eat, he and Sindy got into an argument, and he was chickening out until Sindy’s brothers, who were in the know, pulled the chair out from under his so he would kneel on the floor to propose. They married on December 7, 1996 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist Church in Paterson, had a reception at the Brownstone House in Paterson and honeymooned on a Caribbean cruise. They have enjoyed nineteen years of loving marriage.

Guy was the devoted husband of Sindy Mazzocchia; loved brother of Ronnie Pardo and her husband Bruce of Belle Mead; loved son-in-law of Jody and John Martino; brother-in-law of John Martno and his daughter’s Gabrielle and Isabelle, Christopher Martino and his wife Shreya and their children Ella and Deven, Nicole and her husband Alex Marone of Staten Island, Aunt Nancy from Wayne, aunt Rose and her husband Bob Barone of Butler; much loved nephew of Bart Semeraro of Big Rock, IL, Ralph Semeraro and his wife Marion of Lincoln Park, Richard Semeraro and his wife Dana of Mystic, Ct, and Toni Africano of Glen Rock; dear uncle of Gregory Pardo and his wife Tracy, and Stephen Pardo; he was also loved by several cousins. Guy will be greatly missed by his cherished Yorkies Tiffany & Coco, and his Blue Russian cat Brooklyn.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

He had been a printer during his career, working at several area printing houses, and moved to Barnegat just ten years ago.

Graziano Premus, aka “Rocky,” age 87 of Barnegat, NJ and formerly of Wayne, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2015. He had been a printer during his career, working at several area printing houses, and moved to Barnegat just ten years ago.

Rocky was born in Northern Italy and in 1947 he came to America, with his brother and mother to join the family. They first settled in New York before they moved to his brother Antonio’s home on 64th street in West New York, NJ. Their home was just two doors down from a pretty young girl named Betty Zilavy. She caught Rocky’s eye and the two began dating. During one of their early dates, Rocky was pulled over by the police and threatened with a ticket because he did not have both hands on the steering wheel – he had been driving with one arm wrapped tightly around Betty. The two of them married on October 5, 1957 and they drove to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. Rocky has lovingly kept his arm around Betty for the past fifty seven years.

After the wedding, they began to raise their family in Weehawken and North Bergen, before building a home in Wayne. They moved into their new home in 1967 and remained there until 2005 when they retired to Barnegat. Rocky had always loved the beach and the ocean; making the move to Barnegat brought him great joy. He had a routine of going down to the bay to go crabbing, and he would play pool and bocce ball with his friends. And if there was soccer on TV, that’s where you would find him. In fact, in Rocky’s mind, there is no other sport, none worthwhile, except for soccer. He loved soccer, and that’s an understatement. He always supported his favorite Italian soccer team in the World Cup. He was in his glory this past July watching the women’s FIFA World Cup on TV. He just loved everything about that soccer.

Rocky is survived by his loving wife of fifty seven years; Betty of Barnegat, his two children; Susie Premus of West Milford and Dan Premus of McKinney, TX, two brothers; Antonio and Giuliano Premus, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers; John and Mariano.

Friends wishing to make a donation in Graziano’s memory are asked to select a charity of your choice.

The third generation to operate Kuehm’s Farm on Black Oak Ridge Rd. in Wayne.

George H. Kuehm, age 81 of Wayne, died on Dec. 31, 2015. He was a lifelong resident of Wayne and the third generation to operate Kuehm’s Farm on Black Oak Ridge Rd. in Wayne.

George was raised on the family farm, started by his grandfather in 1894. When George took over the operation, only a limited number of crops were grown and wholesaled – there was no farm stand at that time. George saw other opportunities and began to grow a variety of crops which helped the business expand. In 1969 Irene started the "business" on a picnic table on the side lawn. Irene didn’t intend to start anything big, she just wanted to earn some money to buy a gas powered ice auger for George, who enjoyed taking his children ice fishing and hunting. Low and behold, all these years later, that picnic table evolved into Farms View market, the renowned source for fresh produce in the area. In an era when many small family operated farms struggle to survive, Kuehm’s farm continues to grow among the urban sprawl of Northern New Jersey, due in large part to George’s hard work and vision which will now be continued by the fourth and fifth generations.

George was a tall man, large and tough, but that outward appearance disguised a gentle giant; a kind and generous man with a heart of gold. He was a farmer, through and through. He could do anything and was willing to learn when he came upon something he didn’t know. He was anxious to teach his sons everything he could as they worked side by side with him on the farm.

George’s wife Irene was by his side through it all. They met in 1956 at a square dance, were married on November 15, 1959 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paterson and enjoyed a honeymoon to Florida’s Lake Okeechobee. They set out raising their family and had five children. Sadly, they lost their daughter Dail tragically when she was just three and a half years old, but their love was strong and they persevered through that struggle. Irene remained at George’s side throughout the years, vowing to care for him during his recent illness, and she, along with their entire family, was there with him when he passed. They were blessed with a very special marriage of 56 years.

George is survived by his devoted wife Irene (nee Mustachio) of Wayne, four children: Dawn Kuehm of Wayne, Scot Kuehm and his wife Kathryn of Mountain Lakes, NJ, Todd Kuehm and his wife Joan of Pequannock, and Dana Kuehm-Williams and her husband Tom of Wayne, seven grandchildren; Zachary and Alexander Kuehm of Mountain Lakes, Jayson, Travis and Shannon Kuehm of Pequannock, and Alec and Adam Williams of Wayne. He was predeceased by his daughter Dail in 1969.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in George’s memory to the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad “Building Fund”, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474.

George F. Lebrenz, “Rick” age 69, passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 27, 2015. His family was lovingly by his side at the time of his passing.

Rick was born in Teaneck but only lived there for a year before his parents moved to the Packanack Lake section of Wayne. Little did Rick know then that this would be the town where he would spend almost his entire life. He began as a student at Packanack Elementary School and Anthony Wayne Jr. High School, both of Wayne, going on to graduate in 1964 from what was then simply known as “Wayne High School.” Today we know it as Wayne Valley High School. Rick immediately went on to study further at Paterson State College - today known as William Paterson University. He graduated four years later in 1968 with a degree and certification in junior high education. Thirsty for more knowledge he immediately pursued and earned his Master’s + 30 Degree qualifying him also to be a guidance counselor.

Putting all that education to work, Rick began his first job teaching mathematics at George Washington Middle School in Wayne in 1968. He quickly won the hearts of his students, their parents and his fellow faculty members so it was no surprise that he was often requested. The secret to Rick’s success was basically two-fold: he had a special way of making math fun for his students and he always availed himself to any student who was struggling with his class or with any other problem life threw at them. The adoration and respect he enjoyed let him get away with something that he would never get away with today, namely throwing an occasional eraser at a student who wasn’t paying attention in his class. After twenty-one years of teaching math and with his genuine personal interest in the welfare each of his students, it’s no wonder that he went on to become the schools guidance counselor – a position he held for another twenty-one years. In all, Mr. Lebrenz served George Washington Middle School for 42 years and everyone was very sad to see him retire in 2010. In his early years of teaching, Rick also enjoyed a change of pace spending summers painting houses.

In 1966, while still in college, Rick worked part-time at Two Guys Department Store on Riverview Drive in Totowa. He made friends with many of the other part-timers and they often got together at a local diner after work. One of those co-workers was a girl named Carol DeVries who kind-of caught Rick’s eye. Rick’s primary mode of transportation at the time was the car he borrowed from his mom until he once let a friend drive it. Unfortunately that friend crashed Mom’s car and, from that time on Rick was demoted to getting around via public transportation. One night after being out with their friends from Two Guys, Carol offered Rick a ride home to his house in Packanack Lake. This nice girl from the City of Clifton knew nothing about getting to Packanack Lake but Rick guided her to his house. It was getting out of Packanack Lake and back home to Clifton that gave Carol her biggest challenge. She sure could have used a modern invention like GPS back then! She ultimately did find her way home and she was glad that she offered him a ride because she and Rick made a real connection that night. A loving relationship began. Since Rick was a huge sports fan, more than half of their ensuing dates were to Yankee Stadium. Then one Easter morning Rick presented Carol with an Easter basket filled with chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks and a diamond ring. They married on Saturday, March 28, 1970 at the First Presbyterian Church of Clifton and honeymooned in Bermuda. They moved into an apartment in Lincoln Park for two years, then moved to Pequannock where they stayed for fourteen years until flood waters drove them out. Ironically, they sold that house in literally five minutes! It was then that Rick and Carol moved to Packanack Lake – a sort of homecoming for Rick – and they’ve lived there for the past twenty-nine years.

Rick was a man with many interests. He was a huge sports fanatic and that love began at a young age when he played basketball, hockey on Packanack Lake, and baseball as an all-star pitcher, all in the Packanack youth leagues. As an adult he joined the Pequannock men’s softball league and graced them with his all-star pitching talent. He was a fan of almost every local pro sports team including the Giants and Jets, Yankees and Mets, and the Islanders, Devils, Knicks and Nets. His favorite college football team by far was the University of Alabama, a love which developed when the Jet’s Broadway Joe Namath played for Alabama before the famous quarterback was a household name.

Rick had an unquenchable thirst for soaking up sunshine at the beach. He could sometimes sit on the beach at LBI, Point Pleasant or at his Florida home of twenty-three years for up to six hours without even going in the water to cool off! He had a great sense of humor often saying to his wife Carol “We like the same three people – Elvis Presley, Mickey Mantle and Me.” Rick was also famous for waking up in the middle of the night for a big bowl of ice cream.

Rick will be greatly missed by his loyal dog Annie, a pit bull he rescued from a shelter. When pit bull Annie and Rick first met, he told the woman who was urging him to adopt her that he’d take Annie home for a night to see how it goes. Poor Annie who had a history of abuse kept nipping at Rick. He lovingly came down to Annie’s level, laying down on the floor and patiently worked at helping Annie trust him. She had been his loyal companion for the past eleven years. No wonder Rick was such a great guidance counselor.

Rick was super outgoing and friendly. He loved to talk and he had a special energetic quality that drew people to him. He made lots of friends in his life-time but he always held the specialist place in his heart for his family. His son was named George but, like he, Rick and Carol wanted to call him Rick but, worrying that everyone would mix his son up with himself, they decided to call him Ricky instead of Rick. Ricky inherited all the wonderful traits of his father including being a fantastic teacher in his own rite. Rick would often say, “I need a dog or I need some grandchildren.” Well, a little over two years ago, Ricky and his wife Karen blest Rick and Carol with twin grandchildren – Keira and Jack. They were born at 25 weeks and spent the first part of their lives in the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Barnabas Hospital. Already in those first days of their lives, the sun rose and set on Rick’s grandchildren as he was there to visit them. Every day, he’d come to the hospital and he’d always bring the nurses crumb cake. Because of this, Rick’s family soon became known at the hospital as the crumb cake family. When the babies came home, Rick was all too happy to help Carol take care of little Keira and Jack every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the “Lebrenz Daycare Center” and those kids were always dressed in the latest University of Alabama onesies and tee shirts. In fact, Rick was all too happy to do anything with his beloved wife Carol, his beautiful wife of over forty five years who thankfully took him home from Two Guys one night in 1966.

Rick was the loving and devoted husband of Carol; dear father of George “Ricky” and his wife Karen Lebrenz; cherished grandfather of his twin grandchildren: Keira and Jack; and brother of Eugene Lebrenz of St. Petersburg, FL.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Rick’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (www.stjude.org).

George H. Barboza “Georgie”, age 42 of Wayne, passed peacefully into God’s precious care on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.

Georgie’s health took an unexpected turn for the worse on November 17 and his incredibly loving family stayed right by his side for twenty-four hours a day right up until the time he passed.

From the day Georgie was born, he faced physical, mental and emotional challenges the average person could never imagine. Georgie underwent his first tracheostomy on the second day of his life and spent the next 11 months of his life in the ICU at Martland Hospital in Newark. On June 26th, 1974 he came home for the first time ever, and shortly thereafter he was turned over to the hands of NYU medical center where over the course of the next 21 years he underwent many surgeries to save his life and to better himself. Despite the challenges he was presented, anyone who knew this loving, courageous man would tell you what a blessing he was. Earth’s loss is truly heaven’s gain!

Georgie was born in Passaic and lived there during his early childhood. In 1986 he moved with his parents, two sisters and grandparents to Wayne where he resided to this day. Georgie was a gifted pianist who started playing when he was just six years old. His maternal grandmother Candelaria Rojas was his first piano teacher. Georgie had such an innate sense of musicianship, he would wedge a maraca in his shoe and keep the beat of the music by shaking his foot while playing the piano and, when it came to the piano, he could play almost any piece of music you put in front of him! He especially enjoyed playing jazz and classical music, Broadway music and songs by Billy Joel.

Georgie took great pleasure working as a pianist for various local nursing facilities such as Llanfair Nursing Home, Wayne View in Wayne, Oakland Care Center and Hamilton Plaza in Clifton. Georgie was such a loving, caring person and it honestly gave him the greatest pleasure to see the residents dance and the smiles that came on their faces when he played something from their younger days like a classic polka or a song by Frank Sinatra.

Georgie's greatest pleasures in his life were clear, Family, his faith in God, Music & Cooking. Georgie not only loved listening to music for himself but he loved sharing it with others. During any family gatherings, especially at every NYE Celebration at his parents’ house, Georgie was known as "DJ Georgie" He also enjoyed just playing music any day of the week, inviting his family to dance in the kitchen.

Georgie was a man of Colombian descent, in fact his own parents and grandparents hailed from Colombia. Since Georgie was such a lover of family he loved to visit his extended family in Colombia a lot. He spent many summers in Colombia but his favorite time was going there in February for the traditional "Carnavales de Baranquilla" where he danced for days to his favorite music. He loved living and sharing with family, enjoying great music and delicious foods of his homeland. Spanish was always his preferred language whether home or abroad.

As well as teaching him to play the piano, his grandmother also inspired Georgie's love for cooking, especially foods typical of his family's Colombian culture such as Arroz con pollo, (chicken and rice), Camarones al ajillo (Garlic Shrimp), Carne puyada, (traditional pot roast) & Pappas chorreadas (red potatoes covered with a delicious sauce made with scallions, tomatoes, cream and cheese).

Famed 19th century American author Washington Irving once said, "There is an endearing tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart". Well, if you didn’t know any better, you would have to think that Washington Irving was thinking about Georgie’s mother Annie when he was inspired to say that. Georgie and his mom had the most special bond a mom and son could ever imagine having. From the moment Georgie was born with all of his seemingly insurmountable challenges, Annie was right there, fighting for his life. As Georgie grew and as life went on, it’s almost as if their minds and hearts meshed into one cohesive being. They went everywhere and did everything together. They were each other's life.

He had a very special relationship with his nephews and niece from the time they were little babies. His nephew Nicholas had colic as an infant so to make Nicholas feel better, Georgie would dance with him, whenever Joey would sleep over at Abuelita's house, right next to Georgie in his bed was where he wanted to be. Sydney was Georgie's little princess and he loved to play with her and draw together.

When his nephew Troy was sick in the NICU at St. Barnabas Hospital for 51 days, Georgie and his mom were faithfully by his side every one of those fifty-one days and praying for Troy in the hospitals chapel. Georgie had a special connection with Troy as he is also challenged with mental and physical disabilities. He saw himself in him.

In good times his niece and nephews would come over Georgie’s house for sleepovers and Georgie would drive to Stop & Shop for their favorite foods like waffles, sausages and Mallomars. In the mornings, he was the first one up to make them breakfast. He’d play with them, play the piano, dance, watch you tube videos and just do whatever they wanted to do.

Georgie gave them so much love and taught them so much. They never looked at Uncle Georgie as being different although he had obvious facial defects; he taught them there was nothing wrong being different in any way, to be accepting and show respect and love to all. They loved & admired Uncle Georgie.

Family or friend, Georgie just simply loved people. His sensitivities made him acutely aware of other human’s struggles and he could strike up a conversation with people anywhere he went. George was never shy and he never let his disabilities hold him back. He was the first one to jump up to greet you or hold the door, offer you his seat or simply lean in for a big hug. He made friends everywhere he went, from the Lancôme counter at Macy's, to the cashiers at Stop & Shop & to the staff at Public Image. Everybody loved Georgie!

Georgie’s faith in God was extremely important to him. This deep rooted faith is what kept him going throughout all his challenges. No matter what he was faced with he and his faith was never shaken. He regularly prayed the Novena to Baby Jesus with his mom and loved going to church on Sundays.

Georgie was one amazing person. He was a living example that you can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your life. Always fighting and wanting to better himself, Georgie underwent many surgeries at NYU and he said he would undergo as many surgeries as necessary or until Dr. McCarthy would allow him to, quitting was never an option. His disabilities never stopped him from fully living his life. Georgie loved the ocean and being in the water, at the young age of 2 with his tracheostomy, his parents would take him the beach and in order to be able to put him in the water which he so loved, they would cover the hole and bring him in. He was never scared to live and face new challenges, he always found a way.

After President Theodore Roosevelt’s passing a notable politician remarked, “Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake there would have been a fight”. The same could be said for Georgie. He loved life and while his family covets everyone’s prayers for comfort, they take joy that Georgie is now an angel in heaven, right next to Jesus whom he loved.

Georgie was the loving son of Jorge and Ana Barboza; dearest brother of Claudia and husband Joe Monello, and Tatiana and husband Jason Jarrell, all of Wayne; amazing uncle of Nicholas, Joseph, and Sydney Monello, and Troy Jarrell. He was predeceased by his dear maternal grandparents: Jesus Ernesto Zota and Candelaria Zota de Rojas; his dear fraternal grandparents: Jose Domjngo and Chiquinquirâ Barboza de Martinez; and his two dear uncles: Carlos Javier Zota and Jesus Ernesto Zota.

Age 84 of Wayne, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He had been a Wayne resident since 1956.

George J. Buchmann, age 84 of Wayne, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He had been a Wayne resident since 1956.

George had been a jeweler in his early career and had made many pieces of custom jewelry for his family over the years. He was an artistic and talented man, very skilled and methodical. He became a Dental Technician, operating his own dental lab for many years, where he fabricated crowns, bridges, and all sorts of dental prosthetics for many of the area dentists.

George was raised in Paterson, the only child to Julius and Rose Buchmann, living in a two-family home with his grandmother residing on the second floor. He met Patricia Barker simply by chance one afternoon, while walking down Union Avenue in Paterson. They began dating and were soon married on August 27, 1955. Patricia came from a large family and George admired that. He wanted a large family himself, and they were blessed with five beautiful children. Patricia’s side of the family was big and George loved to have the whole family gather for holiday celebrations and summer picnics at their home. It just made him so happy to be a part of that large, loving family and that’s really all he ever needed. George loved Patricia dearly and they would have celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary this coming August.

He was a simple man in many respects, with methodical routines. His German heritage was revealed rather clearly in his efforts to find efficiency in just about everything he did. For decades, he enjoyed greeting the sunrise daily while walking to mass every morning at Our Lady of the Valley Church. Throughout the years, he supported the Parish by volunteering for special events, such as weekly bingo and the annual carnival, amongst others. He also had a profound love for nature and all its creatures. He never wasted anything, and wouldn’t so much as squash a bug in the house, but would catch them instead and release them outdoors. He loved plants and flowers, always told his family to conserve water, and he separated his garbage for recycling decades before it was the popular thing to do – because he knew it was the right thing to do. He was ahead of his time in that regard. George also didn’t need fancy things to be happy; just a burger and a beer from time to time, and perhaps a bowl of ice cream to finish off the day. He also looked forward to their summer vacation at Wildwood Crest, on the Jersey Shore. For forty years they went to the same place; the Pan American Hotel, where the whole family made summer memories to last a lifetime. They will all miss him dearly.

George is survived by his loving and devoted wife of sixty years; Patricia (nee Barker) of Wayne, by his five children; Karan Perritt and her late husband John of Perkasie, PA, Patryce Schulte and her husband Francis of Wayne, George Buchmann and his wife Laura of Glen Ridge, Therese Biagi and her husband Richard of Ridgewood, and Pamela Buchmann of Riverdale, thirteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, as well as a very large, extended family.

Georgianna Fergerson (nee Schalk) age 95 of Totowa passed away peacefully on August 20, 2015 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Georgianna was born in Jersey City and was raised in Paterson. She lived in Paterson for most of her childhood and then moved to Totowa. It was also in Totowa where Georgianna settled with her husband George Fergerson. They remained in Totowa for the rest of their lives and while living there, they raised their two daughters.

She began her work life at Baumgartner’s Bakery in Paterson. She would take the bus home and was given the nickname “Cookie.” She was given this nickname by the people who rode the bus with her because she always carried the sweet smell of the bakery with her.

While George and Georgianna were raising their children, Georgianna was very active in the Totowa school system. She was on the Totowa Board of Education for 14 years.

Eventually when her children grew up and they were on their own, Georgianna headed back to the workplace. She retuned to Meyer Bros department store working in both the Paterson and Wayne locations.

She was long time parishioner of St James of the Marches RC Church in Totowa. Georgianna was a member of the St James Travel Club and St James Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Passaic County Senior Center in Totowa where she enjoyed playing cards and bingo and spending time with the many friends that she made there.

In her youth, Georgianna and her family would spend many memorable summer vacations in the Cape Cod area particularly in Provincetown. Over time, Georgianna’s husband George became the best of friends with Georgianna’s brother Bob. They worked together for quite some time and when George became sick, Bob would visit with Georgianna and George at least once a week and on Sundays too. Bob would always call before he set out to their house and told Georgianna, “put the coffee pot on Sis, I’m on my way!”

Georgianna loved roller skating and horseback riding. She could be seen every day walking along Union Boulevard. Everyone knew her as the white haired lady who walked everywhere. After selling the family home on Boyle Ave. Georgianna moved within Totowa and was able to spend her later years with a wonderful family with two young boys. The boys would visit with her every day, and she said "they kept her young" and they became her "second" family.

Most recently, Georgianna lived at Sunrise of Wayne where she found a caring staff and made many new relationships. Georgianna lived a very full life and made friends wherever she went. She was blessed with a wonderful family and many friends. She will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew her.

Georgianna is survived by one daughter; Lisa Fergerson Burns and her husband Mark of Bristol, VT, two grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband George Fergerson (1982), her daughter Bonnie Fergerson 2014, her brother Bob Schalck and her sister Tess Egberts.

In lieu of flowers, friends and loved ones may make donations in Georgianna’s name to the charity of their choice.

Fred A. Minutolo, age 62 of Oak Ridge, NJ died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 with the comfort of his family at his bedside. He was a true fighter and had battled cancer for more than twelve years.

Raised in East Rutherford, Fred graduated from East Rutherford High School with the class of 1970. His career in the car business began when he was just a little kid, helping his dad at Zabriskie Chevrolet in Paterson. Fred started working there full time right out of high school and soon moved into the sales department. He was very fortunate to have worked with so many wonderful people over the years, particularly at Brogan Cadillac, Crown Cadillac, Prestige Lexus and Mercedes Benz, and most recently as Sales Manager at Benzel-Busch Mercedes Benz in Englewood. He loved his job, loved the people he worked with, and he became close friends with many of his clients. He was proud to be the best dressed guy in the room too, right down to his silk socks and perfectly-folded pocket squares.

Fred loved cars since he was a little boy and over the years, he’s owned plenty of them. As a labor of love, he completed a frame-off restoration of a 1968 Corvette which was done so perfectly that the car earned a centerfold spread in a national car magazine! But that’s just how Fred did things – 100%. He was fastidious at keeping his cars clean too, and everything else for that matter. His garage was immaculate, his motorcycle was pristine, and everything was always put in its place. He tried to pass on those habits to his daughters too, having them wash their cars at least once a week, regardless of whether they were dirty or not.

Fred was, beyond any doubt, a fanatical fisherman. Ever since he was a young kid, he’s been fishing. Among his favorite places to fish was Island Beach State Park where he would drive right out on the sand and surf cast, or fly fishing at Flat Brook in Sussex County. He made many trips up to the Salmon River in New York and many deep sea trips. Some years back he went on an epic fishing trip to Alaska with some friends and in preparation, he outfitted himself with all the latest and greatest gear, fishing clothes and equipment, only to have the airline lose it all! Nevertheless, he still had a great time. Going for Bonefish in Turks & Caicos or Barbados was a more recent favorite and he dreamed of one day retiring to Barbados where he could fish to his heart’s content. Just a few months ago, when he was barely strong enough to walk, Fred stumbled out to his car, started it up and just sat there listening to his favorite summer music with his eyes closed. When his wife went to check on him she asked “what are you doing?” and Fred replied softly; “I’m fishing.”

Fred was a bit of a wild man in his younger years, but meeting Dawn Cortese in 1979 caused him to make a few changes. He settled down, if only a little bit, and they married in 1982 while in the Bahamas. Dawn proved to be the greatest catch of his life and they’ve enjoyed more than thirty two years of an adventurous marriage. As children came along, Fred became a strict father with his two daughters but he also knew how to spoil them. He might have been a little over-protective at times, like greeting a new boyfriend at the door with a baseball bat in hand, but there was no question that he loved his girls more than life itself. He taught them many valuable lessons along the way, not the least of which was the importance of helping others. He showed them strength and courage during his long battle, and he taught them kindness, compassion, and love. Although they will miss him dearly, Fred has left them each with the gift of memories that will keep him alive in their hearts forever.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife of more than thirty two years; Dawn (nee Cortese), by his loving daughters; Margaux Minutolo and Meagan Minutolo, and by one brother-in-law; Frank Sole of Manchester, NJ. He was predeceased by his sister; Linda Sole in 2014, and by his parents; Fred and Grace.

Fred's legacy will live on through his daughter Margaux's philanthropic fashion brand "Karma for a Cure."   www.karmaforacure.com.

For our dearest friends and family who have asked to support Fred's legacy, donations can be made payable to “Karma for a Cure,” and mailed to P.O. Box 2702 Oak Ridge, NJ 07438

Franklin “Frank” Iris age 84. A fifty year resident of Packanack Lake passed away peacefully at his home while receiving the loving care of his family.

Frank was born and raised in Waterbury, CT and also received his formal education there as well. He graduated from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Shortly after his graduation from college, he was called to serve his country in the United Stated Army. He served very proudly in the US Army until his honorable discharge in the early 1950’s.

His first business venture was with his father, they opened up a small fish market in Waterbury, CT but unfortunately it was a short-lived endeavor. Not long after Frank’s discharge from the armed forces, he was invited to his cousin’s wedding. While at the wedding, he asked to dance with a lovely young lady by the name of Joan Cavanaugh. Joan and Frank fell in love and after a wonderful and beautiful courtship they were married in 1957. Frank’s family recalls it as being “meant to be.”

Eventually when Frank became a Certified Public Accountant, he went to work for a small accounting firm for about 2 years. Afterwards he and Joan moved to Wayne where they spent the next 50 years raising their 7 children. Frank went to work for a larger accounting firm by the name of Ernst & Ernst. This was a significant transition for Frank because during the performance of an audit at Becton Dickinson he obtained a position there. He joined the company as Staff Accountant and then served as Cost Manager. When the BD Division was organized four years later, Frank became its Vice President and Controller. Then in 1968 he became Corporate Controller. Frank was appointed Group Vice President of Becton Dickinson Laboratory and Science Group in 1973. He ended his 24-year career at Becton Dickinson as Laboratory Group President. After retiring in 1984 he formed his own consulting firm. He was also a founder of the Affiliated Physicians Network and was on the Board of Directors of four medical businesses, including Cytyc, a company that has developed an innovative PAP test procedure. Franklin was also a member of the Wayne General Hospital Board of Trustees for 17 years.

Frank was an extremely devoted husband and father and put his family first above all things. He taught his children everything that they know. He had an enduring love of sports, whether it was as a player, spectator or coach. He was particularly fond of baseball, football and basketball and  enjoyed playing tennis. He also had a true love for all the Arts. As an avid traveler, Frank visited many places. He traveled to many places domestically with his children and globally with his loving wife Joan. Frank’s family remembers him having a special love for the beach and cherishing long lasting friendships from childhood, school and later in his life. Frank touched the lives of many people and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Franklin is survived by his wife of 57 years Joan (nee Cavanaugh) of Wayne; one son Timothy and his wife Kerry; 6 daughters, Susan Iris and her significant other Jesse Noel, Kathy Gunning and her husband Terry, Jill Lewis and her husband Dave, Diane Iris, Jennifer Goff and her husband Anthony, Julie Flynn and her husband Michael; one sister Marguerite Simpson; and 16 grandchildren, Kelly, Ryan, Jake, Rachel, Sabina, Sam, Brendan, Meagan, Brian, Sean, Micaela, Hunter, Olivia, Colin, Liam and Ronan.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2015 9:30AM from the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne then to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church where at 10:30AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Friends may visit with the family at the Funeral Home on Monday January 12, 2015 from 5-7PM.

Those wishing to make a donation in Franklin’s name may consider Doctors without Borders 333 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001-5004.

Frank Paul LoPresti age 81 of Pequannock passed peacefully on Thursday, December 24, 2015.

Frank was born and raised at 268 42nd Street in Brooklyn, New York and on a chance trip to the amusements at Coney Island he met a cute girl named Mary Ann while they were both standing by a hot dog stand. Mary Ann lived in Paterson, New Jersey and soon Frank was making daily trips to Paterson. He soon found work and moved into Paterson to be closer to Mary Ann. They fell in love and married in 1955 at Saint Gerard’s RC Church in Paterson. They enjoyed thirty-one years of a loving and devoted marriage before Mary Ann’s passing in 1986. Frank was fortunate to find love once more when he married Helen McDonald. They only had a short time together before she fell ill and passed in 2014.

As a young man of fourteen years old, Frank drove a truck and delivered bread all around Brooklyn for the Charlie Bakery with his brother Joey. He worked at many different professions such as: owning and operating the J&F Construction Company, working on a container ship, and as a chauffeur. He settled down working as a custodian for the Pequannock High School for thirty years before retiring in 1997 for medical reasons.

For many years Frank loved going down to the Jersey Shore. He rented summer houses and help establish many fond family memories of trips to the beach and boardwalk. Another of his loves was music. There was always Italian music filling his home. Frank also like to cook. He loved making all kinds of Italian specialties and sauces. Aside from the Italian standbys he also enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen. Chicken, all kinds of meats, and mussels were always in the mix.

Frank was the loving husband of the late Mary Ann LoPresti(1986) and the late Helen LoPresti(2014); devoted father of Michael Pulidore of Vernon, Salvatore LoPresti and his wife Terry of Daytona Beach, FL, Donna Hollow and her husband Dan of Highlands Ranch, CO, Frank LoPresti and his wife Alice of Elmwood Park, Mark LoPresti of Pequannock, and the late Joseph LoPresti; cherished grandfather of eight grandchildren Maryanne, Kara, Antoinette, Salvatore, Anna Marie, Angelina, Michael, Frank, and one great-grandson Harold; dear brother of Betty Brusca of Brooklyn, NY, and Joseph LoPresti.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the American Red Cross, 209 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004 would be appreciated.

Frank Zaccaro, age 95, of Paterson, died peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2015.

Frank was born in Paterson on McBride Avenue. One of Alessondro and Teresa Zaccaro’s thirteen children – he grew up there and, like so many kids living at that time, he quit school after the seventh grade so that he could go to work and contribute to the financial needs of the family.

As a young man Frank worked various jobs including helping his Uncle Frank build houses. He also owned his own auto repair shop behind the house on McBride Ave. It was there that he earned the name “Blackie” because he was always covered with grease and grime from working on the cars.

In 1942, Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army, along with four of his brothers: Ralph, Alexander “Kurt”, Anthony “Chappy”, and Pete. Frank served proudly during World War II, seeing action in nine separate invasions throughout Europe and Africa. In one particular battle Frank’s ship was torpedoed while he and his comrades were storming the beaches of Normandy. Frank struggled to swim the mile-and-a-half to shore the whole time fighting against the vacuum caused by the sinking ship sucking him down under water. He was so mad because he lost his bag in which he was carrying a bunch of cash. In the accounts that he shared about his life as a soldier, he recalled getting very little sleep, being in a wet uniform for days, and filling his helmet with water every day so he could shave. He sustained injuries during all the fighting and, for his service and bravery, Frank was awarded the European African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Brass and Silver Arrowhead, and the Good Conduct Medal. After the war, only two of his brothers returned home with Frank as his brother Chappy’s life was taken by enemy troops.

Frank’s brother Chappy had been dating a young girl named Mary Caltabiano. When Chappy died in combat Frank’s sister-in-law Rose, who was married to Frank’s other brother Kurt, told Mary that Chappy had another brother Frank who she might be interested in. Frank and Mary dated and soon fell in love. They married on October 29, 1945 and enjoyed a loving marriage for 53 years until Mary passed away in 1998.

After the war, Frank initially went into the scrap business in Paterson with his brother Kurt. Then in 1964, he went to work as a rigger with Kessler Trucking of Paterson. His company was involved in heavy lifting, hauling and rigging. Some of the bigger jobs Frank was involved in included work for the Hershey Factory in Pennsylvania, hauling and setting the Tuscan Dairy tanks seen from the Garden State Parkway, and moving the first manned submarine from Pennington Park in Paterson to the Paterson Museum. Frank was very skilled at every facet of his trade, from loading the truck, hauling it, and maneuvering those big things into little places. He enjoyed working as a rigger and he continued in this field of work for most of his career until retiring in 1980.

In 1964, the same year he went to work for Kessler Trucking, Frank, Mary and his family that would eventually include his seven children, moved to Wayne. Frank stayed in Wayne for thirty-six years, then in 2000 he moved back to McBride Ave. in Paterson, across the street from where he was born.

After retiring, Frank kept busy fixing small engines like the ones on lawnmowers, tractors and snow blowers. If you had a small engine that needed repair, Frank was the guy to call.

Frank was a tough guy! He was so tough that one time he clocked a professional fighter and he prided himself in the fact that, in his early days as a car mechanic, he could lift the front end of a Model T….off the ground…..by himself! But for all of his toughness, he really was a big teddy bear. His kids recall how he loved to take them on day trips to the White Birch Beach, along the river in Oakland. Frank, Mary, and their children, along with Frank’s extended family, enjoyed lots of good times there. When his children were small, Frank would take them to Garrett Mountain so that Mary could spend the day cleaning the house in peace. The family also spent lots of time down the Jersey shore at Seaside Heights, sunning and swimming by day and hitting the boardwalk in the evenings. He loved his grandchildren and he’d take them out for the day too, often times spending time with them at the mall.

Seven days before his passing, over seventy people, including family and friends, gathered at Mamma Vittoria’s in Nutley to honor Frank in celebration of his 95th birthday. It was a great celebration and you could tell that Frank really enjoyed being with those he loved. He’ll always be remembered for his great, dry sense of humor.

Frank is survived by his two dear daughters: Robyn and husband Jeff Thornley, and Sharon and husband Allan Zozzaro, both of Wayne; two dear sons: Donald Zaccaro of West Milford and Richard Zaccaro of Fairfield; thirteen loved grandchildren, thirteen adored great-grandchildren, and four cherished great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary in 1998, three dear sons: Joseph (1977), Frank, Jr. (1990), and John (1988); his much-loved grandson John Vito Zaccaro this past February, 2015, and his dear six brothers and seven sisters.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Frank’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (www.stjude.org).

Frank Ross Franklin Jr. of Packanack Lake passed away October 27, 2015 after an unexpected illness and only eleven weeks after the passing of his beloved wife, Agnes, on what would have been their 64th Wedding Anniversary.

Ross was born on June 5, 1927 to Flossie and F. Ross Franklin in Bayonne, NJ. He attended Horace Mann High School before enlisting in the Navy Submarine Service at age 17 in 1944, serving until 1946. He went on to get a degree from Pace College School of Business in NYC for Marketing and spent his career in the textile industry in NYC. Ross and Agnes both loved the shore and met on the beach in Pt. Pleasant, NJ and were married in 1951 on Staten Island at the Moravian Church. They honeymooned in Lake Placid, NY and celebrated their 50th anniversary there with their children in 2001. They moved from Staten Island in 1961 to the home they built and loved in Packanack Lake and lived in for the rest of their lives. Ross was an active member of the Packanack Lake Country Club and the Packanack Community Church, serving on many committees over the years. He and Agnes raised three daughters, Kris, Erika, and Beth and they have great memories of swimming and ice skating at the lake and their vacations at the shore on Long Beach Island.

During his retirement, Ross and Agnes enjoyed traveling the USA, Bermuda, and Europe. Ross was a very talented woodworker and artist. Many beautiful signs he made grace the homes of his family and friends. After retiring he became active with the Kinnelon Library Center for Lifelong Learning, the Packanack Lake Art and Photography Club, and the Community Arts Association of Allendale, NJ. He enjoyed painting with watercolors, creating pencil drawings and the many friendships he had with the people in his art groups. Ross loved to whistle, a trait well-known by his friends and neighbors, and he could be heard for blocks when outside caring for his yard. His attitude was always positive and whenever asked how he was doing always replied “so far, so good”. He was a true gentleman and was always ready to lend a hand wherever needed. Ross will be remembered by all who knew him as a devoted, loving and caring father, husband, son, grandfather, uncle, friend and neighbor.

Ross is survived by his three daughters, Kris Pierce, Erika Binns, Beth McConnell and son-in-law Dennis McConnell; grandchildren, Mercedes and EJ Binns, Ross Pierce, and Greyson and Waverly McConnell; niece and her husband, Donna and Alan Sneyd and great-nephew and his wife Bryan and Gosia Curtin.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Ross’s name to: Packanack Community Church, 120 Lake Drive East, Wayne, NJ 07470; Kinnelon Library Center for Lifelong Learning, 132 Kinnelon Road, Kinnelon, NJ 07405 or Preakness Reformed Church, 131 Church Lane, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Eugene “Gene” F. Tupper, age 88 of Whippany and formerly of Wayne, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 7, 2015.

Gene was born and raised in Waucoma, Iowa. Following graduation from high school, Gene was immediately drafted into the U.S. Navy. He proudly represented his country serving in Okinawa, Japan, sustaining injuries during World War II as he bravely fought to defend the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy to this present day.

Upon his return home in 1945, he enrolled at Northwestern College near Minneapolis, Minnesota. While studying there, he worked part-time at Davies Mortuary which was within walking distance from Northwestern. He found residence living upstairs in the funeral home and often played the piano during funeral services. This part-time job re-kindled his interest in music, particularly piano playing and he subsequently enrolled at MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis for more formal musical training.

During this period of his life, Gene got involved with an organization called The Navigators, an international, interdenominational Christian ministry whose aim was to help people grow in Jesus Christ as they navigated life. As part of his involvement with The Navigators, he attended a retreat in Colorado. While there, he met the woman he would someday marry. Her name was Dorothy. She became known to Gene as Dottie and, following the retreat, she and Gene continued their new relationship through consistent written correspondence. Through those letters their relationship and ultimate love for each other grew stronger and stronger resulting in the exchange of their wedding vows on Saturday, June 27, 1959 at Dottie’s hometown church in Nampa, Idaho.

Gene and Dottie established their first home in Minneapolis, MN where they soon welcomed a baby boy who they named Brian. Meanwhile, Gene had taken a job with Schmitt Music, a supplier of musical instruments to the greater Minneapolis area. He enjoyed the blessing of much success particularly as a piano salesman. So great was his success that he eventually found himself being pursued by various other piano and music franchise reps.

One day he was approached by Steinway and Sons Pianos of New York City to join their sales force. Steinway Hall, a collection of buildings housing concert halls, showrooms and sales departments for Steinway & Sons Pianos was considered by renowned pianists from Vladimir Horowitz and Sergei Rachmaninoff to Billy Joel and Judy Collins, to be the center of the piano universe! Many of the worlds most accomplished piano artists of all times played in its concert hall and many more selected performance instruments from the famed Steinway piano bank. Gene eagerly accepted their offer relocating his family in 1980 from Minneapolis to New Jersey beginning a life of commuting to his new job in New York City at 6th Ave. and West 57th Street.

Gene loved his work and poured every ounce of his heart and soul into it. He continuously strived to be the best, enthusiastically studying musical theory and piano composers from every genre and era. He worked just as passionately to hone his sales skills often-times listening to motivational tapes as he commuted by bus from his home on Hillcrest Drive in Wayne to New York City. His efforts paid off and he eventually became known as thee authority regarding the company’s pianos. Gene received awards as he set world sales records for Steinway and Sons and his awards got the attention of the New York Times who honored him with a feature article. Throughout his twenty-year career, Gene had the privilege of getting to know many famous artists including Billy Joel and Elton John. He enjoyed playing piano himself, just to relax, and in 2003 he purchased his very own nine foot Steinway concert grand piano which was autographed on the underside of the harp cover by Henry Steinway himself.

Gene retired in 1999 and sadly, his beloved wife Dottie passed away that same year after a blessed and happy marriage of forty years together. In 2010 Gene moved, along with his son Brian and daughter-in-law Sylvie and his three grandchildren, to Whippany. Upon his passing from this life he celebrates his reunion with his beloved wife Dottie.

Gene could easily be described as the kindest man ever! He was super thoughtful and a real gentle man who was always smiling and often joking around. His faith in God was real! As a young man he dedicated himself to the study of biblical scripture. He had a whole card catalog of numerous scripture verses. He was known for carrying a small handful of those index cards around with him so that if he found himself with some idle time, he could read them and write the truths they conveyed on his mind and heart. Gene did the same thing with vocabulary words – always trying to expand and improve his vocabulary so that he could be a better salesperson. His family says that Gene encouraged them to do the same. They believe that these practices were highly instrumental in making Gene the man they knew and that everyone else knew, loved and respected too. He will be missed!

Gene is survived by his dear son Brian and wife Sylvie of Whippany; and his cherished and adored granddaughters: Novelie, Averie, and Evelie. In addition to his beloved wife Dottie, he was predeceased by his two dear sisters: Evelyn Lord in 2007 and Carol Liefert in 2013.

Frances Annette Tomsey, age 71, of Highland Lakes, entered into the peace of eternal rest on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 after long courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Fran was born in Brooklyn, NY and lived there until she was eleven years old. Then she moved with her family to Ridgefield where she attended and eventually graduated from St. Cecilia High School, Ridgefield with the Class of 1960. While attending that school her algebra teacher was the famous Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi.

As a young woman, she worked for Morgan Guarantee Bank in NYC.

Fran met a gentleman named Bob Tomsey in 1971. Bob was friends with the young man who was dating Fran’s sister Annette and that friend arranged Fran and Bob’s blind date. Bob and Fran’s love for each other grew and eventually they decided to marry. Bob still remembers the day the jeweler came to Fran’s house in Ridgefield to present her with an array of engagement/wedding ring selections. They married at St. James Episcopal Church in Ridgefield on Saturday, October 30, 1976 and settled into their new home together in Highland Lakes where they’ve remained to the present time.

In 1986, Fran began a career as a dental receptionist with Dr. John Pier in Vernon Township. She worked under Dr. Pier for five years, then under Dr. David Langer, who took over the practice, for another twenty-one years. The patients loved Fran’s gentle yet up-beat disposition which always put them at ease when they sat in that place that most people dread – the dentist chair. If not for her illness, Fran would probably still be working there today.

Fran was a warm, bubbly and energetic person who had a contagious love for family and friends. She was extremely close to her cousin Marie. As young girls, Fran and Marie made life-memories singing in the Catholic Youth Organization’s (CYO) choir at St. Matthews Church in Ridgefield. Marie sang soprano and Fran added the alto part with her warm, lush, beautiful voice. She and Marie were great fans of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. Fran knew all the artist of the day but especially loved seeing Connie Francis or the Everly Brothers perform because she enjoyed singing harmony along with them.

Fran also loved to take vacations. She and her husband Bob enjoyed a great time in Puerto Rico and the two of them took trips with cousin Marie and her husband Bob down south to Cape May and Disney World and up north to Mount Washington in New Hampshire. She also liked to spend time along with Bob with her sister Annette and husband Louis in Lavallette.

As a young lady, Fran had boundless energy. She was a great swimmer and swam often at Crestwood Lake and at the Palisades Amusement Park. She spoke Italian and was a great cook too. Each Thanksgiving Day celebration was sure to feature Fran’s famous antipasto. It was expected! It was tradition! If watching the QVC shopping channel could be considered a hobby, this might be the one that Fran was most passionate about. She single-handedly made those people at QVC rich and one could imagine that the host probably knew Fran on a first-name basis.

Of course, Fran was the consummate doting grandmother to her three grandchildren. Abigail was her first grandchild so she always held a warm spot in Grandma’s heart. When she was just one years old Abigail’s first time not sleeping in her own bed was because she was enjoying a sleepover at Grandma’s house. Anthony was a delightful surprise because he was the first boy to be born to her side of the family in literally decades! She adored Anthony and he in turn was very dedicated to his grandma. Then there was little Anna who Fran loved to take shopping to the mall, to see musicals and out to eat for “ladies lunch.”

As the sun has set on the life of Fran Tomsey, the warmth of who she was as a person will continue to radiate for a long time in the lives of those who had the privilege of knowing her. Her sister Annette, who was eight years younger recalls the time that Fran took her first paycheck from Morgan Guarantee Bank and bought her little sister a Barbie corvette, and how Fran always helped get her ready for school, putting her hair in a pony tail (Annette always ripped it out when she got to school) and how she was always there when she got off the bus in the afternoon. Fran’s daughter Stacey described her mom as “my strength and my best friend – the wind beneath my wings.” Her daughter Sharon “loved Mom more than words” and she described her mom as “the one who always knew how to comfort and whose unconditional love was a living example. Fran loved her son-in-laws Michael and Matthew as if they were her own. ” Even up to the last moments of her life, Fran was asking her daughters, “are you warm enough?, do you have enough money?”

Her love of people was even for those she didn’t know personally as evidenced by her monetary sponsorship of a child through World Vision from the time that child was three until the child turned twenty! She loved all children and regularly donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and she also felt for the plight of women ravished by breast cancer, often donating money for breast cancer research.

For the past few months, Fran entrusted her care to the dedicated, loving, gentle team of professionals at Care One Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Center in Wayne. Her family extends special thanks to these compassionate care-givers for making Fran’s final months the best they could be.

Fran is survived by her beloved husband of thirty-eight years, Robert Tomsey who never left her side during her final days; her two much-loved daughters: Stacey and husband Michael Harrje of Chestertown, NY, and Sharon and husband Matthew Giordano of Wayne; three adored grandchildren: Abigail and Anthony Giordano and Anna Harrje; her dear younger sister Annette and husband Louis Marino of Pequannock; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Fran’s name are asked to consider the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN (www.stjude.org).

Frances Tarnacki Dollbaum, age 80, of Wayne, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2015.

Fran was born and raised in Jersey City. As a young girl, she loved to roller skate. It’s in Jersey City that she lovingly raised her four children.

While working at a commercial cleaner called Consolidated Laundry in Jersey City, Fran met a kind gentleman named Norman Dollbaum who was the business’s manager. Fran and Norm took a liking to each other and Norman eventually asked Fran if she’d like to join him for dinner. Their love for each other grew and, shortly after moving to Sussex in 1980, they were joined in marriage by Sussex’s Mayor Hough.

Shortly after their wedding, Fran and Norm opened a new business in Sussex called Country Butcher. Fran wore many hats in this business venture – purchaser, book keeper, counter clerk, coffee server, waitress, and cashier to name a few, leaving the butcher work exclusively to Norm. For thirteen years, they established a fine reputation, supplying the finest cuts of meat to the Sussex locals. Then in 1993, this hard working couple decided to move that year to Willow Grove, PA so Fran could be closer to her sisters. They also began enjoying a more carefree life afforded by ship cruises in the Caribbean, sun and fun splashing in the water down the Jersey Shore at Wildwood Crest, and participating in a little bit of friendly gambling in Atlantic City, Parx, and Bethlehem PA.

After eighteen years of calling Pennsylvania home, Fran and Norm moved back to NJ, this time settling in Wayne so they could be closer to their children and grandchildren. Fran loved holidays with hers and Norm’s family gathered. She always got so excited about decorating for all the holidays but especially for Halloween and Christmas. She’d deck the whole house out – both indoors and outside too reflect the fun and festivity of these special days.

Fran was very skilled at crocheting and she made many beautiful things including communion shawls, bed spreads as well as a crocheted blankets for many of her grandchildren. Creative by nature, she had a lot of fun scrap-booking. Her scrap book creations always were beautifully made with lots of fun pictures, poems and funny jokes. She donated these scrap books to children who were patients at Abbington Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania in hopes that they would bring the children some cheer and smiles. Fran loved doing word puzzles because she wanted to keep her mind sharp, and she loved butterflies and music boxes because they made her happy. They must have made her very happy because she had over 200 of those music boxes!

Fran and Norm enjoyed attending Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Wayne. Her genuine warmth and good-hearted nature will always be remembered and missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her including her friends at Siena Village.

Fran is survived by her loving husband Norman; three dear daughters: Doreen and husband Bruce Gesslein, Diane and husband John Schaefer, and Darlene Niniger; one son: Dennis and wife Denise Niniger; six grandchildren, Jessica, Danielle, John, Nicholas, Jeremy, and Cassandra; and six great-grandchildren Jazmin, Alexander, Kyle, Cody, Allison, and Layla, along with her brother Richard Tarnacki.

Frances is also survived by Norman's children, Edvie Canavan, Norman and his wife Marilyn, Karen Rapole, Cynthia Dollbaum, Christine and husband Robert Calafiore, and Michelle with husband Christopher Cullen, ten grandchildren Edvie Marie, Peter, Joseph, Stephen, Thomas, David, Jordan, Bobby, Anthony, and Jessica, and great-grandson Colyn.

She will be laid to rest with her sisters Helen Tarnacki and Joan Ginunas in eternal peace in Pennsylvania.

Florie A. Pepe, age 88, of Wayne, peacefully entered the Kingdom of God on Monday, December 28, 2015, after a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

After serving in the Air Force, he worked at American Light Alloy and then began his career with the Post Office in Wayne until retirement in 1990. Florie was honored with a "Special Commendation Award" from the Postal Service for rushing to the aid of a customer whose car caught fire. He was a loving husband and father and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather who was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor in need.

Florie is survived by his devoted wife, Mae Pepe (nee Grossi); his daughter Patricia Harvey of Wayne, son Gregory and wife Judy Pepe of Wood-Ridge, and son David and wife Doris Klimenok-Pepe of Middletown; five grandchildren: Michael and wife Regina Pepe, Rebecca and husband Patrick Cecala, Lori and husband Peter Schmatz, Kristin and husband CK Karabinos, and Amanda Pepe; nine great-grandchildren: Vincent and Nicholas Cecala, Carolina and Matthew Pepe, Ryan, Tommy, and Steven Schmatz, and Brianna and Hailey Karabinos; and four siblings: Marie Gaughan, George Pepe, Gerald Pepe, and Josephine Rizzo.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Florie’s name are asked to consider the Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714, (lustgarten.org), or a charity of your choice.

Emilia Frank, age 86, of Haledon, died peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2015.

Born and raised in Jersey City, Emilia was the youngest of John and Mary Kurylka’s six children. She was a graduate of Ferris High School in Jersey City.

Following graduation, Emilia went to work for the New York Telephone Company in Manhattan. Eventually she moved to New Jersey Bell where she continued a long, rewarding career that spanned decades, retiring in April of 1990.

Emilia met and fell in love with her husband Michael Frank, Sr. They married on May 8, 1948 at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Jersey City. From 1952 to 1958 they were blessed with three dear children: Carol, Michele and Michael. Emilia concentrated her love, care and attention to raising her children, first making their house a home in Jersey City, ultimately moving to Haledon in 1957 where she remained to the present.

Emilia was very skilled crocheter, crocheting beautiful sweaters, hats, scarves, socks, mittens and afghans. She made most of her creations for her daughters.

When she was home, Emilia’s favorite place to be was in the kitchen. An excellent cook, when asked which of Mom’s dishes they liked the best, her family replied “all of them!” And everything Emilia made included that special secret ingredient – Love!

Emilia enjoyed especially being with her family. Easy going and always pleasant, there was no sense of maliciousness to be found in this wonderful wife and mother. In her high school year book, it was written of Emilia, “Thou hast a pleasant presence.” That’s exactly how Emilia lived her life and she will always be remembered for this wonderful quality.

Emilia is survived by her beloved husband of almost 67 years, Michael P. Frank, Sr.; her two dear children: Michele Frank of Oak Ridge and Michael P. Frank, Jr. of Haledon; and her dear son-in-law Peter Chryscine of Wayne.

Emilia was predeceased by her dear daughter Carol Ann Chryscine in 2012; her brother Frank Kurylka; and her four sisters: Helen Quinn, Rose Danko, Ann Ruffer, and Anastasia Guralchyk.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Emilia’s name are asked to consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Please send your gift to Donation Processing, The Michael J. Fox Foundation P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5041, or donate online at www.michaeljfox.org.

Evelyn May Muzik died on December 30, 2015 at the age of 92 in Tulsa, Oklahoma after a short illness. She was born to Jean (nee Shaw) and Anthony Sienon on May 15, 1923 in Clifton, New Jersey. She married Frank Muzik in 1946.

Evelyn led a full life, both personally and professionally. As the wife of an avionics engineer she lived in many states around the country, where Frank represented his company at Air Force bases. She embraced each relocation, making new friends easily. After raising their two children, Evelyn returned to the workforce, beginning a successful career in banking. She served as Senior Vice President of Chemical Bank in New Jersey.

She and her husband retired and moved to Savannah, Georgia where they lived for 20 years. During that time they traveled the world. Frank passed away in 2008 and Evelyn moved to Tulsa, OK in 2011 to be near her daughter. She was a member of Rotary International, both in New Jersey and Georgia. She was also active in SCORE in Savannah, serving as Assistant Deputy Director.

Evelyn was predeceased by her husband Frank. Survivors include her son, Douglas Muzik of Atlanta, Georgia and her daughter and son-in-law Jeanie and Wolfgang Crone of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church, 50 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411 or a charity of your choice.

Evelyn Agamie, age 90, of Delray Beach, FL and formerly of Paterson, passed away peacefully on Thursday February 5, 2015 at her son’s home in Branford, CT, surrounded by her loving family.

Evelyn was born in Phillipsburg, NJ in 1924, one of Naim and Zekia (Makoujy) Mowad’s four children. Evelyn’s family was very close-knit and, because she adored her mom, she quit school when Mom became ill so she could step in to help raise her brothers.

Before World War I, Evelyn’s grandmother, Sadie Makoujy, came to the USA from Alepo, Syria to escape religious persecution. After the war, Sadye sent for her daughter Zekia and son Joseph who came through Ellis Island in 1921 and settled in Phillipsburg, NJ. Evelyn was born in Phillipsburg and moved to Brooklyn, NY in 1940 working in the garment district. In 1941 her family returned to New Jersey, settling in Paterson.

Evelyn met her beloved husband Louis at a church party in 1941. They fell in love and, upon Louis’ return from service during World War II as a soldier in the U.S. Army Air Corps, they exchanged their wedding vows before family and friends on September 29, 1946 at Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church in Paterson. Following a honeymoon at Niagara Falls and in Montreal, they settled in a house on Washington Street in Paterson. There, Evelyn gave birth to three fine boys – Louis, Norman and Richard. Evelyn dedicated herself to making sure her boys were blessed with a great up-bringing and providing a loving home for them and her husband Louis. Meanwhile, she also worked as an integral member of the family business – Agamie Brothers Delicatessen in Clifton where she often took her boys to work with her. Because she was such a great cook and baker, she later went on to hold other executive chef positions. Her family felt so blessed to be the lucky recipients of Evelyn’s culinary skills. Some of their favorite dishes that she made included her stuffed grape leaves and anything she made with lamb including shish kabob. Her own favorites included chicken parmesan and fried cat fish. Evelyn’s pastries were renowned and she was all too glad to send them to you wherever you lived. When you called to say thanks, she always asked, “any of my pastries break?” Of course, the answer was always no because she fastidiously wrapped each one individually. After all, she was the consummate perfectionist! In 1959 Evelyn and Louis moved from Washington Street to Lexington Ave., also in Paterson. They remained there for another 30 years before moving permanently to Delray Beach, FL in 1989. Her beloved Louis passed away in 1997 after 50 years in a loving marriage. After his passing, Evelyn remained in Florida to the present.

Evelyn’s faith was central to her life. A long-time parishioner of St. Ann Melkite Church in Woodland Park (formerly called West Paterson) and Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church in Little Falls, when she and Louis moved to Florida, they noticed that many of their friends from St. Ann Melkite Church were also in that area during the winter. Missing their Eastern Catholic traditions, they desired to have their own church, since the only Melkite Church in Florida was in Miami, an hour’s drive south. So, with the close collaboration of Magdi Negm, a Melkite who lived in Boca Raton all year, and later a deacon in the church, they found names in the phone books in the area and started to enlist them to join their new mission. That mission later became St. Nicholas Church, now a full-fledged parish, with a lovely new church building, on Lake Ida Road in Delray Beach. This church was established in 1990, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. For her dedication and steadfast commitment, Evelyn was awarded, in 2000, the Cross of Jerusalem, the highest award given by the Melkite Catholic Patriarch.

Evelyn adored her boys and grandchildren. When the boys were young, the family took vacations to Wildwood, always the last two weeks of summer. Evelyn’s family along with a whole circle of close friends always rented a place right on the beach. Usually it was a place called the Lamp Post. Everyone enjoyed the sun and the ocean and beach, and the kids all went to the boardwalk at night. You always knew when it was the last day of vacation because Jerry Lewis’ muscular dystrophy telethon was always playing on the television. When her boys married and blessed her and Louis with grandchildren, Evelyn loved to teach the little ones about the Syrian customs, including the wonderful foods and music and dance. When she moved to Florida, she regularly invited the grandchildren down to visit, oftentimes paying for their trip. Everyone came to Florida to celebrate hers and Louis’ 50th wedding anniversary and most recently to celebrate her 90th birthday just last year in September.

Evelyn and Louis were blessed with many great friendships throughout their lives. On Friday and Saturday nights they were always out with the friends that they had made throughout the years from church and through the American Legion where Louis was active as a result of his military service.

Evelyn will always be remembered for her beauty both within and on the outside. She was classy and dignified. Her strong, courageous and independent spirit was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Evelyn was predeceased by her beloved husband Louis; she is survived by her three loving sons: Louis (Stacie) Agamie of Portland, OR, Norman (Donna) Agamie of Freemansburg, PA, and Richard (Evelyn) Agamie of Branford, CT; her seven adored grandchildren: Lisa, Emilie, Jennifer, Brian, Wenwen, Jordan and Justin; her adored great-granddaughter Ava; and her dear brothers: Anthony Mowad of Paterson, George Mowad of Woodland Park, and the late Edward Mowad. Evelyn is also survived by her many wonderful and loving friends in Florida.

Fannie “Fay” Glozzy (nee Di Biase), age 92 of Wayne and formerly of Clifton, died on Wednesday, September 9, 2015. She had been a Wayne resident since 1995.

Fay lived in Clifton for more than seventy years, graduating from Clifton High School in 1941. She was a very skilled seamstress and had work in the Intelisano factory in Passaic, making clothing for many years. Much to the chagrin of her young children at the time, she also made clothes for each of them. Now that they are all grown, her children realize those clothes were made with love that could never be bought in store. Fay was still hemming up until just a few years ago and she loved it.

Fay met her husband James Glozzy at a “Sons of Italy” dance in Passaic during the late 1940’s. Their courtship led to a wedding on September 19, 1949. During their forty five years together they raised their family in Clifton and traveled extensively around the United States on many road trips. Sadly, Jim passed away suddenly in 1994 and Fay missed him dearly ever since.

Family was always important to Fay and her world revolved around her loved ones. Becoming a grandmother was the highlight of her life and she was often among the loudest at hockey games and football games, rooting her grandchildren on! Her “Cousins Club” consisted of about twenty cousins at one time, and they all met monthly. Each summer, the “Cousins Club” would rent a house in Lavallette and enjoy the summer together. Lavallette was a big part of her life and she really looked forward to those summers and loved spending time with all of her cousins there.

Once Fay moved to Siena Village in 1995, she quickly made friends there and enjoyed playing cards and Rummy Cube almost every day. She was one of the original residents there and her neighbors knew she was a big NY Yankees and NY Giants fan, always rooting for her teams!

Fay is survived by her three loving children; James Glozzy and his wife Linda of Wayne, Susan Arlio and her husband Gary of Wayne, and Richard Glozzy and his wife Nicole of Hackettstown, seven grandchildren: Jeffrey Glozzy and his wife Jane of Boston, MA, Daniel Glozzy and his wife Nicole of Wayne, Bryan Arlio and his fiancé Meredith of Athens, GA, Melissa Andersen and her husband Robert of Cedar Grove, NJ, Lauren Glozzy of Hoboken, Scott Glozzy of Hoboken, and Keith Glozzy of Hoboken, a sister; Ida Pecchio and her husband Santo of Elmwood Park, and her brother; Joseph De Biase and his wife Eleanor of Clifton. She was predeceased by her beloved husband James in 1994, and by three siblings; Eugene De Biase, James De Biase, and Christine Chappa.

Florence “Boots” Ferrito, age 93, of Wayne, died peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2015.

Born and raised in Paterson, as a young lady, Florence originally worked as a sales clerk for Quackenbush Department Store in Paterson. She later worked for many years as a book buyer for Meyer Brothers, Paterson. An avid reader, it was the perfect job because publishers gave her all the books to read for free, in hopes that she would find them worthy to sell in the store’s book department. Unfortunately, when the company moved the store to Wayne in the early 1970’s, the book department was discontinued. Consequently, Florence went on to become a sales clerk with J.C. Penny in Wayne where she finished out her career, retiring in 1993.

A musically talented and popular singer, one day while singing and leading the soprano section as a member of the choir as St. Michael’s Parish in Paterson, a beautiful white orchid was delivered to her. When she inquired as to whom the giver of the flower was, she learned that it was given by a young gentleman named Emmanuel Ferrito, an usher in the church. Emmanuel had two tickets to the opera and so he asked Florence to join him. She declined his offer only to see him a few days later at the train station on his way to the opera with another date. Florence suddenly took a greater interest in Emmanuel. They eventually fell in love, marrying on Saturday, November 26, 1949 at St. Michael’s Church. Their first home together was in Paterson and it was there that they welcomed a baby boy and later a baby girl. In September, 1974, they moved to Wayne where Florence remained to the present.

As a young couple, Florence and Emmanuel enjoyed joining friends for a night of dancing at one of the local dance halls, even dancing a couple of times at the world-famous Copacabana dance club in New York City. They were talented dancers who were honored with the title of “King and the Queen of the Tango” by their friends. As young parents, the family enjoyed getting away to the Jersey Shore or to the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area of Harriman State Park in Bear Mountain, NY. In their later years, Florence and Emmanuel especially enjoyed spending a night seeing a Broadway show.

A loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Florence was a gracious party host, especially noted for her Sunday and holiday family dinners. A meticulous housekeeper, her home was a show piece. Florence followed fashion closely and was always smartly dressed and coiffured. As a young mother, she was active in the PTA’s of St. Michael’s and St. Gerard Schools in Paterson and De Paul Catholic High School in Wayne. More recently, as a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Parish Community in Wayne, Florence was active in the church’s annual festival as well as other church functions.

Florence was the loving wife of Emmanuel; devoted mother of Michael and wife Suzanne Ferrito of Oak Ridge, and Oresta Ferrito of Wayne; grandmother of Brian and wife Marie Ferrito, Mark Ferrito, and Patricia and husband Jason Utter; and great-grandmother of Dylan and Sam. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents Pasquale and Oresta and her four sisters: Mary Foulds, Helen Casale, Frances Bagli, and Teresa Lasaracino.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Florence’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142, www.stjude.org

Frances (Fran) Annette Guerra, 75, of Succasana, New Jersey, passed away on June 18th, 2015, after a short battle with cancer. She lived comfortably in her home surrounded by loved ones up until the day of her death.

Fran was a fun-loving, thoughtful and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Born to Pauline Kurzenski and Frederick Neske on September 16th, 1939, in Paterson, New Jersey, she was one of five children and often reminisced of adolescent times with her two brothers and two sisters in Ridgewood.

She met Anthony (Tony) Michael Guerra through a friend of hers, who happened to be his twin sister, Mary. The couple was married in 1959 and eventually settled in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. While helping Tony grow a thriving carpentry business, Fran spent the majority of her time raising their four children.

She loved cooking (particularly Italian), gardening, dancing, and listening to Frank Sinatra and the like. When they could get away, Fran loved spending family time boating and fishing in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and Montauk, New York. Later, she and Anthony explored the eastern seaboard by boat, and enjoyed travel to the west coast, Mexico, and Italy.

Nothing gave her greater joy than the arrival of grandchildren. She loved family gatherings and could always be found on the back porch or an armchair sipping a glass of wine, engaged in laughter and conversation. Since Tony’s passing in 2001, she has enjoyed daily walks with friends and dogs (most recent, Rocky), visits with her sister in California, working on house projects, and visits to church on Sunday.

Fran is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Anthony Guerra, and grand-daughter, Valente McCrady. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Michael (Laurie) Guerra of West Brookeville, NY; Laura (Tucker) Guerra of New York, NY; Ronald (Robin) Guerra of Mercer Island, WA; Thomas (Jacquie) Guerra of Randolph, NJ; her grandchildren: Ashley, Carly, Mike, Cassidy, Thomas, Tessa and Walker; her sisters: Vera and Marion; and brothers: Paul and Fred.

Remembrances can be made to Saint Baldrick’s (click here to donate) a charity which funds the research to find cures for various childhood cancers.

Emil Rizzo age 92 of Wayne, formerly of Fair Lawn, passed peacefully on Sunday, February 22, 2015.

He was born and raised in the family home at East 22nd Street in Paterson. He attended a local vocational school and learned to be a machinist. As a young man he and his brother Fred established their own business in the family garage and called it “Madison Machine Company.” As was the case with many young men at the time, World War II came calling and before he knew it Emil was serving with the 104th Infantry Division in the United States Army. He didn’t do well as a foot soldier as he had flat feet and was sent back to the States to serve as an M.P. While he was stationed at Fort Dix in New Jersey Italian prisoners of war were sent to Fort Dix for incarceration. One of the POW’s caught Emil’s eye and it turned out to be his cousin. Rules for the POW’s were somewhat relaxed even letting Emil bring his cousin home for dinner one weekend. He was honorably discharged at Fort Custer, Michigan on August 15, 1943.

When he was just fourteen years old he met the love of his life Harriet May Wanamaker. For many years they roller skated together. Just after his service in the Army during WWII they married on June 20, 1946. They honeymooned in Niagara Falls, New York and had a loving marriage of sixty-four years before her passing in June of 2011.

After the war Emil and his brother Fred again got their business running. Soon the name was updated to “Madison Sprocket and Gear.” For a time they had government contracts and were given blueprints as to what they were to build and what they would be paid to build it. Eventually they bought a building at 275 Goffle Road in Hawthorne from their friends the Thomas’. Their company was doing precision metal work manufacturing sprockets and gears for many different industries including baking equipment, automatic door openers, and conveyors to name a few. Emil was a perfectionist who loved working with his hands. He was happy to see his daughter Risa come in to the office so he could be out in the shop working with his hands. In 2010 he retired after a career of over 70 years.

One of Emil’s hobbies was playing the banjo and mandolin. He was a member of the Just a Bunch of Banjo’s and the Wayne Madolin Orchestra for many years. Many will remember him playing the banjo on Wednesday nights at Colucci’s Restaurant in Haledon with Uncle Floyd. For many years he would travel to New Orleans and just walk into Preservation Hall to play with some of the best Jazz and Dixieland musicians in the world. He also played for funerals there in New Orleans with his daughter walking along the street following the band with a small parasol in hand.

Another of his loves was boxing. While in the Army he boxed for a while and this created a lifelong love of the sport. He would often go to the Friday Night Fights at the Forum in New York City with his daughter Risa in tow. Always one to enjoy sports he had box seats to Shea Stadium for fifteen years, again with Risa by his side. Emil’s passion was golf. Being the perfectionist he was - he played to about a four handicap for the better part of 30 years. He was a member of the North Jersey Country Club in Wayne having joined in the 1950’s and retiring from golf in the 1980’s when an old wrist injury made it too difficult for him to play at a level acceptable to him. After golf he found great joy in a great deal of traveling, time at the Jersey Shore in Spring Lake, and tooling around in his Patio Boat on Lake Hopatcong where he purchased a home along the shoreline.

He will be remembered as a loving husband and father. He was a perfectionist who loved to have a good time, loved to laugh, enjoyed sharing his talent with the banjo and mandolin, all while trying to remain somewhat in the background. Although he would perform in front of many when he was done he wanted no recognition other than to see people enjoyed themselves.

He was the loving husband of the late Harriet May Rizzo (June 2011); devoted father of Risa Rizzo and her husband Jack Dunnigan of Wayne; cherished grandfather of Kyle John Dunnigan of Wayne; loved brother of Evelyn Puttenvink and her husband John of Oakland, and the late Mildred, Arthur, Fred, Evelyn, and Alice.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or the Friends of Wayne Animals (FOWA), PO Box 3701, Wayne, NJ 07474 would be appreciated.

Eileen C. Randazzo, 88 of Wayne, died on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 comfortably in her own home.

Eileen was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and moved to Wayne in 1969 after marrying James A. Randazzo. The two of them had met on a singles cruise and found one another on the dance floor. They both loved to dance and they couldn’t have planned a more appropriate way to meet. They continued cruising and dancing throughout their many years together, living a very active lifestyle, until Jim’s passing in 1993.

Eileen had worked in banking during her career, retiring from New Jersey Bank in 1991. She enjoyed watching classic movies and rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. She was a private woman, proud of her appearance and always well dressed. Eileen was an honorary member of the DelBalso family, enjoying all the holidays, birthdays, and special occasions with them. Thanksgiving was among her most favorite holidays for many reasons, not the least of which was the fact that it was also her birthday! She was born on Thanksgiving day, 1926 and it has always been particularly special when her birthday falls on Thanksgiving.

Donations in her memory, if friends so wish, would be greatly appreciated to the College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610.

Edward F. Drag age 91, of the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne, passed peacefully at home on Friday, May 8, 2015.

Born in Brooklyn he lived in Sleepy Hollow, New York before moving to Wayne 53 years ago. He was employed by the American Cyanamid Company for 48 years and retired in 1991 as the Senior Property and Casualty Insurance Claims Administrator. After his retirement Ed volunteered as a tax counselor assisting senior citizens in preparation of federal and state tax returns for over twenty years. Ed was a licensed insurance broker and real estate salesman in New York and New Jersey. He was a veteran of WWII and served with the Army Signal Corp and was attached to the Headquarters of the Second and Fifteenth Air Forces in Colorado and Italy respectively.

He was active with Little League Baseball programs in New York. Mr. Drag coached boys and girls athletic programs in Packanack Lake for many years. He also served as an umpire for men, boys, and girls softball and baseball games.

Beloved husband of the late Ann Lynch Drag(2012); he is survived by his five children, Edward F. Drag II and his wife colleen of Columbus, NJ, Thomas Drag of Pompton Plains, Robert Drag and his wife Suzanne of Maple Grove, MN, Martin Drag and his wife Linda of Pompton Plains, and Jane Crank of Wayne; sixteen grandchildren; Jennifer, Dawn, Tom, Tim, Dan, Michael, Sandy, Eddie, Stephanie, Nicole, Marty, Billy, Sami, Melanie, Johnny, and Rilee; and ten great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his grandson Billy Drag in 1985 and his daughter in law Renee in 2011.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a mass donation to our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, PO Box 147, Denton, Nebraska 68339 or a donation to Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, 32 West Franklin Avenue, Pequannock, NJ 07440.

Elizabeth C. McKenzie (nee Cleland) “Betty” age 96 of Pompton Plains, passed peacefully on Monday, December 7, 2015.

Betty was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1919 to loving parents Frank Benedict Cleland, a Wall Street broker, and Elizabeth Octavia Cleland (nee Taliaferro).

Betty grew up in Suffern and White Plains New York. As a young woman, she attended Rosemary Hall, a private boarding school in Greenwich, Connecticut. There she met and danced with future U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Most young ladies would be so enamored to have a chance to dance with destiny and, having had that chance to dance, would probably want to date a man as handsome as Mr. Kennedy, but not Betty! You see, Betty was extremely passionate about dancing and, as she described it, “he wasn’t a great dancer.” During her school years, she was also featured in a Life Magazine article about the dances which took place at Rosemary Hall.

Betty later moved to New York City, where one of her first jobs was working at a record store. Her love of music went hand-in-hand with her love of dance and, during her days at the record store, she collected literally hundreds of records. Her beauty earned her a job as a model and her mastery of dance, a job as a dance instructor. She was always looking for opportunities to dance, even volunteering during World War II as a dancer with the troops. A real opera connoisseur, she attended almost weekly. Her artistic talents were truly multi-faceted. Not only could she also play piano, guitar and banjo, but she was a talented singer too, and as such, Betty was a longtime member of the Harmony Singers. With them, she performed at venues including Carnegie Hall.

Betty and her boyfriend once went out with another couple on a date. The other couple included her girlfriend who was blindly paired with her boyfriend’s friend Donald W. McKenzie. Soon after, she broke up with her boyfriend and Mr. McKenzie, so smitten by Betty on that double date, wasted no time to ask Betty out. That date led to a loving relationship and ultimately to marriage on Saturday, September 1, 1956 in Groton, Connecticut. Soon after, Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie purchased a home in Oakland where they were blest with the opportunity to raise their three children: George, Gregory, and Joyce. Over the span of their years of marriage until Don’s passing in 1975, they frequently enjoyed vacations in Groton Long Point in Connecticut.

In the early 1980’s, Betty purchased a beautiful ranch with lovely gardens on a lake in Wayne. There, she enjoyed hosting many parties for friends that she met in the various groups she was involved in. This was a perfect home for Betty as she had a great love for gardening and often collected flowers and plants wherever she went. She never saw a plant or flower she didn’t like and so her house sometimes looked like a jungle because she felt the need to save everyone. They were her babies! Betty passed that passion down to her daughter Joyce – a wise and fortunate thing since Joyce regularly rewarded her in later years by bringing fresh cut flowers on a weekly basis from her own gardens.

Some years after Donald’s passing, Betty met her longtime friend and companion Bill Tynan at a Parents Without Partners event. She appreciated a gentleman who knew how to dance and Bill was a great dancer. Together they danced for 30 years until his passing in 2005.

Betty was a member of Parents Without Partners for over thirty-five years where she served for a longtime as their president. Because of her dedication, her chapter of PWP Number 552 in Oakland is one of the few remaining chapters still operating.

Betty was a member of St. Albans Church in Oakland where she was active in the women’s club and, to no surprise, an important asset as a singer in the choir.

While everyone has a family history, Betty’s goes back on both sides of her family to some of the most prominent families in early America.

On her father Frank Benedict Cleland’s side Betty was related to George Morton, one of the first settlers of the Plymouth Plantation who arrived on the ship Ann which followed the Mayflower. A favorite family keepsake is a sampler crafted by her Great-Great-Great Aunt Laura Morton in 1806. Through her father’s side of the family she is also related to our country’s 8th president - President Martin Van Buren.

On her mother Elizabeth Octavia Cleland’s (nee Taliaferro) side, the Taliaferro family of Orange, VA, was one of the most prominent first families in Virginia. Through this side of her family, Betty was related to another one of our country’s presidents - President Zachary Taylor – our 12th president, as well as Senator James Piper Taliaferro and various others. In addition Betty’s grandfather Felix Taylor Taliaferro fought in the Civil War.

Although she never pursued it, Betty had the lineage to be a “Daughter of the American Revolution” on both sides of her family. Despite this distinctive position within America’s history, Betty was really a reserved and quiet woman and never one to boast. She would rather listen and enjoy the company of others, than speak of herself.

Above all, she cherished her family and was happiest being surrounded by them.

Surviving is her son Gregory of Hewitt and her daughter Joyce Hayter and husband William Delia of Pompton Plains; six grandchildren: Elizabeth Hayter, Kaitlin, Tara, and Kelly McKenzie, and Cherylyn and Dena Delia; and her brother Frank T. Cleland and wife Katherine of Lakeland, FL. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Donald W. McKenzie in 1975, her longtime companion Bill Tynan in 2005, her son George in 1962, and her grandson Edward Hayter in 2010.

Eileen Thompson (nee Dixon), 84, of Wayne, NJ, died on Sunday, June 28, 2015.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, she graduated from Fort Hamilton High School in 1948. While growing up in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, she was active in the Girl Scouts and went on to be a leader of her troop. She stayed in Brooklyn until marrying her husband Bill, moving first to Lodi, NJ and then to Wayne in 1958.

Eileen devoted her time to her family. She was a life member of the Pines Lake Garden Club, where she enjoyed the clean ups at Pines Lake School, often bringing her children with her.

In 1978, when her children were old enough to be on their own, she went back to school and graduated from Passaic County Community College (PCCC) in 1980 with a degree in Computer Programming. She re-entered the work force that same year with Suburban Savings Bank and stayed with the same company through many bank mergers and acquisitions. She retired as a Vice President in 1994 from (Anchor Bank) Systematics Mortgage Division.

As an alumni Eileen stayed active with PCCC serving on its Board of Trustees, Alumni Foundation and helping tutor students from the school.

After moving to Wayne, Eileen and her beloved husband Bill found a home with Preakness Reformed Church in Wayne. She was active early on with church activities including teaching Sunday school classes and singing in the church choir. She continued her faith in the church serving as a Deacon and Elder of the consistory, running the antique sale and craft show, and helping with the vacation Bible school over the summer until becoming a resident at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff. When singing in the choir proved too much for her, Eileen joined the bell choir. She enjoyed going to brown bags and bible lunches, and her brown bag lunch always included a tuna-fish sandwich on rye bread.

Eileen is survived by her two sons: John Thompson of Wayne, and Arthur and his wife Jennifer Thompson of Wayne; and four grandchildren: Aaron Thompson of PA, and Lorelei, Ethan and Chad Thompson of Wayne. She was predeceased by her beloved husband William Thompson (1992), Daughter Margaret Thompson (1984), grandson Derek Thompson (2007), and her sister Dorothy Hobart (2011).

In lieu of Flowers, donations in Eileen’s memory may be made to: Preakness Reformed Church, 131 Church Lane, Wayne, NJ 07470, or the Christian Health Care Center Foundation, 301 Sicomac Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481.

Elaine Mary Tkach (nee Moskal) passed away on August 14, 2015 at the age of 82. She had been a resident of the Packanack Lake section of Wayne for 42 years. Elaine attended Passaic High School and St. Mary’s Nursing School in Passaic. After receiving her Registered Nursing Degree, she worked in the operating room at St. Mary’s Hospital. During this time she made some wonderful life-long friends.<

She worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pequannock, and while at the Wayne General Hospital she worked in the maternity ward. She retired in the 1980’s after a successful and rewarding career.

Elaine was a very sociable woman whose diverse interests and many friends to share them with. Her greatest love was being an equestrian. She learned to ride horses as a young girl, spending many days at the paddock which existed at the stables on Garrett Mountain in Paterson. She had several horses throughout the years and among her most cherished were Picolino and Shar Khan. With her care and love Shar Khan lived to be 30 years old. Elaine also loved her dogs, cats, and a well-trained champion Doberman named Thor. During her lifetime she loved and cared for all animals.

Elaine was active in the Packanack community where she acted, and danced with the Packanack Players. She was fond of musicals, played the piano, and danced ballet. She also was talented at sketching in charcoal and sculpting. Elaine was an excellent cook, often hosting dinners at home and cookouts. She would always go all-out when it came to entertaining, especially for holiday meals. Her soups were delicious and she baked everything from scratch. She was a tireless hostess who simply loved to be surrounded by family and friends.

As a bridesmaid she met her husband John at her uncle’s wedding in 1952 and they hit it off. They married on November 26, 1955 and honeymooned in the Poconos. During the years they were fortunate to enjoy traveling together, including such places as Bermuda, Florida, and many summers at the Jersey Shore and Myrtle Beach, SC. She loved swimming and you would often find her in the water during those family vacations. Elaine was a caring and loving mom to her three sons, servicing as a Cub Scout Den Mother for each of them. She was also devoted to her Catholic faith and attended Mass every Sunday. She and her family would frequently drive all the way to Passaic because she preferred the traditional Mass at Saint Joseph’s RC Church. Elaine and family also attended the Latin Mass celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Pequannock. She was a faith-filled woman.

Elaine is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, John of Wayne, three sons Bruce, Darryl, and Gary, a brother Robert Moskal and his wife Pam of Elk Grove, CA, a sister-in-law Dorothy Harrington and her husband Dan and brother-in-law Joseph Tkach; nieces Joy and Dawn, and nephews David and Jeffrey.

Memorial donations in Elaine’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater NJ Chapter, PO Box 97011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, the ASPCA, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929, or Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 would be appreciated.

Eleanor H. Velardi (nee De Marco), age 85 of Wayne, died peacefully on December 8, 2015 with her family gathered at her bedside.

Along with her 2 sisters and 2 brothers, Eleanor was born and raised in the Marion section of Jersey City to Joseph and Vita De Marco. She attended Dickinson High School. Eleanor’s father died when she was only seven years old, and was raised by her mother and step father, Joseph Maita. Eleanor worked at the cigar factory in Newark rolling cigars. During the “war” she worked at Western Electric in Kearney doing quality control on control boards. In her younger days, Eleanor was an avid basketball player, and helped her Mount Carmel Church team win the CYO championship.

While growing up in the city, Eleanor summer vacationed at her Grandmothers bungalow out in the “country”, Wayne. While vacationing one summer, she visited the Hi-Ho club where she met her future husband Gregory.

Eleanor married Gregory in 1957 and settled into the home that Gregory, his friends and his brothers built in Wayne where they began to raise their family. Her cooking was legendary, especially her meat balls. Her family loved her meatballs.

As her two sons grew up, Eleanor went back to work. This time as the “lunch lady” at Ryerson School. She worked there for 23 years, first volunteering as a cafeteria aide a couple of hours a day, and then working part time when a paying positioned became available. She loved being around the kids, and enjoyed the friendship and comraderie of her co-workers. On more than one occasion she was reprimanded by the staff for opening the tops of the thermos bottles of the handi-capped children. She was told the kids need to learn how to open the bottles themselves. She retorted, “They can learn how to open their thermos bottles when they are at home. When I’m here, I’m going to open them. What am I going to do stand there and watch them struggle?”

Eleanor loved her annual two week vacations in Florida with her family. Florida vacations were spent mainly in Clearwater, with side trips to Walt Disney World. She loved the Florida sun, and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

While she never had dogs of her own, she loved baby sitting for Greg and Laurie’s dog Isabella. Mom and Bella would enjoy an English muffin with jelly for breakfast almost every day.

Eleanor was a member of the POL Fire Company #2 Ladies Auxiliary, having served as their President.

Eleanor was a devout Catholic and would always return annually to her home parish of Mt Carmel in Jersey City for the “Feast”. When she was healthy, her and her husband were regular parishioners at Holy Cross Church in Wayne and attended the Saturday evening mass.

Eleanor was a very giving and sharing person. She donated to just about every organization that sent her a donation request. She would say “send them $5.00 what’s the difference what they do with the money. They must be doing some good or they wouldn’t be soliciting for donations”.

Eleanor is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years Gregory (Hank) of Wayne, her two sons; Frank and his wife Gillian of Wayne, Gregory and his wife Laurie of Wayne, three grandchildren; Robert, Timothy, and Paul and her loving niece and nephew Jaime (Wayne) Gould of California, and Anthony (Eileen) Trapozzano of Florida. She was predeceased by her sisters Jean (Joseph) Radische, Jennie (Vincent) Trapozzano, and brothers Joseph (Tessie), and Paul (Ann).

Those wishing to make a donation in Eleanor’s memory are asked to consider the Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad. Donations should be made payable to the “Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad PO Box 291 Wayne, NJ 07474”.

Edward G. Gruters, age 74 of Lincoln Park passed away peacefully on Saturday July 25, 2015.

There are no words to describe the deep sadness we are feeling as we face the loss of an amazing husband, father and grandfather. Edward Gruters, of Lincoln Park, passed away today leaving behind a trail of broken hearts.

Ed was born and raised in Paterson and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, where he was an altar boy. He graduated from Eastside High School and earned his B.S. degree from Newark College of Engineering, now NJIT. Ed worked as an electrical engineer and systems analyst at AT&T in Newark for 33 years.

Married for almost 53 years to his childhood love, Connie (Zangrilli), they lived in Lincoln Park for almost 50 years, where they raised three children, Cheryl (Cheri), Ed (Eddie) and Bob (Bobby). Totally devoted to his family, Ed could be found building rooms, fixing cars, camping with his kids (plus extras!) and searching the house for donuts, cookies or ice cream at all hours of the night.

Just when he thought he had it all, Barbara, Annika and eight grandchildren arrived and his life got even better! Ever so proud of Christopher, Sammi, Richard, Evan, Stuart, Grace, Matty and Ryan, he cheered them on through baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, cross country and graduations from pre-school through college.

Ed was a PAL baseball coach for years. Many former players have said that their most memorable years in baseball were those playing for Coach Gruters. He remains an avid Yankees fan and Lincoln Park PAL trustee to this day.

Ed touched the hearts of so many and leaves words of wisdom we will never forget. We remember to measure twice, cut once, that paint is a consumption item, and most importantly, if it’s wet, it’s ice! He was a gem, a one-of-a-kind, a true gentleman.

Rest in peace, beautiful man. We love you. More.

Edward is survived by his wife Connie (nee Zangrilli), 1 daughter; Cheri Gruters-Lee of Lincoln Park, 2 sons; Ed and his wife Annika of Bernardsville, and Bob and his wife Barbara of Westfield, and 8 grandchildren; Chris, Sammi, Richard, Stuart, Evan, Grace, Matty, and Ryan.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Edward’s name are asked to consider Lincoln Park PAL, 10 Boonton Turnpike, PO Box 391, Lincoln Park, NJ 07035.

Elizabeth “Betty” De Vito (nee Lacava) age 82 of Wayne passed away peacefully on September 14, 2015 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Betty was born and raised in Paterson. She lived in Paterson until 1973 and then she and her husband Carmine moved to Wayne. It was Wayne that they would call their home, spend the rest of their lives together and raise their three children.

After graduating from High School in 1951, Betty immediately entered the workplace and got her first job as a secretary for Franklin Furnishings in Paterson. She was only eighteen years old when she started. She worked there for several years until the early 1960’s. She then went to work for a company called Haband in the town of Haledon. In 1987 she was hired again as a secretary for William Paterson College in Wayne where she would work until her retirement in 1997.

In the early 1950’s she met the love of her life Carmine De Vito. They were introduced by a mutual friend. After a wonderful and loving courtship they were married in 1955. Carmine and Betty cherished forty-seven years of loving marriage until Carmine’s passing in 2002. During their time together they raised their three children Carmine, Michael and Fran. While raising their children, Betty worked part-time at Wayne Hills High School for about seven years. Her children seem to think that she did this to keep a closer eye on her daughter while she was in school. They came to this conclusion because shortly after their daughter graduated, she then went back to work as a secretary for William Paterson College.

Besides being a devoted mother and wife, Betty was greatly devoted to her Catholic faith. She was very active in Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church in Paterson during her earlier years living there, and was also extraordinarily active in Our Lady of Consolation Women’s Club Amity.

Betty’s family remembers her being tremendously creative and artistic, having a real talent for arts and crafts. She was an amazing cook and she was also an expert seamstress and would make beautiful Halloween costumes for all her children and grandchildren. Aside from her talents as a cook and seamstress, and apart from her love of music and arts and crafts, Betty’s favorite pastime was spending quality time with her friends and family. She wasn’t much of a sports fan in particular, but loved to watch her grandchildren play them. Betty was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Betty is survived by her two sons; Carmine of Pompton Lakes, Michael and his wife Gail of Wyckoff, one daughter; Fran and her husband Jack of Kinnelon, two sisters; Marie Ast and her husband Joe of Toms River, and Connie Lacava of Montville, five grandchildren; Michael, Matthew, Nicole, John, and Kyle, she was predeceased by her husband Carmine in 2002, and her sister Loretta Rom in 2014.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Betty’s name are asked to consider One Hope Children, Inc. 209 Third St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 or Eva’s Kitchen, 393 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07501.

Former Spanish teacher at Wayne Valley H.S. and Professor at William Paterson University.  

Dr. Kenneth M. Cappetta, Ph.D., age 67, died peacefully on February 25, 2015. He had been a Wayne resident his whole life, graduating from Wayne High School in 1965.

Ken was always a very bright individual and he completed his undergraduate studies at Montclair State before going to Ohio State University where he earned his Ph. D. He began his teaching career at Wayne Valley High School before becoming a professor at William Paterson University. Ken spoke five languages fluently and was an esteemed Spanish professor at William Paterson. He was most proud to have his first book published, titled Aprende Algo, while working at the University and he was an inspiration to many of his students. He was a great dancer, a lover of good music, and he had a wonderful sense of humor.

Ken is survived by his sister; Audrey Butan of Florida, a nephew; Darren DelSardo of Wayne, and two nieces; Sherrie Gultz and her husband Dr. Douglas Gultz of Stockton, NJ, and Susan Van Peenen and her husband Ray of Wayne, as well as many great-nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

Dorothy V. Scott (nee Aston), age 89 of Wayne, died peacefully on Saturday, October 3, 2015. She had lived in Packanack Lake since 1951.

Dorothy grew up in Lyndhurst, NJ. She met her husband Jerome while roller skating one day and they began dating. Marriage followed in 1946 and they built their house in Packanack Lake in Wayne and moved into it in May of 1951. Dorothy became very involved in the Packanack community, participating in events at the community club house, square dancing, Scout leader, and she loved to golf at the Packanack Golf Club. She loved to embroider and made many cowboy shirts, all by hand. She also enjoyed gardening, creating dried flower arrangements and wreaths, and playing cards. Dorothy would drop everything if a game of Pinochle was planned. In her later years, just about the only thing that would get her moving was a card game! Sadly, Jerome passed in 1986.

Dorothy was a loving wife and mother, devoted to her family. She planned a family picnic for the first Sunday of May every year, without fail, and summer vacations were usually road trips to Florida or Arizona. They would drive all the way to Arizona, with three kids in the car, and back again! She continued as a wonderful grandmother and an adoring great-grandmother, blessing them with memories to cherish throughout their lives. They will all miss her dearly.

Dorothy is survived by her three children; Gregory and his wife Chong of Pequannock, NJ, Linda Ruocco and her husband William of Deerfield Beach, FL, , and Christopher and his wife Patricia of Pequannock, NJ, four grandchildren; Donald Scott and his wife Kathy of Phoenix, AZ, Sandra Scott of Pequannock, NJ, and Chad Oliver of Deerfield Beach, FL and Anthony Ruocco of Pompton Lakes, NJ, four great-grandchildren; Kyle Oliver of St. Augustine, FL, and Dakota Scott of Phoenix, AZ, Dylan and Mathew Ruocco of Pompton Lakes,NJ her sister; Jewel Hansen of Brick, NJ, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Jerome in 1986, and by her sisters, Roberta Mowatt of Hawley, PA and Ruth Long of Punta Gorda, FL.

Dr. Nino Silvano, age 93 of Wayne, passed peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. He had been a podiatrist in Wayne for over thirty years before retiring in 1995.

Dr. Silvano was born in Paterson to Joseph and Carmella Silvano, Italian immigrants who had met in America through their sponsors. After graduating from high school, Dr. Silvano began working at Wright Aeronautical. He was soon drafted into the U.S. Army and considering his work experience at Wright, the Army sent him to school for aircraft mechanics and he became an Aerial Engineer. His first mission involved flying a brand new airplane from Indiana, all the way to England, 400 miles at a time. Before long, he was aboard C-46 and C-47 cargo planes flying over Europe. He served with the 47th Troop Carrier Squadron and the 313th Troop Carrier Group. His missions included dropping countless paratroopers behind enemy lines, and towing gliders full of soldiers into enemy territory. He attained the rank of Sergeant and received the European Africa Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged in 1945 and began working as a federal inspector at a factory in Ohio.

While working as a federal inspector in Greenfield, Ohio he met Eva Mitchell, an employee at the factory where he was assigned. Their first date was going out to lunch and they soon fell in love and were married first by a Justice of the Peace at the Pike County Courthouse in Ohio and a few months later they were married a second time at the Sacred Heart RC Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. After honeymooning in Pompano Beach, Florida, they enjoyed many years of a loving and caring marriage before Eva’s passing in November of 2014.

Dr. Silvano took advantage of the GI Bill and worked on his college degree while he was an inspector. He was a determined young man and eventually completed his doctoral degree. As a young podiatrist, Dr. Silvano began his practice in Paterson and building a home in Wayne. He and Eva moved into their home, where he also moved his practice, in 1964. He truly enjoyed being a podiatrist in Wayne and was grateful for all the wonderful people he met over the thirty plus years he was in practice. Having his practice at home also had its many benefits, including being close to his wife and children all the time, and later on his grandchildren would often come to visit. His backyard and pool was the site of many family gatherings and the place where uncountable happy memories were made. His family is left with a trove of good times to treasure throughout their lifetimes.

Dr. Silvano was also a proud parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne since 1964. He was loyal to the church and an ever faithful servant to the Lord. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Barry Assembly of the Knights of Columbus and originally served with the Ringwood Council for decades having joined the Wayne Council at Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne. Dr. Silvano was also a member of the Wayne Elks Lodge 2181 where he managed the inter-league softball team at the Wayne Elks for many years. He was always ready to give back to the community and volunteered a great deal of his time to benevolent causes.

After retiring in 1995, Dr. Silvano nurtured his second love; golf. Together, he and Eva split their time between Wayne and Florida. While in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Dr. Silvano would hit the links often 3 or 4 times a week. He never tired of the game and would have played more often, if he could have. Surely by now, he’s already playing his second or third round of golf in Heaven.

He was the loving husband of the late Eva (nee Mitchell) Silvano (2014); beloved father of Melissa Rizzi and her husband Gioacchino of Wayne, Lisa Silvano of Wayne, Carla Silvano of West New York, NJ, Nino Silvano and his wife Joan of Wayne; cherished grandfather of Gina Rizzi of Wayne, Jacleen Rizzi of Wayne, and Stephanie Silvano of Wayne; dear brother of Connie Carlo and her husband Robert of Wayne, Helen Piccolo and her husband Sonny of Haledon, and the late Joseph Silvano (2013) and his surviving wife Barbara of Wanaque, and the late Millie Silvano (2004).

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 would be appreciated.

Dorothy Creamer Miller, age 88, of Hendersonville, NC and formerly of Wayne, New Jersey, died peacefully on Saturday, August 8, 2015.

Dot was born in Little Falls and grew up in the Mountain View section of Wayne. The youngest of three children, she was a 1943 graduate of Wayne High School, now known as Wayne Valley High School.

Dot was introduced by her brother to James Creamer, a young man who was serving as a U.S. Navy Seabee. They fell in love and on December 15, 1946, after the end of World War II, she and Jim got married.

They settled initially in Newark but lived over the years in Clifton, Wayne, Towaco, and in the state of Pennsylvania. After Jim passed away in 1990, Dot moved to Toms River and remained there until relocating to Hendersonville, NC in 2005.

As a young mother, Dot served as a Cub Scout Den Mother. She worked for most of her adult life as a waitress in various restaurants, but most recently as a bus driver with Station Wagon Services of Totowa for ten years before fully retiring in 1980.

In 1992, Dot found love again, this time marrying Dick Miller. They enjoyed six-and-a-half years of marriage until Dick’s passing in 1999.

Since moving to the South, Dot’s greatest joy was the annual reunion, with family coming from Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, and North Carolina to join together for fun and fellowship. Sharing family memories and pictures as well as catching up with everyone was a pleasure.

Dot was the loving mother of four sons: Jim and wife Claudia Creamer of Indianapolis, IN, Don and wife Marilyn Creamer of Oakland, Kevin and wife Cheryl Creamer of Mills River, NC, and the late Ken Creamer (1970). She is also survived by her nine dear grandchildren: David, Shelley (Justin), Brian (Kristy), Laura (fiancé, Andrew), Scott (Elizabeth), Devon, Christopher (fiancée, Abigail), April, and Karyna; and six great-grandchildren: Henry, Layla, Aniya, Adria, Sean, and Aidan. Dot was predeceased also by her two brothers, Walter Dann and Jim Dann.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Dorothy’s name are asked to consider Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s disease research (www.michaeljfox.org).

Dorothy Rita Greenfield “Dot” age 86 of Wayne passed away peacefully while receiving the loving care of her family on Saturday, June 27, 2015. She had been a resident of Wayne since 1957.

Raised in Passaic, Dot graduated from Pope Pius XII High School and then attended the New York Institute of Dietetics where she was trained as a Dietician. She became restaurant manager at Schrafft’s in New York City and later worked as a Dietician at Passaic General Hospital. Her greatest job of all was being a Mom and raising her six children.

Dot was a fantastic homemaker. She often redecorated the house, moving the furniture around in the living room and her kid’s rooms. She had always been artistic and enjoyed painting and sketching. Her home was simply another form of canvas.

Dot enjoyed cooking as well, specializing in traditional Hungarian foods. Thanksgiving and Christmas were favorite holidays where she would spend days preparing and go all-out cooking a big meal for her family. Summers in Point Pleasant at the Jersey Shore were no different with the extended families gathering creating many wonderful memories. Dot loved the beach and enjoyed swimming in the ocean well into her senior years. She also loved nature and its beauty.

As a mother, Dot was very warm, loving and devoted to her children. She taught them kindness, respect, and affection for one another and shared her strong Catholic faith with them as well. She had always been involved with Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne; as a Girl Scout leader, with CYO, and in many other volunteer capacities. All of her children attended Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School. But the greatest example she set for her children was in her relationship with her husband, George.

Dot met George in 1950, at a YMCA dance and they were married on October 17, 1953 at Holy Trinity RC Church in Passaic where they initially lived. In 1957, they moved to Wayne to raise their family. Their love for each other never faded. They were both very affectionate people and Dot was a loving wife to her beloved George. They celebrated sixty years of marriage together before George passed in 2014.

Dorothy is survived by her six children; Rita Felderman and her husband David of Wayne, Laura Haug and her husband William of Kinnelon, George and his wife Renee of Glen Allen, VA, Douglas and his wife Diane of Wayne, Rich and his wife Delilah of Wesley Hills, NY, Robert and his wife Diana of Manhattan, and 11 grandchildren; Kara and her husband John, Kyle, William, Douglas, Max, Brendhan, Kevin, Samantha, Sam, Cooper and Cole as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also pre-deceased by her brother, James Sogorka, and her sister Margaret Mullen.

Her family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful and compassionate care given to Dot by the staff during her stay at the Atrium at Wayne.

Donations may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203, www.nami.org.

Doris J. Chiocca (nee Clarke) age 95 of Pompton Plains, formerly of Wayne, passed peacefully at home with the comfort of family by her side, on Friday, February 13, 2015.

She was born in Jersey City, raised in Union City, and when Doris and John married they moved into a two-family home with John&S217;s parents. Soon they began looking for a home in the familiar area of Wayne and Oakland where Doris&S217; and John&S217;s families had often spent weekends at the areas rivers and lakes.  In 1955 they settled into the Pines Lake section of Wayne where they would raise their family. Doris married when she was thirty years old, a relatively late time for the era.

Doris was extremely patriotic and married late in life, in part because she enlisted in the United States Army and served with the Women&S217;s Air Corps (WAC) Army Air Force&S217;s Squadron D 1045th during WWII, having been honorably discharged on February 2, 1946. She pursued a career in the field of dentistry, after having assisted in a dentists&S217; office during high school. While in the military Doris served as a Dental Technician and was stationed at Atlantic City. After completing her service in the military she attended Temple University in Philadelphia where she received her associates degree as a Dental Hygienist.  During this post-war period, Doris liked to visit, and occasionally worked on, a dude ranch in New York State. Once she was licensed as a Dental Hygienist she worked for a Dr. Posner on 5th Avenue in New York City, before dedicating herself to raising her family. As her children matured she again worked as a Dental Hygienist for a number of dentists in the area. Ultimately, Doris began working for Dr. Melvin Schnur in Wayne. Her association with Dr. Schnur lasted many years (he referred to her as &S220;eagle eye&S221; due to her thorough and fastidious work). She loved her work and considered Dr. Schnur a dear friend.

As a result of her hard work, Doris was able to take her family on a number of vacations overseas. Material trappings meant little to Doris. It was the experiences and adventures that she and her husband, John created for their children that meant the most to her, which experiences included trips to Bermuda, Mexico, the Canary Islands, and multiple trips to Portugal and many other European countries. Even in her later years she and John traveled extensively, including Elderhostel trips which allowed them to pursue a number of their interests. Doris&S217; hands always had to be busy.  She was always at her children&S217;s school and Pines Lake community events. She was very active with the Pines Lake Garden Club, Pines Lake Seniors, the Laurelwood Arboretum, and even the Pines Lake Kazoo Band.  For many years she made Christmas ornaments for the Pines Lake Seniors, delivering the extras to Veterans&S217; organizations. Doris was also part of a group of parents that founded the Wayne Hills High School Patriots Club. She even found time later in life to obtain a degree in Fine Arts from Montclair State University.  Nature, the environment, art, and crafts were true loves of Doris&S217;. On any given day she would be making stained glass pieces, painting, taking photographs, making jewelry, and trying her hand at sculpture or pottery making. Doris was truly an independent woman, one who was guided by a simple principle, that is, be true to yourself and be kind to those around you. To that end, she was so very proud of her service during WWII. She was thankful when her daughters and husband took her to Washington D.C. in 1997 so that she could participate in the dedication of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. She loved the New York Rangers, always had her iPad at the ready for emailing friends, finding interesting things to learn on the internet, and playing Words With Friends with all who would challenge her. Her family will always remember her arts, crafts, specially themed birthday cakes, her playing knee hockey with her hockey playing grandson (right up until just last year), homemade holiday and birthday cards, annual summer trips to Avalon with her whole family, and her and John&S217;s Halloween costumes when the grandchildren came trick-or-treating. She was always putting the needs of others before her own and even in her autumn days she was concerned about and sought to provide guidance to those who were there to give her care.

Doris was the loving wife of John Chiocca, whom she met through their involvement in the West Hoboken American Legion Post; devoted mother of Lynne Chiocca and her husband Ronald Riccardo of Poinciana, FL, Barbara Chiocca and her husband Henry Merriman of North Granby, CT, the Honorable Randal Chiocca and his wife Deborah of Wayne, and Douglas Chiocca and his wife Diane of Wayne; cherished grandmother of Kaitlin Prieto, Nathaniel Merriman, Daniel Chiocca, Parker Merriman, Nicholas Chiocca, and Gianna Chiocca; loved sister of Adele Trenz of Poughkeepsie, NY, and Kathleen Niziol and her husband Edward of West Milford.&S232;&S232;

Those inclined to send flowers are asked to instead consider a donation to the Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum, PO Box 2433, Wayne, NJ 07474-2433 or the Women's Memorial Foundation Dept. 560 Washington, DC 20042-0560.

She has been a psychiatrist living in Wayne since 1983.

Priscilla G. Ilem, MD, age 87 of Wayne, NJ died on Thursday, May 7, 2015.

Dr. Ilem was born and raised in the Philippines, growing up in a family that included fourteen siblings. Living under difficult conditions and then hostile Japanese occupation during her formative teenage years, her experiences served as a great motivator to Priscilla. She dreamed of a world much greater than the Philippines and at the very young age of six years old, she pointed to an airplane in the sky and told her mother “I want to fly on an airplane and go to America to be a doctor.” She excelled academically and was accepted into the prestigious University of the Philippines, Manila where she graduated with distinction. She continued on to medical school at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila where she received her medical degree and began her psychiatry residency in the U.S.A. She was selected to have her residency in Fall River, Massachusetts at Charlton Hospital. When her residency concluded, she flew back to the Philippines and began a private practice in psychiatry and neurology. In 1964, Senator Robert F. Kennedy sponsored Priscilla and her family to the United States, by way of an Act of Congress. She was astonished and deeply honored to be offered US citizenship in such extraordinary way.

She moved to Rome, NY in 1966 and thus began her career as a psychiatrist in the United States. She worked as Chief of Services at the Rome Developmental Center in Rome, NY, Chief of Services at the Letchworth Village Development Center, Thiells, NY, and as a psychiatrist at the Rockland County Mental Health Center. Priscilla was very humble, though she received numerous awards throughout her lengthy career. She was recognized by many national and international organizations as an outstanding psychiatrist.

The Two Thousand Women of Achievement was awarded to her in September 1971 for distinguished achievement, London, England.

In May 1974, she was awarded The American Heritage Award for Outstanding Community Services in Mental Health by the JFK library for minorities presenting her with a bust of John F. Kennedy.

In June 1974, she was awarded from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland a diploma in Psychological Medicine in June 1974.

In 1976 she was listed in the Who's Who of Intellectuals in 1976, Cambridge, England.

She was recognized by community leaders as a Noteworthy American for Outstanding Service to the community and state in 1976-1977.

In 1983 she moved with her family to Wayne, NJ and began working at the Preakness Hospital in Wayne and the Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove. She had been in private practice from her home office since 1998.

Priscilla was also very proud to be an American citizen. She was very supportive of her son, Rey when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1983 and within a year she decided to join the U.S. Army Reserves at the young age of fifty seven! Serving as a psychiatrist with the Army Reserves, she was assigned to Keller Hospital and the U.S. Military Academy, both in West Point, NY. She served as Assistant Commander and Chief Executive Officer – Alpha Company, 187th Medical Battalion during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. She was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Colonel in 1995. Her time in the service was extremely rewarding and she was honored to serve alongside all those in her unit.

Priscilla enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling the world and gardening. Tending to her garden and indoor plants proved to be wonderfully relaxing and therapeutic. She had more than 120 house plants that she carefully tended to as well as a large yard full of luscious flowers, shrubs, and beautiful azaleas. She was a great cook and talented in making all the traditional Filipino dishes. Her children recall her being a loving mother with a kind heart, willing to help anyone. She loved being a physician and being of service to others. She had a positive outlook, always grateful for the opportunities that were presented to her during her life and career, and she was benevolent towards many charitable causes in an effort to give back to a world that had given her so much. Lastly, Priscilla was a devout Roman Catholic who had an uncompromising faith and trust in God's plan for her life and the world. It was this faith that sustained her through the many tribulations in her life.

Priscilla is survived by her husband, Len T. Madlansacay of the Philippines, and her three children; Rey I Madlansacay of Wayne, Joy I. Madlansacay of Wayne, and May Ann I. Madlansacay of Boston, MA, a brother; Francisco G. Ilem, DMD, of Cavite, Philippines, and a sister; Remedios I. Dimaculangan, RN, of Gilbert, Arizona. She was also very fond of her dear doggies; Bentley and Sophie. They will all miss her dearly.

Priscilla adored flowers and would like to have them at her funeral. However, any friends who wish to make a memorial donation in her honor are asked to consider DAV, Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, or locally to Eva’s Village, Feed The Hungry & Homeless, 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501.

Edith G. Hollerback (nee Tateo), age 91, of Wayne, died peacefully with her loving family by her side on Friday, April 24, 2015.

She was born in Paterson where she spent her formative years. Later on she lived in Prospect Park before moving to Pompton Lakes in 2009, then to Wayne in 2011.

Edith received her formal education at Saint Michael’s Grammar School and at Eastside High School, graduating with the Class of 1940.

She started her work career at Bereles Carton Company, a large manufacturer of cardboard boxes that was located in Paterson. Later in life, she became a nursing assistant at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Totowa where she worked for fourteen years before her retirement in 1993.

Edith was gifted with a quiet personality that enabled her to enjoy helping others. Her best professional skills and joys were in the area of Motherhood which fit her like a glove. She was a very devoted and loving mother and grandmother that was always concerned, even as her children moved into their own adult years of life. Thanks Mom and Grandma for being so special in our lives!

Her family recalls delightful memories of Mom as a wonderful cook. Edith also enjoyed recreational hobbies that included dancing. She spent many an hour doing the Jitterbug, and she also loved to go shopping.

Her family will always remember her motherly humanity that effervesced with an intense concern for their well-being. She possessed a devoted love for the hearts and souls of her family and friends.

Surviving this special lady are one son: Anthony Hollerback and his wife JoAnn of Wayne; one daughter: Debbie LaManna of Haledon; seven grandchildren: Anthony Hollerback, Shannon Di Bendetto, Stacy LaManna, Gary Charyak, Craig Charyak, Jeff Charyak, and Brad Charyak; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Edith was predeceased by her sister Ann Davis, and her three brothers: Louis, Frank and Anthony Tateo.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Edith’s name are asked to consider Compassionate Care Hospice, 1373 Broad Street, 300A, Clifton, NJ 07013.

Dominick Rossetti, age 93, of Wayne, NJ and formerly of Howard Beach, NY, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.

Predeceased in 1988 by Helen (nee Vuono) Rossetti, loving wife of 43 years; beloved father of Paul and wife Valerie Rossetti ; proud grandfather of Jason and wife Amanda Rossetti, and Anthony and wife Nicole Rossetti; adoring great-grandfather of Anthony, Isabella, and Sophia Rossetti; adored uncle of Rae and Michael Papania, Lydia and John Nienstedt, JoAnn and Richard Posik, Vincent and Tina Rossetti, Edward Manzoni, Susan Como, Vincent and Tessa Rossetti, Stephanie and Dr. Frank Mastrianno; and much-loved great uncle to all their growing families!

Dominick was predeceased by his sister Sadie and husband Edward Manzoni, and his brothers: Pat and wife Mary Rossetti, Joseph and wife Helen Rossetti, and Louis and wife Adeline Rossetti.

A decorated U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Dominick served in Panama guarding the Panama Canal. He was honorably discharged in 1944, married two months later and, aside from a short stint working in a factory, spent 40 years working for Eastern Airlines, Flying Tigers and Seaboard World Airlines at Kennedy Airport, New York City. Above all else, Dominick valued his time with his family. Up until this winter he was an avid walker and he was passionate about and admired for his smooth ballroom dancing which he started decades ago with his wife Helen. He danced until the age of 91, stepping out each week most recently with his lady-friend Olga.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Dominick’s name are asked to consider the American Cancer Society, NJ Chapter, 20 Mercer Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, or Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106.

Doris Pettigrew Brodhead, age 96, died peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2015.

Doris Pettigrew Brodhead

Born in Paterson, N.J., on August 29, 1918, the daughter of David Pettigrew and Lillian Cooke Pettigrew, Doris Lillian Pettigrew grew up in Clifton, N.J. She died on July 17, 2015, while a resident of Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains. She graduated from Clifton High School in 1936 and New Jersey State Teachers College, now Montclair State University, in 1940. She married Edward Brodhead in 1950, who died in 2007. They made their home in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne until 2004, when they moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains.

Her four daughters survive her: Judith Brodhead (Gary Smith) of Naperville, Il; Dr. Patricia Brodhead (Joseph Eastburn) of Culver City, CA; Joan Brodhead (Jim Mog) of Paoli, PA, and Doris Brodhead (Susan Tracy) of Newton, MA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Matthew Smith, Sarah Smith, Garrett Smith, Chloe Eastburn, Andrew Mog, Edward Mog, Ted Brodhead, and Anna Brodhead. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Rev. J. Robert Pettigrew and David Pettigrew.

Doris began teaching in Wayne Township in 1940, when Wayne had only two elementary schools, Preakness and Mountain View. She returned to teaching social studies and English in 1965 at George Washington Junior High School and retired in 1982.

She was deeply interested in politics throughout her life, and until a few months ago led her current events discussion group at Cedar Crest as well as participating in two book groups. She was a daily reader of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Doris was a former president of the League of Women Voters of Wayne and an active voter registrar. She was especially pleased to have lived long enough to vote in nineteen presidential elections.

Donations in her memory can be made to Eva's Village, 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501 or at http://evasvillage.org/donate.shtml.

Doris E. Tucker (nee Hoffmann), age 78 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Thursday, August 20, 2015. She had been a Wayne resident since 1964.

Doris was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up in Brooklyn. As a young girl, she enjoyed a successful career as a fashion model, appearing on runways and in print until she was about eighteen years old. Soon after finishing high school, Doris met Bert Tucker. Bert was celebrating his upcoming graduation from the West Point Military Academy and Doris was his blind date that evening. They enjoyed a little revelry around New York City’s Times Square on that first date and their love for one another grew quickly. They married later that same year, on December 22, 1956 and honeymooned for a few days in Florida. Bert was soon assigned to serve with the U.S. Army in Germany for the next three years, and they moved there together as newlyweds. While living in Germany, Doris was blessed with the birth of her daughter, Diane, and thus began her adventure as a mom. Upon returning to civilian life, Doris and Bert settled to Wayne in 1964. Doris became active with the Pines Lake Women’s Club for many years, serving as Hostess, and she was recognized with many awards for her needlepoint work.

Doris became an enthusiastic world traveler throughout the years, despite her early trepidation of visiting foreign lands. She has been all over the world including Moscow, New Zealand, Australia, and all of the Norwegian nations. She had toured throughout all of Europe on more than a few occasions. Domestically, she has visited over sixty national parks and monuments, white-water rafted down the Colorado River, and ridden a donkey into the Grand Canyon. She was never one to sit still and she truly enjoyed her adventures.

Doris is survived by her beloved husband of fifty eight years; Bert Tucker of Wayne, her daughter; Diane Joseph and her husband Robert of Wayne, three grandsons; Robert Joseph and his wife Emma of Mahwah, Timothy Joseph of Mahwah, and William Joseph of Wayne.

Donations in Doris’ memory, if friends so wish, would be appreciated to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, www.diabetes.org/donate.

Doris M. Bischoff, age 92 of Montville died peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2015. She had lived in Nutley and Bloomfield before moving to Montville nearly twenty years ago.

Raised on Long Island with her three younger siblings, she sadly lost her mother when she was just thirteen years of age. Her father, Reverend Charles Pepoon, nurtured them all in a faith-filled home. Her love of Jesus Christ was forged during those earliest years and she was a faithful servant of the Lord throughout her entire life. As a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Montville, Doris was a private person, yet very involved with her faith community and always willing to help out in any way that she could. On Sundays, she often hosted different guests whom she had met in church, sharing a meal between the morning and evening services. She loved to entertain at her home and enjoyed the fellowship she shared with other church members.

Doris met her husband Paul at Trinity Baptist Church and the two of them were married in 1973. Their faith brought them together and was an integral part of their loving relationship throughout the years. They were a cute couple, like best friends, and always held hands when they were together. They had traveled a bit, visiting New England during the fall foliage season as “leaf-peepers,” and they also had been to London a few occasions. They never had an argument and Doris always took great care of Paul, especially in his later years. They enjoyed thirty years together before Paul passed away in 2003.

In recent years, as Doris aged, she was blessed with wonderful caregivers. She will forever be grateful to Laura Schreiber for her loving support during the past few years, as well as Ruth and Rich Densel who helped her so much – especially when they treated her to chocolate chip mint ice cream, which was her favorite.

Doris is survived by her two step-children; Paul Bischoff and his wife Karen of Long Branch, Gail Taddeo and her husband Bob of Vernon, two grandchildren; Alycia Bischoff of Long Branch and Gregory Taddeo and his wife Maryam of Vernon, two great-grandchildren; Greg and Harrison Taddeo, two step-sisters; Clara Mae Ryder of Arizona and Alice Gordon of Long Island, and many dear, loving friends. She was predeceased by her sister Eunice Hilliard, and by her brothers; Rev. Paul Pepoon and Rev. Mark Pepoon, and by one niece; Judy Hilliard.

Dori Ann Haber, age 68 of Pompton Lakes, died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve; December 24, 2015. She was among one of the most kind and thoughtful people you could have known and her passing leaves a void that will be difficult to fill.

Dori Ann is survived by her daughter; Leanne Vinca and her husband Gjemi of Newfoundland, NJ, two grandchildren; Aaron and Ethan Vinca of Newfoundland, by her father; William Burgermaster, Jr. of Wayne, by her brother; William Burgermaster, III and his wife Denise of Maplewood, NJ, by her boyfriend of eighteen years; Don Bockhorn of Pompton Lakes, three nieces; Dr. Marissa Burgermaster of Maplewood, Heidi Raney and her husband Michael of Maplewood, and Amanda Jewell and her husband Richard of Kearny, and one grand-nephew; Jack Jewell of Kearny.

Donald C. Possien age 83 of Londonderry, New Hampshire, formerly of Pequannock, passed peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

He was born in Paterson, and lived seventy-four years in Pequannock before moving to Londonderry, New Hampshire to be closer to his daughter in 2005.

Donald graduated from the Butler High School with the Class of 1950. During high school he worked as a carpenter’s assistant at the Master Diner Corporation in Pequannock where he assisted in building pre-fabricated diners. He was soon called to serve in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged in 1956.

After his service in the Air Force he found work at New Jersey Bell Telephone as a cable splicer. He had a thirty-six year, five month and fifteen day career with NJ Bell before retiring in 1992.

Don was truly a community minded person and actively served on the Pequannock Township Engine Company #2 for fifty-four years. He was honored to be a lifetime member of the department before moving to New Hampshire in 2005 to live closer to his daughter. Don loved woodworking, was a Master Carpenter, was known for his Christmas displays, and was extremely good at making models. He made a dollhouse for his daughter that was a replica of her childhood home. When the roof is removed, the interior walls and even the wallpaper showed his love of attention to detail. His love of community was evidenced through his hobby of collecting Lionel trains. His basement train layout was filled with miniature models representing historical buildings and business from throughout Pequannock Township. Don also loved history. He was the self-proclaimed family historian who even had business cards denoting his “Family Historian” status and kept a history of the Pequannock Fire Department for many years.

Donald was the loving father of Stacie LaValley of Londonderry, New Hampshire, and the late Scott Possien (1981); he was the cherished grandfather of Thomas and Nicholas LaValley of Londonderry, New Hampshire; dear brother of Elaine Stelzenmueller and her husband C. Walter of the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne, and Ken Possien (Predeceased); and was the much loved uncle of many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Pequannock Township Engine Company 2, 24 Oak Avenue, Pequannock, NJ 07440 would be appreciated.

David H. Tanis age 71 of Lincoln Park, formerly of Prospect Park, passed Friday, March 13, 2015.

He was born in Paterson and lived in Prospect Park and Lincoln Park. He attended Hawthorne High School with the Class of 1961.

David was a loving and caring person who had a huge heart and an exceptional memory. He was a gentle soul, with a loving heart for everyone he knew. Many will remember the handwritten cards he made for everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries. He loved to buy gifts for everyone and it was all you could do to stop his from spending every dime he had on others. He lit up like a Christmas tree when anyone came to visit him. Simple things we take for granted, like a trip to Burger King, gave him immeasurable pleasure.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of the Lincoln Park Care Center. They gave David many years of comfort and care and the family is truly grateful.

He was the loving son of the late Jacob and Adrianna Tanis; devoted brother of Don Tanis and his wife Doris of Rockaway, Jack Tanis and his wife Julie of Easton, PA, and Helen Ann Roman of Mount Laurel; he was cherished by many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Denise Percuoco Garolis age 62 of Wayne passed peacefully at home on Sunday, May 31, 2015.

She was born in Jersey City and was raised in North Bergen having graduated from North Bergen High School with the Class of 1971. Denise went on to study at Arizona State University where she received her Elementary Education Certification with the Class of  1979.

During her career she worked at Saint Michaels Academy in Union City and Holy Rosary Academy also in Union City. She also assisted as a substitute teacher for the North Bergen Board of Education.

Denise will be remembered as a creative and generous person who loved teaching and would treat other’s children as if they were her own. She loved to dance and from the age of four right into her adult years she danced at the Hollywood Studios in Union City. She also performed at the community theatre in North Bergen.

Joe and Denise knew each other while in high school. Almost ten years later, Joe proposed to Denise at her parent’s home on 76th Street in North Bergen. They married on August 8, 1981 at Our Lady of Fatima church in North Bergen and honeymooned in Cherry Hill, NJ. They have enjoyed a loving and caring marriage of thirty-four years.

Denise was the loving wife of Joseph Garolis; devoted mother of Erin Garolis of Wayne, and Michael Garolis of Wayne; devoted daughter of Charles Percuoco of Florida, NY and the late Joan(2009); cherished grandmother of twins Gavin and Cole Garolis-Bechtold both of Wayne; dear sister of Charlene Wielk and her husband Michael of Chester, NY, and John Percuoco and his wife Susan of Wayne.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the West Orange Elks Lodge 1590, 424 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052 (please be sure to put “In Memory of Denise Garolis” on the memo line).

Craig Benjamin Stuart, 69 of Butler, NJ passed away unexpectedly September 21, 2015. Born in Passaic, he attended college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science and was a construction supervisor for Iris Construction for over 30 years.

He enjoyed sailing and was an avid NY Jets fan and watched every game. He was witty and full of humor always making others smile.

He was predeceased by his wife Lucy McGurk Stuart, and two brothers Lee and Robert Stuart. He leaves behind his nephew John and wife Lori Stuart of Franklin and their two children Nicole and John Anthony; nephew Robert and wife Cheryl Stuart also of Franklin and their two children Travis and Brittany; and nephew Harold Stuart of Lake Hopatcong.

Dianne A. Vigorito age 55 of Pompton Plains, formerly of Wayne, after a ten year battle with multiple illnesses passed in her sleep at 12:05 AM on Thursday, February 5, 2015.

Dianne was born and raised on Woodbine Street in the Ridgewood section of Queens, New York. At the age of nine her family moved to Alps Road in Wayne. She lived here through grammar school at Holy Cross Church in Wayne, graduation from DePaul High School in Wayne with the Class of 1977, and until she married in 1981.

Dianne met a young man named Thomas Vigorito at Holy Cross Church School in fourth grade. During grammar school Tommy liked Dianne and she wanted no part of him. It was during high school that Dianne began to like Tommy and he wanted no part of her. During college their feelings came together and during his senior year at the University of Virginia Tommy proposed marriage to Dianne. Actually Tommy and Dianne were speaking about marriage and he said “we have no place to live” and Dianne said “we can live with my mother” to which Tommy replied “I have no money for a ring” and Dianne said “my mother has a ring I can use.” It looks like Tommy ran out of room on the plank and they married on June 27, 1981 at Holy Cross Church in Wayne. They honeymooned in Aruba and had a mutually adoring marriage of thirty-three years.

She will always be remembered as a giving, outgoing, independent person who was there for others, even during her most difficult days. Having family together meant everything to Dianne. Pool parties, family dinners, Christmas, and Thanksgiving were always at her home. Her special touch on sausage stuffing at Thanksgiving will be greatly missed.

Dianne was a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel RC Church in Pequannock. She was a Eucharistic Minister, volunteer, and helped with the church bulletin as long as her health would allow. Dianne also studied Theology at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown. Along with raising her two sons, she volunteered as a case worker at Newbridge Services in Pompton Plains for several years. Dianne and her cousin Mona Rodriguez co-authored a book they worked on for many years called “Forty Years In a Day.”

She was the loving wife of Thomas Vigorito; devoted mother of Justin Vigorito and his wife Becka of Hoboken, and Michael Vigorito of Miami, FL; cherished daughter of Constance Quaratino of Pompton Plains and the late Michael Quaratino(1975); much loved sister of Susan Ricciardi of Pompton Lakes and the late Dean Ricciardi (2005); loved by her inlaws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

For those inclined to send flowers the family asks you not to do so. If you would like to honor Dianne’s memory please consider donating to the Pequannock Food Pantry, 529 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 or FightingPretty.org who help women feel strong and beautiful during and after cancer treatments.

Dion Coleman, age 55 of West Milford, passed suddenly on Saturday, March 21, 2015.

He was born in Park Forest, Illinois and at the age of three the family moved to Wayne, New Jersey. Dion graduated from Wayne Hills High School with the Class of 1977.

During high school Dion was business minded and after being a paper boy for a while, started a lawn mowing business that wore out three of his dad’s lawn mowers. Just after high school Dion joined the United States Air Force where he trained to be a jet engine mechanic. After high school he returned to Wayne and met a pretty girl named Georgean McCarrick. After a first date to see a Richard Pryor movie, it took six years for the two to make up their minds to get married. They wed on September 6, 1987 at Annunciation RC Church in Wayne, had a reception at the Bethwood in Totowa, and had a two week honeymoon traveling the coast of California. Dion and Georgean did just about everything together. Whether it was a trip to the store or going out at night to see a band play, they were always together.

Dion was especially skilled with anything mechanical. Whether it was repairing his dad’s lawnmowers, fixing jet engines, or working with motorcycles, he had a fundamental knowledge of how things work. Through the years he worked for several area companies, including the body shop at Maroon Pontiac in Wayne, and most recently Trillum US, Inc. in Hamburg where he was the shop manager and a computer specialist in CNC machine programming.

Dion had a love of music and was a self-taught guitar player. Dion’s love of music is something he shared with his son Dion II. With his daughter, he shared his love of motocross racing. Dion had a room full of motocross trophies and raced with the District 34 of the AMA as well as the Metropolitan Sports Committee. He served as his daughter’s mechanic and riding coach for many years. He will be remembered as being fun loving, outgoing, sociable, a total perfectionist with anything he worked on, and as a person who had a zest for life like no other.

He was the loving husband of twenty-seven years to Georgean; devoted father of Dion Coleman, II of West Milford, and Lauren Coleman of West Milford; cherished grandfather of Jaelyn Essen of Wayne; dear son of Daniel J and Mary Coleman; loved brother of Daniel Coleman III and his wife Laurie of Troy, MI, C. Colin Coleman and his wife Barbara of Palos Verdes, CA, Mary Rose Coleman of NYC, and Christina Coleman also of NYC; much loved uncle of Jennifer, Kristen, Rachel, Eva, and Daniel IV Coleman.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 would be appreciated.

Crescenzo “Joe” DiMarco, 75 of Wayne, died on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015.

Born in Pescopagano, Italy, Joe came to America in 1962 at the age of twenty two. He had actually lived in Venezuela for a brief while where his father has an ice cream shop. He took a job at the Caracus Airport as a young man and learned to be a diesel mechanic. He loved being a diesel mechanic and when he moved to Queens, NY, he started his own mechanic shop. Eventually, he and his brothers purchased a waste removal business and they built Frank’s Sanitation, which they operated for many years ago.

While living in Queens, Joe met Maria Piccone, one of his neighbors. They hit it off and were married in August of 1965 at St. Monica’s Church. They enjoyed a European honeymoon that lasted no less than three weeks, visiting London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and many other destinations. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary just this past August.

Joe is survived by his loving wife Maria of Wayne, by his four children; Anthony of Clifton, Rosanna Perini and her husband David of Mahwah, Joseph and his wife Antonia of Wood-Ridge, NJ, and James and his wife Mitzi of Pennsylvania, and five grandchildren; Tiana, Nikko, Serena, Vincent, and Erica. He is also survived by three brothers; Pietro, Giovanni, and Michael, and three sisters; Maria Felicetta Roselli, Maria Concetta Marciano, and Donatina Araneo. He was predeceased by his brother Antonio in 1990, by his mother Anna Maria in 1984, and by his father Antonio in 1980.

Constance L. Maresca (nee Ricci), age 90 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Friday, February 20, 2015. Connie had been a Wayne resident since 1977.

Connie was born in Jersey City but raised in Carthage, NY, far upstate. She used to visit family in Jersey City every summer as a young girl and she looked forward to those visits very much. Working in a paper production plant as a young woman, and the rural farm life in upstate New York, didn’t appeal to Connie at all. As soon as she was able, she moved to Jersey City and started working for Colgate at their soap factory. One evening, she went to a little party at her brother’s house in Jersey City. She spied a handsome young Frank Maresca playing guitar in a band at the party and she nudged her sister Jean and said; “I’m going to marry that guy over there.” Although it seemed funny at that moment, Connie was very serious. After being introduced to one another, Frank invited her out for hotdogs on their first date. They quickly fell in love and began dating. They married on May 23, 1953 at the Mt. Carmel RC Church in Jersey City and flew to Miami Beach for a honeymoon. They stayed at the still-famous Fontainebleau Hotel and to this day, Frank has no idea how they could have afforded such a honeymoon, but they had a wonderful time together nevertheless. They settled in North Arlington to raise their family and then finally moved to Wayne in 1977.

Over the years, Connie and Frank enjoyed some wonderful travel to Italy, Portugal, England, and throughout the Caribbean. Connie’s favorite destination was Sorrento, Italy, where she visited with family on several occasions. They also enjoyed a beachfront condo in Atlantic City every summer which made it very convenient for Connie to visit her favorite slot machines with some degree of regularity! She could play the slots for hours. She also loved her garden which was always full of fresh vegetables and lush flowers. Connie was also a big sports fan and loved watching baseball, basketball, and football on TV. She and Frank enjoyed sixty one years of marriage, and a total of sixty six years together in a loving marriage. Although she liked to needle Frank a lot, they never argued and she never had a bad word to say about anyone. Frank knows just how blessed he was to have such a wonderful wife, and he will miss her dearly.

Connie was also a devoted mother and grandmother. Her son’s recall how she kept order in the house all while raising three boys. She was a fantastic cook and everything she made was fantastic. She loved to cook and just this past Christmas she made her famous honeyballs which everyone loved. Her grandchildren will recall many great memories of Grandma Connie cooking for them and playing cards, particularly 500 Rummy. She loved just hanging out with them and would also go their sporting events where she would cheer them on. They were her pride and joy.

Connie is survived by her loving husband, Frank of Wayne, her three sons; Frank and his wife Lorraine of Kinnelon, David of Wayne, and Thomas and his wife Rose of Kinnelon, five grandchildren; Frank, Danielle, Jenine, Christine, and Thomas, two sisters; Jean Trembley of Watertown, NY and Yolanda Skvorak and her husband Frank of Carthage, NY, and her brother Ernest Ricci and his wife Pat of Florida.

David “Dave” J. Miller age 31 of West Milford passed Saturday, November 7, 2015.

He was born in Livingston and was a lifelong resident of West Milford. Dave graduated from West Milford High School with the Class of 2003. From wood shop in high school forward Dave’s passion in life was working with wood. He worked for JW Woodworking in West Milford for several years and most recently worked for DH Interiors in West Milford.

Dave loved all kinds of outdoor activities. rollerblading, BMX bikes, snowboarding, knee-boarding, and hiking were all things he enjoyed. He was the husband of Candice Miller and very proud of his three sons Tyler, Jacob, and Adam and loved them more than words can express. David had a huge heart and always wanted to help others. With this in mind he indicated on his driver’s license that he wanted to be an organ donor. David’s two kidneys and his liver were donated to others through the NJ Sharing Network and as his mom said: “some of him lives on in others.”

He was the son of Milena Miller of Asbury, and Gary Miller of West Milford; dear brother of Brian Miller and his wife Valerie of Scotch Plains; and grandson of Mary Miller of Hilton Head, SC, and Marija Majcen of Slovania.In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the NJ Sharing Network would be greatly appreciated.

Diane M. Rainey (nee Hart) age 52 of Bloomingdale passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday May 24, 2015.

Diane was born in Paterson and was raised in Butler. She moved to Paterson shortly after she was married and moved around with her family until settling in Bloomingdale almost 20 years ago.

After she graduated from Butler High School in 1980 she attended William Paterson University for a couple of years. While she was attending school there she saw an opportunity to start working for a newspaper called the Paterson News. She worked there as a classified ad salesperson. After working there she worked for other newspapers until she landed a job at the New York Daily News in Manhattan. Diane worked there for a number of years until she retired in 1999 to become a Homemaker and raise her only Daughter Elizabeth. This was the work that she devoted herself to the rest of her life.

In 1992 she met the love of her life in of all places, a personal ad. His name was John Rainey, they were married in 1993 and have been together ever since. John and Diane cherished 22 years of marriage. Diane was a devoted mother and a loving wife. She was extremely dedicated to her family and to her Catholic Faith as well.

Diane was a member of the Cenacle Prayer Group for a few years as well as an active member of the Bloomingdale Republican Club. She was a great cook, her family remembers her being able to cook just about anything and never needing a recipe to do so. The love of her life besides her husband John and daughter Elizabeth was her Golden Retriever “Butterscotch” who passed away in 2003. Diane was a dog lover and was an big supporter of the Gentle Giants in Wayne.

Besides being a dedicated wife and mother, Diane loved to write. Many of the letters she would write to newspapers and magazines were published. She also wrote poetry and short stories and had many unpublished works as well. Diane touched the lives of many people and she will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Diane is survived by her husband John Rainey of Bloomingdale, her daughter; Elizabeth of Bloomingdale, 3 sisters Mary Till and her husband Greg of Lincoln Park, Dolores Beam and her husband Tony of Haskell, and Lisa Wasdyke and her husband Cal of Moorestown, 1 brother; John Hart of Wayne, six nieces and nephews; Charles, Brian, April, Anthony, Calvin, and Stephen, she was pre-deceased by her mother Lucile Hart in 2006 and her father Eugene Hart in 2000.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s name may be made to John Rainey in care of Elizabeth Rainey, 139 Pine Tree Rd, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403.

Dagoberto Sanchez, age 77 of Riverdale, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2015. His family stood lovingly by his side at the time of his passing.

He was born in Concepcion, Chile and lived there until he was forty-three years old. In 1981 he moved to the United States and settled in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. In addition to living in Fair Lawn, Dagoberto lived in the Hewitt section of West Milford and, most recently in Riverdale.

Dagoberto started working when he was just ten years old. For many of his formative years, he worked on farms doing all kinds of odd jobs including buying horses and cows. His first real paying job was as a concierge at a private residential building in Santiago, Chile. He later worked as a driver for a construction company that built highways. When he came to the United States he first worked at a textile company in Secaucus and then at the A. Zerega’s Sons Pasta Company in Fair Lawn until retiring in 2002.

Many years ago, while living in Chile, Dagoberto’s sister told him about a cute girl named Eliana Lara that worked at the local clinic. He made his way over to the clinic to get a glimpse and was smitten at first sight. Their first date was to visit Dagoberto’s sick mother. After just six months of dating, he proposed to her on the porch by handing her a ring in a box. They married on January 15, 1969 at Don Bosco Catholic Church in Santiago, Chile and went on a twenty-five day honeymoon. On the first night of their honeymoon Eliana ran out of the bedroom as she thought the train passing close by their room was an earthquake. Throughout this trip there were many stories like people asking if they would like coffee or tea and bringing them cups of alcohol, and loosening the bolts that held the bed together. On one occasion the two overslept and missed the bus to their next stop and had to hitchhike to try and get ahead of the bus. All was taken in good humor. Eliana and Dagoberto have enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage for 46 years.

Dagoberto will be remembered as a friendly, happy, hard-working man who loved animals. He was a great husband, father and grandfather.

Dagoberto was the loving husband of Eliana (Lara) Sanchez; devoted father of Juan P. Sanchez of Riverdale, and Marcela D’es Verney and her husband Jason of West Milford; cherished grandfather of Janisse D’es Verney; dear brother of Anedo Sanchez and his wife Bertha of Wayne, Felicinda Sanchez of Parsippany, Magaly Bustamante of Lodi, and Isabel Poblete of Parsippany.

Charles “Chuck” Ward age 52 of Pompton Lakes, formerly of the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne, passed Wednesday, June 3, 2015.

He was born in Passaic and raised in the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne. He was a graduate of Wayne Valley High School Class of 1981 and would tell anyone who would listen that he held the 440 yard/ half-mile track record. He has lived in Pompton Lakes for the past eighteen years.

Chuck’s first job was as a Wayne P.A.L. Camp Counselor. He also worked at Bachagaloops Pizzeria in Wayne for a few years before finding work printing clothing labels at PrintEx in Pompton Lakes. For many years he worked for Konica Minolta in Wayne and Mahwah as a warehouse logistics manager.

Chuck loved all sports and at one point had five televisions set up in his living room to assure he didn’t miss a game. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and loved following his favorite driver Ricky Rudd. He loved tailgating at Giants games, NASCAR races, and would even go to the Jets games if a good tailgate was in the works. Many fond memories were made boating on Greenwood Lake with an evening campfire-side recounting of the day. He will be remembered as a funny, fun loving guy, who had a cutting sense of humor. He was also a very caring and kind person and whether you were his wife, sister, a child or even a dog Chuck would give you the shirt off his back and his last dollar. He truly was a dog lover and will enjoy being re-united with his shepherd hound mix Montana and will be greatly missed by his Shepherd mix Tiki (although a girl she was named after Tiki Barber).

Chuck was the loving husband of Karen (Shadwell) Ward; dear brother of Michael Ward and his wife Loretta of Pompton Lakes, the late William “Billy” Hofbauer (June 1, 2015) and his surviving wife Denise of Morris Plains, Kathy Warren and her husband Richard of Wayne, and Robert Casey and his love Sherri of Houston, TX; he was the cherished uncle of eleven nieces, nephews, and two great-nephews.

To honor Chuck’s love of animals, those inclined to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the ASPCA.

Concetta Walmers (nee Giuliano), age 91 of Wayne and formerly of Queens, NY, died on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. She was raised in Brooklyn and had lived in Queens before moving to Wayne eight years ago. She had worked for a number of years as a secretary with the Diageo company in Manhattan.

Connie was fortunate to have been a full-time mother while raising her sons. The boys recall many good times with their mom when they were children, especially day trips out to Riis Park Beach in Rockaway. They also recall what a wonderful singing voice their mother had. As a parishioner of Holy Child Jesus Parish in Queens, Connie sang in the choir for many years. Perhaps the highlight of her experience was singing in the choir at Yankee Stadium during the Pope’s visit in the 1970’s. She also enjoyed organizing ‘plays’ among her family members, carefully selecting the singing parts, of course. They would gather on any given Saturday night and she would carefully choose who would play the various parts in the show, and then they would act it out, having great fun in the process! She has left a trove of fond memories for her family to treasure for years to come.

Connie met her husband Paul Walmers, Jr. while they were working together at the Barnes & Noble book store. Just one month after they met, Paul left to serve during World War II. They corresponded throughout the years he was gone and upon his return they were engaged. They married on January 11, 1947 and enjoyed a very loving marriage, holding hands and hugging each other often. They were a great couple and celebrated forty seven years together before Paul passed away in 1994.

Connie is survived by her two sons; Paul M. Walmers and his wife Arleen of Wayne, and Joseph Walmers of Wayne, two granddaughters; Jennifer Walmers of Belmore, NY and Heather Walmers of New Paltz, NY, one great-granddaughter; Adrianna Miceli of Belmore, NY, and her sister-in-law; Beverly Bewley of Ocala, FL.

Clementine T. Cunningham age 96 of Wayne passed peacefully on Monday, February 2, 2015.

She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and when she married she moved to Wayne, NJ where her family had summered for many years.

Clementine met her husband Charles when he was making a delivery to where she worked. They soon fell in love and married at Saint Marys Church in Brooklyn, NY on August 28, 1943. They honeymooned at Niagra Falls, New York and enjoyed forty years of a loving and caring marriage before Charles passing in 1983.

She enjoyed sewing, playing cards, and loved to cook. Many will remember her as being fun with a great sense of humor. Her special touch on Italian specialties like pizza, spaghetti (she made her own pasta), and Easter pies will be greatly missed. Everyone was made to feel welcome in her home and when her children were growing up they would bring the neighborhood kids to their house as mom always had food ready for everyone. Clementine kept a long standing tradition of Sunday family dinners, and holiday dinners were always made more special by all her cooking and baking. She had a large rose garden on the side of the house and her children and neighborhood kids would ask her for roses when they had dates. She loved to talk on the phone unless the New York Yankees were on. Then she would be curt and to the point so she could get back to watching her beloved Yankees and especially Lou Pinella and Paul O’Neil…her favorites.

Clementine was a member of Holy Cross RC Church in Wayne where all her children attended school, she was a member of the Columbiettes, and her husband Charles helped to build the first Altar.

Clementine was a member of the Golden Age Circle of Wayne and served as secretary for many years.

She was the loving wife of the late Charles Cunningham(1983); devoted mother of Charles J. Cunningham and his wife Patricia of Pompton Plains, Anthony E. Cunningham of Cape Coral, FL, Joanne Woodhouse and her husband Woody of Wayne, and Mary Pat Boughton and her husband Thomas of Wayne; cherished grandmother of five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; she was the loving sister of the late Jean Duddy and Anthony DiRocco.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne Fire Dept. P.O.L Co. #2, 970 State Route 23, Wayne, NJ 07470 or the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 would be appreciated.

Age 93, was taken to Glory to be with the Lord on July 3, 2015.

Conrad Sweerus, Jr., 93, was taken to Glory to be with the Lord on July 3, 2015. Among his family and friends he was known as Conrad, Connie, Turk, Junior, and Jake, and to his children as Dad or Daddy and his grandchildren as Grandpa. Regardless of the name, all who knew him were blessed by a God loving, caring, hardworking, humble man who brought them special, happy, moments and the occasional practical joke!

Conrad was born February 14, 1922 to Nellie (Martin) and Conrad Sweerus, Sr. in Clifton, NJ. The backyard of his family home on Clinton Ave led into the cow pasture of his grandmother's farm, the Martin Dairy, which was operated by his extended family. As a child he loved spending time in the pastures and the dairy. A Boy Scout, he would recount stories of the camping trips he and his friends made lugging their gear up Van Houten Ave and into the Paterson Mountains. He attended the Pine Street School, Clifton, and graduated from the Eastern Academy, Prospect Park, in 1939. As a graduation gift he and his older brother Cornelius took a cross-country trip in their Model A Ford. Although he received a scholarship to college for accounting, he decided to put off his education and went to work in the billing and accounting office of Public Service in their Passaic office.

In 1942 Conrad enlisted in the United States Navy. After basic training, at Camp Perry in VA, he was assigned to the Seabees in the newly formed 5th Special Battalion. In World War II his unit was said to have served from one extreme to the next and then back again, having been stationed in the Aleutians, and then the Philippines. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged in 1945 as a Boatswain's Mate Second Class. After the War he returned to Clifton and resumed work at Public Service, but with a desire to get out of the office and work with his hands, he began working for the Dandrow Company, Nutley, as a repairman of household appliances.

In 1946 he met Ann Raywood and by Christmas of that year they were engaged. On May 29, 1947 the couple married in a small ceremony at the parsonage of Northside Christian Reformed Church in Clifton, NJ. On the 29th of each month, for the next 53 years, they would celebrate their anniversary. The newlyweds moved into a home, purchased the week prior to their wedding, in Wayne, NJ. This is where they lived and raised their six children. In 1959 Conrad began working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Post Office. For most all of his career, which ended in 1983, he delivered mail in the Valley section of Wayne.

A craftsman, he was able to build or repair anything and always had a project or two or three going. An avid gardener, his yard was filled with flowers and he always had a big vegetable garden. He enjoyed fishing, ice fishing, and taking long walks. Until the age of 90 he was still walking several miles nearly every day! Family outings after work or on a weekend were a part of summers, as were trips to Lake Hopatcong, and Brant Lake. Big picnics with lots of food, many games of horseshoes, and a big bonfire were held in the yard with family and friends every Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. After retiring he bought an RV and, with Ann, began traveling around the country. Eventually they left Wayne and moved to Whiteville, NC and later to a home in LaGrange, NC.

Conrad was a member of the Preakness Christian Reformed Church during his years in Wayne, serving on the Facilities Committee and multiple times as a Deacon. After moving to NC in 1984 he became a member of the Chadbourn United Methodist Church in Chadbourn, NC and later the Wheat Swamp Christian Church in LaGrange, NC. Conrad was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign War; The American Legion, Anthony Wayne Post 174; The National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 4641, and; the National Association of Retired Letter Carriers.

He is survived by daughters; Sandra Sweerus of NJ; Joy Curcio (Gary) of NC; Lynn Jackson (Robert) of PA; Beth Sullivan (Robert) of VA; son Paul of PA, and; daughter-in-law Gay of NC; grandsons Christopher Sweerus of NJ; Jason Sweerus (Erica) of MA; David Sweerus (Roxanne) of VA; Michael Curcio (Christina) of NC; Scott Curcio (Renee) of FL; Sgt. Douglas Curcio of the USMC; Bruce Sullivan of CA; Brian Sullivan (Samantha) of VA; Robert "Beau" of VA; granddaughters Ann Jackson of PA; Blair Sullivan of VA, and; 4 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Ruth Drelich of IA; Claire Kutzleb (Edward), and Elaine Bergin (Daniel) of NJ. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years Ann (Raywood) Sweerus (2000); son Richard Sweerus (2014); mother Nellie (Martin) Sweerus (1968); father Conrad Sweerus, Sr. (1975); brother Cornelius Sweerus (1998), and; brother-in-law Walter Drelich (2004).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Conrad's name to Preakness Valley United Reformed Church, 480 Valley Rd, Wayne, NJ.

Clayton C. Newell, age 95 of Green Pond, formerly of Paramus, passed Thursday, October 22, 2015 with the comfort of his family by his side.

He was born in Oil City, Pennsylvania and was one of eleven children that grew up in a four room home that initially had no electricity. Clayton had to leave high school and find work to help support the family. The family also received a great deal of family assistance from the Oil City Salvation Army and Clayton was in touch and grateful to them, for the rest of his life. He eventually returned to Oil City High School and graduated with the Class of 1941; he was the first and only of the eleven children to graduate high school.

In May of 1942, Clayton joined the United States Navy. He attained the rank of Radioman Second Class and received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Medal. During his service Clayton became an expert at Morse Code and could decipher US, Japanese and German code communications. Upon his honorable discharge in February of 1946 he was asked to take an oath of secrecy regarding his naval assignments. Just recently his family asked him to relay stories of his service and he refused to enlighten them, referencing this oath. On occasion Clayton would break into speaking dots and dashes at the kitchen table.

After his discharge from the US Navy Clayton bought a home in Valley Cottage, New York for his mother and some of his siblings. There were railroad tracks running through the front yard. Kathryn Green rode the Red & Tan bus line to school at Paine Hall in New York City. The bus driver was a man named Harry Newell, Clayton’s brother. He set Clayton and Kathryn up on a blind date. Kathryn, being the cautious type wouldn’t go anywhere with him, so they simply went back to her house in Closter and talked. Their first official date was a trip to a bar where all Kathryn ordered was a soda. Clayton stated, “I can afford her, she only drinks coke!” They began dating and Clayton eventually rented an apartment in Fair Lawn, NJ as it was much easier to visit Kathryn in Closter. Kathryn agreed to marry Clayton as long as she didn’t have to live in the house with a railroad track in the front yard. They married on June 23, 1956 and honeymooned in the Poconos. After they married they had a home built in Paramus where they lived from 1956 through 1981. They spent summers in Green Pond, staying in Kathryn's parents' house on Shadyside Lane. Then in 1972 they were surprised with a gift from Kathryn's father of a second home in Green Pond, NJ, just down the road from where Kathryn had grown up spending her summers. It was nothing glamorous, but they enjoyed every minute they spent there together. “Well you could see the outside from inside and I’m not talking about looking out the windows,” Kathryn will tell you. They eventually built a new home on the site in 1983 and have lived there ever since. Clayton and Kathryn were truly inseparable and fixtures of Green Pond where they raised their children and grandchildren.

Clayton’s first job was riding a bicycle up and down the large, steep hills of Oil City, PA where he would hand deliver wire telegrams. He also worked as a grocery store clerk, printer, car salesman, and set up furniture at hotels and motels for the Fisher-Cohen Company in Newark. He finally became a Mail Carrier for the US Post office in Paramus, as well as a Carrier for Puralator Delivery Services. He worked for the US Postal Service for over twenty years before retiring in January of 1985.

Clayton enjoyed woodworking, building crafts, and sitting on the swing in the front yard striking up conversations with people as they passed by. He enjoyed watching the lake for hours on end and cracking a joke in every appropriate and often inappropriate moment. He was fun and unpredictable. In the middle of a conversation he would break into random songs, jingles, and Morse Code…you just never knew what was going to come out of his mouth. He had many standby jokes like: “If we both ate a can of beans how old would we be? I’d be farty and you’d be farty-two,” or “I stayed up all night waiting for the sun to rise – then it dawned on me.” With his light-hearted humor Clayton was sincerely trying to make others comfortable around him and in this regard he was truly a success. His warm-hearted nature made everyone feel comfortable and curious to what he was going to say next.

Clayton was predeceased by his 10 brothers and sisters, Jenny Walls, William Newell, David Newell, Alonzo Newell, John Newell, Orpha Orr, Elmer Newell, Chester Newell, Harry Newell, and Mildred Green and his son-in-law William MacQuesten. Clayton is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn Newell (nee Green) of 59 years, his son; Scott Newell and wife Doreen, two daughters; Donna MacQuesten, and Deborah Knorr and husband Garret, and his 9 grandchildren; John, Heather, Mark, David, Tanya, Brandon, Tyler, Nicole, and Nathan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Oil City Salvation Army, PO Box 282, Oil City, PA 16301 or the Green Pond Volunteer First Aid Squad, PO Box 251, Newfoundland, NJ 07435 would be appreciated.

Constance “Connie” Carlo, age 91, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 17, 2015.

Born and raised in Paterson, the third of Joseph and Carmela Silvano’s five children, Connie resided in Paterson almost all of her life until moving to Wayne in 1995. Following graduation from Eastside High School with the Class of 1941, she worked briefly as a stenographer in the Paterson court system.

Connie met a young man named Robert Carlo one day at an Italian Feast – a picnic, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Paterson. From that first encounter she really liked Bob, and being someone who wasn’t shy, she decided she wasn’t going to wait to see if he would ask her out on a date. Instead, Connie asked Bob out. They went to another Italian Feast, this time at Werner’s Grove in North Haledon, known today as The Tides. From that day on, their relationship was off and running. They enjoyed an exciting courtship and when Uncle Sam called Bob to Army service during World War II, Connie said she would wait for him if they got engaged before he went to war. So they got engaged then corresponded by sending love letters via mail until Bob returned home from Normandy, injured and a recipient of The Purple Heart. They were united in holy matrimony before God, family and friends on Sunday, October 21, 1945 at a new church in Paterson – Our Lady of Lourdes Church on River Street. They enjoyed a beautiful honeymoon at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark. One night during that honeymoon, Connie and Bob didn’t know what to do so they decided to come back to Paterson where they enjoyed an enchanting evening taking in a show at the magnificent Majestic Theater. They did something else that the average couple wouldn’t probably do on their honeymoon when they went to a Newark appliance store to purchase a refrigerator with three hundred dollars Bob received from the Army.

Connie and Bob’s first home was a three-family house located at thirteen Redwood Avenue in Paterson. It was Bob’s parents’ house and it was a true family affair with Connie and Bob living on the first floor, Connie’s parents on the second, and Bob’s parents living on the third floor. For the next fifty years, from 1945 to 1995 this was their home. Connie settled into her role as homemaker and in 1947, she added the role of Mom to her title when she and Bob welcomed their daughter Barbara into their lives. Connie made that house a home filled with love, laughter, family traditions and always the smell of delicious home cooking. She was a great cook and her family especially loved her eggplant parmigiana and Bob’s particular favorite dish was her chicken and potatoes. Most of her recipes were in her head – no cookbooks, just a bit of this and a pinch of that. You could say that Connie knew the way to her family’s heart was through their stomach. When her daughter Barbara was a little bit older, Connie took a job as a school crossing guard. It was her responsibility to get the school children at the intersection of Totowa Ave. and Wayne Ave. in Paterson safely across the street. A people person at heart, Connie loved helping kids so being a crossing guard was a perfect job for her. She also lovingly took care of her disabled sister Millie for many years.

From the time anyone can remember, Connie had an exuberant love for music. Right after high school she was a singer in a 1940’s big band. She especially enjoyed Italian music. She was always playing it in the house, singing along and she could always be expected to be the life of the party. Connie would take the microphone and sing songs in Italian and she’d keep on singing until someone took that mic away. She also enjoyed seeing Italian singers perform at local venues.

One of Connie’s favorite pastimes was going to Atlantic City. She and Bob would often stay at her daughter Barbara and husband Al’s house in Brigantine, then hit the slot machines. They never hit the jackpot but they always had a great time.

Always full of life, Connie loved getting together for any random reason. Holiday gatherings were often at her house. At Easter time she traditionally made a delicious pizza rustica filled with delicious meat and cheeses. Christmas gatherings always included the annual Christmas sing-along and the last song of the night was always The Twelve Days of Christmas. Everyone had a line they were assigned to sing and Connie and her two sisters’ line was fittingly “three French hens.” When that song was over it was time for everyone to go home.

Connie always said that the most important thing in her life was her family. She would do anything she could to show her love to Bob, Barbara, Al and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her three grandchildren will always have fond memories of lots of sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, watching episodes of The Love Boat and Fantasy Island while enjoying the yummy food that Connie prepared for them, and taking a trip to downtown Paterson to visit Jacob’s Department Store. When her grandson Michael became a magician it was his dear Grandma Connie who sewed a lot of his costumes and props. She even would occasionally take care of one of her great-grandchildren and did so as recently as last year when she was ninety!

Connie’s family and friends are grateful to God for the many blessings she brought to their lives. Just this past October, she and Bob celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary. She will always be remembered as a woman of faith who was bubbly, full-of-life, loud yet humble – a selfless servant and a friend to all.

In addition to her husband Bob, Connie is survived by her dear daughter Barbara and husband Al Turco of Wayne; three cherished grandchildren: Amy and husband Dave Fazekas, David and wife Stacy Turco, and Michael Turco and girlfriend Nicole Stryker; six adored great-grandchildren: Tyler, Maci and Alex Fazekas, and Aidan, Dylan and Kylie Turco; her dear sister Helen and husband Sonny Piccolo of Haledon; and her dear sister-in-law Barbara Silvano of Wanaque. She was predeceased by three siblings: Millie Silvano, Dr. Nino Silvano, and Dr. Joseph Silvano.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Connie’s name are asked to consider Hospice of NJ, 400 Broadacres Drive, 1st Floor, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.

Colleen R. Youngman (nee O’Connor) age 55 died peacefully at home in Stone Ridge NY with her family after a brief illness.

Colleen was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 9, 1960 the 2nd of five children. In 1974 her family moved to the Packanack Lake section of Wayne where she attended Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1978.

After high school Colleen enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and she proudly served for 8 years, gaining promotions to the rank of Staff Sgt. Her US Air force career provided Colleen the opportunity to be stationed in Japan where her two oldest sons were born. How cute that they had hats that said “Made in Japan.” Later she spent several years in Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1988 Colleen returned to Packanack with her three children, John, James, and Kelly. She worked as a stay at home mom and later as the kids were in school at Immaculate Heart of Mary, she spearheaded the extended day program for many years.

In 2001 Colleen relocated to Kingston, NY and soon she met Terry Myers. He became her soul mate and they shared 13 beautiful years together. He was loving and devoted to Colleen, especially in recent months when she became ill. They shared a passion for the NY Giants and the NY Yankees, and their beloved dog, Kashmir, named for her love of Led Zeppelin.

Colleen was an avid reader, and a die-hard Jeopardy fan. Most of the time she would beat the televised contestants as she never missed an episode of Jeopardy. A worthy competitor, Colleen was known for her victories at Trivia Pursuit, as well as Pictionary. Kismet was an all-time favorite for her to pass the time.

This past summer, Colleen was able to take her two oldest grandsons, Robert and Connor to Disney World and experience their magical introduction to Mickey. Colleen was thrilled to have been able to do that.

Colleen is survived by, Terry Myers, her devoted companion, her three children, John Youngman of Atlanta GA, James Youngman of Cherry Hill, NJ, and Kelly Titus of Stone Ridge, NY; four grandchildren, Robert, Connor, John, and Audrey; her sisters, Maureen Cretella, Patricia Szlembarski, and Irene Yalicki, all of Wayne.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Mary (2010); Jim (2013); and her brother Jimmy (2015); her brothers-in law Robert Szlembarski (2001) and Steve Yalicki (2015); and her dear friend, Terry’s mother, Gloria (2015).

Colleen is also survived by many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins; as well as dear friends of over 40 years.

Clyde Floyd McMurdy age 82 of the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne passed Thursday, December 3, 2015.

Clyde was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. For many of his formative years he was raised by his grandparents who owned a parking garage on 72nd Street in New York City. They were fortunate enough to have a summer home on Packanack Lake in Wayne where Clyde would summer. This helped develop Clyde’s love for the Packanack Lake Section of the township.

Clyde lied on his application to the United States Marine Corps, stating he was 18 years old when he was actually just 17 years old. He was a proud Marine and served during the Korean War from 1950 – 1952. He was deployed with the 6th Marine Division, 1st Battalion, the 2nd Marine Division and served with the 3rd Marine Corps division during his reserve years. He attained the rank of Corporal and received the Navy Occupation Service Medal prior to his honorable discharge.

After his service in the Marines, Clyde embarked on a career as a photo engraver in the printing industry. Before retiring in 1989 he worked for the Master Eagle Company in New York City, the Alco Corporation in Hoboken, New Jersey and finally the New Graveur Company in New York City.

One day as Clyde was riding with his friend in a convertible it started to rain. They were on their way to Packanack Lake on Route 23 and stopped at a traffic light. Two girls pulled alongside and asked if they needed any help. As you can imagine the boys accepted the help and followed the girls to Donohue’s in Wayne for a night of dancing. Clyde enjoyed dancing as did Irene Prymowicz. The only problem was Irene liked blonde’s. Clyde asked her out the next night and showed up at her house when she had curlers in her hair trying to avoid that second date. Clyde waited for her and they eventually fell in love. As they courted Irene often told Clyde that the ring better be at least one karat. Well eventually he showed up on her front step, down on one knee, with an earring and a carrot attached to it. They laughed and Clyde handed Irene his coveted Marine Corps Ring to wear until they could afford a real ring. They married on May 16, 1959 at Saint Valentine’s RC Church in Bloomfield, with a reception just across the street at The Old Canal Inn. Their honeymoon was to be in Florida, but as they drove down to Florida Clyde stopped at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina where they spent their honeymoon. From the end of the honeymoon forward Irene became The Boss and they have had a loving marriage of fifty-six years.

For many years Clyde was the Scout Master of Troop 104 in Packanack Lake. He also served as a fireman with Fire Company #5 in Wayne from 1969 through 1978 and was a past-president of the fire company. In his retirement Clyde enjoyed feeding the birds and many will remember him for his fastidious cleaning and polishing of just about everything including: his lawn mowers, garden tractor, and car. This is a trait it looks like his son Clyde has inherited.

Clyde was the loving husband of Irene (Prymowicz) McMurdy; devoted father of Clyde Earl McMurdy and his wife Julianna of Wayne, Marleen McMurdy of Wayne, Karen Davidson and her husband Troy of Naperville, Ill., and Susan McMurdy of Yorktown, VA; cherished grandfather of Katelyn, Eric, and Kimberly Davidson, Ashley and Madison Lind, Patrick and Clyde McMurdy; dear brother of Anna Nancy Jones of Wellesley, MA.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Packanack Lake – Wayne Fire Company #5, 5 Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be appreciated.

Charles Michael Seergy, Sr., age 90 of Wayne passed peacefully at home on Monday, September 21, 2015.

He was born and raised in Paterson. He attended Saint John's High School and was drafted into the US Navy and WWII during December of his senior year at age eighteen.

During his service in the Navy, Charles attended pre-radio training at the Naval Armory in Chicago, IL and later electrical engineering and related mathematics training in Houston, TX. He completed the twenty-eight week instruction school of airborne electronics maintenance in Corpus Christi, TX. He was honorably discharged on May 20, 1946 as an Aviation Electronics Technician’s Mate Second Class. He would recount that during his service he installed and serviced the communication radios in Bell P-39 Airacobra Aircraft.

After his service in the Navy, Charles returned to Paterson and finished his high school degree while working both at his father’s dry goods store on Main Street and at a movie theater as an usher. In 1951, he graduated from Manhattan College in Bronx, NY with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He was an instructor at Newark College of Engineering and a member of ETA Kappa Nu electrical engineering honor society. He worked as a senior engineer for the RCA Corporation Color Television Development Program in Harrison, NJ. He later worked for Kearfott Guidance Systems in Totowa, NJ as a project director and test lab manager until his retirement in 1990. He was especially proud of his work with the JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution Systems), still in use today, and the SRAM (Short Range Attack Missile) while at Kearfott.

He met a beautiful girl named Jeanne Durgett at a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) dance in Paterson. They fell in love and were married at Saint George’s RC Church in Paterson on July 19, 1952. Their reception was at the Cedar Cliff Hotel in Haledon and they honeymooned at Lake George, NY. Charles and Jeanne initially lived in Paterson and in 1959, built their home in Wayne, where they have lived for the past 56 years. They have enjoyed 63 years of a loving, caring, and faith-filled marriage.

Charles was a devout Catholic and strong supporter of Catholic education as all of his children attended Catholic schools. He was a founding parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Wayne, a member of their finance committee and guard of honor, and could always be found at the Sunday – 9 AM Mass where he served as an usher for many, many years.

Charles was a lifelong New York Giants fan having held season tickets just about forever. He was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was intelligent, disciplined, organized, responsible, and only expected from you what he would expect from himself. Family celebrations brought him great joy, and he could not have been prouder of his children and grandchildren.

Charles was the loving husband of Jeanne M. (nee Durgett) Seergy; devoted father of Michael J. Seergy and his wife Kate of Mendham, Marybeth Watkins and her husband Bill of Morris Township, and Charles M. Seergy, Jr. and his wife Eileen of Franklin Lakes; cherished grandfather of Monica Whitmore and her husband AJ, Megan Watkins, Meredith Seergy, Rusty Watkins, Madeline O’Shea and her husband Dylan, Amy Watkins, Chuckie Seergy, and Michael Seergy; much loved great-grandfather of Kathleen Whitmore, Ryan Whitmore, and Rose O’Shea; dear brother of Annette Shalhoub and Gabriel Seergy, both of Maryland; and beloved uncle of many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 580 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be appreciated.

Claire Marie Clark, age 93, of Pompton Plains and formerly of Newark and Beach Haven West, died peacefully, early on the morning of Monday, January 19

In the early morning hours of Monday, January 19, 2015, Claire Marie Clark, age 93, of Pompton Plains died peacefully. Claire is formerly of Newark and Beach Haven West.

Claire was the second of four children of August and Elvira Boniface. She was born and raised in Belleville, NJ. After graduating from Belleville High School in 1939, she worked in New York City.

Claire met her future husband, Frank Clark, while on a date with another suitor. Frank graciously drove his friend and Claire to their date. After her lackluster date, Frank pursued Claire for a date himself. Claire repeatedly refused, until Frank’s persistence changed her mind. After eight years of dating and numerous proposals from Frank, Claire agreed to marry him. They exchanged vows on Saturday, November 10, 1951 at St. Peter’s RC Church in Belleville before honeymooning in Florida.

Claire and Frank settled in North Newark, where Claire raised four children. Once her youngest child reached first grade, Claire obtained a job working for the Essex County Hall of Records in the personnel department, where she remained for ten years until health issues forced an early retirement. After living in North Newark for twenty-five years, Claire and a recently retired Frank moved to their summer home in Beach Haven West and enjoyed their winter months in North Palm Beach. After Frank’s passing in 2002, Claire moved to Cedar Crest Village, where she lived out the remainder of her blessed life.

Claire greatly enjoyed gardening. Her house was filled with violets and a plethora of potted plants until the day she died. Claire was skilled in crafts. During her time at Cedar Crest, Claire loved to spend time making needlecraft creations for sick residents.

Throughout her life, Claire was exceedingly sociable. She wholly appreciated being around others, particularly at parties or get-togethers. She in loved cooking and baking for large parties of people, and felt that the most important aspect of a party was the food. Claire was an exceptional cook and baker. Her family enjoyed a wide variety of meals inherited from her mother as well as recipes she acquired from her vast cookbook collection. Claire enjoyed sharing her food with others. She once told her daughter that she was going to test out a different cake recipe every weekend, and wanted her family to judge which cake was the best. After four weekends of cakes, her Italian cream cake became her signature and most sought after dessert. From then on, her family asked her ceaselessly to bake “the cake,” which ultimately became its name.

Claire adored her grandchildren, who will always cherish the warm memories they have with her. She was always willing to teach them how to bake, make crafts, or feed the ducks in the lagoon behind her house. She loved seeing them lined up on the floor on pillows as they watched the same shows over and over again.

Claire was a devout Catholic. She faithfully prayed the rosary every night for many years. She was an active parishioner of Our Lady of Good Council in Newark and St. Mary’s Parish in Barnegat.

Claire was blessed with great health throughout her many years of life. She will always be respected for her devotion to God. Her family will always smile at memories of Claire’s five-o-clock Manhattans made with sweet vermouth, and laugh at her phrase of “just-a-taste,” before stealing your plate. In spite of her love for good food, she always looked like she came right off the runway.

Claire is survived by her four children: Michael Clark of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Judith Fisher-Costello and husband John of Middletown, Patricia Dunphey and husband Rich of Manahawkin, and Andrea Clark Stockinger of Manahawkin; eleven grandchildren: Anthony, Laura, Christopher, Ricky, Andrew, Morgan, Jackie, Ricky, Chrissy, Brian, and Michelle; and one great-grandson: Matthew. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Frank, her two brothers: Henry and Albert Boniface; and her sister, Flo Ioreo.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Claire’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (www.stjude.org), or to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (www.woundedwarriorproject.com).

Carolyn Catherine Deni, age 108 of Cedar Grove and formerly of New York City, was born in Hebron Ct. on Jan. 20, 1907. Her parents, Maria (Noto) and Pasquale Deni, emigrated from Sicily. Carolyn was the eldest of their nine children.

The family moved to Holyoke, MA shortly after Carolyn’s birth, where she lived and worked until she moved in the 1950's to Manhattan. She occupied her studio apartment at Tudor City until she was 99 years old.

While in Manhattan, Carolyn worked as a department store buyer and a sales representative for a stationary distributor. She was passionate about oil and water color painting and enjoyed music, but her lifelong love was following women’s fashion. She was fond of wearing leopard prints and accessorizing with a wardrobe of hats and scarves. Her Catholic faith was of primary importance to her, and she attended mass daily.

During the last nine years of her life, Carolyn happily resided at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Cedar Grove, NJ where she was much loved and well cared for. She was known to all as “Shoo-Shoo Baby” and “the lady with the hats.” She won many St. Vincent’s talent contests with enthusiastic renditions of her signature song, Darktown Strutters’ Ball.

She was predeceased by her parents and all siblings, and leaves behind several nieces and nephews, as well as members of her “adopted” family of close friends and caregivers. She will be laid to rest in Holyoke, MA. at a private service.

Charles Olivo, aged 93, of Wayne passed peacefully on Friday, March 13,2015.

He was born and raised in Passaic and lived there before moving to Wayne in 1957.

As a young boy of just eight years old he worked for the neighbors who owned LaPerla Foods in Passaic. He took vegetables they imported and boxed them for resale. Charles later found work at the General Motors Corporation in Linden where he worked as a foreman. Eventually he found work as a mason and plasterer, work he loved and would do for the rest of his life. Initially he worked for Local #2, Bricklayers, Masons, and Plasterers out of Paterson having later opened his own company R&O Plastering of Wayne. He enjoyed his work and considered it more of a hobby than work. Charles worked continuously on projects until he was about 80 years old, stopping because his health.

It was during his tenure at General Motors in Linden that he met his future wife, Mary Spinelli. The auto plant in Linden was transformed into an aircraft manufacturing facility during WWII and Mary was a “Rosie the Riveter” in the real sense of the phrase. Her job at the plant was riveting the planes together. They fell in love and married on June 25, 1944 at Saint Anthony’s RC Church in Elizabeth and honeymooned at Niagara Falls, NY. They had 57 years of a loving and devoted marriage until Mary’s passing on February 2, 2002.

Charles was an active parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church for many years. He was the mason who constructed the outdoor shrine of the Blessed Mother, and helped renovate the rectory during the years the late Msgr. James Rugel was the parish pastor. He also was a volunteer at the food tent at the church’s annual carnival. His dedication to his Catholic faith was also demonstrated by his membership of the Knights of Columbus Council #3801 in Pompton Lakes where he was a 3rd Degree Knight.

He will be remembered as a man who was dedicated and devoted to his family. When he was growing up in Passaic his parents, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all lived within about a single mile of each other. Considering he was the third born of eight children, and with all the extended family so close by, family gatherings were important events. Family was very important to Charles as were his friends.

Charles was the loving husband of fifty-seven years to the late Mary Olivo (February 2, 2002); beloved father of Nancy Garofalo and her husband James of Wayne, John Olivo and his wife Adeline of Wayne; cherished grandfather of John, Charles, Daniel, Nicholas, and Michael Olivo, Lisa, Danielle, and William Garofalo; much loved great-grandfather of Mia, Nina, Anthony James, Giovanni, Luca, Robert Olivo, and James Byrne; dear brother of Angelina Lano of Elmwood Park, Norma Tamborini of Lodi, and Edith Folena and her husband Bruce of Barnegat, and brother of the late Josephine Princiotti, Louis Olivo, and Marie Raspa.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or the CUMAC Food Pantry, PO Box 2721, Paterson, NJ 07509 would be appreciated.

To view photos of a life well-lived please click here

Cheryl O’Leary (McKenna) age 65 of Pompton Lakes passed peacefully on Friday, December 25, 2015.

She was born in Jersey City and raised in Hoboken until the age of ten when the family moved to Pompton Lakes. Cheryl graduated from Pompton Lakes High School with the Class of 1969. During high school she worked for an eye doctor in Pompton Lakes and after graduating high school she found work at an eye doctors office in Wayne. For nineteen years she worked as a bar tender at her brothers’ Robert and Kenny’s pub, McKenna’s in Pompton Lakes. When they closed the pub she found work at the Becton Dickinison Corporation in Franklin Lakes where she worked for over ten years before retiring in 2011.

Cheryl will be remembered as an all around good person who was always fun to be with. She was funny, would do anything for you, and was always putting others before herself. Her sister and best friend Maureen “Sissy” was often found by her side. Casino trips to the slot machines and roulette tables in Atlantic City, Mohegan Sun, and Sands were something she loved. She also loved going to the Jersey Shore. When her children were younger the family, including all the cousins, would rent summer bungalows in Keansburg. Once the children got older the family would rent a house at Long Beach Island and more recently Wildwood during the summer. Cheryl loved the beach and loved sharing that joy with her grandchildren. They joy they brought her, especially seeing them enjoy the beach, was something she will treasure for eternity.

When asked if Cheryl had a love of animals the room suddenly became quiet. When she was a young girl she enjoyed going to the Pompton Lakes pet store and petting what she says was a lion. One day this lion was a bit agitated and when Cheryl got up to leave she was bitten on the rear end. From that day on she had a fear of all kinds of pets, especially cats.

Cheryl was the loving mother of Bryon Zack of Pompton Lakes, and Kristoffer Zack and his wife Tammy of Butler; cherished grandmother of Bailey, Nicholas, and Kelsey Zack; dear sister of Maureen “Sissy” DeBonta and her husband Elliott of Pompton Lakes, Kenneth J. McKenna of Wayne, Robert J. McKenna of Lake Hopatcong, the late John J. McKenna and his surviving wife Maria; she was also dearly loved by several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Pompton Lakes Fire Department, 1 Passaic Ave., Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 would be appreciated.

Who's your best friend?   PA!

"Who's your best friend?"

Charles E. Baisch age 83 of Wayne, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff. He had been a Wayne resident for over fifty years.

Charlie was raised in Paterson, NJ in the Stoney Road neighborhood. He lived right across the street from Tungol Paints, a local landmark. While attending Central High School, Charlie became involved with all the school printing and was the ‘go to’ guy for much of the school staff, including the principle. His skills often got him excused from class so he could help with printing tasks. This parlayed into a lifelong career in the printing industry.

Charlie enjoyed his career with Anderson & Vreeland for many years, serving many clients in the printing industry throughout the area. He was so dedicated to his career and his clients in such a way that is best summed up by his sales manager who once said; “Charlie, I don’t think you work for me…you work for your clients.” Charlie could have retired years ago but he loved what he did and he genuinely like helping people, so he kept working until just six years ago, retiring at seventy seven years old.

Charlie was also dedicated to his home. He and Mary Lou bought the house new in 1963 and he worked tirelessly maintaining the grounds and the house itself. He was even known to ride his John Deere lawn tractor up and down the street, cleaning the edge of the roadway too. Raising his four daughters there, he didn’t hesitate to teach them how to help him out with all the projects. When he decided to put in a pool, they all pitched in cutting down the trees and digging the hole – by hand! It was a labor of love and the finished pool was enjoyed by them all for countless years of fun. Charlie loved entertaining at the house, cooking and grilling his favorite London Broil steaks! He loved having parties at the house and if the weather wasn’t perfect, he had a large paper sun that he would hang from the tree to brighten the day! Every Sunday, he would get up around 7 AM to start preparing their Sunday supper and by the time they were ready to eat, he would have a wonderful meal prepared for the whole family – he just loved to cook.

Charlie was also dedicated to his church. Having been raised in the Westside Methodist church in Paterson, he learned to play the organ at a young age. He played at Westside during the Sunday services for almost thirty years, as well as at the Preakness Baptist Church in Wayne. He married his wife, Mary Lou Kammerer on June 27, 1953 at the First Baptist Church in Paterson and they enjoyed a honeymoon to Daytona Beach, Florida, driving there in a Buick borrowed from his sister. They have enjoyed sixty two years together in a very loving marriage, full of good memories. They were the best of buddies, blessed with compassion for one another, and Mary Lou will miss him dearly.

Charlie is survived by his loving wife Mary Lou of Wayne, also by his four daughters; Jane Bishop and her husband John of Wayne, Judy Bakonyi and her husband James of Highland Lakes, Laurie Roemer and her husband William of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Diane Axberg and her husband George of Wayne, his ‘honorary’ daughter; Beverly Radway and her husband David of Wayne, his very special and much loved uncle; Henry Wiesner of Wayne, eight grandchildren; Jenny McGillick and her husband Chris, Justin Harlan and his wife Brooke, Jonathan Radway, Kristin Baisch Erickson, Sarah Hendrickson and her husband John, Jenna Harlan, Caneel Bay Axberg, and Summer Rae Axberg, four great-grandchildren; Cash Hendrix Harlan, Weston Max Harlan, Kaleigh McGillick, and Dylan McGillick, his supportive son-in-law; Gerry Harlan of Parsippany, three sisters; Marjorie Edwards, Dorothy Baisch, and Helen Bogucz, one brother; Robert Baisch. He was predeceased by three siblings; Albert Baisch, Ruth Stout, and Evelyn Baisch.

Age 89, of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Claire G. McGrath, 89, of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. She had been surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in her final days, a testament to the legacy of love she leaves behind.

A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Claire graduated from Cathedral High School with the class of 1943, in the midst of World War II. She continued her education, earning an Associate’s Degree. As her family began to grow, she moved to Southfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. After a few years in Michigan, they moved back to Springfield and then eventually to Wayne where they settled in 1965. As her children grew, she took a position at the JM Towne department store. Years later she accepted a position at Capezio, a job she truly enjoyed. Her co-workers treated her like family and she was very proud of the work she did. She loved it so much that she didn’t retire until she was almost 80 years old!

Claire was extremely efficient at running her household; in fact, her own children look back and wonder how she did it all. Raising six kids was no easy task, but Claire had established routines and kept order like no one else could. She would paint the house perpetually, doing small areas at a time, always keeping the place looking fresh. She was a good cook, too and a great baker. She especially loved working in the kitchen alongside her grandchildren, making cookies and other special treats. She taught her granddaughters the trick to enjoying what they had made: hide everything from the boys before they have a chance to eat it all!

Claire was a stylish dresser, and had the fully-stocked closet to prove it. Wherever she was headed, she always looked sharp and fashionable. Her personality was warm and witty; she was always ready with a corny joke (at which she was usually the first to laugh). Although she held true to her convictions, occasionally revealing just how stubborn she could be, she maintained a great sense of humor and preferred to keep things light.

Claire considered being a grandmother one of the highlights of her life. She savored the time she had with her grandchildren and carved out a unique relationship with each and every one of them. This unconditional love was then passed to her great-grandchildren—all 11 of them—even as her health began to fade.

Claire kept a jar of M&Ms close to her bedside, which drew the littlest ones into her room during the past few years. The sweet conversations she had with each candy-seeker led to some very special moments, which were perhaps more precious to her than anything else. Each child now has wonderful memories of Great-Grandma they will cherish for many years.

Claire is survived by her loving children: Mary Ellen Brady and her husband Dan of Hatfield, PA; Michael McGrath of Denver, CO; Mark McGrath and his wife Valerie of Wayne, NJ; William McGrath and his wife Darylann of Cincinnati, OH; and Patricia Stamler and her husband Matt of Vernon, NJ. She is also survived by her brother, Paul Gallagher, of Novato, CA, twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son Matthew McGrath in 1996, and by her two brothers, James and Thomas Gallagher.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be greatly appreciated to the Packanack Lake Volunteer Fire Company 5, 5 Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Carol Nan McEnroe, age 67, of Wayne, died peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2015.

Carol was born in Washington, PA and raised in North Arlington where she attended local schools, graduating from North Arlington High School in 1966.

Carol met her husband Raymond McEnroe while bowling in a North Arlington bowling league.

Over time their love for each other grew leading to marriage on October 9, 1971. Following a honeymoon in Bermuda, they initially settled in Lyndhurst before moving in the mid-1970’s to the Packanack Lake section of Wayne where they’ve remained to this present day.

In 1974 Carol and Ray were blessed with a baby girl and they named her Lori. Carol dedicated herself to being a full-time mother and homemaker serving as a volunteer in Lori’s Girl Scout Troop.

She returned to the workforce initially working as a medical assistant for various doctors, but she was especially proud of her later role as Manager of the Urgent Care in Riverdale. Overall, her career in the medical field spanned over thirty years.

Carol had a myriad of interests including crocheting, photography, and scrap booking. As a child, she enjoyed spending time at the Jersey shore. That love of the sand and sea continued all throughout her entire life.

After retiring, Carol and Ray got to travel a bit. They enjoyed trips to California where they volunteered to work on the floats for the Rose Bowl parade. They also vacationed in the Bahamas and, for many years, in Ocean City, Maryland.

Cooking and baking were perfect pastimes for Carol and went very well with her love for entertaining. Her house was always the place to be for all major holidays. It’s no wonder she liked to entertain as Carol was such a friendly, outgoing person who was so full of life. When she went to others homes for parties or get-togethers, you could always count on her being the first to arrive and the last to leave.

Surviving is Carol’s beloved husband of 43 years, Raymond; her dear daughter Lori and husband Frank Colaizzi of Rivervale; her dear twin brother David and wife Maria Swartzfeger; her nephew Brian and wife Laura Swartzfeger; and her great-nephew Connor.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Carol’s name are asked to consider the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

Celine Mancini MSW, LCSW (Falsetta) age 50 of the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne passed peacefully at home, with the comfort of family by her side, on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

Celine was born in New York City to Gabriel and Harriet Falsetta and raised in the Ridgewood section of Queens, New York. She graduated from Christ the King High School in Middle Village Queens, New York with the Class of 1983. She received her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from the Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York City, her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Montclair State University in Montclair New Jersey and continued her education receiving her Master of Social Work degree from New York University (NYU) in New York - while raising two children.

Celine was a psychotherapist who has been practicing in Wayne for the past 9 years. Her first job ever was working at Woolworths on Myrtle Avenue in the Glendale Section of Queens, New York, she also worked at the Captain Video Rental Store, and the Lerner’s Women’s Shop both also on Myrtle Avenue in Queens. She worked these three jobs all before graduating high school. After high school, and while she was working her way through college, Celine worked for E.F. Hutton in New York City as a brokers administrator and at the Omnia property building management firm)in New York City. For about eight years she worked as a social worker at the Community Access Center in New York assisting people with psychiatric disabilities. She also volunteered her time at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis hotline. After marrying Chris she worked at the Wayne Counseling Center in Wayne and eventually opened her own private practice in Wayne.

She truly loved helping people and was constantly re-inventing herself. Celine would often share that her life’s dream was to host a talk show. Anybody that knows her, and many that don’t, knew she could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Her calm, non-judgmental, comforting way made her a trusted confidant to many both within and outside of her work. Her incomparable ability to make friends was unique and lent itself to her having an eclectic group of friends who she loved dearly. Celine was all about the party, had a welcoming home to friends and family, and even a trip to Chilton Hospital for stiches couldn’t stop her from hosting one of her parties. If her home wasn’t in a state of chaos it just wasn’t home. Her children’s friends over for sleep overs, people coming and going, being with family and friends for holidays, celebrations of all sorts, and even the familiar faces of the Cheers-like gang at the Preakness Diner in Wayne; home to Celine is where she could be with family and friends. As you can imagine she loved Disney and that same welcoming, fun, atmosphere she perceived as home. She also knew the power of hugs. So many of the memories the family will treasure are of her hugging or kissing them, a friend, and even the occasional stranger. One of her favorite things to do was walk around Packanack Lake; oftentimes these walks would turn into therapy sessions for those she was walking with. She loved to dance and even as a baby her father said she would sit by the Vitrola and rock her head for what seemed like hours.

Celine went on a trip with the girls to Club Med in Martinique and found love at first sight. She met Christopher Mancini on July 17, 1988 and he too was smitten. Their first date was to the Shanghai Reds Restaurant (now Chart House)overlooking the Manhattan skyline. They married on July 7, 1991 at Saint Matthias RC Church in Queens, New York and had their reception at the Terrace on the Park in Queens. They honeymooned in the Cayman Islands and have lived in Wayne for the past 19 years. Their marriage of twenty-four years is best described as one of kindred souls, with a bond and love that was so strong they often acted as one.

Celine's biggest pride and joy was, as she would say, "raising my 3 babies". Her children by far are the 3 greatest achievements of her life and is her most treasured legacy. Celine has always said that each child gave her life more love, purpose and meaning then she ever could have imagined. Celine felt like the luckiest woman alive to blessed with her 3 babies Alec, Serena and Setira, knowing she will forever be their mother is the eternal gift God has bestowed upon her life.

Celine was predeceased by her dear mother Harriet in 1994.  She was the loving wife of Christopher Mancini of Wayne; devoted mother of Alec, Serena, and Setira; cherished daughter of Gabriel Falsetta of Queens, NY and his wife Tina, dear sister of Carmela Rohr of New York City. Also survived by Chris' parents; Marco and Mary Mancini of Paterson, and Chris' brothers; Father Marc Mancini of Succasunna, NJ, and Nick Mancini of Bloomfield, NJ.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to a little boy who was diagnosed with the same cancer as Celine would be appreciated. Click here to donate.

Catherine V. Vecharello (nee Provenzano), age 73 of Wayne, died on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015.

She had been a resident of Wayne for twenty seven years. “Ginger” as she was known to many, had been an underwriter with State Farm in Wayne for eighteen years. She enjoyed quilting, camping, and riding snowmobiles in Old Forge, NY. She was a courageous woman who fought cancer for thirteen years, setting an example of strength for her family. Ginger’s greatest love was, of course, her family. All of her hobbies, interests, and vacations were special because of the people she shared them with. She remained endeared to her sister, Corrine, and they were the best of friends.

Catherine is survived by her devoted husband; James, Sr. of Wayne, her two sons; William of Vernon and James, Jr. of Morris Plains, her four dear grandchildren; Julia Catherine Vecharello of Vernon, Matthew William Vecharello of Vernon, James Vincent Vecharello, III of Morris Plains, and Amanda Lee Vecharello of Morris Plains, her sister and best friends; Corrine Williams and her husband Thomas of Wayne, and her nieces and nephews; Thomas Williams, Jr. and his wife Dana of Wayne, Michael Williams and his wife Krystan of Andover, Kenneth Williams and his wife Theresa of Totowa, Dr. Gina Marie Foglia and her husband Ralph White of Stroudsburg, PA, Andrea Kolenc and her husband Ernie of Totowa, Richard LoGrecco and his wife Michele Kaufman of N. Arlington, as well as her sister-in-law Sara Foglia and her late husband Robert of East Stroudsburg, PA, and sister-in-law Rose Marie LoGrecco and her husband Angelo of Murrell’s Inlet, SC. Catherine was predeceased by her parents Caterina (nee LiVigni) and Vincenzo Provenzano.

Carolyn S. Stinson (nee Shutter) age 96, formerly of West Haven, CT, Wyckoff, NJ, East Orleans, MA, and Naples, FL, passed peacefully at 7:10 AM on Sunday, October 11, 2015.

Carolyn was born and raised on Martin Street, in West Haven, Connecticut where her father Earl was prominent in the town as a successful owner of the Graham Bronze Foundry. As a young girl she was proud of her cast and ivory elephant collections. She and her sister Janice enjoyed the family hunting dogs and when her father came home from hunting her mother would cook the fowl caught that day. Carolyn met her husband William A. Stinson at a young age and she went to Lasell College graduating in 1939.

Her husband Bill graduated from Brown University and the two soulmates fell deeply in love and married. Bill was a senior account executive with the AETNA Life and Casualty Insurance Company and initially the family was transferred around the country several times. Carolyn had two sons, William A. Stinson, Jr. and Drake C. Stinson. Her son Bill was born in Baltimore, Maryland and her son Drake was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They finally settled to raise their boys in Wyckoff, New Jersey in 1961 while her husband Bill worked in Manhattan, New York and they lived there for seventeen years.

Carolyn’s family has many fond memories of power boating with her husband and son Drake. Mom would have the car packed and they would leave for the marina on Friday night, early Saturday a new adventure would commence with Drake as the first mate and navigator. They visited virtually every port of call along Long Island Sound listed in the Mobil guide book including Connecticut, Long Island, Rhode Island and even Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard on Cape Cod. Their first boat was a red 27 foot Chris Craft Cavalier and the next a more seaworthy 28 foot Luhrs with a flying bridge. They would meet friends and tie up their boats together at favorite anchorages Grassy and Betts Islands in Norwalk, CT and Port Jefferson, NY.

When Drake graduated Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, NJ, Bill opted for early retirement and they snow birded between the home on Westwood Drive, near Nauset Beach in East Orleans, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and a home on Mentor Drive, near Wiggin’s Pass Beach, in North Naples, Florida. Carolyn and Bill enjoyed enteraining guests and playing golfing in most of their spare retirement time. After William A. Stinson passed away she continued snow birding and playing golf with her son Drake for another 10 years. As the years progressed and Carolyn needed more care, she lived with her son in Andover, NJ, and then Wantage, NJ, before settling in at the Llanfair House in Wayne, NJ where she spent the last ten years of her life.

Carolyn was a feisty, spirited person who loved spending time on the boat, beaching, painting, knitting, playing cards, playing golf, and she adored her granddaughter Sasha C. Stinson, Bill Jr’s daughter.

She was the loving wife of the late William Arthur Stinson (1988); devoted mother of Drake Christopher Stinson, her second son and his fiancé Suzanne Marshall of Blairstown, New Jersey; devoted mother of the late William Arthur Stinson, Jr. (1974), his wife Katheryn (Kit) Stinson Muldoon and cherished grandmother of Sasha Christine Stinson of Hickory, North Carolina, and dear sister of the late Marguerite Janice Shutter Grant (1987).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given Lasell College, Newton, MA, in memory of Carolyn S. Stinson (1939), which would be greatly appreciated.

Bruce Gilbert Curry, age 85 of Wayne passed away peacefully on December 26, 2015 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Bruce was born and raised in Detroit, MI. After graduating from High School, Bruce attended MIT and earned his Bachelor’s Degree. During his time at MIT, he joined the ROTC and after graduation he served 2 years in United States Army. When his service ended, he returned to college, but this time he attended the University of Michigan where he completed his Master’s Degree.

Bruce met the love of his life, Joanne Hartley, in college in 1950. While he was at MIT, it was Joanne’s brother that set the both of them up on a blind date. Joanne’s brother was a student at MIT and knew Bruce. After a loving and wonderful courtship, Joanne and Bruce were married. Their marriage ceremony was while Bruce was on Rest and Relaxation time from the Army.

After completing his education, Bruce and Joanne moved around a little, they lived in Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and Cherry Hill, NJ until they finally settled in the Packanack Lake community of Wayne, NJ. It was here that they would live the rest of their lives together, cherish sixty-three years of marriage, and raise their three children. Bruce worked for several different corporations and companies, including Hertz/RCA Corp in New York City where he was a Vice President for 25 years. He was also Director of Computer Resources Dept. at Peat Marwick Financial in Montvale until his retirement in 2001.

The Packanack Lake area of Wayne was a place that Bruce held dear to his heart. He was very devoted to the community. He was on the Board of Trustees at Packanack Lake Community Church of Wayne, was a member of the Angler’s Club and Tennis Club in Packanack as well. Bruce also devoted a lot of his time to the Packanack Lake Athletic Association. Together, Joanne and Bruce enjoyed many aspects of their lake community. Bruce was also very much into sports, he played Rugby at MIT and enjoyed bicycling, tennis, fishing and sailing. He put his love of bicycling to good use. Bruce rode one hundred mile bicycle runs to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis for over fifteen years. His family remembers their yearly vacations in Ocean Park, Maine where Joanne was from originally. He loved to travel and was very fortunate to do quite a bit of it whether it was for his work or with his family. Bruce was extremely dedicated to his work, his family, and his community. He was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed.

Bruce is survived by his wife Joanne (nee Hartley), one daughter Janice Fritsche and her husband Doug of Douglas, AZ; one son Dennis and his wife Marie of Wayne; six grandchildren; Phillip, Catherine, Damon, Elizabeth , Brian and Adam and one great-grandchild; Joanne he was predeceased by his son Gordon Curry in 1978 as well as his brother Larry.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Bruce’s name are asked to consider Packanack Community Church of Wayne, 120 Lake Dr. East, Wayne, NJ 07470

Cathleen M. Donohue, age 67 of Wayne, passed away in the peace of her home on Saturday, May 23, 2015.

A graduate of Cliffside Park High School in 1966, she was a career flight attendant for TWA for 30 years.

Cathy was predeceased by her beloved husband John “Jack” in 2010. They had met through mutual friends and fell for each other right away. They were married in 1972 at St. Catharine’s R.C. Church in Glen Rock and subsequently honeymooned in Acapulco, Mexico. Together they enjoyed thirty seven years like two peas in a pod. They completed each other and were always happiest when they were together.

Cathleen is survived by her two sisters: Joanne and husand Steve Eberhart of Florida and Patricia and husband Kevin Painter of North Carolina; her nephews and nieces: J.P., Tom, and Dan Eberhart, and Michael (Kristi) Painter and Laura (Oakley) Cline; her grand-nephew: Elijah Painter and grand-nieces: Abbi Eberhart and Evelyn Painter; her brother-in-law Michael Donohue of Hawthorne, NJ; sister-in-law Roberta Maguire of Fair Lawn, NJ and three nephews: John (Samantha) Maguire of Bloomingdale, Brian (Courtney) Maguire of Saddle Brook, NJ, and Kevin (Maureen) Maguire of Ridgewood, NJ; grand-nephews Caleb and Declan; grand-niece Reagen, And many other members of the Dorgan and Donohue families.

Cathleen was predeceased by her loving husband Jack, her parents James and Marie Dorgan, her mother-in-law and father-in-law Tom and Mary Donohue, her sister-in-law Sheila Maguire, and her brother-in-law Joseph Maguire.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Cathy’s memory to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

Carmella M. Held, age 94, a resident of Fair Lawn for over eighty-five years, passed peacefully on Friday, May 8, 2015.

Carmella Held’s legacy begins on March 6, 1921 when she born at home in Paterson, New Jersey to Anna and Antonio DeNegri. Carmella and her family moved to Fair Lawn shortly after where she spent her childhood with brothers Fred and Sonny. Growing up, Carmella was very proud of her own father’s success in creating a special metal cloth, now known as metallic silk, and their own Paterson silk mill. Carmella will later go on to tell her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the drapes he made for the White House, the material for Eleanor Roosevelt’s inaugural gown, and the cloth used for the parachutes in World War II.

Carmella attended Hawthorne High School and while in high school, met her true love in a Hackensack candy shop, George William Held. Carmella graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1939 and ahead of her time attended the Nursing School of the then Paterson General Hospital. Carmella was one of twenty-eight women to be a part of the graduating class of the Nursing School of Paterson General Hospital in September of 1942. In December of that same year, shortly after receiving a letter from George stating, “Get the ball rolling,” Carmella and George were married on December 27th, before George was deployed to Europe where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge as part of General Patton’s Third Army.

During the War, Carmella began making a home for herself at the Paterson General Hospital as a nurse. Beginning in obstetrics and eventually making her way to the Emergency Room and then as Assistant Head Nurse, Carmella was loved and respected by all doctors and nurses that worked with her. Her patients were not only well cared for medically, but emotionally as well. Carmella’s sense of humor and love of storytelling was always a part of her nursing care. When George returned from the War, Carmella mothered three children, Patricia Ann, George Anthony and James Frederick. They continued to live in Fair Lawn on Ellis Avenue just as she did in her childhood.

Holidays for Carmella were her favorite time of year. Decorations and festivities for her children, nieces and nephews and eventually her grandchildren were a common occurrence. Carmella also loved the beach and Seaside Park quickly became a second home to Carmella and her family in more ways than one. Swimming in the ocean and sun bathing on the beach were things that Carmella did until she was ninety years old. Those times were always remembered by the amazing stories that Carmella would love to tell.

After working over fifty years for the Wayne General Hospital, Carmella retired and began working as a school nurse in Fair Lawn. Her legacy and love of storytelling lives on through her family. Carmella was the daughter of Antonio and Anna DeNegri and the sister of Frederick and Sonny DeNegri. She is survived by her three children, Patricia Ann Hilsen and her husband Vincent of Cape Coral, FL, George Anthony and his wife Patricia of Wayne, and James Frederick and his wife Paula of Fair Lawn; her grandchildren the late Brandt Hilsen (2004), Jeremy Hilsen and his wife Jenny, Dana Keane and her husband Kris, Nicole Spinelli and her husband Mark, Ryan Held, Elizabeth Held and Nicholas Held; and her great-grandchildren Kevin Keane, Kaitlyn Keane, Mark Spinelli, Jr., Gabriella Spinelli, Francis Spinelli, and Gavin Hilsen.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Immune Deficiency Foundation or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation would be appreciated.

Boyd A. Christie, age 87 of Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, passed peacefully at home on Monday, November 16, 2015.

He was born in Passaic and raised in Paterson having attended grammar and high schools in Paterson. He continued his education at Montclair State College earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies. He went on to receive his Master of Arts Degree in 1963 in Elementary School Administration and Supervision from William Paterson College in Wayne.

Boyd had a forty-one year teaching career beginning with the Oradell Board of Education and finishing his career as a sixth grade Social Studies teacher for the Wayne Board of Education at the George Washington Middle School before retiring in 1991.

He was a true world traveler and enjoyed seeing the world by freighters, luxury cruise ships and friends’ sailboats. Most often these trips were shared with his late twin brother Eber. No matter what vessel, Boyd’s true pleasure was simply being at sea and watching the waves. Boyd made many lifelong friends on his journeys. Boyd’s heart was attached to two special places -- Bermuda and Cape Cod.

Boyd will be remembered as eccentric and lovable with a hairstyle only Albert Einstein could identify with. His unique personality made him a beloved family member to many. He was overwhelmed with invitations for every holiday and shared many yearly traditions with those families.

Boyd was an active member of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in Paterson, the Bergen County Retired Educators Association, Passaic County Retired Educators Association, the NJREA and a counselor at the Aheka Boy Scout Camp.

Boyd was a very philanthropic and selfless person. He sponsored several children in India through the ChildFund International, donated to the Christian Blind Mission, historical preservation societies, conservation groups, and Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky.

Boyd will be missed by his godson Crowell, his many cousins and his multitude of friends.

Those inclined to make a donation in Boyd’s memory are asked to consider ChildFund International (ChildFund.org).

Carmella (nee Geraci) Falzarano age 87 of Wayne passed peacefully at home on Thursday, April 23, 2015.

She was born in Weehawken and lived at 828 Garden Street in Hoboken, which was right down the street from Frank Sinatra. Carmella graduated from Demarest High School with the Class of 1946.

After high school, she worked at the Autographic Register Corporation and the Lipton Tea Corporation both in Hoboken. (take out tea bags)Thereafter, the family moved to 231 Van Buren Street in Lyndhurst in 1958. After the move, Carmella worked at the Tanatex Chemical Corporation in Lyndhurst as a secretary for nineteen years before retiring in 1977.

Carmella met her husband to be through his sister, Anna, on a blind date in the mid 40’s. They married on September 14, 1947, at Saint Anne’s Church in Hoboken. After a honeymoon at Coney Island, New York, they had thirty-five years of a loving, devoted, and caring marriage before John’s passing in 1982.

Two years after John’s passing, Carmella moved to Wayne. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation RC Church in Wayne, taught Sunday School there, and was a member of the church’s Amity Club.

Carmella will be remembered as an avid reader, being patient, compassionate, loving, loyal, and quite stubborn. She enjoyed cooking swimming at Spa 23, but most of all, she will be remembered for how she adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Carmella was the loving wife of the late John Falzarano; devoted daughter of Maria Nigito and her husband Joseph of Wayne; cherished grandmother of Melinda Thiel and her husband Mark of Wayne, Brian Nigito and his wife Stephanie of New York City, and Renee Nigito and her fiancé Alex Carr of Montclair. Finally, she was a devoted great-grandmother of Skylar and Jordan Thiel, and Sean and Ella Nigito.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis TN 38148-0142 would be appreciated.

Benjamin G. Boonstra, age 25 of Wayne, died tragically on Thursday, August 8, 2015. He was a resident of Wayne, living in Packanack Lake.

Ben graduated from Passaic County Technical High School with the class of 2008 and began working at Sicomac Dairy, his family’s business. He was a milkman, delivering milk on a daily route before taking a job two years ago with Brand X-Cavating, driving trucks and moving equipment for them in the Wayne area.

Ever since he was a young boy, Ben loved anything with wheels on it. He was introduced to dirt bikes when he was a young boy and that soon became his passion. He loved going riding with his brother, Brian, at the Englishtown MX track, in Pennsylvania, or right at home on the family farm in Wayne. As his skills improved, he upgraded his bikes. His Yamaha YZ 250 and KTM 500 exc were his favorite rides!

As a young boy Ben enjoyed summer vacations with his family on LBI at the Jersey Shore, and boating on Lake George. Ben enjoyed Lake George so much he continued to go there as a young man with his friends and brother camping at Rogers Rock on a regular basis. Ben surrounded himself with loyal friends who would agree that Ben could always make them laugh with his dry and witty sense of humor. His brother, Brian, was his best friend and they did just about everything together. His family and friends will all miss him dearly.

Ben is survived by his loving parents; Richard and Jill Boonstra of Wayne, his brother Brian of Wayne, his aunt; Dolores Boonstra of Michigan, his uncle; Rudolph Boonstra, Jr. and Andrea of Wyckoff, his aunt; Barbara Moore and her husband David of Midway, Utah, his uncles; Roger Morrison and his wife Andrea of Virginia and Scott Morrison and his wife Lori of Houston, Texas, and his aunt; Jan Ramjerdi of Ringwood. He was predeceased by all of his grandparents.

Friends wishing to make a donation in Ben's memory are asked to consider the Wheelers For The Wounded, P.O. Box 4572, Wayne, NJ 07474, www.wheelersforthewoundednj.org

Beatrice Richman, age 89, of Wayne, died peacefully on Friday, December 18, 2015.

Beatrice was born in the city of brother love – Philadelphia, PA. Living there for two years - just long enough to remember nothing about it, she moved to Atlantic City where she spent the next four or five years of her early childhood. In A.C. she enjoyed being a kid and soaking up the sun and surf at the beach. From there her family moved to Upper Manhattan where she attended George Washington High School, which graduated many famous people, including Henry Kissinger, Rod Carew, and her eventual husband Donald. The high school was also known for its great view of Babe Ruth’s house – Yankee Stadium.

Due to her outstanding academic record, Beatrice graduated high school with the Class of 1943 at the tender age of sixteen. Then Beatrice went to work in the drafting department for Sperry Corporation. Every day she took the train to work and almost every day, running a little on the late side, she would be greeted by a fine young gentleman who would hold the door and greet her. That fine young gentleman was Donald Richman. The two dated for four years, during which time they visited the parks in Manhattan and played tennis together, eventually marrying in 1947.

After marriage, Beatrice and Donald moved to the beautiful post-war development of Fresh Meadow Queens. Donald continued in his career with Hazeltine Corporation, an electronics and color television developer, and Beatrice embarked upon a new career as a homemaker and caring mother of four beautiful children. At home with the kids while Donald was at work, for some reason Donald really didn’t want Beatrice to get her driver’s license. When the family eventually moved to Dix Hills in Long Island, Donald began to participate in occasional car pools to work. Meanwhile, in her quiet, determined way and with her husband’s car sitting in the driveway all day, Beatrice began taking driving lessons – unbeknownst to Donald. All was going great until that one day when Beatrice got involved in a minor fender bender. She tried to get it banged out and painted before he got home but to no avail. It didn’t matter anyway. Donald, being the precise, engineering type that he was, paid close attention to the odometer on the car and knew something was up before said fender bender. Like many bumps along the road of life, this one also smoothed out and their happy marriage relationship was none the worse for wear.

Beatrice was a quiet person who found great joy in raising her children and providing a loving home for them and Donald. In her spare time, she further enriched her life experiences through pursuits that interested her greatly. For one example, she loved to paint and draw. She also found great peace and joy in tending to her gardens. Roses were by far her favorite flower but she had many other varieties in her garden. Basically the flowers she grew had to unconsciously meet one main criterion – they needed to give off a delicious aroma! She was such a floral enthusiast; she once took an approximate 21-hour flight to New Zealand to attend a floral show especially dedicated to the propagation of beautiful roses. In the later 1990’s, after her beloved Donald’s passing in 1993 after 46 years in a loving marriage, Beatrice moved to Wayne. Always hungry for knowledge, it seemed she was always reading something. She found many books in the Wayne Public Library to satisfy that hunger. Her children also have fond memories of cracking the New York Times cross word puzzles with her.

Beatrice’s love for the beach developed in her early days of childhood living in Atlantic City. That love stayed with her and she especially looked forward to visits to her son Steven and his family at their home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She and Donald also visited a number of islands in the Caribbean. She equally loved life in the mountains with a life-highlight being a trip she and Donald took to the Swiss Alps.

Beatrice was easy mannered and gentle natured. Her quiet way could fool you as she certainly had her own opinion about the ways of life, but for the most part, she wisely chose to keep most things to herself. This approach to life is what probably caused those who knew Beatrice to like her so much. She was just nice to be around. You couldn’t help but feel good when you talked with her.

Beatrice is survived by her three dear sons: Mark Richman and wife Connie of Westminster, MD, Steven Alan Richman and wife Colleen of St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands, and David Howard Richman and wife Carol of Ithaca, NY; her dear daughter Sharon Rochelle Richman and partner Alex Shiffer of Ellenville, NY; and eight adored grandchildren: Alisha, Sara, Meredith, Layla, Lennon, Benjamin, Jasmine, and Violet. In addition to her beloved husband Donald, she was predeceased by her brother Julius Greenfield and her sister Anne Nicholas.

Bruno Menegus of Wayne passed on Wednesday, September 23, 2015.

He was born in Paterson and raised in the Lakeview Avenue section of Clifton where he graduated from Clifton High School with the Class of 1943. When Bruno was just two years old he lost his father in a New York City subway accident. His mother was seven months pregnant with his sister Viola, and his older brother David was just four years old. His mom had a huge challenge trying to raise three children on her own during the Great Depression. As a young man Bruno was a hard worker. He picked beans on a local farm, worked as a pin boy at a bowling alley, as a mail boy at Forsman Mills in Passaic, and would clean the floors and make sure there was enough coal in the furnace at a local rug store.

Bruno entered the United States Army at the end of WWII and served from 1945 through 1946, mostly in Italy. For his service he earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged as a Sargent.

Upon returning to the states Bruno went to Fairleigh Dickenson University in Rutherford on the GI Bill. He attended school at night and attained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics with the Class of 1957. During his college years he worked at the National Rubber Corporation in Clifton as a draftsman. After college he worked for the Modern Plastics Machinery Corporation as Chief Engineer and later for the Bomont Corporation as Vice President of Engineering in Totowa before retiring in 1994. After retiring he was a partner in an engineering consulting business for many years.

As a young man Bruno went to the Jersey Shore with a group of eight from Clifton. He met a beautiful girl named Lilyan Smerek in Seaside Heights who was on vacation at the Jersey Shore with a group of eight girls. The gang all hung out on the beach with their portable transistor radio and a driftwood bonfire. Bruno was smitten and drove to South River to visit Lilyan. He met Lilyan’s parents and her father greeted him with “nice to meet you Brown.” “Brown” was German slang for Bruno. The two hit it off so well that if Lilyan and Bruno had an argument Lilyan’s parents would tell her she must be at fault. After asking Lilyan’s father's permission, Bruno asked her to marry him. They wed on June 26, 1948 at Saint Stephens RC Church in South River, and had a two month honeymoon . Lilyan and Bruno have had a wonderful, loving, affectionate, and devoted marriage for sixty-seven years.

Bruno will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, and awesome grandfather. He was a kind, respectful, and loving man who could fix, repair, or help you with just about anything mechanical. He loved golf, racquetball, squash, tennis, and especially skiing. He and Lilyan have traveled all over the world and skied together for over thirty years in Utah, New Mexico, France, Italy, and Austria. In his later years his friends at the Wayne "Y" would lovingly call him “The Warrior” as he just seemed unstoppable on the squash court.

Bruno was the loving husband of Lilyan (Smerek) Menegus; devoted father of Dr. Mark Menegus and his wife Jane of Harrington Park, Donna McLaughlin and her husband John of Verona; cherished grandfather of Bryan and Sara Menegus, and Brittany and Nicole McLaughlin; dear brother of David Menegus and his wife June of Spring Hill, FL, and the late Viola Adamczyk (2002). He leaves behind his nieces and nephew whom he adored. He will truly miss all his buddies at the Wayne Y.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, NJ Chapter, 20 Mercer St., Hackensack, NJ 07601 would be appreciated.

Beverly J. Loughlin, age 78 of Wayne, passed peacefully on Friday, November 6, 2015.

She was born in North Arlington and raised in Lyndhurst. Beverly always remembered her elementary school teacher, Mrs. Capella, who sparked her lifelong love of music when she played a Peer Gynt musical piece. That inspiration lead Beverly to perform in high school and college musicals. Throughout her life, she enjoyed musical theater and the dramatic arts and enjoyed her long time membership at the Paper Mill Playhouse, trips to Broadway and solid reputation as a “movie buff.”

She was the Class of 1954 Valedictorian of Lyndhurst High School and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with an A.A. Degree in Business. Later in life Beverly graduated Summa Cum Laude from William Paterson University in Wayne with a B.A. Degree in Communications.

Beverly was raised by a determined single mother who taught her to be self-sufficient and sustaining. Her mother Frances later married a man named Don Amato who was a very successful barber. He became a loving father figure and would cut Beverly’s hair in the kitchen at home. He was a devoted baseball fan and ignited that love within Beverly making her a passionate New York Yankees fan. She collected baseball memorabilia featuring Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, and Mickey Mantle.

During her high school and college years she was a champion ping-pong player, a talent which seamlessly transitioned into many years of playing tennis. She enjoyed traveling and has been to such places as Cuba, Mexico, Machu Picchu, London, autumn cruises along the east coast, and on a Scandinavian cruise. During her years in Wayne she had fond memories of friends and neighbors getting together and hosting Bridge parties where alcohol and Fondue were additional reasons for the get together. Beverly also enjoyed reading and was a fan of fiction, mysteries, drama, and history. She was a dedicated and loving mother whose support of her daughter Nancy’s running got her the nickname “Marathon Mom.” In recent years Beverly found a great deal of satisfaction as an English tutor at the Wayne Public Library.

Beverly met her future husband, Frank Loughlin, at a party hosted by Frank’s unofficial fraternity, the Poorfellows. Frank was love-struck, but when he asked her out again, Beverly declined. His persistence ultimately paid off, though. They dated through those college years, and, because of their shared love for music and plays, they appeared in a number of school musicals including The Follies! Their director for that show was FDU alumnus Dave Wilson who went on to win an Emmy for his direction of NBC's Saturday Night Live. Frank and Beverly married on Sunday, September 28, 1958 at Sacred Heart Parish in Lyndhurst. Following a honeymoon along the Rappahannock River in Virginia, the couple initially settled in North Arlington where they remained until 1963 when they moved to Wayne.

Her work history includes being a reporter for several newspapers, office manager at the Dallas Music Industries in Haledon, and then as a legal administrator for several northern New Jersey law firms. Beverly was active with the Association of Legal Administrators. She served as the president of that organization, editor and writer for its newsletter, and attended and organized national conferences.

Beverly is survived by her loving daughters, Nancy of Fort Myers, FL, and Laura of North Grafton, MA; two grandchildren, Stephen and Kathryn; her brother, Robert; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Frank in 2013.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne Public Library’s “Friends of the Library” would be greatly appreciated.

Audrey Kuzman (LeMaire) age 95 of Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, formerly of the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, passed Wednesday, January 14, 2015.

She was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. She married an All American Football player from Fordham University who then went on to play for the National Football League. She moved many times in her life; some of the places she lived included: Lakeland, FL, Chapel Hill, NC, Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA, Chicago, IL, Jersey City, NJ, and New Brunswick, NJ. After all that moving around the country Audrey settled in the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne, NJ where she lived for fifty-five years before moving to the Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, NJ in 2009.

Audrey met a young man named John Kuzman when she was dating his college roommate. John took one look at Audrey and was smitten. Audrey and John fell in love and married on September 3, 1941 in New York City. They married the same day John had a big game with Fordham University. During the first years of their marriage they lived all over the country because of John’s professional football career (Chicago Cardinals, San Francisco 49rs, Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Rockets) and his time served as a Lieutenant with the United States Navy. They had a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-seven years until John’s passing in 2008.

After raising her children, Audrey found work as a secretary for the Two Guys from Harrison Department Store in Totowa where she worked as the head cashier for many years. She later worked as a secretary for the AFIA Insurance Company in Clifton and the CIGNA insurance company in Wayne before retiring in 1984.

When it comes to describing Audrey, you have to start with family. Family was everything to her. Throughout her younger years, she was focused on raising her family in a nurturing and loving way. She was always at her children’s functions and made the difficult work of being a mom look easy. As her children grew and lived all over the country, Audrey’s home in Packanack Lake was always the center of operations. Holidays including Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving were always a little extra special here. Her grandchildren have come to know her loving ways having each spent a week or two at grandma’s house. She adored them more than words can describe. She loved animals and was a great family dog sitter. She enjoyed entertaining and whether it was neighbors, swim team parents, or family she was an organized and gracious host.

She was a member of Packanack Lake Fire Company #5’s Ladies Auxiliary, the Packanack Swim Team, and the Packanack Bowling Team throughout her years. She enjoyed varied types of music including Swing, Big Band, and even Rock n Roll. In her 70’s and 80’s, she even took tap dance lessons where she would have dance recitals with children many years younger than herself.

She was the loving wife of the late John Kuzman (2008); loving mother of Rick Kuzman and his wife Dagmar of Cape Cod, MA, Linda Walsh and her husband Mark of Edenton, NC, and Lorri Schmick and her husband Denny of Lancaster, PA; cherished grandmother of five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research JDRF Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, NY, NY 10004 or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ASPCA, 424 East 92nd Street, NY, NY 10128 would be greatly appreciated.

Bernice D. Russell, “Bea” age 91 of Pompton Plains and formerly of the Pines Lake section of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Her loving family was close by her side at the time of her passing.

Born in the Bronx, NY, she was raised in South Paterson and she graduated from Eastside High School with the Class of 1941. After graduating, Bea worked briefly for the telephone company.

Bea was the loving wife of Charles Russell. Like many young couples who married during World War II, their wedding was beautiful but the honeymoon was extremely short because Charlie had to return to service to his country as a member of the U.S. Army, serving in Normandy on D-Day.

After the war, Charlie returned and he and Bea settled into their first home together in South Paterson. They lived there until moving to the Pines Lake section of Wayne in 1957. There, for the most part, they raised their two daughters, Dianne and Joanne. They positively loved Pines Lake because of its wonderful community spirit. They developed many lasting friendships while living there, attending family picnics and parties – including some awesome costume parties, and being members of the Pines Lake Bowling League.

After Bea’s daughters were old enough, she returned to the workplace taking various jobs, the most recent being a payroll clerk with GAF Corporation of Wayne.

When she had free time, Bea especially enjoyed volunteering at Wayne General Hospital, bringing patients a magazine, talking with them, or just helping to cheer them up in whatever way she could. Her grandson Ryan always told everyone that she was the head nurse at the hospital. She also spent as much time as she could down at the Pines Lake Beach, soaking in the sun and socializing with her friends.

Bea and Charlie loved to travel and Bea continued to travel after Charlie passed away in 2000. In 2011, after over fifty years in Pines Lake, Bea moved into her own place at Cedar Crest Village. She continued to travel as long as she could, even driving alone with a friend once to Myrtle Beach when she was in her mid-eighties!

Bea is survived by her two dear daughters: Dianne and husband Robert Higgins and Joanne McCammon, both of Wayne: five cherished grandchildren: Scott, Stacey, Ryan, Kyle and Shea; her adored great-grandson Dylan; and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Charles in 2000 and her sister Rosalie Yakal.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Bea’s name are asked to consider giving to a charity of their choice.

Bea will be laid to rest in the Ramapo Reformed Church Cemetery in Mahwah. This is especially meaningful to her family for two reasons. First: this cemetery is very close to the house where Bea’s ancestors lived for over 150 years – the Goetschius family. This pre-revolutionary house, which dates back to as far as 1713, is known today as the Hopper-Goetschius house and it’s the oldest house in Upper Saddle River. It presently serves as a museum run by the Upper Saddle River Historical Society. Bea’s great-grandfather, Rev. Stephen Goetschius of the Old Stone Church in Upper Saddle River, purchased the home from the Hopper family in 1814. Second, the Ramapo Reformed Church Cemetery is especially meaningful to Bea’s family because her great-grandfather, Rev. Stephen Goetschius is also buried in this cemetery, just to the left of the front of the church.

Barbara A. Porta, age 69, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona, joining her parents Bertha (Beutelspacher) and Ernest Karrer and her sister Diana Thompson. Barbara is survived by her husband James Porta; sister Lillian LaDuca; daughter Maria (Robert) Lorentzen; grand-daughters Kristen and Bethany Lorentzen; and extended family around the country.

Barbara was raised in Bergen County, and was a singer with “The Yavanettes”, a quartet that performed in many Newark and Atlantic City supper clubs in the 1960s. She moved to Tucson in 1975 and was retired from the Tucson International Airport. Barbara enjoyed her retirement, traveling in the US and abroad, and participating in Texas Hold'em Poker tournaments.

Barbara was very cheerful and friendly, and will be remembered for never missing a birthday or anniversary. She will be missed greatly by many, but will remain a beloved memory in our hearts.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Barbara’s name are asked to consider the Calvary Temple, 1111 Preakness Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Barbara Ann Rahuba, age 79 of Wanaque and formerly of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2015.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Barbara grew up in Fair Lawn. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s High School in Paterson then studied further at St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, MD where she earned her B.S. degree in Nursing.

Barbara met her husband Edward Rahuba at a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) social gathering. Their first date was to the movies in Totowa where they saw Marlon Brando star in “The Wild One.” They soon fell in love, and were united in marriage before family and friends on Saturday, November 29, 1958 at St. Anne’s Church in Fair Lawn. They honeymooned in the Poconos and settled into their new life together. Soon after, they made their home in Wayne. It was here that Barbara utilized the skills she learned as a nurse as she settled into the honorable roll of raising and caring for her two sons and three daughters. Life was always busy in the home on the corner of Alps Road and Eleron Place, but Barbara cherished every minute of it and, being extremely organized, no one was more qualified or up to the task than her. Loving and being with her family was truly her greatest passion and she never felt more blessed than when they were all together. Barbara had an unspoken expectation that everyone gathered as a family for dinner and she didn’t prefer leftovers but neither was a problem because everyone enjoyed her great cooking. Vacation and family time were important, whether it was on her beloved Long Beach Island, at Preakness Pool, or on a trip in the Winnebago from Maine to Florida (or the Army Navy game with lifelong friends).

During the 51 years that the Rahubas called Wayne their hometown, Barbara and Ed were parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley Church – in fact they were founding parishioners! Barbara was very active in the church’s life and she and Ed made many life-long friendships. In 2008, they renewed their wedding vow at OLV after 50 years of marriage. Barb attended church every Sunday and she always knew so many people that, without fail, for her, church always went for an hour-and-a-half (or longer) because she ended up speaking to so many people she knew after mass.

Barbara’s sociable flair was not just exercised at church. Her warm and friendly nature helped her make friends wherever she went. Whether she was volunteering at our Lady Of the Valley School when her kids were young, taking a walk around Packanack Lake with friends, helping to organize a fashion show, or engaging in one of her greatest passions – playing bridge, Barbara spread love and touched people’s life wherever she went.

Barbara was serious about that game of bridge! She typically played about three times a week with bridge clubs in Ridgewood as well near the family’s shore home in Long Beach Island. She was an excellent player even achieving the prestigious rank of Gold Life Master. Next to playing bridge, summers down on LBI were one of Barbara’s greatest pleasures. She loved to get out in the sun and enjoy the sound of the surf while reading the latest New York Times best-selling novel. When the weather turned cold in New Jersey, she and Edward gladly escaped to their winter home in Sarasota, FL or traveled internationally on vacations to Germany, Italy, Russia, Denmark, France, Hawaii, and Ireland as well as on many cruises.

Of all the blessings Barbara enjoyed in her life, she always considered the greatest one to be the blessing of family and friends.

Barbara is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Dr. Edward Rahuba; her five children: E. Scott Rahuba of Intervale, NH, Dr. Kim and husband Dr. Greg Stetzel of Branchville, Karen and husband Charlie Verhoog of Wyckoff, Donna and husband Manuel Cancel of Wayne, and Patrick and wife Rosalie Rahuba of Hamburg; seven grandchildren: Billy and Danielle Stetzel, Brianne, Charles, and Christy Verhoog, and Gabrielle and Emma Cancel; and her sister Ellen and husband John Donlevy of Warwick, NY.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Barbara’s name are asked to consider Institutional Advancement, Sherman College of Chiropractic, P.O. Box 1452, Spartanburg, SC 29304 (sherman.edu/donate), or St. Francis Human Concerns (for Food Pantry), 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach Twp., NJ 08008 ( stfranciscenterlbi.org ).

Barbara Ann Trumbour (nee Spizzirri), age 75 of Wayne, died peacefully on Saturday, February 7, 2015. She had been a resident of Paterson and Totowa for most of her life before moving to Wayne in 2004. She worked for the Felsway Corp. in Totowa as an inventory control manager for several years before retiring.

Having grown up in Paterson, she graduated from St. Joseph’s High School with the class of 1956. It was at St. Joseph’s that she met her high school sweetheart John 'Les' Trumbour. The two of them had known each other throughout their school age years and their pictures appear next to each other in their high school yearbook. They were anxious to get married and both very young. They married in 1958 and enjoyed a honeymoon to the island of Haiti. They settled in Echo Glen section of Totowa where they lived for many years. Barbara and Les were together forty eight years, in a loving relationship like the best of friends, not much different than Ralph and Alice Kramden. They visited Atlantic City and the Pocono’s with some regularity, so Barbara could get her hands on a slot machine from time to time. She also enjoyed swimming, fishing and boating, especially at Green Pond, where they spent several summers. Together they spent many winters as ‘snowbirds’ with family and friends going places like Winter Cove park. Then some more at their home in Cape Coral, Florida before John passed in 2000. Thereafter, Barbara moved to the Summerhill community in Wayne where she became known as their social director, hosting parties and the various social events they had there. Barbara also served on the Board of Trustees in the Summerhill apartments.

Barbara is survived by her two daughters; Geri Igler and her husband Gary of Haledon, Christine Trumbour of Woodland Park, one son; Thomas Trumbour and his wife Carolyn of Wayne, three grandchildren; Katie Trumbour, Kirsten and Teresa Igler, one sister; Gerry Stetz of Oak Ridge, NJ, and one brother; Tony Spizzirri and his wife Barbara of North Carolina. Barbara is also survived by several nieces and a nephew. She was predeceased by her husband John in 2000 and by her son John in 2002.

Friends wishing to make a donation in Barbara’s memory are asked to consider the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or visit www.stjude.org.

Barbara A. Gordon (nee Paduano), age 72, of Pompton Lakes, died peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2015.

Born in Jersey City, she was raised in Pompton Lakes where she attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and graduated from Pompton Lakes High School with the Class of 1961.

Barbara met her husband Bill while both worked at a the Valley Fair Supermarket in what was then known as West Paterson. Barbara was a cashier and Bill was a butcher. One day when she was at work, it was a little slow, so the manager of the store told Barbara to take a break from the cash register and go wrap meat in the butcher shop. Barbara and Bill met each other in the meat department and hit it off that night. Soon after, Bill asked Barbara out on a date. The two of them had their first official date on Saturday, November 13, 1960 and the night started out at the Golden Star Diner on Route 46. Barbara was too nervous to eat much. Afterwards they went to the drive-in movie theater in Totowa. They sat in Bills 1958 Buick and didn’t see much of the movie. They had many more dates after that. On numerous occasions, Barbara’s younger brother Johnny went with them and when they were alone, if they lingered too long in the car in front of Barbara’s parents house at the end of the night, Barbara’s father would flick the outdoor lights on and off as if to say, “Get in the house Barbara!” They married on Mother’s Day which was on Sunday, May 13, 1962. The wedding took place at St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Pompton Lakes and a reception followed at the Robin Hood Inn in Clifton. After enjoying their honeymoon in Niagara Falls, they settled into their first apartment in Lyndhurst. Barbara soon gave birth to a healthy boy which they named Anthony. From Lyndhurst, this little family of three moved to Wayne and then to Pompton Lakes in 1975. There, Barbara gave birth to her and Bill’s daughter and Anthony’s sister and named her Michele. Barbara’s life at that point was primarily focused on homemaking and being a great mother to her two children. She ultimately returned to work, this time with Shop Rite Food Stores. She worked part-time, evenings at the store in Ramsey. Barb’s grandmother and her children’s great-grandmother watched Anthony and Michele between that time when Barbara had to leave for work and Bill wasn’t home yet from work. Together, they did what was necessary to make sure all their needs were met and there was money left over for some good times too. Barb worked at Shop Rite for sixteen years, from 1971 to 1987, then she took a job with Kings Food Markets in Mendham as a bookkeeper. She loved her job and the camaraderie with fellow employees and she worked at Kings for twenty-one years, from 1987 to 2008 when illness forced her to retire.

Barb loved being with her family. For many summers you could find the Gordons vacationing down the Jersey shore in Wildwood. She and Bill got to travel a bit too when they were older with favorite destinations being Bermuda and Aruba. One of Barbs favorite pastimes was visiting the Casino – the Hilton in Atlantic City and Mount Airy Lodge in Pennsylvania, and with Bill and her parents, she took occasional trips to Las Vegas. She exclusively played video poker and over the years she had some big hits!

When home, Barbara never missed an episode of her favorite soap opera, Days of Our Lives. She watched it for over fifty years. Her other favorite shows were Law and Order, Criminal Minds, and she was always sharpening her own mind by watching Jeopardy. Barbara and Bill’s home was always a welcome place for her two grandchildren Danielle and Anthony. She adored them! Danielle would come over almost every week for a sleepover. Barb and Danielle would go shopping and get their nails done, and when it was time for sleep, Grandpa Bill always had to find another bed because Danielle was gonna sleep by Grandma Barb! Grandson Anthony lived far away from Barb so she didn’t get to see him as much but she loved him dearly.

Barbara’s faith in God was a foundational part of her life. She was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes where she served as a Eucharistic minister, attending mass almost everyday at 7:30 AM. When her granddaughter Danielle would visit, Barb always shared her faith with her and she found strength in the Lord throughout the last seven years that she was sick. Her family finds comfort in knowing that Barb’s faith has become sight now, as she now sees God face-to-face and that she in His glory, finally freed from her pain.

Barbara was fastidious about her looks. Her nails were always perfectly manicured and polished and she never left the house short of looking perfect. Bill and the kids liked to use the word “quaffed” to describe her.

Surviving is her beloved husband of 52 years, William; her two loving children: Anthony and wife Jeanne Gordon of Flanders, and Michele Marro and companion Jim Donohue of Pompton Lakes; two cherished grandchildren: Danielle Marro and Anthony Gordon; her dear brother John and wife Joy Paduano of Brick; and many dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents: Paul and Dorothy Paduano and her brother Paul Paduano.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Barbara’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (www.stjude.org).