David Henry Smith III, age 93 of Paterson, died on Sunday, April 7, 2024. David was a life-long Patersonian, having resided in the Hillcrest section for nearly his entire life.

He was born on December 9,1930 to David H Smith Jr. and Catherine (nee Prall) Smith in Paterson N.J.

He grew up on Redwood Ave. in a home built by his paternal Grandfather. As a boy the house was filled with extended family because of the depression. His father, always working, supported these family members through the hard times. Dave enjoyed working with horses at a local stable, but couldn’t enter the house until he changed clothes and cleaned up.

Dave attended Paterson Public Schools, graduating from Central High School. He also was a member of Union Avenue Baptist Church, where he met Ada Hausleben, who he would eventually marry and share a life for 72 years.

In 1951 Dave entered the United States Marine Corps, enduring basic training at Parris Island, S.C. After basic training, he was assigned to Cook and Bakers School, and upon completion was assigned to Camp Lejeune, spending the remainder of his time there. While serving in the Corps, he celebrated the birth of a son David P. Smith in 1952. Serving as a Marine would be a source of great pride for his life, often remarking “Once a Marine, always a Marine!!”

Upon discharge Dave went to work for the A&P Tea Co., where he would serve as a store assistant manager. After receiving a business degree from Rutgers University, Dave would be promoted to the Personnel Department. and then to the Purchasing Department in the Paterson Division. He later moved to Corporate Purchasing, where he would complete 45 years until retiring.

Dave and Ada had many great friends, and would enjoy time at the lake, traveling throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. They loved spending time with family, especially their three grandchildren and great grandchild.

Dave and Ada joined Preakness Baptist Church (PBC), where he would sing in the choir and occasionally sing solos. He was very active at PBC and loved his Church family. One of Dave’s loves was country music, often to the chagrin of his loved ones. Dave and his son attended many sporting events together, especially enjoying their time at NY Ranger games, often sitting in the “celebrity section” meeting many NY glitterati.

Dave enjoyed a full life filled with loving family and friends. He was a man of faith and is now embraced in the loving arms of Jesus Christ.

Ivy Alta, age 48, beloved mother, daughter, and loving soul, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

One of seven children born to Teodorico and Rufina Mana-ay, Ivy’s early life began in the Philippines with the tragic passing of her mother Rufina at birth. With seven children to raise on his own, much of Ivy’s strength and character came from the incredible resilience her father Teodorico showed raising his family. 

When Ivy turned 18, she and her family had the opportunity to move to the United States due to her dad’s service as a Philippine Scout during World War II. All veterans of World War II were privileged to be US citizens after their service, so Teodorico took his family in search of the American dream. Teodorico was a man of prayer who always put his children before himself. He worked hard to give them every opportunity to succeed in America and Ivy appreciated and took advantage of that. 

When she first came to America, she worked nights and studied at Passaic County Community College during the day to advance her career as a nurse. She worked at the Oakland Care Center where she eventually became a certified nursing assistant through her hard work and determination. During this time, a friend of hers introduced her to a mutual friend Wilfredo Alta and the two quickly fell in love. They started a family together and were blessed with two children: Kathlyn and Kyle. 

Ivy will be remembered for her love of gardening and her obsession with Chinese and Korean Dramas. She also loved the Korean boyband BTS and any movies or shows that featured Wang Yibo. She loved Wang Yibo so much, she used to drive her kids to a movie theater an hour away in New York as that was the closest place playing his movies! Most of all, Ivy loved spending time with her family. They regularly enjoyed big barbecue’s while listening to her favorite original pinoy music. Ivy was well-known for her beautiful singing and love of karaoke. Ivy’s family and friends will miss her selfless, caring, hardworking and fun nature. 

Ivy is survived by her children Kyle and Kathlyn Alta; and her siblings: Dennie Suresca and family, Eden Sinaon and family, Gertrude Mana-ay, Lorenzo Mana-ay and family, Gemma Mana-ay, and Arnulfo Mana-ay and family. 

William Eng, age 69, of Wayne, NJ, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2024. He was known as Bill among family and friends.

Bill was born to Leon and Sui Yen Eng on April 4th, 1954 in Paterson, NJ.  Leon and Sui Yen raised Bill, along with his two sisters and two brothers, in Paterson and Wayne.  He attended and graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1971.  He continued his education at Rutgers in Newark, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting with the Class of 1975. Bill also received his Certified Public Accounting license.

After graduating from Rutgers, Bill began his accounting career at Price Waterhouse. He then went on to work for Hoffman La-Roche.  Bill spent the majority of his career as an accountant at Becton Dickenson, where he worked for 26 years. He retired at the age of 51 due to health issues.

Bill was a loving father, husband, and friend.  Bill met his wife Sharon when they were both guests at their friend’s wedding, she caught the bouquet and he caught the garter.  They went on to get married in 1982 and had two children, Eric and Jen.  

Many of his hobbies involved spending time with friends and family where he would often make others laugh by his sense of humor.  Bill and Sharon could often be seen cheering in the stands of their children’s sporting events as they were growing up. They would even travel from town to town and overnight for tournaments, making fun family trips.  Bowling was one of Bill’s favorite pastimes. He loved bowling with his friends - many know that he was in a weekly bowling league with the same group for 30 years. He also enjoyed big group trips. Throughout the years, Bill organized many annual ski trips to Vermont and Las Vegas with family and friends. Everyone could always count on him for a friendly game of poker whether he was hosting or joining a game at a friend's place, and continued to play different card games into his later years.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon, his daughter, Jennifer, son, Eric, daughter in law, Meg, and grandson Bryce. He is also survived by his mother Sui Yen, 2 sisters, Emily and Marie, 2 brothers, David and Gordon, and 4 nephews, Christopher, Bryan, Nathan, and Matthew.

Kathleen M. Sheridan, aged 81, of Toms River, NJ, and formerly of Wayne, NJ, and Norwalk, CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving and devoted children.

Kathleen, known to all as "Bonni," was one of four children born to Edward and Marie Pfrang. She had a happy childhood in Jersey City, where she excelled as a student, artist, and baton twirler. While growing up on Columbia Avenue and beyond, she especially cherished her close relationships with her extended family members, including many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

After completing her education at St. Michael's High School, Bonni married her late husband Marty on October 3, 1964, at St. Paul's Church in Princeton, NJ. They had met in high school and had a happy and fulfilling married life for fifty-eight years. After spending some years in Wallington, NJ, they moved to Wayne, NJ, where they raised their three children and established life-long friendships with their neighbors. Bonni and Marty always loved hosting and sharing their home for gatherings with extended family and their many friends. When not managing the household and children, Bonni enjoyed dancing, playing volleyball, decorating, and a part-time career hanging wallpaper with her dear friend, Kathy. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, attending school events, theater and dance performances, sewing costumes for them, and more. Bonni was also an avid conversationalist and storyteller who was always willing to share her knowledge on various topics. She enjoyed learning new things, reading, puzzles, spending time at the Jersey Shore and on the Magothy River in Maryland, garage-saling with friends, and was a formidable opponent when watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune together with others. She was a wise and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend and will be missed and loved forever by all who knew her.

Bonni was predeceased by her loving husband, Marty, her brother, Edward, and her parents, Marie and Edward. She is survived by her son, Marty Sheridan, and his wife, Robin; her daughters, Sue Corb and her husband, Kevin; Kara Keene and her husband, Ben; and her grandchildren, Sam, Jake, Emma, Madeline, Shannon, and David, whom she loved all so very much. She is also survived by her dear sister and best friend, Patricia (Pfrang) Heckel, whom she loved so dearly, and brother, Louis Pfrang, whom she admired greatly for his musical talents, and sister-in-law, Sandy Tracy, and her many nieces and nephews and other extended family that she spoke of often and deeply cherished her time with tremendously.

For those willing to donate in Bonni's memory, please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org.

Mary Cummings, age 88, died on Thursday, March 28, 2024.  She was living at Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, and previously resided on Mayflower Avenue in the Bronx, NY for nearly 70 years.  

Mary was born on October 24, 1935 to Patrick and Margaret (nee Joyce) Cummings.  Six weeks after she was born, Mary’s mother Margaret passed away leaving Patrick a single father of two daughters under the age of 14 months.  With the help of Margaret’s sister Bea and her sister-in-law Celia, Patrick raised his daughters on West 90th Street in Manhattan.  Tragedy struck the girls again when their father died in January of 1952.  They moved from Manhattan to Mayflower Avenue in the Bronx with their Aunt Bea and Uncle Willie.  At the time she moved to the Bronx, Mary was attending Cathedral High School on Lexington and 50th in Manhattan.  Mary continued to commute via trains and buses to Manhattan for the rest of her high school years graduating in June of 1953.  

After graduating, Mary went into nursing earning her RN from Fordham Hospital.  After she earned her nursing degree, she took a job with the City of New York Health Department.  Her original intention was to stay for only two years.  Two years turned into more than 40.  Mary continued with her education and went to night school at Hunter College earning her Bachelor of Science in June of 1963.   In 1972, New York Hospital/Cornell University in conjunction with the New York City Department of Health started a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program – the first in New York City.  Of course, Mary applied and was accepted into the initial class of 15 nurses in the program.  Mary was still not done with her learning.  She eventually enrolled in Long Island University where she earned her Masters in Community Health/Health Management.  

In Mary’s 40+ year career with the New York City Department of Health she held many different roles with increasing responsibilities.  All of them were to help the children and mothers in the Bronx.   Just the week of her passing, she was telling the nurses at the hospital that she only planned on staying in public health for two years but instead never left because she loved it.  The smile on her face was evidence to that.  Of course, that smile was always on her face.   Through all the challenges she had over the last couple of months, she faced them with the same smile.  

Traveling was something that Mary enjoyed tremendously and did frequently.   Her first trip was to Ireland in 1958.  Mary and her sister went to visit their extended family and spent six weeks visiting their parents’ family.    Whether it was a road trip to visit cousins around the country, vacationing with Buddy, Kay and their kids at Shawnee every year, multiple cruises with her good friend Marie, trips to Hawaii (although she still owes Mary and Ricky their graduation trip), the Dominican Republic, or her most recent trip in 2023 to the Outer Banks, she never stopped travelling.  And of course, there were many trips to the casino.  She loved her slot machines!  

Family was the most important thing to Mary.  While she never had children of her own, she treated her sister Kay’s children like her own.  When the kids were younger, Mary would drive out to Wayne once a week to babysit Michael, Mary Geralyn and Ricky so that Buddy and Kay could have a date night.  There were the sleepovers in the Bronx with the pizza bagel bites, the spoon straws, and of course the cream donuts from the local bakery.  Her family also included many cousins that she always kept in touch with.  Mary was the great communicator and kept everyone up to date on the other families.   She was also host to the Christmas parties in the Bronx.  Looking back, it is amazing how many family members she could get into 1270 Mayflower at one time.  And of course, it wasn’t a Christmas party until the fuse blew in the basement.  These family memories are filled with tons of laughter. 

Faith was an important part of Mary’s life.  She was baptized, received her First Communion and was Confirmed at St. Gregory the Great Church on West 90th in Manhattan where her Father was the Sexton  (rumor had it that her father had to stand in as best man for Babe Ruth at his wedding at St. Gregory’s Rector in 1928 because Babe’s chosen Best Man was not Catholic)  When she moved to the Bronx,  St. Benedicts became her Church for the next 70 years.   When she moved to Pompton Plains, she continued to practice her faith at the Chapel in Cedar Crest as well as OLV and St Mary’s.  

Mary is survived by her sister Kay Iapoce, her nephew Michael (Sue) Iapoce, niece Mary Geralyn LaBarre, and nephew Ricky (Sue) Iapoce as well as her great nieces and nephews and her newest great, great nephew!  She also has many cousins and friends who have been very special to her.  She is predeceased by her parents Patrick and Margaret Cummings, her Aunt Bea and Uncle Willie, her brother-in-law Buddy Iapoce, her nephew Ed LaBarre, her great nephew Kyle Iapoce and many beloved Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  

In lieu of flowers, in honor of Mary’s lifetime commitment to children, please consider donating to your favorite children’s charity.  

Bernadette Shea, nearly 101 years old, died peacefully on March 28, 2024 surrounded by her daughters.  She was born on April 30, 1923, to Michael McGinnity and Kathleen (Murphy) McGinnity, and grew up in the Bronx, New York.  She lived a total of 66 years in Wayne, with nearly sixty in the areas of Pines Lake and Manitou.

Bernadette was a woman of faith, family and friends, but really just faith and family, because it didn’t matter if you were blood related or not.  If you were a friend, you were part of her family.  For a woman who told her children, “if you can count your friends on one hand, you’re lucky,” she won the lottery.

A member of St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes for over 70 years, the church was her home away from home as she attended mass daily at 7:30 a.m. It was also the place where she met many of her dearest friends and “extended family members.”  All the priests and deacons meant so much to her, but Father Michael Carnevale and Father John Aherne held a special place in her heart.

One of her most cherished memories was being awarded the St. Francis Medal on her 95th birthday in 2018 in honor of her contribution to the church community.

There was no denying Bernadette was smart. She skipped 2nd grade and was immediately tapped to jump to 4th, but her parents didn’t allow it. She graduated from Cathedral High School for Girls in Manhattan and attended Hunter College, where she majored in German and Chemistry. When she was 17, she went to a New Year’s Eve party at the last minute and met Robert Shea, a senior at Manhattan College. Even though Bernadette said she would have married Bob right after high school, they had to put things on hold due to his Navy deployment and ended up marrying four years later.

They were married for 28 years before Bob’s sudden death left her a widow at 49 with six children; three of whom were still at home.  Ever the warrior, Bernadette went back to school, completed her college degree and secured a job with IBM, retiring when she was 84.  She was such an icon at the company that a limousine brought her to a surprise retirement party, where she was honored with testimonials and gifts, including her favorites, Shalimar perfume and Godiva chocolates.

Bernadette was a great conversationalist and kept up with the latest news, from politics to sports to current events.  She was an ace bridge player, had her own Facebook account, participated in Zoom calls and even taught her eldest daughter how to text.  She loved a party and loved to dance.  When she heard any song with a great beat, whether it was Glenn Miller, Earth, Wind and Fire, or Bruno Mars, she was on the dance floor.

For over a century, she embraced life and lived in gratitude.

Bernadette leaves behind her children, Bonnie (Leon Maes,) Sheila (Bill Ramsay,) Kathy (Phil Carney,) Mary Denise (Nick Verses,) Deborah, and Eileen (Peter Fitzpatrick); grandchildren, Lee Maes, Deborah Charles (Joe,) Sean Ramsay (Heidi Wuttke,) Heather Ramsay Julian (Brett Julian), Jason Verses, (Jackie), Liam Verses, Shea Fitzpatrick (Matt Elander), Murphy Fitzpatrick, and Kelly Fitzpatrick; and great-grandchildren, Ani Kathleen Charles and Thomas Charles; as well as two sisters, Therese McConville and Regina Holland, and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Maureen Smyth and brother Dennis McGinnity.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Mary’s Church   There was no place on earth that was more special to her.

If you are unable to join us for the Funeral Service at the Packanack Community Church, Friday, April 4, 2024 at 11:30 a.m., you are invited to join virtually by clicking on this livestream link: packanackcommunitychurch/streams

Herbert W. Dorfman, aged 88, of Wanaque passed Thursday, March 28, 2024 with the comfort of family by his side.

Herbert was born to David and Ethel Dorfman and graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson, having captained the varsity football team in 1953. He continued his education at Upsala College in East Orange and Trenton State Teacher’s College. During his college years he continued playing football on a semi-professional team.

Herbert began his professional career as a history teacher and football / basketball coach at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes and later at Indian Hills High School in Oakland. Following his teaching career, Herbert worked as a sales trainer and at Lehn & Fink in Montvale. He later rose to the position of Vice-President of Sales. His tenure at Lehn & Fink included a four-year stint in southern California as the Western Sales Manager. Following his corporate career, Herbert opened a small business selling packaging goods. He also became a licensed Baptist minister.

Teacher, coach, businessperson, pastor. Each of those professions offered him the opportunity to be of service to others, and he took advantage of each of those opportunities.  By any measure, he led an extraordinary life and leaves behind a legacy of love and great purpose. He touched many lives and has left an indelible mark on the hearts of many.

Herbert met the love of his life, Marie, while in high school. They were wed in January 1957 and remained married until Marie’s passing in 2020. They had three children, David, Jayne and Douglas. They were grandparents to Michael, Molly, Lindsay and Nicholas and great grandparents to Cohen and Conley.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to The Good Shepherd Mission in Paterson would be greatly appreciated.

Dennis J. Stevens, age 82, of Wayne, NJ and Port Orange, FL, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side, on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Born to parents Jennings Woodrow Stevens and Naomi (Daniels) Stevens in Omaha, Nebraska, Dennis had the sad misfortune of losing his mother when he was just three years old. Dennis spent his childhood in Omaha and also in Jamestown, Kansas where he graduated from Jamestown High School in 1959. His graduating class had ten students and Dennis, with a hint of humorous sincerity, liked to boast that he graduated in the top ten in his class.

After high school, Dennis enlisted in the United States Navy where he served aboard the USS Johnston (DD-821) in the early 1960s and time thereafter in the Navy Reserves. Throughout his entire life, he was always so proud of his military service to the country that he loved so dearly. He would often tell stories about his experiences in the Navy, particularly sailing around Cuba and in the Mediterranean Sea. 

While serving, Dennis’ ship was temporarily docked in Miami Beach, Florida. One night while hanging out at the Serviceman’s Center, a place where servicemen could relax and socialize, he had the good fortune of meeting his bunkmate’s girlfriend Lorraine Parker. That encounter forever changed the course of Dennis and Lorraine’s lives as they quickly took a fancy for one another. Their first date was to the all-day-for-a-dollar movie theater where they did just that……watched movies all day for one dollar. Talk about a cheap date! They soon fell in love and decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Dennis and Lorraine got married on July 31, 1962 at the Miami Women’s Club nearby where Lorraine grew up. The honeymoon had to wait as Dennis was still in the Navy. Their first home was in Quincy, Massachusetts where Dennis was stationed while his ship was in drydock for repair. 

Upon Dennis’ honorable discharge from the Navy and return to civilian life, he took a position with Control Data in Riviera Beach, Florida. At his request, the company transferred him to their California location for some training. He eventually was transferred back to the east coast where he and Lorraine purchased their first home in Clifton, NJ. From there they moved into a house located at 25 Wagaraw Boulevard in Prospect Park. There they raised their three children for the bulk of their upbringing from 1969 to 1985. When it was time to move again, the Stevens family purchased a house in Wayne and called that location home until moving to a lovely house on a lake in Port Orange, Florida in 2010.

Dennis cherished every sunny moment of retirement life in Florida. He trained a bunch of ducks which he dubbed “The Fat Boys” to knock on his door every morning with their beaks. Their reward for knocking was a nice big red Solo cup full of duck feed. Every morning he’d take his dog Pebbles for a walk around the lake. Upon their return Dennis would sit out front to enjoy a cup of black coffee. As he sat there, he’d give a doggie treat to all the other dogs that walked by his house. Sometimes while sitting out there, antique airplanes would fly over his house and he’d say to anyone he was hanging out with, “there goes the Port Orange Air Force.” When it was time for another walk around the lake, he’d go with his buddies and they’d have a good old time. Dennis loved life in Florida for another good reason. Golf. He played frequently with buddies in Port Orange and Daytona Beach and once-a-year with his friend Bill in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Evenings usually consisted of games of Solitaire on his computer, sprinkled in with lots of time watching Fox News, or cheering on the hapless Mets, the New York Giants and his hometown Nebraska Cornhusker football team. He also enjoyed ignoring letters from the HOA regarding his styrofoam cups of plants in his driveway! 

Above all else, nothing was as important to Dennis as his family. He was the most favorite “Pop-Pop” to his six cherished grandchildren and his adored great-grandson. He could often be found engaged in a friendly game of checkers or chess with one of them. When they were just little kids he’d have fun teaching them how to spell words like Mississippi or Alligator. Visits to Pop-Pop in Florida always included walks around that lake so that he could show them off to all his friends and neighbors. Those walks usually ended with a stop into Tim’s Corner, a local dive that served the best breakfast. But even those breakfasts didn’t compare to his dinosaur-shaped and Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes that he served his kids and grandkids over the years. Back home in Jersey, he’d treat the little ones to Jersey Johnny’s in Pequannock for hot dogs. From sporting events to performances and from graduations to weddings, Dennis was there for all of his grandchildren’s milestone moments. He loved times with his own children too. He served as a Cub Scout leader for his son Ken and as a coach for his daughters Denise and Caren’s softball team in Prospect Park. That team was notoriously awful until Dennis took over the coaching duties. That first year he coached, they won the championship. There were other great family memories of weekends and summers up at Greenwood Lake where he’d go fishing with his kids and water skiing.

When one thinks about Dennis, they think about a guy who loved Budweiser and Yuengling beer, was loyal to his dogs (besides Pebbles he also had Prissy, Tinker, and Pepper), was a frugal, sarcastic, kind, comical, sweet-heart of a guy who always had a joke to share – and it was always a clean joke. Dennis: you will be forever loved and cherished by your whole family and your many friends. Rest in peace.   

Dennis was the beloved husband of Lorraine (nee Parker), blessed in marriage for sixty-one years. He was the loving father of: Ken Stevens and wife Donna of East Stroudsburg, PA, Denise Conti and husband Tony of Binghamton, NY, and Caren Scardilli and husband Scott of Wayne; cherished grandfather of: Ryan Stevens and wife Amanda, Daniel Stevens, Matthew Conti, Taylor Scardilli, Christopher Conti, and Dylan Scardilli; adoring great-grandfather of his great-grandson Jackson Stevens, and dear brother of James Stevens and wife Joanne of Omaha, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Dennis’ name are asked to consider:

DAV - Disabled American Veterans 

P.O. Box 14301

Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301

Please make check payable to: DAV – Disabled American Veterans

To donate by phone:  877-647-VETS (8387)

John Marro, age 88, of Wayne NJ passed Tuesday March 26, 2024, with the comfort of his family by his side.

John was born to John and Rose Marro and graduated from Lodi high school having played football and graduating with the class of 1954.

John was a plumber who learned his trade from his dad at a young age working his way up to master plumber status.   He owned his own business, John Marro Plumbing and Heating, retiring in 2002.  He was a proud member of the Tri-borough Master Plumbers Association. They almost banned him from attending monthly meetings because he won the 50-50 raffles so many times.

John was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and recently a great grandfather.  His grandkids enjoyed his silly songs and impromptu sing-alongs.  He was always ready for a good debate on any subject with his siblings and especially his children.   He loved good Italian food, a good cigar, ice-cold Rolling Rock and a classic cowboy western.  He was passionate about keeping up his yard and home and was always willing to help family members with their home projects.  He enjoyed trips to Atlantic City and the west coast, however the trip he spoke the most about was his dream trip to Italy.

John met the love of his life Wilma in high school, and they were married in 1957.  They settled in Wayne, NJ in 1963 and raised three children.   He was predeceased by his wife in 1996.  John leaves behind his daughter Jacqueline and her husband Wayne Potosnak, son John Marro III and his wife Beverly Gosselin and Guy Marro and his wife Annamaria, 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474.

Trinita (Burke) Conway passed away peacefully at home on March 25, 2024.

Trinita was born October 16, 1933, in Chicago to parents Maxine and John Burke.  The oldest of three daughters, she lived there until 1964 when she, husband Vince and their two daughters moved East and settled in the Packanack section of Wayne.  Predeceased by Vince in 2006, Trinita remained in that same home until her death at the age of 90. 

Trinita was a small-town girl from a big city. The move to New Jersey necessitated her first-ever airplane ride and living far away from all of her close-knit family. However, not one to back down from a new adventure, in Packanack Trinita quickly made friends, honed her baking and bowling skills (she once bowled a perfect 300), and discovered golf. She volunteered for carpool driving, school cafeteria duty, cheering chaperone, and as a Girl Scout leader.  She and Vince had wonderful neighbor friends and enjoyed dozens of block parties and crazy-themed progressive dinners. Trinita was such a fun mom.  She loved playing games, especially cards– a trait she shared with her own parents and sisters. She laughed a lot and had a hundred funny sayings. When her grandchildren arrived, Trinita was both young and young-at-heart, and many more good times followed.

Trinita leaves behind her daughters Debbie (Mike) MacMillan, Kathy (Mark) Alperin, and sister Pat (Phil) Partenach, three nephews, and her grandchildren: Lauren, Katie and Megan MacMillan, Mickey, Tracy and Carly Alperin. Trinita was extremely fortunate to also have the most loving and devoted friend and caregiver, Marian Denek. Trinita’s sister Lynnita Mary Smith, and brother-in-law Ray, had previously passed away.

Those wishing to make a charitable donation in Trinita’s memory are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing, 

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis TN 38105-9959 

Kevin W. Vieldhouse, age 62, of Wayne New Jersey passed on Friday, March 22, 2024, with the comfort of family and good friends by his side.

Kevin was born to James Vieldhouse and Marilyn Lehmer and attended Eastern Christian School before transferring to Wayne Valley High School to pursue wrestling and by senior year, he became the Passaic County Champion at 141 pounds. He later graduated in 1979.

After High School, Kevin started his boxing career and went on to win the New Jersey Diamond Gloves, and then turned pro under the tutelage of Lou Duva. Kevin's pro boxing career debuted on 2/15/83 and ended with a record of 10-2-3. Kevin was a local hero at the Ice World Arena in Totowa and had several big bouts in Atlantic City.

From boxing, Kevin went onto the New Jersey State Police Academy and after graduating January 15, 1993 he became a New Jersey State Trooper. From there, Kevin climbed the ranks to the elite T.E.A.M.S Unit, various Narcotics Units and the Organized Crime Bureau. He went on to become the Assistant Unit Head of the Street Gang Unit and the Group Supervisor of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas under the D.E.A Newark Division, before ultimately retiring as a Detective Lieutenant for the New Jersey State Police. After retirement, Kevin continued his work with the D.E.A / H.I.D.T.A Newark Division as a Demand Reduction Specialist.

As impressive as Kevin’s professional and athletic accomplishments were, they pale in comparison to the man he was.

Kevin Vieldhouse was a man of integrity. He was determined and had an incredible work ethic. He was honest, loyal, loving and compassionate. He was a devout Christian who loved God and whose faith never wavered. His courage and strength was an inspiration to everyone. To all who knew him, he was the go-to guy; the one that everyone could always count on to be there for them. His unconditional kindness was balanced by his immense strength that he handled with grace. He walked through life with the peace and honor that only God can provide.

Kevin was a loving and protective husband and an incredible provider. He was a role model, a mentor and a friend to his children. When it came to his family, he was selfless, committed, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. His family was above all else. Kevin is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Caprice (Antonelli), his beloved four children; Stephanie Shepard, Kevin Jr Vieldhouse, Korey Vieldhouse and Carli Jo Koller and her husband Stephen Koller, four grandchildren; Kaden, Jayden, Karter, Zander and baby C (due in May), two sisters; Deborah Vieldhouse and Jodi Zaccone (Michael), and his nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a memorial donation please consider donating to Joan Dancy & PALS Foundation.

Gregg F. Hunziker, age 69, of Lincoln Park passed away peacefully on March 21st, 2024.

Gregg was the first child of Charles (Chuck) and Marie Hunziker born on December 2nd, 1954.  He was raised in Wayne, New Jersey, where he was a member of the 1972 graduating class at Wayne Valley High School.  What started as a love for woodshop class led Gregg to a career in construction and carpentry.

As a young adult Gregg was an adventurer. To say that Gregg liked to have a good time was an understatement. He was always surrounded by friends. He traveled extensively, often by motorcycle, his beloved ‘Red Lady’. There are photo albums full of pictures from their trips across the country, to the Florida Keys, Canada, and many more places. He loved to fish, scuba dive, play softball, camp, and party. His passion for fishing stayed with him throughout the years and he looked forward to his months long trips down the shore to the Island Beach Motor Lodge, his home away from home in room 224.

Gregg married and settled in Lincoln Park, NJ which he was proud to call his home nearly 40 years. It was here that he welcomed his children Gregg and Elyssa. For some a home is just a home but for Gregg the home became a passion, a social hub, and a never ending project. During the summers you could always find Gregg working tirelessly in his vegetable garden, the fruits of which he was eager to share with his family and friends.

Gregg had an open door policy at his house. At any time you could find a group of friends hanging out in his workshop, potting shed, or relaxing by the pool.

Like all his projects and passions Gregg took his role as a father with full vigor. He was always ready to coach a team, have a catch, or go on adventure. While only a father of 2 he was a “second father” to countless others.  He was later blessed with a title that he embraced with immense joy, “Grandfather” by his four grandchildren James, Vivienne, Indigo, and Huck. By his side to the very end was his beloved dog Jeremiah who was a constant companion and shadow in his last years.

Despite illnesses, Gregg continued to persevere for many years. He was a fighter, dubbed the title “Guido the Lion” because of his strength and ability to overcome a plethora of physical limitations. He was inspirational to many around him. His death has left a giant void in the lives of so many and he will be sorely missed. His legacy, however, will continue to live on.

In lieu of flowers, take someone close to you out for dinner and a drink. There is nothing Gregg loved more than being with his family and friends.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Anthony M. Litterini, age 31, of Lake Hopatcong, NJ.

Anthony passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, March 21, 2024.  He was born in Hackensack, NJ and was raised in Fort Lee until his family moved to New City, NY when he was approximately eight years old.  He was one of two children to John and Rose Litterini.

Growing up, Anthony was a spirited young boy whose heart beat to the strum of a guitar and the crack of a baseball bat.  Anthony took guitar lessons at an early age with the legendary multi-instrumental musician Rob Stoner, whose work can be heard on recordings of artists such as Don McLean and Bob Dylan.  While playing baseball for the Clarkstown Little League, he captured a Little League Championship.  Anthony continued with his love and pursuance of sports and music while attending Clarkstown North High School.  As a high school student, he was on the High School Varsity Wrestling Team, and played guitar in several garage bands in his area.  

Following his graduation from Clarkstown North High School with the class of 2011, Anthony enrolled at the Fortis Institute in Wayne, NJ where he earned his Associates Degree and his certification in Security Alarm Systems.  Anthony found employment quickly after gradation with a company called Morris Security Systems in Lake Hopatcong.  As an Alarm System Specialist to Morris Security Systems for a commendable span of eight years, his tenure was marked by an unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of homes and businesses entrusted to their care.  Anthony meticulously installed and maintained alarm systems, instilling peace of mind in countless clients.  

Music was Anthony’s sanctuary; it was a realm where his imagination soared freely and his heart found peace.  Whether it was morning or night, Anthony dedicated himself to crafting music that reflected his innermost feelings. With his guitar, he created melodies and wrote songs that painted vivid pictures, drawing listeners into his imagination. For Anthony, music wasn't just a hobby, it was an essential part of who he was.  His style of playing guitar was both a blend of rock and blues.  He was a true fan of Classic Rock and Blues, one of his favorite artists being Stevie Ray Vaughan.  

Anthony moved to Lake Hopatcong about five years ago and truly loved its atmosphere and surroundings.  Lake Hopatcong wasn't just a place to reside for Anthony, it was a sanctuary where he could immerse himself in the beauty of the outdoors and find peace.  While residing there, he treasured hiking, fishing, and boating with his close friends.

Throughout the years Anthony also cherished attending a variety of music festivals in Greenwood Lake and the surrounding tristate area.  He was also a yearly active participant in SantaCon.  Aside from all of Anthony’s hobbies, talents, and interests, his greatest passion was for his family and friends.  Nothing in the world meant more to Anthony than spending time with those he loved.  He was a very laid back and calm individual who took life as it came to him.  Anthony was a portrait of serenity, embodying a calm, cool, and collected demeanor that remained no matter what life's twists and turns had in store for him.  His ability to maintain perspective and keep a level head in any situation earned him admiration from those around him.  

Anthony will forever be remembered as a loving son, a devoted brother, and cherished grandson.  He touched the lives of everyone around him and will be sincerely missed by all who knew him.

Anthony is survived by his mother Rose Curry and her husband Jeff of Bethel, OH, his father John Litterini and his wife Lisa of Vernon, NJ, his sister Angela Litterini of Columbus, OH, his grandmother Anna Caiazzo of Lakewood, NJ, his step-sister Lizzie Sullivan (Keith & Layla), step-brother Michael LaRosa, two aunts and uncles; Sal and Tess Caiazzo of Wayne, NJ, and Diane and Pete Grieci of Point Pleasant, NJ, his cherished girlfriend Brielle Welch and her children Somi and Joon of Pompton Lakes, NJ, and many cousins and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation in Anthony’s name are asked to consider The Brain Injury Alliance of NJ

Chad Sente, age 51 of Wayne, died tragically on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Chad moved to Wayne with his family fourteen years ago, where he embraced his community and quickly built strong, lasting friendships.

Chad grew up in Lodi, NJ and was born with intense enthusiasm to succeed, and a true zest for life. As a young man, that energy got him in trouble on more than a few occasions, but it didn’t take him long to focus on building a successful career for himself. He began working in the commercial real estate business for Roseland Property Company where he learned every aspect of the business and grew his career for more than twenty years. Just recently he joined KRE Real Estate Group in Jersey City, where he had planned to do even more. He was incredibly motivated and worked hard for everything he achieved.

At 6’-3” tall, Chad was a beast of a guy, but he was all heart and full of love. He was like a big teddy bear who gave the best bear hugs. He was always looking out for everyone else, trying to give people opportunities to succeed, and never missed an opportunity to help a friend or stranger in need. He was one of those people who would say “I got a guy” for just about everything. Chad kept many circles of friends and he was close with all of them. He had his “work” friends, his “Harley-Davidson” friends, his “Wayne Dads” group, and many more. He made friends everywhere he went, and he brought energy that made it all memorable. He especially loved to ride his Harley-Davidson with his motorcycle buddies.

His “why?” included his wife and two sons; he did everything to bring them the best life he could provide, and he never wanted them to struggle for anything. He met his wife Karina when they were just kids growing up in Lodi, but Chad was too much to handle back then! They came together a few years later and married on March 30, 2007, tying the knot on the beach in Cancun, Mexico! After welcoming two sons, Chad embraced being a father and taught his sons about always being respectful of others, well-mannered, and hard working. He was extremely proud of the two boys he was raising with Karina. Together, they enjoyed summer vacations to Lavallette each year, many tropical vacations throughout the Caribbean, boating, and deep-sea fishing. Their hearts are broken today, and they will miss him dearly. Chad extended his love and support throughout his larger family and friends as well. His huge heart and amazing hugs will be missed by so many.

Chad is survived by his beloved wife, Karina (nee Cevallos), their two sons; Chad Michael and Marconi, his brother; Stephen Sente, his loving nieces and nephews, and countless dear friends.

Jannine L. Uhl, born April 9, 1931, passed peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. She will be fondly remembered as a lovely person — generous, and considerate, always putting the needs of others above her own.

Jannine was born to Robert and Harriet Laurence in Teaneck, New Jersey. She spent her summers in Lavallette at the Jersey Shore. A graduate of Teaneck High School, Jannine was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in many clubs and organizations, including French Club (vice president) and student council. She was a great athlete and played softball, basketball, volleyball, and field hockey every year.

Jannine attended Simmons College in Boston and was enrolled in a combined program of business and science, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. It was there that she met the love of her life, an MIT student named Robert “Bob” Uhl, on a blind date. They married shortly after her graduation, on July 11, 1953. Bob joined the United States Air Force, and they moved to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida where she worked as assistant to the administrative manager of Vitro Corporation, an engineering contractor. They then moved to Waltham, MA, where she was executive secretary to the sales manager of Vectron Corporation.

In 1959, Jannine and Bob made their final move as a married couple to Packanack Lake where they raised their three children. Jannine was active in her children’s lives, serving as a Cub Scout den mother and a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader, and she was also a “go-to” volunteer on various school committees. She served as a recording secretary for the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Drug Abuse for Wayne Township. Many people remember her as a sales associate at Meyer Brothers department store in Wayne because she was so competent, helpful, and friendly.

Anyone who ever worked with Jannine, whether at a job, a committee, or a personal project, could not help but recognize that if you needed a job done right, she was the one to go to. She put her golden touch on everything she did. There are probably few people in her life who do not remember getting the most beautiful cards from her. But her family, and especially her grandchildren (to whom she was Mema), loved her mostly for her fun and silly side. Always the good sport, she brought joy and laughter to every occasion.

Jannine loved to travel and did manage to visit most of the sights on her “must see” list. Her favorite places in all the world, though, remained her Packanack community, the Jersey Shore, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Yankee Stadium. She was passionate about her Yankees (DiMaggio was her favorite), was a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and had a deep, deep affection for animals. Along with Bob, Jannine was a volunteer with Homeless Tails, which was Packanack’s non-profit animal welfare organization. She and Bob fostered many animals in their home until they could be placed with their permanent families. However, a few lucky kitties got to stay with her to receive her loving care for life. Her mother often said, “When I die, I hope to come back as a cat in your home!”

Jannine and Bob were married for 57 years until he passed in 2010, and Jannine lived in Packanack Lake for nearly 60 years. She moved to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains in 2017 and recently moved into Mountainview Gardens, where she received skilled and compassionate care.

Of all of Jannine’s life accomplishments, she was most proud of her family. Surviving her are her son, Richard Uhl, his wife Rhea, and sons Christopher and Alexander; her daughter, Christa Ayers, her husband Donald, and children Timothy, Brian, Daniel, and Lauren; her daughter, Erica Garbarini, her husband John, and children John and Laura and her husband Fabian D’Alleman; and her beloved cat Jackie. Also surviving are her brother, Robert Laurence, and his wife Patricia.

Jannine (Mema) will be missed tremendously by all of us and so many others whose lives she touched with her warmth, sincerity, honesty, and humor. Her deepest love was for her family and friends. She often said, “I’ve been blessed with the very best.” The feeling is mutual.  

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In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a memorial donation, please consider one of the following charities:

Lancaster SPCA (an all volunteer animal welfare organization similar to her favorite charity, Homeless Tails) LANCASTER SPCA, PO BOX 3042, LANCASTER, SC 29721

Tunnels to Towers Foundation

Alzheimer's Association

Sharon LaScola, age 77, of Wayne passed suddenly and unexpectedly at home on Monday, March 18, 2024.

She was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Albert and Thelma Nowak.  Her life took a turn when she lost her father when she was just six months old.  Her family moved to Wayne when she was six years old.  Sharon’s mother married Albert Fernicola who served as a father figure to Sharon and raised her as his own. Sharon attended the Preakness School #2 on Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne and went on to graduate from the Wayne High School with the Class of 1964.  Furthering her education, she attended classes at William Paterson College in Wayne.

Sharon worked for the State Farm Insurance Company in Wayne for her entire career and retired as a Superintendent.  During her tenure at State Farm Insurance, she married Mel LaScola and moved to Houston, Texas for a few years.  They returned to Wayne after a few years and Sharon negotiated her job back with State Farm Insurance, including all her years previously served,

Sharon was a devoted member of Our Lady of the Valley Church, where her Catholic faith played a central role in her life. She was also committed to helping others in their faith journey and volunteered with the CCD program at Our Lady of the Valley Church.  For many years Sharon also donated her time and talents to the Our Lady of the Valley Church Festival. Her unwavering faith and dedication to serving her community made her a beloved and respected member of the church and the wider community.  For many years Sharon volunteered at the Wayne Animal Shelter. Her compassionate nature and commitment to her beliefs left a lasting impact on those around her.

Sharon was known for her reliability, dependability, and love of scrapbooking.  Her generous and patient nature made her a belove confidante, always willing to lend a listening ear or a helping hand.  When it came to her four brothers, she wielded hairbrush discipline with love and care, earning the respect and admiration of her siblings.  Sharon’s combination of strength and compassion made her a pillar of support for her family and friends, and her ability to balance discipline with kindness made her an exceptional role model for those around her. Sharon was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and her family roots can be traced to the English settlement of the east coast of North America known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628-1691).

Sharon was the loving sister of Albert Fernicola of Wayne, Alan Fernicola of Wharton, Robert Fernicola of Haskell, and the late Anthony Fernicola. She was the loving aunt of six nieces and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Father English Community Center, 435 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501 or the Wayne Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroad, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be greatly appreciated (donation cards for each organization will be available at the funeral home.

Marie Rymer, age 96, beloved mother, grandmother, and gentle soul, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2024.

One of two children born to Frank and Anna Carnevale, Marie grew up in Paterson, NJ where she went to Central High School. Immediately after High School, Marie got to work in an office setting – a move that would unpredictably lead her to meeting the love of her life.

Marie and Joseph’s love story began unexpectedly through the matchmaking efforts of the office mailman. Realizing his friend Joseph might take an interest in Marie, the mailman facilitated an introduction by having Joe make the daily mail drop-off at Marie’s office one fateful day. The pair instantly hit it off and the love letters began. On Christmas Eve, with the streets filled with celebrants departing from Mass, Joseph seized the perfect romantic moment to propose to Marie right in front of her home’s picture window. She said yes and the couple tied the knot on April 23rd, 1949, at St. Mary’s Church in their hometown. Over the years, Marie and Joseph were blessed with four children: Patty, Joe, Elaine, and Janet. She was the heart of the home while being very involved in her children’s schooling as a class mom and Girl Scout leader.

Marie and Joe had a love for adventure. Surprise road trips to the World’s Fair (8 times!), Palisades Park, and the Jersey Shore, to name a few, were special times they shared with their children. These “mystery rides” they planned were so enjoyed by the kids, along with backyard pool parties during the summer time. The family began their Jersey shore vacations in Ortley Beach, Atlantic City, and Long Beach Island, which ultimately inspired them to purchase a Beach Haven home in 1981.

As their children grew older, their love for travel expanded internationally. Encouraged by their son Joe, they traveled annually to many destinations including England, Scotland, Italy, Morocco, Bermuda, and Hawaii.

Marie and Joe enjoyed a loving partnership of nearly four decades together. Unfortunately, Joe passed away in October of 1987, but their love and devotion never dwindled. Marie, being the strong woman she was, worked hard navigating the ups and downs of life. Her family provided much support and she was forever grateful for the help of Elaine’s husband Richie (d. 2020), as he tackled projects too great for her alone.

A devout parishioner at St. Mary’s Church in her lifelong hometown of Paterson, Marie found one of her greatest passions in life through her involvement in the parish’s Rosary Altar Society. This group of women became like a second family to Marie, bonded by their shared faith and love of travel. She took great pride in helping to organize the Society’s bus trips that took them to destinations on the East Coast and other church fundraising activities. Whether coordinating the logistics or simply enjoying the camaraderie, these excursions allowed Marie’s generous spirit to flourish as she fostered fellowship and forged cherished friendships. Her decades-long dedication to the group was a testament to her values.

Marie was close with all her children. With Patty, they had a unique relationship. They enjoyed watching soap operas, going Christmas shopping, seeing Frank Sinatra in concert, enjoying a cup of tea and good conversation. Elaine and Janet loved spending time with their mother. Whether it be simple daily tasks, special occasions or memorable vacations, Marie always cherished being a part of their growing families. Adventures only continued, as great grandchildren added more blessings to her life.

Marie was the sweetest and kindest person you could meet. She had a heart of gold and it was obvious to everyone she came in contact with. She never displayed anger and more notably, she never complained. She was tough and persevered through all of the challenges life presented her with. She never had a harsh word to say about anyone and she will be dearly missed by all that were blessed enough to have known her.

Marie is survived by her 4 children: Patricia Rymer of Wayne, Joseph Rymer and his wife Jan of Cape May, Elaine Navarro of West Milford, and Janet Fabiano and her husband Bob of Wayne; her 4 grandchildren: Erin Samples and her husband Brian, Lauren Rendine and her husband Luke, Christina Fabiano and her fiancé Chase, and Frankie Fabiano; and her 5 great-grandchildren: Matthew, Adam, Brooke, Hannah, and Ricky.

Marie is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Anna Carnevale, her brother Frank Carnevale and his wife Fran, her brother-in-law Al Rymer and his wife Helen, her nephew Dan Carnevale, her beloved husband Joseph and her cherished son-in-law Richard Navarro (Richie).

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph M. Schweighart, age 93 of Wayne NJ.

Joseph passed away peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2024.  He was born and raised in Passaic, NJ and was the older of two children.  Those who knew Joseph best came to know him simply as “Joe”.  Joe grew up in Northern New Jersey and graduated high school in 1948.  Not long after his high school graduation, Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  Serving in the United States military was something that Joe would often speak of and was extremely proud.  Following his honorable discharge from the US Marine Corps, Joe became a specialized police officer working closely with both the Paterson and Wayne Police Department.  His career as a specialized police officer spanned a period of over 25 years.  

Concurrent with his career as a police officer, Joe was also employed as an engineer for a number of various local industrial companies.  Despite lacking a formal degree beyond high school, Joe possessed a remarkable knack for all things mechanical. He seemed to have an intuitive understanding of gears and circuits, a talent that quickly caught the eye of local companies in need of engineering expertise.  Joe proved himself time and again, earning a reputation as the go-to engineer for troubleshooting and repairing machinery. His unconventional path to becoming an engineer only added to his colleague’s respect in his ability to solve complex problems with a simple, hands-on approach. Joe's story served as a reminder that true expertise isn't always measured by diplomas, but by the ingenuity and dedication one brings to the task at hand.

Joe married as a young man and had three children.  Unfortunately, Joe’s first marriage ended in divorce.  Eventually Joe found solace and renewed love in the embrace of a second chance at happiness through remarriage.  In the late 1970’s Joe was introduced to an attractive woman named Pamela Sturgis.  Pamela’s mom was widowed and occasionally needed help with home maintenance and repairs. Joe was her mom’s handyman and sometimes he was there when Pam came to visit. As a result, Pam and Joe got to know each other.  They hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on Friday May 2, 1980 they became husband and wife by the Mayor of Wayne.  Pam and Joe settled on Dubel Road in Wayne where they enjoyed each other’s love and friendship for almost thirty-six years of marriage until Pam’s passing in February of 2016.

Joe was an avid pistol marksman and was a member of the Riverdale Pistol Club in Riverdale for many years.  In his later years he enjoyed building birdhouses of all types and all sizes.  He was an avid birdwatcher and raising honeybees.  He immersed himself in the art of woodworking.  But Joe's talents extended far beyond the realm of woodworking; he was a virtuoso of repair, able to diagnose and mend any broken machinery or household item that crossed his path.  He would often be found helping his neighbors with their repairs and maintenance.  

Joe had an unconventional way of showing his affection; rather than offering compliments or kind gestures, he teased and poked fun at those he held in high regard. His playful jabs and witty banter were his way of breaking down barriers and forging connections with others. While some may have misunderstood his approach as abrasive or unkind, those who knew him best recognized it as a sign of his genuine fondness and respect. 

Shortly after his wife Pam’s passing, Joe began attending bereavement support groups.  There he met a truly special friend, Colleen Woods, who had recently lost her son.  When he first met Colleen, Joe told her that she would never come back.  Colleen in fact did come back the next week and when she arrived, she brought a small stone with some affectionate writing on it.  This prompted a special friendship and tradition of exchanging small stones.  One week, Joe as a tease, brought a five-pound bag of river stones to Colleen!  

Joe will forever be remembered as a kind and generous man who loved spending time with those he loved.  He was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around him and will be sincerely missed.

Joe is survived by his three children, His brother Donald Schweighart, his dear friend Colleen Woods and her husband David Hornlein of New Milford, NJ, and his confidant Cynthia Murphy of West Milford, NJ.  He was predeceased by his wife of thirty six years Pamela Schweighart in 2016.      

I love you,

Colleen

Stephen “Steve” Silk, age 88 took his final voyage peacefully with his family by his side. Steve was deeply religious and ready to meet the Lord. Jokingly he would say, ‘while he believed in Heaven, he was in no hurry to get there and meet his maker but hoped the good Lord had taken a liking to him’.

Steve’s 63-year romance with his wife Cathy started at the wedding of her brother, Mike. Cathy was a bridesmaid and Steve the best man.  It wasn’t long before Steve proposed, and they married in 1960. They honeymooned in Bermuda and soon after started their family.  Steve grew up on New York’s lower east side and moved to Packanack Lake in 1970.  He remained an avid skier and golfer throughout his life.  In his early years in NYC, he was an exceptional billiard player and bowler and on rare occasions would show off his skills to his grandson.  Steve was a member of Packanack Golf Club for 28 years.  During that time, he served on the golf club board of directors and as president on several occasions.  He has also been a member of the American Legion Post 450 for over 40 years.

Steve served in the Navy aboard the USS Perry from 1955 to 1957.   He especially loved the Navy because the Navy provided an extended family of brothers he never had while growing up. In 1998 he created his ship’s website that launched a wonderful cruise down memory lane.  Within weeks, shipmates found the website and friendships were rekindled. The heart-warming stories of so many of these shipmates truly made founding the Perry Association a truly worthwhile endeavor. Unlikely as it may seem, it even brought together shipmates who served aboard an earlier Perry namesake ship that saw action during the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941.  Although Steve is no longer at the Ships Helm, the Perry Association remains active and is planning its 21st reunion.

Steve’s IT career started in 1960. During his employment with a national NYC based firm.  He was selected to attend IBM’s training school and help the company’s conversion effort to computer-based systems. In 1965, Steve resigned from the firm and with Cathy’s blessing, formed a Computer System’s company that provided services to firms planning to automate or needing supplemental support. 

His work career was a never-ending curve of continuing technology changes and his ability to incorporate these changes across many different industries. Some of his projects included services to the Construction, Publishing and Medical industries as well as the Stock Exchange and several Universities. Steve had a unique ability to quickly understand business problems and provide a solution.  He always considered work fun and described it as a challenging game.  Steve retired in 1996.  Had his personal heart-breaking challenging responsibilities not intervened, Steve would have remained active in his business.

Steve is best described as someone who is always there for anyone in need. His philosophy has always been, ‘happiness is not the absence of problems but our ability to deal with them’. Steve retained a lifetime of friendships with men he bonded with at work, schoolmates, and shipmates with whom he served until these friends were also called to the Lord.

Of all Steve's life's accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. Steve is survived by his loving wife; Catherine, his two daughters Helene Lindstrom & Darlene Donegan (and her husband Joseph), his amazing grandchildren Lane, Lindsay Franco (and her husband Christopher), and Joseph "Joey" Donegan, and great-grandson Carmine.  Steve was predeceased by his son Christopher, granddaughter Brittany, baby brother Joseph and his parents Helen and Stephen.

 In lieu of flowers, those planning on an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to

Valley Hospice

15 Essex Road, Suite 301

Paramus, New Jersey 07652

(201) 291-6300

St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center

575 Woodland Avenue

Madison, New Jersey 07940

Some personal websites providing additional insight about Steve:

www.chrissilk.org  www.brittanyjoy.org

www.downhillracers.net  www.mhrschool.org

www.ussperry.us

Mario C. Morandi age 93 of Lakewood passed away peacefully on Friday, March 8, 2024 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Mario was born in the Bronx, New York the first son of Italian immigrant parents Ernesto and Thersina Morandi who originated in Bergamo, Italy.  Mario graduated from Samuel Gumpers High School.  He enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Korea.  After the army, Mario went to work for Prudential Insurance Company as a sales agent for 34 years before retiring.  Mario moved to Wayne where he lived until moving to Lakewood.  

Mario met Reba Humphrey and married on September 20, 1981.  They have enjoyed 43 years of “Fantastic Loving Marriage” together. For their honeymoon they traveled for a month in Italy and throughout their marriage, traveled the world.  Mario and Reba ran the local food pantry for Christ United Methodist Church for 11 years.  He was a truly spiritual man and gave anyone who was Christian a cross.  Mario was blessed with a warm and genuine extraverted personality that caused him to make friends easily and they in turn wanted to call him friend.

Mario was the loving husband of Reba (nee Humphrey) Morandi; loving father of: Teresa and husband Aaron Tollin of West Milford, Christina Morandi of Ramsey, Cynthia and husband John Losardo of Boonton, grandfather of: Marc and wife Brittany Tollin, Nicole and husband Chris Donovan, Kristie Dischino and husband Kevin, Michelle Scrofani, John and wife Krista Losardo, Megan and wife Nicole Losardo, Samantha Losardo, and 11 great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his brother Remo Morandi, and his son David Hepworth.

For more information about Mario please visit Jersey's Best

George Fattal, age 77 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 7, 2024 with his loving wife at his side.

George was born in Syria and emigrated to America when he was just sixteen years old with a heart full of courage and enthusiasm, and little else in his pockets. He settled in Paterson, NJ and took odd jobs and worked hard to help the rest of his family emigrate to America. 

George had always loved cars and eventually he settled into the automotive industry.  He was a naturally skilled mechanic, the kind of guy who could fix anything. He was like Mr. Gadget who could engineer a solution to just about any mechanical problem. Before his retirement, he owned GCM Auto Group where he successfully bought, sold, and repaired cars and trucks.

In 2003, George’s brother, Edmond, sent Ellen to his lot to buy a vans for her business.  Ellen and George hit it off and were married in January of 2006. George liked to joke that while Ellen didn’t buy a van, she got the whole lot in the form of his heart. George and Ellen had a wonderful loving and supportive relationship. They held hands through his very last breath.

George contracted covid in November of 2020 while in Florida. Thankfully, he was able to receive experimental plasma treatment to help save his life. While it was a long road, George made it his mission to survive and come back to his family. The next three years, George battled health issues due to damage to his lungs from long covid. He fought tirelessly with his wife by his side every step of the way. Even in the final weeks, he elected to go on home hospice care to ensure he could have happy memories of his family and grandkids.

George is survived by his beloved wife Ellen (nee Snyder) of Wayne, four children: Michael Fattal (Patricia), Christina Fattal, Amanda Morgan (Jason), and Alicia Velasquez (John), five grandchildren, a brother; Edmond Fattal (Maribeth), and two sisters: Amal Khawam (Norman), and Edma Chidiak (Pierre). George was predeceased by his brother; Albert Fattal, his father; Michael, and by his mother; Odette Fattal (nee Kerbaji).

Robert James Contrada, age 44 of Hamburg, NJ, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

Rob was employed with Bimbo Bakery since 2020 and he especially enjoyed working part-time on Sundays at Rentals Unlimited in Pequannock.

Rob grew up in Wayne and graduated from Wayne Hills with the class of 1997. After high school, he caddied at the Preakness Country Club which fed right into his love of golf. Rob was also a huge fan of the Minnesota Vikings, the NY METS and the NJ DEVILS.

Rob’s greatest love, beyond any doubt, were his two daughters; Krista and Kaylin. He was a loving and devoted father who did everything he could for his girls.  He was a great cook! The girls especially loved his pepperoni rolls (which he told them were lobster rolls!). He took them to Hershey Park each year, drove them wherever they needed to go, and he shared his love of hockey watching Devil’s games with them on TV as well as bringing them to games. He affectionately referred to them at Krista-bear and Kaylin-bear, and they were the light of his life. Rob lit up every room he walked into with his charismatic personality. He was fun loving, goofy and had made an impact on every life that crossed his path.

Rob is survived by his two daughters: Krista and Kaylin, his parents: Robert and Nancy Contrada of Wayne, two sisters: Danielle Contrada and Jeannine Machanska (Joe), his former wife; Jennifer Glinbizzi, a niece; Brianna and nephew; Joey, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.

John J. McNamara, age 84, a longtime resident of Clifton, and formerly of Passaic, passed away peacefully with loving family by his side, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

The youngest of Joseph and Julia (Conally) McNamara’s four sons, Jack, as he was commonly known, was born and raised in Passaic, NJ.

It was in Passaic that Jack attended and graduated from Pope Pius High School with the Class of 1957. After high school, he began a career in banking and finance where he would remain throughout his entire career. Most recently and most notably, he ascended to the office of Assistant Vice President with Valley National Bank and later Vice President and Marketing Director with Lakeland Bank.

A man whose life was marked by demonstrated service to numerous professional and philanthropic organizations, Jack volunteered his time and offered his expertise in the Passaic County Bankers Association, as a member of the New Jersey Bankers Association Public Relations Committee, as President and Member of the Board of Governors of the American Institute of Banking (A.I.B), as Chairman of the Finance Committee of St. Nicholas R.C. Church, President of the Passaic Jaycees, Director and Chairman of the United Way of Passaic Valley Northern Communities Division, member of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairman of the Inter-Service Club Council of Passaic, member of the Advisory Board and Treasurer of the Salvation Army,

member of the Knights of Columbus and Boy Scouts of America Sustaining Membership Drives Committee, and member of the Little Falls and Butler Rotary Clubs.

In addition to volunteering in all of these endeavors, Jack also served his country in the United States Army.

In his spare time, Jack enjoyed playing golf in his younger years, meticulously tending to his lawn and flower gardens, keeping up with the latest news by reading the newspaper from cover to cover every day, and cheering on any team that was playing the New York Yankees. As a longtime parishioner of St. Nicholas R.C. Church in Passaic and in more recent years at St. Philip R.C. Church in his hometown of Clifton, Jack’s faith was a foundational part of his life, guiding him to be the fine man that he was. 

Jack’s generosity knew no bounds. Just ask his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews what it was like when Uncle Jack showed up for Christmas with literally piles of presents for each of them. He was also known to leave snacks for the mail carrier and the garbage man, and to help his neighbors with anything they’d ask for. And when it came to giving to charity, Jack had a whole host of charitable organizations that were regular recipients of his caring generosity.

Jack had a great sense of humor too. Whenever you saw him, he was always ready to share the latest joke he had recently heard. Jack was a kind man whose life was a blessing to all who had the privilege of having known him.  

Jack was the loving son of his late parents, Joseph and Julia McNamara; dearest brother of the late Joseph McNamara, Eugene and his wife Margaret McNamara of Wayne, and the late Henry McNamara and his wife Joan of Wyckoff; and dear uncle and great uncle of numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great nephews. 

‍

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Jack’s name are asked to consider:

St. JudeChildren’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959 

Henry D’Alberto, 88, of Easton, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey.

Born May 15, 1935, in Easton, he was the son of the late Leondino and Anna (Terenzi) D’Alberto. The son of Italian immigrants, Henry grew up in an Italian neighborhood speaking Italian at home. He loved sports and played baseball and basketball.

Always the student, Henry graduated from Easton High School at the top of his class and was awarded a full academic scholarship to Lafayette College, the first in his family to attend college. Henry graduated from Lafayette in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in metallurgical engineering. He turned down a full academic scholarship for a masters degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and instead went right into the workforce starting his career at Bethlehem Steel.

He joined the United States Army in 1958, where he served as a First Lieutenant. He transitioned to the Army Reserves in 1965 and was promoted to Captain.

An entrepreneur and businessman, Henry entered the investment business in 1960, and went on to found two brokerage firms, Pilgrim Planning Associates, Inc. in 1979 and American Financial Associates, Inc. in 1991. He also owned and operated the historic Hotel Easton from 1983 until the early 1990s.  Henry loved his work, and continued to go into the office until the last years of his life.

Henry met the love of his life Constance Musumeci when he was just 16 years old, they were next door neighbors.  Henry and Connie were married in 1963, and lived in Northern New Jersey, until they moved back to Pennsylvania in 1977.  Henry and his beloved wife Connie were married for 30 beautiful years, and had three children, Jennifer, Henry and Emily. They loved their family vacations to Hilton Head and Daufuskie Island, as well as Easters in Disney World.  Connie passed away in 1993 at 52 years old.

Henry later married Anne Portlock in 2002. They enjoyed traveling together, including their winters in Florida, volunteering at the PGA Tour Honda Classic and spending time with family and friends.

Henry was a devoted father, husband and grandfather. He loved food, politics, movies, reading, traveling and sports – especially watching the Philadelphia Eagles with his grandsons. An avid golfer, nothing gave him more joy than playing golf with his son, Henry. In the last years of his life he could often be found binge watching the latest series on Netflix.

Henry was an active member of the community, he was a member of the Lions Club of Easton, he supported Meals On Wheels, Wounded Warriors, American Cancer Society, among others.

Henry is survived by his children, Jennifer Kavensky, Henry D’Alberto, Emily Batelli and her husband Mario. He is survived by his grandchildren and great grandchild, Constance Kavensky, Emily Morgan and her husband Nathan and their daughter Gia Grace, Sophia Kavensky, Michael Batelli and Marco Batelli. In addition to his wife Anne, Henry is survived by his stepchildren Scott Portlock and his wife Jessica, Marc Portlock and his wife Courtney, and Laura Portlock, and his step grandchildren, Marc Portlock, Taylor Portlock and Lydia Portlock.

Mercedes M. Perez, age 92, of West New York, NJ, passed with the comfort of family around her on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

Mercedes was born in Havana, Cuba to Tomas and Andrea Hernandez. She was the first of 5 children. Mercedes met the love of her life Adalberto Perez in Havana, Cuba, where they got married and had their beautiful daughter Ada Perez. Adalberto wanted a better life for his family, so they made their way to America and started a new chapter in their life in West New York, NJ.

Mercedes led a life filled with joy, love, devotion to her family and a passion for many things. She was a phenomenal cook, always having a plate ready for any guest that came through the door. She was known for her exceptional talent in the kitchen, as her skills were incomparable, even at the age of 92. Her delicious recipes and traditional Cuban dishes brought people together and created lasting memories. To her, cooking was more than just nourishment; it was a way of expressing her love and care for her family and friends. Her sense of humor was the source of laughter of every family gathering. Not only was she skilled in the kitchen, but she also had a remarkable talent for sewing, and took great pride in her sewing machine.  Music and dancing were two passions that truly fueled Mercedes soul. She had an infectious rhythm that could light up any room with joy.

Family was of utmost importance to Mercedes, and spending time with her loved ones brought her immense happiness. Whether it was gathering for holiday celebrations, family dinners, or simply enjoying each other's company, she deeply cherished these moments. She created a loving and nurturing environment where memories were created and bonds were strengthened.

Mercedes Perez’ warm smile, kind heart, and remarkable talents will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, family values, and determination.

She is survived by her loving family, including her daughter, Ada Perez, Grandchildren, Adaliz Gomez, Idilio Gomez, Julian Gomez and granddaughter in law, Stefanie Vasiljevic.

Mercedes Perez may have left this earthly realm, but her spirit will forever remain in our hearts. May her soul find eternal peace.

Alice Salvaggio age 85 of Wayne, passed away peacefully in her home Sunday March 3, 2024.

Alice was born in Lodi May 31, 1938 to Olimpio and Laurinda Soares. Alice graduated from Lodi High School where she was Lead Majorette and also a member of the concert choir, drama club, Spanish and vocational clubs. While participating in the drama club she performed in many plays. While a high school senior She won the Miss Greater Lodi Contest. She later went on to place 3rd in the Miss New Jersey Contest.

After graduation Alice went on to become a very accomplished singer and dancer. Her passion led her to perform in Canada, Vegas, Miami, Atlantic City, and many cruise ships. She was also an actress in multiple off-Broadway plays.

Alice was a saleswoman for Yellow Pages for many years. Later in life she worked for the Wayne school system, serving school lunches to the students, and caring for the children in aftercare.

Alice was a selfless, kind, loving, compassionate woman. She will always be remembered for her amazing sense of humor and off-the-cuff comments. She loved cooking, baking, thrifting, crafting, and shopping for gifts. She also loved going to the beach, laying by the pool, and visiting Atlantic City from time to time. More than anything she loved her family and friends. They were the joy of her life. She was so giving that even during the stress of the holidays she would bake cookies to bring to her doctors and even her mechanic.

Alice met the love of her life Steve while performing with the band Mario and the Flips, where Steve was the bass player. They quickly fell in love and were married October 12, 1958, at St. Joseph’s R.C. in Lodi. They moved to a home in Passaic where their family grew by two with the birth of their two daughters Lauraine and Lisa.  Years later they decided to buy a house in Paterson that they could call home for the rest of their lives together.

Alice’s love for her family outweighed everything else in her life. She was proud of her family, and it brought so much joy to her to see her great-granddaughter Meadow.

She is survived by her daughters Lauraine Esposito and husband Joseph and Lisa Prince and husband Stephen; her grandchildren Ashley Esposito, Natalie Santonello and husband Brian, Melanie Funabashi and husband Matthew, Jessica Prince, Stephen Prince, and Joseph Esposito, and her great-granddaughter Meadow Rae Funabashi.

Juliet Wusthoff, age 79, of Wayne, NJ, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

We are sad to announce the passing of John Ciffo, age 78, of West Milford, NJ. He left us on March 1, 2024.

John was born to Michael and Fannie Ciffo at St. Mary's General Hospital in Passaic and was raised in Garfield. He graduated from Garfield High School where he played baseball and was the 3rd basemen during his high school years with the class of 1963. John continued his education at The State University of New York at Courtland and then transferred to Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with the Class of 1967. Alongside him was his best friend to this day, Ed Gola, who also attended both institutions where they partook in many adventures together!  John would then go on to receive his Masters Degree in Educational Administration from William Paterson University in Wayne.

John began his career as a teacher at the Memorial Elementary School in Maywood.  As he continued to inspire and educate his students, he was eventually promoted to the Maywood Avenue School where he taught middle school math for most of his teaching career.  John was extremely dedicated to helping his students understand and excel in math and his passion for teaching was evident in his work. His commitment to his students and his leadership skills did not go unnoticed, and he was ultimately appointed as the Assistant Principal for the Maywood Avenue School. Through his career, John’s impact on the education system and his students was profound, and his dedication to his students and the school community was unwavering through his retirement in 2007. Many of his former students will remember him teaching a mathematics game called “Krypto” to help inspire their math skills. In fact, many of his former students over the years have reached out and shared with him how they use the game in their own way to inspire their own students.  John knew how to make Math fun and engaging and was remembered by many as an educator and mentor who made a real difference in more ways than one.

John will be remembered as a remarkable individual, known for his fun, social nature and boundless energy.  He loved sports and was a devoted baseball fan cheering on the Yankees, was a devoted Clemson Tigers football fan, and supported his grandchildren at their various sports activities. John played golf every week up until he was limited to do so. Always on the move, he never shied away from new experiences and adventures...he had a genuine love of life.  Despite his active lifestyle, John possessed a remarkable patience and laid-back demeanor, always remaining calm and composed.  His dedication to his family was unwavering, and he was known for being reliable, supportive and was the most devoted father, grandfather and husband that one could ever ask for.  John was the kind of person who would drop everything to be there for you in times of need, reflecting his compassionated nature.  His presence would bring comfort and reassurance, and his willingness to go above and beyond for those he cared about made him a cherished and invaluable friend.

John met his wife, Gale Puzio, at a cocktail lounge on River Road in Garfield.  Although they both graduated from Garfield High, they barely knew each other during their high school years.  Their first date was to a beautiful dinner at The Bethwood in Totowa.  They fell in love and married on October 3, 1970, at the Mount Virgin Church in Garfield.  John and Gale have had a loving and devoted marriage of fifty-four wonderful years together.  John is survived by his wife, Gale; his daughter Carey; his son Brian and daughter-in-law, Michelle; and his three grandchildren Hannah, Bryce and Emily. John was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Fannie and his brother, Tommy. John will be greatly missed by many.

Rosemarie Williams nee Wills, age 95, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2024.

Rosemarie was born in Scranton, PA to Richard & Mary Wills.  She was the 5th of 9 children so there was never a dull moment in her childhood.  She eventually got a job at First National Bank, in Paterson, as a teller and subsequently moved to New Jersey, living with her sister, Millie and brother-in-law.  Either by chance or fate, Rosemarie met a gentleman living right next door named Robert Williams.  Bob, as he was better known, was only on leave from the United States Navy for a short time.  The two quickly fell in love and before Bob returned to base, he & Rosemarie were married at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Paterson, NJ on January 5, 1951.  Their marriage lasted a remarkable 73 years before Rosemarie’s passing.

Once Bob was discharged from the Navy, he and Rosemarie moved into an apartment in Paterson where their family grew by one with the birth of their daughter, Barbara.  With their family expanding, the couple decided to buy a house in Wayne that they would call home for the rest of their lives together.  Shortly thereafter, they were blessed with another child, Robert.

Rosemarie will be remembered for her patience, kind heart, loving personality and her good sense of humor.

Before starting her family, Rosemarie worked as a bank teller for many years in Paterson and Wayne.  While her children were still in school, Rosemarie worked at Anthony Wayne Jr. High serving school lunches to the students.  Rosemarie  then went on to work for the Foundation for the Handicapped in Wayne as a Floor Supervisor.  Her stay there spanned 15 years.

She was an animal lover raising two dogs: Taffy 1 & Taffy 2, before owning two cats: Trevor & Boots.  Rosemarie was also blessed with “The Wills’ Family Sweet Tooth”, that manifested itself in a love for cake, cookies, pastries and candy.

Rosemarie loved to travel with Bob and their friends and also their granddaughter, Cristy making frequent trips out to the peaceful rolling hills of Lancaster, PA (with fresh ice cream and candy at the Amish farms along the way).

Rosemarie’s love for her family outweighed everything else in her life.  She was proud of her family and it brought so much joy to her heart to see her great-granddaughter, Ava.  Rosemarie had a passion for the piano that she was passing down to Ava so that one day she would play as well.

Rosemarie is survived by her husband, Bob, her children: Barbara Hamilton (Brian) and son Robert Jay (Debbie), her granddaughter, Cristy Lynn Testino (Peter) and her great-granddaughter Ava Rosemarie.  She is predeceased by her parents, Richard and Mary Wills, her six brothers,: Richard Verdun, Frederick (Bubs), James, John (Chick), Harold and Gerald (Pete), and two sisters: Mildred (Millie) Scialpi and Helene Balon.

In lieu of flowers, the Williams family asks for memorial contributions in Rosemarie’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.\

Thomas James Mulraney, 82, of Wayne passed away on Thursday, February 29, 2024 following an unexpected accident on Monday, February 26th. He was surrounded by his family.

Thomas was born on October 27, 1941 in Rhyl/Prestatyn, Wales, United Kingdom to Thomas and Ethel Mulraney (née Warburton). His mother and sisters had evacuated from Liverpool, England to Wales during the Blitz of WWII. He was the fifth of seven children and

the only son. Thomas grew up in Liverpool (Speake), England and attended Riversdale Technical College, where he studied Electrical Engineering. Throughout his youth he played rugby, soccer (football), and enjoyed fishing trips to Ireland.

Thomas spent time in Africa and worked throughout the world before coming to the United States in 1968 for a “short visit” to see his sister.  Soon after arriving, he met Janette McMullan of Yonkers, New York, through mutual friends and those plans were forever changed. They enjoyed spending time at Sherwood Island State Park and were married on November 1, 1970 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Scarsdale, New York. Thomas’s career as an engineer led him to start his own successful pneumatic tube system business. Thomas and Janette had four children: Elizabeth, Patricia, Thomas, and Meghan. They also had four grandchildren: Emily, Jack, Dallas, and Caden. Thomas and Janette were married for 53 years and were inseparable.

Thomas is survived his wife, Janette, daughter, Patricia Kaminski (Marc), son, Thomas Mulraney II, daughter, Meghan Mulraney, and grandsons he absolutely adores, Jack, Dallas, and Caden Kaminski. He loved the outdoors, music, art, his garden, and his birds. He was active, energetic, loved life, and could fix anything. Thomas attended St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Pompton Lakes. He was a doting and loving husband, beloved father, and proud grandfather. He was adored by his family and those who knew him, and will forever be missed.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Spiro Stilianessis, age 93, of Wayne, NJ.

Spiro passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 while receiving the loving care of his wife and beloved Pomeranian. He was born and raised on the island of Kefalonia, Greece and was one of nine children to Panayotis and Amalia Stilianessis. Spiro's journey through life took an unusual path from the very start. At the age of six he began working for his family on their lands and tending to the herds. As the years unfolded, his ambition to build a better life for himself and his family led him to working as a server in the port of Piraeus, and later as a chef on merchant marine vessels. He spent ten years on the ships, traveling the globe extensively and exposing himself to many different cultures.

Despite leaving school at age six, Spiro displayed an extraordinary desire to progress despite his lack of formal education, teaching himself to read and write fluently in Greek. In 1959, Spiro, in search of a better life and the “American Dream,” jumped ship, immigrating to the United States. Upon arriving in America, he settled in New York City. After a short time, Spiro moved across the Hudson River to the town of Bayonne where he realized his entrepreneurial dreams by founding Spiro’s Lunch Truck which he owned and operated for many years. In 1978, Spiro expanded his entrepreneurial vision, by establishing with his brother Jerry, and sister Lily, the King George Diner in Wayne, NJ. Spiro and his brother Jerry devoted their lives to operating the diner, creating a landmark in the community, and producing a welcoming atmosphere cherished by their customers. Spiro and his brother treasured and nurtured their business for more than three decades until selling the diner in 2010.

In April of 1973, Spiro traveled to Athens, Greece with his two children Fran and Peter from a previous marriage and was introduced, by family and friends, to Yiota Miaritis, a lovely woman raised in the mountains of central Greece. As fate would have it, the two instantly connected, however, only three days after being introduced, Spiro and his children had to return to the United States leaving his newfound love behind. Over the next several months, Spiro wrote nearly one hundred letters to Yiota. In 1974, Yiota followed Spiro to the US and on October 13, 1974, the two exchanged wedding vows and became husband and wife at Evangelismos Greek Orthodox church in Jersey City, NJ.      

After getting married, the newlyweds lived in Bayonne for several years. While residing there, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, George, and their 2nd son Jerry was born soon after they moved to Wayne Township, where they raised the boys and have lived ever since. Spiro’s joy and purpose were his work. From a young age, Spiro exemplified an exceptional work ethic. He demonstrated unwavering diligence and dedication in everything he did, which was admired by many that knew him.  

When Spiro did have spare time, he enjoyed reading, watching Greek television shows, and movies, particularly Westerns. He also took great pleasure in gardening and landscaping his property. Aside from all of Spiro’s talents, hobbies, and interests, his greatest passion in life was for his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Spiro than providing for and spending time with his wife, his children, and his precious Pomeranians, Puffy and Jack, who truly were his best friends. Spiro and Yiota cherished nearly fifty years of loving and loyal marriage together. Spiro was not only devoted to his family, but also to his Greek Orthodox Faith. He and his family were members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton, NJ for decades.

In 1997, after working 7 days a week for nearly his entire professional life, Spiro experienced an acute health challenge resulting in a triple bypass heart surgery. This led to the realization that his personal health and well-being needed attention, so he began summering in Greece for a few months a year. Following his retirement, he and his wife would spend even more time at their home in Lagonissi, Greece where they created many beautiful memories with friends and family.

Spiro was a devoted husband and father that loved his family deeply. He had an infectious personality and could get everyone around him laughing with his often off-color humor. He was a special person who touched the lives of so many around him. He will be sincerely missed by his friends, family, and his community.

Spiro is survived by his wife Yiota Stilianessis of Wayne, NJ, his son George Stilianessis and his wife Michelle of Los Angeles, CA and his son Jerry Stilianessis and his wife Sophie of Topanga, CA, one daughter Fran Stilianessis of Alberta, Canada, one brother Jerry Stilianessis and his wife Mary-Ellen of North Haledon, NJ, two sisters; Nikki Cogdell of Deerfield Beach, FL, and Cornelia Pefani of Athens, Greece, four grandchildren; Lucas Roland, Nick Roland, Spyridon Stilianessis, and Gia Marie Stilianessis. He is also survived by his wife’s family whom he truly loved and called his own, and by his precious Pomeranian Jack. He was predeceased by his son Peter Stilianessis (2008), his siblings; Phillipo Stilianessis, Voula Tarazi, Maria Oster, Dimitri Stilianessis, and Lily Markham; and his Pomeranian Puffy.

Arthur William Van Decker, age 79, of Wayne, passed peacefully at home.

He was born in Sea Isle City, NJ to Arthur and Yolanda Van Decker and raised in Clifton. He graduated from Clifton High School, where he was President of the Honor Society, with the Class of 1962. He continued his education at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark where he was on the Dean’s List and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering with the Class of 1966.

Art’s work history began when he was just fourteen years old as a golf caddy at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton.  After college he worked at the Arrow Group in Wanaque as an Engineer where he worked his way through the corporate ladder to Vice President.  He went on to found Bolton Enterprises in Wayne in 1990, a distribution and sales company that he operated up until his passing.

Arthur met Patricia Shea through friends at Greenwood Lake.  After a first date to Rutt’s Hut in Clifton and a three year courtship Art proposed marriage while at Pat’s mother’s home in Bloomfield. 

Arthur was a man who embodied love, kindness, and a good heart.  He is known as a pop pop to his grandchildren, and they adore him for his loving, amazing strength and caring nature.  He was a strong-willed caretaker, always looking out for the well-being of others and making sure they were taken care of.  He was a hard-working individual who always went above and beyond in everything he did.  Most of all Arthur was the boss and left little doubt about it.  Leading with compassion and understanding, making sure everyone felt loved and supported.  He was a truly remarkable man who is going to be missed by all who knew him. 

He was the loving husband of fifty-eight years to Patricia (nee Shea) Van Decker; loving father of Diana Byrne and her husband Kevin of Montclair, Debbie Nouri and her husband John of Franklin Lakes, and Michelle Gettings and her fiancé Greg Woods of Essex Fells; he was the cherished grandfather of Kevin John Byrne, Ryan Arthur Byrne, Patricia Byrne, Gwenyth Gettings, John Nouri, and Dylan Nouri; he was the loved brother of Connie Van Decker of Little Falls, Judy Gumkowski and her husband Cliff of Montclair, John Van Decker and his wife Patti of Mantoloking, and the late Yolanda Nick (d. 1997). 

Those wishing to make a donate in Art's name are asked to consider the The American Heart Association &American Stroke Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Jacqueline Limite, 75, of Wayne passed peacefully on February 25, 2024. She was born in Jersey City, raised in Hoboken and Bloomfield NJ to Frank and Teresa Visceglie. Jacki graduated with a cosmetology license and soon after proudly opened up her own hair salon Ultima East. After many years, she opted to close the shop but continued doing hair out of her home for close family and friends. Jacki worked at Astro Bowl for many years doing what she loved until the bowling alley closed down. She finished her career working in the legal field up until September 2023 when she retired.

Jacki met the love of her life Robert and married in November 1969. They started their lives in Clifton, NJ, until they moved to Wayne where they raised 3 children, Robert, Cheryl and Michelle.

Jacki was predeceased by her loving husband Robert in 1984, her parents Frank and Teresa, her niece Nicole Burbidge, her grandson Vincent LaMorges and brother in law Jerry Wyman. She is survived by her 3 children. Robert & Nancy Limite, Cheryl & Dan LaMorges and Michelle Limite. She was the loving sister of Camille (Bob) Burbidge and Terry Wyman. She was a devoted grandmother to her 6 grandchildren. Robert and Eliza Limite, Tyler Walther & Gianna LaMorges, and Kyle & Collin Poirier. Also surviving are her nieces and nephew, Joseph, Tara and Danielle along with 7 great nieces and nephews.

Jacki’s joy was hosting holidays and many family get-togethers in her home. Alongside her mother for many years, they had enjoyed cooking and baking. You would always find family favorites of homemade pizza and onion pie on the table. Jacki would host the 7 fish Christmas Eve dinner every year where you never knew when the last course was coming. She enjoyed making pignoli, sfogliatelle and rainbow cookies for her family.

Jacki always made sure she attended every birthday, school event, graduation and sporting event for all her grandchildren. They were her pride and joy.

Jacki was a Dallas Cowboy fan and never missed watching the games on TV. She was also an avid bowler her whole life, competing on many teams and traveling to many places including Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She also liked taking trips to Atlantic City with her cousin and friends gambling and enjoying many shows.

Ya think??

Andrea Jane (Gray) Morante, age 48, died suddenly in her home in Wayne, NJ on February 25, 2024.

Following her family's emigration from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Andrea was born in Coventry, England on August 11, 1975.  In 1979, Andrea and her family immigrated from Coventry to Parsippany, NJ where they started their life in the U.S. at Park Lake Village amongst loving family and an extensive cast of characters.  She was the cherished daughter of Andrew and Rose Gray, devoted wife to Tom Morante and loving mother to their children Eva Morante and Rachel Morante, loyal sister to Mark Gray and his wife Lorie K. Smith, and beloved aunt to Mark and Lorie’s son Liam Gray.  Andrea was also adored by her father in law and mother in law Peter and Jane Morante, brother in law Chris Morante along with his wife Robin Morante and their son Michael Morante.  Andrea was very much loved by her extended family and numerous friends, especially her aunts, uncles and cousins.  

Andrea attended Parsippany, NJ public schools and graduated from Parsippany High School in 1993.  A highly accomplished and well-rounded student, Andrea was a member of the National Honors Society and played on the field hockey, basketball, track & field, and softball teams for the high school.  She continued her education at Bentley College in Waltham, MA where she continued to thrive including a semester studying abroad at Cambridge in England followed by a backpacking trek around Western Europe.  During her time in college, Andrea made life-long friends, was a passionate member of Bentley’s Women's Rugby Team and was inducted into numerous honors societies.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Accounting from Bentley in 1997.

After graduating college, Andrea joined then-prestigious public accounting firm Arthur Andersen in Boston, MA, earned her certified public accountant license in Massachusetts and later transferred to the company's office in Stamford, CT.  During her time in public accounting, Andrea formed great friendships with her teammates while primarily covering clients in the high tech and medical industries.  Following the unprecedented (and unwarranted?) demise of Arthur Andersen after the Enron scandal, she joined Diageo in Norwalk, CT as a director of financial planning & analysis until the time of her oldest daughter's (Eva) birth in 2005.  She later worked part-time at Ready, Set, Grow Preschool in Wayne, NJ where she was an adored and invaluable preschool instructor before departing in 2020.  Andrea was proud to have earned her U.S. citizenship during her adult life.

It is impossible to overstate the love, care and effort Andrea put into anything and everything involving her family and friends.  She was the most reliable and dependable person known to her family and friends and willingly took on tasks and responsibilities for the benefit of the group, always with a smile on her face and hugs for everyone.  Andrea loved gatherings with family and friends, large or small.  By the end of each get-together she always seemed to make new friends while strengthening the relationships with everyone she knew. 

Andrea was a beloved member of her neighborhood, local schools and community.  She was an active member of the Wayne PTOs at Theunis Dey Elementary School and Schuyler Colfax Middle School along with the Moms Club of Wayne and, more recently, a volunteer at Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) competitions at Saddle Ridge Riding Center in Franklin Lakes, NJ where her daughter Rachel rides and is a member of the IEA team.  A self-taught cook (with tips early on from cooking shows), Andrea took joy in bringing delicious goodies to every gathering she attended, which were always well received.  An avid and loyal sports fan, she cheered for her local teams especially the legendary NY Yankees and NY Jets (who rarely gave her anything to cheer about) and good-heartedly loathed her teams' rivals (especially a certain despised baseball team in Boston).  Andrea proudly attended and thoroughly enjoyed her children's activities including lots of dance classes and competitions with Eva and horse riding lessons and competitions with Rachel.  In her downtime, she enjoyed unwinding by watching The Golden Girls and Everybody Loves Raymond or catching the end of one of her favorite movies on TV.  

Andrea met her husband and love Tom during their time at Bentley College, though neither knew it until they began dating shortly after graduation.  Andrea and Tom were engaged during their semi-long distance relationship and married on May 5, 2001 at Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany, NJ before going on their honeymoon in Hawaii followed by many other trips, vacations and adventures as partners and soulmates.  They originally lived in Norwalk, CT before settling in Wayne, NJ in 2007 to be closer to family, especially Andrea's parents Andy and Rose Gray.  

Vacations were precious to Andrea, especially when they included traveling or visiting with family and friends.  Watching the kids grow during annual trips to the New England shores of Weekapaug, RI and York Beach, ME created wonderful memories and special bonds.  The epic family vacation to Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, planned by Andrea (of course), was a rare and magical experience the provided for quality time with Andy and Rose’s family overseas (as well as the local pubs).  Group vacations to Wildwood, NJ solidified familial relationships with special local friends.      

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Wayne Interfaith Network Food Pantry, a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization based in Wayne, NJ that provides food to community members in need.

Joseph Schmidt, age 88, a 55-year resident of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024, with the comfort of family by his side.

Joseph was born in Bakonyjako (Jaka), Hungary. He left Hungary in 1956 and immigrated to the United States in 1957 in search of a better life. Here he reconnected with his brother, Johann and his wife Therea, his father Ignatz and many other relatives and friends from his hometown who all journeyed on similar paths for a better life. In 1957 he reconnected with a woman that went to grade school with him—Anna Huber. 

Joseph met the love of his life at a picnic in Paterson and in 1958 Joseph and Anna (nee Huber) settled in Paterson before moving to Wayne a few years later. They enjoyed a 58-year marriage until her death in 2016. 

Joseph had a strong work ethic and always provided for his wife and family. He was a mold maker by trade, and worked many years with Carlson Tool Company, Inc.  In 1979 his life-long dream became a realization when he started his own business, Schmidt Mold & Die Co. A few years later he was proud to have his son, Joe, join him as a partner in the business. Joseph remained with the company until his retirement.

Joseph was predeceased by his wife, parents, and his siblings. He leaves behind his son Joseph M. Schmidt and his wife Jem of Swindon, UK, daughter Maryann Cecere and her husband Matthew of Wayne; his grandchildren:  Jessica Schmidt, Gregory Schmidt, and his wife Sara, Jason Cecere and Nicole Cecere. 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lois O"Hara, age 85, of Pompton Plains, NJ.  

Lois passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 24, 2024 while receiving the loving care of her family.  

Lois Loved flowers and gardening.  She worked for a local florist for a few years before starting her own business, Flowers by Lois, in Wayne.  Her creativity in designing arrangements made her business successful and brought joy to many brides and recipients of her beautiful work.

When she retired, she loved working in the gardens at her home in Pompton Plains.  She made many friends who shared her love of gardening.

Lois also loved animals, especially dogs, birds, and chipmunks.  If you choose to donate to an organization that strives to improve the lives of animals, it would make her truly happy.

John A. Nicola, of Riverdale, NJ, passed away on February 23, 2024 at his home.  John was born on August 28, 1928 in Paterson, NJ, the eighth of eight children born to John Nicolo and Josephine Petriccione, who emigrated to the United States from the Naples area of Italy in the early 1900's.  He had been a resident of Riverdale since 2004, after living and raising a family in Wayne, NJ since 1962.

John joined the United States Navy in early August 1945 at the age of 17. After serving two years, he trained as a machinist, and worked for several companies in northern New Jersey in positions of increasing responsibility, finally retiring from Litton Industries in 1991 as a plant engineer.

John married Esther Caradonna of Waldwick, NJ in September 1951, enjoying a 63 year marriage until her passing in March 2014.  They were blessed with four children who all attended school in Wayne.

Golf was one of John's favorite leisure activities, and he had some wonderful golfing buddies over the years.  He played for years in groups at Passaic County golf course with several of his boyhood friends, and eventually with another group, the Cranford Golf Club, which toured to and played many New Jersey courses.  John was also a man of skill and determination when it came to making things with his hands; he devoted years to making stained glass lamps and other decorative items, some with thousands of small pieces of colored glass which he carefully assembled and soldered together.

John and Esther were founding members of Our Lady of Consolation Church Catholic Church in Wayne from 1963, attending with his family in the auditorium of Schuyler-Colfax Junior High School before the completion of the new Church in 1967.

John is remembered for his care and love of his children, including Josepha (Jody) Nicola of Butler, NJ, John and Marie Nicola of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Mary Halka of Wanaque, NJ, and Patricia and Bruce Vendola of Clifton, NJ. He was a loving grandfather to four, including Michael, Elizabeth, Evelyn, and Stanley, and eight great grandchildren.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations in memory of John A. Nicola be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences please visit vandermay.com and click on his picture.

Rosemarie Theresa Rose, age 60, of Wayne passed peacefully on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 in the comfort of her own home. 

She is survived by her husband Steven and their daughters Megan and Sydney, as well as her mother, five siblings, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Rosemarie was born to Joseph and Rosemarie Kramer and graduated from Union Catholic High School in 1982. She was loving, caring, hilarious, and devoted to her family. Never failing to put a smile on everyone’s faces, she lit up every room she walked into. An avid reader, when she wasn’t around her family and friends, you could find her strolling the aisles of Barnes and Noble.

In 1989, Rosemarie met the love of her life, Steven in the communications industry. They married on June 25, 1995 and honeymooned in Hawaii. Soon after, they settled in Wayne to start their family. Rosemarie and Steven lived happily in their home with two beautiful daughters.

Those considering memorial donations are encouraged to consider a donation in Rosemarie's name to the Arnold and Winnie Palmer foundation.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harry E. Litsis, age 63 of North Caldwell, NJ.

Harry passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.  Harry was born and raised in Teaneck, NJ until he was thirteen when his family moved to Wayne Township.  He was the younger of two children to Emanuel and Mae Litsis.  After moving to Wayne, Harry attended Wayne Valley High School where he was well liked and made life-long friends.  After graduating with the class of 1979, Harry attended William Paterson University where he studied Business Administration and earned his Bachelor Degree.  

Harry, a driven and ambitious entrepreneur, embarked on his journey at the early age of twenty-five by founding an office supply business named Litsis Office Equipment in Totowa. Harry's unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence propelled his business to success, earning him a reputation as a trusted provider of office essentials in his community.  Harry eventually sold his business and went on to have a successful thirty-year sales career. 

 Harry’s entrepreneurial spirit and love of sports later led him to launch Jersey Sports Now as well as Our Town Totowa. 

In the summer of 1986, Harry met the love of his life, Patty Martin. The two hit it off immediately and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on July 9, 1989, Patty and Harry exchanged wedding vows at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton and became husband and wife.  

The newlyweds settled in Hawthorne, NJ where they lived for sixteen years.  While residing there, they welcomed the births of both their children, Nicholas and Alexandra.  As their children became teenagers, in 2005, they moved to the town of Wayne. They lived there for seventeen years until they moved to North Caldwell, NJ in 2022. 

Harry had a heart that beat to the rhythm of the NY Knicks. His enthusiasm was contagious to all who knew him. Yet, beyond the confines of the basketball court, Harry found solace in the outdoors and was an avid golfer. He enjoyed long rides to Bear Mountain and the Jersey Shore along with vacations to Naragansett, Rhode Island with his family.

He cherished and celebrated his Greek culture all his life and rejoiced in Greek Easter every year. 

Harry was a larger-than-life type of guy with a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh that could light up any room. Harry, always the jokester, had a nickname for just about everyone he met.

Harry’s greatest passion in life was for his friends and family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Harry than providing for and spending time with his wife and children.  He was a friend to the friendless and always made certain that those around him felt comfortable. 

Harry was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around him and will be forever remembered as a devoted husband, father, brother and friend.  He will truly be missed by everyone that knew him. 

Harry is survived by his wife Patty of 35 years (nee Martin), his son Nicholas, his daughter Alexandra, his sister Connie Litsis and his beloved dog Charlie.  He leaves behind many heartbroken family members and loved ones. Harry was predeceased by his parents Emanuel and Mae Litsis.

Those wishing to make a donation in Harry’s name are asked to consider any local animal shelter near them. 

Tracie “Toots” A. Garman

September 10, 1923 – February 20, 2024

Tracie “Toots” A. Garman, 100, of Wayne, NJ, formerly of Bellefonte, PA, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, in Wayne, NJ. Born on September 10, 1923, in Bellefonte, she was the daughter of the late Gilbert Salter and Ida (Gingher) Aikey. On June 16, 1941, she married her beloved husband, William “Tom” Garman, who preceded her in death on March 25, 2018, after sharing over 76 years of marriage together.

Tracie was a 1941 graduate of Bellefonte High School. She went on to graduate from Montclair State University in 1986, with her Bachelor of Science, majoring in business. She began working as a bookkeeper for Vapon, Inc., and advanced to the position of Vice President. She retired after 40+ years of service. She also worked as Vice President for the Jersey Telephone Company for several years.

She is survived by her three children, Gloria Gamble (Frank) of Clemmons, NC, Thomas Garman (Mary) of Ft. Wayne, IN, and Tracie Coletto (Peter) of Wayne, NJ; six grandchildren: Heather Comstock, Stephen and Bejamin Garman, Kristen, Peter and Todd Coletto; and 11 great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Tom, and parents, Gilbert and Ida, she was predeceased by two grandchildren, Tiffany Gamble Santiago, and James Garman, and three sisters, Marjorie Rackoski, Mary Aikey, and Margaret Sarah Eminhizer.

Tracie was a member of the Church of Christ in Parsippany, NJ. She was an avid reader and was especially intrigued by mystery novels. She enjoyed gardening, doing crossword puzzles and spending time at the shore. She and Tom had a beach house on Long Beach Island, NJ, and spent much of their time there over the years.

George R. Martens, age 82, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Monday, February 19, 2024.

George was born in Hackensack, NJ on May 31, 1941 to George and Marjorie Martens. He was raised in Elmwood Park, NJ. He graduated from Bergen Technical High School with the Class of 1959. George furthered his education at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1970 and his Master’s Degree with the Class of 1975. 

George patriotically served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was Honorably discharged in March of 1966. 

As a child, George proudly worked alongside his father delivering milk in the early morning before the start of his school day. After graduating high school, he began his career with Western Electric. After receiving his college degree, George's work experience and education led him to AT&T. His career spanned more than 35 years positioned in Network Services, Human Resources, Compensation and Benefits. George was well respected by his peers and was dedicated to his profession.

George prided himself in his meticulously manicured lawn, spending weekends tending to and ensuring its pristine condition. When he wasn’t enjoying the outdoors, he could often be found carving intricate decoy ducks and honing his trap shooting skills. An avid reader, particularly on the subject of U.S. history, he would regale his friends and family with entertaining historical stories. George enjoyed various hobbies over the years such as model trains and airplanes, maritime battleships and the like. His passion for learning in retirement was shared with the many friends he made at the Wayne Library, and his afternoons often spent viewing CNBC, Bloomberg and other finance resources. In his downtime, George enjoyed classic Westerns and auto racing, finding joy in the thrill of the races and the nostalgia of classic Western films. His true joy was watching his beloved grandsons playing basketball and excelling academically.

George met his beloved wife Rena on a blind double-date and after several months of dating George proposed to Rena. They were married on September 21, 1963 at the Third Christian Reformed Church in Paterson. Their marriage was blessed with three beloved children George, Laura, and David. 

George was the devoted, loyal and loving husband for over sixty years to the love of his life Rena; the proud and dedicated father of George Martens, Laura Martens and Scott DiPatria of Kinnelon, and David Martens and his wife Andrea of Wayne. The proud grandfather of Reid and Devin Martens and uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by his parents George and Marjorie Martens and his brother Robert Martens (d. 2019).

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated. 

Jack Sherger, age 76, of Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024 with his loving companion by his side.

Jack was born in New York City in 1947. The oldest of John and Wilhelmina (Daube) Sherger’s two sons, his family moved to 42 Maple Lane in the Riverview Community in Wayne in 1953. Jack attended Wayne High School (known today as Wayne Valley High School), and graduated with the class of 1965.

Jack was popular in school and a skilled athlete. He excelled in football as an offensive and defensive end, and in baseball as a first baseman. After graduation, Jack headed north to Colby College in Waterville Maine, where he majored in business and, as his brother Bob would say, poker! Sports continued to be a big part of Jack’s life. He played football and golf at Colby, winning a collegiate golf tournament in Maine while he was there.  

After college graduation in 1970, Jack pursued a career in sales in the emerging field of business machines and computers. He started with Monroe Business Calculator and then moved on to a company called Basic Four where he sold computers. He was the number one salesman year after year, but Jack decided he’d rather go fishing a few days a week than attend sales meetings every Monday. Jack moved on to his next pursuit, which, as destiny would have it, would be car rentals.

While working as a salesman, Jack frequently had to rent cars and he always found it to be a highly frustrating experience. Prompted by this ironic disdain for car rental agencies, Jack decided to start a company that made the process easier for customers. The doors to Courier Car Rental opened at Essex County Airport in 1982 with six used cars in the fleet. At one point in those early days, a customer called for a rental car but all the vehicles were already out on rent, and, rather than turn a customer away, Jack rented out his mother Willie’s car while she was away on a week’s vacation. When the customer kept the car for a month, Willie was not pleased, but it became one of her favorite stories to share.

With his focus on customer service, it is no wonder that Jack’s business grew. When Jack started advertising and renting in New York City, the business took off. C.C. Rental quickly became one of the main suppliers of cars, vans, and trucks to the New York production industry. At various times, C.C has had three locations in New Jersey, three in New York City, one in Atlanta, wintertime operations in Florida, and a fleet surpassing 700 vehicles.

With the success of his business and with no boss to answer to, Jack finally had time for his true loves – fishing and golfing. These passions became his primary pursuits and he showed up at the office just a few days per week in between, but he always helped manage the business from a cell phone in the middle of a lake or on a river.

While Jack was perfectly happy in a C.C cargo van with a kayak and a fishing pole in the back, he had an affinity for sports cars and he liked to drive fast, especially in his younger years. This hobby led to plenty of speeding tickets over the years. One of the many times he was pulled over, he handed the police officer his brother’s Bob’s license.

In his 40’s, Jack met the woman who would become the love of his life, Jocelia Cintra. Despite being picked up for their first date in a cargo van, Celia had a great time with Jack and they went on to share many wonderful years together. They enjoyed countless Broadway shows and concerts; trips to Germany, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and beyond; and of course, lots and lots of golfing and fishing. With Jack as a guide, Celia became an excellent golfer and fisherwoman. On one memorable excursion, Jack looked on proudly as Celia caught a giant tarpon bigger than she was!

Jack and Celia lived in Hamburg, New Jersey in the summers and would spend their winters as snowbirds at their beloved Indian Harbour Beach condo. In Florida, Jack played golf every morning and fished for bass every afternoon.  Summer weekends were spent at their lake house in Lakewood, Pennsylvania.  Jack fished all over the world for all kinds of fish: largemouth bass from his boat in the lakes of Florida, stripers in Montauk, bonefish in Belize and the Bahamas, salmon in Chile and Argentina, and his favorite fish: rainbow trout in the rivers and creeks of New York and Pennsylvania. Jack loved to teach others how to fish and would cheer people on gleefully as he caught ten fish to their one.

Jack was also a food lover. As a young man, he spent time at his grandfather’s famous restaurant, Paul Daube’s Steakhouse, also known as The Dutchman’s, which was frequented by famous ball players and celebrities. But Jack was just as enthused about getting fried gizzards at the gas station on the way to the lake as he was about dining in high-end restaurants in Manhattan. His favorite restaurants included Dixie Crossroads and Marsh Landing in Florida, and Peter Luger Steak House and Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse in New York. He was also known to whip up some Sherger family favorites, including his mother’s famous peach kuchen.

Jack was beloved by family, friends, and employees. He had a happy heart and a free spirit. He embraced and enjoyed life and always had a funny story to tell about a place he had been or a meal he had enjoyed. Jack was also an extremely generous man. Whether it was looking out for his employees or taking the time to teach anyone interested how to golf or fish, Jack was glad to share his wealth and knowledge.      

Jack was the cherished companion of Jocelia Cintra; dear brother of Robert Sherger and his late wife Kathleen (Reed) Sherger (2021) of Riverdale; loving uncle of Erika Sherger of Boonton Township, Sara Varney and husband Jason of Conshohocken, PA, and Reed Sherger of Lake Parsippany; and adored great-uncle of Wynn and River Varney. He is also survived by several cousins.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Jack’s name are asked to consider The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Gordon G. Spanek, age 84, of Magnolia Delaware and formerly of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 17, 2024.

Born in New York City, Gordon was the son of George and Margaret (Wilson) Spanek. At a very young age, he and his family moved to Leonia, NJ where Gordon grew up and graduated from Leonia High School with the Class of 1957.

After high school, Gordon attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He went on to experience a rewarding career spanning over 40 years with the U.S. Department of Defense in the Defense Contract Audit Agency. 

A life-long body building enthusiast, Gordon met his wife Rita Collins through a weightlifting friend. They married in 1982 and lived the majority of their married life together at the home located at 31 Amherst Court in Wayne, NJ. They were blessed with the birth of their son Craig and enjoyed a love-filled marriage until Rita’s passing in 2005. 

Gordon’s leisure time pursuits mostly included weightlifting, cars, baseball cards, traveling, and intensively following the New York Yankees. A lifelong weightlifter, Gordon understood the importance of taking good care of himself and it truly paid off in his later years when he reached his eighties but felt like he was in his early sixties. A guy who always got excited about cool cars, some of his favorites were his 2014 black Corvette, a 1956 black Oldsmobile Starfire, and several classic Pontiac Firebirds. As a kid, Gordon loved to collect baseball cards. Of course, he outgrew the passion but it rekindled years later when it became a hobby he pursued and shared with is son Craig. 

In 2008, Gordon relocated to South Carolina. He bought a home at 105 Anhinga Court in the town of Summerville and remained there until moving to Magnolia Delaware in 2019. Along the way, he found true love and companionship again with a dear woman named Elizabeth “Liz” Toth.  Gordon and Liz felt truly blessed to have found each other. They especially loved to travel, enjoying vacations in St. Marteen and to Las Vegas where Gordon would spend hours at the craps table. 

Gordon was the loving husband of Rita (Collins) Spanek, blessed in marriage for 23 years until her passing in 2005. He was the loving father of Craig and his wife Jennifer Spanek of West Collingswood Heights, NJ, and loving stepfather of Keith McDermott of Red Bank, NJ; adoring grandfather of: Brendan, Colin, Michael, and Monae; and dear companion of Elizabeth “Liz” Toth of Magnolia, Delaware. He also is survived by numerous cousins. 

In lieu of flowers, because of a soft spot in his heart for stray animals, those planning an expression of sympathy in Gordon’s name are asked to consider a donation to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Gifts can be made online by clicking on the link below or by mailing a check to:

ASPCA Gift Processing Center

P.O. Box 96929

Washington, DC 20090-6929.

Please make your money order or check payable to the ASPCA and remember to indicate that your gift is in memory of Gordon Spanek.

Kathryn West, 76 years old, of Pompton Lakes, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 9th, 2024. Kathryn was the daughter of the late Joseph and Helga Spirko. She attended Wayne Valley High School, and graduated in the class of 1966. For many years she worked at Grand Union corporate headquarters. She also worked for Buxton's restaurant in Wayne. Kathryn went on to work with developmentally challenged adults in a group home setting for many years. For the past 10 years she has worked as a teachers aide at Lenox school in Pompton Lakes. She was hard working, and loved to have fun. She always enjoyed going to the beach. She loved the outdoors, and spending time in the sun.

Kathryn is survived by her son Jason and his wife Leyla West, her brother Joseph (Melissa) Spirko, brother Michael (Jackie) Spirko, and sister Kristy (Kyle) Smith, her nephew Ian, niece Tracy, brother-in-lawOwen McGarry, step-mother Ruth Spirko, and other loving relatives. She was predeceased by her sister Susanne McGarry.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Edwin C. Olen, age 93, of Wayne, NJ. 

Edwin passed away peacefully on Friday, February 9, 2024 while receiving the loving care of his family.  Edwin was born in Jersey City, NJ and was the older of two children born to John and Geraldine Olen. He spent his formative years in Montclair, NJ and graduated high school in 1947.  Having great respect for the military, Edwin then enlisted in the United States Army.  While serving, he was a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, NC and received the Parachute Badge. 

After being honorably discharged from the army in 1950, Edwin worked for the next 42 years as a master carpenter with Damon G. Douglas Construction in Cranford, NJ, retiring in 1992. In the mid 1950’s, Edwin met his wife of 51 years, Dolores Mendez, and they married May 25, 1958. They settled in Wayne, in a home Edwin built himself with the help of a few handy friends, and lived there ever since.  There they raised their four children Joey, Randy, Nancy and Kara.

Randy fondly remembers the wiffle ball games played in the backyard with his brother Joey, and how the ball always went into the neighbor’s yard following a strike.  Edwin solved that problem by constructing a full-sized backstop in the yard for them.

Nancy fondly remembers asking her dad for a playhouse.  While she would have been thrilled to get a big cardboard box with a door cut into it, Edwin instead constructed a miniature house in the backyard…framed, sided and shingled to match the main house, and complete with electricity, a concrete front stoop, and shrubbery.

Kara fondly remembers going with Edwin every Sunday morning to the Packanack Lake shopping center: first stop was the hardware store for supplies for his basement workshop, and second stop was the drugstore for the Sunday newspapers.  The newspaper pickup always included Edwin buying a small toy for Kara, which 50 years later is still referred to as “The Weekly Toy.”

Edwin loved his home and kept it in top shape.  If he wasn’t working on home maintenance projects, he was mowing and edging the lawn (with a push mower and hand edger) with a precision that would rival that of the groundskeepers at Yankee Stadium.

After retiring from his career as a carpenter, Edwin most loved spending time with his young grandchildren. The grand kids always wanted to “play school” and Edwin and Dolores spent hours each week attending class, doing their homework, and bringing it back to class the next day organized in folders.  They were rewarded regularly with stars and stickers, and always advanced to the next grade at the end of the school year!

Edwin also picked up golfing after retirement. He loved playing at Passaic County golf course, making friends with the other retirees, and keeping meticulous records of his number of rounds played and scores. His record was 236 rounds of golf in one season, and scoring in the low 80’s at his best.  On September 8, 2015, he even shot a hole-in-one at Berkshire Valley golf course in Oak Ridge, NJ.

During his midlife crisis at 50, he purchased a Honda motorcycle and enjoyed riding it all around town, much to the dismay of Dolores.  Thankfully, he came to his senses about a decade later and his rides ended without incident.

Edwin and family enjoyed many years of summer vacations in Wildwood Crest. Favorite activities included eating out, golfing, renting bikes, and walking on the beach and boardwalk.  He also enjoyed other travels with his family over the years to Bermuda, Hawaii, Bahamas, and London.  Many road trips were also taken along the eastern seaboard from DC to Disney.  Edwin carefully planned each route using AAA TripTik maps to include frequent stops at Shoney’s, a favorite restaurant of his.

Edwin always loved his food. He took his family to lovely birthday dinners for too many years to count.  As his age progressed, his children turned the tables and treated him to nice dinners out more frequently so everyone could spend time together.  Favorite locations included Rails, Rare, Villa Verde, and Tavern 5.  At home, his favorite snacks were Ritz crackers piled high with peanut butter, butter and salt; and half a can of Reddi Wip atop a serving of butter pecan ice cream so large it was still in the shape of the Breyer’s box.  Whichever snack he chose, he would dutifully enter “Snack: 100 calories” in his nutrition notebook.

Edwin attended his AA meetings regularly and he received his 41-year pin in 2023. He enjoyed the company of friends he met there, as well as those he met as a long-time parishioner of Jacksonville Chapel in Lincoln Park, NJ, where he particularly enjoyed their holiday musical performances and annual Easter Egg Hunt. 

Edwin and his wife Dolores cherished more than fifty years of marriage together until Dolores’ passing in 2009.  Edwin will forever be remembered as a quiet reserved man with a great low-key sense of humor.  He was loved by many and everyone would certainly agree: he had a good run.

Edwin is survived by his two daughters; Kara Campbell and her husband Charles of Teaneck, NJ, and Nancy Fitzgerald and her husband Michael of Hillsborough, NJ, one son, Randy Olen of Johnston, RI, five grandchildren; Kerri Fitzgerald and her husband John Garnier of Hillsborough, NJ, Kevin Fitzgerald of Charlotte, NC, Joseph Campbell of Teaneck, NJ, Olivia Campbell of Teaneck, NJ, and Marie O’Kleasky of Midlothian, VA, and one sister-in-law, Donna Edson of Wayne, NJ.  Edwin was predeceased by his wife Dolores Olen (2009), his son Joseph Bossard (1971), and his sister Virginia Arvidson (1957).

Those who wish to donate in Edwin’s name are asked to consider the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Teresa Salafia, age 85 of Paterson, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Teresa was born on June 18, 1938 to Rosa & Giuseppe Calafiore in Solarino, Sicily. Growing up, alongside all her sisters and brothers, they worked to cultivate the land. She was also very instrumental in helping to raise her nieces and nephews at a young age. She came to America in 1958 and started working as a seamstress and lived with her uncle. Two years later, she traveled back to Sicily, where she met her husband Benito and they were married on July 13, 1961. They came to America in 1962 and settled in Paterson where they raised their four children.

Teresa became a homemaker and welcomed her parents and many nieces and nephews to stay with her before they settled into their own homes. She had a passion for cooking delicious meals and celebrating many holidays year after year at her home with a minimum of thirty people at all times.

Teresa had an eye for fashion and always looking her best at all times, head to toe. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and many friends and family going on cruises and trips to Aruba, Sandy Hook beach, and countless day trips to Atlantic City.

She looked forward to the gatherings at the Solarino American Society Club in Paterson, where there was something to celebrate every month, reminiscing with all her relatives and friends.

Her beautiful smile, caring personality, always wanting things to be “just right” and her presence, brought happiness to all who knew her, always giving a hug and kiss, will be missed dearly.

Her legacy is one to be remembered and will continue to be cherished for generations to come.

She was also a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament RC Church in Paterson, and a member of Solarino American Society Club.

Devoted mother to Ida and her husband Tito Hernandez, Sal Salafia and his wife Amy, Joe Salafia and his wife Mary, and Rosanna Salafia and Joe Romano. Cherished Granmother to Jacqueline, Jessica, Gianni, Joseph, Charlotte, Bella, Selina, Sal Jr., Gino, and Joey. Beloved great-grandmother to Holland. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends. Teresa was predeceased by her husband, Benito, by her parents; Rosa and Giuseppe, by her sisters; Concetta, Josephine, Paola, and Angelina, and by her brothers; Carmelo and Salvatore.

Emmanuel L. Ferrito, “Manny,” age 103 of Wayne, died peacefully on February 8, 2024.

Manny grew up in Paterson, where he had lived most of his life before moving to Wayne. He graduated from Rutgers University, Phi Beta Kappa, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Languages and Literature. This education came in handy when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Manny was assigned as an interpreter to the 2675th Army Regiment, Allied Military Government, serving in Italy. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the EAME Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Presidential Meritorious Unit Award, and the Victory Medal. Upon returning to civilian life, Manny considered becoming a schoolteacher, but he learned that a job with the Veterans Administration would earn him more. Thus began his career with the Federal Government that lasted for more than forty years. He had worked for the VA, the Social Security Administration in the NJ-NY Regional Service Area rising to Manager of the Hohokus office, the General Services Administration in NJ as a Contract Officer, and as a Hearing Office for Medicare in New Jersey.

Manny remained passionate about education, despite not choosing a career as a teacher. He volunteered as a tutor for the Literacy Volunteers of America and the Paterson Library Literacy program for many years. He was also active in his Catholic faith as a parishioner of St. Michael’s Church, Paterson, as President of the Parish Council, of the Holy Name Society, and of the Honor Guard (ushers). He was the Organizational Representative for the St. Michael’s Boy Scout Troop 23, as well as the co-chairman of the founding committee for the building of St. Gerard Majella RC Church in Paterson. After moving to Wayne, he became an active parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, Wayne, where he taught Christian Doctrine classes and served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the Pastoral Care Program at the Preakness Health Care Center, Wayne. His Christian faith was foundational to his character, he lived it every day, and he cared selflessly for the well being of his fellow man. He will be missed by many who experienced his kindness and loved him.

Manny is survived by two children: Michael and his wife Suzanne, and Oresta; three grandchildren: Brian, Mark & Summer, and Tricia & her husband Jason; five great-grandchildren: Dylan, Aubrey, Sam, Andrew, and Madelaine; a brother: George and his wife Theresa, and many nieces and nephews. Manny was predeceased by his wife Florence in 2015; by his three sisters: Gaetana (Ida), Carmela (Milly), and Josephine; by his brother: Msgr. Joseph L. Ferrito; and by his parents: John and Maria.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Salesian Sisters, 659 Belmont Avenue, N. Haledon, NJ 07505 would be appreciated.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frank Pollaro, age 76 of Wayne, NJ.  

Frank passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 while receiving the loving care of his family.  Frank was born and raised in Passaic, NJ and was the younger of two children to Frank and Rose Pollaro.  While growing up in Passaic, Frank attended Passaic High School where he excelled in Baseball and was a member of the Passaic High School Varsity Baseball Team.  His junior and senior years of high school were spent in Clifton High School.

Following Frank’s graduation from Clifton High School with the class of 1965, he enrolled at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York.  There, he earned his Bachelor Degree in Education graduating in 1969.  After receiving his teacher’s certification, Frank found employment quickly, accepting a position in Special Education with the Willow Brook Institute in Staten Island.  He was employed at Willow Brook Institute for approximately ten years then transferred to the Bronx Developmental Center in New York City.  After working in New York City for two years, he accepted a position in his hometown at Passaic High School.  Frank’s career in Special Education at Passaic High School spanned over a period of forty years until his retirement in 2014.  During his employment at Passaic High School, he was truly well loved and respected by his students, his colleagues, and his peers.  Also during his tenure, he was in charge of organizing retirement and holiday parties at the school.  Frank earned widespread acclaim for their exceptional success in orchestrating truly memorable and enjoyable events for his colleagues.

Concurrent to his employment as a Special Education Teacher, and at a time before online classes and degrees, Frank attended night classes at Montclair Teacher’s College, now known as Montclair University earning his Master’s Degree in Education.  

Frank was a dedicated school teacher by profession, but found solace and fulfillment during the summer months through the pursuit of installing windows and doors for a company called Essex Door-Windows. Despite the contrast from his educational role, Frank thrived in this endeavor.  His love for craftsmanship was evident in his excitement and joy during shopping excursions to Home Depot, where he eagerly perused aisles stocked with tools and materials. This seasonal employment not only provided him with supplemental income but also served as a source of personal satisfaction and growth.

In 1972, Frank was a groomsman for his friend Joe Cordella.  While at the wedding, he met an attractive young lady named Carmela Parisi.  The two hit it off great and went out to dinner and a play in New York City.  Frank and Carmela dated for about two years.  Although they both lived in New Jersey, they cherished their tradition of frequenting New York City for most of their dates, exploring its vibrant and diverse offerings.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on April 7, 1974 they exchanged vows and became husband and wife at St Anthony’s Church in Passaic.  The newlyweds settled in East Rutherford for about a year then moved to their hometown of Passaic, NJ.  While residing in Passaic, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child, Frank.  After living in Passaic for about eight years they moved to Clifton where their daughter Maria was born.  In 1984, the family moved to Wayne where their twins Marc and Jacki were born, and the family has been there ever since.  

He enjoyed listening to music such as Bruce Springsteen, Meatloff, and a local band based in Clifton, NJ called the Beach Combers.  He was also a devoted New York Yankees fan.  Those who knew Frank best knew that his greatest passion in life was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Frank than providing for and spending time with his children.  He was a truly dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.  He and his wife Carmela cherished nearly fifty years of loving and loyal marriage together.  Frank and his family will always treasure their summers at their home in Seaside Heights at the Jersey Shore, where Frank was member of the Surf Club and loved spending time on the boardwalk with his children.  Frank also treasured traveling with his family to destinations such as Italy, Puerto Rico, California, Hawaii, Texas, and Aruba.  Being that his children were extremely gifted athletes, he was able to travel extensively throughout the Eastern United States with their sports teams.  

Frank was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Faith, he and his family were parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for many years.  

Frank was always the jokester and often the life of the party.  He was able to captivate an audience of any age with his ability to tell a story or a joke.  He could light up any room he walked into with his wonderful sense of humor and infectious personality.  Frank was famous by family and friends for hosting his fun-filled New Year’s Eve parties where he always had a variety of his favorite drinks including Tequila, Patron, and Southern Comfort.

Frank will be forever remembered as a truly devoted father and husband who often denied himself material belongings so that his family could have they things they wanted.  He was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around him.  He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Frank is survived by his wife Carmela (nee Parisi) of Wayne, NJ, his son Frank Pollaro and his wife Jaime of Alamo, CA, his daughter Maria Pepe and her husband Frank of Kinnelon, NJ, his son Marc Pollaro and his wife Megan of Carlstadt, NJ, and his daughter Jacki Salvatore and her husband Dominic of Wayne, NJ, one sister Mary Del Grosso of Newburn, NC, and seven grandchildren: Jake, Gianna, Carly, Nathan, Austin, Celeste, and Reagan.

Please note: services are being handled by the William J. Leber Funeral Home, Chester, NJ.

Wayne Police Detective First Class Jason Clemente, 52, of Mount Olive, NJ passed away on February 7, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. Jason was born on October 16, 1971 in Livingston, NJ and grew up in Bloomfield, NJ. Jason graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, NJ, received his BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and his Masters from Seton Hall University. He has lived in Mount Olive for the past 20 years. Jason was a police officer with the West Caldwell Police Department for 8 years and transferred to the Township of Wayne where he served for the last 21 years. He ended his career at the rank of first class detective.

Jason had a love for sports, especially basketball, football, baseball, golf and tennis. He played collegiate tennis at FDU and enjoyed everything sports. Jason was heavily involved in the Mount Olive community and coached several youth sports. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Wayne animal shelter.

Jason was a foodie and thoroughly enjoyed a great meal. He never let a meal go to waste. He was an enthusiast of fine luxury vehicles and sneakers. He also loved giving referrals to anyone who asked and always answered with his catch phrase response, “ I got a guy.”

Family was everything to Jason. He took great pride in his wife and children and they were his whole world. He loved being able to raise, coach and spend time with his kids. Jason came from a close knit family who loved spending time together, and he had a tight bond with his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. He was an amazing friend to all and treated all of his friends like family.

Jason is survived by his devoted wife of 25 years, Darlene Cavilhas Clemente, his daughter, Madison Clemente, his son, Jake Clemente, his father, Jose Clemente, his brothers, Jeffrey Clemente, Joseph Clemente, Seth Jameson, and Gregory Heyt, his sisters, Jennifer Jameson, Christine Heyt, Cecilia Clemente, and Rowie Clemente, his nieces and nephews, Kaitlyn and Andrew Heyt, Noah and Katerina Clemente and Logan Jameson, and his beloved family pet, Harper. He was predeceased by his mother, Betty Clemente.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to his son, Jake Clemente’s donor drive. In memory of his father, Jake is fundraising for Penn State THON which is a philanthropic event to raise money to fight childhood cancer.

Click here to donate: https://donate.thon.org/participant/Jake-Clemente

Marilyn R. Kievit, age 90 of Wayne, died on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. She has resided at Siena Village in Wayne for the past twenty-six years.

Marilyn grew up in Paterson and shortly after graduating from high school she began working at the William Paterson State Teachers College. A dedicated employee, Marilyn worked her way up through the ranks to the position of Bursar.  After a career lasting more than forty years, she retired from William Paterson University in the late 1990’s.

Marilyn was physically fit participating in exercise classes weekly and walking daily to keep herself in shape. She enjoyed traveling, visiting such places as Portugal, Spain, and many other parts of Europe.  After retirement she enjoyed a month-long trip to New Zealand.  While not traveling the world, Marylin enjoyed taking day trips to Pennsylvania and NY State.

Marilyn was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne. She attended mass regularly and was a communion minister to those who were homebound or otherwise unable to attend mass at the church.  Other activities included Bocci ball, Shuffleboard and calling out the Bingo numbers on Thursday nights! She was truly a selfless woman, a good friend to many, and a caring and compassionate soul. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

Marilyn is survived by her brother, Robert Kievit of Wayne, and his significant-other Elaine Farrazzano; two nieces: Kendra Cantelmo and her husband Richard of New York State, Robyn Leibfred, and her significant-other Todd DiGuglielmo of Parsippany, two nephews: Paul Kievit and his wife Darlene of Morris Plains, and Richard Kievit of Florida. Marilyn was predeceased by her brother, William Kievit, in 1984.

Friends wishing to make a donation in Marilyn’s memory are asked to consider her beloved parish; Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470.

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a truly remarkable man, Robert “Mike” Cusick, who passed away at the age of 59. Mike’s journey through life was marked by his generosity, skilled hands, love for fishing, and deep connections with family and friends.

Born in Bayonne, NJ, to Bob and Gail Cusick, Mike’s family moved to Wayne, NJ, when he was just a baby. Wayne became not just a place on the map but the backdrop to 55 years of his vibrant and meaningful life. He attended Wayne Hills High School, where he laid the foundation for lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community. After his time at WHHS, Mike joined his father at Schindler Elevator, where he dedicated 40 years of hard work and commitment to the trade. Many of Mike’s childhood friends joined him in this endeavor, forging bonds that extended far beyond the job site. 

Mike was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back, a trait that reflected his generosity and compassion. His hands were not just skilled but magical, capable of turning ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. Whether it was fixing a leaky faucet or lending a helping hand to a friend in need, Mike’s hands were an extension of his heart that was always ready to assist others.

A passionate fisherman, Mike found solace and joy by the water, where the rhythmic cast of his line mirrored the steady beat of his kind heart. His love for fishing was a shared passion that created lasting memories with those closest to him. 

Above all, Mike adored his two daughters, Allie and Nikki, with a love that knew no bounds. He had them wrapped around his fingers just as surely as they had him wrapped around theirs. The bond they shared was filled with laughter, shared projects in the garage, trips to Lake Champlain, summer weekends in LBI, and countless hours spent swimming in the family pool. Mike’s love for his girls was evident in every moment they spent together.

In 1990, Mike met the love of his life when he was on his way to a friend’s wedding. He stopped in a salon to get a haircut, where he struck up a conversation with the hairstylist, Karen. In a bold move, he asked her to attend the wedding with him that day. With a laugh and a kind refusal, Karen declined, and Mike went on his way. Fate, however, had other plans. They crossed paths a few weeks later at the Lakeside, where Mike managed to slip Karen his number. This chance encounter marked the beginning of a beautiful relationship that would span 34 years and bless them with two wonderful daughters.

Family was an integral part of Mike’s life. He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Gail Cusick, for whom the sun rose and set. 

Mike is survived by his devoted wife, Karen “Peanut” Cusick, who stood by his side through thick and thin. His legacy continues through his daughters and their families: Allie Safir and her husband Rob Safir of Flanders, NJ, and Nikki Cusick and her fiance Matt Minnehan of Newton, MA. A source of profound happiness and pride for Mike was his beloved grandson, Bobby Safir. Their short time together brought insurmountable joy in the last year of Mike’s life.

He is also survived by his father, Bob Cusick of Brant Beach, NJ, who imparted wisdom and guidance throughout his life and served as his best friend and fishing buddy. Mike’s siblings and their families mourn his passing: Missy and Tom Mathisen, and Karen and Mark Raiser of Wayne, NJ, each sharing a unique connection with him that time cannot erase. Mike was a cherished uncle to Kaitlin Raiser, Robbie Raiser, and Brooke Moran, who will fondly remember the special moments they shared with their uncle.

May he rest in eternal peace, surrounded by the love that he so freely gave to others.

Those wishing to make donations in lieu of flowers are asked to consider St Jude Children's Research Hospital

Michael A. DiRuggiero, age 93, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, February 4, 2024. He had lived in Wayne for over fifty years.

Mike was the youngest of Michael and Lucy (Mastrodomenico) DiRuggiero’s five children. He was born at home on the kitchen table at 1104 East 23rd Street in Paterson, in 1930. He loved to tell people that he had his tonsils removed on that same table five years later.

Michael grew up in Paterson and attended Eastside High School where he graduated with the Class of 1948. With no clear idea what to do next, one of his teachers encouraged him to take an entrance exam for Newark College of Engineering because he was good in math. He scored well on the exam, earning a place at NCE (now NJIT), earning both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1951 and 1961 respectively. 

After getting his bachelor’s degree, Mike worked for various corporations, including the Atomic Energy Commission’s Savannah River Project, before he was drafted during the Korean War. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army teaching special electronic devices operation and repair from 1953 to 1955. Upon an honorable discharge, he took a job with Bendix Corporation in their Flight Control and Test Systems Divisions. Mike’s career as an electrical engineer and senior project manager with Bendix spanned thirty-eight years before he chose to retire in 1994.  During those years he worked on many fascinating projects including the first transistorized autopilot system used in the first supersonic bomber and many commercial airplanes. He was particularly proud of his work as project engineer for the three-country (USA, England, France) design and development of flight control systems for the Concorde supersonic transport. 

Mike was an enthusiastic dancer and it was at a CYO dance where he met his future wife, Gloria Kenez. He encouraged her to join the PasClif Ski Club, and they began going on ski trips together and forming strong friendships with other members of the club.

Gloria and Mike got married on May 10, 1969 at St. Cecilia Church in Englewood, NJ. They initially moved into an apartment in Hackensack where they welcomed their firstborn Catherine. Soon after they purchased their own home at 14 Sherwood Street in Wayne where little Cathy was joined by her brother Michael. Mike and Gloria raised their family there and remained in that home for almost fifty years before Gloria sadly passed away in 2018. Mike remained in the home for four more years before moving to BrightView Senior Living community in 2022.   

Mike and Gloria loved to take summer family vacations, each year to a different destination. Some of the family’s fondest memories are of packing into the blue Chevy station wagon and heading off on long road trips. 

Around the house, Mike enjoyed tinkering on fix-it projects including working on his cars. He loved watching his Yankee games and he fancied himself a pretty good stock market analyst and personal investor. His love of dancing never grew old – the family’s home was filled with the sounds of classic old jazz or big band music playing in the background. Living all those decades so close to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne, he and Gloria were faithful parishioners who found great solace and joy in their Roman Catholic faith. 

Mike was a truly down to earth, kind and gentle man. He was a great listener, with people often expressing how much they enjoyed talking to him. 

He cherished the blessings of family and his close, life-long friends who, to Mike, were like literal brothers and sisters.

Mike was the beloved husband of the late Gloria (Kenez) DiRuggiero, blessed in marriage for 48 years until her passing in 2018. He was the loving father of Catherine “Cathy” Kirk and husband Damon of Ramsey, and Michael E. DiRuggiero and wife Tara Bandman of Dobbs Ferry, NY: Adoring grandfather of: April Kirk and fiancé Alec Graf, Paige Kirk, Myles DiRuggiero, and Oliver DiRuggiero; great-grandfather of Carson Graf; and dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was also predeceased by his two older brothers and two older sisters: Anthony “Tony” DiRuggiero, Ann Appaluccio, Madeline Ward, and Dominic DiRuggiero.   

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Those planning an expression of sympathy in Michael’s memory are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Michael DiRuggiero

Raymond Vladyka, aged 81, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2024.

Ray grew up in Elmwood Park, NJ and was part of the first graduating class in the newly built East Paterson High School. Ray was never much of a dancer but one fateful night his friends convinced him to attend the CYO dance which turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made. He met the love of his life, Phyllis Salerno, at that dance and the two immediately hit it off. The couple started dating and never stopped. After graduation, Ray continued his education at Montclair College where he went on to graduate with a BA in Industrial Arts. Once Ray finished college, he and Phyllis decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. They married after 6 years of dating on August 21, 1965. Ray and Phyllis bought their first home in Fairlawn, where they were blessed with two sons: David and Brian. Not long after, in 1973, they moved to Wayne and their family grew by one more with the birth of their daughter Susan. 

Ray was a middle school woodshop teacher in Hackensack for 37 ½ years. A lifelong learner, Ray continued his education while teaching by earning a masters plus extra credits in Industrial Arts. Besides playing high school varsity soccer, he played semi-pro for a short time for the Dover Club in Paterson, NJ. Ray then merged his passion for the sport with his passion for educating by becoming a soccer coach at Hackensack High School. He loved coaching and didn’t miss the opportunity to coach both of his sons’ soccer and baseball teams at the Wayne PAL.

Ray had a love for travel and went around the country and the world with his wife and family. Ray and Phyllis’ early travels were in a pop-up camper with their children to many places including Disney World. Their later travels included Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, Germany, England, the Canadian Rockies, Nova Scotia, and Iceland. They went on many cruises including the Panama Canal. They also did river cruises in Russia and on the Danube River.  Ray and Phyllis made annual trips to visit his sister, Kathleen and her husband Lou, in Florida to catch up and play golf. 

Ray’s career of industrial arts was also a passion of his and he would often create handmade items to gift to friends or family. A true craftsman and handyman, Ray was always there to help with any project or renovation his family or friends had. He passed on his love of fine craftsmanship ensuring that his family always looked for good quality wood and dovetails in all their furniture purchases. 

Ray loved fishing, golfing, and cars. He enjoyed taking care of his own cars, but was also an avid fan of the professional drivers of NASCAR. He watched NASCAR on tv and went on trips to watch the sport live at Dover Downs in Delaware.  Ray even got to experience the speed and thrill of driving a race car himself as a retirement gift from his family. 

Ray was the type of man that any person felt comfortable coming to for help. Whether you were family, a friend, or a neighbor, he was always willing to lend a helping hand. While he could be stubborn at times, he had a huge soft spot for his grandkids who he loved so much. Ray was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be greatly missed by all those who were fortunate to know him. 

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis, his three children: David and his wife Lisa (Seattle, WA), Brian and his wife Jennifer (Phoenix, AZ), and Susan and her husband Tom (Wayne, NJ). Ray was also the loving grandfather of Hope, Justine, Hailey, and Kayla as well as a loving brother to his sister Kathleen and her husband Lou (Florida).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions in Raymond’s name to the Wayne PAL or the Wayne Interfaith Network food pantry 

Andrew “Andy” Meyers, age 73, of Wayne, passed Saturday, February 3, 2024. 

Andy's professional journey was marked by a diverse range of roles, showcasing his versatility and dedication. Starting out as an elevator installer for Otis Elevator in the bustling city of New York, he honed his skills in a demanding environment, ensuring the smooth and safe functioning of vertical transport systems. Later, he transitioned into a role as the Superintendent for Partridge Run Apartments in Parsippany, where his managerial acumen and hands-on approach contributed to the efficient operation of the residential complex., Andy continued to serve his community by taking on the role of a custodian for the Montville Public Schools before retiring in 2013. Even in this seemingly humble position, Andy brought his strong work ethic and commitment to ensuring a clean and safe environment for students and staff. His multifaceted career is a testament to his adaptability and unwavering dedication to his various roles throughout the years.

Andy was a man of diverse passions, finding solace and joy in the simplicity of life's pleasures. His green thumb was evident in his love for gardening, where he cultivated vibrant blooms and nurtured lush greenery that transformed his outdoor space into a haven of tranquility. Additionally, Andy found solace by the water's edge, casting his line into the depths in pursuit of the perfect catch, making fishing a cherished pastime. In December of 2023, Andy achieved a significant milestone in his personal journey by earning his black belt in karate, a testament to his discipline and dedication to the martial arts. His commitment to both the serene and the active aspects of life showcased the depth of his character and the richness of his experiences.

Andy was a beacon of warmth and selflessness, making a lasting impact on those lucky enough to know him. Known for his infectious sense of fun, Andy brought joy into every room he entered. His genuine kindness manifested in his consistent prioritization of others' needs over his own, creating a network of grateful friends and family who benefited from his unwavering support. Whether it was offering a helping hand or a listening ear, Andy was always there when someone needed him. His love for life extended to his favorite pastimes, particularly enjoying cruises that allowed him to explore the world's waters and revel in new adventures. Equally enchanted by the serene beauty of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, Andy found solace in the tranquility of nature, and making cherished memories. 

Barbara and Andy's love story began amidst the humming machinery of Owen Illinois Plastics in Wayne, where fate intervened in the most playful manner. Barbara, skillfully managing a molding machine, found herself on the receiving end of Andy's lighthearted advances – he would playfully toss plastic pellets her way, injecting a sense of humor into their workdays. Their first date marked the beginning of a beautiful journey; a trip to the movies where laughter and shared interests paved the way for a deep connection. On April 28, 1973, they sealed their love in a heartfelt ceremony at the Westside Methodist Church in Paterson, surrounded by family and friends. Opting for a romantic start to their marital adventure, the couple honeymooned at the enchanting Mount Airey Lodge in the picturesque Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, creating timeless memories in the embrace of nature's beauty. Their union, rooted in love and laughter, served as the foundation for a lifetime of shared joys and cherished moments.

Andy is survived by his wife fifty years Barbara (Zuberer) Meyers; he was the devoted father of Andrew Meyers Wauchula, FL, and Keith Meyers of Hackettstown; he was the cherished grandfather of Zoey Meyers; and loved brother of Linda Blackwell and her husband Lee of Little Egg Harbor, and Judy Puchalski and her husband Jack of Pine Island, NY.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated. 

Laurie Ann Hoffman, 62, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Laurie was born in Passaic, NJ as the second child to Frank and Florence Hoffman. She grew up in Passaic and Elmwood Park and later lived in Ramsey. She graduated from Elmwood Park High School. In her free time Laurie loved reading science fiction, learning about history, and watching Doctor Who.

Laurie served over 40 years for the Bergen County Office of Education. She was a hard worker who was honored by the county administration for her dedication to the educators and aspiring educators in Bergen County. Laurie’s knowledge of the teacher certification process was appreciated by all and her expertise will be sorely missed.

Laurie is survived by her brother, Anthony; two nieces, Lisa Hoffman of Little Ferry and Jessica Hoffman of Lincoln Park; one nephew, Michael Hoffman of Wayne; her uncle, Joseph Szewczyk of Clifton; and several loving cousins. She was predeceased by her father, Frank Hoffman, and her mother, Florence Hoffman.

Laurie’s legacy will live on thanks to the donation of her organs and corneas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Laurie’s name to the Center for Food Action of NJ.

Helen Yselonia, born May 4, 1948, passed peacefully in her home on February 3, 2024. She is fondly remembered for her radiant spirit, resilience, and the love she had for her family and friends. Helen was the epitome of strength, respect, and sincerity. She confidently spread positivity and warmth wherever she went, leaving a legacy of laughter, loyalty, and strength that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Helen was born in Newark, NJ and lived in Lyndhurst until the age of 3 when she and her parents moved to Packanack Lake in Wayne, New Jersey. She later married and raised two children in the beautiful lake community where she was an avid member for most of her life. Helen’s true passion was tennis and she played it well. She was on various teams and received many trophies for her talents.

She graduated from Montclair State University with her master’s degree and immediately began teaching English. Aside from being a teacher, Helen also was a piano instructor. While waiting for her pupils to come, she would tickle the ivories producing the most angelic sounds. One of her daughter’s favorite memories is of hearing her play so effortlessly.

Helen loved to travel and see the world. She and her husband, John, traveled to many destinations including California, Hawaii, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Mexico to name some. Her favorite place to return to was Hilton Head Island, SC where she would play tennis to her heart’s content. While in college she spent her summers down the Jersey shore surfing and being in the sun and her love of the beach never faded.

Anyone who knew Helen was aware of her passion for sports, mainly baseball, football, and basketball. A staunch supporter of the NY Yankees and Jets, Helen spent her Sundays in the fall watching football and most of her nights in the spring watching baseball. She won football survivor pools and could keep up a conversation with any sports enthusiast, equipped with knowledge of stats, players, and positions. One of her favorite comforts was sharing this passion with her son. They would spend every Yankee game calling each other back and forth throughout the game to discuss the players and every play made.

Helen had a major zest for excitement. Roller coasters and fast cars were never too much for her, eventually leading her to drive a race car at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut during the 1990s. She was the only woman there - and won! She had also always wanted to sky dive but sadly never did.

Helen was an enormous animal lover, growing up with pets and continuing to have them even after she became a mother. There was always a pet in the house, sometimes three. She was deeply involved in various causes, including the ASPCA but most notably St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Her legacy will be a testament to her strength, her unwavering love for her family and friends, and her steadfast belief in standing up for what's right. She was a real friend, a phenomenal mom, an even better Nana and undoubtedly, the most amazingly strong person ever to grace the earth with her presence. She was a true hero to her daughter making her the best role model she could have had. She taught her and others about handling tough situations with grace and confidence while maintaining a stubbornness that people adored her for. Her grandchildren, though, were the absolute light of her life and she cherished every moment she got to spend with them. Now they will cherish every moment spent with her.

Helen is survived by her devoted husband, John Yselonia of Wayne; her loving daughter, Cara Zaranski and husband Peter, both of Wayne; her step-daughter, Jacqueline Yselonia of Forked River; her brother Peter Bellman and his wife Judy from Wayne; her three nephews, Peter Bellman of Pompton Plains; Glenn Bellman of Marlborough, Connecticut; Chris Bellman of Waretown, NJ; and three grandchildren, Dylan Fusco of Madison; and Ava and Declan Zaranski of Wayne. She was predeceased by her precious son, Michael Fusco, as well as her parents, Peter and Helen Bellman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Lillian Fryman, age 83, of Denville, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 2, 2024.

The daughter of the late Joseph and Lillian (Ventura) Brosseau, stepdaughter to Pasquale Sanseverino, Lillian was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Paterson, NJ. 

After graduating from Paterson’s Eastside High School with the Class of 1958, Lillian married Joseph Natoli. They were blessed with three children, Michael, Donna, and Paul who they began to raise in Butler, NJ. After Divorce, Lillian married Otto Kahn and she ventured into a long-standing career as a real estate agent. Otto and Lillian started their own Real Estate agency, Twin Oaks Realty in Oak Ridge, NJ., where Lillian enjoyed the challenge and gratification of helping each of her many clients find their perfect dream home. 

After the unfortunate passing of Otto, many years later, Lillian met a gentlemen named T. Kenneth Fryman through a friend. They married and soon after moved to Lynchburg, Virginia where they shared vision, pursuits, and the rewards of dedicated work in their own business which they called Hill City News Agency. In due time, the days of full-time retirement arrived, rewarding Lillian and Ken with lots of opportunity for traveling adventures which included the gamut of fun times on cruises, trips throughout Europe, to beautiful islands and, as Lillian would say, they annually “snow-birded” to their winter home in Juno Beach, Florida while maintaining residence the rest of the year in Mount Arlington. 

One of Lillian’s favorite places in the whole-wide-world was right at home in her very own kitchen. She made the most delicious Italian dishes, some from recipes passed down from previous family generations, as well as some unique creations of her own. She took great pride in her home and had lots of fun designing and decorating it to be a warm and welcoming place for friends and family to gather. Like so many of us, Lillian enjoyed the simple enjoyment of a glass of wine. Fancying herself more of a consumer than a connoisseur, she enjoyed that time of day which she playfully described as “wine-thirty.” 

Sadly, Ken passed away in 2013. In 2020, Lillian moved into the Oaks at Denville Retirement Community in Denville where she completed this life’s journey.

Above all else, Lillian was devoted to and loved time spent with her family. She adored her grandchildren from the “cellar to the sky.” Lillian will be missed for her gregariousness, strength and graceful presence.  

Lillian was the beloved wife of the late T. Kenneth Fryman; loving mother of Michael Natoli, and wife Brenda of Evansville, Indiana, Donna Natoli of Montville, and Paul Natoli and wife Dawn of Mountain Lakes; adoring grandmother of: Nicole, John, Daniel, Joseph, Angela, James, Michael Jr., and Lily; cherished great-grandmother of Olivia and Ashton; dearest sister of Barbara DeLorenzis of Wayne, and Margaret “Peg” Rhodes of Prescott, AZ; and dear aunt of numerous nieces and nephews. 

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In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Lillian’s name are asked to consider:

Alzheimer’s New Jersey

Attn:  Development Department

425 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 203

Roseland, NJ 07068

973-586-4300

Make check payable to Alzheimer’s New Jersey

Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Lillian Fryman

Jean C. Burns, born April 12, 1925, in Brooklyn NY, her family moved to Newark NJ and then she eventually migrated to the suburbs of Pompton Lakes, and then Wayne NJ.

She was a supervisor for Drake bakery in Wayne NJ, for over 50 years until she retired in 1995, she also volunteered for the Wayne First Aid Squad for a few years while still working at Drakes. Once she retired from Drake bakery at (70) years old she then moved to Venice Florida she then took a year off but then decided she wanted to go back to work she then worked another 10 years at the Publix food store in Venice FL, (in the bakery of course).  she finally got the chance to enjoy the sunshine and the beach after that retirement.

She lived in Venice, FL for over 25 years and then moved back to Wayne, NJ to live with her son where she passed away on February 1, 2024.

She is survived by her sister Jerilyn Harris from Pompton lakes, NJ and her children, Richard Falcone from Myrtle Beach, Larry Falcone of Wayne New Jersey, Cecilia Alsberg of point Pleasant Beach New Jersey, Jacqueline Valorani of Wayne New Jersey and Joanne Macalino of Wayne New Jersey. Naomi Rizzi her second born child is deceased. Also survived by (8) grandchildren, Richard Jr. Falcone, Anthony Falcone, Jessica Rizzi, Nick Rizzi, Justin Gari (deceased), Ashley Doyle, Eddie Walton, and Matthew Walton.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad.

Luis Enrique Ortega, age 80 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Luis was born in January of 1944 in Nicaragua to his parents Enrique and Bertha Ortega. Luis’ story is one of humble roots. He was the oldest of 11 children, so he had to work hard to help his family. He quickly developed an incredible work ethic that shaped the rest of his life. While in Nicaragua, Luis worked as a phlebotomist in a lab to help support his family. He was incredibly smart, and he eventually started a family of his own following the birth of his first three children: Jorge, Carla, and Maria. With his family growing, Luis made the difficult decision to come to the United States and try to achieve the American Dream.

Luis used his intelligence and his incredible work ethic the moment he stepped foot in America. He took on two jobs and started attending night school studying business at the same time. Luis was well motivated and knew he had to support his family back in Nicaragua. He regularly sent money back to support them in all their endeavors. 

Shortly after arriving in the United States, Luis decided to attend a house party hosted by a friend in Jersey City that would change his life forever. Normally more preoccupied by his copious amounts of work and school, Luis decided to step out of his comfort zone and attend the party that led him to meeting a beautiful girl named Elida Rivera. Elida and Luis fell in love, and the couple decided that they were going to get married in 1973. 

The two found a home that they wanted to purchase, but Luis saw another route that could change their lives for the better. He explained to Elida that a business opportunity that would allow Luis to become his own boss in the form of an autobody shop was too good to pass up. He promised her that a year from then he would buy Elida a better house if she could trust him to make this decision for them – mind you Luis had no prior experience in the autobody business. Nonetheless, Elida had faith in Luis’ determination and entrepreneurial spirit and so he went headfirst into his new venture. True to his promise, Luis found a home a year later that was even better than the first. Using the newfound success from his autobody shop he purchased the home for them.

The couple started raising a family of their own: Jannette, Luis, and Leonardo were their three beautiful children who Luis mentored and raised with his wife Elida. However, he was always mindful of his three children that were in Nicaragua as he started to bring them to the United States one-by-one starting in 1978 until all three were here. Luis wanted to give his family every opportunity in life, so he worked hard for them to eventually move to Wayne in 1989. While still owning the autobody, Luis saw another business opportunity in the form of a pharmacy. He took another great chance and seized the opportunity to purchase and run the pharmacy. He maintained both for a period, but as the pharmacy took off under his leadership, Luis sold the autobody and maintained just the pharmacy full time for the next 25 years.

Beyond his work, Luis was also a world traveler. The list of countries he didn’t go to would be smaller than his list visited: Latin America, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Japan – if you threw a dart at the globe and didn’t hit water it was probably a place he visited. In addition to traveling, Luis was also the baseball coach for his kids’ little leagues even sponsoring their uniforms through his business.

Luis will be remembered as a very generous man both financially but also with his time. He never hesitated to help someone in need whether it was his family or another. He donated financially to organizations and missionaries around the world never forgetting his humble beginnings. Luis was the kind of man who would lend you his time to provide advice based on his experiences and perspective and that advice was invaluable time and time again. He will be remembered as an incredible family man – a great son, a great husband, a great father, and a great friend. In the end, he was simply a great world citizen.  

                                     *************************************

Luis Enrique Ortega, de 80 años, de Wayne, falleció pacíficamente el miércoles 31 de enero de 2024.

Luis nació en enero de 1944 en Nicaragua, hijo de Enrique Ortega y Bertha Hegg de Ortega. La historia de Luis es una historia de raíces humildes. Era el mayor de 11 hermanos, por lo que tuvo que trabajar duro para ayudar a su familia. Rápidamente desarrolló una increíble ética de trabajo que dio forma al resto de su vida. Mientras estaba en Nicaragua, Luis trabajó como flebotomista en un laboratorio para ayudar a mantener a su familia. Era increíblemente inteligente y, finalmente, formó su propia familia tras el nacimiento de sus tres primeros hijos: Jorge, Carla y María. Con su familia creciendo, Luis tomó la difícil decisión de venir a los Estados Unidos y tratar de alcanzar el sueño americano. 

Luis usó su inteligencia y su increíble ética de trabajo en el momento en que puso un pie en Estados Unidos. Aceptó dos trabajos y comenzó a asistir a la escuela nocturna estudiando negocios al mismo tiempo. Luis estaba muy motivado y sabía que tenía que mantener a su familia en Nicaragua. Regularmente enviaba dinero para apoyarlos en todos sus esfuerzos.

Poco después de llegar a los Estados Unidos, Luis decidió asistir a una fiesta en una casa organizada por un amigo en Jersey City que cambiaría su vida para siempre. Normalmente más preocupado por su gran cantidad de trabajo y la escuela, Luis decidió salir de su zona de confort y asistir a la fiesta que lo llevó a conocer a una hermosa chica llamada Elida Rivera. Elida y Luis se enamoraron y la pareja decidió que se iban a casar en 1973.

Los dos encontraron una casa que querían comprar, pero Luis vio otra ruta que podría cambiar sus vidas para mejor. Le habló a Elida de una oportunidad de negocio que le permitiría a Luis convertirse en su propio jefe en forma de taller de carrocería, era demasiado buena para dejarla pasar. Le prometió que dentro de un año le compraría a Elida una casa mejor si ella podía confiar en él para tomar esta decisión por ellos, eso sí, Luis no tenía experiencia previa en el negocio de la carrocería. Sin embargo, Elida tenía fe en la determinación y el espíritu emprendedor de Luis, por lo que se lanzó de cabeza a su nueva empresa. Fiel a su promesa, Luis encontró un año después una casa que era incluso mejor que la primera. Usando el nuevo éxito de su taller de carrocería, compró la casa para ellos.

La pareja comenzó a formar su propia familia: Jannette, Luis y Leonardo fueron sus tres hermosos hijos a quienes Luis guió y crio con su esposa Elida. Sin embargo, siempre estuvo atento a sus tres hijos que estaban en Nicaragua, ya que comenzó a traerlos a los Estados Unidos, uno por uno a partir de 1978 hasta que los tres estuvieron aquí. Luis quería darle a su familia todas las oportunidades en la vida, por lo que trabajó duro para que finalmente se mudaran a Wayne en 1989. Mientras aún era propietario del taller de carrocería, Luis vio otra oportunidad para incursionar en el negocio de una farmacia. Aprovechó otra gran oportunidad para comprar y administrar la farmacia. Mantuvo ambos negocios durante un tiempo, pero a medida que la farmacia despegó bajo su liderazgo, Luis vendió el taller y mantuvo solo la farmacia a tiempo completo durante los siguientes 25 años.

Más allá de su trabajo, Luis también fue un viajero por el mundo. La lista de países a los que no fue sería más pequeña que la lista que los que si visitó: América Latina, la mayor parte de Europa, Australia, Nueva Zelanda, China y Japón, si lanzabas un dardo al globo terráqueo y no golpeabas el agua, probablemente era un lugar que visitó. Además de viajar, Luis también era el entrenador de béisbol de las ligas menores de sus hijos, incluso patrocinaba sus uniformes a través de su negocio.

Luis será recordado como un hombre muy generoso, apoyando tanto con recursos económicos como con su tiempo. Nunca dudó en ayudar a alguien que lo necesitara, ya fuera su familia o no. Donó financieramente a organizaciones y misioneros de todo el mundo, sin olvidar nunca sus humildes comienzos. Luis era el hombre que te prestaba su tiempo para darte consejos según sus experiencias y perspectivas, y ese consejo era invaluable. Será recordado como un increíble hombre de familia: un gran hijo, un gran esposo, un gran padre, un gran abuelo y un gran amigo. Al final, era simplemente un gran ciudadano del mundo.

John "Jack" Forsatz, age 83 of Wayne, Passed away peacefully on Monday, January 29, 2024.

Jack was born in Paterson to John and Everelda Forsatz on February 19, 1940. He was raised in Clifton, New Jersey with his two brothers, Mark and Rick, and his sister Karen. Jack attended Don Bosco Tech for three years before completing his high school education at Clifton High School. He started working in electronics directly out of high school, but he quickly decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps and join the Army in 1962. Jack served for a little more than two years before he returned home to Clifton. Not too long after returning home, Jack met the love of his life, Eileen, at Bowlero Bowling Alley, in Clifton. The couple dated for a year and were married on November 7, 1964, at St. Valentine's Church in Bloomfield with their family and friends by their sides. 

Jack was an extremely hard worker who worked alongside his father for many years in their family towing business - Johnny's Service Garage in Clifton. After Jack’s father sold the towing company, Jack returned to his former work in electronics while he began a side gig cleaning service. He started that side gig with just the basics, but his entrepreneurial spirit saw it evolve. He realized that the electronics job wasn’t for him, and he took a risk starting his own business called Superior Office Maintenance. Jack leveraged his established connections from his cleaning service and launched his company on a path that led to 31 successful years before his eventual retirement. 

Jack and Eileen lived briefly in Lyndhurst and then Bloomfield before finally settling and building a home in Wayne. The couple raised their three children: Christine, Laura, and John in their new home in Wayne. In 1992, they decided to build a summer home on Long Beach Island which proved to be one of the greatest decisions they could’ve made. Their family enjoyed many incredible summers spent taking in everything the shore had to offer. Jack wasn't just an amazing father to his children; he was also a genuine friend to them. In fact, Jack could make friends just about anywhere. There was something about him which pulled people to him and made them feel very comfortable. Jack always brought the party with him; he was a charismatic, funny, blunt, and witty man who could make just about anyone smile. 

Jack loved his free time spent tending to his huge 90-gallon saltwater fish tank whether it was cleaning, fixing, or just enjoying watching his fish. It wasn’t uncommon to find Jack fixing other aspects of the house as well. He loved to keep busy with little projects around his house and his children’s houses like painting walls or other handy work that he could help with. Jack will also be remembered as a huge New York Giants fan. He was a faithful season ticket holder since 1972! He was notably featured in the newspaper shot of Giants stadium on opening day in 1976 where he proudly supported his team with friends and family. 

Jack treasured his family more than anything and he loved to dote on his grandchildren and grand dogs. Jack had such a huge heart and will be greatly missed by all those he was able to befriend and love. 

Jack is survived by his loving wife Eileen Forsatz; his siblings: Karen Conte and Rick Forsatz; his children: Christine Costello and her husband Greg, Laura Mitchell and her husband Todd, and John Forsatz and his wife Cheryll; and his six grandchildren: Ryan, Blake, Luke, Matthew, John, and Elizabeth. Jack is predeceased by his brother Mark Forsatz. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory would be appreciated to the American Cancer Society.

For those who are unable to attend the funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Valley Church on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, the event will be livestreamed at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/event/NDQ2MTI4MQ==

Samuel G Jarkesy, 93, passed away on January 29, 2024.  His wife of twenty years, Marie (Tiernan) and his daughter, Susan Leah, passed away in 1981. Sam and Marie met while both were teachers at Passaic High School, and they were married in 1961. Sam and Marie were devoted to each other and to their children. 

His father, also Samuel, passed away four months before Sam was born. Sam was born on December 26, 1930, and raised in Paterson by his mother, Leah (Asfor), with the help of his grandmother, Eva, her husband, Albert, many loving aunts and uncles, and beloved step-father Chris Affsa. Sam lived in Paterson, Totowa Boro, Miami, and Passaic. Sam’s family moved to Wayne in 1968. 

Sam graduated from Central High School in Paterson in 1948, Paterson State Teachers College (BS) in 1952, and Montclair State Teachers College (MA) in 1956.

He was in the US Army during the Korean War, working as an auditor in the Army Audit Agency.  His professional career was spent in Passaic, NJ, where he served at Passaic High School as a teacher, department head, vice principal, and principal.  The last nine years of his career were spent as the school business administrator and secretary to the Passaic Board of Education.  He retired in 1990.

Sam was a parishioner and usher at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne.  He served on the Congressional Service Academy Review Board for over 25 years.  He also served on the Board of Directors of the Passaic Boys and Girls Club and the Board of Directors of the Sisco Village Senior Citizens Center in Wayne. 

He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law along with thirteen grandchildren - daughter Ann Brooks (Roger) of Durham, NC, and grandchildren, Marie Colarusso (Chris), Phil, (Paula), great grandchildren, Maria and Elizabeth,  Henry (Charis), Annie, and Roger Brooks, Jr.; daughter Maureen Machado (Anthony) of Wayne, and grandchildren, Maggie, Susan, Rebecca, and Elena Machado; and daughter, Linda Harris (Stephen) of Brooklyn,  NY, and grandchildren Gavin, Elizabeth, Lucy, and Jane Harris.  Sam is also survived in a loving relationship by his beloved companion, Anne Donohue, who was at his side since 1987.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Susan Jarkesy Scholarship Fund would be appreciated. In 1981, Sam tragically lost his wife and their daughter Susan, who was just seventeen years old, in a car accident. This scholarship has been established in Susan’s memory to assist high school students toward achieving their dreams, and your donations would be greatly appreciated. Donations should be made payable to “Susan Jarkesy Scholarship Fund” and mailed using the following address:

Susan Jarkesy Scholarship Fund

c/o Kenneth Palczewski

Wayne Valley High School

551 Valley Road

Wayne NJ 07470 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sarah Fasani (nee Pizza), age 92, of Wayne, NJ.

Sarah passed away peacefully on Friday, January 26, 2024 while receiving the loving care of her family.  She was born and raised in Hackensack, NJ and was one of three children and the only daughter to Charles and Margaret Pizza.

As a young girl growing up in Hackensack, Sarah attended Hackensack High School where she excelled in academics.  She graduated from Hackensack High School with the class of 1949 and immediately enrolled in a local business school.  Sarah earned her Associates degree through the business school and found employment quickly working, and meeting Betty Huber who eventually became her sister in law, marrying her older brother Frank Pizza.

One electrifying night at a local music venue, Sarah found herself immersed in the soul-stirring melodies that filled the air. The atmosphere pulsated with the rhythm of the music, creating a magical ambiance. As she reveled in the enchanting tunes, Sarah caught the eye of none other than the legendary crooner himself, Tony Bennett. At the time Tony had not been discovered yet.  Mr. Bennett approached her during a break in his performance and extended a charming invitation to join him for a post-concert dinner.  Sarah’s father Charles, adamant in his traditional values, sternly forbade his daughter from getting involved with a musician, convinced that the unpredictable lifestyle and perceived lack of stability in the music world would compromise her future.  He told Sarah that she needed to marry a hardworking, honest, Italian young man that will take good care of her.

Sarah’s parents and the parents of a young handsome Italian man named Peter Fasani ,raised in Roccasicura Italy, were both eager to ensure a prosperous future for their children. They orchestrated a hopeful meeting, anticipating that the carefully arranged encounter would pave the way for a relationship culminating in marriage.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on October 7, 1956, the couple exchanged wedding vows and became husband and wife at St Frances Church in Hackensack.

The newlyweds settled in Paterson, NJ just across the street from Peter’s parents.  While only residing there for about a year, the couple welcomed their first child, their daughter Donna in 1957.  The family moved to Little Falls shortly after Donna’s birth, where over the next few years they welcomed their two sons Frank, and Michael.  Little Falls was where Sarah and Peter raised their children and remained until 1985, when they moved to Wayne.  Immediately after getting married, Sarah decided that she would become a full-time homemaker.  This was Sarah’s true calling and where she genuinely flourished.  Sarah completely devoted her time an effort to nurturing and caring for her husband and children.  She was not only devoted to her family, but also to her Catholic Faith.  While living in Little Falls, the family were parishioners of Holy Angels Church and later Our Lady of the Valley RC Church when moving to Wayne. Her children all attended Holy Angels elementary school as we.  Sarah enjoyed singing in the choirs at both parishes and was a member of the Rosary Society .  She was a member of the Italian American Club in Little Falls as well as a Past President and member of the Woman’s Organization at Our Lady of the Valley.

After dedicating her early years to raising her children, Sarah found herself with a newfound passion for nutrition. At a time before many people took an interest in nutrition, Sarah was intrigued by the profound impact of a healthy lifestyle.  She decided to turn her interest into action. Once her children had grown and become more independent, Sarah sought an opportunity to delve into the world of nutrition and healthy living. She secured a part-time job at GNC, a renowned health and wellness store, where she could share her knowledge and enthusiasm for nutrition with others.  She became one of the stores top salespersons.  Sarah was an avid reader and loved to learn about not only nutrition, but also religion and cooking.  Sarah’s faith in God truly defined her as a person.  She was selfless to a fault, always thinking and praying for others around her.  One of her favorite captions was, “Your Faith shines brightest through the dark.”

Those who knew Sarah best, knew that her greatest passion in life was for her family. Nothing in the world meant more to Sarah that providing for and spending time with her family.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother, and treasured hosting holidays and Sunday dinners.  She was an accomplished cook and could prepare anything food dish requested.   She and Peter cherished fifty years of loving and loyal marriage until Peter’s passing in 2006.  During their marriage, they traveled to their homeland of Italy several times to visit relatives from both sides of their family.   In 2013, tragedy struck Sarah’s life when her son Frank passed away, but Sarah found strength in her Faith to move forward.

Sarah will forever be remembered as a loving and dedicated wife, and grandmother.  She was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around her and will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.

Sarah is survived by her daughter Donna Gaskin and her husband Scott Huff of Sebastian, FL, her son Michael Fasani of Wayne, NJ, her grandson Samuel Peter Gaskin of Sebastian FL, three nieces: Kathleen Pizza, Jamie Pizza, and Robin Pizza, one nephew Charles Pizza, one sister-in-law Linda Pizza, one step niece Deborah Wussler, and two step nephews: Steven Smith, and Brian Smith.  She was predeceased by her husband Peter Fasani (2006), her son Frank Fasani (2013), as well as her two brothers Frank Pizza (2002) and Joe Pizza (2019).

Those wishing to make a donation in Sarah’s name are asked to consider the American Heart Association

Alan A. Mendillo, age 93 of Wayne entered into eternal life on Friday, January 26. He was born in Paterson, NJ and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Presidio in San Francisco, CA.

Al was a printer by trade and worked for Berles Carton Co. in Paterson for 35 years & worked 12 years for Accurate Box Co. He owned a Karate School in West Milford, N.J. since 1970 & was a seventh-degree black belt. Al touched many students lives while teaching karate and women’s self-defense courses. Al also taught Karate at the Adult Community School in West Milford from 1972 to 2007 & hosted many demonstrations in the West Milford & Wayne areas. He was the first Karate Instructor at the YM-YWHA in Wayne. In 2017, after 50 years of practicing and teaching karate, he retired. Al was also the Exalted Ruler of Wayne Elk’s Lodge # 2181 from 1992 to 1993 and was very active as a parishioner at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne.

Al’s greatest passion was ballroom dancing with his wife, Angel (nee Cannata) who passed away a few weeks shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.  Al and Angel won many jitterbug contests and made lifelong friends on the dance floor.  Al was quick to tell a joke, loved playing cards – especially Uno and enjoyed bowling in leagues during his younger years.  He was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, Sensei, mentor, friend and much much more.  Al always had a smile on his face and was a great storyteller as well.

Al is survived by his six children: Mrs. Angel Cassera & Tony, Mr. Joseph Mendillo & Sandy, Mr. Alan J. Mendillo & Kim, Mr. James Mendillo & Toni, Mrs. Donna Fauerbach & Kurt, & Mrs. Michelle Catalioto & Tony, plus seventeen grandchildren & 8 great grandchildren and loving caregiver Pat Allen. He was predeceased by his wife Angel, in 2021.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Sandra J Fristensky of North Myrtle Beach South Carolina passed away on Friday January 26th at the age of 79.

Daughter of the late Frederick Trabulsi and Adelle Trabulsi and sister to the late James Trabulsi of Cliffside Park NJ. Sandra was born in Englewood Hospital in Englewood NJ in 1945. 

Sandra grew up in Cliffside Park NJ, frequenting Palisades Amusement Park with her brother James along with other family members and friends, enjoying the Jersey Shore and going to work at AT&T where she would meet her future husband Peter Fristensky. Eventually they would move to Lebanon NJ and in 1980 they welcomed their son Jason into the world. Also living with them was her mother-in-law Henrietta Fristensky. In 2004 they would move to their current home in North Myrtle Beach SC where she would spend time enjoying Coastal living and retirement. 

Sandra enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling back to NJ and to the family timeshare in Hilton Head SC, playing with her dachshund, playing any games that dealt with words and dining out in one of the 2,000 restaurants the area has to offer.

According to The Greek language Sandra means “Protector of Humanity” or “Helper of Mankind” both of which she lived up to every single day of her life. Family and Friends were always put first as they meant everything to her and she did all she could to help them.  There wasn’t a single person that Sandy met that didn’t love her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her mother Adelle Trabulsi, her father Frederick Trabulsi and her brother James Trabulsi. 

She leaves behind her husband Peter Fristensky and her son Jason Fristensky, her nieces Tara Kuipers and husband Phil, and Laura Derwin and husband Michael, and her sister-in-law Jan Trabulsi. 

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In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations in Sandra’s memory be made to:

METAvivor Research and Support

1783 Forest Drive #184

Annapolis, MD 21401 US

If you choose to mail in your gift, please specify that it’s in memory of Sandra Fristensky.

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Eleanore L. Scuralli (nee Rangelli), age 95, of Wayne, NJ.

Eleanore was born in Passaic, NJ, and raised in the Botany Village section of Clifton, NJ.  She was the youngest of four children to Rocco and Anna (nee Stanko) Rangelli.  Eleanore attended Clifton High School and graduated with the class of 1945.  While attending high school, Eleanore worked part-time at Planter’s Peanuts, where she worked in retail for a few years. 

Following her high school graduation, Eleanore enrolled at the Sawyer School of Business, where she earned her certification in Secretarial skills.  She found employment quickly in the shipping department of the Botany Mills, a textile manufacturer in Passaic, NJ, where she worked for several years. 

In the mid-1940s, after the end of the Second World War, a young American GI named Joseph P. Scuralli returned home from service in Europe.  He and his family resided directly behind Eleanore’s house.  One day, while Joseph was walking by her house, Eleanore’s mother insisted she go out on the porch and thank him for his service to the country.  It took some convincing. However, Eleanore appeased her mom.  Eleanore and Joseph hit it off wonderfully and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love, and on June 19, 1949, the two exchanged wedding vows and became husband and wife.  Eleanore and Joseph, excited to celebrate their love, invited two hundred guests to their wedding at Domyon’s, around the corner from their houses. However, it was raining that day, so many people in the area canceled their picnic and day trip plans. The bride and groom were shocked and slightly overwhelmed when an additional two hundred uninvited well-wishers unexpectedly joined the festivities. It made the newspaper!

Also, that year, they purchased five acres of farmland and built a house on Ratzer Road in Wayne Township. They lived with Eleanore’s parents briefly while the house was being completed. After moving to the new house, they started their produce farm and later welcomed the births of all three of their children, Janice, Carol, and Joseph.  The couple raised their children while living in Wayne and have been there ever since.

Eleanore and Joseph worked at Botany Mills in Passaic for several years.  They shared a passion for hard work and determination. Later, in 1958, fueled by their shared dreams and entrepreneurial spirit, Eleanore and Joseph decided to venture into the business world together.  Harnessing their collective skills, they founded their own metalworking and machinery manufacturing business, Wayne Machine & Die Company. The business grew to become one of the leading firms worldwide in the plastic extrusion equipment field. The family owned and operated their business for nearly fifty years.

Over the years, Eleanore and Joseph were long-time North Jersey Country Club members.  While her daughters were growing up, she was a leader for the Brownies and volunteered for Wayne General Hospital.  

Eleanore and Joseph both loved to dance.  For more than twenty-five years, Eleanore treasured taking ballroom dancing lessons. The couple’s business brought them to every corner of the country and internationally for trade shows and exhibitions. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling with friends to various destinations, including England and Russia. In 2004, Eleanore took a memorable trip to tour the national parks of the United States. She convinced her friends to join her on a Hot Air Balloon Ride during her trip, to which they reluctantly agreed. 

Aside from all Eleanore’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion in life was for her family.  Nothing meant more to Eleanore than providing and spending time with her family.  Eleanore and Joseph cherished nearly fifty years of loving and loyal marriage until Joseph’s passing in 1999.  She was an excellent cook and treasured hosting family and friends for the holidays and Sunday Dinners.  August was a special month devoted to making “Tomato Sauce.”  Eleanore’s family dedicated time to hand-picking the best tomatoes from the garden and local markets to produce the finest tomato sauce weekly.  She and her family enjoyed their year-round beach house in North Lavallette at the Jersey Shore. 

Eleanore was genuinely devoted to her Catholic Faith and often prayed to St. Jude and St. Joseph for their intercession. She and her husband, Joseph, were founding members of Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church in Wayne. While a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Church, she was a member of the Rosary Society and volunteered in many capacities.  Eleanore attended the 6:30 am mass daily and the 5:00 pm mass every Saturday.  

Eleanore had a great sense of humor. She was also opinionated and was never afraid to speak her mind and let people know what she thought.  She was an outstanding and exceedingly effective campaign volunteer for her son Joseph, starting when he first ran for Councilman in the late 1990s. Grateful and appreciative, Eleanore always credited her family for providing unwavering love and care and acknowledging their pivotal role in her well-being.  Eleanore’s family is also exceptionally grateful to her devoted caregivers, Yvette and Lori.          

Eleanore will forever be remembered as a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of everyone around her and will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Eleanore is survived by her two daughters, Janice Lischak and her husband Gary of Wayne, NJ, and Carol Perrelli and her husband Anthony of Ocean Port, NJ; one son, Joseph Scuralli and his wife Annette of Wayne, NJ; five grandchildren, Timothy Lischak of Wayne, NJ, Daniel Lischak and his wife Megan of Point Pleasant, NJ, Gina Perrelli of New York City, Samuel Perrelli of Asbury Park, NJ, and Joseph Scuralli III, of Wayne, NJ; two great-grandchildren Eleanor and Theodore Lischak both of Point Pleasant, NJ and several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph P. Scuralli (1999), her brother, John Rangelli, and two sisters, Anna Rangelli and Marion Guglielmo.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanore’s name may be made to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Nunzio Di Taranto, age 85 of Wayne, died on Thursday, January 25, 2024. He was born in Montescaglioso, Italy, and had served in the Italian Army as a young man.

Nunzio was a mason by trade and had worked for many years in a Paterson Dye house. He was a very hard working man who always too good care of his family.

Family was his priority. They ate dinner together every night, watched TV together, played cards and bingo as a family. Nunzio would often take his kids to the park, treat them to ice cream, and anything else that would make them happy. He was especially fond of his grandchildren, Jovanni and Mia. They loved teasing him, and he loved spoiling them! Nunzio was a big Juventus fan and always talked about soccer with Jovanni and he was proud to have taught Mia how to spell her last name. They each have special memories of their grandfather that they will cherish throughout their lifetimes.

Nunzio was certainly set in his ways, and he could be stubborn at times, but he was meticulous and always wanted to see things done just so. This was particularly evident in his work as a mason, which was flawless every time. He also enjoyed gardening, making homemade wine, going for walks, and doing crossword puzzles. He went to the Italian club every Sunday, he loved to play cards, read the Italian newspaper each week, and he would putter around in the garage. He loved building homemade contraptions that were useful to him, but appeared a bit senseless to anyone else. Nevertheless, he kept himself busy and his family entertained at the same time. They will cherish the memories of their time together and the love they shared.

Nunzio is survived by his son John DiTaranto of Wayne, his three daughters: Angela DiTaranto and her partner Biagio Caravella of Wayne, Carmela DiTaranto of Nutley, and Nancy DiTaranto and her partner Dino Natale of Totowa, NJ, and two grandchildren; Jovanni and Mia, his four brothers; Pasquale, Rocco, Giulio, and Anthony, as well as one sister; Sister Angela DiTaranto. He was predeceased by his wife, Antonia, in 2023.

Lorraine Noll, age 88, of Ringwood, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, January 25, 2024. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters; Loren Noll, Kathy Drago and her husband Mike Drago, and Sharon Weiss, her grandchildren; Danielle Drago, Justin Weiss, Kristen Weiss, and Michael Drago, and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Andrew Noll, her brother Bob Keeble, and her son-in-law Scott Weiss.

Lorraine was born to Henry and Stephanie Keeble in Teaneck, New Jersey on May 12, 1935. She was raised in Little Ferry, New Jersey with her brother, Bob, until they moved to Westwood, New Jersey.

After graduating from Westwood Regional High School, Lorraine started working at People’s Trust Bank. While working at People’s Trust, she met the love of her life, Andrew Noll. The two married in the autumn of 1957 and were blessed with three lovely daughters: Loren, Kathy, and Sharon. They enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage of 66 years before Andrew passed away in November of 2023.

Lorraine was known for her love of traveling. Along with her husband, she traveled all around the United States visiting National Parks. She also took yearly trips with her daughters and grandchildren all over the states, North America, and Central America. Her favorite was always out west in states like Arizona and Colorado. She was also a creative person. She loved making crafts, especially if they related to Christmas. She was never happier than during the Christmas season and would often start Christmas planning in the summer months.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Casimira H Nawojczyk, age 86, of Wayne, NJ.

Casimira passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 while receiving the loving care of her family.  Those who came to know Casimira affectionately referred to her as “Cathy.” Casimira, daughter to Anthony and Jadzia Nawojczik, was born and raised in Brooklyn. NY and was the youngest of six children. Cathy attended Bishop McDonnell High School in Brooklyn and graduated in  class of 1955.  She quickly found employment as Secretary in the New York City area and after working for a time in New York City, she ultimately relocated to Garfield, NJ.  In Garfield she was employed as Office Manager for a textile company until she retired.   In approximately 2011, Cathy purchased her first and only home in Wayne, NJ reluctantly but excitedly leaving her beloved Garfield apartment and friends.  

As a young lady, Cathy devoted much of her time to caring for her mother who suffered from Parkinson’s Disease.  Cathy, a remarkable woman with a heart full of warmth and compassion and chose to devote her life to family, friends, others and Christ. Choosing not to have a family of her own, Cathy became a pillar of support for her friends and their families. Devoting herself to others, her selflessness and nurturing nature knew no bounds.  She invested her time, love, and wisdom in the lives of her siblings' children as well as the children of friends, treating them as if they were her own; she even played “Santa Claus” for those children throughout the years. For many years  she has been a supporting Donor to many Charitable Organizations including “Christian Foundation for Children and Aging” and “Unbound” through which she provides monetary and spiritual support to two girls one in Philippines and one in Guatemala.  Through her genuine care and unwavering presence,It was clear to all who knew Cathy, her greatest passion in life was for her family and friends.  Cathy,  family was not solely defined by blood but by bonds of love and chosen connections believing them  to be just as profound and enduring.  She also spent a great time volunteering to various organizations including a great length of time as a Hospice Worker for Visiting Nurses of NJ;  her “personal ministry” was devoted to delivering food to the nuns in the Paterson area of New Jersey.  Nothing in the world meant more to Cathy than  spending time with and caring for her family, friends, and extended family.

Cathy also truly devoted herself  to her Christian morals and values, and  her Catholic Faith throughout her life.   As a young woman she became GodMother to her niece Mari and later also became her Confirmation and Miraculous Medal Sponsor.  Cathy  fastidiously exemplified the meaning and responsibility of those roles as well as instilled, encouraged and modeled  the importance and values of Christianity to everyone.  In May of 2017 she was professed as “ Third Order Carmalite” by Fr. Ashley at Our Lady of Magnificat RC Church in Kinnelon  Cathy was parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne for many years; however, she was known to clergy and parishioners at most of the Catholic Churches and several non-denominational Churches visiting and attending multiple Masses daily and weekends; Cathy and her circle of friends were known as the “Roaming Catholics” by one of the local priests.  When Cathy was not attending mass, she devoted many hours praying for others in the adoration chapel and as a member of her weekly Prayer Group.  She was an avid reader and researcher focused on increasing and personifying her beliefs through books on Christianity, Religion and Healing through spiritual means.   She was a member of the “Oatmeal Club”, a circle of close friends who attended Mass together every Friday and treasured sharing breakfast afterward at Panera’s.

Travel and adventure were Cathy’s favorite pastimes; exotic beachy destinations including Jamaica, St Thomas, Puerto Rico spots although Aruba was most memorable of all.  

Cathy was a talkative charming lady with a boisterous laugh; who enjoyed telling and listening to jokes and could light up any room she walked into with her infectious personality and wonderful sense of humor.  She was a true friend to all those around her and could always be counted on to listen when someone had something to say.  She also treasured eating Polish food and dancing the Polka.  Cathy will forever be remembered as a truly devoted member of her family and a wonderfully dedicated friend.  She was a genuinely special person who was not materialistic, but very spiritual, touching the lives of everyone around her.  She was a very spiritual person, both  spiritual guide and source of spiritual inspiration to many; her spirituality included medical, emotional and Holistic healing.  Cathy will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.

Cathy is survived by sixteen nieces and nephews; Karen Buckley of Boca Raton, FL, Mari Csiszer of Springfield, VT, Monica Jones of West Islip, NY, Charlie Zdebski of Alexandria, VA, Tom Devine of Oradell, NJ, Chris Devine of Oradell, NJ, Jimmy Devine of Fort Worth, TX, Glenn Nowachek, Linda Nowachek of Fire Island, NY, Greg Sciora of Matawan, NJ, Ricky Sciora of New Jersey, Chris Sciora of Texas, Ron Nawojczyk of North Carolina, Diana Nawojczyk of Missouri, Carolyn Dipsey of New Jersey, and Jimmy Nawojczyk of New Jersey.  She is also survived by her extended family and friends: Blanca Pinos, Nellie Pinos, Grace DeMarco, Victor DeMarco, Martha Higuera, Alfred Higuera, Mark Higuera, Erica Higuera Stephen Higuera, Jill Higeura, Andrew DeMarco, Emilia DeMarco, Derek DeMarco, Jordan DeMarco, and Mia DeMarco.  Cathy was predeceased by her siblings Anthony Nowachek, Lorraine Sciora, Gabe Nawojczyk, Sophie Zdebski and Genevive Devine and nephews Chris and Lawrence Devine.

For a livestream of the funeral mass please visit www.olmchurch.org

Those wishing to make a donation in Cathy’s name are asked to consider Several Sources Shelter, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Catholic Charities, or Carmalite Communities

Bernard L. Spardel, age 90 of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024. 

Bernard was born in Brooklyn, New York to Louis and Mary Spardel. He lived in Flushing Queens, New York, Plainfield, New Jersey, and Piscataway, New Jersey before moving to Wayne in 1973. 

Bernie received his formal education at City College of New York where he received a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Degree with the Class of 1956. Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Patricia Little, after a mutual friend set them up on a blind date. The two instantly hit it off and became engaged in two months and married in six months! They were married on April 1, 1961, in Calvert City, Kentucky before departing on their honeymoon to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Smokey Mountains. The couple enjoyed fifty-seven incredible years together until Pat’s passing in 2018.

Bernard was a chemical engineer for International Specialty Products Company in Wayne for 52 years before his retirement in 2008. His career saw him relocated several times – first from Kentucky to Plainfield, NJ where he and Pat were blessed with their first child, Steven. Then again to Piscataway, NJ where their family grew by three more with the birth of Karen, Michael, and Kurt. Finally, work transferred Bernard to Wayne where he and Pat settled in Packanack Lake. They purchased a house and made it their home for the next forty-nine years (apart from an 18-month assignment to Germany where Bernard was a Project Engineer for a chemical plant). 

Bernie and Pat loved to travel the world. Their time living in Germany gave their family the opportunity to explore Europe and visit the many different countries and cultures that it has to offer. They shared many fond memories during their travels and continued those trips long after returning to Packanack Lake in Wayne.  They traveled the United States as well, including Alaska, Hawaii, and much of the East Coast each fall.

St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Wayne was also a huge part of Bernie’s life. He was very involved in the St. Timothy’s Property Crew (better known as the Monday Morning Crew) as well as the Planning Committee for Church Expansion back in 2004. 

Bernie will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his determination to solve problems – especially those related to his lawn. Any lawn invaders were no match to his chemical skills!  He was a lifelong Mets fan, loved his flower gardens, and appreciated keeping the nature around him as God made it.  He also had a deep appreciation for Opera and Classical music as well as the crooners of the 50’s and 60’s.

Bernard is survived by his four children: Steven Spardel of Verona (Lisa), Karen Sajban of West Milford (Thomas), Michael Spardel of Butler, and Kurt Spardel of Little Egg Harbor; seven grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his wife Patricia, brother Richard, and nephew Christopher.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The American Kidney Fund or the St. Timothy Laubscher Property Memorial Fund are welcome.

Julie Scialla, age 54 of Pompton Lakes NJ passed away Saturday January 20, 2024 at her home with the comfort of her family by her side.

Julie was born to John Michael O’Keefe & Claire O’Keefe in Portsmouth Virginia at the Naval Hospital on 10/31/1969. She grew up in Braintree MA and graduated from Braintree HS in 1987. She then attended Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and filled her dream of becoming a Pharmacist like her Uncle Ray that she had since she was 7 years old.

In 1994 on a trip to Africa to visit a friend in the Peace Corps Julie meet the love of her life Arthur Scialla and soon moved to Hawthorne NJ to be closer to him. They enjoyed fishing trips, Rock climbing, snowmobiling, attending Nascar races, and Hiking. In 1998 Julie and Art were married in Ringwood NJ and the future blessed them with 3 amazing children. Anthony, Will, and Jack.

Julie worked at Geriscript Pharmacy in Pompton Plains NJ. She enjoyed photography, trivia, snowmobiling, fishing, cooking, and being in nature.

Julie volunteered as an EMT at the Montville first aid squad where she worked her way up to lieutenant and eventually captain. Julie also worked on the Montville drug awareness council where she volunteered her time in an effort to prevent substance abuse.

Her greatest enjoyment in life was her three boys. Julie loved being a mother and spending as much time with her boys as she could.

Julie was a loving wife, amazing Mother, a wonderful sister, and a fantastic friend.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Susan G. Komen Foundation would be greatly appreciated. 

Elena Otto, age 84, of Lake Worth Florida and formerly of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 19, 2024 while receiving the love of her family.

Elena was the second-born child of Dominick and Fannie (Ognibane) Attanasio. She was raised in Brooklyn, NY and later moved to Queens, NY. 

After graduating from high school in 1956, Elena attended college and later became a bank teller. It was while working at the bank that she met her husband Edward. Because of his persistent pursuit, they began dating. They fell in love and ultimately married on April 23, 1958. After a honeymoon in the Bahamas, they began life in an apartment in Flushing Queens. While living there, they were blessed with their firstborn, a son who they named Edward. They later purchased a home located at 24 Dupont Terrace in Wayne where the stork delivered them another baby, this time a girl which they named Linda. Elena moved once again, this time to a condominium on Schindler Lane in Wayne. She remained their until moving to Lake Worth, Florida in March of 2023 to be near her daughter Linda. 

For over twenty years, Elena served as the court administrator and worked in the violations department for the Township of Wayne. She was so much loved and respected for her great work that she attempted to retire multiple times before making it permanent. Every time she tried, the town would beg her to come back. She enjoyed her work and the camaraderie of her work mates but she also enjoyed the frequent opportunities for traveling adventures that retirement allowed. Her trips included cruises and numerous bus trips with the seniors. 

Elena was an active soul who enjoyed frequent walks to get fresh air and stay fit as a fiddle. She was an avid reader who especially gravitated towards mystery novels. Her need to serve others was channeled through her volunteer service with the Ladies Auxiliary of Wayne Fire Department.

Elena’s faith was dear to her and for many years before moving to Florida, she regularly attended Mass at Holy Cross Church and later at Our Lady of Consolation Church, both of Wayne. 

Elena had a heart of gold and a quick wit that caused family friends and strangers to gravitate toward the warmth of her heart, big smile and personality. She laughed a lot and lived life with a cheerful heart, always finding the best in all whose life path crossed hers. 

Elena was the loving mother of Edward Otto of Castle Rock, Colorado and Linda Otto of Lake Worth, Florida; dear sister of the late Dominick Attanasio, and the late Joseph Attanasio; dear sister-in-law of Mary Madlyn Attanasio and the late Amelia Attanasio. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Debbie, Mark, Peggy, Cindy, Dominick, Travis and Katelyn.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Elena’s name are asked to consider one of the following charitable organizations:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Property Owners League Fire Co. No. 2, Inc.

P.O. Box 1

Wayne, NJ 07470

George James Tahan, age 96, passed peacefully on Friday, January 19, 2024.

George was born in Paterson, New Jersey, to Habib and Zakia Tahan.  During his third year of high school, George was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Germany at the end of WWII.  He was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal before being Honorably Discharged in November of 1946. 

Upon his return from the military, George operated a gas station and then a dry cleaner before ultimately pursuing a career in the insurance and real estate industry.  After working at local insurance and real estate agencies for several years, George started his own real estate and insurance agency in the late 1970s called, “The George Tahan Agency,” which he owned and operated for approximately 20 years primarily in Paterson and Clifton.

George met Carolyn (“Karen”) in his late 30s, and after about four years of dating, they married and raised their three children in Wayne, New Jersey.  George and Karen had a loving and devoted fifty-four-year marriage that she characterized as “I had the best person in the world for me.” George was a remarkable man whose gentle demeanor and optimistic outlook on life left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. Known for his unwavering positivity, George never dwelled on the past, choosing instead to focus on the present and future with a smile. His great sense of humor brought joy to those around him, as he loved to share laughter and create a lighthearted atmosphere. George's generosity knew no bounds. His persistent nature and strong work ethic were evident in every endeavor he undertook, and his patience and self-confidence were the cornerstones of his success. George was not only generous with material things but also with his time, always eager to lend a helping hand. His ability to make others laugh, coupled with his enduring spirit, made George a cherished presence in the lives of those fortunate enough to know him. A few things would get George going…despite his otherwise meticulously cleanly nature, don’t touch the mess that he called a desk, there is no such word as “can’t,” and “if you start something you finish it.”

George was the devoted husband of fifty-four years to Karen Tahan; devoted father of David Tahan and his wife Jennifer of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Nicole Dockray and her husband Eric of Toms River, and Jason Tahan and his wife Lillian of Wayne; George was the cherished grandfather of Cole, Aidan, Colin, Shea, Darrin, Jason, Brayden, Matthew and Ethan; George was predeceased by his parents, Habib and Zakia, and his siblings, Basil, Alberta, Mary, and Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to any of the following three organizations would be greatly appreciated:

National MultipleSclerosis Society or St. Ann's CharitableSociety or Wounded Warrior Project    

Salvatore J. Bonanno., age 75 of Wayne, passed on to his home in eternal glory on Friday, January 19, 2024.

The son of John and Marie (Casela) Bonanno, Sal was born and raised in Brooklyn.

After graduating high school, he attended New York Institute of Technology in Long Island, NY where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. Sal used his excellent skills with numbers and his love for his fellow man by helping them prepare their dreaded taxes each year. He was a tax preparer at H&R Block in Paterson for twenty-six years and, despite more than one attempt to retire, he was still working to help folks render unto Cesar what was Cesar’s and unto God what was God’s to the present day. None of his clients wanted him to retire and so, despite being past the years of full-time work, Sal showed up each day to the office in Paterson where he was assisted by a homeless man who helped him open the overhead door to his office building. A generous and hospitable guy, Sal always rewarded the man for his kind assistance. 

Sal met the love of his life, Belinda Bueno, a dear gentle woman through a pen pal letter writing exchange. They first met in person when Sal came to meet Belinda who was staying with relatives in Paramus. Belinda’s relatives were impressed by Sal’s gentle and kind demeanor and, before Sal and Belinda headed off for lunch, they commented to Belinda, “He seems really nice!” The two of them ultimately fell in love and married on July 24, 1989 before the justice of the peace and soon after they exchanged wedding promises again before God, family and friends at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne. Their first home as husband and wife was in Pomona, NY. In 1993, they purchased a home in Wayne and have lived there ever since. 

When he wasn’t helping his clients do their tax returns, Sal spent leisure time working on his stamp and coin collections. He also worked on his model trains and visited various train shows in the tri-state area and beyond. Sal and Belinda also enjoyed traveling adventures to Aruba, Curacao, and Spain. 

Sal was devout in his Catholic faith. He and Belinda were regular attenders at the 9:00 AM mass at Our Lady of Consolation Church where Sal always liked to sit up front near the altar. After mass he’d always ask Belinda if she’d like to go for brunch at the Wayne Hill’s Diner, just up the street from the church. After going there for what seemed like the one-thousandth time, Belinda secretly wished to try a different eating venue but she always obliged Sal because the simple act of enjoying his company was more important than where she enjoyed his company.

Sal was a kind, gentle and generous soul. He was truly loved by his tax clients and coworkers at H&R Block. And he was loved by his dear wife Belinda to whom he was blessed with 34 years in a loving and devoted marriage.    

Sal was the beloved husband of Belinda (Bueno) Bonanno. He is also survived by his dear brother Robert of Franklin Lakes and numerous dear brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Sal’s life can be made to:

‍

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Julius B. “Jules” Sylvester, age 82, of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

The third of Gaetano and Stella (Dezenzo) Sylvester’s three children, Jules was born in Paterson and raised in the Riverside section at 273 East 23rd Street and later at 159 East 24th Street. He was a graduate of Eastside High School, Class of 1958, where he played saxophone in the orchestra and clarinet in the marching band. 

While most teenagers in the early 1950s were tuning in to the new rock ‘n’ roll craze, Jules’ interest in music was big band and jazz. Jules saved up his birthday money to buy a new saxophone for $300 at age 11!  He also saved his money to buy record albums at the Eclipse record store on Washington Street in Downtown Paterson.  His most treasured purchase was a Stan Kenton box set.  Kenton was a distinguished orchestra leader and a master on the piano.

Jules’ love of music flourished to the point of forming his own group—Julius Sylvester and his Crown Four. Jules led the group on saxophone. The pinnacle of their musical fame came when they landed a New Year’s Eve gig headlining at the Terrace Room on 5th Avenue in Paterson. It was a paid engagement with each band member receiving twelve dollars to play for the night! 

After graduating from high school, Jules ventured into the working world with jobs at Curtiss-Wright Corporation in Wood-Ridge, Trio Dyeing and Finishing in Paterson, and Thermo Electric in Saddle Brook. He eventually settled into a forty-year career in the parts department at Brogan Cadillac-Oldsmobile in Paterson and later in Totowa.  He participated on Brogan’s softball team and in their bowling league.  Eventually, he rose to the position of Assistant Parts Manager. 

Jules met his beloved wife Marie (LePera) Sylvester at Bernie’s Candy Store on the corner of 8th Avenue and East 22nd Street in Paterson. Jules frequented the place where he played a pretty slick game on the store’s pinball machine. Attracted by his good looks, pinball skills, and his cute 1954 black Ford Sunliner convertible, Marie subtly put out the word that she was interested in Jules. Both being car lovers, their first date was at the historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson where they saw Jack Kochman’s Hell Drivers. At a dollar per person admission price, it was a pretty cheap date by today’s standards. That date led to numerous others and, ultimately, marriage. Of course, Jules did the honorable thing and asked Marie’s father for permission to marry his daughter. With her parents’ blessing, they married on Sunday, May 9, 1965, at Blessed Sacrament Church on 6th Avenue in Paterson. After a reception at Nestor’s in Singac, the newlyweds honeymooned in Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, V.I. Jules and Marie then moved into a second-floor rental at 153 East 17th Street in Paterson. In 1970, they purchased their first home at 124 Willard Avenue in Totowa. In 1996, they moved one more time, to their present home in Wayne. 

Jules enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1963. He proudly served for six years and was present to help restore peace during the 1967 riots in Newark. Upon his honorable discharge in 1969, he was a Staff Sergeant with decorations and citations as a tank weapons expert, tank sub-cal sharpshooter, pistol marksman, and a rifle expert.

Having worked for Brogan all those years, it goes without saying that Jules appreciated Cadillacs. His first was a 1978 Coupe DeVille and the second was a 1987 Coupe DeVille with wire wheels and a rag top that his wife claims cost more than their first home! Jules’ favorite, though, was the 1966 white Buick Riviera that he and Marie still own to this day.   

Jules truly had a green thumb and was a consummate tinkerer. He had a beautiful vegetable garden which produced the makings for delicious meals (especially those Jersey tomatoes), and he was also a house plant aficionado. His Christmas cactus bloomed beautifully this year, right on time, and his angel trumpets were glorious. Jules was known for his plant propagation and ability to start many plants from just a shoot or a leaf—his family, friends, and even his doctor have plants grown from Jules’ plant cuttings. Jules was also very handy and could always find something in the house to fix. Always willing to help others, he gladly fixed things in his neighbors’ houses and on their cars, too. 

Jules and Marie enjoyed a precious marriage that spanned nearly 59 years. During those years they traveled quite a bit. In addition to their honeymoon trip, they had the privilege of taking vacations to Florida, including Disney World, California, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and abroad to Italy and France, where they had dinner in the Eiffel Tower and visited Normandy where Marie’s uncle was among the first troops to land on Omaha Beach. Closer to home, they spent many vacations at the Jersey Shore, eventually buying a shore house in Toms River that they’ve owned since 1992. Jules loved to go boating on his thirty-three-foot Wellcraft and found as much enjoyment cleaning it as he did using it.

Above all else, Jules’ greatest love was for his family. He was so proud of his sons, and enjoyed every moment of cheering for his grandsons at all of their baseball, basketball, soccer, and bowling events. 

Jules was a warm and charming man. He was good to his family, friends, and anyone he met. He was hard-working and persistent when faced with a challenging situation. He was a good husband, a fine father, and a loving and supportive grandfather. He will be missed by all who knew him, both young and old alike. 

Jules was the beloved husband of Marie; loving father of Tom Sylvester of Parsippany (former wife Susan Sylvester of Towaco) and Kevin Sylvester (husband Jim McDonnell) of Washington, D.C.; cherished grandfather of Stephen, Zachary, and Ryan Sylvester; dear brother of the late Mario Sylvester (2023) and the late Rudolph Sylvester (2020); and dear uncle of nine nieces and nephews.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jules’ memory can be made to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.T2T.org), or another charity of your choosing.

Shirley Adell Rink (nee Skaling), age 83 of Newton, NJ, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, January 18, 2024.  We are comforted by knowing that she is now with her dear Lord and Savior in Heaven.   Shirley lived in Wayne, NJ for over 60 years before recently relocating to Newton, NJ.  She enjoyed fellowshipping at the Paterson and then Wayne Christian Assembly for well over 60 years, where everyone knew her as “Aunt Shirley”.  She could always be found helping with the children, singing or encouraging others.  Before retiring from work, Shirley had been a Special Education teacher in the Wayne Public schools for 25 years. 

Shirley was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and was the oldest of Russell and Adell Skalings four children.   When Shirley was a young girl, her family moved from Canada down to California, so her father could continue his studies.  The family enjoyed many wonderful years in California, and Shirley went on to graduate from San Gabriel High School.  Shortly thereafter the Skaling family moved to New Jersey where Shirley’s dad continued doing the Lord’s work.  Soon Shirley began pursuing her teaching degree at William Paterson Teacher’s College and then Kean College.   Three days after graduation, she married Edmund Rink, thus beginning the love story that would last for more than sixty years. 

Shirley and Edmund married on June 9, 1962 at the Colonia Chapel in Clark, NJ.  Following their wedding they journeyed in Eddie’s snazzy white convertible to Cape Cod for their honeymoon. They have enjoyed a very special love throughout their many years together, always holding hands along the way. They have lived a very blessed life centered on God and family, for which they are truly grateful.   Over the years, the Lord blessed Shirley and Eddie with two children, Lenny and Lisa.  Shirley was a wonderful mother with a huge heart.   She always encouraged and supported her family and those around her, including her students in school.  Following in her footsteps, both her children went on to become teachers as well.    Sadly, Shirley’s son, Lenny, predeceased her in 2015.   

Shirley has had many hobbies and loved to be busy.   She was an avid sewer and often made matching outfits for the family.  Music was also a huge part of her life.  There was always a song in her heart which bubbled out of her in the form of singing and whistling.    She also taught herself to play the piano and accordion.  Her poetry was loved by all as well!  Traveling was another highlight in her life.  When the children were young, the family would pack up the camper van and head off on adventures, often to attend various Christian camps and conferences.  They also drove across the country and visited most of the 50 states.   Having family in Charlotte, NC also meant many trips south and many cherished memories with several generations of the family gathered round the dinner table.  Shirley and Eddie also enjoyed many bus tours with Christian groups, an Alaskan cruise, and many beach visits to the Jersey Shore and Myrtle Beach. She led a blessed life, indeed. 

Shirley is survived by her beloved husband of sixty-one years; Edmund of Newton, NJ, their daughter, Lisa MacMoyle and her husband Glenn of Blairstown, NJ.  Shirley also is survived by her sister, Sandi Weimer and her husband Harry, her sister-in-law, Helen Skaling (widow of Dennis), and many nieces and nephews.  Shirley was predeceased by her son, Lenard Rink, her brother Dennis and her brother Robert.   

Our dear Rolande Liautaud sadly passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the age of 98. Rolande was born in Croix des Bouquets Haiti on June 17,1925, to the late Charles Liautaud and Olivia Decopin. She migrated to the US in 1983. 

Rolande was loving, caring, devoted to her family, and always willing to speak her mind. She was very caring and empathetic, but also assertive when something was not right. She enjoyed cooking and was always ready to nourish you with a meal. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when her family needed her. She was more than happy to be the central figure in the lives of her children and grandchildren. 

Rolande was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends. 

She is survived by her daughters Yolette Muse Salvi and husband Sugandh Salvi, Margarett Muse Pierre and husband Wesner Pierre, her son Djeams Muse and wife Ilegna Almonte Muse, and six grandchildren: Shirley Salvi, Samuel Salvi and wife Chloe Crider Salvi, Jennifer Pierre and husband Michael Schramm, Stephanie Pierre and husband Jomari Picazo, Alex Michael Muse and Jehyleni Monegro Muse. She was predeceased by her husband Raoul Muse and son Raoul Junior Muse. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Catherine of Bologna Church of Ringwood NJ would be greatly appreciated.

Dr. Fabian D. Cordova, D.D.S., age 92 originally from Quito Ecuador, but living in NJ since 1964, passed peacefully after an unexpected sudden illness and complications, on Tuesday 1/16/24. He was surrounded by his family and closest friends, in the ICU. Other than these last critical days, Fabian lived fully, actively, even driving to get his haircut 2 weeks ago. He stayed out on New Year’s Eve past midnight to celebrate with friends.

Dr. Cordova and family settled in Wayne in 1970, and loved his homes, after first arriving in Paterson. He was not only a family man and gentleman, but a highly-respected professional. He owned a private dental practice and home in Queens, NY and worked well past the age of retirement. He was very active in the Spanish-American Medical-Dental Association, as well as other Ecuadorian cultural and educational organizations. 

Fabian Demetrio was born to Marco & Judith in Quito in 1931. He was a proud alumni of the Mejia School, and later the Central University of Dentistry in Ecuador, He enrolled in the Ecuadorian army as a ranking Lieutenant officer, serving as a dentist. He had many stories about his time serving, and the remote places he would be sent. He also co-owned a dental practice in Quito. Eventually he would sell his share in order to start over in the United States. He would lead a fight to reform acceptance of credentials from overseas universities, but first had to study all over again at SUNY, the State University of New York. He participated in fraternal societies there. He eventually bought an investment home & office in Queens, where he would commute 6 days a week from Wayne.

Fabian came from a large Catholic family with many traditions. His parents had 12 children who lived into adulthood. All siblings in order from oldest to youngest: Martha (+), Hugo (+), Maria (+), Beatriz (+), Marco, Fabian (+), Fabiola (+), Fausto (+), Regina (+), Anita, Guillermina, Elba, Yolanda, and Jose (+). Plus his sisters and brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews on the Cordova side. 

He married Leny Susana Delgado in Quito, after having admired her from afar for many years. He was immediately embraced by her family and close to everyone. His in-laws Laura & Pedro, and Leny’s siblings: Coca, Peter, Fernando, Lupe, their spouses and many nieces and nephews.

After retirement, as a couple, Fabian & Leny have remained socially & culturally active, as well as always in touch with family and friends, both here and abroad.

Fabian was a very talented painter and attended weekly classes when possible, as well as having received awards of recognition for his art.
They also took care of themselves by taking walks, stretching, and doing some home exercises. He enjoyed music, dancing, reading, chess, drinks & sweets! He loved company and remembering the past,
He was always meticulous in his appearance and presentation. Generous and kind; a true gentleman.

The home he loved the most on Tall Oaks Drive, allowed him time in the garden & yard. Observing and feeding the birds. Looking at the deer and other creatures, as well as his backyard full of trees. He was proud of his home and entertaining guests. 

He sensed the achievement of the family he built with his wife Leny, son Peter, daughter Eleana, and later grandson Damon and daughter-in-law Barbara. As well as close friends who were like family. He always kept his family in Ecuador close to his heart and looked forward to future encounters. 

Fabian & Leny spent the last year in a smaller apartment, to simplify life and be close neighbors to their daughter. They were together every day. During the last 2 years of health crises with his wife, he was very affected by any time of separation. Their love is eternal.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Operation Smile would be greatly appreciated.  When making a donation please acknowledge that the donation is in memory of Fabian Cordova.

Elinor Russo, age 98, of Wayne, passed into eternal life, with the comfort of family by her side, on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, after a brief illness.

Elinor was born in Paterson, NJ to Maria (D’Angelo) & Vincenzo Mastrobuoni, the third of six children, on October 30, 1925.

After graduating from Central High School, Elinor went to work at Meyer Brothers department store in Paterson.  A few years later she met her husband, Carmine. They dated for a few years and were married in 1955.

Elinor enjoyed being home raising her children, had a passion for cooking, and loved taking care of her cats. She was a loving wife for 46 years before Carmine passed in 2001. In her later years, up until she was in her mid-eighties, she enjoyed taking long walks.

Elinor is survived by two sisters, Norma & Gloria, two sons, Chris, and his wife Marianne, Tom, and his wife Robin, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

Katharine Eich, age 84 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 15, 2024. 

Born to Edward and Helen Kern, Katharine was brought up in Brooklyn, NY where she attended Bushwick High School. Being the beautiful girl that Katharine was, she began getting into fashion and modeling where she would often participate in different modeling contests and gigs. Once she graduated from high school, Katharine attended Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Manhattan, NY while continuing to pursue a modeling career. After graduating from Barbizon, Katharine received a job as a receptionist for the banquet department at the Sheraton-Astor Hotel on Broadway. Katharine’s desk was in the lobby of the hotel and her beautiful face was often one of the very first things you would see upon entering the building. Katharine maintained working at the hotel and modeling on the side for around two years, before marrying her husband John. 

While planning for her and John’s wedding, Katharine’s father, Edward, unexpectedly passed away leading to a change in their plans for marriage. Katharine and John decided to forgo the planning and wed as soon as possible. Katharine and John traveled to Elkton, MD to be wed as the town was famously known as the Marriage Capital of the East Coast back in the day, due to their short waiting period for a marriage license. The couple were first wed in a civil ceremony in August of 1957 and around a year later, celebrated their nuptials again in a larger ceremony in Queens, NY with friends and family. 

Katharine was an amazing homemaker and loving mother to her three boys, Edward, John III, and James. The boys were raised in Katharine and John’s first home together on Long Island, in Levittown, NY. Katharine was extremely active with her boys, whether it was taking them to the local pool to swim and race, to working in their schools cafeterias, to volunteering at various school functions; she was very hands on. Katharine was filled with compassion for those around her, extremely trustworthy, and loyal. Her boys knew they could go to their mother for anything, problems, aspirations, or just guidance and she would provide it to the best of her ability. Katharine was also a very good friend, in fact she maintained contact with her high school friends and would continually write letters to them over the years. 

After moving to New Jersey in the ‘70s, Katharine and John became involved in their townhouses homeowner association for many years. Katharine specifically worked on what they called the Beautification Committee where she oversaw the landscaping and would make recommendations for improving the visual appeal of the townhouses. Katharine was also very involved with St. Mary’s Church where she sang in the choir for almost 40 years and absolutely loved it. Monday night choir rehearsals and the conclusion of mass usually resulted in the choir group and friends reconvening at the diner over coffee. Katharine had a true love and appreciation for the friends she made while in the choir as they were a very tight-knit group. Katharine and John would even host the annual choir Christmas party at their house. St. Mary’s Church holds a special place in Katharine's heart, not only did she meet a wonderful group of friends there, her two sons, Edward and James, were married there, Katharine and John renewed their vows there on their 20th, 30th, 50th, and 60th wedding anniversary, and their grandson, Sean, was christened at St. Mary’s.

Katharine and John also enjoyed traveling around the world and would often take trips to Europe. From the five different times they visited Europe, they were able to see over sixteen countries during their travels. Katharine and John made promises to their children to take them to Europe once they had been married for one year, and so on two of their visits to Europe they were able to enjoy the trip with their sons and daughter-in-laws. Katharine and John also got to experience living in Hong Kong for a little under half a year and both enjoyed their experiences there immensely. Katharine loved visiting unique places on their travels and one of the locations she loved to frequent was the Olympic Hotel for afternoon tea in Macau, China. Katharine and John were able to explore around China and Singapore while living over there, and they made sure to stop and visit Hawaii on the way back home to New Jersey.

Katharine is survived by her beloved husband John, her three sons Edward, John III, and James, her grandson, Sean, and her great granddaughter, Hunter-Laine. She was predeceased by her parents Edwards and Helen Kern. 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Siniscalchi (nee Hall), age 52, of Wayne, NJ.

Mary passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, January 15, 2024 at her home in Wayne, NJ.  She was the only daughter and youngest of four children to Harold and Marie Hall and was a life-long resident of the Packanack Lake section of Wayne.  While growing up in Wayne, Mary participated in a variety of sports, her favorite being soccer.  She attended Wayne Valley high School and graduated with the class of 1989.  Following her high school graduation, Mary found employment quickly with Jan Fence in Wayne.  She began working at Jan Fence answering the phones.  Later she was transferred to the accounting department, then eventually became office manager.  After twenty years or so, Mary left Jan Fence and accepted a position as a bookkeeper with Malanga’s Automotive in Riverdale, NJ.  Mary worked there for about two years until her passing.  

After dedicating many years to her professional career, Mary decided to embark on a new chapter by enrolling in college later in life. Her decision to pursue higher education demonstrated a profound commitment to personal growth.  Despite the challenges that often accompany returning to academia as a mature student, Mary's determination and resilience was greatly inspiring. 

In 1991, Mary’s brother introduced her to a handsome young man by the name of Mark Siniscalchi.  The two hit it off great and started dating.  The couple dated for several years and as fate would have it, they exchanged wedding vows on September 3,1999 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne and became husband and wife.  The newlyweds settled in their hometown of Wayne and have been there ever since.  While residing in Wayne they welcomed the birth of their two children Nicholas and Madison “Madi”.  

Mary was a compassionate soul with an unwavering love for animals, specifically the Boxer breed of dogs. Her deep connection with these four-legged companions led her to dedicate her time and energy to a meaningful cause. Mary became a devoted volunteer at a Jacquet Boxer in Oakland, New Jersey where she could actively contribute to the well-being and care of these lovable canines.  She worked there alongside her mother and her husband as well.  

Aside from all of Mary’s hobbies, talents, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Mary than providing for and spending time with her friends and family.  Mary and Mark cherished nearly twenty-five years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Mary was a wonderfully funny and social person who loved entertaining friends and family especially for the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.  She was often selfless to a fault, constantly thinking of the needs of others before her own.  She was also an extraordinary cook, able to prepare any dish or recipe given to her.

Mary will be forever remembered as a devoted wife and mother. She touched the lives of many people and will be truly missed by everyone that knew her.  

Mary is survived by her husband Mark Siniscalchi of Wayne, her son Nicholas Siniscalchi of Wayne, her daughter Madison Siniscalchi of Wayne, her mother Marie Hall of Wayne, three brothers: Kevin Hall and his wife Denise of Albuquerque, NM, Jim Hall and his wife Debra of Boca Raton, FL, and John Hall and his wife Danielle of Morristown, NJ, seven nieces; Marisol, Miranda, Bella, Samara, Jordan, Victoria, and Melissa, two nephews; Dillon, and Devon, three great nephews Gage, Christopher, and Cole, and one great niece Scarlett .  She was predeceased by her father Harold Hall.  

Those who wish to make a donation in Mary’s name are asked to consider Friends of Wayne Animals, PO Box 3701, Wayne NJ 07470.

Ernest Peter Boniface, age 98, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 14, 2024 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Ernie was born in 1925 to Ida Bonifacio (nee Ossi) and Peter Bonifacio.  In 1962, like many immigrants to America from Italy and other lands, they made a small change in their name to assimilate to their adopted land.

Ernie did not like formal schooling and received permission from his parents to quit school in his freshman year of high school.  He soon saw an opportunity to volunteer in the Navy, and with his parents’ blessing, he did so.  He celebrated his 18th birthday in the North Atlantic seasick.  He was assigned to the USS Core, a baby flat top aircraft carrier, which rattled and creaked making you think you were not on a solid ship.  His ship was part of a greater fleet of ships including destroyers escorting convoys of cargo ships laden with supplies for the war effort crossing the Atlantic to Europe.  His early assignment was to scan the water’s surface to spot German submarines.  The German’s succeeded in sinking 650,000 tons of these supplies along with seamen.  Ernie’s convoy successfully got through at least two times.  He also worked in the ship’s sheet metal shop and the electrical department honing his skills that proved beneficial in the future. 

In his youth, Ernie developed a very industrious nature and had many jobs wherever he could make a dollar.  Among his many jobs was sheet metal forming, newspaper delivery, auto sales and as a caddie where he developed his love of golf. 

A most wonderful thing enriched his life when he met his future wife, Margie Menk, at a community dance.  He and Margie planned and built their first home on Grieves Terrace in Wayne.  While working full time, he managed to finish that home in one year.  Their marriage produced six children, 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.  In April, they would have been married 75 years.

His first serious career move was with the sheet metal workers union where he was elected Business Manager.  Partnering with Art Udland they established Bonland Sheet Metal Company eventually building a facility in Wayne.  Ernie was a visionary not afraid to innovate and bring refinements and technology to sheet metal work.  He was the first to describe sheet metal using numbers instead of pictures enabling the use of computers to advance their product manufacturing.  An interesting aside to this story is that Ernie would sit at his kitchen table with Margie using his new system folding paper simulating sheet metal to make sure his idea worked back at the shop.  As time went on, Ernie bought out Art and took over all management until his retirement when his sons took over management.

Ernie joined the Wayne Rotary Club.  During his membership he headed the Polio Plus Fund Drive exceeding the success of other Rotary Clubs in North Jersey.  Because of these efforts, polio was eradicated in much of the world.

Among his many adventures in life, Ernie took an interest in aviation after taking a introductory flight in 1959.  As time went on, he earned his pilot’s license eventually earning his instrument rating.  Margie was often a passenger … Ernie often said a very brave one!  As a couple, they had several scary incidents but also a multitude of wonderful flying experiences.  Later in life, they would winter in Vero Beach, Florida flying their own Mooney airplane.

Surviving are:  His wife, Margaret, his daughter Cathy Hecht (Bill predeceased), his son Bill (Debbie), his son Andy (Cyndi), his son Joe (Darlene), his daughter Jackie McKennon (John), 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.  Also surviving are his sister, Louise and his brothers Peter (Dolores) and Tom (Sigrid) and many nieces and nephews.  Ernie was predeceased by his son Paul (Marisa), his sister Theresa, his brothers Rudy and Lenny, grandson, Larry, and his great grandson Callen.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or VNA & Hospice Foundation, 920 37th Place #101, Vero Beach, FL 32960 and would be greatly appreciated by the family.

If you are unable to join us for the Funeral Mass, on Saturday, you are invited to join virtually on this livestream link before the Mass.this livestream link before the Mass.

David La Manna Jr, age 76, of Wayne passed Sunday, January 14, 2024, after a long illness.

David was born to David Sr and Marie La Manna (Sander) and graduated from Clifton High School in 1965 David played on the football team and was also in the marching band.

David served in the United Sates Navy during the Vietnam Conflict from 1965-1967 on various ships in the Atlantic Fleet. Upon his return he moved to Wayne where he resided until his death. David enjoyed sports especially the Giants and Yankees. He always loved HS football and continued to follow the Clifton Mustangs. David worked as a salesman for various companies retiring from Verizon in the late 90’s.

David is survived by his Son Anthony and His wife Tesla from Hewitt. Ex Wife Susan from Wayne, Sister Laura Alejandro and her husband Peter from West Milford along with his beloved grandchildren Sara, Andreas, Alexis and Gianni La Manna. David was predeceased by his parents David and Marie La Manna and his grandson Anthony Jr.

Donations can be made in memory to the Upper Greenwood Lake Volunteer Fire Company Hewitt, NJ.

Margaret (Margie) Werns passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on January 13, 2024 in Pompton Plains NJ, where she resided for the last 17 years. Born in Brooklyn, NY she grew up there with her mother and two sisters. While attending Bishop McDonnell High School she expressed her love of music by playing the saxophone for their marching band. 

For 52 years she was a loving wife to William Werns until he passed in 2006. Together on Staten Island they raised their 8 children. Peggy, Joseph, Mary, Theresa, Kathleen, Liz, Will and Elayne. She is also survived by her 17 grandchildren Nick, Laura, Parker, Joshua, Christina, Thomas, Brian, Sean, Meghan, Veronica, Rebecca, James, Jessica, Krista, Dexter, Scarlett and Dylan and 2 great grandchildren Liam and Eloise. 

She passed on to her children an extensive and diverse amount of knowledge; from how to read music, to the importance of reading museum information cards as well as how to make rubber bands from old rubber gloves. As a life-long learner she passed on the value of an education, the love of travel, staying curious and the importance of family. 

She leaves a legacy of how to live a Christian life, of standing up for your values and how to follow your moral compass. 

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Margie Werns' name are asked to consider Catholic Relief or the Fresh Air Fund 

Alice Marie DeYoung, 102 years old, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 12, 2024 at the Christian Healthcare Center in Wyckoff, NJ. She had lived in Wayne for many years prior to 2020.

Alice grew up in Clifton, NJ as the eldest girl among the seven children in her family. As a young woman during war time, Alice took on the responsibility of raising her younger siblings. This forged a very loving and life-long bond between Alice and her siblings, especially her sisters; Pearl (Densel) and Marie (Hooper). In her professional life, Alice was a nurse for an obstetrician’s office, and then later for an Internist. She loved her job as a nurse and worked into her early 80’s, reluctant to ever really retire.

Throughout the years, Alice enjoyed summer vacations at the Jersey Shore, and as a child she fondly recalled spending summers in New Hampshire with her family. She was an active volunteer in her church’s Ladies Lois Circle. In her elder years, Alice remained physically active, walking daily around her neighborhood, and walking the local mall during inclement weather. Once she moved to Christian Health, whether with a walker or eventually in a wheelchair, Alice ‘walked’ the halls daily chatting with all the staff.

Alice was devoted to her family and was very involved in the lives of her cherished nieces and nephews. For Alice, life was always about caring for others - she was truly a selfless person. Her family is grateful for the love and kindness she shared with them throughout so many years together. They will all miss her dearly.

Alice was a lifelong parishioner of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes. She is survived by her two sisters; Pearl Densel of North Haledon, and Marie Hooper of Dover, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and countless loving friends. She was predeceased by her four brothers; S. Peter DeYoung, Marinus (“Bud”) DeYoung, Cornelius DeYoung, and John VanDer Sluys.

In lieu of flowers, Alice’s family asks that donations be made in her memory to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School, 164 Jacksonville Rd., Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alfred J. Nevoso, age 44 of Bloomfield, NJ.

Alfred passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

Alfred was born in Paterson, NJ and was raised in Wayne.  He was the older of two sons to Carl and Susan Nevoso.  Those who came to know Alfred best affectionately referred to him as “Al.”  While growing up in Wayne, Al attended DePaul High School where he was a member of the Varsity Track and Field team, as well as the Varsity Cross Country Team.  Following his graduation from high school in 1997, Al furthered his education at Monmouth University.  After three years at Monmouth University he transferred to William Paterson University where he received his Bachelor Degree in Finance in 2001. Those closest to him would argue that his degree was in ‘ crushing ass’. 

Upon earning his Bachelor Degree, Al found employment quickly at Hennion and Walsh Investments located in Parsippany, NJ.  Al worked there for over twenty years until accepting a position in finance at Equitable Advisors.  After approximately one year, Al accepted another position as a registered representative  with New York Life Insurance in Edison, NJ.  Al held his position at NY Life until his passing. During his career in finance, Al was truly well respected and well loved by his colleagues and peers. 

Al settled in Pompton Lakes for a time, and while residing there, he welcomed the birth of his only daughter, Isabella.  Shortly after the birth of Al’s daughter, the family moved to Bloomfield where he would reside until his passing.  

Al, a dedicated individual with a passion for fitness, embarked on a journey to maintain his physical well-being. With an unwavering commitment to a healthy lifestyle, he incorporated various exercise techniques into his routine. From cardiovascular activities like running and cycling to strength training exercises such as weightlifting and calisthenics, Al embraced versatility in his workouts. Al reveled in the diversity of his exercise routine, sculpting not just his physique but also fostering a balanced and resilient approach to overall health.

It was clear that Al’s greatest passion in life was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Al than providing for and spending time with his daughter Isabella.  Throughout the years, Al was a pillar of strength for his daughter, devoting his life to her.  Al and Isabella cherished their yearly vacations to Disney World in Florida.  Al was not only dedicated to his daughter, but also to his Catholic Faith.  he was a parishioner of St Thomas the Apostle Church in Bloomfield for many years.  

Al often kept his personal life very private, however he loved being the life of the party as well.  His infectious personality would light up any room he walked into.  Al will forever be remembered as a devoted father, son, and brother.  He was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him. 

Al is survived by his daughter Isabella Nevoso of Lincoln Park, NJ, his mother Susan Nevoso of Pompton Lakes, NJ, his brother Christopher (Topher) Nevoso and his wife Lina of Avon, OH, his nephew Oliver Nevoso of Avon, OH, and his niece Clara Nevoso of Avon, OH, and many extended loving family members.  He was predeceased by his father Carl Nevoso in 2013.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alfred’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215 

Edward DiPatria, age 95, a resident of Wayne for sixty-four years, passed Sunday, January 7, 2024.

He was born in Paterson to Arturo and Emma DiPatria and moved to the Lionshead Lake section of Wayne in 1960.

He attended the Central High School in Paterson before enlisting in the United States Army on March 12, 1946 at the age of seventeen.  For his service in the Army, Ed was awarded the World War II Victory medal and the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan before departing to participate in the reconstruction of Pearl Harbor. He was honorably discharged from the Army as they were “demobilizing.”  He returned home and received his G.E.D.  He soon re-enlisted and served during the Korean War.  During his service in Korea he was assigned to a POW camp. 

Ed’s working years started as a letter carrier at the United States Post Office in Paterson. After injuring his knee, he transitioned from a letter carrier to Territory Supervisor for Garden State Farms throughout Bergen and Passaic Counties. After the company dissolved,  his career led him to Urban National Bank in Franklin Lakes. Ed stayed with the bank as it was acquired and changed names through the years before retiring in 1992.

Ed will be lovingly remembered as a dedicated family man who, much to everyone’s frustration, refused to get hearing aids. He was also famous for saying “Do First What You'll Have To Do Last.”  He was fastidious about his home, painting rooms inside innumerable times, cleaning gutters, trimming bushes, and cutting the meticulous lawn.  He was always active! Ed was also dedicated to his Wayne community and for over thirty years he volunteered at the Wayne P.A.L. where he served  wherever needed.  He eventually served as a Trustee for several of those years.  Through his years at the Wayne PAL, he always looked forward to monthly breakfasts with his PAL associates.  He also looked forward to meeting with friends for breakfast at the McDonald’s restaurant in Wayne. Ed was also politically active and volunteered on numerous campaigns, from school elections to the State Senate. In retirement, he became a Poll Worker, which he thoroughly enjoyed. 

Ed’s years of volunteering at the Wayne PAL also helped him find love a second time in life.  His first wife Irene passed away in 1983 and he dedicated his time to volunteering.  It was at a Wayne PAL Bingo game that he met who was to be his second wife, Dottie.  After a dinner date and several more, Ed asked Dottie  to marry him.  On one occasion he had purchased a beautiful ring and said “I’m going to ask you one more time – will you marry me?” Dottie said “yes”, and they were married on May 21, 1988.  They have had a wonderful marriage of thirty-five years.

Ed was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around him. He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Ed is survived by his devoted wife Dottie, two sons, Scott (Laura) DiPatria and Herman (Lynn) Imperatore. One daughter, Darnell Chuck. Five grandchildren, Heather Imperatore, Zachary DiPatria, Richard Chuck, Michael Chuck and Dylan Chuck. His beloved nephew and niece,  Michael DiPatria and Pam Pugh.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Irene. Sons Edward J DiPatria, George Imperatore and son-in-law Edward Chuck. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne P.A.L., 1 PAL Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be greatly appreciated. 

Vilma Fabbro of Pompton Plains, formerly of Wayne, NJ, passed away on January 6, 2024. She was 93 years old. 

Vilma was the daughter of Sante and Marguerite Marcolina and was born and raised in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. She graduated from Germantown High School in 1947 and went on to attend Pierce Business School. Vilma worked for several years as an executive secretary. In 1964 Vilma began taking classes at William Paterson University where she earned her teaching degree and graduated cum laude in 1972. She taught for several years at Our Lady of Consolation School. Eventually she returned to secretarial work at GAF Corporation in Wayne where she worked until her retirement. 

Vilma married her husband Aldo in 1953 and they share an enduring marriage of 63 years until Aldo’s death in 2016. They built a home and a life in Wayne where they raised their three children. Vilma was an excellent cook and baker and hosted many holiday meals and dinner parties for family and friends. She valued her Northern Italian roots and her family above all. Each of her grandchildren has treasured the memory of learning to make traditional gnocchi and ravioli alongside their Nonni Vilma also loved to read and kept her mind sharp with daily crossword puzzles and other word games. She enjoyed weekly Canasta games with her friends at Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, NJ where she lived the past seven years. 

Vilma leaves behind her three children, Richard Fabbro of White Plains, NY, Janet Pescinski (Bob) of Hillsborough, NJ and Suzanne Knezick (Don) of Columbus, NJ. She also leaves behind her seven beloved grandchildren: Adriana, Rebecca, Tom, Janina, Steve, Krystian, and Marcus as well as two great-grandchildren Graham and Emilia. 

Memorial contribution in Vilma's name to the Glioblastoma Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

Teresita Ordaniel, age 87 of Wayne, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Iloilo, Philippines to Cesar and Consejo Penafort, Teresita’s journey was a difficult one that would shape her into the strong willed, faithful woman she became. At just 3 years old, Teresita became an orphan after the untimely passing of her mother. She moved around to several different relative’s homes in the Philippines. At 18 years old she was married to Eduardo Ordaniel and became a mother and homemaker.

Teresita was blessed with 6 children: 3 boys and 3 girls. Although raising 6 children was a full-time job, Teresita found the will to work hard for her family adding income with her efforts as a seamstress. They were raised in the Philippines but in February of 1992, Teresita’s daughter moved to the United States and petitioned for her to join her.

She worked in Portland, Oregon as a babysitter until she earned a job at the Shilo Inn as a room service cleaner to make her American Dream come true. Teresita worked so hard for her family so they could all come to the United States as well. She was the kind of person who would do anything to help them. Her family remarked that she was instrumental in making sure they all had great aspirations and she was known for pushing all of them to pursue higher education to earn degrees.

Family and faith were the cornerstones of Teresita’s life. She was devoted to her church and even in her elder years when she had chronic health issues, she found a way to attend weekly mass through EWTN on TV.

Teresita loved to travel with her family. Some of the destinations she went to include Niagara Falls, Portland Maine, Washington DC, Orlando, Lake George, Boston, and Vancouver. She enjoyed these trips most with her family at her side. Teresita will be remembered as a strict but loving and caring woman who always pushed you to be your best version of yourself. She was feisty, strong-willed, traditional, and conservative. She always had an opinion and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Her love for her family and her strong relationship with God gave her the strength to lead an incredible life that’s led to the prosperity of her kids and now her grandkids as well.

Mildred “Milly” Florek, 91, of Wayne passed away peacefully on January 4, 2024. 

She is the daughter of the late Caroline and Anton Wolos of Clifton.  After graduation from Clifton High School, Milly worked as a secretary at Curtiss Wright Corporation.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 68 years, Joe (2021).  She leaves behind her daughter Dawn and husband Kevin Healey of Wayne; grandchildren, Christopher and wife Rebecca (Ainscow) Healey of North Andover, MA and Jonathan and his wife Melissa (Baroni) Healey of Medford, MA.  She also leaves four great-grandchildren and her rescue dog, Suzy.

 She will always be in our hearts.

In Memoriam: Remembering Carmen Elisa Del Rio (October 3, 1922 – January 2, 2024)

With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a beloved matriarch, Carmen Del Rio, who peacefully passed away on January 2, 2024, at the age of 101, while receiving the loving care of her family. 

Carmen left an indelible mark on the world with her fiery spirit, infectious sense of humor, unyielding strength, and resilience. She was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, and was the only child of Guillermo and Anna Maria Rodriguez. Carmen graduated from a local high school and worked for several years locally as a young woman.

Carmen’s early years in Bogotá were the foundation for a life filled with adventure and purpose. In pursuit of her dreams and recognizing the vast potential for women, she secured a position with the Spanish embassy in Spain as a nanny in 1961. Her work there revealed her innate kindness and nurturing personality toward children, igniting a passion for exploration and cultural exchange.

In 1964, Carmen made a bold and life-altering decision to immigrate to the United States. Fueled by a vision of better opportunities for women and a desire to contribute her talents to a new land, she embarked on a journey that would shape the destiny of her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her arrival in the U.S. began a chapter of resilience, adaptability, and an unyielding desire to succeed.

Upon arrival, Carmen settled in the Bronx and found employment quickly as a needlewoman in the garment section of New York City. She would work as a seamstress for the next twenty-five years and become a member of the Handbag Novelty Workers Union. She retired thirty-six years ago in 1987.

Carmen’s determination knew no bounds. After establishing herself in her new home, she petitioned for her daughter and grandchildren to join her in the United States. Her unwavering commitment to family reunification was a testament to her selflessness and the profound love that fueled her every action. The day her daughter and grandchildren arrived marked a joyous reunion, and Carmen’s home became a sanctuary of love, warmth, and the shared dreams of a united family. Her sacrifices and tenacity laid the foundation for a new chapter in their lives, filled with the promise of opportunities and embracement of a supportive community. From that day on she was affectionately called “Abuelita” by everyone.

Carmen’s greatest joy was found in the warmth of her family. She cooked wonderful meals with affection and care. Carmen’s love and devotion to her family, particularly her role as a beloved grandmother, were the cornerstones of her life. Her home was a haven of warmth, laughter, and cherished memories as she poured boundless care upon her grandchildren. There are fond memories of her taking her grandchildren to Woolworths and treating them to hamburger platters and milkshakes.

Carmen’s ability to bridge the gap between cultures and generations created a legacy of unity and strength. Her wisdom, compassion, and nurturing spirit became the foundation upon which her family thrived. Through her selfless acts of love, Carmen ensured her family’s success and became a guiding light for others in their pursuit of happiness. Carmen lived with her family in Queens, New York, and in 1975, she moved to Paramus, NJ, with her grandchildren and commuted to New York City every day. Later she also lived in Davie, Florida, for over twenty years.

Carmen was a zoophilist, and her affection for animals was a defining aspect of her character. Her love extended beyond her human companions as she found joy and solace in the company of feathered and furry friends. Carmen’s daily routine included a special ritual that endeared her to the pigeons who frequented her path.

After a day’s work in New York City, Carmen would disembark from the bus, and like clockwork, a flock of pigeons would eagerly await her arrival. With a heart full of kindness and affection, Carmen would share her afternoon with her feathered companions, feeding them with a tenderness that reflected her innate compassion. The bond she formed with the animals was a testament to her gentle spirit and the universal language of love that transcends species.

Carmen’s connection with the pigeons symbolizes the kindness and love she radiated to everyone she encountered. Her daily interactions with the birds reflected her ability to find joy in simple moments and foster connections with the world around her. The pigeons, in turn, became her loyal companions, following her in a harmonious dance that spoke volumes about the love she shared.

Carmen is survived by her daughter Blanca Pacini of Wayne, three grandchildren; Lucy Pacini of Wayne, Nestor Tatis and his wife Suzanne of Rivervale, NJ, and Luis Pacini of Sincelejo, Colombia; eight great-grandchildren; Joseph D’Alleman, Adriana D’Alleman, Isabella D’Alleman, Viviana D’Alleman, Jessica Tatis, and Jordan Tatis, Natassia Pacini Rojas, Talissa Pacini, and one great-great-grandchild Alana Rojas.

Farewell to our beloved and beautiful Abuelita. We miss you.

Donations in Carmen’s name may be made to the ASPCA, www.aspca.org

Anne Zaher, age 87, of Pequannock and formerly of Lincoln Park, NJ, passed unexpectedly on Monday, January 1, 2024.

Anne was born in 1936 and was raised in Philadelphia, PA. She was the daughter of Robert and Marie (Chancler) Evans. She attended the Little Flower Catholic School in Philadelphia, PA and later worked at the U.S. Navy Shipyard.

While on vacation in Florida, Anne met a fine young gentleman named Ronald Zaher.  They hit it off and, as fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on October 8, 1960.  Anne and Ronald relocated to Lincoln Park, New Jersey where they raised their four sons.

Every Saturday, Anne loved going to breakfast with her friends at the diner in Lincoln Park.

Anne is survived by her four sons: Robert (Sue), Michael, Mark and Thomas (Mary) Zaher; and two grandchildren: Christine (Anthony) and Tommy Zaher. She was predeceased by her husband Ronald Zaher and her brothers Robert, Larry and Gerald Evans.  

Rose Allessio (née Corrado), the centenarian matriarch of the Allessio family, born June 19, 1922 at 20 Ellison Street, Paterson, NJ, died peacefully in the early evening, surrounded by family at her bedside, December 29, 2023, in North Haledon, NJ. She was 101.

Beloved daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Rose shepherded multiple generations over the course of a century through her example of sacrifice, beneficence, and piety. Rose was the eldest born to parents Pietro Corrado and Domenica Corrado (née D’Amelio). Rose was the first in her family born in the United States of America after her parents had recently emigrated from Sala Consilina in the province of Salerno, Italy. Her sister Jennie Belluardo (née Corrado), brothers James Corrado and Anthony Corrado, followed.

Raised in Hawthorne, NJ, Rose’s outlet from a young age was the library, fostering her lifelong passion for reading. She also possessed a particular proclivity for calculating numbers. Recognizing her own talent, she enrolled as a young woman in a night school course for bookkeeping. The initiative resulted in early opportunities in accounting departments, and later, allowed her to play a pivotal role in family businesses.

She married her husband, Joseph Allessio, on June 15, 1946. Their first date was at the movie theater. They eventually settled on 32nd Street in Fair Lawn, NJ where they raised three children. Rose relocated to Elmwood Park, NJ before becoming a longtime resident of Wayne, NJ, and, finally, North Haledon, NJ.

Rose’s pastimes ranged over the years from photography and developing her own pictures, to traveling throughout the United States upon retirement. She maintained her head for numbers, kept sharp, in part, by her routine of friendly card games. Family was without question her focus. She was a fixture at every gathering, from birthdays, where her ceremonial role was cutting the cake for the children, to every Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter. Each morning began with the Rosary, a prayer recited for each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

Rose is survived by her sons John Allessio (Renée), Robert Allessio (Carol), and her daughter Joanne Lamartino (Salvatore); seven grandchildren: Justin Allessio, Jessica Allessio, Christopher Allessio (Tara), Jenna Daneker (Nicholas), Joseph Allessio (Jennifer), Amanda McClelland (Michael), and Joseph Lamartino (Angelica); and seven great grandchildren: Bruno Allessio, Giada Allessio, Landon McClelland, Lola Allessio, Marco Allessio, Milo Allessio, and Emery McClelland.

Anthony Joseph Florio

Anthony J. Florio, best known as “Tony”, age 73, of Wayne, NJ passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Tony was born on January 11, 1950, in The Bronx, NY to Joseph and Barbara (Roberts) Florio and raised in Hackensack, NJ.  Growing up, Tony was a very talented roller skater.  Alongside his sister, Theresa, they skated in the American Roller Skating Association and won many medals and awards throughout the years.

Tony was a hardworking man, and would say, “you can’t sit around and wait for things to come to you.  You have to go out there and work for them,” to which he always did.  Tony worked most of his life as a Car Salesman throughout Sussex County.  After retirement he enjoyed keeping busy and hosted for local Italian Restaurants and was a cashier for Target.

While Tony loved many things, he was best known for his love of music, most notably Pink Floyd, a love that he would also pass on to his children.  Tony was a man of many words.  He enjoyed creative writing where his words flowed eloquently and effortlessly.  In one of his last writings, he leaves behind these words, “Try not to be so hard on yourself.  It’s only life after all.  Life is a series of moments linked together offering a road map to your true purpose here… the answer to why.”

Also known as the family comedian, Tony was anything but traditional.  The formality of an obituary would have been incredibly boring and uncreative.  If he could have written this himself, he would have absolutely inserted a joke or two.  He would have said, “Survived by… I’m lucky I made it as long as I did with you people around me.”  He always enjoyed a quick-witted joke like that.

Tony is survived by his three children, Tonimarie and Elizabeth, both of New Jersey, as well as Joseph and his wife Casey of Massachusetts.  He will also be missed by his siblings, Theresa and Ralph, his former wife, Mary, and his three grandchildren: Patrick, JJ, and Arlo.  In addition to his parents, Tony is predeceased by the mother of his children, Patricia in 2012 and grandchild, Anthony in 2011.

And as Tony would say, “Hey, don’t forget to keep a smile.”

November 1, 1930 – December 29, 2023

Ethel Dorothea Holtje Matasker, 93, of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Ethel was born to the late William Holtje and Regina Maas Holtje in Weehawken, New Jersey. A graduate of Memorial High School in West New York, NJ, Ethel married John Gustav Matasker in 1951. When John returned from service in the Korean War, Ethel and John bought a home in Paramus, NJ, and together, they raised four children.

Ethel worked in the Woodcliff Lake School System for 25 years, first as a secretary in Dorchester School and then as the secretary to the Superintendent of Schools. In 1986, Ethel and John bought a vacation home in Jupiter, Florida, where several of their friends planned to retire. Sadly, Ethel was widowed in 1989. Upon her retirement, Ethel spent winters in Jupiter, along with a group of dear friends from New Jersey who also were snowbirds.

A devout Christian, Ethel was an active member of Paramus Bible Church. Ethel traveled the world with her dear friends, visiting Canada, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain, and the United Kingdom, as well as much of the United States. A gifted seamstress, Ethel was renowned among her family and friends for the beautiful clothing, quilts and crafts she created for others to mark joyous occasions such as weddings, births, and new homes.

Ethel was loved for her buoyant spirit, her sense of humor, and her devotion to God, family and friends. She enjoyed reading, singing and playing guitar. She always said, “If the song fits, sing it!” Ethel also played golf, tennis and bridge, all skills she learned later in life.

Ethel is survived by her daughters Jill (Michael) Vitiello and Carol (Andy) Feinberg and her sons Charles (Cathy) Matasker and William (Debra) Matasker; her grandchildren Melissa (Joseph) Silva, Jessica (Anderson) Taveras, John Feinberg, Dr. Vanessa (Richard) Williams, Daniel (Jessica) Feinberg, Lauren Matasker, Rebecca (Matthew) Dare, Michael Matasker, Alexandra Matasker, Jack Matasker, and Diana Matasker; her great-grandchildren Savannah and Joseph Silva, Dylan Taveras, and Summer Feinberg; and nephews Howard (Marie) Holtje and Thomas Holtje. She is predeceased by her husband, John Matasker; her niece, Holly Holtje Mann; her brother, Howard Holtje, and her mother, Regina Maas Holtje, and her father William Reginald Holtje.

Ethel was respected, admired, and often sought out for her godly wisdom. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed.

Please note; a more complete obituary will be posted here soon.  Check back later.

Charles T. Rainey, age 72 of Wayne, died on Friday, December 29, 2023.

In addition to his wife, Valda, Charlie is survived by his two daughters; Pamela Rogers and her husband Chris of Shrewsbury, NJ, and Adrienne Bertelli and her husband Dan of Hillsdale, NJ, four grandchildren, a stepson; Guntis Embriks of Clifton, and five of his siblings; Eileen Atterbury (John) of Pompton Lakes, John Rainey (Eileen) of Pompton Plains, Margaret Zvalaren (Michael) of Indiana, Kathleen Staub of Florida, and Elizabeth Ann Ettinger (Robert) of Blairstown, NJ. Charlie was predeceased by two of his siblings; Patricia Salvatoriello and Thomas Rainey.

John Martin, 59, of Wayne, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Morristown Medical Center.

John was born in Paterson on July 2, 1964 and moved to Wayne with his family in 1972.

He attended DePaul Catholic High School (Class of 1982) and graduated from Rutgers College of Engineering in 1986 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. John was heavily involved with the Boys Scouts in his youth and early adulthood.  He was an Eagle Scout and worked at Camp Turrell in New York as the Program Director in the 1980s.

John began his career at All Service Computer Rental where he was Vice President of Operations.  He moved on to various roles in the computer rental/event technology industry and worked for multiple companies including Bergen Audio Visual, Rent Fusion, National Micro Rentals, and Ganton.  He finished his career as a Sales Manager at Access Computer and AV Rentals.

John enjoyed the fast-paced atmosphere of New York City and for a time maintained an office there.  His work events brought him to many restaurants in the tri-state area where he would enthusiastically share detailed food reviews with everyone.  John’s real joy was the flea market business he had for many years with his late parents.  He became a fixture in the flea market community where he befriended many vendors and customers and became the go to expert on local markets.  

John is survived by his brother Don Martin and his wife Mary Sue of Mendham, his sister Ellen Martin and her husband Pete Apruzzese, his sister Barbara Donnelly and her husband Steve, all of Mountain Lakes, and his nieces and nephews, PJ Apruzzese, Patrick and Kelly Martin, and Meaghan and Erin Donnelly.  John was predeceased by his parents Donald Frank Martin (2016) and Doris Grace McKeown Martin (2018).  

Rolf Heinrich Henel of Wayne, New Jersey passed away at the age of 86 on December 28, 2023.

Rolf was born on September 2, 1937, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada to Heinrich Edmund Karl Henel and Ingeborg Charlotte Beithan.  Of German descent, the family, including his elder sister Bettina, moved to the United States and Rolf became a U.S. citizen in 1953.

His education included high school and his first two years of college in Madison, Wisconsin, a year of study in Germany beginning in 1954 and completion of his Bachelor of Arts at Yale in 1959 graduating Magna Cum Laude with an Honors Major in Russian Area Studies and a Minor in History.  Rolf received his M.B.A. in Banking and Finance with a Minor in Economics from New York University in 1962.

Rolf had a passion for learning language from living and working around the world.  He enjoyed communicating in many tongues including English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.

In his professional career he started working in New York in the banking and oil sectors before landing in the pharmaceutical industry in 1966 where he dedicated himself to the balance of his work life.  Beginning as Assistant Treasurer he then rose through the ranks at Pfizer International becoming Treasurer in Brussels, Belgium; General Manager in Teheran, Iran; General Manager in Madrid, Spain and in Rome, Italy.  He then moved to Cyanamid as Managing Director in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia before moving back to the U.S. in 1978 to become Vice President of Medical and then President of the Lederle division at Cyanamid International until his retirement in 1993 at the age of 55.  

Post retirement, Rolf continued to focus his time to healthcare as consultant, board member or volunteer to many organizations including SciClone Pharmaceuticals (Director), Penwest Pharmaceuticals (Director), Naimark & Associates (Partner), Bergen Community Regional Blood Center (Director) and Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (Board Chair).  In addition, he was interested in investing and helping with industry associations.  He was the Chairman of the International Section of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association including Far East and European Committees; on the Global Economic Council Executive Committee at the National Planning Association; and the President of the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Individual Investors.

Outside of his superiority with business and numbers Rolf had a talent and creative drive most exemplified in his woodworking.  This possibly stemmed from his maternal grandfather, Emil Beithan, who was an accomplished painter in Germany.  He enjoyed this hobby and was very precise and detailed in the pieces he created mainly as gifts for others including furniture, a cross for the church and his famous cork and wood trivets.

Rolf was generous and giving to many.  As a high performer he could also be impatient and self-focused and have high expectations of others.  From living abroad for many years, travelling to all areas of the world also became a passion although a car rental or driver mishap would drive him to drink, which he did enjoy along with an abundance of good food.  He spared no expense throwing decadent parties for himself at milestones in life.  He enjoyed the attention and looked for a laugh from his corny jokes.  Spending time staring at the ocean from his deck at the Jersey shore was also a pleasure.

Rolf overcame multiple health issues over the years and struggled in the last few from onset of dementia and debility of his body.

Rolf is survived by his caring and dedicated wife of 30 years, Emilia (Emily) Henel.  His extended family includes four children from his previous marriage all living in California; Julia Lockwood and husband Tim, Sylvia Henel, Stephen Henel, Carolyn Henel and husband Edward; step-son Ramon Villa and husband Dean of New York; sister Bettina Elliott of Massachusetts; and nine grandchildren Christopher, Malcolm, Catherine, Peter, Joseph, Andrew and August, Alex and Dora Marie.

Barbara Irene DiFerdinando, age 84, of Paterson passed peacefully on Thursday, December 28, 2023.

Barbara, a native of Paterson, New Jersey, was born to Layton and Ruth Singer. She is an alumnus of Eastside High School, also located in Paterson.  In 1979, she married Albert DiFerdinando, a valiant WWII veteran. Barbara and Albert, along with Barbara’s parents, shared a warm and welcoming home in Hawthorne, NJ. Their loving home, steeped in their lifelong passion for cooking, served as the epicenter for countless memorable family gatherings.  After the passing of Albert, Barbara found another loving home with her niece, Deborah, and Deborah's children.

Barbara was predeceased not only by her parents, Layton and Ruth Singer, and her husband, Albert, but also by her niece, Deborah.  Her surviving close loving relatives include her nephews James, George, Bob, and their children and grandchildren, her niece Deborah’s children Michael, Katharine and her children, her stepchildren Patricia, Lucille, Anthony, and Albert, her five step-grandchildren, her nine step-great-grandchildren, and her 2 beloved step-great-great-grandchildren, Azraela and Luna.

Barbara began her career at Bamburgers, now known as Macy’s, where she utilized her exceptional interpersonal skills as a salesperson. She then transitioned to Berles Carton Company in Paterson, NJ, broadening her professional experience. Her primary work life was spent at Western Electric Company, a subsidiary of AT&T, located in Kearny, NJ. Barbara was frequently the top performer in her department and a beloved team member.

Barbara, known lovingly as "Aunt Barbara" to so many, was known for her immense love, care, and unwavering devotion to her closest family members throughout her lifetime. Despite not holding a formal nursing degree, she served as a devoted caregiver for many years to her father, her mother, and later her husband, Albert. Barbara held a special place in her heart for her brother-in-law George's family, providing guidance and support to all of them, as well as their children and grandchildren.

Barbara was a woman of strong faith, evidenced by her dedicated attendance at Jacksonville Chapel in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, for over two decades. Beyond attending services, she was a faithful participant in their Bible study, which was held every Sunday morning following the first service. She also supported The Chapel's ministry through consistent and faithful tithing.

Barbara was a truly dedicated member of her community, with involvement in many groups and organizations.  She was a longtime member of the Riverside Veterans organization and served as past president of the ladies auxiliary.  She was an active member of the Wayne Elks ladies auxiliary, and when that organization disbanded she became an active member of the Wayne Elks.  She was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Seniors Group, and Barbara also served as the president of the Golden Circle Seniors Group of Hawthorne up until the time of her death. Barbara’s life of service is a testament to her dedication to her community, and her commitment to improving the lives of others.