Sandra M. Ward, age 80, of Wayne, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022.

Sandra was born in New York City and raised in Harlem, NY before moving to the Inwood section of Manhattan. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Stella (Rutkowski) Irizarry.

After high school graduation, Sandra worked various jobs before settling into a career with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Each day she reported to her office in the former World Trade Center and, over the span of her twenty-five-year career from 1975 to 2000 when she retired, Sandra rose to the rank of Marketing Manager. While working at the Port Authority, she attended college in the evening to earn her bachelor’s degree. One career highlight was her involvement with the promotion and establishment of the EZ-Pass cashless tolling system for the states of New York and New Jersey. Sandra truly loved her work and she enjoyed the respect of her coworkers.

One night in November of 1969, just before the Thanksgiving holiday, Sandra was out at a bowling alley on Academy Street in the Inwood section of Manhattan. There she had the life-changing pleasure of meeting a charming young man named Thomas Ward who happened to be bowling on the lane right next to her. On that evening, the team member with the highest score was awarded a free turkey. As it turned out, both Sandra and Tom went home with Turkeys that night! While bowling they engaged in playful banter and before the night was over, Tom asked Sandra out for a date. Between the two encounters, a beautiful love for each other sparked. They eventually eloped to Mexico and married on August 19, 1970. After a two-week honeymoon, they drove home to New York in Tom’s 1969 dark blue two door Ford Maverick. Sandra and Tom’s first home together was an apartment in Fort Lee. In 1976 they moved to Lincoln Park and in 1986 they moved to Wayne where they’ve remained to the present.

One of Sandra’s favorite pastimes was traveling. After retirement she enjoyed trips to Lithuania, Spain and Puerto Rico with her girlfriends. When Tom retired two years later in 2002, they set out to see the world with trips together to Turkey, Hungary, Egypt, Peru, Costa Rica, England, and Ireland, and lots and lots of cruises including one on the Black Sea and the most recent cruise this past March to Jamacia, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. Sandra’s favorite drinks on the cruises included chocolate and pumpkin martinis. Sandra loved exercise too. She had a regular habit of attending Zumba exercise classes with her friends. Afterwards they’d all go to lunch and laugh about how they were putting all those calories back on. Sandra’s favorite lunch food was anything Mexican.

Above all else, Sandra’s greatest love was for her family. Nothing made her happier than when they were all together. She adored her grandsons Terrence and Thomas and, together with Tom, her daughter Tammy and son-in-law Thomas, and her grandsons, they enjoyed a cruise to Bermuda and partied till the lights came on.

Sandra’s faith was important to her and she attended Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church in Wayne. She had a real soft spot for children, especially those facing life-threatening illness, and was therefore a faithful contributor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital  

Sandra was the beloved wife of Thomas, blessed in a loving, devoted marriage for 52 years. She was the loving mother of Tammy Carey of Mahopac, NY and her late husband Thomas Carey (2019); adoring grandmother of Terrence Carey and Thomas Carey, Jr.; much-loved sister of the late Joyce Carey and her late husband Pat; dearest aunt of Pat Carey and wife Diane of Yonkers, NY, and Jennifer Tracey and husband Shawn of Omaha, Nebraska; and dear great-aunt of Patrick, Colleen, and Caitlin Carey.  

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Sandra’s name are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Amy Pifer Leonard, formerly of Mountain Road, Smoke Rise, Kinnelon, NJ passed away quietly at her home in Cedar Crest, Pequannock, NJ on August 22, 2022 after a brief illness.  Amy was born on March 2, 1933 in Butler, Pennsylvania. She had many passions in life: opera, books, and her beloved Pug dogs in addition to her artistic interests.  Growing up in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, Amy was surrounded by relatives who taught and encouraged her to pursue her drawing and painting.  At the age of ten, Amy’s grandmother, sensing her talent, enrolled her in her first art class.  An uncle, who was a civil engineer, taught Amy how to draw and use drafting tools.

Amy attended Syracuse University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree.  She continued her education with a Master’s Degree, in addition to a Certificate of Occupational Therapy from the University of Pennsylvania.  Amy used these degrees to begin her career as an Occupational Therapist at Pennsylvania’s State and Veteran Hospital.  While focusing on her career, Amy continued to sketch and paint.

Moving to Smoke Rise in 1976 with her husband Jay, the now retired Amy played an active volunteer role in operations of the Smoke Rise Club and the Smoke Rise Chapel.  That activity complete, she devoted most of her time to drawing and teaching watercolor painting for many years through the Kinnelon Library’s Center for Lifelong Learning.  Beautiful landscapes, such as the Smoke Rise Chapel, waterfall, beach and New England ocean scenes were inspirations for her paintings.  For many years Amy provided the Women of Smoke Rise with their annual Christmas card design.  At the Club’s request, she provided a watercolor painting of a Smoke Rise landmark to outgoing Smoke Rise Club Board members.

Amy and her late husband, Jay, who passed away in 2021, were married for 64 years. Funeral services will be private.  Not wanting anything special for a memorial service, Amy’s wish for everyone was to enjoy the beauty of the world around them and to keep a special place in their hearts for animals of all types. Donations in Amy’s name may be made to:  The Kinnelon Volunteer Animal Shelter, 2 Kiel Avenue, #252, Kinnelon, NJ. 07405 and/or the Kinnelon Library Legacy Foundation, 132 Kinnelon Road, Kinnelon, NJ. 07405.

Mary E. Sisco, age 87, of Wayne passed Sunday, August 21, 2022.

She was born in Paterson to James and Theresa Harrington.  She was part of the first graduating class from Wayne High School graduating with the Class of 1953 and has lived in Wayne for the past over 60 years.

Just out of high school Mary worked at the NJ Bell Telephone Company in Pompton Lakes as a switchboard operator. She later worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Metal Craft Company in Wayne and at the General Electric Companies Customer Service in Wayne.  In her later years she worked as an Administrative Assistant for Seton Hall University in South Orange before retiring on her 75th birthday - June 1, 2010.

In her youth Mary was a Bobby Soxer and loved to dance with her girlfriends. For Christmas, Saint Patrick’s Day, and her birthday she went all out decorating.  She also made the best Irish Soda Bread – a skill she learned from her mom. Most of all Mary was a dedicated, loving, and devoted mother and grandmother.

Mary's friendship was a treasure easily shared with anyone in need. Her friendships were life long and cherished. She was a caring sister who watched over her little brothers and helped to keep them safe and secure. Mary raised her sons with love and understanding. She created a home for them where all their friends were welcomed and respected.

Mary was dedicated to her Catholic Faith and was a devout parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Wayne and more recently Our Lady of Consolation Church also in Wayne.

She was the loving mother of William T. Sisco of Wayne and Brian Sisco and his wife Jill of Smyrna, GA; cherished grandmother of Anndrea and Tiffany Sisco; and she was the dearly loved sister of Kevin P. Harrington, ESQ and his loving companion Colleen of Wayne and John J. Harrington of Suwanee, GA. She was preceded in death by her brothers James J. Harrington and Thomas E. Harrington.

Let us celebrate a life well lived. She graced us with her love and blessed us with her laughter. Let her memory linger and give comfort to all of us who have borne witness.

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

Elisa Manzo (nee Acquaviva), age 87 of Montville, NJ died peacefully on Saturday, August 20, 2022. She was affectionately known as “Aunt Lee” to many.

Elisa was born and raised in the Riverside section of Paterson and graduated from Eastside High School. It was in high school that she met the one and only lover of her life, Frank Manzo. They married on October 3, 1955, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Paterson. They lived in Paterson for a few more years before establishing their family home in West Paterson. Elisa and Frank loved going to the Jersey Shore and lived in Fort Lauderdale for many years together. Elisa was blessed with very strong, loving relationships during her lifetime, and despite the painful losses she experienced, she remained grateful for all of her blessings. When she had spare time Elisa loved reading and crocheting.

Family meant everything to Elisa and the family home on “Maple Ave.” was always a hub of activity. Having many people over for Sunday dinner was commonplace, and her children always had friends and cousins over.  Elisa shared her love through her cooking and she knew everyone’s favorite dish. If you showed up unannounced, no problem! There was always another pound of pasta to be cooked and plenty of gravy on the stove. Later in life, she became a devoted grandmother to her six grandchildren and loved doing everything and anything she could with them. They each have cherished memories with their grandma.

For many decades, Aunt Lee Greeted guests at The Brownstone.  Her entire life was family, friends, and The Brownstone. Right up to her last day, she asked Edie to call Denise at The Brownstone to advise her that she wouldn’t be in on Sunday.  Working with her nephews, Al, Tommy, Kenny and her niece Patty, made her look forward to work.

Elisa is survived by her daughter; Edie Manzo-Calvitti and her husband William, daughter-in-laws; Judy Manzo, and Linda Manzo, six grandchildren; Aja Cohen and her husband Evan, Michael Calvitti and his wife Megan, Albert Manzo and his wife Alycia, Christopher Manzo and his girlfriend Brittany Tanis, Gabriella Manzo and her boyfriend Jacob Sturt, and Adam Manzo, five great-grandchildren; Raina, Shua, Abigail, Levi, and Ace, and many loving and devoted nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Ida Giannella, husband Frank in 1990, by her son Frank in 2004, by her son Albert in 2022, and by her friend and cousin, Elsie Orlando in 2017.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be sincerely appreciated to the “Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament School” at 785 Franklin Lakes Rd., Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. Please be sure to note “Elisa Manzo” in the memo field. Thank you.

Raymond M. Pierson, caring father, brother, grandfather, and friend, passed away on August 17, 2022, at the age of 82 in Tucker, Georgia.

Ray was born to Robert and Marie Pierson on November 21, 1940, in Rosland, NJ. After he graduated from high school, Ray married Virginia Countey in May of 1964, and settled in Wayne, NJ. There, Ray started a family as well as his own company, Pierson Air Conditioning. In time, he would own several rental properties as well as go into the restaurant business by owning Buxton’s Family Restaurant.

Though he was proud of his business accomplishments, nothing made Ray prouder than raising his four boys, Raymond, Bart, Matt, and Ted, on his own after the passing of his wife in 1978. Over the years, Ray was his sons’ coach for various sports, their Cub Scout Leader, and their biggest fan. His sons were the most important things in his life, and he never forgot to remind them of it.

Later in his life he pursued his love of golf and moved to Georgia, owning a home on a golf course with his beloved dogs, Scruffy I and Scruffy II. For his final years, Ray was a resident of Atria Senior Living, whose staff showed him the utmost kindness.

Ray is survived by his sons, Ray Pierson Jr., his wife Ying Ling, and their two daughters Mei and Holly Ann; Bart Pierson, his wife Doreen, and their two sons, Sam and Robert; Matt Pierson, his wife Lisa, and their kids, Virginia, Mary Matt, and Ford, and his Son Ted and his fiance Ashley.

Ray was predeceased by his wife, Virginia Pierson and their baby Joseph, his twin Ellen Pierson, and his sisters Rosemary Blaney, and Georgia Ottiwell, and his brothers Robert Pierson and Donald Ogden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Marie D. Marano (Corteluna) age 98, of Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, formerly of Ridgefield, passed Sunday, August 14, 2022.

She was born to Leonard and Mary Corteluna in Hoboken.  Marie graduated from Hoboken High School with the Class of 1941.  After high school she worked as a secretary for the Nabisco Corporation in New York City. She changed her last name on her job application to Cortell as they were not hiring Italian people. Marie dedicated herself to raising her three boys before returning to the workforce and a secretarial job with ESC Electronics in Palisades Park. She worked there to help support putting her three sons through Rutgers College and retired in 1984.

Marie married her sweetheart Carmen Marano in 1946 after he returned from the Pacific Theatre of WWII.  They settled in Ridgefield where they lived for sixty years and raised their three sons Anthony, Leonard, and Richard. In 2017 they moved to the Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains before Carmen’s passing in June of 2021 and 75 years of a loving and devoted marriage.

She will be lovingly remembered as an avid reader – sometimes two books in a day! She had a phenomenal memory, loved shopping, was always dressing meticulously with the latest styles and had to have a computer. She was always active whether it was Friday night dancing at the Ridgefield Fire Department Engine Co. 3, helping with their Ladies Auxiliary, or socializing with seniors at the Ridgefield Community Center. She was an excellent cook and her special loving touch on Eggplant Parmesan will be dearly missed.

Marie was the loving wife of 75 years to the late Carmen Marano (d.June 2021); she was the devoted mother of Anthony and Marilyn Marano of Franklin Lakes, Len and Diane Marano of Washington Township, and Rich and Eileen Marano of Mantoloking; she was the adored grandmother of Alison and Adam White, Christine and Rob Odell, Jillian and Mark Capalbo, Dana and Alex Cunningham, Connor Marano, and Griffin Marano; she was also the dearly loved great-grandmother of Samantha, Robert, Reese, Ashley, and Ella.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Ridgefield Fire Department, 588 Bergen Blvd, Ridgefield, NJ 07657 would be greatly appreciated. (the funeral home will have donation cards available by the register book)

James Edward Roe, age 86, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2022 while receiving the loving care of his family.

James was born and raised in Passaic, NJ and was one of three children to John and Jennie Roe.  As a young man, James attended Passaic High School and graduated with the class of 1953.  Following his high school graduation, James enrolled at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ.  James attended Steven’s for about a year. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1959.  James served proudly and honorably in the US Army from 1959 till 1962.  During his service with the army, James was stationed at the Nike Air Missile Base in Milford, CT.  There he was a Radar Operator for the Battery A 3rd Missile Battalion. Serving in the US Army was something that James was always proud of.

After being honorably discharged from the army, James accepted a position at the Nabisco Corporation in Fair Lawn, NJ.  While working in the research lab there, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Upsala College in East Orange, NJ.  He was a research chemist for Nabisco, developing new food products for the company.  He was credited with several patents which were published by Nabisco. James’ career with Nabisco spanned over thirty-six years until his retirement in 2001.

James met his future wife, Carol Ann Connelly, and two years later on July 3, 1965 they became husband and wife at St Michael’s Church in Lyndhurst, NJ.  After getting married, the newlyweds settled in an apartment in Wayne.  The couple remained there for about two years and then moved to a newly built home on Kiwanis Dr in Wayne.  While living there, they welcomed the birth of their first child, Brian.  In 1972, the family moved to the Pines Lake section of Wayne where their second child, Lauren, was born.  James and Carol raised their children in Wayne and have called it home ever since.

James joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary where he would monitor shipping and transit operations on the Hudson River by way of small aircraft.  Later James was made a liaison for the Coast Guard Academy and traveled to various high schools in Northern NJ informing students of what the Coast Guard Academy had to offer them.  He was also a Webelo Den Leader when his son Brian was younger.  James was an active member of the Preakness Reformed Church for many years and also served as a Deacon for the church.

James enjoyed building model boats, and hiking.  He loved listening to classical music and had quite an extensive music collection.  He liked exploring the Northern New Jersey area and learning about its history.  James was also interested in his own family history and traced his ancestry back to the Revolutionary War. Two of his ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War which prompted James to be invited as a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.  Aside from all of James’ interests and hobbies, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to James than spending time with and providing for his family.  He and his wife Carol have cherished fifty-seven years of loving and loyal marriage.  James treasured vacationing with his family throughout the years, particularly two very memorable trips to Utah, and Estes Park, CO which were sponsored by the National Wildlife Foundation.

James was a quiet and private man who loved his family deeply.  He was sincerely loved and respected by his colleagues throughout his career.  James was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.

James is survived by his wife Carol Ann (nee Connelly) of Wayne, NJ his son Brian Roe and his wife Lun-Shan of Lincoln Park, NJ, his daughter Lauren Roe of Clifton, NJ, one sister Jean Jarzabek of Paramus, NJ, three nephews; Stephen Roe, John Roe, and Kenneth Jarzabek, and one niece Susan Roe Roessner.  James was predeceased by his brother John Roe.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make charitable donations in James’ name, may make them to the charity of their choice.

Wayne Mowry, age 70, of Morris plains , NJ passed away unexpectedly on Friday August 12, 2022.

Wayne was born in Woonsocket, RI and was one of two sons, to Mason and Cecelia Mowry.  Wayne’s family moved from Woonsocket to Boynton Beach, FL when he was a young boy.  At the age of only fourteen, Wayne’s father, Mason, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  Wayne’s mom Cecelia later remarried a man by the name of Dick Dunphy who had four children of his own.  After getting married the family moved to Teaneck, NJ together.  While living in Teaneck, Wayne attended Teaneck High School and graduated with the class of 1970.  

Following his high school graduation, Wayne attended CW Post College, now known as LIU Post University in Long Island, NY.  There, Wayne studied business and earned his bachelor’s degree in business.  After receiving his degree, Wayne found employment quickly and went to work for his stepfather Dick Dunphy at his company “Dick Dunphy Advertising.”  Wayne worked alongside his stepfather for more than twenty years.  Wayne later worked for Verizon for a few years then in 2005 he took the opportunity to start his own advertising/marketing business, “Mowry’s Promotions.”  One of his largest and most loyal accounts was the New York City Port Authority.  Wayne worked closely with the NY Port Authority by way of advertising and marketing throughout the years following the events of September 11.  Wayne owned and operated Mowry’s Promotions for the last seventeen years until his passing.  

In the late 1970's, Wayne was introduced by some mutual friends to an attractive young lady by the name of Ute Neumann.  The two went out on a blind date and hit it off great.  A couple of years later they became husband and wife on September 20, 1980.  The newlyweds first settled in Garfield then moved to Lincoln Park, NJ.  Wayne and Ute spent the next thirty years calling Lincoln Park their home and raising their two daughters, Kenna, and Kara.  Wayne was a truly devoted father and grandfather.  He was not only devoted to his family but was also dedicated to his Catholic Faith.  He was an active member and a Eucharistic Minister for St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lincoln Park for many years.

One of the favorite past times of Wayne’s life was surfing.  Wayne’s love for surfing prompted him to purchase property with his brother David in Mexico where he would vacation with his children and surf.  Wayne is a legend at the ranch and Saladitia  where everyone knows him for his neon green surf shorts! And even has one of his old surf boards on display in the Florida Surf Museum!

His surf vacations also led him to Puerto Rico, Florida, and other exotic locations.  Travel was also something that Wayne and his family treasured doing together.  Wayne and his family have traveled to a variety of destinations around the world including Europe, Florida, Canada, and other destinations throughout the Western United States.  Wayne had a highly anticipated vacation planned with his family to Budapest and Prague, that had been postponed numerous times due to Covid. Wayne’s business allotted vacation time every year during the holiday season.  Throughout the years his family would often wake up early on Christmas morning, open their gifts, then rush out the door to catch a plane for their vacation.  Aside from travel and surfing, Wayne treasured golfing, painting, and felt right at home in the kitchen after taking cooking classes in the city, cast iron bread was his specialty.

Wayne was a reserved and quiet man who definitely “marched to the beat of his own drum.”  He had an offbeat sense of humor and was not concerned with what others thought of him.  Wayne loved to push the envelope and believed “rules were meant to be broken, not followed”. To know Wayne was truly to love him.  He was kind, gentle, generous, and had the biggest heart. He truly treasured spending time with family and friends. Wayne was spontaneous and adventurous, he would never turn down an invitation; however usually showed up at his own leisure, always with a smile on his face.  Aside from all of Wayne’s hobbies, talents, and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Wayne than spending time with his children and grandchildren.  Wayne was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be truly missed by everyone that knew him.  

Wayne is survived by his two daughters; Kenna Petruska and her husband Eric of Pompton Lakes, and Kara Gilchrist and her husband Steven of Somerville, NJ, one brother David Mowry and his wife Anne of Houston, TX, two grandchildren; Penelope Petruska and Peyton Petruska, and two twin grandchildren on the way.  He is also survived by two stepbrothers Richard Dunphy, and Paul Dunphy, one stepsister Irene Dunphy, his former wife Ute Mowry, and his loyal service dog and best friend Bretagne.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association in his honor.  American Diabetes Association. PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215,http://www.diabetes.org

**Please check back for a more complete obituary at a later time**

Rosaria "Rose" Roatti, age 91, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of New Jersey, passed Friday, August 12, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota, Florida would be greatly appreciated.

Marilyn Sentowski passed away August 11th in Tucson, AZ. She was born August 17, 1943, in Greenpoint, NY, attended Delehanty High School and graduated from Saint Elizabeth University in 1964. Marilyn & her husband of 58 years, John, resided in Lincoln Park, NJ for 34 years and raised their 3 sons there. She was a parishioner of St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church and made lifelong friends with the neighboring families.

Later, she and John built their dream home and retired to Quechee, VT.  Marilyn was an avid reader, knitter and began quilting when they moved to Vermont. She soon became an expert at it.  She gifted many of her spectacular quilts to family and friends to mark special occasions. Marilyn spent her days in Quechee volunteering at the library, garage sale hunting, gardening, and quilting. She loved hosting her children and grandchildren as they made many memories skiing, skating, swimming, and golfing.

After tiring of the cold weather, she and John moved to Tucson, AZ full time in 2006 and became active members in Santa Catalina Catholic Church. Marilyn continued with her quilting and was proud of the citrus fruits she was able to grow in her backyard.  Marilyn loved going on her yearly "girls’ trip" to the National Quilt Show and always returned home with new ideas.  John & Marilyn loved to travel and visited many historical sights and National Parks in the United States.  She was an avid researcher and could track down anything whether it was an out of the way place to visit or a unique gift that someone asked about.  

Visits back East to family always included attending her grandchildren's school and sporting events.  She was an incredible baker and Christmas always meant baking many dozen cookies.  The coveted recipes are her legacy that will live on each Christmas season.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, John; and, three sons Steve and his wife Tracy of Lincoln Park, NJ, Peter and his wife Karen of Mountain Lakes, NJ, and Michael and his wife Michele of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; and, their seven grandchildren, Erin, Olivia, Molly, Diana, Matthew, Tyler and Emma.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to Casa Maria Soup Kitchen of Tucson.

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

Janet Simon, age 83 of Wayne, died on Thursday, August 11, 2022. She had lived in Brooklyn and The Bronx before moving to Wayne in 2017.

Salvatore Adolph Cerasuolo, age 96, of Boynton Beach, Florida, formerly of Wayne, passed Monday, August 8, 2022.

He was born to Louis and Carmela Cerasuolo in New York City and graduated from the Christopher Columbus High School in Bronx, New York. He lived in Bronx, New York before moving out to the country where they bought a home in Wayne in 1977.  Salvatore lived in Wayne for 44 years before moving to Boynton Beach, Florida in 2021.

As a young man in his 20’s Sal worked at his brother’s pizzeria.  Through the years he has owned three different butcher shops: Astoria, Queens, NY, Bergenfield, NJ, and the Bronx, NY.  He worked at Cerveli’s Supermarket in Hoboken as a butcher for fifteen years before retiring in 1987. During his retirement he has worked at Sears and Burlington Coat Factory in a security capacity.

Salvatore served in the United States Army from 1944 through being Honorably Discharged as a Staff Sergeant on June 26, 1946. While in the Army he served with the 254th Infantry Regiment's 63rd Division.

Salvatore met the love of his life, Carmela Cervone as they grew up in the same neighborhood in Manhattan.  Her family knew his family and introduced them. Salvatore was very happy as he thought she was a beautiful girl.  They soon fell in love and married.  Salvatore’s butcher shop was doing very well, and he was proud to buy his wife Carmela a brand new 1956 pink Cadillac.  They enjoyed sixty years of a devoted and loving marriage which Salvatore described as “two peas in a pod.”  Before Carmela’s passing on January 7, 2009.

Salvatore was the loving husband of the late Carmela Cerasuolo; dear father of Phyllis Antonelli and her husband Joseph of Pleasant Valley, NY and Sally Cuccurullo of Delray Beach, FL; he was the loved grandfather of Eric Currurullo, Jennifer Hickey and her husband William, and Joseph Antonelli; he was the devoted great-grandfather of Owen and Camille Hickey.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

A Proud Navy Seabee, Command Master Chief (retired), Robert “Bob” Verhasselt, age 92, of Wayne, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born in Paterson and lived in Wayne since 1978. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church in Wayne. He was predeceased by is parents Gus and Marie Verhasselt and his two sisters Germaine Zwier and Margaret Dinardo.

Bob was a proud military veteran serving more than 35 years of total service to his country in both the Army and Navy. The last 30 years of his military career were spent with the Navy Seabees from which he retired as a Command Master Chief in 1988. His life was spent using the principles of his military career to succeed as he did. Bob had the privilege of serving with the Army Advisory Group in Shanghai China, the last military group to leave Shanghai in 1949, during the Communist takeover. His last Army assignment was with the 78th A.A.A. Gun Battalion during the Korean War in ’51 and ’52. Bob was equally proud to attend the meetings and reunions around the country each year with all his “grey-haired” buddies he served with during the years.

Bob was a self-employed automobile mechanic and business owner in the transmission field. After retiring, he was employed as a bus driver for the Wayne Board of Education for many years.

Bob was a life member of the Korean War Veterans Association, the Korean War Veterans Taejon Chapter 170, The Veterans of Foreign War Post #7165 Clifton, The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, The C.B. Veterans of America and his name is enshrined at the Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the B.P.O.E. #60 Elmwood Park-Paterson.

Bob was an avid race car owner and fan for many years. He owned cars that raced at most of the tracks in PA, NJ, and NY. He was a longtime member of the Atlantic Coast Old Timers.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth “Bettie” (married 1951); two sons: Robert and his wife Diane, and Craig and his wife Patti; four grandchildren: Bryan and his wife Sue Ann, Danielle and her husband R.J., James and his wife Karen, and Eric and his wife Christine; and nine great-grandchildren: Taylor, Kayla, Joey, Gianna, Emma, Michael, Gabby, Owen, and Joel.

Donations in Bob’s honor may be made to your favorite charity.

Mama, Oma, Omi, Tante Magda - all names of our beloved Magda Kajah, who passed away peacefully on August 5, 2022.

Magda was born in Pinneberg, Germany August, 20, 1936. She lived there with her five siblings and parents until meeting Horst at her church youth group. Horst and Magda married on August 25, 1956. A few years later, the two decided that moving to the United States would offer them what war-torn Germany could not. They were sponsored by Pastor Hüssmann and the congregation of Immanuel Baptist Church in Woodside, NY, a German community that became their family in this country. Horst, Magda, Angela, Christine and Stephan moved to Pompton Lakes in 1965, Thomas was born shortly after, and Magda and Horst would live on Marion Court for the next 56 years. Magda didn’t let having four children slow her down: she studied and received her GED, which was extremely difficult considering she came into this country without knowing one word of English. She was a stay at home mom until Thomas was in high school, and then Magda started cleaning a dentist’s office.  He, in turn, taught her to be Dental Assistant and encouraged her to study to complete her dental x-ray certificate. She worked there for 33 years and retired at the age of 81. Magda loved her work and her patients, and her patients loved her, many saying she was the reason they enjoyed coming to the dentist at all. Magda’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her joy and an ever-present reason to bake another batch of chocolate chip cake or chocolate chip cookies, which she loved to do. She loved to spend time gardening, too.

Anyone who knew Magda and Horst, even as an acquaintance, knew the great pride they took in their German heritage, which they very intentionally instilled in their family. Magda and Horst and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have spent many years maintaining German holiday traditions, participating in German heritage festivals, and attending the Steuben Parade in New York quite religiously.

Magda was predeceased by her husband Horst, 2021, her children, Angela Winters, 2018, and Stephan Kajah, 2006. She is survived by her son-in-law, Brian Winters, of Bloomingdale, daughter, Christine Pallo, and her husband, Steve, of Pompton Lakes, son, Thomas Kajah, and his wife, Marcy, of Londonderry, VT, and her grandchildren, Rebecca Peller and her husband, Jason, of Pompton Plains, Courtney Laurente and her husband, Michael, of Wayne, Sarah Hout and her husband, Jonathan, of Forest, VA, Kerstin and Heidi Pallo of Beverly, MA, Devan and Lily Kajah of Londonderry, VT, and eight great-grandchildren, Liam, Noah, Luke, and James Peller, Caleb, Hannah, and Daniel Hout, and Charlotte and Owen Laurente.

Kyle Nyman, age 31, of Port St. Lucie, Florida passed on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

He is loved and survived by his mother Tina Nyman, his father Chance Nyman, and his stepparents Fred Abascal and Christie Terhune Nyman; two beautiful children: April age 10 and her mom Aneesha, and Chance age 4 and his mom Susie; his beloved sister Alexa, stepsisters: Michelle Abascal, Kristin Abascal, stepbrothers Steven Abascal, David Abascal and Jared Terhune, cousins Matthew Honchen, Timothy Weite and Samantha Weite, grandparents Anthony and Tina Buraty, aunts Nancy Honchen and Tonianne Weite, and uncles Ed Honchen, Darren Weite and Robert Wagner.

Kyle was an intellect who read hundreds of books. He was primarily intrigued and fascinated by the subjects of world history and politics and was currently writing his own first history book about English and Scottish aristocracies and how those aristocratic families affected the world economy. As part of his research to passionately craft one of the first books on this topic, Kyle possessed dozens of recorded interviews with many of the descendants of these families.

Kyle had a razor wit, and incredible sense of humor. He was always the one to have the whole room laughing because he saw the happiness and even humor in the sadness in everything.

Kyle was so smart that he could see straight through a situation. This ability was fed by a vast knowledge base obtained by his unquenchable drinking in of knowledge which led to a keen perception of politics, how people think, why they do what they do, and how the world works.

Despite all his God-given gifts, Kyle would be the first to admit that he was not perfect. Who in this world is? Unfortunately, for Kyle, his imperfection - substance addiction which he fought for the last decade, is more stigmatized in a society that applauds financial success and worldly gain. Honestly, for Kyle, there was shame and regret, but there was also peace in knowing that he fought hard for his life and the love he had for his children, and there was peace – a peace which came from becoming a great student of religion and learning about and embracing a God who knew his weaknesses and loved him anyway.  

On a lighter note, Kyle also loved to paint and play guitar. He loved his family and his children dearly and was very proud of his daughter April who is a gymnast, and his greatest joy, and his son Chance, his young boy who was his greatest pride. Kyle was brilliant, passionate, full of life and love and he will be missed greatly!

Doris M. Allen, age 88, longtime resident of Pompton Lakes, passed away on August 3, 2022 in Florham Park, NJ.

Doris was raised in Newark, NJ. She was an enthusiastic student of dance and spent happy childhood summers at the shore. She graduated from Barringer High School where she was a cheerleader and excellent student.

She entered nursing school, but her plans changed when she began visiting her neighborhood friend Joanie, whose family had moved from Newark to Pompton. It was there that Doris met the love of her life, David Allen. Doris and Dave married and raised five children in Pompton Lakes. Doris was a loving and devoted mother, active in PTA, scouts and church activities. Family camping trips were the highlight of every summer vacation.

Doris returned to school, attending Montclair State College as a psychology major. She then earned her masters degree in counseling, earning the distinction of summa cum laude, and embarked on her career as a college counselor. Doris was a trusted and skilled counselor and she especially loved personal counseling and career counseling. She was retired from County College of Morris and was very active in the Middle Atlantic Career Counseling Association, (MACCA). In retirement Doris enjoyed volunteering as an ESL instructor. (English as a Second Language.) Doris enjoyed traveling with her husband David, going on many camping trips and cruises, alone and with family and friends. Sadly, David passed away in 1989, but Doris never lost the travel bug. She journeyed many places, including Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, the UK, Canada and Mexico. She was very proud of her solo trip to Japan visit her granddaughter.

Doris embraced her many life experiences with resilience, gratitude and cheerfulness.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Kathleen (Kate), Donna and her husband Lyonel, David and his wife Jill, Carol, Douglas and his wife Monica. Doris leaves nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and was “favorite aunt” of many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her brother William Hendricks and his wife Susan, and many great friends and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association ALZ.ORG or the Shepherd’s Haven, 420 Ramapo Ave., Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 would be greatly appreciated.

F. Bruce O’Connell, Jr., age 83, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly on August 2, 2022.  Born in Clifton, New Jersey, he was the son of the late F. Bruce O’Connell, Sr. and C. Mildred O’Connell (nee McGhee).  Bruce was the oldest of three children, graduated from Clifton High School where he was a member of the band and track team. After graduation, Bruce proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957-1963.

Bruce married his high school sweetheart, Alice O’Connell (nee Heinold) in 1961 and they resided in Wayne, New Jersey where they raised their children, Glenn and Kathleen. While living in Wayne, Bruce was a member, Deacon and Youth Leader at the Preakness Reformed Church. After moving in 1988 to “Victoria” in Marmora, NJ, he became a faithful member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean City, NJ.

Bruce retired in 1991 after 30 years of service as a regional communications and service manager for AT&T. After retiring, he became the communications manager for National Freight, Inc. in Vineland, New Jersey.

Bruce enjoyed a second retirement, balancing his work schedule with frequent family and friend visits.  He loved spending time with family, (especially his grandchildren) sharing stories, planning pirate adventures for his grandchildren and fishing on his boat along the South Jersey coast.  Bruce made everyone know they were special.  Over the years, he frequented the Wonderland log flume with each of his grandchildren for an action photo with their “Pappa”, along with memorable trips to the famed Frog Hollow Donuts.  Bruce loved his family and he and Alice hosted many family events at Victoria throughout the years leaving a lifetime of memories.

Upon full retirement from his careers, he became actively involved in serving the Marine Corps League, Detachment #676, Cape May Court House, NJ.  While in detachment #676 he served as Assistant Chaplain for 6 years and Sr. Vice Commandant for one year.  He was Marine of the Year and received numerous awards for his outstanding efforts.  In 2017, Bruce relocated to Mechanicsburg, PA and transferred to Detachment #524, in Carlisle, PA.  Bruce selflessly served Cumberland and Perry Counties as their Toys for Tots coordinator, organizing and distributing toys to thousands of children from 2018 – 2021.  Bruce was once again awarded Marine of the Year in 2021.  In July, 2022, Bruce was awarded the second highest state award, the Distinguished Citizens Silver medal.  In addition, he received  the MCL state award, given only once a year called the Mary Cody Award for outstanding service to veterans.  His greatest honor was being presented with the Four Chaplains Award, recognition reserved for very few Marines. Bruce O’Connell was a gentleman of the highest order and respected by all.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Alice I. O’Connell, son Glenn S. O’Connell (Laura), of Pequannock, New Jersey, and daughter, Kathleen A. Sheely (Andrew), of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, his sister Susan Southern, of Rutherford, New Jersey, and brother James J. O’Connell, of Oak Ridge, New Jersey.  Bruce loved spending time and sharing in the lives with his grandchildren, Heather, Brooke, Dan, Aidan and Anna, especially on the beach in OCNJ or Thanksgiving family fun trips in OBX.

In lieu of Flowers, please consider contributing to The Marine Corps League-Det. # 524.  PO Box 1078 Carlisle, PA 17013. http://www.mcl524.com

Thomasina “Tam” Gullotta, age 70, Naples, FL, formerly of Wayne, passed Sunday, July 31, 2022.

She was born to Andrew and Thomasina Meli in Queens, New York and raised in Cresskill, New Jersey. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Angels High School with the Class of 1969.  She went on to receive her Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Farleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck with the Class of 1973 and went on to get her Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Montclair State College with the Class of 1975.

During her high school years Thomasina worked at Hofstetter’s Bakery in Tenafly. During her college years she worked in a secretarial capacity for the Alpine Country Club.  After graduating with her undergraduate degree, she found a position teaching with the Westwood Regional School District where she taught from 1973 through her retirement in 2008.  During her years with the Westwood Schools, she mainly taught Mathematics and Advanced High School Mathematics in the 11th and 12th grades. For many years she enjoyed coordinating the Color Guard, attending any games where they performed, and was often chosen to be a Prom Chaperone. Her heart was devoted to teaching, she loved the kids and they loved her back.

Tam had a passion for cooking and was always willing to try something new.  The love she cooked into all her food, but especially her eggplant and meatballs, will be dearly missed. She had a very outgoing personality, made friends easily, could speak Infront of a crowd with ease, was caring and compassionate, and never gave an answer to something she had not thoroughly thought through.

Thomasina met Joseph Gullotta through mutual friends. They began dating in their early 20’s and after securing her dad’s permission, proposed at a friend’s apartment.  They married on August 22, 1976, at Saint Therese of Lisieux Church in Creskill and honeymooned in Bermuda.  They have had a loving and devoted marriage of forty-six years.

Thomasina was the loving wife of Joseph Gullotta; devoted mother of Michele Stoffel and her husband Dave of Denville; cherished grandmother of Adriana, Ava, and Olivia Stoffel; loved sister of Robert Meli of Richmond, VA, Theresa Millan of Clearwater, FL, and Ken Meli of Mahwah.  She will be dearly missed by her sister-in-law Rita Gullotta of Chester. She will also be missed by her six nieces and nephews, three great-nieces, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Edmund J. Froude, age 93, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2022, while in the loving and caring support of his family.

Ed was eldest child of Edmund W. and Muriel (Watson) Froude. He was born in Jersey City and raised there in the family’s home at 167 Virginia Ave. Soon after graduating from Snyder High School in Jersey City. Ed went to work for Otis Elevator, a job he was able to obtain thanks to some prior electrical knowledge coupled with a good word put in by his Uncle Al to help him land the job.  It wasn’t too long after being hired that Uncle Sam called Ed’s number. Answering that call, Ed, bravely, yet humbly served in the U.S. Army in South Korea as a radar technician in the radar tower just a mile from the front lines during the Korean Conflict. For his service to his country, Ed was awarded the Korean Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star, and the United Nations Service Medal. A funny thing happened while Ed was away. Just prior to being drafted, he had purchased a brand-new Studebaker. Forced to leave it behind while training in Texas, Ed caught wind that his brother Donald was driving his car in his absence. This did not please Ed so he had his dad drive the car all the way to Texas so that his brother couldn’t drive it anymore. After his honorable discharge from military service in 1953, Ed returned to civilian life. The morning after setting his feet back on American soil, he returned to his job at Otis Elevator.    

Ed had the good fortune of meeting his wife L. Carmen Ouimet through one of her classmates in nursing school who happened to be married to Ed’s brother Donald. His first date was set up by that classmate and it took place at a dinner dance in commemoration of the Jersey City Medical Center’s fiftieth anniversary. As Ed explained, “we danced a lot that night!” Ed and Carmen ended up dating for about a year at which time Carmen decided it was time for marriage. After a trip with a family heirloom diamond to a local Jersey City jeweler to have the diamond set in a ring, Ed and Carmen set a date and exchanged their wedding vows before God, family and friends on Saturday, June 27, 1959 at St. Peter and Paul R.C. Church in Jersey City. They celebrated with a reception at a Journal Square hotel before setting off for a honeymoon in Bermuda.

Ed and Carmen’s first home as newlyweds was an apartment in Jersey City. They stayed there for a very short time while awaiting completion of a brand-new home being constructed in a recent development of the then-sleepy town called Wayne. They moved into that new house the same year they married and called it “home sweet home” throughout the rest of their lives. Ed and Carmen were blessed with five beautiful children and, while they were growing up, Carmen poured herself into their care while Ed commuted into Manhattan every day to work that job as an elevator mechanic for Otis Elevator. His career with Otis spanned almost forty years until retirement in 1992. The final twenty-eight years were spent working exclusively as an in-house elevator mechanic at the New York Hilton Hotel in Manhattan.

A couple years after Ed’s retirement, Carmen retired too, affording the blessing of more time together. Throughout their lives Ed and Carmen enjoyed trips to Ireland, Spain, and Italy and four times a year, they would trek north to Canada to visit some or all of Carmen’s 56 first cousins. They enjoyed sampling fine local wines from wherever their journeys would take them. When their grandchildren were available, Ed and Carmen loved to have them join them on their traveling adventures. Since they especially loved their experience in Ireland, they chose to go again, sharing the trip with their grandchildren. They were also welcomed to join Grandpa and Grandma on vacations to Ocean City Maryland and to Cape Cod Massachusetts.

As a young man, Ed enjoyed his cars. There was the formerly mentioned Studebaker which was followed in 1964 by a fresh-off-the-assembly-line black Ford convertible with red leather interior. It was a very sharp car and Ed had a lot of fun with it but, since he commuted to work by bus, he and Carmen only ever had need of one car to share during their entire marriage! When child number three came along, the cool convertible had to go and was replaced by a station wagon. Ed’s other hobbies included swimming and conducting genealogical studies. As children, Ed and his younger siblings, Muriel and Don would spend large portions of their summers hosted by their Uncle Al and Aunt Vera at their house in Glen Wild Lake in Bloomingdale. The kids enjoyed swimming, canoeing, ice skating and other aquatic activities. As a boy, Ed had his own canoe at the lake which be dubbed “The Black Stealth” because he liked to sneak up on his brother while canoeing in the dark. Ed loved Glen Wild Lake so much that one time he rode his bicycle all the way from Jersey City to get there. Ed took a real liking to swimming. It became a lifetime love and he swam on his high school’s swim team at the People’s Palace in Jersey City and later at the YWCA and town pool well into his late eighties. Ed was conducting genealogical research on his family way before the advent of the internet and Ancestry.com. He would often physically visit cemeteries and town health departments requesting birth, marriage and death certificates to help put the pieces of his research together. He really caught the research bug and, while discovering the Froude family ancestry all the way back to the sixteenth century, he’d often come home exclaiming with wide-eyed wonder, “I was blown away by what I found out today!”

Next to his greatest love for his family, Ed was devoted to his faith in God. When he and Carmen moved to Wayne in 1959, they soon became charter parishioners of the new parish in town – Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church of Wayne.

Ed should be remembered as a great husband, father, provider, brother, grandfather and uncle. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

While Ed’s family acknowledges the sadness they feel, they are grateful of Ed’s life, love, and positive influence, and for the fact that he’s now reunited with his beloved Carmen.    

Ed was the beloved husband of Carmen (nee Ouimet), blessed in marriage for 60 years until her passing in 2020. He was the most loving father of: Aimee Zschack and husband Mark of Franklin, Edmund Froude and wife Susan of Milton, DE, Roger Froude of Malta, NY, Keith Froude and wife Lisa of Oxford, PA, and Suzanne Froude of Wayne: cherished grandfather of: Jessica MacLeod and husband Sean of Vernon, William Zschack and wife Amy of Newton, Edmund Froude and wife Lauren of Hamburg, Keith Froude of Oxford, PA, Julia Cordaro of Wayne, and Christopher Cordaro of Wayne; cherished step-grandfather of Amanda Clohessey and Andrew Clohessey; adoring great-grandfather of: Maggie MacLeod, Connor MacLeod, Charlie Zschack, Danny Zschack, and Lilliana Froude; dear brother of the late Donald Froude, and Muriel Murphy and her late husband Arthur of Shrewsbury. Uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

In celebration of Ed’s life, friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Edmund’s name are asked to consider: Wounded Warrior Project.

To donate online, CLICK HERE

To download and print a mailable form, CLICK HERE

Alexa “Lexi” Piotrowski, age 22, of Wayne passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, July 30, 2022.

Lexi was raised in Wayne, NJ and was one of two children to Robert and Vicki Piotrowski. From as far back as her parents can remember she has always had a deep love for sports. As a young girl she played baseball, soccer, flag football, and above all, her favorite sport, basketball. While a student at Wayne Valley High School, she was a member and the captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team from freshman to senior year, winning the Passaic County Girls Basketball Championship in 2018. This was Wayne’s first championship in forty one years. She was also active in the Italian Club and the Gardening Club while a student at Wayne Valley High. In addition to the girls’ varsity basketball team, she traveled and competed with the Amateur Athletics Union (AAU) Girls Basketball teams through her young adult life playing in countless tournaments and winning a variety of championships.  She also played with the “Gym Ratz”, the “Sharp Shooters Basketball”, and “Bulls” basketball teams.

After graduating from Wayne Valley High School in 2018, Lexi enrolled at the University of Tampa where she studied Allied Health Concentration in Medical Sciences. There she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in June of this year.  While studying at the University of Tampa, Lexi was a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, the PPAA and the Dean’s list during her freshman year in college. Lexi also received her certification as a Licensed Nursing Assistant and was working toward her degree and certification as a Physician’s Assistant.

Lexi recently accepted a position at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL as a Licensed Certified Nursing Assistant. Previously, Lexi held positions as a Medical Assistant in Tampa, FL and a Camp Nurse for the YMCA-Montclair in 2021. She truly enjoyed the field she worked in and was sincerely loved and respected by her co-workers and colleagues. Lexi was certified in a variety of different procedures including CPR, BLS, EMR, and CITI. Lexi was also a firm believer in giving back to her community. She participated in a number of different community services. She worked with BayCare Kid Wellness and Safety Center as a CPR volunteer, and the Police Athletics League where she coached the 3rd grade basketball travel team. She also participated in the Relay for Life and Wayne Valley Basketball “Lace It UP” (both fundraisers for cancer victims).

Lexi was an easy-going person who loved spending time with family and friends.  She was oftentimes selfless to a fault, always putting others and the needs of others before her own.  She enjoyed listening to music, Mac Miller being her favorite musical artist, and treasured spending time with her dad target shooting and Skeet shooting. Lexi had beautiful smile along with an infectious personality that lit up any room she walked into. She was the kind of person that you couldn’t help but want to be around. Lexi was adventurous, fun loving, and “A Ray of Sunshine.” Her greatest passion was clearly her family. Nothing in the world meant more to Lexi than spending time with the people she loved. Lexi was a truly special person who touched the lives of all the people around and will be sorely missed by everyone that knew her.  

Lexi lived by the quote “No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile” - Mac Miller

Lexi is survived by her parents Robert and Vicki Piotrowski of Wayne, one sister Olivia Piotrowski of Wayne, her grandmother Helena Piotrowski of Cape Coral, FL, her aunt Kakool Khan of Hackensack, NJ, two uncles; Danny Piotrowski and his fiancé Pat MaCabe of Cape Coral, FL, and Tony Piotrowski and his wife Halina of Cape Coral FL, five cousins; Nadina Minassian of Hackensack, NJ, Christina Piotrowski of Edison, NJ, Samantha Piotrowski of Golden, CO, and Amanda Piotrowski of Cape Coral, FL, Zachary Piotrowski of Colorado.  She was predeceased by her grandfather Edward Piotrowski in 2021, and her maternal grandparents Abul Mahmood in 2008, and Akhtar Mahmood in 1997.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lexi’s name may be made to American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society, PO Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 http://www.cancer.org

Kathleen Marian Sanders (nee Fredericks), age 102 passed away peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Marian was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Olaf and Ann Marie Fredericks who move the family to Jersey City when Marian was seven.  As a member of the "Greatest Generation" she lived through and was witness to so many of the amazing, often sad and troubling, events and changes our country has experienced over the last hundred years.

From growing up in the Great Depression, to watching the Hindenburg go overhead on its fatal voyage, to waving to Franklin Roosevelt as his train passed their home, to meeting and marrying her husband, Rex, of over fifty years in 1942, Marian's first twenty-three years would fill most lifetimes.  World War II had already begun and Rex was an artillery lieutenant in the US Army.  Marian moved with him to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and then on to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  And, when his orders moved him to yet another post, she traveled across half the U.S. on her own, by train, while pregnant with their first child, Jim.  

Upon Rex's return from Europe following the war's end, they welcomed a daughter, Barbara, and moved to Wayne.  In Wayne, Gordon, Jean, and Katie joined the family.  A devoted mother, Marian focused on raising the children through more turbulent and exciting times, namely the fifties, sixties, and seventies.  She lived in Wayne for 77 years with the last 64 years in the same home on Shore Road which Rex built.

Marian returned to the work place as part of the municipal government of Wayne Township.  She was a founding member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church.  As a member of the "Twiggs", she and co-members created arts and crafts for patients at the Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.  An enduring love of gardening led her to longtime involvement in the Riverview Community Garden Club.  And not the least of her favorite activities was her love of the once-a-month meetings with neighborhood friends to play Canasta.

One of Marian's favorite activities was traveling.  She and Rex took many car trips including both East and West coasts.  They enjoyed cruises with Bermuda being a particular favorite.  Also high on the list of favorite activities was dancing.  She and Rex enjoyed going to dance classes and any event where they could enjoy dancing.

Sadly, in March of 1997, Rex passed away while battling colon cancer.  In September of 2013, tragedy struck again as her son Gordon lost his battle with cancer.  Nothing meant more to Marian than spending time with family which grew from children to grandchildren to great grandchildren.  Her love of traveling did not cease and many trips with family members were part of her senior years.  She was an outgoing, social lady with a sharp sense of humor who touched the lives of many people and who will be sincerely missed by all who knew her.

Marian is survived by her three daughters;  Barbara Hanenberg and her husband Alan of Whiting, NJ, Jean Sanders of Wayne,NJ, and Katie Sanders of Wayne; son Jim Sanders and his wife Christine Allen-Sanders of Export, PA; nine grand children including James A. Sanders and wife Tracy of Plum, PA, Jennifer Sanders-Mink and her husband Jim of Greensburg, PA, Christopher Sanders and wife Michelle Stewart of Monroeville, PA, Joshua Sanders and wife Tiffany of Trafford, PA, Nicholas Sanders of Export, PA, Jason Trovy of Export, Carolyn Mayers and husband Scott of Ocean, NJ, Andrew Hanenberg and wife Michele of Indian Trail, NC, and Maxwell Sanders of Wayne. Grandson Michael Hanenberg is greeting his grandmother in heaven now.  There are six great grandchildren, Olivia Sanders, Finley Hanenberg, Elysia Mink, Aidan Sanders, Zachary Sanders, and Matthew Sanders.

Gladys Van Wyk, (nee Van Ostenbridge) age 93 passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2022 in Whitehall, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Wilbur Van Wyk, in 1984.

Gladys is survived by her children, Richard Van Wyk (Denise) of Bethlehem, PA, Janice Cross (Mark) of Fairfax, VA, and Kathryn Pitt (Bill) of Hamburg, NJ.  She is also survived by five grandchildren: Lauren Haramic (Jason) of Pittsburgh, PA, Nicholas Van Wyk of Bethlehem, PA, Kati Rosario (Ulysses), of Sparta, NJ, Aubrey Arnette (Cory) of Richmond, Virginia, and Allison Cross of Sydney, Australia; and six great-grandchildren: Nathan and Aaron Haramic, Elijah and Averil Rosario, and Connor and Daniel Arnette. Gladys was predeceased by her brothers, James and Edward, and her sisters, Agnes Myer and Dorothy Gerritsen.  She counted among her closest friends Douglas and Dianne Fromm now living in East Orleans, MA, Carol Freeman of Wayne, NJ, and Frances Alexander of Warwick, NY (a friend for over 80 years).  Many nieces and nephews were also loved dearly.

Gladys was born and raised in Hawthorne, NJ.  She and Will raised their family in Wayne, NJ, and they later relocated to Greensboro, NC and Dayton, OH. Gladys was the church secretary at the Preakness Reformed Church in Wayne and a secretary at KLS Sales Associates in Fairfield. After leaving the area, she was employed at Burlington Industries in Greensboro and at NCR in Dayton.  After Will’s death in Dayton, she returned to the Passaic/Bergen County area and worked at Cytec and then as church secretary at the Upper Ridgewood Community Church.  She retired at the age of 75.  Her most recent years were spent at Traditions of Hanover and Fellowship Community in the Bethlehem, PA area.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Preakness Reformed Church (131 Church Lane, Wayne, NJ 07470) or to Fellowship Community (Attn: Tracy Bozik, 3020 Fellowship Dr., Whitehall, PA 18052. Please note on check:  For Benevolent Fund in memory of Gladys Van Wyk).

Bernice M. Gloor, age 90 of Totowa, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Bernice was born to John and Estelle Maas and was raised in Paterson and West Paterson. She graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in Paterson with the Class of 1948 where she proudly received the Academic Excellence Award. She received her undergraduate degree in Education from William Paterson University with the Class of 1953 and went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Education from Montclair State University with the Class of 1956. She was a member of the Zeta Delta chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, a member of the National Educators Honor Society and the Future Teachers of America. As an alumna, she proudly served as the secretary of William Paterson University's Alumni Association.

Bernice worked as an Elementary School Teacher in Totowa and is fondly remembered by many former students. In 1964 she became a partner in the family business, Boro Supply Co., in Totowa where she worked until the company closed in 2012.

Bernice met Frank E. Gloor, the love of her life, at her best friend’s wedding. Their first date took place the night that the Two Guys from Harrison store in Totowa burned down.  Frank was serving as the Assistant Fire Chief and was called to the scene. When the Fire Chief arrived, Frank told him he had to leave, as he had a date that night.  They fell in love and married on August 8, 1959, at St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson. They drove to California for their honeymoon, sparking a shared life-long passion for travel. Bernice and Frank were married for 53 years and had two children, Sharon Marie and Frank Anthony.  

A devout Catholic, Bernice was a faithful parishioner at St. James of the Marches Church in Totowa. She was a member of the Rosary Society for many years and was honored with the Angel of Light Award in 2015.

Bernice will be lovingly remembered for her astute, detail-oriented, and caring approach to life. She was quiet around those she didn’t know but had a distinct laugh and was always humorous. Bernice was inherently selfless, serving as a caretaker for members of her family. For many years she would also donate her time to friends in need by helping with food shopping, distributing church bulletins and providing rides to doctor’s appointments for those who could not drive themselves.

Bernice was a life-long baseball fan and avidly rooted for the New York Mets. She was a proud member of the Totowa Happy Seniors group. Above all else, Bernice was dedicated to her grandchildren and attended activities and endeavors they were involved with.

Bernice is survived by her sister, Joan (Maas) Laurice of Oakland; son, Frank Anthony Gloor of Totowa; son-in-law, Anthony Hoffman of Totowa; daughter-in-law, Lorella Gloor of Totowa; her grandchildren: Lisa Nicole Hoffman of Bloomfield, Jessica Lynn Hoffman of Lincoln Park, Erin Nicole Gloor of Caldwell, Elizabeth Anna Palaima and her husband Jonathan Palaima of Randolph, Daniela Franca Maria Gloor and her fiancé Timothy LeCras of Westfield, Michael Anthony Hoffman of Parsippany, and Frank Aniello John Gloor and his companion Jessica Cajal of Totowa; her great-grandchildren: Sofia Gloor and Jakob Gloor; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Bernice was predeceased by her husband, Frank E. Gloor (d. 2012); her daughter, Sharon Marie Hoffman (d. 2019); and her brother-in-law, Salvatore Laurice (d. 2020).

Bernice will be laid to rest with her husband, Frank E. Gloor, in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lincoln Fire Company, 93 Lincoln Avenue, Totowa, NJ 07512,  and/or the Totowa First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 619, Totowa, NJ 07511, www.totowaems.org.

Jean Donhauser (nee Thompson), age 88, of Pompton Lakes NJ passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Jean was born in Newark to Gertrude and Howard Thompson and raised in Belleville. She graduated Belleville High School in 1951 and went on to work several years as a secretary for Prudential Insurance Company, Newark. After marriage she moved to Monroe NY for several years and in 1962 she and her family relocated to Pompton Lakes NJ where she remained until her passing.

Jean worked several years for the Pompton Lakes Board of Education as a school secretary, first in Lakeside Middle School and then Lincoln Elementary School. In 1983 she accepted an Administrative Assistant position with NJEA UniServ, retiring in 2000.

Jean enjoyed travelling extensively around the country, Hawaii, Canada and Europe with her favorite destination being Scotland. Upon retirement she joined the Pompton Lakes Golden Age Club serving several terms on its board. There she very much enjoyed the company of old friends and neighbors, arranging day trips, playing cards and attending weekly luncheons at local restaurants. Jean also kept in close contact with other retired NJEA colleagues.

Jean was a member of the Bloomingdale Methodist Church.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Eutermarks and son in law Raymond, Trudy Butchko, Jean O'Connell and son in law Chris of Pompton Lakes. She is also survived by a son, John Donhauser.

She leaves behind nine dearly loved grandchildren and nine cherished great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s name may be made to National Processing Center Alzheimer’s Association, Greater NJ Chapter, PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090  http://www.alz.org or Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106 http://www.mskcc.org

Joan Socolof, née Gallagher, age 95, of Pompton Plains, NJ, died Wednesday, July 20, 2022.  She was the daughter of Dr. John Wesley Gallagher and Edith Gallagher. She grew up in Perry, NY with her sisters, where her father was the small-town doctor.

Joan’s father died shortly before Joan’s 17th birthday, leaving behind Joan and her two younger sisters weeks before Joan graduated from Perry High School where she was salutatorian. She left Perry to attend Occidental College in Los Angeles where she received a scholarship, but moved back east after 3 semesters. Joan quickly plunged into work as an assistant to the publicity director for Asbury Park, NJ. This laid the groundwork for a job at “Park East” magazine in New York City where she had the opportunity to conduct interviews and write copy, and was given a much-loved 6-week leave of absence to attend the Bread Loaf campus writer’s conference of Middlebury College. Subsequently, Joan worked as the advertising director of Steinbach Company, Asbury Park, NJ, where she enjoyed using her talents in writing and art. During this period of her life, she met and married her husband Murray Socolof, who predeceased her in 2013.

She raised her children with Murray in Bethesda, Maryland, where she finished her college and law degrees. Joan received her Bachelor of Arts from American University and her Juris Doctor from Catholic University in Washington D.C., while at the same time raising her 5 boys, staying active in the local Presbyterian church, and continuing to write. The family moved to Franklin Lakes, NJ in 1973, where they lived until Joan and Murray moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, NJ in 2005. During her many years in Franklin Lakes, Joan remained actively engaged with the community by working on the environmental commission, serving as president of the League of Women Voters, and founding The Decorative and Fine Arts Society of Bergen County.  She constantly read about and corresponded with scholars and artists that she might convince to come and speak at monthly lectures, and to discover events at museums, galleries, sculpture grounds and historic homes that might engage members for excursions.  She arranged many greatly appreciated lectures by scholars and experts in the arts as well as numerous fascinating trips to galleries, historic homes and sculpture grounds. She would recruit her children to help with stuffing envelopes to send out the newsletters and announcements she was constantly writing. She also practiced family and real estate law in Franklin Lakes as Socolof Associates. While doing all this, she also enjoyed cooking wonderful meals for her husband and five sons. She enjoyed spending her time with friends who shared her many interests, especially in music and the arts, regularly went to concerts and plays, and also enjoyed lunch gatherings with her “French Club” friends practicing French together.

Joan continued to write throughout her life from age 9 when she shocked her family by ghostwriting the autobiography of the family’s housekeeper full of poverty, abuse, children in prison, and children born out of wedlock for a competition in “True Story Magazine,” which earned Joan a concerned visit by the magazine publisher to her parents.  She continued memoir writing into her 90s. She always made sure to honor any occasion for friends and family with homemade cards including clever line drawings and humorous poems.

Joan is survived by her children Stephen Socolof and his wife Cristina Corona and their children Giulia and Vittoria; Elias Socolof and his wife Roslyn and their children Rachel and Thomas; David Socolof and his wife Maria and their children Michaela and Camille; Jonathan Socolof and his wife Christine; and Joseph Socolof and his wife Virginia Lolley and their daughter Eve. She is also survived by her nieces Pam Davis and Marsha Yarbrough.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to one of her charities would be appreciated:  the Scholar’s Fund at Cedar Crest Village, 1 Cedar Crest Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444; the Adler Aphasia Center, 60 West Hunter Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607; or West Bergen Mental Healthcare, Development Office, 120 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450.

Mario Paredes Lardizabal, 66 years old, of Wayne, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Monday, July 18, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Born and raised in Tagudin Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Solomon and Josefina Lardizabal, third of four children. He attended St. Augustine’s School in his hometown and was active in sports especially basketball. Joining the Jokers Basketball team forged lifelong friendships with other youngsters which have withstood the test of time. They will go the distance and across the globe to give support or celebrate milestones. After graduation in 1972, he attended FEATI University in Manila for nearly four years. Mario left school to assist his mother with managing their family business. He worked closely with relatives and local folks producing, processing, and buying a wide range of agricultural products to sell to commercial traders. These ventures enabled the locality to earn a livelihood since agricultural fields abound in the area.

Since kindergarten, Mario grew up with Cresencia Villanueva, a sweet & pretty girl. Their friendship bloomed further during their college years. Through the benevolence of God, they fell in love and married on July 10, 1982, recently celebrating their 40th anniversary. As newlyweds, Mario stayed in the Philippines while his wife worked as a nurse in Saudi Arabia. Mario and Cresencia welcomed the births of their daughters Kriezl and Karell. In 1992, Mario and his daughters joined Cresencia in the United States as another step in their journey for a better life together.

The Lardizabals initially settled in Clifton, NJ where they lived for four years. During this time, they welcomed the birth of their first son Mario Jr. (JM). The family moved to Wayne, NJ in 1996 where they celebrated the birth of their second son Krizmar. Wayne has been their home ever since. He worked at Troy Chemical for seven years. However the needs of the growing children compelled him to sacrifice and manage their daily necessities at home. Like any immigrant family, this arrangement was needed in order to survive and thrive in a foreign land. Mario treasured making his family his full-time job and was always there whenever his children and grandchildren needed him. He had always placed his loved ones, his most significant passion, first in every circumstance. They meant the world to him—his joy and inspiration.

Mario was a past President of the Eastern Tagudinians Association of the tristate area. He was always a vital link to his hometown, updating fellow townmates here of current events there as well as bringing back delicacies yearned by Tagudinians. He was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Faith. His family are parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley and the Holy Cross Church in Wayne for many years.

Mario’s favorite pastimes were cooking and entertaining, reflecting not only his culinary skills but also being personable, kind, and generous. An accomplished chef, he specialized in cooking delicious dishes from the Philippines especially the Ilocos region. He cherished hosting parties to celebrate special milestones for family and friends. It’s awe-inspiring how he can prepare an array of dishes, practically a feast with little help which was truly a labor of love. Guests did not only have an enjoyable time but also left with loaded take out containers he provided. Aside from the served food, he would give away precooked frozen delicacies and bundles of fresh saluyot (jute) leaves, a rarity in Jersey.

He was not only a strong father figure for his close knit family, but his care and compassion extended to his distant relations and to those in need, no matter where he was. His support and guidance uplifted many families especially back home.

He had an infectious, signature laugh as well as an outgoing personality, practically lighting up the room wherever he went. He was able to captivate an audience with his vivid memory and engaging storytelling, reflecting life experiences and observations. Mario was truly special and exceptional, and graced the lives of countless people. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Mario is survived by his wife Cresencia, their children: Kriezl and her husband Jason Liaban of Wayne, Karell and her partner Mike Panara of Honolulu, HI, Mario Lardizabal, Jr. and his fiancée Erica Malacas of Belleville, NJ, and Krizmar of Wayne. Four grandchildren (with the fifth grandchild due in October) Ava Grace, Alexis, JJ and Jett Liaban. Left to also carry on his memory are brother Romeo Lardizabal and his wife Edna of Pomona, CA, and sister Fatima Bolosan of Artesia, CA. He was predeceased by his sister Juliet Mariano.

This obituary can only capture a modicum of the great love, faith, and enduring spirit that Mario Paredes Lardizabal bestowed to those he shared his singular life with. His joy and wonderful laughter will always echo and never be forgotten. Though the light in his eyes may have dimmed, it will never be extinguished in those beloveds who will forever carry his lessons, compassionate legacy, and devoted heart.

Vernon R. McClure, Jr., age 73 of Wanaque, NJ, died on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Vernon had been a Senior Computer Programmer with Dial America in Mahwah. He enjoyed a career of thirty-six years there before retiring in 2016. He had a mind for problem solving and strategy that suited his career perfectly.

Vernon grew up in Haskell, the second eldest of six children. When he was thirteen years old, his parents moved the family to Butler and Vernon missed his buddies so much that he would ride his bike all the way back to Haskell just to visit them and go to St. Francis school to finish 8th grade. He went on to graduate from Butler High School in 1967, where he had been a hurdler on the track team. His hurdling technique was uniquely his own and earned him the nickname “crazy-legs.” He had a competitive side to his personality that seemed to contradict with his otherwise calm and quiet persona. If you ever played volleyball or ping pong with him, you likely experienced his intense focus firsthand. Vernon was also passionate about playing unique, strategic board games with a few local groups of enthusiasts. Prior to the Pandemic, he was traveling three days a week to play in Summit, Bridgewater, and Scotch Plains, often with many of the same people. These were not your typical board games, but specialized games that were usually from European countries. Vernon was always prepared wherever he went and traveled with board games in his car. He just loved to play games. He also enjoyed being a prankster and you never quite knew when he was pulling your leg. His deadpan delivery could fool anyone until you noticed the subtle smirk on his face. Vernon had a bit of a sweet tooth and he knew just about every bakery along the eastern seaboard, with Villabate Alba in Brooklyn among his most favorite. Whenever Vern had cookies in the house, he would tell his children that they were “diet cookies,” so they wouldn’t eat them! He kept his stash on top of the refrigerator, safely out of the kid’s reach.

Vernon met his wife, Patricia McLean, at St. Mary’s church in Pompton Lakes. They had both been attending the church’s “young adults” volleyball games and they hit it off. Their first date included dinner at Taco Maker in Wayne, and they quickly hit it off. Vernon proposed on Valentine’s Day at Emerson’s Restaurant, and they were married on June 13, 1981, at St. Gerard’s Church in Paterson. Since their honeymoon in the Poconos, they’ve enjoyed forty-one years of a loving and devoted marriage, filled with “more fun than anything.” They lovingly raised four children together, and Vernon was particularly thrilled to be a grandpa. He was devoted to his grandchildren, loved teaching them to play games and simply spending time with them brought him more joy than he could have imagined. He was surely blessed, and they will all miss him dearly.

Vernon is survived by his beloved wife Patricia of Wanaque, his four children; Gregory and his wife Jill of Oak Ridge, Glenn and his fiancé Kerri of Wayne, Caitlyn Batche and her husband Ryan of Burlington, VT, and Thomas of Wanaque, nine grandchildren: Madison, Chase, Noah, Paisley, Alexis, Luna, Archer, Layla, and Oliver, five siblings: Marianne Kunz and her husband Larry of Murrels Inlet, SC, Martin McClure and his wife Joann of Wilmington, DE, Rex McClure and his wife Paula of Stuarts Draft, VA, Chris McClure and his wife Dina of Pompton Plains, and Brenda Arnowitz and her husband Mark of Warwick, NY, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated toward Vernon’s Catholic funeral and burial costs. A GoFundMe has been set up here.

Dena Van Grouw (nee Vander Wiele), age 92, of Frelinghuysen, NJ, died peacefully at home on Thursday, July 14, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Her faith in the Lord guided her daily life, and even as Alzheimer’s disease increasingly altered her state of mind in recent years, she never stopped praying for her family and loved ones, often out loud.

Dena grew up in the Dutch Hill section of Clifton, and after marrying William Van Grouw in 1953, they moved to Wyckoff. It had always been Dena’s dream to live on a farm, so in 1979, she and William moved their family to Frelinghuysen, NJ. Dena was truly devoted to her husband and her family. Dena enjoyed crocheting and made many blankets for her children and grandchildren.

Dena is survived by seven children: Linda den Hollander and her husband Gary of Michigan, Sandra Van Sweden and her husband John of Mississippi, William Van Grouw and his wife Nellie of Frelinghuysen, Gregory Van Grouw and his wife Jenny of Hope, Mark Van Grouw and his wife Linda of Frelinghuysen, Donna Kelderman and her husband Mark of Michigan, and Bruce Van Grouw and his wife Jennifer of Lincoln Park, forty-nine grandchildren, one hundred and nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her husband William in 2011, by her son Leonard, a grandson; John Van Wageningen, one great-granddaughter, and one great-grandson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Netherlands Reformed Christian School. 164 Jacksonville Road, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444

John Markowski, age 94, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 13, 21022 while receiving the loving care of his family.

John was born in Bierdziez, Poland where he also spent his formative years.  As a young boy, John enjoyed playing sports, particularly soccer, and volleyball, and later boxing while he was in the military.  He was the middle child of three children to Stanislaw and Marianne Markowski.  As a teenager growing up in Europe during World War II, John, his older brother Marion, and his father were taken from their homeland and forced into a labor camp in Germany.  After spending several years in the labor camp, they were ultimately liberated by the United States Armed Forces.  Following the war’s end, John was given the opportunity to join the Polish Guard Company.  This company was organized in order to protect the United States Army personnel stationed in Poland.  John served proudly and honorably in the Polish Guard Company from 1945 until 1949.

During his time living in Germany as a young man, John and a lady friend of his attended a local dance.  While at the dance, met another attractive young lady by the name of Leontyna who was also with a date of her own.  John, although attending the dance with another lady, went up to Leontyna and told her, “You and I are going to get married!”  Leontyna looked at him a little funny and told him he was crazy.  However, as fate would have it, John and Leontyna  started dating after the dance and fell in love.  They later became husband and wife in October of 1946.  After getting married, John and Leontyna settled in Heidelberg, Germany where they lived for a few years and welcomed the birth of their first daughter, Lucia.

In 1949, while still serving in the Polish Guard Company, John’s superior officer asked him if he would like to immigrate to the United States of America.  John and his family jumped at the chance and sailed across the Atlantic to the USA on the USS General R.M. Blatchford, a Squier-class transport ship.  Upon arriving in the United States, the family settled in Riverhead, NY in Long Island.  While living there, Catholic Charities assisted him in finding work as a farmer on a farm in Long Island.  Because the work was seasonal, his employment was limited, so John needed to relocate and find work elsewhere to support his family.  They then moved to Paterson, NJ.  While living in Paterson, John and Leontyna welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Jeanette.  John found work quickly in Paterson at a local dye factory.  He worked there for a short time then left and accepted another position as a Maintenance Mechanic for Kelling  Nut Company also located in Paterson.  Kelling Nut eventually closed and John needed to find other employment.  John again found work quickly as a Maintenance Mechanic at Contract Packaging in Wayne.  John held this position until his retirement at age seventy-seven.  John was not one to sit still and took part time work at the Chocolate with Love Company where he packaged chocolates and candies.  John and his family lived in Paterson, then moved to Hawthorne before eventually moving to Wayne in 1977.  They called Wayne their home for the rest of their lives together.

John loved tinkering around his house working on things and fixing them.  He was also an accomplished gardener and was famous for his tomatoes and his yearly home-grown pumpkin patches which entertained his grandchildren and great grandchildren throughout the years.  Aside from all of John’s talents, hobbies or interests, his greatest passion in life was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to John than providing for and spending time with his family.  He treasured being with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren through the holidays and traveling on their countless day trips to the Jersey Shore destinations which included Belmar, Asbury Park, and Wildwood.  He and his wife Leontyna cherished forty-six years of loving and loyal marriage together until Leontyna’s passing in 1992.

John was truly a devoted family man.  He was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Faith.  John and his family were parishioners of St Hyacinth in Paterson, St Theresa Church, St Anthony Church in Hawthorne and most recently at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne.  John was a quiet and private man who loved his family deeply.  He was also genuinely selfless, often dropping whatever he was doing to help his family, friends, or neighbors.  John was a very special person who touched the lives of everyone around him and will be sincerely missed by all that knew him.    

John is survived by his two daughters; Lucia Behrens and her husband Walter of Oak Ridge, NJ, and Jeanette Gallo and her husband Carmine of Wayne, NJ, four grandchildren; Scott Behrens of Florida, NY, Jason Behrens and his wife Mary of Bloomingdale, NJ, Dr. Christopher Spagnuola and his wife Vanessa of Fair Haven, NJ, and Ralph Spagnuola and his wife Danielle of Middletown, NJ, and twelve great grandchildren; Kati Behrens of Mexico, Austin Behrens of Wayne, NJ, Baileigh Behrens of Wayne, NJ, Brooke Behrens of Wayne, NJ, Finn Behrens of Wayne, NJ, Allison Behrens of Bloomingdale, NJ, Jack Spagnuola of Fair Haven,NJ, Connor Spagnuola of Fair Haven,

NJ, Braiden Spagnuola of Fair Haven,NJ, Leo Spagnuola of Middletown, NJ, Mae Spagnuola of Middletown, NJ, and Grace Spagnuola of Middletown, NJ.  John was predeceased by his wife Leontyna in 1992, as well as by his brother Marion , and his sister Janina.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorials Processing 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959 http://www.stjude.org

Joseph “Joe” Beshara Skaff ,77, of Franklin Lakes, formerly a forty-three year resident of Wayne, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2022.

He was born to Joseph and Esperanze Skaff in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. Joe graduated High School, where he played on the basketball team with the Class of 1964.

Joe worked for the John Hancock Insurance Company in Brooklyn which led him to work at Fanning Personnel where he began placing employees in various job functions.  He found his career there realizing this was something he could do.  When they met with Joe, he told them “I want to work here because I can do what you do.” Joe was hired and found he loved this type of work and was soon placing people into their dream jobs. After Fanning Personnel, Joe later worked for Whitney-Paige Personnel before striking out on his own. He started his own executive search company in 1974 called Salem Associates, which began in the basement of his home in Brooklyn. Joe soon rented office space in Manhattan and his business prospered. Through the 50 years Joe ran his company, it became Salem Executive Search and he worked until the day he passed away.

Joe met the love of his life, Rosemary Tutunjian, at a church dance in Brooklyn. Their first date was at Nathan’s Hot Dogs in Coney Island, followed by the Sonny and Cher movie Good Times, which appropriately featured the song “I Got You Babe”, and ended the night with pizza. Neither wanted the date to end. After a one-year courtship and asking Rosemary’s parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage, Joe took Rosemary out for drinks where he hid an engagement ring in her glass. They married on September 21, 1968 at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and honeymooned at the Elbow Beach Hotel in Bermuda. Joe and Rosemary had a fun, loving, and devoted 54-year marriage where they worked together to raise the three children they had been blessed with.

Joe’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. His family meant everything to him. His family cherished the Sunday barbecues by the pool, watching Jets games, and recounting stories of his childhood in Brooklyn. He loved spending time with each of his grandchildren, and by recognizing each of their personalities, he would spoil them. He was a true family man. In his free time, he enjoyed singing doo-wop, being an avid golfer, a card player, and providing for his family despite his humble roots. He will be lovingly remembered by them for his easy-going charismatic manner. His kindness and sense of humor gave him the ability to see the best in others. Joe made everyone around him feel special. His presence and smile lit up a room. Joe was welcoming, warm, faithful, funny, and could talk to just about anyone.

Joe was the loving husband of Rosemary; devoted father of Joseph Skaff of Wayne, Maria Camina and her husband Nestor of Wayne, and Brian Skaff and his wife Yvette of Waldwick; he was the cherished grandfather of Christian, Miranda, Alexander, Yasmin, and Mariana; he was the beloved brother of Barbara Akel, Adele Bache, Mary Vassile, and Victoria Hansen. Joe will be dearly missed by his brother-in-law John Tutunjian and his sister-in-law Florence Tutunjian. He will be dearly missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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

Jean Elizabeth Marc, age 95, of Wayne passed Friday, July 8, 2022.

She was born to Ernest and Elizabeth Zober and raised in Garfield.  She graduated from Garfield High School with the Class of 1944.

It was through Jean’s best friend in high school that she met Francis Marc.  WWII was raging and Francis was going into the US Air Force, when he returned, they were inseparable and were married on April 4, 1948 at Saint Johns Lutheran Church in Passaic. Jean and Francis had an “excellent marriage” of fifty-one years that was blessed with one daughter Pamela.

Jean was dedicated to her Christian faith and was an active member of both St John Lutheran Church in Passaic and later Saint Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne.

Jean and Francis lived on Cecilia Drive for over 65 years where neighbors became a close-knit family of lifelong friends.  Her house was the gathering place for all the family holidays, the door was always open.  They loved company and hosted many super-bowl parties, 4th of July celebrations and impromptu gatherings.  On many Saturday evenings, friends joined them for lively games of Trivial Pursuit.  Jean was sociable, talked to everyone, even strangers in the department store changing rooms.  Jean had many life-long friends.  She was a gentle soul who loved all animals and had dogs her entire life.  

For years Jean and Francis spent vacation time at Long Beach Island where they rented various houses and family and friends were always welcomed to join them. In their retirement Jean traveled annually with Francis’ 379th Bomb Group and enjoyed cruising with Francis visiting Alaska, Hawaii and many Caribbean Islands.    After Francis passed, Jean continued to travel, attending the 379th Bomb Group gathering in Seattle, Washington, and Jean, Pam & David attended the Washington DC gathering.  Jean, Pam, David & Marc traveled to England to visit David’s family and visit Kimbolton where Francis was stationed during WWII.

Jean’s first job was with the Railway Express Company in New York City, and she later worked as a Head Cashier for the Sears Roebuck & Company before dedicating herself to raising her daughter.  In 1960 Jean and her husband Francis bought the Bloomingdale Dry Cleaners Company at 60 Main Street in Bloomingdale.  Several years later they purchased the laundromat next door and ran both businesses until retiring in 1984.

Jean was the loving wife of fifty-one years to the late Francis (d. 2005); she was the devoted mother of Pam Richardson and her husband David of Wayne; she was the cherished grandmother of Marc Richardson and his wife Lauren of Jersey City.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Timothy Memorial Fund, 395 Valley Road, Wayne NJ 07470 or the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated.

Dianne Marie (nee DiMauro) Butler, age 64 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Dianne was one of the most “giving” people you might have known, and among the most thoughtful. It brought her so much joy to think of the perfect little gift for every single person in her life, for each special occasion. She would spend hours at Christmas time, making lists of all the people she loved and wanted to give something to. It was no short list either. Her daughter Christine and niece Gina would wrap sometimes over seventy gifts at the Christmas season! While living at Regency Gardens she made sure to have a gift for every single person who worked there, brightening everyone’s Holiday.

Dianne had grown up in Wayne and was a Majorette, twirling batons with the Wayne Valley High School Marching Band. She graduated with the Bicentennial class of 1976 and went on to attend cosmetology school. She took great pride in her appearance, always looking her best, and found a niche as an esthetician. She remained living in Wayne most of her life, spending about fourteen years in Belmar, before returning to Wayne in 2018. She was blessed to spend most of her years living with her mom.

Despite her battle with MS, Dianne maintained a positive attitude and made the best of every day. Many years ago, when her son, Dan, was in high school, she enjoyed riding her electric wheelchair (with the orange flag!) down to Wayne Valley High School to watch him play soccer. Dan remembers wearing white cleats so she could follow him on the field more easily, and then they would enjoy the walk back to their house together. She loved being able to cruise down to the school to watch him play. She was especially grateful when her kind and thoughtful friends had an assessable van donated to her. This gave her a wonderful independence that she truly appreciated.

Dianne wanted nothing more than for there to be a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. She tried every possible option to be well again, and she’s grateful for all the hard work being done by the researchers at the Tisch MS Research Center of New York. Just a few days ago she asked her daughter, Christine, to look into some different things in hopes she could get better. Throughout all this time, Dianne never stopped smiling. If you happened to ask her “how are you?” she would often reply with “I’m just zippy!” or “I’m dancing around over here in my tu-tu!” It was her extremely strong faith in Jesus that carried her every day. She rested on the assurance that even if a cure was not found during her time here, she would one day be free and enjoying the eternal paradise we know as Heaven.

Dianne loved her family and friends so much. Her children and her grandson provided her with endless joy and she looked forward to their visits. She never allowed her circumstances to defeat her, and has been an inspiration to all of those who knew her. She will be dearly missed by many.

Dianne is survived by her two children; Christine Marie Butler and Daniel Butler; her beloved mom, Rosalie DiMauro, her grandson; Xander Kai Butler, two brothers; Salvatore and Anthony DiMauro; her sisters-in-law; MaryEllen, Ruth and Claire DiMauro, her Uncle Frank Siragusa; many nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.  Dianne was predeceased by her sister, Marie (1956), brother Thomas (2006), and her father, Louis (2003), her sister-in-law Debbie DiMauro (2014) and her best and dearest friend, Barbara Jesch.

In Lieu of flowers please send donations in Dianne's name to Tisch MS Research Center, www.tischms.org.

Eileen Marie Saveriano, age 88, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 4, 2022.

Eileen was born and raised in the Riverside section of Paterson. She was the beloved wife of the late Modestino “Cuz” Saveriano who she met while passing the firehouse with her girlfriends on Van Houten Street in Paterson where he was stationed. Cuz asked Eileen out and on their first date to the movies he told Eileen that he was going to marry her. He was right! They married on July 16, 1955 and enjoyed the loving bonds of matrimony and the greatest of friendships for 25 years until Cuz’ passing in 1980. They were blessed with three beautiful children and four adored grandchildren.

Eileen was a Passaic County Sherriff's Officer from 1974 to 1989 spending most of her career working in the courthouse. She took great pride in her work, always finding it fulfilling and rewarding, and she made many life-long friends while with the department.

Inquisitive and always hungry to learn new things, Eileen was just as bright as she was beautiful. One of her favorite pastimes was watching Jeopardy. She rarely missed a night and everyone knew not to call Eileen’s house between 7 and 7:30 PM. When longtime host Alex Trebek was sick, she prayed for him daily. She also loved murder mysteries and was truly proud of her Irish Heritage.

Above all else, Eileen adored her family. She loved her grandchildren to the moon and back and was always so funny and fun to be around. During her lifetime, she also gave lots of love and affection to her many cats and dogs.

Eileen was the loving mother of: Christine and husband Robert Brown of Wayne, Barbara and husband William Saulenas of Wayne, and Gregory Saveriano of Manchester; cherished grandmother of: Robby Brown, Christopher Brown, Aileen and husband James Rottinger, and Kate Saulenas; dearest sister of the late Bernadette and husband Walter Rajczyk, the late Sister Claire Reiman, and the late Rosalie Tarricone; dear aunt of: Marion, Stephen, Walter, Joey, Jackie, Jimmy, Judy, Kathy, Antoinette, Jimmy, Mark, Robbie, Brianne, Dustin, Jordyn; and dear friend of: Keiko, Steve, Dot, Joyce, Laura, and Denise.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Eileen’s name are asked to consider an animal rescue organization of your choosing.

Following a beautiful life full of love and family Julia Dumpert (nee Strobel), age 66, of Stockholm, NJ passed away peacefully on Thursday,  June 30, 2022 with her family by her side.

Julia was born in Jersey City, NJ and was the oldest of five children to Jack and Kay Strobel.  When Julia was only a baby, her family moved to Wayne, NJ where she grew up.  As a young girl, Julia’s family provided her with the gift of music.  Julia learned to play the piano in her youth and continued to enjoy it throughout her life.  As a young girl she attended DePaul High School in Wayne, NJ where she excelled in academics and began to develop her interest in what would become her calling to medicine.

After graduating from DePaul High School in 1973, Julia enrolled at the St Francis School of Nursing in Jersey City. There, Julia earned her degree and certification as a Registered Nurse.  After earning her nursing degree, Julia found her calling as a RN at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains, NJ.  Over the years she became the Emergency Room Nursing Manager, and later managed the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU).  Julia’s career at Chilton Memorial Hospital (now part of the Atlantic System) spanned more than thirty years.

Julia eventually left Chilton Memorial Hospital and accepted a position at Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, NJ as a Critical Care Coordinator caring for Cedar Crest residents admitted into several of the local medical facilities. Julia attended rounds daily and maintained personal contact with each patient. She developed and executed a specific and detailed plan of services and support for each patient being released back to their home or a sub-acute facility to assure best outcomes upon return. Julia held this position for over a decade until her retirement in October 2020.  Julia genuinely treasured the work she did and the people she served. Julia was truly loved and greatly respected by her colleagues, her patients, and her peers. Julia dedicated her life to helping and caring for others.

As a young teenage girl during high school, Julia worked at a local Stop and Shop supermarket.  While employed there, she worked alongside a colleague by the name of Larry Dumpert.  The two got along wonderfully at work and decided to go out on a date.  For their first date, Larry called upon a friend who owned a large white Cadillac to chauffer Julia and he to Larry’s sister’s diving competition at William Paterson College. Julia, at age 16, and Larry, 17, bonded and dated for about four years. As fate would have it, they fell in love and on October 16, 1976 Julia and Larry became husband and wife.

In 1978, the newlyweds settled in Stockholm, NJ where they raised their two children, Jessica and Matthew.  After their children grew up, Julia returned to school part-time at Felician College in Lodi, NJ where she earned her bachelor’s degree.  

As a young woman, Julia enjoyed the beach, particularly on Long Beach Island where she, her family and Larry spent a couple of weeks each summer while dating and then continued throughout their life together.

Julia extended her summer tradition to include her children, frequenting Long Beach Island at the Jersey Shore every year.  Julia also enjoyed the beaches of North Carolina and Florida while visiting with family and friends.  She made very special post-retirement long trips with her husband Larry in 2021 & 2022. One exploring the Great Smokey Mountains of NC and TN. Another, (their final vacation) expanded to beach resorts and waterfall sites on the entire East Coast; with side trips to Colonial Williamsburg; the Everglades of Florida; Mt. Airy, NC (a.k.a. Mayberry); Gettysburg, etc. while enjoying fine dining, shows, plays, and music festivals along the way.

As everyone who knew Julia could attest, it was clear that Julia’s true calling in private life was to be a mom and grandmother (called Mama & Grandmama).  Being a mother is where Julia truly flourished and dedicated herself.  Julia’s greatest passion in life was her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Julia than providing for, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.  Julia and Larry cherished fifty years together including forty-six-plus years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Julia was her daughter’s cheerleading coach, and never missed attending any of Jessica’s or Matthew’s activities or sporting events.  Besides being a dedicated mother, Julia was an extremely dedicated grandmother.  Whenever Julia’s family got together, Julia could always be found playing, reading, crafting, swimming, etc. with her grandchildren. She sincerely cherished family events.  Julia was a genuinely selfless person, nearly to a fault, who would put the needs and wants of others before her own.

Given her decades of experience in emergency and intensive care medicine, Julia was acutely aware of the need for organ donors, particularly those languishing on long waiting lists. So when Julia fell ill, she held to her commitment to give the “Gift of Life” through organ donation. Julia was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around her and will be profoundly missed by her family and friends alike. She continues to help those in need even after her passing.

Julia is survived by her husband Larry Dumpert of Stockholm, NJ, her daughter Jessica Rostami and her husband Rey of Stockholm, NJ, her son Matthew and his wife Katie of Oakland, NJ; three sisters - Cathy Trentacosta and her husband Gary of Georgia, Susan Weiss and her husband Jay of North Carolina, and Carol Cangiano and her husband  Vinny of Florida, her brother Jack Strobel and his wife Barbaraof Nort h Carolina; five grandchildren - Cyrus, Darius, Colin, Kaia, and Julianna Jeanne, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Julia’s name may be made to:

Sharing Network Foundation, 691 Central Ave, New Providence, NJ 07974 https://www.sharingnetworkfoundation.org/contribute,

Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607 http://www.lovetotherescue.org,

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorials Processing 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959 http://www.stjude.org

or Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation 636 Morris Turnpike Suite 3A, Short Hills, NJ 07078 http://www.christopherreeve.org

Mario Martin Vojvodich, age 90, of Pompton Plains and formerly of Parsippany, NJ passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Mario was born and raised in Union City, NJ and was the ’’kid brother” of Mary and loyal son of Martin and Jaka Vojvodich.  As a young boy, Mario was interested in a variety of sports including baseball and basketball.  While in school he excelled in academics and had a fascination with the way things worked.  While he was a teenager at St Michael’s High School in Union City, Mario’s father passed away after being ill. Upon graduation from St Michael’s with the class of 1948, Mario found work quickly to help his mom and sister make ends meet.  Mario worked in the mail room of a local company and also drove a truck delivering beer.  In 1952 Mario felt the urge to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army.  While serving in the US Army, Mario was deployed to Korea where he was assigned to the 8th Army as an ordinance Secretary.  Mario served in the US Army from 1952 until 1954 when he was honorably discharged.  He received the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars, the ROK Presidential Citation, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Following his honorable discharge from the US Army in 1954, Mario enrolled at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ under the GI Bill.   In 1958 Mario earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.  Over the next two years, Mario worked for an engineering company in Connecticut.  In the mid 1960’s he returned to New Jersey where he accepted a position as an Electrical Engineer with Kearfott Guidance and Navigation in Wayne, NJ.  His career as an Electrical Engineer spanned more than thirty years with Kearfott until retiring in 1997.  During that time, Mario was responsible for securing a variety of Radar Patents associated with the JFK Aircraft Carrier, as well as crafts used in the Apollo program from 1968 until 1972.  Subsequent to his retirement in 1997, Mario remained a consultant for Kearfott for a few years.  Mario was truly well loved and respected by his colleagues and his peers throughout his career.

In 1971, Mario was introduced to an attractive young lady by the name of Barbara Zecca by a mutual friend. Barbara and Mario met up at the house of their mutual friend on Thanksgiving weekend and hit it off. As fate would have it, they fell in love and on October 21, 1972 Mario and Barbara became husband and wife at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Maplewood, NJ.  After getting married the newlyweds settled in Little Falls, NJ where they lived for about two years.  During that time, Mario and Barbara welcomed the birth of “their one and only”, their daughter Laura.  In 1974 the family moved to Parsippany and called it their home for the next forty-four years.  In 2018 Mario and Barbara moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains.

Over the years Mario had a slew of different hobbies, interests, and talents. He liked to tinker, putter, take apart and build things. He could often be found working in the basement or in his ‘hobby room’ on any number of projects. Some of his interests included woodworking and photography.  Mario designed and constructed small tables, toy cars and pens from wood.  He also built a grandfather clock from scratch.  While learning and practicing the art of photography, Mario commandeered his bathroom as his photographic dark room.  Being an engineer, it came as no surprise that Mario could fix just about anything from electronics to internal combustible engines.  Mario also enjoyed hunting, as well as trap and skeet shooting.

He was a devoted husband and father.  He was also a dedicated uncle (known as ‘Unc’) to his nephews John and Joe, especially after his sister’s husband passed away.  Aside from all of Mario’s interests and hobbies, his greatest passion was for his family.   Nothing in the world meant more to Mario than providing for and spending time with his wife, daughter, nephews and grandchildren.   He and his wife Barbara have cherished fifty years of loving and loyal marriage together.  Mario was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Faith.  He and his family were parishioners of St Christopher’s Church in Parsippany for many years.  

Mario was a quiet and shy man, humble yet very strong.  But when Mario got to know you or felt comfortable around you, it could be hard to get him to stop talking. Being an intellectual with many interests, Mario was able to talk to anyone about anything.  He was strong willed, patient and tenacious, and had an outstanding work ethic that began at an early age.  He was well loved in his neighborhood and would drop whatever he was doing to help his neighbors and friends fix something, find the right tool or help clear the snow.  Mario was a truly special person who touched the lives of all the people around him.  He will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.

Mario is survived by his wife Barbara (nee Zecca) of Pompton Plains, NJ, his daughter Laura Eisen and her husband Dave and two grandchildren Ben and Olivia of Weston, MA; brother-in-law Barry Zecca of Bridgewater, NJ, nephews David Zecca and Michael Zecca and his wife Keeley and grandnephew Jackson and grandniece Brooke of Monterrey, CA; nephews Joseph Ihne of Cedar Grove, NJ and John Ihne and his wife Bernadette of Wayne, NJ, grandnephew John Ihne, Jr., and grandniece Gina Maria Fernicola, great grandnephews Jack and Nicholas and great grandniece Madison and another great grandnephew “on the way.”  Mario was predeceased by his sister Mary Ihne in 2020 and his sister in law Maryann Zecca in 2020.

In lieu of flowers, donation in Mario’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorials Processing 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Mary J. “Jane” Blair, age 96, of Wayne, passed Saturday, June 25, 2022.

She was born in Akron, Ohio to Henry and Lila Gill. Jane was raised in Orwell, OH and Burton, OH where she graduated from Burton High School with the Class of 1943.

Just out of high school Jane worked for the Illinois Central Railroad as a secretary in their Terminal Tower building in downtown Cleveland.  Just next door was the Southern Railway offices where a young man named John Blair worked.

It was through a mutual friend, whom they stayed in contact with for many years, Jane met her future husband, John Blair.  They dated for a short while and married on September 30, 1945, in the living room of Jane’s parents’ home in Burton, OH. The “Wedding March” was to be played from a record on a Victrola Phonograph and someone broke the record before it was played. Jane’s dad, after a frantic search, found another copy of the Wedding March.  Jane saved the broken record, and the family still has the Victrola Record player their wedding march was played on. Jane and John have lived in New York City, Cleveland, OH, Boston, MA, and Pittsburgh, PA before settling into Wayne, NJ in 1966 where they have lived since. They had a loving and devoted marriage of fifty-nine years that has been blessed with three children and one granddaughter.

Jane was dedicated to her Christian faith and through the years she has been active in the local churches in the towns where they lived.  She has been a longtime member of the United Methodist Church of Wayne where she has been active with countless committees and groups within the church including the Grieves Memorial Garden.  Jane was not only dedicated to her church but also gave back to the community belonging to the Order of the Eastern Star where she served a term as Worthy Matron and donated her time and talents.

Jane will be lovingly remembered for being direct, loving, adventurous, energetic, caring, and a warm presence wherever she went. She dedicated her life to caring and loving her children as well as her husband John who she cared for during an extended illness. He lovingly called her “his Angel.”  Her adventurous side is exemplified by her taking a trip to Alaska and a helicopter ride so she could walk on a glacier. She also joined “The Y” while in her 80’s.

Jane was the loving wife of the late John Blair (d.2004); devoted mother of Kenneth Blair and his wife Lillian of Rockaway Boro, Bonnie Gray of Garrettsville, OH, and Deborah Sparks and her husband Patrick of Pompton Plains; she was the grandmother of Jennifer Gray; devoted sister of JoAnn Podany of Chardon, OH, and the late Betty Hosmer, Richard Gill, and Bobby Gill.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the: United Methodist Church, 99 Parish Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 or the Alpha 1 Foundation by visiting www.alpha1.org/donate or by mail to: Alpha1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Coral Gables, FL 33134. Alpha 1 Antitrypsin is a genetic condition that may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age.

Amanda Bellusci, age 36, of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 23, 2022.

Amanda was the second of Arthur and Annette (Bolcato) Cetrulo’s two children, born in Belleville and raised in Wayne. She was a graduate of Wayne Hills High School Class of 2004.

The youngest of 16 grandchildren, Amanda’s childhood was filled with family vacations, holidays around crowded tables piled high with her favorite home-made dishes and gatherings marked with the happy chaos of the big, crazy family she adored. Growing up with cousins who were more like siblings made for stories and memories that will be shared for generations to come. Many of those cherished memories were forged in summers on the beaches and boardwalks of Wildwood NJ where Amanda’s family would visit each summer.  She also loved her time up at her grandparent’s house in the Poconos.  Amanda loved weekends “up the lake” spending her days fishing, exploring the woods, having bonfires and ending with her and her cousins “camping out” in the living room of the little house sleeping elbow to elbow in their sleeping bags. Amanda even made the local paper for catching the biggest catfish in Birchwood Lakes!  Amanda was an active kid and enjoyed her years playing soccer with her dad coaching her team.  Holidays with her family were one of Amanda’s favorite traditions and Christmas Eve was the highlight of the year.  Gathering at a relative’s house, everyone enjoyed a delicious meal, quality time playing with cousins and of course gifts! Being the youngest, Amanda got to open hers first!

Although Amanda met her husband Tom in high school, they didn’t start dating until 2007. It didn’t take long after their first date to a movie for them to fall for each other and a relationship to grow.  It is fitting that the couple got engaged at one of Amanda’s favorite family traditions of apple picking at Masker Orchards. Tom’s plan to propose at the orchard was delayed however, when Amanda’s hand was stung by a bee causing her ring finger to swell well beyond the chance of the beautiful engagement ring fitting. Patience prevailed and they left the orchard with delicious apples and a sweet memory. Amanda and Tom were married on November 22, 2013 at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes. Their wedding and reception was a beautiful celebration that joined not only Amanda and Tom as husband and wife, but two big, loving extended families into one.  Amanda considered herself to be extremely fortunate to be welcomed into Tom’s family as one of their own and cherished her relationship with them.

Anyone who knew Amanda, knew about the soft spot in her heart for cute furry animals. It was no surprise that, three weeks after getting married, Amanda adopted a kitten she named Charlie. And since Amanda thought Charlie needed a dog, he was soon joined by Freya, a clumsy but loving Golden Doodle. With the addition of Charlie and Freya, it was clear their little family needed more space, so they bought their first home in Wayne.

During the beginning of their marriage, Amanda and Tom continued to build their life with their families, including a close-knit group of friends who had become family. Being a bit of a dare devil, Amanda would tell Tom, “I’ll keep you wild, you keep me safe.” Her adventures included skydiving and snowboarding down a double diamond trail – despite being only a beginner. Even though she had lost her way and unintentionally ended up on that trail and ski patrol had to be called to get her down the mountain by toboggan, Amanda had a blast! She also loved horror movies – the more “horror-able” the better, and she was an avid reader of mysteries, suspense and (of course), dark horrors. She often mixed her love of a good book with another favorite pastime - taking a road trip, while listening to those books via MP3 recording. She loved being pretty and expressing her creative side with makeup. This creativity, a love of makeup, and a fascination with horror made Amanda the go to girl to have your makeup done for a Halloween costume party. Not one for idle conversation Amanda preferred communicating through social media and had a knack for bringing people together through her regular posting of photos or stories, usually revolving around the antics of her beloved kids and pets. On the home front, she could often be found outdoors getting her daily dose of vitamin D, out in the sun, while tending to and being creative with her vegetable and flower gardens.

Although Amanda and Tom had made a beautiful life together, it wasn’t complete until they welcomed their daughters into the family. The most cherished part of Amanda’s world was, without a doubt, being “Mommy” to her two incredible daughters Aria and Averie. She considered them her greatest life achievements in more ways than one. Amanda reveled in her first time mom moments with Aria, patiently navigating the challenges of parenthood with a baby who quickly grew into an energetic toddler and a precocious preschooler. Much to Amanda’s delight, Aria eventually became big sister to Averie. Averie was a joy to her parents and absolutely adores her sister Aria and recently brought her family together to celebrate her first birthday. Amanda was an awesome Mommy mixing a lot of love with just the right measure of wisdom and guidance. She was also a passionate aunt who adored her niece and Goddaughter Addriana, her niece Aubrey and her nephew Gianni. She often referred to Addriana as her first-born and would do anything for her.

When asked to use the first words that came to their minds to describe Amanda, without hesitation, her family showed how they truly felt with words like, “dedicated, reliable, dependable, the voice of reason, honest, passionate, loving, selfless, kind, considerate (she meticulously and thoughtfully picked out the best gifts and was generous to a fault), empathetically excellent at engaging people while never ever considering herself better than anyone, giving, and FUN – laughing all the time, she always had a smile on her face.”

Amanda loved looking up in the sky on a clear night to behold the stars. She had a fascination with stars and anything with stars on it. Now she’s a star herself, shining down from above!

Amanda, the adored wife of Thomas, was blessed in marriage for not long enough. The adoring mother of Aria and Averie; precious daughter of Arthur and Annette Cetrulo of Wayne; loving sister of Anthony Cetrulo and “sister”-in-law Kimie of Wayne; dear aunt of Addriana and Gianni Cetrulo and Aubrey Parella; dear daughter-in-law of Tom Bellusci and the late Sharon Bellusci of Wayne; and dear sister-in-law of Shannon Parella and husband Brian of Wayne.

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

World Wildlife Fund

1250 24th Street, N.W.

Washington DC 20037

To donate by phone call 1-800-CALL-WWF

Friends of Wayne Animals Rescue (FOWA)

PO Box 3701

Wayne, NJ 07470

To download the mail-in form click here https://fowarescue.org/wp-content/uploads/fowa-mail-in-donation-form.pdf

PLEASE INDICATE THAT YOUR GIFT IS IN MEMORY OF AMANDA BELLUSCI

Richard Gerard, Jr. age 59, of Wayne, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 after a long illness.

The second of Richard and Elvira “Dolly” Gerard’s three children, Rich was born in Newark and raised in Bloomfield where, before graduating with the Class of 1981, he played football, basketball and baseball for the Bloomfield Bengals.

After completing his education, Rich initially worked in his father’s business at the Daily Deli in Carlstadt. Soon after he began attending trade school and embarked upon a career as a union sheet metal foreman. His first job was with Richard’s Sheet Metal in Hawthorne. He worked at K.F. Mechanical in Fairfield for over 20 years before retiring last year.

While out at the Half-Penny Pub on Centre Street and Franklin Ave in Nutley, Rich met Cynthia Fata. He liked her and soon asked her out for a date to see the movie Dirty Dancing. They fell in love and one day while out on a horse-drawn carriage ride in New York City, Rich proposed marriage. Their wedding took place on Saturday, October 14, 1989 at the Westmount Country Club in West Paterson (now called Woodland Park). It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day and, after the wedding and reception, they honeymooned in Hawaii. Rich and Cynthia began married life in a townhouse in East Rutherford located at 26 Willow Wood Square. Remaining there for the first four years of marriage, in 1993 they moved to their present home in Wayne.

Outside of work, Rich and Cynthia enjoyed beach vacations with family and friends to North and South Carolina, a trip to Mexico, closer to home down the Jersey shore, and a cruise to the Bahamas. Going out to dinner as a family or with friends was something he truly enjoyed.  Rich also loved sports and was a big fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants. For about fifteen years in a row, he and friends made it an annual tradition to see an away-game at one of the NFL stadiums. At home, life was never better than when he could relax with his family by the pool, including Cooper, his faithful Jack Russell Terrier.

In cannot be overstated that Rich’s family was the most cherished and important part of his entire life. Blessed with three beautiful children, Erica, Cassandra and Christopher meant the world to Rich. He was ever present for all of Erica’s dance recitals, Cassandra’s softball games including those as a third baseman for Rowan University, and he enthusiastically coached Christopher in Wayne Little League, the Wayne Warriors traveling baseball team and Boys & Girls Club traveling basketball.  When Erica married a year ago, he was truly the proudest father of the bride in the world. He was so excited for Christopher making it to professional baseball with the St. Louis Cardinal’s and he and Cassandra were like-minded in almost every way and shared a special bond. Rich was a throwback kind of guy who loved embracing longstanding traditions like having family gathered for dinner. It wasn’t Sunday if macaroni wasn’t served and it wasn’t Christmas without Lasagna! He loved all the big holidays and spending them together with those he so dearly loved.

Genuinely kind and fun spirited, Rich was a significantly loved presence in the lives of those who called him family or friend.

Rich was the beloved husband of Cynthia (Fata) Gerard, blessed in marriage for 32 years. He was the cherished father of: Erica and husband Brad Mills of Lincoln Park, Cassandra Gerard of Wayne, and Christopher Gerard of Wayne; dear son of the late Richard and Elvira “Dolly” (Nigro) Gerard; loving brother of: Cynthia and husband Gregg Thompson of Hillsborough, and Cheryl and husband Bill Strother of Brick Township; dear son-in-law of Nick and Marie Fata of Lyndhurst; dear brother-in-law of Melissa and husband Marc Cotugno of Livingston; and dear uncle of: Nicholas, David, Julia, Olivia, and Adrianna.

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Those planning an expression of sympathy in Rich’s name are asked to consider:

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Richard Gerard Jr’s. name to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Checks, made payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, should be mailed to:

Attn: Community Fundraising

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development

PO Box 27106

New York, NY 10087

Please indicate on the check memo line that the gift is in memory of Richard Gerard, Jr.

Catherine Patricia Lavelle Guttroff – February 1940 – June 2022 Catherine Patricia Lavelle was born in February 1940. She was the second of four girls raised by her parents Martin and Nora Lavelle.

They lived in a lovely Brooklyn brownstone in a neighborhood full of family, friends and faith.

In 1955 Catherine met Frederick “Ricky” Guttroff at Von Dolans IceCream Parlor and their 50 plus year marriage began. Catherine worked at AT&T and as the administrator to the President of Brooklyn College after graduating high school. Cathy and Rick were married at Saint Rosa of Lima church in Brooklyn in 1962 and moved to Georgia where Rick was stationed in the army after graduating from Saint Peters College.

They moved back to Brooklyn and started to grow their family. Their daughter Patty was born in 1964 and their daughter Lisa was born in 1966. They moved to Packanack Lake in Wayne NJ and raised their girls in a place they felt was a little slice of Heaven on Earth.  Catherine worked as the children grew for Executive Enterprises and later for William Paterson College.

In retirement Cathy and Rick joined the snow birds Marco Island Florida for several months of the year where they were fortunate to make some wonderful new friends and meet up with other Packanack snow birds.

You would often see Catherine walking around Packanack Lake once or twice a day or at Zumba class as she loved exercise and spending time with good friends. She was a devout Catholic and member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Catherine is survived by her three sisters Margaret McCrea, Ann Boccellari and her husband Eddie and Frances McLeer and her husband Gordon. Her daughter Patty resides in Pennsylvania with her husband Ted and Catherines’s four granddaughters. Catherine’s daughter Lisa resides with her husband Richard and their boys in Armonk New York.

Hikmat Sabeh, age 85, of Clifton passed away peacefully on Monday, June 20, 2022 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Hikmat was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria and was one of ten children to Abboud and Wadia Sabeh.  As a young man in Syria, Hikmat learned the trade of a tailor and was self employed for many years.  In the late 1950’s Hikmat was introduced by some mutual friends to a beautiful young woman named Houda Zalat.  Hikmat and Houda hit it off great and as fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on May 1, 1960.  Hikmat and Houda remained in their homeland of Syria for about twenty years.  While there, they welcomed the births of all five of their children, Albert, Sylvana, Gilbert, Alan, and Aurore.  In 1980, Hikmat and his family immigrated to the United States of America in search of a better life, a brighter future, and the American Dream.  The family settled in Clifton and have called it their home ever since.

Upon arriving in America, Hikmat continued to work and utilize his skills as a talented tailor.  In 1984 Hikmat went into business for himself.  Over the years Hikmat owned and operated his own clothing manufacturing company based out of Garfield, NJ.  A few years later he shifted his businesses into a retail location in Passaic NJ selling baby, tots, teens and adult furniture up to present time. He had so much passion and loved going to his place of business, Lion Tots n Teens, each and every day and continued to go to work until the last day he was able to.  Hikmat had an outstanding work ethic and never entertained the idea of retirement.  He worked tirelessly day after day devoting himself to growing and nurturing his businesses.  Hard work and determination were also values and traits he instilled in his children.

In his spare time, Hikmat enjoyed watching professional football and basketball.  His favorite teams were the Golden State Warriors and the Kansas City Chiefs.  He was a truly devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Maronite Faith.  He and his family were parishioners of St Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Somerset for many years.  Traveling was another of Hikmat’s favorite past times.  He and his wife Houda throughout the years have travelled back to Syria on several occasions to visit family and friends and have vacationed to such destinations as Hawaii and Florida.  They also treasured their Caribbean cruises together, and summer vacations to the Jersey Shore.  But aside from all of Hikmat’s talents, hobbies, and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Hikmat than providing for and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He and his wife Houda were the glue that kept their family strong.  He cherished fifty-seven years of loving and loyal marriage to his precious wife Houda until her passing in 2017.  Houda’s health started to decline nearly twenty years before her passing and  Hikmat devoted himself to caring for her, never leaving her side through it all.

Hikmat only gave love and laughter wherever he went.  He cherished his large family get-togethers, Barbeques, holidays, and events.  He was funny, energetic, and his infectious personality brought smiles to faces of the people around him.  Hikmat never complained about anything and never had a bad word to say about anyone.  Hikmat was a truly special individual and will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Hikmat is survived by his five children; his son Albert Sabeh and his wife Rimonda of Parsippany, his daughter Sylvana Sabeh of Clifton, his son Gilbert Sabeh and his wife Najla of Wayne, his son Alan Sabeh and his wife Mayla of East Hanover, and his daughter Aurore LoRe’ and her husband Derek of Wayne, eighteen grandchildren; Hikmat Albert Sabeh, Nadia Albert Sabeh, Elias Baladi, Lila Baladi, Diana Bodnar, Selena Baladi, Nadia Gilbert Sabeh, Hikmat Gilbert Sabeh, Jessica Sabeh, Jennifer Sabeh, Crystal Sabeh, Andrew Sabeh, Houda Marie Sabeh, Lani Ann Sabeh, Hikmat Paul Sabeh, Mia LoRe’, Alana LoRe’, and Vienna LoRe’, and six great grandchildren; Ethan, Kataleah, Elias, Jr., Connor, Leia, and Suraya.  He was predeceased by his siblings Khlil Sabeh, George Sabeh, Waheda Sabeh, Joseph Sabeh, Sabhi Sabeh, Alyce Sabeh, Janette Sabeh, Berta Sabeh, and Josephine Sabeh.

Lena Basile (nee Ingenito), age 97 of Clifton, died peacefully at home on Thursday, June 16, 2022. She had lived in Clifton for seventy years.

Lena grew up in Lodi, the daughter of Michael Ingenito, who had emigrated from Sarno near Naples, and Grace Siano, who was born in the states but whose family had also emigrated from Naples.   She was the second oldest of seven children and the oldest daughter, and from her teenage years on she helped her mother raise her five younger siblings. Although the family was not wealthy, Lena had a happy childhood and spoke fondly of the time. She remained close with all of her siblings through the years and spoke with her sisters on the phone nearly every day.

She began working at the Marcal Paper Plant in East Paterson, in the packaging department.  At Marcal she met her husband, James Basile.  They were married on April 27, 1947, at St. Joseph RC Church in Lodi and honeymooned at Niagara Falls, NY.  Lena left Marcal to become a full-time homemaker, cooking and caring for her husband and daughter Marie.

Lena was a naturally gifted cook. Her meals were superb, and she could recreate any dish she saw on TV from memory. She always enjoyed baking for the holidays. Lena shared her love through the food she made for others, and nothing made her more happy than to see her big family enjoying a good meal together.

Lena was a strong woman. When her husband died, after sixty-seven years of marriage, she ably managed the household on her own.  Her strength and fortitude have always been admired by her daughter, her three granddaughters, and her five great-grandchildren.

Lena is survived by her daughter, Marie McKenna and her husband Timothy of Wayne; three granddaughters: Emily McKenna and her husband John Kennedy of Vermont, Claire McKenna of Cambridge, MA, and Margaret Weil and her husband Matthew of St. Louis, MO; and five great-grandchildren: Lena, Giuseppe, Colin, Caleb, and Anna; two sisters: Marie Marakovitz of Lodi and Helen Fatuova of Garfield; and many nieces and nephews.  Her husband James died in June 2014.

Vivian K. Fersch, of Kinnelon and formerly a longtime resident of Little Falls, passed away with her loving family by her side on Monday, June 13, 2022, exactly 73 years from the day she entered this world.

The fifth born child of Vincent and Mary (Melus) Vivinetto, Vivian grew up in Passaic and graduated from Passaic High School with the Class of 1967.

After high school, Vivian secured a job as a medical receptionist with a local Passaic doctor. Vivian had a tender heart for all the patients and, working side by side with the doctor, you could almost say that she was the forerunner of the present-day physician’s assistant.

Vivian was the beloved wife of Anton Fersch. They met each other via a blind date which took place at the President Palace in Passaic and together made a beautiful pair.  They married on Saturday, June 15, 1974 at Holy Trinity R.C. Church in Passaic and had a reception at the same place they first met – The President Palace, fittingly located at 115 President Street in Passaic.

As newlyweds Vivian and Anton embarked on a journey and adventure of love together, hand in hand. Their first home was a two-family house on 179 Ackerman Avenue in Clifton. Anton and Vivian lived downstairs and Vivian’s mother lived upstairs. About a year after getting married, they were blessed with their firstborn, a baby boy which they named Anthony James. Anthony was soon joined by a little sister named Melissa Mary. In 1979, the family moved to 240 Cedar Grove Road in Little Falls and there Vivian remained until two months ago when she moved to Kinnelon.

Devoting herself to the loving nurture of her children, Vivian left her medical receptionist position and focused all her energy on being a great Mom. She gave her kids precious childhood and adult memories like swimming in the town pool in Fairfield, family trips to Florida and St Thomas, playing sports with Anthony in the back yard, going on a Caribbean cruise with Melissa, going for rides together to nowhere in the car, and enjoying the longstanding tradition of being together on Christmas Eve. One of the greatest gifts Vivian “brought to the table” was her great cooking. Family favorites included her roll-up lasagna, chicken cutlets, and, to satisfy her husband Anton’s German palette, her homemade Kielbasa. Vivian put her great cooking skills to use as assistant head cook at Clifton High School and later as head cook at Clifton’s Christopher Columbus Junior High School. During her 25 years as a school cook, Vivian provided delicious lunches always making it her mission to lovingly make sure that less fortunate students were provided the best of nutritious food. Concurrent with blessing the school children, she also tenaciously advocated for her fellow workers by getting involved and ultimately becoming president of the Clifton New Jersey Education Association Cafeteria and Transportation Workers. She was a Godsend helping to make sure that those coworkers received the fairest salaries, benefits, rights and privileges.

Vivian was a pro at keeping herself busy and in her spare time, she always managed to find fun ways to entertain herself with the simple pleasures of life. She loved to go food shopping, especially to Shop Rite in Little Falls but, always out for a good deal, she’d shop at other food stores too. Any time she could be with her best friend Janet was to Vivian, a great time! Vivian and Janet enjoyed many a trip to visit Janet’s brother in Daytona Beach, Florida, and they loved to check out the great bargains or browse together at different shops. Vivian also found the simplest joy in being with her daughter, Melissa, and son in law, Sean, and being around them made her so happy.  From the time she was a young lady, she held a soft spot in her heart for numerous dogs and even one cat throughout her life. First there was Judy, then her cat named Cali, then more dogs – mostly rescue dogs and Pitbull mixes including Tilli Mae, Blaze, Max, Bella, and Dunkin. Most recently, she fell in love with Little Jack, her grandpup.

Ask her family to describe Vivian and they would use words like kind, selfless, gentle, loving, motherly, determined, a bit stubborn, energetic, a hard worker (“don’t hire someone if you can do it yourself”), and easy to adore. She truly lived her life by the time-tested reality that it’s better to give than to receive. As a young woman in her twenties, this philosophy inspired her to be a teacher of Confraternity and Christian Doctrine (CCD) by teaching communion classes with love and kindness at Holy Trinity Church in Passaic, and for numerous years she was a caregiver of a child with special needs who loved and adored her.

Surely, Vivian’s brother James best summed up her life when he described her as follows:

“Our family and friends have been blessed to have Vivian in our lives. She was a loving and compassionate mother, caring and faithful sister, a tender and nurturing aunt, and a most loyal friend who has truly been over the years, our ‘Rock’.  To all the other souls Vivian has known throughout her life, she has touched them in her actions and deeds with a righteousness and devotion of love from our God in following and belief in His teaching. In the words of the holy bible, ‘Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least Brothers and Sisters of Mine, you did for Me! Well done Vivian, good and faithful servant!’ We will always love you and remember your kindness and gentle love. In our hearts and in our dreams and when we as family come together, we will always remember and cherish your kindness and gentle love.”      

Vivian was the beloved wife of Anton “Tony”, blessed in marriage for over 25 years until his passing in 2001. She was the loving mother of Anthony James Fersch of Kinnelon, and Melissa Mary and husband Sean Mirrer of Wayne; dear sister of James and wife Rosemary Vivinetto of Flanders and dear “Aunt Viv” and “Aunt Vivie” to her nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her grandpup Little Jack and granddaughter, who will enter this world in a few months.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Vivian’s name are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

(www.stjude.org)

Christopher Joseph Seltenheim, age 71, of Pompton Lakes, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Chris was born in Paterson and raised in Lincoln Park and Oakland. He was a graduate of Indian Hills High School in Oakland with the Class of 1969. While in high school, he played on the school’s football team. Chris entered the workforce where he worked first as an extrusion machine operator with Poly Plastics in Oakland. He later worked as a service technician for Precision Screen Printing of Hawthorne and then with M&R Screen Printing in Lincoln Park. Chris retired in 2020.

Chris met his wife Irene Iuele one night when they were both at Goody’s, the place where all teenagers wanted to be, in Butler. They started dating and, as fate would have it, they fell in love. One Easter Sunday, while sitting together in Chris’ 1969 dark blue Chevy Camaro in front of his parent’s house, Chris proposed marriage to Irene. She said “Yes” and they joined the rest of Chris’ family in the house for an Easter celebration where they announced the good news and Irene showed off her engagement ring to everyone. They married on Saturday, September 8, 1973 at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne. After celebrating with family and friends at Neal’s Restaurant at 88 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Riverdale, they set out on their honeymoon to Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and up to Niagara Falls on the New York side.

Chris and Irene’s first home as husband and wife was a house they rented in the Lions Head Lake section of Wayne. They stayed there for a couple of months then moved in with Chris's mother in Oakland. Ten months later, in 1974, they moved into their present home in Pompton Lakes. Soon after, Chris and Irene became proud parents of a baby girl which they named Karen followed by a baby boy which they named Christopher, Jr. “C.J.”.

When Karen and C.J. were young kids growing up, Chris would often take them up to the Orange County Fair in Middletown. Chris’ favorite part of the fair was going to the speedway to watch the modified stockcars race. The kids also have special memories of regularly spending summer days as a family down the Jersey shore in Seaside Heights, trips to Busch Gardens and Six Flags Great Adventure where riding on the roller coasters together, making funny faces and putting their hands over their faces when they took your picture always made them share a laugh. Chris and C.J. enjoyed going fishing together near Chris’ mother’s house along the Ramapo River. Chris’ work required quite a bit of travel. His daughter Karen would always ask her mom when he was coming home. Over time, a tradition was established where Chris would always bring back a commemorative pin and a postcard from wherever he went for work. It was Chris and Karen’s special thing and it was always a way for Karen to look forward to when he got home. To this day, she has every pin he had ever given her.

Chris’ other favorite pastime was watching television. He especially liked to tune into the Giants games, Daytona races, episodes of Law and Order, Fox News, and old-time westerns like Bonanza and Gun Smoke.  He was always out for a bargain and he looked forward to taking Sunday drives to discount stores. In all these activities, it wasn’t unusual to see him spending his leisure time with his dog Bandit and later Harry by his side. As a young man, Chris purchased a 1974 Honda CB550 motorcycle. He loved taking it out for a cruise but, over the years and with the arrival of his children reprioritizing his life, the motorcycle lay dormant in the garage for many years. When Chris’ son C.J. purchased a motorcycle, it inspired Chris to pull his old bike out of mothballs. He dusted it off and got it running again. Together, Chris and C.J. entered their motorcycles in the Pompton Lakes car show and, wouldn’t ya know it? They took first and second prize! Ask C.J. who won first and who won second.

Chris was a loved father! Whether he knew it or not, he raised his kids to be independent. He taught them many life lessons for daily living, like how to fix things, how to mow the lawn, and how to change the oil in their cars. He could always be counted on and was always there to help when needed. Blessed with so many memories, one of Karen’s most special memories was when her dad walked her down the aisle at her wedding. Chris was also an awesome grandfather! One of the greatest highlights of Chris’ life was the birth of his grandson Dominick. He loved when Dominick came over and, when Dominick would come to visit him, Chris would just light up! Chris and Dominick could often be found down on the floor to playing together. It was very apparent that they shared a special bond.

Chris was the beloved husband of Irene (Iuele) Seltenheim; loving father of: Karen Hansen and husband William Hansen of Pompton Lakes, and Christopher “CJ” Seltenheim, Jr. of Pompton Lakes; proud grandfather “Poppi” of Dominick Hansen; dear brother of: Lynn Smith and husband Alfred Smith of Franklin, and Karl Seltenheim and his late wife Susan of Wayne; and dear uncle of Diane Goode, Jo Ann Ewasko, Steven Ewasko, and Scott Seltenheim.

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

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing,

501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959

John Schlachter, Jr., age 73, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 11, 2022 while in the presence of his loving family.

The first-born son of John and Anna (Tom) Schlachter, John was born in Kempten, (suburb of Munich) Germany and lived there for just one year before emigrating to the United States. His family settled in Clifton where John was raised. He was an altar boy at St. Brendan’s church in Clifton and a Herald-News newspaper carrier for 4 years. He played freshman basketball and 2 years of varsity football at Clifton High School where he ultimately graduated with the Class of 1967. He enlisted in the US Army Reserves for 6 years as a company clerk, completing his basic training in Kentucky. Back home in Clifton, John attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. After college, John joined his father in the family plumbing business, Schlachter and Sons Plumbing Contractors.

48 years ago, John met Barbara McBride, and they married on Friday, August 10, 1984. The wedding took place on a slightly cloudy day in the back yard of Barbara’s family’s home in Wayne. John and Barbara lived for a couple of years in Clifton before moving to Wayne in 1986 where they have remained to the present.

The blessing of three daughters, Laurie, Jessica, and Amy soon arrived and John could not have been more thrilled. He was the ultimate girl dad. Like any good father, he did his best to provide for his family, working every day with his own father in the plumbing business. Meanwhile, his spare time was filled with living the best life he could think of with his family. Memories were made through multiple visits to Disney World, down the shore in Ocean City, and even a family trip to Germany to visit John’s extended family. Thank goodness for Barbara and the girls, John’s parents taught him the German language as a young boy. John’s interpretation skills came in handy on that vacation!

Being a fan himself, John instilled a love of sports in his daughters from a very young age. He proudly served as their coach when they played in the Christian Youth Organization (CYO) Basketball League and, when they played in the Wayne PAL League, he sometimes drove the van to bring the team to away games. Eventually the girls began playing on traveling teams. John never missed any of their games, even the championship games in Nevada and Florida. Sometimes his whole day was taken watching Laurie’s game in the morning, Jessica’s game after that, and Amy’s after that, and for John that was a day well spent. He was always their greatest fan, doing his best to give them pointers and always cheering them on. One of John’s proudest moments was when all three of his daughters were on the basketball court at the same time for a regular season varsity game at Wayne Valley High School. He enthusiastically cut all their articles and box scores out of the newspaper and kept a scrap book for each one of them.

In 1993, John left full-time work in the family business to take a job as head plumbing supervisor for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. He remained in that that position for thirteen years until 2006 when he went to work as a facilities manager for Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains. After fourteen years at Cedar Crest, John retired fully in 2020. In his spare time, he was always available and more than willing to help family and friends.

John’s leisure time was mostly spent on two of his greatest passions, working in his yard and following his beloved New York Yankees and New York Giants. John’s yard was for him, his little piece of paradise. He took great pride in a nice lawn and gardens adorned with beautiful flowers. Every spring he was out there planting his annuals. Then, for the cost of just a little bit of daily maintenance, he got to enjoy their beauty throughout the summer. John’s love of his yard was closely matched by his love of the Yankees. He hardly ever missed a game on television and to honor their dad, his daughters established a fun tradition of taking him to a game at Yankee Stadium every year as a Father’s Day gift. It was a special tradition for just John and his girls. John’s all-time favorite Yankee player was number 15, Thurman Munson and probably his biggest thrill was being present at the games when Yankee greats Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter retired. John was also a big Giants fan. If you were looking for him on a Sunday afternoon, you could be confident that you’d find him at home watching the game. Through the good years and, more recently, the bad years, John always remained a devoted fan.

Throughout his entire life, John enjoyed animals. From the young age of 8, he spent most of his summers on his grandfather’s chicken farm in Flemington, NJ, helping to take care of 6,000 chickens, pigs, cows and horses. They would even let him drive the tractor. Throughout his entire life he always had rabbits, Albert, Lucky and Gibbs being his favorites, and in his twenty’s, he had a golden retriever named Rusty and a mixed breed named Daisy when the girls were growing up.

In the end, faith and family were the hallmarks of John’s life. A faithful parishioner at Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church in Wayne, John was always present at the 8 AM mass on Sundays, and he considered his Catholic life to be of foundational importance. Next to his wife and his daughters and sons in laws, John’s four grandchildren were his greatest treasures. As their “Opa”, it’s no exaggeration that he visited them daily and was always ready to fix their toys or to read them a story. He was given the nickname “Baby Holder” because when frequently called upon, he was always more than happy to oblige.

John was a dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Mixing a keen intellect with his mild-mannered kindness, John was so supportive and always willing to lend a hand. He was a great mentor for his daughters and grandchildren and they considered him the greatest Dad and Opa. He was a genuinely good person who enjoyed a good conversation and spending quality time with those he knew and loved. He never complained during his recent years of health challenges and, no matter how bad he was feeling, he would always say that others had it worse. Know you were so incredibly loved John!  The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind.

John was the beloved and devoted husband of Barbara (McBride) Schlachter, blessed in marriage for 37 years; extremely loved father of: Laurie and husband Austin Holman of Clifton, Jessica Schlachter of Wayne, and Amy and husband Christopher Gnida of Oakland:  cherished grandfather of Kennedy and Cameron Holman, and Nicholas and Ryan Gnida; dear older brother of Anthony and wife Denise Schlachter of Wayne; and dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in John’s name are asked to consider:

American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 22478

Oklahoma City, OK 73123

Click here to download the mail in form

You can also donate by calling 800-227-2345

Jill A. Russo, 55 of Pompton Plains, NJ, died tragically on Saturday, June 11, 2022. She has lived in Pompton Plains with her three children since 2007.

Jill was currently working for Cipla, USA in Warren, NJ and had previously worked for Dr. David Runfeldt in Lincoln Park, Data Scope in Fairfield, NJ, and Teva (Actavis) in Parsippany.

Jill was raised in Saddle Brook, graduating from Saddle Brook High School with the class of 1985. As a kid, she swam competitively and loved to play softball. She played ice hockey in an adult league at Floyd Hall Arena, and more recently enjoyed playing tennis at several area racquet clubs. In the past year or so, she took up running and absolutely loved it. She would go for a run just about everyday at 8 AM. She had recently completed her first 5K and was training for the Disney World Marathon in January, which she planned to run with her daughter, Abby. “Jillybean,” as she was affectionately known by many, was a tenacious woman, and accepted every challenge that came her way. Among her favorite sayings was “I can do it!” and no one was going to tell her otherwise. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, she battled and beat it. When it came to home repairs and remodeling, she learned how and did it herself. Of course, YouTube videos came in handy most of the time. She was an inspiration to many people, and her ‘can do’ attitude motivate others. Her ever-present smile, coupled with her ability to make you laugh in almost any situation, were among her trademarks.

Jill was also known as “Mighty-mom,” and her three children brought her a world full of joy. She was their number one fan in everything they did, and Jill poured her heart and soul into raising them as best as a single mom possibly could. The sacrifices she made for them are immeasurable, and her kids know it. She was so proud of their academic and athletic successes in college that she was motivated to get herself into better physical shape. She had begun to eat healthier, lose some weight, and exercise daily. Her morning run of three miles was something she looked forward to everyday, and she would text her kids after each run to share her accomplishment with them. Jill was currently at the happiest time of her life, making this heartbreaking tragedy so impossibly difficult to comprehend. Her children have lost not just their mother, but their biggest fan, their greatest motivation, and their best friend in the whole wide world.

Jill leaves her three kids; Abby, Reagan and Jesse, all of Pompton Plains, her mother; Sandra Altman of Saddle Brook, her sister; Sharon Colca of Fair Lawn, and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Jill was recently predeceased by her father, Charles Altman, in January of this year.

Donations would be greatly appreciated to the GoFundMe account established for the benefit of Jill’s three children.

It is with great sadness that we mourn the peaceful passing of Roy DeFranco Sr. after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer on June 7, 2022, at the age of 77.

Roy was born in Paterson, NJ on March 7, 1945, to Philip and Gertrude (nee Tschopp). He moved to Wayne, NJ with his family when he was 13. He was graduated from Wayne Senior H.S in 1962. After high school Roy enlisted in the US Naval Reserve and after graduating in 1966 from Paterson State College, now known as William Paterson University, he served two years active duty in the Navy based in Norfolk, VA. Roy was very patriotic and proud to be a veteran. He supported veterans throughout his life.

Roy began his teaching career in Pequannock Township where he taught social studies for 18 years. During his time in Pequannock Township, he continued his education and received his M. ED from Seton Hall University. He then furthered his education at Montclair University receiving several more educational certifications.  In 1987 his career took a turn when he took a position with the Hopatcong Board of Education working in the central office and subsequently became the high school principal. He remained in that position until he retired from education in 2001.

After his retirement from education Roy was fortunate to have a second career with Catholic Charities. He became the development director for the Department of Persons with Disabilities. This position was lifechanging. Roy was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. Francis Koch Council 6343 in Echo Lake, NJ for almost 50 years and he was a Past Grand Knight. Being strongly influenced by the United States Navy, Roy became a member of the Naval Order of the United States, New York Commandry where he held the position of treasurer.

Roy met the love of his life, Linda, in 1966 in the A&P where they were both working during their college years. They were married four years later on April 18, 1970. They settled in Parsippany and then Wayne and after their sons, Roy and Matthew, were born they moved to West Milford where they remained for the rest of their 52 year marriage. Roy was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.  Nothing was more important to him or brought him more joy than his family and spending time with them. He was extremely proud of his sons and the men they became.

Roy is survived by his wife Linda (nee Bufardeci) of West Milford, two sons, Roy DeFranco Jr. and his wife Stephanie of Astoria, Queens, and Matthew DeFranco and his wife Camille of Pompton Plains, his grandchildren Lucia, Amelia, Rocco , and Cameron, his brother Philip and his wife Randee, and his sister-in-law Andrea Cardelfe and her husband Scott.

Roy was a truly special person who touched the lives of countless people. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Roy’s name may be made to Catholic Charities, Department for Persons with Disabilities, 1 Catholic Charities Way, PO Box 2539 Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 http://https://ccpaterson.org/dpd, or Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 84 Presentation Way, New Windsor, NY 12553 http://www.sistersofthepresentation.org

John M. Giangiobbe, age74, of Haskell, passed Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY and the family moved to Wayne, NJ in his youth.  John graduated from the Wayne High School with the Class of 1966.

John soon found employment with the Township of Wayne where he worked as a draftsman his entire career which spanned forty-three years having started on August 29, 1966 through March 31, 2009.  He would recall how he drew maps by hand and later by computer. He loved photography and would take pictures for the township as well as the Wayne Police Department.

In his free time he enjoyed photography as well. He enjoyed watching television and movies.  The show NCIS and Yellowstone were some of his favorites. Although his personality could be characterized as quiet and reserved, he often had a funny quote or twist regarding just about any topic of conversation.  He dearly loved his two Cockateels Ricky and Blondie.  Ricky was always kissing John and could make the smack sound of a kiss.

John was the loving husband of Mary (Genova) Giangiobbe; dearly loved brother-in-law of Joseph and Maria Genova of Franklin Square, New York and cherished uncle of Jennifer (Jimmy), Melissa (Mike) and Joseph. He was also the loving cousin of Joanne and her husband Danny DeSantis of Staten Island. .

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Frances W. Richardson, age 87, of Orlando, Florida, formerly of Totowa, NJ and Sloatsburg,  NY, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 surrounded by her devoted husband and loving children.

Frances was born at her family home in Totowa, NJ, to Peter and Wilhelmina (VanderSluys) DeVries. She went on to attend Passaic Valley High School, where she excelled in many areas of school, including the marching band. After graduating in 1952, Fran worked at NJ Bell Telephone Company.

She met Robert through her cousin and they married on June 21, 1958 at the Third Christian Reformed Church in Haledon, NJ. Frances and Robert were blessed with sixty-four years of a loving and devoted marriage.

Fran will be remembered as a loving, caring, and artistic person. She could always be found knitting, cross stitching, or baking her famous cookies for her family, friends, and community. Fran’s love reached far beyond her family and friends, overflowing to almost fifty foster children she cared for and cherished through Bethany Christian Services from 1974 through the early 1980's. Fran and Bob enjoyed many years of traveling, cruising, and camping in many places around the world; most frequently at Ocean Grove and Skyway Campground.

Fran was a member of Preakness Valley United Reformed Church in Wayne, NJ for 50 years. She enjoyed singing in many choirs and being involved in the life of the church.

Frances is survived by her loving husband Robert Richardson; her daughter, Sharon Verbeke and her husband Robert of Wayne, NJ; daughter, Linda Andela and her husband Andrew of Orlando, FL; son, Scott Richardson and his wife Michelle of Huger, SC. She was the cherished grandmother of Laura Everett (James), Peter Andela (Reizel DeLeon), Kelly Andela, Kimberly Vandervalk (Kevin), Benjamin Richardson, Steven Verbeke (Rita Vander Stad), Kayleigh Ciullo (Douglas Carl III) and Kristine Verbeke; and the dearly loved great-grandmother of Rachael, Alicia, Tyler, and Luke Everett, Aidan Vandervalk, and Kenzie Verbeke. She is also survived by her beloved brother Donald DeVries and his wife Danielle of Lake Worth, FL, and brother-in-law Adrian Blum of Spring Hill, FL; Frances is pre-deceased by her sister Carol Jane Blum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Preakness Valley URC, 480 Valley Road, Wayne NJ 07470 or Bethany Christian Services 12-19 River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410.

Shirley I. Vander Stad, age 85, of Pequannock, passed into eternity on Monday, June 6, 2022.

Born on July 21, 1936, she was raised in Northern New Jersey and graduated from Butler High School with the Class of 1956.

During her high school years she met Cornelius (Neil) Vander Stad, a brother of her dear friend Ruth.  They were married at his parent’s home in Oak Ridge, New Jersey on September 24, 1956.  They honeymooned in Nova Scotia and have been married for sixty-five years by the grace of God.

Shirley was a loving mother and devoted wife.  She had a very generous heart, and was often giving gifts of time and presents to her children, grandchildren and people she met near and far.  

Because of her gifts of sewing and a desire to help others, Shirley founded and managed the Cloth Cabin in Newfoundland, New Jersey, where she sewed clothing, sold fabric, notions, and patterns, and made many long-term friendships.  Later she worked at the Rag Shop in Wayne.  An expert seamstress, she could craft gorgeous clothing seemingly without thinking, and often without patterns.  Shirley regularly made wedding gowns and outfits for entire bridal parties, including wedding gowns for her own children.  It seemed her Singer sewing machine was busy night and day.

Shirley was dedicated to her Christian faith and was a faithful member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church in Haledon, the Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Clifton, and more recently the Heritage Reformed Church in Kinnelon.

Shirley was the loving mother of John Vander Stad and his wife Mary of Oak Ridge, Sue Rose and her husband Allan of Wayne, Brenda Vander Valk and her husband Steven of Pompton Plains, Lisa Sniegocki and her husband Michael of Leesburg, FL, Ada den Hollander and her husband Reverend Henry of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, and Ruth Tanis and her husband William of Bloomingdale.  She was the cherished grandmother of twenty-seven grandchildren and sixty-two great-grandchildren.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Shirley’s memory are asked to kindly omit flowers, but consider making a donation for the furtherance of the gospel to the Trinitarian Bible Society, 927 Alpine Commerce Park NW STE 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49544 or at  www.tbsbibles.org under “Donate”.

“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”  1 Peter 1:24-25

George W. Naporlee, Sr., age 76, of Wayne and formerly of Queens and the Bronx, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

George was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. He was the youngest of Frederick and Florence (Gorton) Naporlee’s four children. After graduating with the Class of 1962 from Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, George launched right into a long, prosperous, and dedicated career in the paper industry. Over the course of a career spanning more than fifty years, George rose to the position of Vice President of Andrew Nelson Whitehead in New York City and had most recently worked as a paper specialist with Gould Paper in New York City before retiring fully in 2016.

George met his wife Helen by means of a mutual friend introducing them. Their first date was on August 12, 1961, to a former amusement park in the Bronx called Freedom Land. Helen recalls that the weather was picture perfect that day and, while at the park, they were entertained by a concert featuring Paul Anka. After many more dates, George proposed marriage to Helen one night at her parent’s house. They made their wedding promises to one another on Saturday, June 12, 1965, at St. Lucy Roman Catholic Church on Mace Ave. in the Bronx. After an intimate reception in Helen’s parents back yard in the Bronx, the newlyweds enjoyed a weekend honeymoon including catching a show at Radio City Music Hall.

George and Helen started married life in an apartment in the Bronx where they were soon blessed with two fine sons, George, Jr. and Anthony. They eventually needed more room, so they moved to a bigger apartment where this time they were blessed with the birth of their beautiful daughter Carolyn. Eventually, they moved to the Whitestone section of Queens, New York where they remained until moving to Wayne, NJ in 2008.

By nature, George was rather competitive. He was always up for a challenge and he fulfilled this hunger through various pursuits. As a young man, he derived great enjoyment from racing his 1964 aqua blue Chevy Impala Super Sport at the track in New York. He also loved horse racing and was a regular placing wagers on the horses at the Yonkers Raceway, the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, NY, and the NJ Meadowlands Racetrack. He and Helen also enjoyed regular trips to Atlantic City where George loved testing his luck at the tables playing craps or at the slot machines. Gambling was great fun but George and Helen were also drawn to the great shows at the casinos and they liked taking strolls on the boardwalk.

Growing up in the Bronx, it should come as no surprise that George was a New York Yankees (aka “The Bronx Bombers”) fan. For many years, he and his family made it a tradition to get tickets for the annual Old-Timers Day games and the Mayors Trophy games between the Yanks and their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets. George just loved the game of baseball, watching his sons playing in little league was such a source of pride and so much fun for him to see.

Above all else, nothing was more important to George than his family. He loved taking walks with Helen, watching his sons play baseball, and talking business with his daughter Carolyn who he encouraged and mentored to become a CPA. George and Carolyn also enjoyed a love of cats and they were known to send each other cat videos. When the blessing of grandchildren came, George could not be prouder. He loved it when they came to visit and they made the holidays even more special.

Since moving to Wayne, George and Helen have been faithful parishioners at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne. Growing up in the catholic church, George’s faith was important to him, and in many respects, it shaped the loving, caring, giving man that he consistently was throughout his life who always put the needs and wants of his family and others before himself.  

George was the beloved husband of Helen (nee Milano), blessed in marriage for 57 years. He was the loving father of: George Naporlee, Jr. and wife Mary Beth of Old Bridge, Anthony Naporlee and wife Rania of Wayne, and Carolyn Sekosan and fiancé Sal Cipolla of Hicksville, Long Island, NY; cherished grandfather of: Kim and husband Chris, Brianna, Christopher, Christian, Gianna, Thomas, Gabriella, and Aidan; adored great-grandfather of Kaylee Michelle; dear youngest brother of: Doris Glenzer and husband Ronald of Lake Forest, CA, the late Fred Naporlee, and the late Patricia Thomas; and dear uncle of Christine Grandstaff and Ron Glenzer, Jr.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in George’s name are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

2361 Hylan Blvd.

Staten Island, NY 10306

To download the Printable Donation Form, click here

Nicole D. Toulas (nee Magoulis), age 48 of Wayne, died on Saturday, June 4, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She grew up in Ringwood, NJ, loving all outdoor activities around the lake.

Nicole graduated from Lakeland High School with the class of 1992, and attended the University of Tampa, eventually earning her bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University.

Nicole interned for MSNBC, initially pursuing a career in journalism before switching to marketing.  She was the Director of Marketing for Rehabilitation Specialists, a company which focused on brain injury rehabilitation for several years before assuming a full-time devotion to her family. Nicole met Andy Toulas while she was sitting as a juror on a case that he was trying. The verdict was favorable, and their marriage ensued in 2004. They welcomed two children, Marisa and Leo, and lovingly built their family together in Wayne. They shared many glorious vacations, sampling the lobster rolls and chowders at some of their favorite destinations like Montauk, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, Kennebunkport, Dewey Beach, Williamsburg Virginia, and more recently at Kiawah Island, SC. They have enjoyed eighteen years of a very loving marriage together, and Nicole will be deeply missed.

Nicole enjoyed many interests and hobbies, and she was a black-belt martial artist. She loved doing yoga, all physical fitness activities, reading, relaxing at the beach, all simply spending time communing with nature. She is sure to be enjoying the flowers and dream van in Heaven now.

Nicole is survived by her devoted husband, Andy, their children; Marisa and Leo, her parents; John and Sandy Magoulis, sister; Sherrie Magoulis, nieces; Alexis and Haley, mother-in-law; Bella Toulas, sister-in-law Vicki and her family, and so many loving and caring aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Donations in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated to the compassionate volunteers at the John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack, NJ, or to the wonderful caregivers at the Madison Dog Resort and Spa in Wayne.

Loretta Sandford (nee Van Splinter), age 86, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 4, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Loretta was raised in Little Falls, NJ and was the older of two daughters to Richard and Loretta Van Splinter.  While growing up in Little Falls, Loretta attended Passaic Valley High School and following graduation in 1953, immediately enrolled at Mountainside Hospital Nursing School in Montclair.  While in nursing school, she began dating James Sandford, also a Passaic Valley High School Graduate and resident of Totowa, who was attending Lafayette College.  Following a three-year program at the nursing school, Loretta earned her Registered Nurse’s Certificate.  Loretta and James married on August 31, 1957 at St. James Church in Totowa and settled in Wayne.

As a career nurse, Loretta worked in various hospitals and care centers and spent many years working as a visiting nurse in Passaic County.  Loretta had 4 wonderful interruptions throughout her career with the birth and raising of her 4 children.  

Loretta dedicated herself to her family, always putting her career as a Registered Nurse on hold when one of her children were born.  Loretta was a truly devoted mother and grandmother.  She was not only devoted to her family but also to her Catholic Faith.  She and her family were very active parishioners at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne for many years.  Loretta was also a member of the Harmony Singers and Friends of the Library in Wayne.  She was a voracious reader of Historical Fiction Novels and “Reader’s Digest.”  She treasured her British television shows and was a member and donated regularly to the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).

Aside from all of Loretta’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Loretta and James cherished an amazing sixty-five years of loving and loyal marriage together.  She was a wonderful cook and loved to bake.  She was famous throughout family and friends for her Cheesecake.  Loretta was also a talented dressmaker and seamstress.  Loretta was a quiet and private woman who often kept to herself but loved to get together with family and friends.  Her family has had many memorable vacations throughout the years traveling by RV to various destinations throughout the United States including Virginia Beach, Yellowstone National Park, and Texas.  Loretta and James took the trip of a lifetime to Italy during their retirement years. Loretta was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around her.  She will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.

Loretta is survived by her husband James Sandford of Wayne, NJ, her son Thomas Sandford and his wife Angella of Hopewell, NJ, her daughter Kathryn Coyman and her husband Robert of Ringwood, NJ, her son Peter Sandford of Clifton, NJ, and her son Paul Sandford and his wife Heidi of Bel Air, MD, nine grandchildren: Joseph Sandford, Nicholas Sandford, Christian Sandford, Rachael Coyman, Colleen Coyman, Lauren Coyman, Matthew Sandford, Owen Sandford, and Austin Sandford.  Loretta was predeceased by her sister Mary Ellen Bakker.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Loretta’s name may be made to National Processing Center Alzheimer’s Association, Greater NJ Chapter PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090. http://www.alz.org

Dr. Henry J. Petersen, from Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains (formerly of Wayne) passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on Saturday, June 4, 2022.

Henry was a teacher for over 40 years with most of his career teaching math at Wayne Valley and Wayne Hills High Schools.  During this time, he received his PhD from Columbia University in Education and was instrumental in bringing computers to the classroom and the Wayne Board of Education Administration in the 1970’s.  He retired from the Wayne School system in 1985 after heading up the Math department for K – 12 for over 10 years.

Family was very important to Henry and is survived by his daughter Nancy Tambe and her husband Nick of Ringwood, NJ and son Henry Petersen and wife Lynn of Somerville, Mass and Granddaughter Nicole Mueller.  He is also remembered fondly by his stepchildren Heather Kahl, Peter Mohn, Douglas Mohn, Jonathan Mohn, Dwight Mohn and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Henry also leaves behind his partner Betsy Meeder from Cedar Crest.  Betsy was always by his side during the last 6 years taking care of him.

Henry lived an amazing life and enjoyed so many activities.  He loved teaching and mentoring kids, was an Eagle Scout and became a Boy Scout leader before he had children.  He loved the outdoors, camping, hiking, and gardening.  One of his biggest passions was woodworking and making furniture for his family.

Donations can be made to the American Heart Association.

Maria Torres, age 81, of Siena Village in Wayne, passed Friday, May 27, 2022 peacefully at home.

She was born in Caibarien, Cuba and came to the United States when Fidel Castro was letting people leave the country.  She initially settled in Miami then moved to live in New York City.

Maria worked as a seamstress in New York at 34th and Broadway sewing bathing suits in the wintertime and blouses and pants during the summer months.  During school breaks she would bring her daughter Sonia with her to work to show her she should study and not follow in mom's footsteps.

Maria left her family and siblings behind in Cuba so she could give her family a better life in America.  She was proud that she was able to see her daughter, and her two grandchildren all get college educations.  After her husband Ralph passed away, she cared for his parakeet whom she was sure had a little of his spirit in it.

Maria will be remembered as a humble, simple, loving person who was always helping.  As she grew up with nothing, she was appreciative of many things that are normally taken for granted. Most of all Maria’s life revolved around her grandchildren. Maria was dedicated to her Catholic faith and for many years attended Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne.

Maria was the loving wife of the late Jose Perera (d. 1967) and the late Rafael “Ralph” Torres (d. 2013); she was the devoted mother of Sonia Ceccarelli and her husband Ray of Wayne; cherished grandmother of Mitchell and Eric Newman; and beloved sister of Olga, Dalia, Florita, Angel, Pedro and Jesus.

David J. McLean, age 61 of Wayne, died on June 1, 2022. Dave had lived in Wayne his whole life and graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the class of 1979.

Dave worked for many years in the furniture refinishing business, restoring antiques and fine furniture. He had been employed by Colonial Restorations of Wayne, and he had his own business as well, All American Refinishing. He later worked as a custodian for the Wayne Board of Education.

Dave had an amazing green thumb, and always kept a garden. On his apartment balcony he could grow vegetables that would rival the finest produce you could find in a store, with big tomatoes, gorgeous cucumbers, and large green beans. He was especially good at growing hot peppers, and the hotter they were, the better he liked them.

Dave was among the most likable and friendly people you could have known. He had a large group of loyal friends that he remained close with since grade school, and every one of them would agree that he was just a great guy. He loved going fishing in Canada with his buddies, deep sea fishing, and hunting. He was generous to a fault, always ready and willing to help others in need, and a sincerely good man with a big heart. He will be missed by all.

Dave is survived by his loving sister, Patricia McClure and her husband Vernon of Wanaque, by his nephews; Gregory McClure and wife Jill, Glenn McClure and fiance Kerri, Thomas McClure and wife Irene, and his niece; Caitlyn (McClure) Batche and husband Ryan Batche, and 5 great-nieces and 4 great-nephews. He was predeceased by his bother; Jim McLean, and by his father; James McLean, both in 2013, and by his dear mother; Marian McLean, in 2015.

William J. Boyle, age 81 of Wayne, died on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. He has lived in Wayne for nearly fifty years. Bill was employed as a computer programmer for Bank of New York for more than twenty years and retired in 2000 as an Assistant Vice President in their Human Resources department.

Bill was born in Queens, NY and grew up in Waldwick, NJ. He graduated from Ramsey High School with the class of 1957 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army for the next four years. He served as a munitions specialist at Fort Dix and in Germany before being discharged in 1962. Bill was an avid enthusiast of auto racing, and he particularly loved the dirt-track stock cars. He frequented racetracks throughout the area and wrote a regular column in “Area Auto Racing” magazine, using the pen name “Dr. Dirt.” During race season, he would go to the racetrack in Orange County, NY every Saturday, leaving home around 2 PM and returning home around 2 AM! He enjoyed interviewing the teams, the drivers, and writing the stories. He was a devoted fan to the sport. An article was recently published in RaceProWeekly about Bill's legacy as "Dr. Dirt," and you can read that article by clicking here. He also liked to keep his mind sharp by doing crossword puzzles, playing Sudoku, and building puzzles. Playing poker was also high on his list as a favorite pastime, and he would frequently drive out to Bethlehem, PA with friends to play cards. He enjoyed a ‘bucket list’ trip to Las Vegas a few years ago, where he played poker and took in some of the world-class shows the city had to offer.  He also enjoyed his time out at breakfast where he would frequent Crossroads of Wayne nearly every morning with the same group of folks for the last 20 years.

Bill met his wife, Barbara (nee Carlile) when they worked together at the First National Bank in Totowa. Bill bowled on the bank’s team, and Barbara recalls what a good bowler he was. They hit it off and were eventually married on July 13, 1969, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne. After a honeymoon to Bermuda, they lived at Bill’s apartment in Totowa before buying their home in Wayne, where they have lived ever since. Together with their two sons, they vacationed at Disney World, Key West, the Jersey Shore, and Bill’s favorite trip to Las Vegas. They have enjoyed fifty-two years of marriage, and Barbara will miss him very much.

Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara (nee Carlile) of Wayne, their two sons; Christopher Boyle and his wife Jenny of Wayne, and Carl Boyle of Wayne, and three sisters; Eileen Stone of Florida, Lorraine Cody of South Jersey, and Kathleen of Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory would be appreciated to the ASPCA, www.aspca.org, or the Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad, www.waynefirstaid.com

Doris Battinelli, age 90, of Pompton Lakes, passed Monday, May 30, 2022.

She was born to James and Francesca Gennarelli October 15, 1931 in Paterson New Jersey where she was raised and graduated from Eastside High School with the Class of 1949.

Doris was a partner of a Hair Salon on Madison Avenue in Paterson NJ with her dear friend Rose Salvati.  She worked there for several years before getting married and having children.  After her children were of age Doris worked for the Sears Corporation selling insurance on appliances at their Fairfield Administrative offices. She worked at Sears for decades until working in the customer service and sales department of the Bradley Pharmaceutical Company Fairfield retiring only when they closed in 2008.

Doris will be remembered for being a caretaker of everyone.  She was a very high energy person who would take care of her children while also helping other family members get to doctors’ appointments, hair appointments, and grocery shopping etc.  She was an excellent cook of all kinds of Italian Specialties, could make anything taste good by putting her tomato sauce on it. She loved BINGO, word search puzzles, going to casinos, watching the Golden Girls, and didn’t want to be bothered when her other favorite show Dancing with the Stars show was on.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Edward Battinelli, sister Carmela, brothers in law Joe Piastrelli & Emil Gaveglio, son in law Craig Bowes, daughter in law Edna Cupples-Battinelli,  grandson in law Kevin Sherman & grandson David Simonds

She is survived by her children Janice Battinelli of PA, Joyce Bowes of New Jersey and Jody Colfax and her fiancé Dan Stamm of  PA;

cherished grandmother of Christopher Bowes and his fiancé Jerry of New Jersey, Alec Bowes and his fiancé Kate of New Jersey,  Dana Sherman-Chakan and her husband John of PA, Justin Salvati of PA, and Christy Simonds of NH, she was the loved great-grandmother of Brady, Lucas, Piper, River, Lexi, Jared & Lily; she was also the great great-grandmother of David.  Doris is also survived by her dear sister Gaynell Gavaglio of New Jersey as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Marys Church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 would be greatly appreciated.

Nicholas Joseph Hickey, “Joe Hickey” age 89, of West Milford and a longtime former resident of Wayne, passed peacefully on Saturday, May 28, 2022.

The fourth child and only son of Nicholas J. and Sadie (Kane) Hickey’s six children, Joe was born in Paterson and grew up in Hawthorne in the family’s home at 150 Buena Vista Avenue. He graduated from Hawthorne High School and promptly enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was assigned to the Mediterranean theater aboard the USS Rich, a destroyer, during the Korean Conflict. He proudly served his country from 1951 to 1955 and for his brave service, was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

One night in 1954, while home on leave from the Navy, Joe made the acquaintance of an attractive young lady named Gloria Profita. That night Joe asked Gloria if he could call her in the future but, having to return to Navy duties he didn’t get the chance to call till almost a year later when the next New Year’s Eve party came around. For that party in 1955, Gloria was Joe’s date and he told her that very night that he was going to marry her. As things worked out, Joe was right! They exchanged wedding promises on a Saturday which Joe described as gorgeously sunny and beautiful. It was October 12, 1957, and the wedding took place at St. Paul’s Church in Clifton.

After a honeymoon to Montreal in Québec, Canada, Joe and Gloria stayed briefly with Gloria’s parents on 130 Clinton Avenue in Clifton. While there, Joe recalled eating a lot of beans and macaroni. They moved several times after that, ultimately settling in 1962 in their ­­­home in Wayne.

After the war, Joe worked for a brief time as a painting contractor before taking a job in the accounting department at Curtiss-Wright Corporation and then Singer Kearfott. In the evenings Joe studied business management and accounting at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck. Because he worked full-time by day to support his wife, daughter and three sons, it took Joe ten years of night classes, but in the end, he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting. Having achieved this accomplishment, he sought better opportunities and worked for various firms, culminating with Prudential Insurance Company before retiring fully at age 61 in 1994.

A love of sports simply put, was part of Joe’s pedigree. He played football and baseball at Hawthorne High School and one time even pitched a no-hitter in fast pitch softball. Baseball was his favorite sport. In the words of Joe’s daughter Anne (aka Chick), “My dad lived for baseball!”

As a father, Joe enthusiastically coached his sons and other boys in baseball and basketball for more than ten years in the Catholic Youth League and at the Wayne PAL. His three sons have fond memories of Joe piling way more young athletes into his bright red Ford Pinto than the law permitted, to take them home after games. Probably Joe’s only regret was not doing sports with his daughter Anne, but he beamed with pride watching her perform in the Wayne Monarchs Drum and Bugle Corps.

Joe grew up a Brooklyn Dodger fan and even remained one when the team moved to Las Angeles, California in 1958. For the next four years, he had no home team to cheer for (he HATED the Yankees), but in 1962 he began rooting for that hapless new expansion baseball team from Flushing Queens – the New York Mets. Joe plugged for his Dodgers and Mets and as he’d say, “Any team that was playing the New York Yankees!” In 1969, when the Mets, hapless no more, won the World Series, Joe was given two tickets to Game 5. This was an unheard-of opportunity for a guy like Joe and he was thrilled to say the least. It did however pose one dilemma – which one of his kids was he going to take with him for this once-in-a-lifetime chance?  If you really want to know what Joe decided, you’ll have to ask them 😊. Joe also loved watching Notre Dame and New York Giant football games and St. John’s basketball games. He always watched these games with the volume turned all the way down because he thought the announcers were universally terrible and, if his team was losing, it wasn’t unusual for him to turn off the game in disgust.

Joe was a much-loved and respected father who would do anything for his kids. As already mentioned, he was a great mentor to his three boys teaching them the virtues of hard work and competition as one of their coaches in youth sports. He’d do anything for his daughter Anne too – even go ice skating with her when she was a Girl Scout. Once, when Anne missed the bus to go on a Girl Scout field trip to see the circus as Madison Square Garden, Joe drove her in his car so she wouldn’t miss the trip. This was a true act of love as everyone knew how much Joe hated and dreaded driving in New York City. He loved to play with his kid’s minds too. For example, his son John, being the youngest, always seemed to get the short end of the stick so, just to bring sons Joe and Mike down a few notches, he told them that he took their younger brother John to the moon and that he wasn’t going to take them. The older boys were furious! If Joe were a politician, he’d be the kind who would kiss all the babies. He adored his own grandchildren and great-children, kissed them as babies and enjoyed being at all their activities and milestones and witnessing them growing into what God created them to be. He enjoyed many afternoon picnics and holidays with his and Gloria’s siblings and their families, always with many nieces and nephews running around having fun.  His wife Gloria was his best friend and together, they liked taking car trips to Rhode Island to see their daughter Anne and her husband Vince where they’d hold hands while enjoying a stroll or drive along Ocean Drive.

Joe was a real character. He always rooted for the underdog and if you said black, he’d say white. One of the main rules that he lived by was that rules were meant to be broken. An unspoken understanding in the house was that his wife Gloria’s yard was her paradise. This was fine because Joe always preferred watching sports on TV compared to working in the yard. That said, on those rare occasions when he did put on his landscape hat, he’d usually break the rules which would get him in trouble. One time Joe bit off more than he could chew when, while Gloria was shopping, Joe messed with her outdoor paradise by chopping down all the bushes in front of the house. His vision for improvement ended there so when she came home, it was curtains for Joe. Oh yes! Gloria was angry but not nearly as angry as another time when Joe pulled a George Washington and cut down Gloria’s glorious cherry tree. That move inspired the bestowment of the title “Landscape Undertaker” and for three days Gloria refused to talk to Joe. Talk about awkward silence at the nightly family dinner table! Joe was a numbers guy. He loved playing Yahtzee and he was great at remembering phone numbers which came in handy when he wanted to order a pizza from Tony’s in Pompton Lakes.

Joe and his dear wife Gloria were always people of faith. As husband and wife, they regularly engaged in prayer to the Holy One but, in the 1970’s, Gloria and Joe experienced a spiritual awakening.  Gloria was endlessly nourishing and growing her faith. Joe’s journey took a slightly different path than Gloria’s, a genuine walk all the same. From that time going forward until his passing, Joe quietly read his bible which helped him to the joy of leaning on the Lord and applying God’s truths to his life in practical, tangible ways.

Joe was a real people’s peep! After retirement, he’d often walk the neighborhood. Walks that should have taken a half-hour took Joe two-and-a-half hours because he’d talk to anybody and everybody along the way. He loved getting to know people, loved hearing their stories, and loved sharing a laugh. This became a regular pastime and one that was missed by so many around his house when his body stopped cooperating in his later years. For his final years Joe, and Gloria, were supported by loving caregivers at home; caring individuals who became beloved family friends. As well as five grandchildren all took turns on the schedule to care for there grandparents. Joe eventually ended up living at Milford Manor in West Milford and, for the last year, he won the hearts of so many fellow residents and very special  staff. He was so popular that, if they had an election for “The Mayor of Milford” Joe would have won it! One of Joe’s greatest gifts was being a good listener, encourager, and offer-er of sound advice. Whether it was giving his kids or grandkids or a bit of guidance about how he’d go about a challenge or encouraging a friend or acquaintance with a problem, Joe was a natural restorer of hope and renewed inspiration to many.

For the last twelve years of his life, Joe refused to succumb to a diagnosis and battle with Parkinson’s. He was a true warrior, and, like any warrior, he fought this battle with the help of many a caregiver during his last years in his home in Wayne as well as the good people at Milford Manor. To all those caregivers, and you know who you are, a huge THANK YOU, from Joe’s entire family.  

Joe was the beloved husband of Gloria, blessed in marriage for 62 years until her passing in 2020. He was the loving father of: Anne and husband Vince Traglia of Middletown, RI, Joseph P. Hickey and fiancé Tina Belis of Oak Ridge; Michael and wife Alieda Hickey of Franklin Lakes, and John and wife Kathy Hickey of Mendham; cherished grandfather of Kristen and husband Chris, Ashley, Joe, Jade, Sydney, Sarah and husband Charlie, Nick and fiancé Alexa, Michael, David, Nina, James, and Alana; cherished great-grandmother of Julianne, Michael Kevin, and Brooklyn; dear brother of five sisters: Sally Burke (deceased) and her husband Joe of Vero Beach, FL, Mary Diehl (deceased) and her husband Paul (deceased) of Sebastian, FL, Irene Rossi of Montville and her husband Vince (deceased), Patricia Harris (deceased) and her husband James (deceased) of Elmwood Park, and Sharon “Sherry” Stella and husband Bill Cass of Mount Laurel; the much-appreciated uncle of numerous nieces and nephews, and a beloved connection to old Hawthorne and family friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe’s memory would be appreciated to:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s

Donation Processing

P.O. Box 5014

Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014

To Donate by Phone: 1-800-708-7644

John Brugaletta, age 87, of West Milford, passed peacefully at home on Friday, May 27, 2022.

He was born and raised in Paterson having graduated from Eastside High School then Passaic County Technical High School in Paterson.  As a matter of fact under his yearbook photo he stated he wanted to own his own auto repair shop.

As a young man he entered the workforce as a pin-setter at a bowling alley in Paterson. Through the years he has worked as a ticket checker for the NJ Transit Train System, on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company’s Mahwah Plant and from 1969 forward he was a partner in W&J Transmissions in Bloomingdale.

John met the love of his life Mary “Betty” E. Leobold just out of high School and they married on July 12, 1958 at Saint George’s Church in Paterson.  They honeymooned at the Jersey Shore and had a loving marriage that was blessed with three children: Doreen, John, and Kathy. John and Betty were married for fifty-nine years before Betty’s passing in 2017.

John will be lovingly remembered as the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. Everything with him was a lesson and taught responsibility.  He enjoyed joking around with the kids, loved boating, and enjoyed his home at Chadwick Beach at the Jersey Shore. He was a family man who loved a good time.  He also enjoyed motorcycles having had a Norton, BSA, Ducati, and Harley Davidsons.

John was the loving husband of Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Brugaletta (d. 2017); he was the devoted father of Doreen and her husband Tom of Vernon, John Brugaletta, Jr and his Fiancé Joy Schilling of Haskell, and Kathy McCormick and her husband Kevin of Durango, Colorado; he was the cherished grandfather of Deena Anderson and her husband John, Alyse Watson and her wife Enis, Janell Caruso and her wife Rayna, Kyrsten Brugaletta and her fiancé Danny Osmun; Heather Brugaletta, Connor McCormick, and Braydon McCormick; he was the dearly loved great-grandfather of John Michael Anderson, and Lorenzo John Caruso;  loved brother of Lucille Satnowski of Neshanic Station.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the West Milford First Aid Squad, PO Box 387, West Milford, NJ 07480 would be greatly appreciated.

Betty Brady (nee Keyes), age 87, of Little Falls, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 27, 2022.

Betty was born and raised, along with her two brothers, at the family’s home on Broadway in Paterson. She attended Central High School and was always so very proud of her Irish heritage. In fact, if you were Irish and didn’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, she’d be a bit disappointed.

Betty was born to be a mom, and as a mom, despite having to also play the role of father, and despite having to raise her sons with limited means, she was a mother who was cherished and adored by her two sons, Frank and Joseph. Betty raised them in the Hillcrest section of Paterson in a modest home filled with love at Berkshire and Union Ave. Her boys were her treasures and she’d do anything for them. She didn’t drive a car but with grit and determination and a bus ticket or a cab ride, she always got the boys where they needed to be. While it is true that she bestowed upon them an abundant supply of love, Betty strongly believed that the proper recipe for raising her sons included an equal amount of tough love. She didn’t like the tough love part but when she had to, she dished it out with the help of a wiffle ball bat, a wooden spoon, or a sweeping broom. Now, some might call that child abuse, but Frank and Joe would strongly disagree. They knew when they had it coming, and they are so thankful to their mother Betty for her courage to do the right thing. If not for her guidance and hard-learned lessons about consequences, they both would attest to the fact that they would not be the men they are today. In fact, they both served successful careers in the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, and both retired as Captains. But Frank and Joe would both agree that this story is not about them. It’s about Betty and Betty was so incredibly proud of both of her sons. Beaming with that pride she would ask them “How did you boys achieve so much?” As they looked at Betty to answer her question, they would always say, “We’re looking at the reason for our success Mom!” They loved and respected her with all their hearts and one little sign of proof was the chain with a locket that said “#1 Mom” that she humbly wore around her neck – a gift from her sons.  

The most important things in Betty’s life were not the usual material possessions that are pursued by so many today – new cars, the latest big-screen television, going to fancy restaurants or on exotic vacations. Nope! Betty considered family, friends, and her pets to be the most important, cherished parts of life and that’s where she invested her time. Not only was she a superb mother, but she was also a fantastic grandmother! She was great with her grandchildren and considered them a treasured gift in her life. She’d play games with them and watch Barney on TV – whatever made them happy. She was always ready and eagerly willing to babysit her grandchildren so her sons could go out to dinner with their wives and friends. It was tradition that Betty and the kids would have Friendly’s Ice Cream whenever she watched them. Well, those little grandchildren grew up to be big, accomplished grandchildren and again, Betty was so proud of all of them and happy for their accomplishments! Grandson Frank, Jr. grew up to be a financial planner, his new wife Frances a nurse practitioner, Betty’s grandson Christopher, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, grandson Joseph, Asst. Vice President at Blackstone, and grandson Anthony, a Doctor of Dental Medicine. Wow! Betty passed on good genes to her grandchildren!

During her lifetime, Betty loved and cherished many-a pooch. There was Rex, Nellie, Snowball (who had big ears), Mike, Lucky, and Buddy (Oh! And one cat named Minnie). When Lucky died, Betty’s son Joe wanted to cheer her up, so he impulsively adopted a rambunctious rescue puppy named Buddy. He proudly presented Buddy to Betty but then quickly realized that Buddy was nuts and almost impossible to control. Joe, being very concerned that Buddy was going to be too much for his mom, explained that he was going to find a different home for Buddy and get Betty a new dog. Betty’s reaction was “No Way!” Put it this way, the famous Dog Whisperer could have learned a few things about training a dog from Betty! Buddy didn’t prove to be too much for her. In fact, today Buddy is the most calm, well-behaved dog you’ll ever find.

About 20 years ago, Betty moved to the Hilltop Manor Apartments in Little Falls. There she quickly made many friends who meant the world to her. Her family is grateful for the love and loyalty that these friends bestowed upon Betty. Thank you to Esther who brought Betty breakfast every Saturday and faithfully visited her every day when Betty was in rehab due to a fall this past April. Thank you to Ingrid who faithfully walked Buddy three times a day. Thank you to Randy who faithfully looked after Betty by bringing her food and regularly checked in on her. Thank you to Brittany who was Betty’s next-door-neighbor who faithfully looked after her and brought her presents. Thank you to Omar and Willie, the superintendents at Hilltop Manor. Finally, Betty’s family is so appreciative to Betty’s late friend Lois who was such a close friend of Betty.  

When Betty sustained a recent fall, she ended up in rehab and there were two major motivations that she used to help her get better:  she wasn’t going to miss walking down the aisle for her grandson Frank Brady, Jr. and his bride Frances’ wedding, and nothing was going to stop her from getting home to her dear Buddy. She channeled her feisty, determined, overcoming spirit, and made both happen! Betty would also surely give credit to God for helping her through. She had a strong faith and religiously prayed to St. Jude with her rosary, every day.  

A huge thank you Betty, from Frank, Aggie (whose superb cooking was so appreciated and missed after Aggie’s sudden passing in 2017), Gina, Joe, Ginny, Frank, Jr., Frances, Christopher, Joe, III, Victoria, and Anthony!

Betty was the loved, respected, and adored mother of Frank Brady of Wayne, and Joseph, Brady Jr., and wife Ginny of Wayne; cherished grandmother of: Frank Brady, Jr. and wife Frances, Christopher Brady, Joseph Brady, III and fiancé Victoria Cardillo, and Anthony Brady; dear aunt of Frances Stols; dear sister of the late James Keyes and the late Louis Keyes; and dear mother-in-law of the late Agnes “Aggie” Brady.

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

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959

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Remembering Dr. Robert E. Purnell, legendary optometrist

The accomplished optometrist, community servant, and man of faith joined his loving savior on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at age 79. He will long be remembered for his passion, love, kindness, generosity, positivity, charity, and infectious smile.

Former resident of Montville Township, Robert “Doc” Purnell was born on September 19, 1942, the son of Dr. Herbert C. Purnell and Anne (Hascup) Purnell of Saddlebrook, NJ. He is survived by his older brothers, both missionaries, Herbert (Thailand) and Richard “Dick” Purnell (Cru, formerly Campus Crusades), the love of his life, his wife, Sandra (Loux) Purnell whom he was married to for over 55 years. A loving father to his sons Robert Schorn (Martha) and Timothy John (Alexandra) and doting grandfather to Troy, Krista, Nixon, Chase, Nolan, Leyla, and Adrianna.

Doc was a graduate of Lodi High School and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Before joining his father’s practice in Rutherford, he and Sandra provided free optometric care on a Navajo Indian Reservation. Taking over the family practice from his father, the Family Care Vision Center is the longest continuous medical office of any type in the state, founded by Dr. Franklin Seward in 1886. Doc received the 2009 New Jersey Optometric Public Service Award.

Doc was known as “Mr. Montville” serving for over 24 years on the Township Committee and as Mayor from 1991-1993. Mayor “Doc” Purnell was inducted into the Elected Official's Hall of Fame in 1998 and received Mayor Emeritus status. In 1993, he was selected as the Montville Citizen of the Year. Doc was a commissioner for the Montville Township Fire Department and volunteered for both Montville and Morris County’s National Park System and Open Space Committees, relentlessly fighting for open space. As such, he and his wife personally maintained two trails at the Tourne and Pyramid Mountain.

Doc served many philanthropic organizations, most notably the Jaycees and Lions Club. He served as the state vice president and National Director of the US Jaycees, where he received the Outstanding Man of America Award and founded Camp Jaycees, a camp for intellectual and developmental disabilities, in 1971. He also received a lifetime member award through the Lions Club for collecting eyeglasses for the needy.

Doc was passionate about his church, The Chapel, in Lincoln Park, NJ. He served as an elder, member of the choir, and greeter. He also served on the board of Hope for a Thousand Hills (coffee plantations in Rwanda) and as the President of Team Healthcare for short-term medical mission trips for over 20 years.

Doc loved spending time with family, serving as a volunteer coach, scoutmaster, and Indian guides leader. He loved gardening, golfing, hiking, crabbing, power-walking, camping, and traveling. Doc was always known for his map reading skills and abilities.  

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted to The Chapel or the Dr. Robert E Purnell scholarship fund for a graduating Montville High School student (https://gofund.me/378e6b8d)

Anthony John “Tony” “Tommy” Polizzi, age 75, of Hackettstown, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022.  He was born in Passaic to Mariano (Mike) and Josephine Polizzi and moved to Wayne at the age of 12.  He graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the class of 1965.  

He followed in his father’s footsteps and worked in the Parts Departments of Automobile Dealerships.  He has worked at Atkins Chevrolet, Preakness Chevrolet both in Wayne, and Schumaker Chevrolet in Little Falls and as Parts Department manager at Claremont Cadillac in West Caldwell before retiring.  After retiring he has worked since 2008 with his family at their Restaurant, Franks Pizza in Flanders where everyone he met became a friend.

Anthony was a Volunteer Firefighter for the Wayne Fire Department, Pompton Falls Company #3 during the 1960’s and 1970’s starting as a Junior Fireman.  

He will be remembered for being a kind, thoughtful man, who put everyone ahead of himself.  His love and devotion to his family will be their most treasured memory.  He enjoyed being at home and simple things like yard work, spoiling the dogs and relaxing with a nice Whiskey & Cigar. Although he didn’t love having his photo taken, he enjoyed photography, he was artistic, he liked to draw, make wood crafts, and macramé.  He also had a wide range of taste in music and many great times working the soundboard for Shaker Road Band.  

He was the loving father of Jaime Penza and her husband Giuseppe; cherished grandfather of Luigi, Alexander, Angelina, Matteo and Sophia; he was the loved brother of the late Michael Polizzi and his wife Donna, Joann Cavill of Wayne and her late husband George, Joyce Porr of Wayne and her late husband Joseph, and Robin Lapiniski of Wayne and her late husband Larry. Anthony also had many beloved nieces and nephews.  

In lieu flowers memorial donations to the Fresenius Medical Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

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Patricia Ruth Ratcliffe (nee Ackerman), born April 22, 1926, died in her sleep in the early morning hours on May 25, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. John W. Ratcliffe and by her son, John James Ratcliffe.

A lifelong New Jersey resident, she was a graduate of Ridgewood High School, attended Douglas College and William Paterson University from which she received a Master’s Degree. In the late 1960’s, she taught English and French at Wayne Hills High School, but her passion was children’s literature and reference books. She was a media specialist at Aaron Decker Elementary School in Butler, NJ for over a decade.

She was much loved by her daughter; Patricia Sue Ratcliffe-Lee and son-in-law Lawrence Lee, by her grandchildren; John, Margaret, Kathryn, and T. Alexander, and great-grandchildren; John David, Eliza, and Eva.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Preakness Reformed Church, 131 Church Lane, Wayne, NJ 07470.

John S. Molczyk, age 67, of Wayne, passed Sunday, May 22, 2022.

He was born in Tarnow, Poland, and at the age of 10 he came to America, settling in Garfield, New Jersey, with his family.  John attended Garfield High School and later finished his high school years at Wayne Hills High School in 1972. He continued his education at William Paterson University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1976.

After college, John passed his Certified Public Accountant exam and most recently worked for Bederson LLP in Fairfield. John will be lovingly remembered for his great sense of humor, his easy-going demeanor, and his love of any and all of God’s creatures.  He was a true family man who had integrity and a deep love of his two sons. He loved to travel to Lake George and Walt Disney World.  He was Mr. Fix-it and was always up at the crack of dawn, and he loved to unwind with classic television shows, movies, and game shows.

Many years ago, John went to the Thrift Drug store in Pompton Plains and noticed a cute girl named Loret Mistrick.  They soon fell in love and on May 29, 1983, were married at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne. A reception followed at the Regency House in Pompton Plains. John’s mother had them perform a traditional Polish ceremony: the bride and groom each chose a shot glass, one containing alcohol and one without. The one whose glass had alcohol would be the “boss” of the marriage.  Loret picked the alcohol, and as tradition would have it, she was the boss.  They honeymooned at the Acapulco Princess Hotel in Acapulco, Mexico. They had a loving marriage of thirty-one years that was blessed with two sons, David and Daniel, before Loret’s passing in July of 2014.

John was the beloved son of the late Sophie (nee Lasko) Molczyk Pawlowski, Stefan Molczyk, and stepfather Eugene Pawlowski. He was the husband of the late Loret (nee Mistrick) Molczyk; devoted father of David of Wayne and Daniel (Peter) of Totowa; loved brother of Victor (Karin) Molczyk of Ellicott City, MD, and Christine (Paul) Mascia of Eldersburg, MD; devoted sister-in-law Patti Mistrick of Pompton Lakes and sister- and brother-in-law Trish and Greg Frost of Wayne. He was also the dearly loved uncle of Stephen (Katie), Brian, and Kevin Molczyk and Thomas (Sara), Jacob, and Victoria Mascia.

Memorial donations to the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated.

Susan Mary Voelkner, aged 55, of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, passed on Saturday, May 21st, 2022, and at that moment heaven gained an angel.

She was born to Herman and Mary Lou Voelkner in Paterson, New Jersey on January 7th, 1967.  Susan was raised at 81 Maple Hill Rd in Clifton, New Jersey.  She was a graduate of nearby Montclair State University, where she majored in Business Administration.

From 1989 until her passing she worked in the supermarket industry, with positions of increasing responsibility in Pathmark and A&P, culminating in her becoming a district manager with Acme.  She was well-liked throughout her career by all her co-workers and was always very devoted to them and to their needs, traveling daily to visit all the many stores and the workers for whom she was responsible.

Despite her devotion to her job, Susan always found time to relax.  She was a frequent visitor to her parents in Florida, where she had a hobby of photographing sunsets and the animals in the zoos she loved to visit.  She even filled her home with various sculptures and representations of turtles. Susan’s travels usually involved her extended family: her cousins in Binghamton, New York, and her nieces in Texas.  Closer to home, she frequently went to games of her beloved Giants and Mets and was a devoted sister to her three brothers, Herman, Julius, and Patrick, and to her sister-in-law Rae-Ann Voelkner.

Susan was predeceased by her father, Herman Voelkner.  She leaves behind her mother, Mary Lou, her three brothers, her nieces Katherine Silvis and Megan Voelkner, and eight cousins.  She loved all of them dearly.

Susan was an inspiration to all who knew her, a perfect combination of devotion both to her professional duties and to her family, and that devotion was always conveyed with humor and, especially, love. She brought admiration and smiles with her wherever she went.

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

American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 22478

Oklahoma City, OK 73123

Click here to download the mail in form

You can also donate by calling 800-227-2345

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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Irene “Betty” Leucht of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home while in the presence of loving family on Thursday, May 19, 2022.

Betty was born and raised in Jersey City, the daughter of William and Julia Francis. The family home was on Myrtle Avenue where her maternal grandmother, Adelaide Francis raised her as Betty’s own mother passed away when she was very young. Betty would often reminisce about  her fond memories with her Gram Adelaide.

Betty attended Snyder High School in Jersey City and her career started with Commercial Trust Bank in Jersey City.

Betty grew up in a tight knit community where she knew many of the other children in the neighborhood. Her husband Frank, who she married, lived just around the block. Betty and Frank married on Saturday, July 21, 1945 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Jersey City.

Once settled in their first home, the blessing of children soon followed. First, they had a son who they named Robert, then three daughters: Susan, followed by Elizabeth and Ellen. Betty embraced her role as mother and homemaker.

There were several moves due to job relocations and they enjoyed each of their homes and making new friends and raising their children.  In addition to managing an active home, Betty enjoyed participating in local productions of Broadway musicals showcasing her theatrical talents and love for the arts.  She also traveled extensively and some of her favorite places included Paris, Austria, Hawaii and Rome as well as Yosemite and Napa Valley.

Betty was also a loving grandmother to her three grandsons, Sean, Justin, and Zachary. She’d often care for them while her daughters went to work, and she always enjoyed those quality times.

Betty was a super friendly and outgoing person. She made friends wherever she went and if you were friends with Betty, you were friends for life!

Betty will be remembered for her kind, generous, and fun loving spirit. Rest in peace Betty, until we meet again!

Betty was the beloved wife of Frank, blessed in a loving marriage until his passing in 2006. She was the very loving mother of Robert, Susan, Elizabeth and husband Dean and Ellen and husband Andy; adoring and cherished grandmother of: Sean, Justin and wife Katie, and Zachary; and loving great grandmother to Sloan;  She was also predeceased by her son-in-law Robert in 2005.

Because children were so precious to Betty, in lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in her name are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing,

501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959

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John Bogle, age 68 of Pompton Plains and formerly of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 18.

John, known as “JB” by his closest friends, grew up in Wayne and graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the class of 1972. His stunning blue eyes and cute freckles earned him the title of “Best Looking” in his graduating class. Throughout the years, John remained very close to many of his high school friends and football teammates. He loved music, played the guitar, and has been a loyal Bruce Springsteen fan since the 1970’s. He also had a hand in photography, flying planes and had a love for cars. John was an amazing athlete and played baseball in a men’s league well into his 40’s. John also coached for the Pequannock Mighty-Mites youth football from 1990-1998 as well as the Pequannock Township Little League Girls Softball team. Many kids surely remember Coach JB, his love for the game and his aviators.

John began his career as a parts manager for several NJ car dealerships. In the 1990’s he worked for ADP as a senior customer technical analyst, where he received numerous awards for customer service. John retired in 2017.

John and his loving companion, Maryann enjoyed their time together hosting backyard barbecues serving JB’s famous ribs, London Broil and chicken wings and spending time at the Jersey shore. John’s backyard and garage were his favorite places to be. Affectionately called "Bud" by Maryann, he was always building, tinkering and fixing things around the house with a Budweiser in hand and one of his many tools in another. John created the best atmosphere. Whether it was playing the perfect playlist on his speakers or strumming on his guitar along to the radio, he was always making his and Maryann’s home a place you never wanted to leave.

John’s greatest joy was found in his children and his grandchildren. When talking about his twin daughters, Brittany and Danielle, his blue eyes would twinkle. John could have been described as shy at times, but when talking about his family, their careers, and his grandchildren, he was full of life and humor. He was the grandpa that was always trying to make the kids laugh, and was affectionately called “J-Pop” by Maryann’s grandchildren. He loved telling jokes, kidding around, and making popcorn and Skittles, a “J-Pop creation” approved to eat at any time of the day. He shared endless love to his grandchildren and they will each miss him dearly.

John’s quick wit, big smile, baby blue eyes, big hugs and huge heart will be missed by all.

John is survived by his long time partner, Maryann Skaflestad of Pompton Plains. Also, his two daughters, Brittany Bogle Lockwood and her husband William of Lafayette, NJ, and Danielle Bogle Gonabe and her husband Matthew of Fairfax, VA; Maryann's daughters, Dana Hafner and her husband Steve of Pompton Plains, and Kara Frazier and her husband Ben of West Linn, OR. He is also the beloved grandpa to Ava, Leah, Stella, Noah, Luke, and “J-Pop” to Caroline, Charlotte, and Aubrey. He is also survived by his two sisters Susan Revella and Linda Malinoski. John was predeceased by his brother, William “Billy” Bogle, his father, William Bogle, and his mother, Margaret Bogle.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of John to Fighting Pretty www.fightingpretty.org/donate.

Angelina Kobylarz (nee DiRienzo), age 95, of Pompton Plains and formerly of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 18, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Angelina was born in Newark, NJ and spent her formative years growing up in Bloomfield. As a young woman she attended Bloomfield High School graduating with the class of 1944. Following her graduation from Bloomfield High School, Angelina enrolled at a local Secretarial School learning shorthand as well as many different bookkeeping skills. Angelina put her newly learned skill to work and found employment quickly at a company called Star Kimball in Bloomfield. She worked there for several years. While employed at Star Kimball, Angelina worked alongside a handsome young man by the name of Joseph Kobylarz. Joseph asked Angelina out on a date and they hit it off great. After dating for a couple of years, as fate would have it, they fell in love and on August 28, 1954 they became husband and wife at a church in Newark.

After getting married, the newlyweds settled in Clifton where they lived for a few years. While living in Clifton, Angelina and Joe welcomed the births of both of their daughters, Barbara, and Carol. Shortly after the birth of their second child, the family moved to Wayne where they remained for many years to come. After Angelina’s children were born, she decided that she would become a full-time homemaker, dedicating her life to raising her children. She remained a dedicated homemaker for many years. Angelina was not only dedicated to her family but also to her Catholic Faith. She and her family were parishioners of Our Lady of Consolation RC Church in Wayne for many years.

When Angelina’s children had grown, she then decided to get back into the workplace and accepted a position at Dockray Office Furniture when she again called on her secretarial skills. There she was employed in the accounting department performing various bookkeeping duties.

Some of Angelina’s favorite past times included Antiquing around New Jersey and spending time at the Jersey Shore. Her father had built a home in Long Beach Island many years ago, and her family would spend their summers there exclusively. She also cherished dining with family and friends at local restaurants and enjoyed gardening around her home. She loved to shop for just about anything and looked forward to hosting the holidays year after year. As a young girl she also participated in women’s bowling leagues in her area and also loved to dance. Aside from all of Angelina’s talents, hobbies and interests, her greatest passion was for her family. Nothing in the world meant more to Angelina than spending time with and providing for her children and grandchildren. She was a truly devoted mother and grandmother. She treasured giving her grandchildren surprises . She and her husband Joseph cherished forty-two years of loving and loyal marriage until Joseph’s passing in 1995.

Angelina was a sweet and caring person who had a delightful sense of humor and could light up any room that she walked into. Her personality was infectious and brought smiles to the faces of the people she was with. She was also strong willed and was not afraid to speak her mind or let you know what she thought. You always knew where you stood with Angelina. She was a very special person who touched the lives of everyone that knew her and will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.

Angelina is survived by her two daughters; Barbara Zabransky and her husband Bruce of Pompton Plains, NJ, and Carol Liebchen and her husband Rick of St Petersburg, FL, one brother Orlando DiRienzo and his wife Veronica of Pottersville, NJ, four grandchildren; Brittany Zabransky of Pompton Plains, NJ, Brandi Zabransky of Pompton Plains, NJ, Paige Liebchen of St Petersburg, FL, and Brooke Liebchen of St Petersburg, FL, two nieces; Lisa Landers, and Nancy DiRienzo, and four nephews; Stephen DiRienzo, Christopher DiRienzo, David DiRienzo, and Joseph DiRienzo. She was predeceased by her sisters; Terry Pompeo, and Mary DiRienzo, her brother Armand DiRienzo, and her niece Karen DiRienzo.

In lieu of flowers donations in Angelina’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association National Processing Center, Greater NJ Chapter, PO Box 96011 Washington DC 20090www.alz.org

Rocco Vincenzo Sivolella, age 15 and a freshman at Wayne Valley High School, lost his battle with leukemia on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. He was first diagnosed in January of this year, and the past few months have been nothing short of a whirlwind. Rocco received an outpouring of love and support from his friends, the local community, professional athletes, and complete strangers alike. Rocco personified courage, and he never allowed himself to consider this outcome. He kept a positive attitude to the very end, and among his last requests to his parents was; “I just wanna go home.” Although his parents, family and friends are heartbroken beyond measure, the sting in their grief is just a little bit easier to tolerate knowing that Rocco left this world a better place through his love, kindness, and gracious spirit. By all measure, Rocco left this world a better place not only because of who he was, but because of how he treated others while he was with us.

Rocco was a huge sports fan since his earliest years. He loved statistics and was a bit of savant, knowing all the numbers for each team and many players in the NFL and Major League Baseball. He just loved it! He’s a huge fan of the NY GIANTS (and season ticket holder!), and equally devoted to the NY YANKEES. He played Wayne Panthers Football and Little League Baseball since he was a youngster, and he was a standout on the Wayne Valley High School football team this past fall – his freshman year. Rocco was invited to the Wayne Little League opening day this April 23rd, where he joined Mayor Vergano and threw out the first pitch to start the season. It was a great honor and he was thrilled to be there.

For those who knew Rocco, he was a genuinely kind person who was always concerned about others. His girlfriend of two years, Jessica Cappadona, recognized his compassionate and warm personality as early as the 7th grade. Rocco truly cared for and loved her. The relationship and special bond they shared was a gift that they will both always treasure. His mom recalls Rocco offering her comfort when he was just a little kid, saying things like; “it’ll be OK mom.” Recently, Rocco’s teachers from Anthony Wayne Middle School made him a video tribute, and each attested to the positive impact that Rocco had on all of them. Even the hospital staff, who work with hundreds of patients, were moved by Rocco’s compassionate and kind persona, and they found him to be a pleasure to be around. One of his doctors even brought him a guitar in the hospital when they learned that he had recently begun practicing the base guitar. Rocco was inspired by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and really wanted to learn how to play the base. Rocco had a sort of ‘old soul,’ and could carry on a conversation with anyone, children and adults alike. He would call people on special occasions, like their birthday or on a holiday, just to let them know he was thinking of them. How many 15 year old boys do that? He was equally considerate of his little sister, Antonia, and his little brother, Franco James. He recently spent over an hour, very patiently pitching a whiffle ball to Antonia, teaching her how to hit, and all the while Franco James was riding his tricycle through the pitching lane! Rocco’s patience never waned, because his huge heart would have never allowed it to. They will all miss him dearly.

Rocco is survived by his loving mom; Paula Corrieri of Wayne, his best-friend and dad; Anthony Rocco Sivolella and his wife, and Rocco’s ‘bonus mom,’ Michelle Sivolella of Brooklyn, NY, his sister; Antonia Sivolella and brother; Franco James Sivolella of Brooklyn, NY, grandparents; Vincenzo and Felicia Corrieri of N. Haledon, NJ, and Natalie and Franco DeNicola of Brooklyn, NY, his aunt; Enza Aquino, aunt Gina Yannuzzi and her husband Angelo, and Uncle Paul DeNicola and his wife Enza, and cousins; Mia Aquino, Luca and Ava Yannuzzi, Matteo, Giovanni, and Francesca DeNicola, and Daniel and Samantha Sivolella, as well as an untold number of friends and loved ones. Rocco was predeceased by his paternal grandparents; Nina and James Sivolella.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rocco’s memory would be appreciated to Child Life at NYU Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, www.nyulangone.org

Amanda Elizabeth Neufeld (nee DeFeo), age 38, of Pompton Plains passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

Amanda was born in Ridgewood and spent her formative years living in Haledon.  She was one of three children to Daniel and Giuliana DeFeo.   At about the age of thirteen, Amanda and her family moved to Wayne, NJ.  As a young girl growing up, Amanda played little league softball and truly enjoyed it.  While living in Wayne she attended Wayne Valley High School.  As a student at Wayne Valley, she was elected President of her senior class and played for the Wayne Valley HS girls’ varsity softball team.  As President of her senior class, she took on the responsibility for organizing her class reunions over the years.   Amanda also excelled in Audio Visual Production as a young girl and participated in theatre productions while a student.  One of her shining moments was playing the character of Mae Paterson in her eighth-grade play.  Amanda had many friends growing up and cherished all their friendships throughout her lifetime.

Following Amanda’s graduation from Wayne Valley High School with the class of 2001, she enrolled at William Paterson University where she studied Communications.  Amanda earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2006.

Amanda Found work quickly working for her family’s business Dif’s Electrical Services Inc. located in Paterson and Wayne. While working closely with her family, she shared the title of Office Manager with her mom Giuliana.  After working at the family business for about thirteen years, Amanda accepted another position at UBS Financial in Weehawken, NJ.  There, she was employed in Project Management Support.  Amanda worked for UBS for the next four years until her passing.

In 2005 while still in college, Amanda took a job as a hostess at a local bar and restaurant.  While working as a hostess she caught the eye of a handsome young man named Wayne Neufeld who ate his lunch there at the restaurant several days a week. Wayne asked Amanda out for some dinner and the two hit it off great.  Amanda and Wayne started dating and as fate would have it, they fell in love and became husband and wife on October 11, 2008.  The couple got married at St Anthony’s Church in Hawthorne and the newlyweds immediately settled in Pompton Plains where they have been ever since.  Shortly after moving to Pompton Plains, Amanda and Wayne welcomed the births of both their sons, Justin, and John.

As her two boys started growing up, Amanda devoted herself to her sons.  She took on the position of assistant coach for their baseball and soccer teams and attended many of their Boy Scout meetings.

Amanda enjoyed gardening in her front and back yard, planting flowers and decorating her home’s landscape.   She continued to play softball in local leagues for fun for several years and liked to go hiking.  Above all else, Amanda’s greatest passion was for her family and her dog Marley. Nothing in the world meant more to Amanda than providing for and spending time with her children, family, dog and friends. Amanda was wonderfully social with everyone that she met and made friends wherever she went.  She was delightfully outgoing and could talk to anyone about anything.  She was a brilliant listener and always took in everything someone said to her.  Friends and family would often get surprised by Amanda with specific gifts they had only mention to her in passing during a casual conversation.  She was extremely thoughtful, generous, and constantly put the needs and wants of others around her before her own.  Amanda was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Amanda is survived by her husband Wayne Neufeld of Pompton Plains, NJ, two sons; Justin Daniel Neufeld of Pompton Plains, NJ, and John Preston Neufeld of Pompton Plains, NJ, her parents Giuliana and Daniel DeFeo of Wayne, NJ, one sister Sheri Salamanca and her husband Paul of Chester, NJ, one brother Daniel S DeFeo and his wife Cheryl of Hillsdale, NJ, and her grandfather Luciano Mifka of Paterson, NJ, her aunt Madeline Mifka of Paterson, NJ, her mother in law Kristin Neufeld of Rochester, NY, her sister in laws; Terumi Neufeld of Westport, MA and Sayumi Lilie and her husband Gerald of Framingham, MA, five nieces; Kaylee, Emilia, Emma, Elizabeth, and Ella, and  two nephews; Jackson, and Mason..  She was predeceased by her father in law John Neufeld and three of her grandparents; Dante DeFeo, Rose DeFeo, and Elizabeth Mifka.

In lieu of flowers donations in Amanda's namecan be made to the American foundation for Suicide Prevention,  http://www.afsp.org

Irma Kurdyla (nee Repac), age 93, of Towaco passed away peacefully on Monday, May 16, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Irma was born and raised in Newark, NJ and was one of five children to Matus and Mary Repac.  As a young girl of five years old, Irma was running across the street when she was struck by a car. Irma was seriously hurt in the accident, and it had a profound effect on her life moving forward.  While living in Newark, Irma attended East Side High School.  After leaving high school, Irma went to work for Synthetics Plastic Company in Newark for several years.  In the late 1940’s while at the Polish Falcons of America Club in Newark, Irma met a handsome young man by the name of William Kurdyla.  William and Irma hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on May 19, 1951 William and Irma became husband and wife at St Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church in the Ironbound section of Newark.

After getting married, the newlyweds settled in Newark where they lived for several years.  While living in Newark, Irma and William welcomed the births of their two sons, William and Steven.   As their children grew, the family relocated to Belleville, NJ where they remained for the next fifty-one years.  Once her children were born, Irma became a became a full-time homemaker.  This was truly Irma’s calling and where she genuinely flourished.  Irma dedicated her life to her family and was always there when they needed her.  When her sons were attending grammar school, she volunteered at their school to be closer to them.

Irma enjoyed watching game shows on television and participated in bowling leagues as a young woman. One of her favorite pastimes was creating and painting ceramic statues.  So many of her friends and family members will remember receiving pink or blue teddy bears when children were born.  All of Irma’s family members had their houses decorated with painted ceramic Christmas Trees during the holiday season.  Irma and her family were parishioners of St Peter’s RC Church in Belleville for many years.  Aside from all of Irma’s talents, hobbies and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Irma than providing for and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Irma and William cherished fifty-eight years of loving and loyal marriage until William’s passing in June of 2009.

Irma was an outgoing person who loved spending time with her family and friends.  She and her family spent many summers at the Jersey Shore and in the Poconos for vacations.  Irma was known to have a heart of gold and loved conversing with people about anything.  She had an infectious personality that always brought a smile to the people around her.  She was truly a special person who will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Irma is survived by her two sons William Kurdyla and his wife Diane of Wayne, NJ, and Steven Kurdyla and his wife Kathy of Towaco, NJ, four grandchildren; Kaitlin Kurdyla of Wayne, Kimberly Forsyth and her husband Jason of Towaco, Jenna Zamora and her husband Denis of Wayne, and Dana Lynn Kurdyla of Pompton Plains, and four great grandchildren; Delaney Kurdyla, Jake Forsyth, Natalie Forsyth, and Phoebe Zamora. She was predeceased by her husband William Kurdyla in 2009, and her siblings Joseph Repac, Pauline Bradley, Helen Belus, and Charles Repac.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Irma’s name can be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 – 9959 http://www.stjude.org

Marion J. Velechko, age 75, of Toms River and formerly of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, while surrounded by the tender presence of her loved and adoring family.

Born in 1947 in Passaic, the first-born child of William and Mary (Malik) Kudla’s six children, Marion’s childhood was spent in Clifton, before moving into a new home in 1956 that her parents built together, brick by brick on Alps Road in Wayne. Growing up in a close-knit and extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, Marion’s childhood included Sunday cook-outs at the house playing games in the pool and yard. Marion and her siblings enjoyed adventures with Mom and Dad to places like Land of Make Believe, Great Adventure, and Seaside Heights. As adults, Marion cherished gathering with her sisters and brother for holidays, crafting, and cookie making.  The Kudla siblings treasured their deepening friendship through the years.

Marion was a graduate of Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1965. While in school, she worked part time at Two Guys Department Store where Riverview Drive and Route 46 come together in Totowa (where the Home Depot presently stands). She impressed her bosses so much that, after graduation, they asked her to stay as a full-time secretary. Having enjoyed the job, she accepted their offer and worked while completing her studies at Berkley Secretarial School.

As a young lady, Marion married Ken Garry and they moved to Florida. It was always Marion’s greatest wish to be a mom. That wish came true! She was first blessed with a baby girl, Kelly, who was soon followed by her little sister Stacy. Marion eventually moved back to NJ with the girls, settling at first in a one-bedroom, one-bath apartment in Wayne. Through hard work and help from her family and friends, she raised her daughters. She showered them with love and despite living on a shoestring budget, Marion strived to give them the kind of childhood she had. Marion secured a position with American Cyanamid near her home in Wayne. Her success there led to a position with Cytec Industries, a specialty chemical company in West Paterson (today known as Woodland Park). When Stacy and Kelly were in fifth and seventh grade, Marion and the girls moved to Pompton Lakes where they remained until her daughters graduated high school.

While working at Cytec Industries, Marion had the good fortune to meet her co-worker Walter Velechko. Friendship grew to love, and they married in 1998. A few years later, Marion and Walter purchased a beautiful, yet old and dilapidated, Victorian farmhouse in Hamden, NY. For many years they spent their weekends returning the house to its original glory. Marion retired and moved into the house full-time, opening it as Moonshadows and Memories Bed and Breakfast. Walter had a few more years before retirement so, in the meantime, he joined Marion on the weekends to serve their guests. They so looked forward to the day when Walter could join full-time but Walter sadly passed away before retiring.

After Walter’s passing, she became reacquainted with Andrew Acker, a classmate from Wayne Valley High School. They developed a warm, loving, and tender bond and remained hip-to-hip right up until Marion’s passing. Sharing a love of the Jersey shore, in July 2020, they moved to Toms River.

Marion’s mother Mary was a creative person who passed on the “creative bug” to all her children. Marion’s own sense of creativity came through several expressions. Marion was an avid dancer, dancing literally and figuratively, through life. One of Marion’s many pastimes was getting together with the Spinning Wheels Square Dance Club in Wayne. She danced with the club for decades, enjoying the friendships as much as the dancing. Marion enjoyed nature’s embrace, especially from her New York back porch and her Toms River “senior lounge” three-seasons room. In Toms River her love of nature became tempered by deer eating her plantings; the battle was futile.  She incorporated nature into her joy of painting as she created scenes featuring waterbodies, birds, covered bridges, and lighthouses. Marion’s artistry extended to pottery.  She made enough pieces to sell and named her enterprise “One of a Kind Pottery” because she couldn’t possibly make matching pieces.

Marion easily developed deep and long lasting friendships.  Everywhere she lived, Marion bonded with neighbors and others pursuing the same interests.  She remains close with friends from as early as high school. Despite the miles that sometime separated them, their bonds remained rock-solid.  Her varied groups of friends found ways to stay connected in-person, on the phone, and through the mail.

Kelly, Stacy, and Caitlyn are the most important parts of Marion’s life. Becoming a Mom was Marion’s life goal and giving birth to Kelly and Stacy were her most precious days. Despite the incredibly difficult time of Kelly’s untimely death in 2001, Marion believed she would see her again with her own passing. For Stacy, just one of many ways Marion demonstrated her love was by finding the means to put her through college. Over the years, their relationship developed from mother-daughter to mother-daughter-friend. Marion and Stacy simply loved doing life together! Marion was so proud of the accomplished woman Stacy became and rejoiced in her relationship with Kevin. Marion’s bond with Caitlyn is also a highlight. In Caitlyn’s early years, they lived nearby, bringing Marion joy and hope for her future. She was so proud of Caitlyn as she pursues her quest to become a registered nurse.

In the words of Marion herself: “My dear family, I will love you for all eternity and until we meet again you will be forever with my soul.”

Marion was the adored and adoring mother of Kelly Garry (predeceased in 2001), and Stacy Toner and husband Kevin of Wildwood Crest; cherished grandmother of Caitlyn Rohmert of Boonton;  tenderly-loved daughter of William Kudla (predeceased in 2018) and Mary Kudla (predeceased in 2016); much loved older sister of Patricia Kudla of Tuxedo, NY, Barbara Rissman of Tionesta, CA, Kenneth Kudla (predeceased in 2021), Kim Kudla of Warwick, NY, and Darlene  Grasso of Highland Lakes; beloved wife of Walter Velechko (predeceased in 2015); precious long-time companion of Andrew Acker of Toms River; dear aunt of Bryson Nieves of Warwick, NY, Erin Addison of Tionesta, CA, Jessica Peabody of Orangevale, CA, Joshua Rissman (predeceased in 2017), and Michael Rissman of Tionesta, CA;  and dear great-aunt of: Alyssa Addison of Tionesta, CA, Brandon Valencia of Orangevale, CA, Jesse Addison of Tionesta, CA, Jayson Peabody of Orangevale, CA, Aiden Odle of Tionesta, CA and Rusty Addison of Tionesta, CA.

Dress however makes you comfortable to celebrate Marion.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy to honor Marion’s life are encouraged to give a gift to a charitable organization of their own choosing.

Josefina “Sipin” G. DeCastro, age 89, of Wayne passed Saturday, May 14, ,2022.

She was born and raised in Ilocos Sur, Philippines before coming to the United States to live with her son Butch in 1986. She settled into life with Butch’s family in Clifton and later moved with the family to Wayne where they have lived since 2000.

Josefina was a great cook who specialized in putting her special Filipino touch on everything including vegetables and her special Adobo sauce. She was reserved but loved to talk and joke.  She enjoyed watching television and especially enjoyed the show General Hospital and anything to do with Hillary Clinton.

She was the loving wife of the late Ilustrisimo Batac who passed while Josefina was still living in the Philippines; she was the devoted mother of her son Butch and his wife Marilou of Wayne; she was the cherished grandmother of Roger Batac, Ryan Batac (Maranella), Brandon Batac, and Alexander Bes; she was the adored great-grandmother of Raven, Cyrus, and Danielle.

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

John W. Kelly, age 50, of Wayne passed Saturday, May 14, 2022.

He was born in Pequannock to Sheila and Francis E. Kelly, MD and was a lifelong resident of Wayne.  Actually John’s birth is somewhat of a miracle as he was born prematurely at just 2 lbs 10 oz. He was airlifted from Chilton Hospital to Cornell Medical Center in New York City where he would spend several months before coming home to Wayne.

John graduated from Wayne Valley High School and continued his education at Montclair State University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in History.  John’s love for history transcended into his everyday life.  He was always visiting the Wayne Public Library and would spend hours at the local Barns & Noble bookstore. He was a researcher and historian tracing his family history back generations and loved researching his Irish heritage. John had a thirst for knowledge and education was everything to him.

John was a loyal, friendly, caring, and devoted man.  Family was everything to him. He cared for and was extremely dedicated to both of his parents and saw them through their autumn years through their passing away. He was always their go-to caretaker and caring for them was one of his greatest loves.

John maintained the same small group of friends ever since high school. He was loyal to them as they were to him. John‘s friends meant the world to him.

John’s first job was at the Kings Supermarket in Wayne. He helped his brother as an office manager at US Sign and Lighting Service in Wayne for about fifteen years.  He always seemed to return to the food service industry and more recently has worked at the Whole Foods in Wayne and the Stop & Shop Supermarket in Wayne.

John was the loving brother of Frank and his wife Dana Kelly of Wayne, Michael and his wife Tara of Hewitt, and the late James Kelly (d. 1990); he was the loving uncle of James and Rebecca Kelly.

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In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne Public Library, 461 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470.  Please to be sure and put “In Memory of John Kelly” on the memo of your check.

Anne T. Kaluschny (nee Sautner), age 85 of Wayne, died peacefully on Thursday, May 12, 2022. She has been a resident of Wayne since 1967.

Anne was born in Hungary and grew up there during World War II. At the end of the war, her family fled to Western Germany, escaping the Russian occupation of Hungary. They lived in Germany for a few years before emigrating to the U.S. in 1950. She settled in The Bronx, NY where she went to Morris High School, graduating in 1954. Among her high school classmates was Colin Powell.

Shortly after high school, Anne met Erwin Kaluschny at a local soccer game. Anne’s brother was on the same team as Erwin, and she would often go along with him to watch the matches. During one of the games, Erwin was sidelined and as he walked by her, Anne offered him an apple. He gladly accepted and then asked her to go dancing. As it turned out, they really “clicked” on the dance floor and their relationship blossomed quickly. On December 28, 1957 they tied the knot at St. Bonaventure’s Church in Paterson, thus beginning a wonderful marriage that would last for sixty-five years. They lived in Haledon, NJ before moving to Wayne in 1967. Together, they were a very active and social couple, dancing often, bowling competitively well into their senior years, and they enjoyed being in several social groups, soccer clubs and Saengerbund. They travelled extensively and have been to several destinations in South America, Europe and the Caribbean, with Germany among her favorite destinations. Being a homemaker was perhaps what brought her the greatest joy in her life. She enjoyed crocheting, was an excellent baker, and her cooking was exceptional – especially the traditional Hungarian meals she prepared. Anne’s favorite title was as “Oma” to her four grandchildren. She took an active role raising them and she loved every minute of it. She was the most kind and loving grandmother, and they will each miss her and cherish her memory for years to come.

Anne is survived by her loving husband, Erwin of Wayne, their daughter Ilona Rakitze of Wayne, four grandsons; Christian Rakitze, Jonathan Reina, and Daniel and Thomas Kaluschny. She was predeceased by her son Bobby in 2008, and by her brother, John Sautner, Jr. in 2000.

Anita Spota, age 101, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

Born on February 21, 1921 in New York City’s Little Italy, she was the daughter of Frank Iula and Maria Gubitosi Iula.

In 1952 she married Arthur Spota, Sr., also in Little Italy. Sadly, Anita was widowed in 1957 and is survived by her only son Arthur, Jr, daughter-in-law Virginia, and her granddaughter Astrid Spota and husband Jared Wolfe.

Before moving to Wayne in the 1970’s, she worked as an administrator for Blue Cross Blue Shield and at the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn. Later Anita owned and ran the Gold Leaf Restaurant in New York City. While living in Wayne, she worked for many years at the New York Kennel Club in Wayne.

Anita was fiercely independent, strong willed, sociable and young at heart. She was truly ahead of her time! She loved fashion, jewelry, and adored animals, especially dogs.

Anita’s family would like to thank her many friends, her long-time aid Connie Batres and her doctor, Dr. Jeanette Biller for their compassion and unparalleled care. Thanks also to all the staff at Lincoln Park Renaissance - James, Albert, Rosine, Rosa, Mio, Esther, Daniel, and Moroly who not only cared for her but who were like family.

In lieu of flowers and because of her love for animals, memorial contributions in Anita’s name can be made to one of the following two charitable organizations:

Friends of Wayne Animal Shelter (FOWA)

PO Box 3701

Wayne, NJ 07470

Wayne Animal Shelter

201 Pompton Plains Crossroads (Jackson Ave. Extension)

Wayne, NJ 07470

Albert “Big Al” Manzo, age 62, of Wayne passed Monday, May 9, 2022.

He was born to Frank and Elisa Manzo in Paterson and raised in West Paterson.  Al graduated from Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls with the Class of 1977. During his high school years he was usually found at his father's shop, Lee’s Auto Sales & Towing, on the corner of Market and 26th Streets in Paterson.  At the age of 14, Al went to Florida to get a driver’s license, a somewhat family tradition at the time, and began driving and towing for his father. As Al’s dad became sick, Al took over the family business, which soon became Paterson Towing, where he made millions of longtime friends.

Al will be lovingly remembered for his fun and crazy demeanor.  He was the kind of guy who didn’t have a filter, said it like it was, and had the mouth that would make a sailer spin, qualities that he managed to make quite endearing. That being said he was truly generous and had a huge heart for kids, many of which called him the "Fat Man".

Al met his wife to be Judy Gallipoli at a mutual friend’s wedding.  They dated and soon fell in love. Al asked Judy to marry him on Christmas Eve at his mom’s home.  They married on September 23, 1984 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Paterson and, of course, had their reception at The Brownstone House (another family tradition) in Paterson.  After partying all night, they honeymooned in Fort Lauderdale, or at least tried to before being nearly blown away by a hurricane. Judy and Al had a loving and devoted marriage of thirty-eight years that was blessed with laughter, two children, Al and Chris Manzo, and one grandchild, Abby.

Al was the loving husband of Judy Manzo; devoted father of Al Manzo and his wife Alycia of Wayne and Chris Manzo and his girlfriend Brittany of Wayne; he was the cherished son of Elisa Manzo of Montville and the late Frank Manzo (d. 1990); he was the loved brother of Edie Manzo Calvitti and her husband Bill of Montville, and the late Frank Manzo (d. 2004); the adored grandfather of Abigail; and will be dearly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Al would have appreciated memorial donations to The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick (https://www.saintpetershcs.com/donate) or any other organization dedicated to helping children.

Suresh Brito, age 77, of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 8, 2022.

Suresh was the sixth of Joseph and Mabel (Saldanha) Brito’s ten children, born and raised in Mangalore, India. His family was in the roof tiling manufacturing business and, with their company located along the Netravati River, water was an integral part of Suresh’s childhood. It was his place to swim and fish. One could say the water was literally his childhood toy.

Following graduation from high school, Suresh pursued further education at Mysore University in India and graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Chemistry and Math. After the completion of college, he moved into a managing role in the family business – Joe Tile Works.

Suresh met the love of his life, Astrid Mathias for the first time in December of 1972. The encounter took place at the wedding of his neighbor to Astrid’s cousin. Due to cultural customs in India, they never even spoke to one another at that wedding but, to Suresh, it was a very significant encounter, for on that day, Suresh knew Astrid was the girl he wanted to marry. For Astrid, the feeling was not mutual. Over the ensuing months and years, Suresh persisted in his quest for Astrid’s love. They talked on the telephone from time to time and continued to “run into each other” at weddings as well as Christmas and New Year’s dances. It’s important to understand that back then, courtship customs in India were very different than in America so, while there were occasional encounters, they were typically somewhat brief and sporadic. In India, marriages were usually arranged and while Suresh’s parents did their best to arrange for an opportunity for him to propose, Astrid and her family avoided there attempts as she was too young. One day while at the beach, Suresh got his chance. He asked for Astrid’s hand in marriage but, feeling like she hardly knew him, she said she had to ask her parents. Being eternally optimistic, her answer did not deter Suresh from telling his parents that Astrid said YES! The next attempt was made by Suresh’s mother Mabel and his best friend Lancy. They visited Astrid’s parents to arrange the marriage. Again, Astrid rejected the proposal because she was planning to move to the Middle East to be closer to her brother. Upon this latest rejection Lancy got together with Astrid and was actually able to convince her to marry Suresh. She said yes and the word spread as quick as a grassfire that Suresh and Astrid were going to marry, but that same night she again began having second thoughts. Lancy and Astrid's mother took Astrid and Suresh to the beach so that they could spend some quality time together where their love blossomed. They wed on Saturday, May 15, 1976 and their vows were made at the Milagres R.C. Church in Mangalore, India. It was a three day celebration with 500 guests at the ceremony in the church and 300 at the reception. After their honeymoon at Astrid’s family’s coffee plantation, Suresh and Astrid began married life in their hometown of Mangalore. Throughout the years, their love grew stronger and stronger and this coming May 15 they would have celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary.

Desiring a better life for their yet to be born children, Suresh and Astrid made the decision of a lifetime when on February 26, 1980, they moved to the United States. With some of Suresh’s siblings having already made the move, they initially stayed with Suresh’s sister Vim in Wayne. Astrid got a job to support her and Suresh while he attended NYU to pursue a degree in programming. He also studied nuclear medicine through a program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. While in school he and Astrid were able to stay in housing owned by the hospital. Suresh went on to become supervisor of nuclear medicine and eventually department chief at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. During the span of his career he also worked at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City before wrapping up a rewarding career at Saint Mary’s General Hospital.  He entered into full retirement in 2016 at age 71.

Soon after coming to America, Suresh and Astrid were blessed with two beautiful children – first their daughter Shebonie followed by their son Daryl. In 1985 they moved to Wayne and in 1993 they moved into their present forever home nearby. Suresh was by nature a homebody. During the warmer months you could be sure to find him in his back yard working in his huge 40 foot by 40 foot vegetable garden. He grew so many delicious vegetables that the family literally never had to purchase produce from the store…..never! In fact, his crops were so bountiful that he froze a lot of what he grew and the family enjoyed fresh food throughout the winters. Even after doing that, there was still plenty left to share with neighbors and friends. Harkening back to his childhood where he regularly fished along the river by his family’s business, Suresh never lost his love for fishing. It remained a favorite pastime throughout his life so trips were regularly made down the Jersey shore to Manasquan and Point Pleasant and, when visiting his son Daryl in Tampa, Florida, they’d always go fishing there too. Suresh also found great enjoyment in being a self-taught stock trader. He was always reading about the subject and was always looking to deal.

Above all else, nothing was as important to Suresh as his faith and his family. A parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary R. C. Church in Wayne since 1985, Suresh’s faith was foundational to everything that he thought about and did. Most recently, he regularly tuned into the Sunday, 9:00 AM mass via livestream. His love and adoration for his wife Astrid was eternal, and he always wanted the best for his children. He loved quality time with his grandchildren Victoria and Justin and, even as recently as this past Sunday, May 8, Suresh beamed with pride as he watched Victoria partake in her first communion. Being someone who was happiest when home with the ones he loved, it was hard to get Suresh to go out, but ironically, once you got him out, he was the most outgoing, charming, and sociable individual in the room!

Suresh was a spitfire! He told it as he saw it, was tenacious about getting his way and always seemed to want to have the last word. He was a principled man who worked hard, took his faith in God seriously, and did his best to be a great provider. With his ear-to-ear smile and charming personality, he was dearly loved by all who had the honor of knowing him.  

Suresh was the beloved husband of Astrid (nee Mathias), blessed in marriage for almost 46 years. He was the very loving father of Shebonie and husband Peter Gabriele of Montville and Daryl Brito of Tampa, Florida; adoring grandfather of Victoria and Justin Gabriele; dearest brother of: Thelma, Phylis, the late Felix, the late Archie, Vimala, the late Shanthi, Vasanthi, Ashok, and the late Marina; and dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Suresh’s name are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Christine Tonnesen, age 95 of Wayne, died on Friday, May 6th, 2022.

Christine was born in Brooklyn, New York and graduated from Fort Hamilton High School in 1944. That same year, she married her husband, Louie, who she had known for years through family and mutual friends. They were married at Bethelship Norwegian Methodist Church in Brooklyn on May 27, 1944.

In 1949, they bought land in Packanack Lake and built a house on Hillside Terrace. Christine loved living in the lake community. In fact, she lived in four different houses in Packanack during her lifetime. She loved family celebrations and enjoyed socializing with her neighbors, all of whom remained lifetime friends.

Christine was a member of the Packanack Community church and enjoyed singing in the church choir. After 25 years at State Farm insurance company, she retired and spent many happy years at the Packanack Lake Golf Club. She proved herself to be a competitive golfer having won many awards which were proudly displayed in her home.

Having lived a long and healthy life, she was fortunate to be able to enjoy both her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters: Gail Van Dyken of Wayne, Nancy Belline of Succasunna, and Karen LaRusso and her husband, Michael of Point Pleasant, N.J.; 12 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Ludwig, of more than 60 years in 2005 and by her daughter, Lynn White of Caledonia, Michigan in 2017.

Gloria Bsales (nee Shakal) age 95 of Wayne, died peacefully on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Paterson, New Jersey when she was seven years old. Gloria graduated from Central High School in Paterson in 1944.

Her first job was as a seamstress in Passaic making coats. She worked there for one year before marrying the love of her life, Mike Bsales. Mike and Gloria were married at St. Ann's Church on February 6, 1949 and enjoyed sixty-five years of a loving and caring marriage before Michael passed away in 2014.

Gloria’s main love in her life was her family. She was an exceptional mom who loved to crochet blankets for her children and grandchildren. She was an excellent all around cook and her special touch on Syrian specialties and pastries will be greatly missed. One of her proudest moments of being a grandmother was accompanying her son-in-law Tony (Michele’s husband) to Cyprus to help with the adoption of her grandson Anthony. Sadly, both Michele and Anthony predeceased Gloria, but they are all happily reunited now in Heaven.

Gloria was dedicated to her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Ann's Melkite Catholic Church. At the church she was involved as an advisor, a member of the Ladies Society, Rosary Society, and the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization).

In recent years, Gloria was especially grateful for the loving care she received from her live-in caregiver, Eva Butryn. Eva was devoted to Gloria and they quickly became close friends. There wasn't anything that Eva wouldn’t do for Gloria, and these past few years were made easier for Gloria because of Eva’s care.

Gloria was the loving mother of Frank Bsales of Highland Lakes, NJ, Robin Puchalski and her husband Ron of Chandler, AZ, Merry Bsales of Wayne, and Lisa Loffredo and her husband Gary of Wayne, and son-in-law, Tony Rowek of Wayne, cherished grandmother of nine grandchildren; Michael Bsales, Anthony Bsales, Nicholas Rowek, Glen Puchalski, Bobby Puchalski, Maria Costello, Alyssa Loffredo, Nicole Loffredo, and Victoria Loffredo, and seven great-grandchildren. Gloria was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael in 2014, her daughter Michele in 2019, and two grandchildren; Anthony Rowek in 2017 and Kelly Puchalski in 2019, as well as her three siblings, Dolores Morea, Louis Shakal and Joan DeBlasio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org, would be appreciated.

Anita Scarmozza (nee Bernal), age 67, of Kinnelon passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 5, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Anita was born and raised in Paterson, NJ and was one of four children to John and Maria Bernal.  While growing up in Paterson, Anita attended Eastside High School where she excelled in academics.  Because of her excellence in academics, Anita was awarded an academic scholarship to attend William Paterson University following her high school graduation in 1972.  While at William Paterson University, Anita earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English and also earned her Teacher’s Certificate.  Following her college graduation, Anita found work quickly at local preschool in the Paterson.  After working there for about a year or so, Anita then accepted a position as a public school teacher at her alma mater, Eastside High School in Paterson.  Anita taught English at Eastside High School for more than ten years, and it was work that she truly loved.

In 1983, Anita was introduced to a handsome young man by the name of John Scarmozza.  Anita and John went out on a blind date and hit it off great.  The two dated for about two years and as fate would have it they fell in love and on October 19, 1985 Anita and John became husband and wife at the Pompton Reformed Church in Pompton Lakes, NJ.  After getting married, the newlyweds settled in Haledon where they lived for about three years.  During their time living in Haledon, Anita and John welcomed the birth of “their one and only”, their daughter Danielle.  In 1988, the family moved to Kinnelon and have called it their home ever since.  Following the birth of their daughter, Anita decided that she would dedicate herself to being a full time homemaker.  This was Anita’s true calling and where she genuinely flourished.  Over the years Anita and her daughter Danielle shared a truly wonderful mother and daughter relationship.  When her daughter started school, Anita took a part time job as a Lunch Aide at Stony Brook Elementary School in Kinnelon to be close to her.  Throughout the years, Anita remained dedicated to her husband John and her daughter Danielle.

Since Anita held a degree in English, it came as no surprise that she was an avid reader.  Anita cherished reading novels in a variety of genres.  She was also a true and devoted New York Yankee Fan throughout her entire life, her favorite player being Mariano Rivera.  During the entire baseball season, Anita proudly hung her NY Yankees flag out on the front porch of her house.  As a young girl, she enjoyed shopping for clothes and hunting for bargains. Anita had a sweet tooth also as a young girl and was never able to shake it, even as an adult she truly enjoyed her sweets and desserts.   She was quite a movie buff and was amazingly knowledgeable in a variety of trivia genres.  But aside from all of Anita’s interests, hobbies and talents, here greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Anita than providing for and spending time with her family.  Anita and her husband John cherished thirty-seven years of loving and loyal marriage together.  She was a truly dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother.  She genuinely treasured all of the holidays.  Her house was always open and she welcomed everyone with open arms who wanted to stop in.

In 1994, Anita was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and unfortunately over the years it progressed.  Anita may have had a lot to complain about but she never did.  She was a true optimist and always saw the good in every situation, everything, and everyone. People naturally gravitated to her and loved to engage in conversation with her.  She was the kind of person who could talk about anything. She could also hold the attention of children which is what probably made her such a wonderful teacher, mother, and grandmother.  Anita had an infectious personality that brought smiles to the faces around her.  She was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people.  She will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Anita is survived by her husband John Scarmozza of Kinnelon, NJ, her daughter Danielle Shaholli and her husband Tony of Clarkston, MI, her mother Maria Bernal of Haskell, NJ, two sisters; Victoria Kovach and her husband Thomas of Lords Valley, PA, and Linda Pasquariello and her husband Ron of Wayne, NJ, two grandchildren; Vincent Shaholli and Leo Shaholli both of Clarkston, MI, one sister-in-law Charlene Youngs and her husband Bill of Barnegat, NJ, three nieces; Stephanie, Brittany, and Susan, and one nephew Evan.  She was predeceased by her father John Bernal.  

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Those wishing to make a donation in Anita's name are asked to consider St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 – 9959 http://www.stjude.org

Alva Virginia “Hunter” Breithaupt (October 20, 1924 - May 2, 2020)

Alva Hunter Breithaupt died on ­May 2, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Paterson, NJ, and a resident of NJ for 92 years, she recently moved to North Andover to be near two of her children. Alva was the beloved wife of Malcolm “Mac” Breithaupt, who predeceased her in 1999.  Alva and Mac married in 1947 following his return from US Navy duty in the Pacific during World War II.

Alva grew up in Paterson, NJ with her three brothers, all of whom predeceased her: John “Jack” Hunter (2014), Edward Hunter (2017), and William Hunter (2014).  She was often teased for being strong and independent because of the influence of those three brothers. Even in adult life, she was devoted to all of them, speaking to each at least once each week and often every day. Alva was a 1942 graduate of Paterson, NJ’s Central High School.   She worked for Wright Aeronautical during WWII and for the Manhattan Shirt Company when her children were young.

In 1960, Alva and her family moved from Paterson to Packanack Lake in Wayne, NJ.  While Mac taught in the Montclair and Essex Fells school systems and pursued graduate degrees in education, Alva devoted herself to raising their children and actively supporting her community.  Alva volunteered in many capacities, including as a Girl Scout Leader, a member of many Packanack Lake Community Church committees, a long-time volunteer at Chilton Hospital, and for more than forty years as the advertising manager for Pack-A-News. In 2016, she received the Packanack Community Volunteer Award.

For many summers when the kids were growing up, the family packed up and worked at camps for underprivileged children from New York City.  Their first assignment was the YMCA at Camp Custer in Haverstraw, New York, and later, the Fresh Air Fund Camp in Branchville, Connecticut. Mac was assistant director, Alva was secretary, and the kids became campers for the summer.  Alva worked for twenty-five years as a secretary in the Wayne School District, first as a Board of Education secretary and then as secretary to the Vice Principal at Wayne Valley High School, a job she truly enjoyed.

An avid baker, Alva was generous in sharing her Toll House cookies, coffee cake, and banana breads with friends, family, and acquaintances. Alva was an avid walker, getting out early every day to walk her beloved Packanack Lake.  Described as “feisty” by her son, she had a great sense of humor and was always an optimist.  Most of all, Alva was a generous, thoughtful and caring friend to those with whom she grew up and to so many more in the Packanack community where she resided for 56 years.

Alva was devoted to her family and was a wonderful wife, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She leaves three children: Robert “Bob” Breithaupt and his wife, Bonnie, of Londonderry, NH, daughter Leslie Breithaupt Marchesseault and her husband, Guy, of Boxford, MA, and daughter Janice Breithaupt and her husband, Jim DeLorenzo of Philadelphia, PA. Alva adored her three grandchildren, Kyle Marchesseault and his wife, Marisa Howe, of Newton, MA, Andrew Marchesseault and his wife Analiese Wilcox Marchesseault, of Washington, DC, and Meaghen Breithaupt and her husband David Neiman of Meriden, CT, and her four great grandchildren, Eleanor “Ellie”, Tyler, Johann, and Lawrence “Laurie”.  Alva also played a large part in the lives of her many nieces and nephews.  Alva will always be a loving presence in the lives of her family, and we will miss her dearly.

The family would like to express its heartfelt appreciation for all the caring support provided to Alva by the staff at Brightview, North Andover and Hospice of Massachusetts.  A private burial service will be held at the family plot in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa, NJ.  A celebration of Alva’s life will be scheduled for a beautiful summer day.

James “Jim” Matthew Dring, age 52, of Wayne, passed Sunday, May 1, 2022.

He was born in Pompton Plains and has been a lifelong resident of Wayne. He graduated from DePaul Catholic High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team, with the Class of 1988.  He continued his education at Rutgers University receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics with the Class of 1992.

Jim’s first job was as a lifeguard at Packanack Lake. He would go on to work at Mohawk Flooring in Elmwood Park and later worked for several plumbing supply companies that would merge into the Ferguson Enterprises Company in Spring Valley, New York over his thirty year career.

Jim and Marybeth Burke had been friends for a couple of years and met at a party at Rutgers University.  Then soon began dating and Jim proposed marriage on the peninsula at Packanack Lake. They married on March 20, 1999 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Berlin, New Jersey and honeymooned in Ireland. Their twenty three year marriage was blessed with a son Liam and daughter Tegan.

Jim will be remembered as an avid sports fan who loved the New York Yankees, New Jersey Devils, the New York Jets, and the Dallas Cowboys.  For many years he has played softball on the Packanack Bombers Softball team.  Many will remember Jim as a fun loving guy who loved a good time. He was jovial, hard headed, honest, and had a huge and kind heart. His sarcastic sense of humor will also be fondly remembered.

Jim was community oriented and was a volunteer coach for the Packanack Lake Athletic Association and the Wayne Police Athletic League.  He gave back to his community and coached all kinds of sports including: basketball, football, baseball, floor hockey, flag football to name a few.

Jim was the loving husband of Mary E. “Marybeth” Dring; devoted father of Liam Dring and Tegan Dring both of Wayne; he was the dearly loved brother of Joan Brothers of West Milford, Nancy Schneeloch and her husband Kenny of Wayne; and Paul Dring and his wife Lori of Oak Ridge.  He will be dearly missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Jim’s Yellow Lab Jet and his Basset Hound Munson will also be missing him very much.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the NJ Special Olympics https://www.sonj.org/get-involved/ways-give/donate/ would be greatly appreciated

Clem J. Stolarik, age 75 of Hawthorne, New Jersey and Sarasota, FL, passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2022.

He was born in Passaic, NJ to Albin and Josephine Stolarik.  Clem lived there until he was married. He graduated from Popius Catholic High School.  He continued his education at Tampa University receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Education and specializing in Physical Education.  He graduated with the class of 1968 and was an active member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He met fraternity brothers there who became lifelong friends.   Clem cherished his close friendships and was especially blessed to have one of the most loyal friends by his side, Henry Grau.  Even when sickness made it near impossible to get together, these two friends never missed a day without at least one phone call, checking in with each other and comparing notes on spreads and odds.

Clem’s first job was a physical education instructor in Paterson, NJ. He later became the Aquatic Director at Norman S. Weir Elementary School until he retired.  Clem also owned several businesses throughout his lifetime.  He owned C & M Deli, Ridgefield Park, Bon ViVant  Deli, Wayne, NJ and the Greenhouse Café of Wayne, NJ.  

Clem met his wife, Caryn at the Jersey Shore.  He spotted Caryn while bartending at Joey Harrison’s Surf Club and knew she was the one. They were both educators in the Paterson School System.  They dated, married and built a house in Hawthorne, NJ, that they still own to this day.

Clem will be remembered as the life of the party. He always made sure everyone had a drink in hand and a plateful of something delicious.  Guests were always blown away by his shrimp cocktail and baby back ribs. He had an infectious smile from ear to ear. He never raised his voice, never lost his temper, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone.  He loved to travel, go on cruises, spend time in Atlantic City, and plan parties and happy hours around the pool. He was the ultimate planner.   Having things to look forward to was the secret to a happy life he said. He loved sports and could tell you the spread on any game any time of day.

Clem was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Caryn, of 49 years. This August would have been their 50th Wedding Anniversary. He has two children, Jill and Jeff. He has five granddaughters.  His daughter Jill and her husband Tom have three girls, Gia, Arianna, and Lexi. His son Jeff and his wife Alyssa have two twin girls, Layla and Winter.  He is survived by his brother Albin, and cousins Mark, Karen, and Jimmy.  He was adored by his granddaughters, especially, Arianna, and will be missed dearly by friends and family everywhere, even in the UK.

For those wishing to make a donation in Clem’s memory, please consider the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (click on the blue text to donate)

Giacomo “Jim” Federico, age 84 of Wayne, died on Friday, April 29, 2022. At the time of his passing, Jim was surrounded by his family, celebrating his sixtieth wedding anniversary.

Jim was the co-founder, president and CEO of NJ Met, an electronics testing laboratory in Clifton, NJ. Jim truly made the best of the opportunities available to him here in America, and he remained especially grateful for the blessings he received. His hard work and determination paid off. He is a fine example of the successful accomplishments of the American Dream.

Jim was born in Benevento, Italy, the oldest of four sons to Giuseppe and Angela Maria Federico. Jim’s family had a farm with vast field of tomatoes, olives and fig trees. He learned to work the farm at a very young age, and developed a strong work ethic as a result. In 1957, he came to the USA and settled in Paterson. His cousin helped him to secure his first job in America as a florist, but he had a rather dynamic career path thereafter; he worked briefly for the railroad, a Paterson silk dye house, he earned his Black and Blue Seal Licenses on Thermal/Mechanical Energy, worked and did some freelance landscaping for a successful entrepreneur. To say he was driven would be an understatement.

Jim met his wife, Angelina D’Alessandro in the Paterson neighborhood where they had both settled after emigrating from Italy. They courted for a couple of years before marrying on April 29, 1962 at St. Anthony’s RC Church in Paterson. They honeymooned to Miami Beach before returning to Paterson, where they lived with their parents before buying their first home in the Lakeview section of Paterson. They later lived in Saddle Brook from 1973 – 1996 before moving to Wayne, where they have lived ever since. They’ve enjoyed a very loving marriage of sixty years, which included a great deal of travel.

Over the course of Jim’s career, he had been very fortunate to travel to many interesting destinations that included China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the U.K., Germany, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and countless other destinations. Among his most favorite of destinations was Israel which was visited in 2014. His travels have taken him literally around the world, for which he is grateful, but admits that there is no place like home.

Jim’s children describe their father as a “giant among men,” despite being just five-feet-two-inches tall. He was a strong man, quiet, yet generous beyond measure. He would do anything for you and it was his heart’s desire to help others in any way he could. When his grandchildren began to arrive, his kids noticed a marked change in their father, as he softened a great deal. His grandchildren were the love of his life, and he wouldn’t hesitate to tell them. They will all miss him dearly.

Jim was also very charitable and shared his prosperity generously to Eva’s Village, Oasis Haven, and many other local and international charities. The Italian Tribune magazine presented him with the “Italian Heritage Award” in 2018, and he received several other similar awards during his lifetime. He also enjoyed gardening which served as both his hobby and therapy! He grew figs, persimmons, and lemon trees, as well as the traditional vegetables. In his sunroom, he maintained his trees during the winter months, transplanting them outside in spring. His garden thrived, and there was always an abundance of vegetables to be shared among family and friends. He used to maintain a bunny pen years ago in his yard, and he was especially fond of his dogs, having had many throughout the years. Currently, his “grandpuppy” Bentley, a Morkie breed, is his best buddy and followed Jim everywhere he went with Louie and Bella and never forgot Gigi (the only dog he would ever share his recliner with!).

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years; Angelina (nee D’Alessandro) of Wayne, two children;, Joseph Federico of Wayne, Virginia Giannini and her husband Michael of Wayne, five grandchildren; Nicole Federico-Hrissikos and her husband Peter of Waldwick, Michael Giannini and his fiancé Julia Maniaci of Lincoln Park, Danielle Federico of Wayne, Christina Giannini of Wayne, and Stephanie Giannini of Wayne, and his two brothers; Elio Federico and Ralph Federico. He was predeceased by his brother Carmine in 2015.

For those wishing to make a donation in Jim’s memory, please consider Eva’s Village in Paterson, www.evasvillage.org, or Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, www.oasisnj.org.

Jenny Markisz, age 87 of Wayne, NJ passed away on Thursday, April 28th, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Lwow Soka, Poland, the daughter of Jan and Cecylia Kokoszko. Her sister, Eugenia Labonarska (1998) and brother Henry Romanowska (1986) and husband Victor Markisz (2000) predeceased her. She leaves two children: Victor, Jr. Esq. of Wayne, NJ and John and his wife, Adrienne, of Bluffton, SC and two grandchildren: Christopher “CJ” of Broomfield, CO and Jaqueline of Williamsburg, VA.

During WWII, her family was forced to leave Poland during the Nazi and Soviet invasion. As part of the war effort their family migrated to Russia, Iran, India and England. Jenny went to high school in Chester, England. During their family's migration, she met Victor Markisz, who was best friends with Jenny’s brother Henry. Victor and Jenny dated until Victor moved to the US with his family. However, Victor and Jenny continued to remain in contact with love letters. After a few years, Victor went back to England and proposed to Jenny. They were married in Saint Wilfred Roman Catholic Church in Northwich, Cheshire, England.

Jenny and Victor lived in Wayne, NJ for 50 years where she raised her sons. She supported her sons in their many athletic activities in the Wayne PAL, Immaculate Heart of Mary School and DePaul Catholic High School. Jenny was a seamstress in the textile industry in Paterson until she retired.

Jenny loved spending time in her park-like yard and garden, growing tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and raspberries. She would often give away her bountiful harvest to friends. She loved her cats and dogs but most cherished spending time with her family and grandchildren. She also never missed sending birthday cards for her grandchildren.

She will be missed dearly by her family. In lieu of flowers, check donations can be made to: IHM “In memory of Jenny Markisz”  Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 580 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ 07470. https://ihmwaynenj.org/

Jenny Markisz, age 87 of Wayne, NJ passed away on Thursday, April 28th, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Lwow Soka, Poland, the daughter of Jan and Cecylia Kokoszko. Her sister, Eugenia Labonarska (1998) and brother Henry Romanowska (1986) and husband Victor Markisz (2000) predeceased her. She leaves two children: Victor, Jr. Esq. of Wayne, NJ and John and his wife, Adrienne, of Bluffton, SC and two grandchildren: Christopher “CJ” of Broomfield, CO and Jaqueline of Williamsburg, VA.

During WWII, her family was forced to leave Poland during the Nazi and Soviet invasion. As part of the war effort their family migrated to Russia, Iran, India and England. Jenny went to high school in Chester, England. During their family's migration, she met Victor Markisz, who was best friends with Jenny’s brother Henry. Victor and Jenny dated until Victor moved to the US with his family. However, Victor and Jenny continued to remain in contact with love letters. After a few years, Victor went back to England and proposed to Jenny. They were married in Saint Wilfred Roman Catholic Church in Northwich, Cheshire, England.

Jenny and Victor lived in Wayne, NJ for 50 years where she raised her sons. She supported her sons in their many athletic activities in the Wayne PAL, Immaculate Heart of Mary School and DePaul Catholic High School. Jenny was a seamstress in the textile industry in Paterson until she retired.

Jenny loved spending time in her park-like yard and garden, growing tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and raspberries. She would often give away her bountiful harvest to friends. She loved her cats and dogs but most cherished spending time with her family and grandchildren. She also never missed sending birthday cards for her grandchildren.

She will be missed dearly by her family. In lieu of flowers, check donations can be made to: IHM “In memory of Jenny Markisz”  Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 580 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ 07470. https://ihmwaynenj.org/

Felix A. Rendina, age 93, of Wayne, passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2022.

The eighth child of Nicola and Maria (Corrado) Rendina’s ten children, Felix was born and raised in Paterson.

Following graduation from Eastside High School with the Class of 1947, Felix served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was assigned to the Special Category of the Army with the Air Force (SCARWAF) in the Aviation Battalion. He served in Germany while his brother Nick concurrently served in Korea. This was standard operating procedure for U.S. forces in the effort to alleviate the chances that a family would potentially lose two children in the same battle. Felix served proudly and, upon his return to civilian life, he soon joined Paterson’s Riverside Veterans where he remained a faithful member throughout his life.

While in Germany, Felix attended school where he learned the carpentry trade. It would become his life’s occupation. Upon returning from military service, he got a job as a union carpenter with Carpenters’ and Millwrights’ Local 124, in Totowa. He worked his whole career in the trade until retirement in 1990 and was involved in notable projects including the construction of Willowbrook Mall and Wayne Valley High School as well as the building of many of the overpasses on Route 80 and also the restoration of the historical Rogers Mill in Paterson which today is a museum.

In 1963, just after returning home from the war, Felix met a young lady named Elaine Fiorillo. It was a blind date, set up by Felix’s sister who worked for Dr. Bonjiorno and Elaine’s mother Rose who was a patient of Dr. Bonjiorno. The date consisted of a movie and then a trip into New York City for a bit of dancing in the Hawaiian Room at the Hotel Lexington. Elaine got a great impression of Felix and, from that day on, his phone never stopped ringing! Eventually Felix proposed marriage to Elaine at her parent’s home and a short time later, on Sunday, September 27, 1964, the loving couple married at St. Gerard’s Church in Paterson. After a reception at the Rustic Lodge on Route 46 and a honeymoon in Florida at the Hotel Carillon, Mr. and Mrs. Rendina settled into their first home together which they purchased on 264 Sherwood Avenue in the Hillcrest section of Paterson. They remained in that home where they raised their two daughters, Maria and Lisa, until 1998 when they moved to Wayne.

Felix’s profession came in handy at home too. He used his skills to make beautiful curio cabinets in the house on Sherwood Ave. Of course, when family and friends came to visit, they admired the craftsmanship and soon Felix was getting requests for cabinets from many of those visitors. He made other furniture like a coffee table, he and Elaine’s head and footboard for their bed, and he surprised each of his four granddaughters with a custom made rocking horse. In his spare time Felix enjoyed summer evenings on his porch to look at the stars while strumming on his guitar. He also played a lot of golf at the Preakness Valley Golf Course and loved the game so much that he frequented LPGA and PGA golf tournaments. His love of golf was matched closely by his love of baseball and the New York Yankees were always his team. He was even watching the game on the night of his passing.  

Felix was a truly family-oriented father who did his best to teach his daughters good old-fashioned values like the virtue of hard work and doing your best. As a young family, his daughters loved the Friday night tradition when Felix took them out for a night at the Willowbrook Mall. It was especially special because they could usually count on an ice cream treat and coming home with a 45 record from a store called Harmony Hut with a recording from one of their favorite artists to play on the family record player. As the girls grew older, the tradition changed a bit. While Elaine and the girls would head to the mall for a day of shopping, Felix would hit the golf course. Retirement afforded even more free time and Felix and Elaine enjoyed some wonderful times traveling together with highlights being trips to Florida, some luxury cruises, and a visit to the Smokey Mountains where they got to see the luxurious Biltmore estate. Of course, there were also many good times spent as an ever expanding family, now with the blessing of four beautiful granddaughters, down the shore at Wildwood Crest and Long Beach Island (LBI). These shore trips were another special summer tradition that dated back to when Felix and Elaine were raising their own family and they continued to the present.

Felix was a faithful parishioner of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary R.C. Church in Wayne. His faith in God was foundational in his life and it guided him in how he lived and treated others. One of his favorite ministries to support was the Salesian Sisters of North Haledon. Although a relatively quiet man, he easily made friends with strangers and was loved by everyone he met.

Felix was the beloved husband of Elaine (nee Fiorillo), blessed in marriage 52 years until her passing in 2017; loving father of Maria (Sal) Rafanelli of Wayne, and Lisa Rendina (Potter Earle) of Churchville, PA; cherished grandfather of Danielle, Gianna, Celeste, and Maggie; dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. Felix was predeceased by all nine of his siblings including: Francis Rendina, Vivian Van Lenten, Peter Rendina, Teresa Richman, Angelina Pezzuti, Mary Smith, Nick Rendina, Joseph Rendina, and Anna Ferraro.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Felix’s name are asked to consider Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.

Carole Helena Hook (nee Walther), age 78, of Toms River and formerly of Wayne passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 26, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Carole was born and raised in East Rutherford, NJ and was one of four children to John and Edna Walther.  While attending East Rutherford High School, Carole was a Majorette and graduated with the class of 1961.  Following her graduation from high school, Carole found work quickly as a Bookkeeper and Secretary locally at ADP.  After working with ADP for a short time she accepted another position as a Salesperson with Venus Creations Jewelry located in Little Falls.  Carole then reverted back to her skills as a Bookkeeper/Secretary and accepted an offer to work for Van Peenen Landscaping and Construction located in the Town of Wayne.  Carole worked for Van Peenen Landscaping and Construction for more than ten years when she changed careers again to work for North Jersey Media Group in West Paterson.  There she was employed in the newspaper industry as a Sales Representative.  After working with North Jersey Media Group for more than ten years she eventually retired.

In 1964, Carole married John Hook and together they had four children.  After getting married they first settled in East Rutherford then in 1974, as their family grew, they moved to the town of Wayne.  Carole remained in Wayne until 1995 when she started to move around a bit.  She lived for a time in Lincoln Park, Riverdale, and North Carolina, until moving to Toms River approximately eight years ago.

Carole was a person who was extremely neat and wonderfully organized.  In her home, there was always a place for everything and everything in its place.  She took great pride in her home and cherished decorating for the holidays.  Christmas time was always “over the top” in décor and often seemed as if the house had been completely renovated.  Easter was not much different.  Carole treasured having guests over and hosting the holidays. She was a wonderful cook and was famous for her Christmas Cookies.  Her family recalls rows of the old Charles Chips tin containers filled with her Christmas cookies.  She would start her Christmas cookie baking on Thanksgiving and wouldn’t stop until the end of the holiday season.

Carole cherished spending time and having lunch with her friends and neighbors where she lived.  She also had a profound love for music, her favorite artists being Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Diamond, and Johnny Mathis.  But Carole’s greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Carole than providing for and spending time with her children and grandchildren.    

Carole was a joyful and fun-loving person who liked to joke around with everyone she met.  She had an infectious personality that brought a smile to the faces of everyone around her.  Carole was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Carole is survived by her four children; her two sons John “Jeff” Hook of Lakewood Ranch, FL, and Darren Hook, Sr. and his wife Luz Helena of Toms River, NJ, her two daughters Shawna Huntting and her husband William of Stratford, CT, and Dina Hook of Wanaque, NJ,  two sisters; Joyce Levins of Illinois, and Lynn Rzepka of Walworth, NY, nine grandchildren; Kayla Hook of Morris Plains, NJ, Joseph Hook of New Hampshire, Courtney Hook of Toms River, NJ, John Hook of Toms River, NJ, Angelica Hook of Toms River, NJ, Darren Hook, Jr. of Toms River, NJ, Greyson Hook of Wanaque, NJ, William Huntting of Stratford, CT, and Addison Huntting of Stratford, CT.  Carole was predeceased by her sister Patricia Walther an her parents John and Edna Walther.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carole's name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 – 9959 http://www.stjude.org

John A. Russo, age 96 of West Palm Beach, Florida and formerly of Wayne, New Jersey passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022.

He was born in Casa del Conte, Italy to Pasquale and Angelina Russo. John was raised there until his father, who had immigrated to the United States and settled in Paterson, NJ called for him.  At the age of fourteen he was placed into steerage for the thirty day journey across the ocean.  His father picked him up in New York City and he too settled into life in Paterson.  He graduated from School #10 in Paterson and that is where he met his future wife Frances Eleanor Farnese as she was his best friend’s sister.

John served in the US Army during WWII from November 18, 1943 through April 10, 1946.  He served in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Central Europe, and Rhineland having received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal before being honorably discharged as a Private First Class.

John married his sweetheart Frances Farnese on October 26, 1947 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Paterson and honeymooned at Niagara Falls, New York. John and Frances started their family in Paterson and moved to Wayne where they raised their three children. They had a loving and devoted marriage of 71 years before Frances’ passing in 2018.  Their marriage was blessed with three children Angela, Joanne, and John.

John’s first job was working at a local dry cleaners in Paterson.  He founded Russo Brothers Contracting Company Inc., a drywall company in Paterson. John officially retired in 1979 and moved to North Palm Beach, Florida.  

Locally John gave back to his community and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and UNICO. He was an avid golfer and for many years he bowled in the leagues at T-Bowl Lanes in Wayne. Family trips to Wildwood, Coney Island, and Florida- so he could golf- where many fond family memories were made.  He will be remembered for doing what he wanted, when he wanted, and living life to the fullest.  He was truly blessed to have a great life.

John was the loving husband of Frances (Farnese) Russo (d. 2018); loving father of Angela Scelba and her husband Charles of Totowa, Joanne Jablonski and her husband William of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and John P. Russo and his wife Kathleen also of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; he was the cherished grandfather of Marsha Jablonski, Anthony Scelba and his wife Lynn, Melissa Sun, Ariana Adamo and her husband Thomas, John P. Russo and his wife Lisa, Jennifer Taylor and her husband Carl; he was the dearly loved great-grandfather of Nicholas, Evan, Ben, Dominic, Aiden, Damian, Christian, Austin, Jonas, Eve, and Lilly Rose; he was the loved brother of Maria Giannella and her husband Fred, and the late Attillio Russo and the late Ralph Russo. John will be dearly missed by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Willeine L. Walsh (nee Lee; Ling Su Lee), age 83, died peacefully on Thursday, April 21, 2022 in her hometown of Jefferson at Lakeside Retirement Home.  She is now in Heaven knowing Jesus as her personal Savior.  Her family is grateful for the countless lives Willeine (Mimi, Mom, Ling, Dear) has touched over the years.  Family, friends, church attendees, and her community have been blessed by her presence, her encouragement, and her deeds.

Growing up, Willeine’s parents enjoyed dancing, cooking and entertaining.  Her mother and father (conversant in English and Chinese) hosted many gatherings where Willeine and her older sister helped serve and greet attendees.  Willeine would especially note that her parents hosted the Chinese Naval Officers as the Chinese Navy trained with the US Navy in 1944 at the Philadelphia Naval Base.  As a young girl, this is where Willeine started her love for helping others, preparing meals, and general hospitality.

Willeine grew up in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.  She attended Upper Darby High School where she played basketball and was Head Majorette. She graduated in 1956 and was married a year later to the love of her life, Norman (Norm) Walsh.  They were married for 64 years and have four children.

In 1961, they moved their family to Milton, New Jersey (Jefferson Township, Oak Ridge) due to Norman’s work transfer in helping to open up the newly built State Farm Northeastern Regional Office in Wayne, NJ.  A few years later, she worked as a part-time waitress at Jorgenson’s Inn on Route 23 in West Milford and at The Original Rudy’s on Berkshire Valley Road in Jefferson.  As her children grew up and became involved in boy scouts, girl scouts and sports, Willeine stepped up and became a Boy Scout Den Mother for Troop 51 and a Girl Scout Mother, and drove her kids to and from sporting events.

In 1973, Willeine joined the Milton First Aid Squad.  She served for 25 years and became a Life Member. In the 1970’s and 1980’s she helped orchestrate many Christian youth camping events at Stokes State Forest, Johnsonburg, Mt. Paul in Jefferson, and the St. Paul Abbey in Newton.  She was an active member at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church from 1961-1977, Green Pond Bible Chapel from 1977-1993, and Lafayette Federated from 1993-2022.  She served as a youth group leader, couples club leader, and a care group leader.  She also helped organize many church weddings and prepared food for them.  And, for many years, she volunteered at church turning fresh cut flowers into arrangements each Sunday to supply the pulpit weekly.

Willeine and Norm were able to enjoy 20+ years of retirement together and with their large extended family. She enjoyed playing thousands of games of Backgammon and Mah Jong (especially when she beat Norm).   Since the 1990’s they made dozens more close friends while vacationing in Puerto Rico, Florida and most dear to their hearts, Aruba.

Willeine will always be remembered by her true love, Norm of Milton, NJ; and with love from her four children; John Walsh and his wife Karin of Sparta, Ken Walsh and his wife Cathy of Rockaway, Janet Tanis and her husband Tom of Oak Ridge, and Tom Walsh and his wife Laura of Mechanicsville, VA; her sixteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren; her Aunt Alice "Ying" Chang of Hawaii. and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

She was predeceased by her father William F. Lee in 1997, by her mother Madeleine Chung Lee in 2021, by her brother William, Jr. who died as an infant, and by her sister Doris "Ping" Ching of Hawaii, who died in 2004.

Willeine will be greatly missed by all.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Milton First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated:  Milton First Aid Squad, 45 Milton Road, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 or online at Milton First Aid Squad - In Memory of Willeine Walsh  -  Thank you!

Carmine Colombo, age 79, of East Windsor, NJ passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

Carmine was born in NY and was the older of two children to Frank and Mary Colombo.  Carmine spent his formative years living in Brooklyn, NY.  While attending the William E. Grady Career and Technical Education School in Brooklyn, Carmine studied the trade of Electricians.  While at Grady Technical School he also played trumpet and participated in many of the school’s musical ensembles.

Following his graduation from high school with the class of 1960, Carmine found work quickly.  He accepted a position at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.  There he was hired as an electrician and was able to utilize the skills he had learned in Grady High School.  Concurrent to Carmine’s employment at the Port Authority, he attended night courses at Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree.  Through the years, Carmine climbed up the corporate ranks achieving the title of Electrical Supervisor at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, NY.  This was a position he held until his retirement in 1995.  Carmine’s impressive career with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spanned thirty-five years.  

In 1961 Carmine was introduced to an attractive young lady by the name of Rose D’Amato by some mutual friends.  Rose and Carmine went out on a blind date and hit it off great.  The couple dated for two or three years and as fate would have it they fell in love and became husband and wife at St Mary Star of the Sea Church in Brooklyn on September 21, 1963.  After getting married, the newlyweds settled in Long Island, NY for about a year then moved back to their hometown of Brooklyn.  Rose and Carmine only lived in Brooklyn for another year but while residing there they welcomed the birth of their only daughter Jennifer.  Shortly after their daughter was born the family moved to Staten Island where they remained for the next thirty years until they moved to East Windsor, NJ about ten years ago.

Carmine enjoyed playing golf and was a fan of the New York Jets during the days of Joe Namath.  For more than thirty years Carmine and his family owned a timeshare on the island of Aruba where they would vacation yearly and built a lifetime of wonderful family memories.  They also owned a summer home in a small neighborhood in Queens known as Breezy Point.  There, Carmine and his family would spend their summers and Carmine would grow the biggest and best tomatoes.  While living in Staten Island Carmine and his family were parishioners of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church for many years.  Aside from all of Carmine’s talents, hobbies and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Carmine than spending time and providing for his family.  He was a devoted father and a truly wonderful grandfather, always treasuring his time spent with his grandson, Ryan.  He and his beloved wife Rose cherished nearly fifty-nine years of loving and loyal marriage together.  

Carmine was the kind of guy who lived life on his own terms.  His presence was always felt when he entered a room and his infectious personality always brought a smile to the people around him.  He was a truly special person and touched the lives of everyone he met.   He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Carmine is survived by his wife Rose (nee D’Amato) of East Windsor, NJ, his daughter Jennifer Kelly and her husband Neil of Wayne, NJ, one grandson Ryan Kelly of Wayne, NJ, one sister Rosalie Jianetto and her husband Joseph of Staten Island and their three children, Lisa, Stephanie, and Joseph, and many other loving extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carmine’s name may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Rd, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910, http://www.vva.org or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 – 9959 http://www.stjude.org

Thomas Joseph Mesce, age 72, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2022.

The oldest of Italian immigrant parents Ralph and Lucy (Botta) Mesce’s two sons, Tom was born and raised in Newark, NJ where he attended Essex Catholic High School and graduated with the Class of 1968. From high school Tom set right off for Essex County College then St. Gregory’s College in Shawnee, Oklahoma and ultimately graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Tom was an entrepreneurial professional in real estate and finance. He started working for Gerber Somma in the early 1980’s then, with two partners, he opened PVT Realty in the early 1990’s. In 1996, he went solo with the launching of Mesce Associates. In addition he established his First Laridian Mortgage Company and other businesses in the field of finance.

One night, while out at Joey Harrisons Bar on Van Houten Ave in Clifton, he spotted a young lady named Carol Pelak from across the room. Struck by her beauty, he couldn’t resist going to introduce himself. He soon realized that along with being beautiful, Carol was also gentle and kind. He asked her out and their first official date was to see the movie Young Frankenstein. They had a nice enough time on that date to warrant another, and then another until ultimately falling in love. They married on Sunday, July 20, 1980 at St. Andrews Church in Clifton. After a reception at the Robin Hood Inn in Clifton, they honeymooned in Acapulco. Upon their return, they started married life as husband and wife in an apartment in the Ridgefield Village in Clifton. From there they moved to their first home at 222 Union Ave in Clifton, then to 18 Montgomery Street in Clifton where they welcomed their firstborn, a baby girl which they named Alissa. In 1987 they moved one last time to their present home in Wayne where they welcomed two sons, first Vincent and then Nicholas.

There’s no doubt that one of Tom’s most greatly enjoyed pastimes was that which he did fulltime. He simply loved everything about the real estate, mortgage and land development business. He loved playing with numbers and the thrill of what he described as “a score.” Even on the day of his passing away, he was talking about some present business dealings! He was proud of his accomplishments, especially the cottages he developed in Eleuthera, Bahamas. Of course, a certain amount of stress is the close brother of any worthy endeavor in life and Tom was no exception to experiencing stress. Fortunately for Tom, way back in college, he learned how to manage that stress when he had the good fortune of meeting Master George Ing, a martial arts instructor. He started training and continued throughout the rest of his life. In the last 35 plus years, he was studying under Sifu Vizzio, a respected individual in the world of feather light kick boxing. He studied martial arts three to four times a week. It helped him relax. He was much more enamored by the form aspect than the fighting aspect. In fact, Tom won lots of awards over the years for his mastery of form. He also found relaxation in listening to music, especially the sounds of Frank Sinatra, the whole Rat Pack, Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons, and any good Doo-Wop playlist.

Needless to say, being that Tom was involved in real estate and development, it’s no surprise that he also loved to dabble in a bit of travel. His favorite places were at his house down the shore in Point Pleasant Boro, his cottages in Eleuthera, Bahamans, and trips to see his family in Italy. Down the shore was a great place to enjoy the sun and surf and to go crabbing. When going to Italy, he loved to visit the places of his ancestors including Aquillonia and Paterno. He was always very proud of his Italian heritage and loved making Italian tomato sauce from the recipe that was handed down to him by his Italian immigrant parents. He considered himself an aficionado of fine foods – especially Italian food. Consequently, he had a penchant for driving his family a little bit crazy with his insistence that Italian cheese needed to be purchased from one place, Italian bread from another, and Italian pasta, etc., from yet another store. He had them running all over the place to put together the perfect Italian dinner!

Despite driving them a little bit crazy at times, there is no doubt that Tom loved his family very much and would do anything for them. Looking back, his younger brother Ralph recalls a fun memory when he and Tom were in their early twenties and Tom helped Ralph to quit smoking by taking him on a trip to Mardi Gras and to Arkansas to go on a 75 mile canoe trip down the Buffalo River. The river trip proved to be quite memorable in that Tom failed to get a waterproof tent. Of course there was a huge rain and lightning storm which forced them to sleep in soaked sleeping bags in a soaked tent. If that wasn’t enough for Ralph to deal with along with his nicotine withdrawal, a wild bear showed up while they were sleeping soaked and wet and began licking their cooking pans right outside the tent. From there the bear headed for their canoe and ate all their food. The gas lamp mantles deteriorating rendering their source of light useless almost put Ralph over the edge but he made it through the trip and the good news is that, while all that stress should have driven Ralph right back to smoking, he actually did end up quitting for good and he acknowledges that he owes all the credit to his big brother Tom. Tom was Papa to his three grandchildren, Alivia, Andréa, and Angelo and he considered them to be the best little people in his life. He loved to tease them and make them laugh and smile.

Tom will be remembered for a lot of things. He was relentlessly tenacious and he pursued whatever he went after with unshakeable vigor. He was no-nonsense himself and he would take no nonsense from anyone. If need be, he’d take on ten bad actors at once to set things right. Informed by his Catholic faith and a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne, Tom was generous to a fault. When he saw a need, he was glad to take care of a friend, or even a stranger down on their luck. His departure from this life leaves a hole that can’t be filled but his family is grateful for his love and his

Tom was the beloved husband of Carol (Pelak) Mesce, blessed in marriage for 41 years. He was the loving father of Alissa Ofmani and husband Joseph of Wayne, Vincent Mesce of Wayne, and Nicholas Mesce of Grants Pass, Oregon; best Papa of Alivia, Andréa, and Angelo; dearest son of the his late parents Ralph and Lucy (Botta) Mesce; dear older brother of Ralph Mesce and wife Terry of Millstone, NJ; dear uncle of Cassandra Quarantello and husband Greg and Gabriel Mesce; dear nephew of: Mike Mesce and his late wife Louise, Phyllis Karne and her late husband John, Anthony Mesce and his wife Aggie, Mary Wilson and her late husband John, the late Albert Canarelli and his wife Olivia, the late Ida Kalmeta and her late husband Emelio, and the late Diana DiPascale and her late husband Anthony. He is also survived by many cousins and close friends.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Tom’s name are asked to consider:
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500 Chicago, Illinois 60611
or
Cystinosis Foundation of New Jersey, 138 Donato Drive, Little Falls, New Jersey 07424

Charles “Ed” Brino, age 88 of Wayne, died on Friday, April 15, 2022. He had lived in Wayne for fifty-eight years before recently moving to Butler.

Ed’s early career began with Combustion Engineering, Inc. in New York City, and Federal Pacific Electric in New Jersey. Several years later, Ed and several colleagues acquired Cornell Dubilier Electronics from Federal Pacific, becoming Vice President and Treasurer of the company. He retired in 1999 after nearly forty years with Cornell Dubilier.

Ed was raised in Paterson, NJ, growing up right around the corner from the Guernsey Crest Ice Cream shop, where he scooped ice cream as a kid. He really enjoyed his childhood in Paterson, and maintained friendships with many of his childhood buddies throughout his lifetime. Ed went on to graduate from Eastside High School with the class of 1951 and later earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Seton Hall University. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during his employment at Combustion and was stationed at the Pentagon throughout his time in the service. After being discharged from the Army, he returned to his job at Combustion Engineering, Inc. in New York City. It was here that he met Rosalie Barguik from the Bronx, and he asked her out on a date. She was reluctant at first, but after a very, very long first date, they fell in love with each other. Their romance progressed quickly and they were engaged within months, and decided to have a Christmas wedding that same year.  After exchanging vows on December 10, 1960, they honeymooned to Miami and then moved to Fair Lawn. By 1963, they found a new home in Wayne where they lived and raised their family for the next fifty-eight years. Ed and Rosalie have been attached at the hip since they married, and Ed would often say to her; “we’re in this together.” Rosalie describes their years together as “perfect” and a story of true love. They were blessed to have traveled extensively together, visiting Japan, Europe, California, Hawaii, Mexico, Germany and many more destinations. He was devoted to Rosalie, and she will miss him dearly.

Ed was a family man at heart. His wife and their three girls were his top priority. He treated his daughters like princesses and they are grateful for the many sacrifices he made, all for their benefit. They all enjoyed their many summer vacations to the Jersey Shore, multiple trips to Disney World, and especially his epic (and competitive) Easter egg hunts! Ed went through great pains to hide the eggs in their yard, and finding them all was a real challenge. Ed also enjoyed doing as much as he could with his grandchildren. Whether it was going to their sporting events, dance recitals, and everything in between, he loved being there for it all. Ed was an avid golfer and was a member at Packanack Golf Club for many years. He was a huge sports fan and remained loyal to the NY YANKEES, NY GIANTS, and NY KNICKS. He also was known to frequent Monmouth Park race track. He loved horse racing and often took his daughters along with him.

Ed lived a full life, and he expressed this by often saying he had “no complaints.” Hopefully, knowing this will help soften the grief felt by his loved ones and friends who now say “goodbye” to their beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and dear friend.

Ed is survived by his dear wife Rosalie of Butler, their three children; Christina Brino of Pompton Plains, Debbie D’Arienzo and her husband Bob of Pompton Plains, and Laurie Hensen and her husband Reid of Wayne, his five grandchildren; Nicole Thuring and her husband Mike of Pompton Plains, Robert D’Arienzo and his wife Gabrielle of Montville, Julianne Sclavounos and her husband Aris of Oakland, Reid Hensen of California, and Stevie Hensen of Wayne, and four great-grandchildren; Luca, Leo, R.J. and Penelope.

Alfred G. Ventrella, age 89, passed away peacefully with loving family gathered by his side, on Friday, April 15, 2022.

Born and raised in Paterson, Al was the youngest of Italian immigrant parents Eustachio and Teresina (Carafa) Ventrella’s six children. He graduated from Central High School in Paterson with the Class of 1951 and then from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Pharmacy. Proud to have received his higher education there, he remained a staunch Florida Gators fan his whole life.

Al began his career working as a pharmacist at Park Ridge Pharmacy and subsequently bought Franklin Lakes Pharmacy on Franklin Avenue. He served the town, always with a smile, friendly word and great advice for over 20 years. He later purchased Michaels Pharmacy located at 320 Union Boulevard in Totowa. The purchase of this pharmacy also had a nostalgic element as Al had worked at Michaels starting at age 14 as a bicycle delivery boy. Both of his stores were run as true small-town family and community establishments and throughout his years in business, he employed many a family member and friend.

Alfred was the beloved husband of Angela (Pete) Ventrella. They met way back in their high school years. Originally, as a devout catholic, Angela had plans of going into the convent but God had different plans for her life and she became an English teacher. Angie and Al began to date and soon fell in love. They exchanged their marriage vows before God at St. Michael’s R.C. Church in Paterson on June 25, 1961. After a joyous reception at the Friar Tuck Inn in Cedar Grove, they honeymooned in Florida.

Al and Angie’s first home as husband and wife was a house in Oakland, NJ.  Soon after, they moved to an apartment in Paterson where they were blessed with the birth of their two sons, Alfred Gerard, Jr. and Samuel. They subsequently bought a home in Wayne where they spent the majority of their marriage years at 215 Andover Drive. It was while living in this home that they welcomed their third child, a baby girl who they named Maria. The family also included his faithful dogs Trixie, Sandy and Rusty.  

Al and Angie adored each other and were the best of friends. Together with their children they enjoyed memorable vacations down the Jersey shore in Wildwood Crest, to the Bahamas and Disney World. Al and Angie took annual international trips to Paris, Rome, London, and Germany to name just a few of the many places in the world that they were able to visit together. Sadly, Angie became ill and passed away in 1979 at the young age of 44. Al’s family finds comfort in knowing that now, after 43 years, Al and Angie are reunited.

During his life, Al filled his spare time with many enjoyable activities. One of his favorite places was his kitchen where he was an accomplished cook making his specialties including homemade pasta, baked clams, baked beans, and French onion soup. He even grew his own tomatoes on farmland behind his house that he leased from his friend Rocky. After harvesting the tomatoes, he would can them – up to 500 quarts per year! It was an annual event that he enjoyed doing with his family. Cooking went perfectly with one of his other loves – entertaining. Al hosted all the family holidays whipping up many of his famous dishes and family graduations where the tradition was having a beefsteak dinner. His pool parties were major events with upwards of one hundred guests.

Al loved going to Atlantic City and sometimes to Las Vegas where blackjack was his game of choice. While there, he enjoyed eating out, going to shows and always made friends with the other patrons, dealers, pit bosses and wait staff.  He bought a condo and subsequently a townhome in Smithville, NJ where he would go to the beach at Brigantine and make trips to AC at night.

He also purchased a condo in Cape Coral, Florida where he visited frequently and eventually his beloved condo in Venice, Florida where he spent more and more time and which ultimately became his primary residence right up until the end of 2021. He loved his view of the pool and golf course while sitting on his lanai.

Al had a genuine warmth and approachableness that made it easy for him to make friends wherever he went. Striking up a conversation with total strangers was second nature to Al. Favorite places to dine out included E & V Ristorante in Paterson, many events at the Brownstone House in Paterson, the King George/Park Wayne Diner in Wayne and at Dolce Italiano when in Florida. At all those restaurants Al knew each waiter and waitress on a first name basis.

Al was a long-time and faithful parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church. During the last fifteen years while living in Florida, he attended Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. He lived a life of gratefulness to God for the blessings in his life and trusted Him faithfully throughout the difficult days. He was generous beyond measure. His love for his own family was immense and he considered time spent with his grandchildren to be one of life’s greatest treasures.

Al's health began to fail and he was on death's door in 2001 before receiving a liver transplant which extended his life for an incredible 21 years.  This blessing gave him a new lease on life and allowed him to see his grandchildren grow up.

Alfred was the beloved husband of Angela, blessed in marriage for 18 years until her untimely passing in 1979. He was the loving father of: Dr. Gerard Ventrella and wife Susan of Monroeville, NJ, Dr. Samuel Ventrella and wife Colleen of Mount Laurel, NJ, and Maria Targi and husband Joseph of Secaucus, NJ; cherished grandfather of: Mark, Christine, Ryan, Spencer, Rachel and Alexa; and much-loved uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his four sisters and one brother.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Alfred’s name are asked to consider:

University Hospital Foundation
(you may request that your donation be directed to the liver transplant program in his name)
To contribute by check: 150 Bergen Street, D 209 C, Newark, NJ 07103
Please designate that your gift is in memory of Alfred Ventrella

Gift of Life
To contribute by check, please make the check out to “Transplant Foundation” and mail to: Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd. St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. Please designate that your gift is in memory of Alfred Ventrella

John David Seneca, age 65, of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday morning, April 14, 2022.

John was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He attended Xaverian High School in Brooklyn where he excelled in baseball. During his time at Xaverian, he was voted All City Athlete of the Year for two years in a row in all five boroughs of New York City. After graduating high school in 1975, John pursued higher education at Seton Hall University where he pitched for the Seton Hall Pirates and concurrently played baseball in the Cape Cod League in Chatham. In his junior year at Seton Hall, he was drafted by the Major League Kansas City Royals but he turned the offer down, choosing instead to finish his college education. A year later, in his senior year, he was drafted by the New York Yankees.

After three years in the Yankee farm system John left baseball and set his sights on a career in information technology. He began as an I.T. manager for Pepsi, then American Cyanamid, and most recently with Spectra Laboratories before retiring in 2019. It's also interesting to note that John's grandfather Marty Seneca and his father John were the founders of the former Marty's Shoes that was so prevalent in New Jersey.

John married Maureen Perrone in 1982 and was blessed with her two daughters Anna and Diane from a previous marriage. Adding to that blessing, together they welcomed their third daughter Jaclyn.

For the past twenty years, John was the beloved husband of Colleen Shaw. They met while both working at American Cyanamid. One day John asked Colleen if she’d like to “do a movie together some time.” Colleen gladly agreed and off to the movies they went to see Meet the Parents. They soon fell in love and with Colleen as his wife, he again was blessed with three more children, Shannon, Tim and Joshua from Colleen’s previous marriage.

John was the most likeable, unpretentious, happy-go-lucky guy in the world. Everybody loved “J.D.” He was the kind of guy you couldn’t dress up but you loved to take him out anyway. John didn’t concern himself much with fashion. In fact he was known for putting his own signature on anything he wore by typically cutting off the sleeves or making some other alteration here or there. To John, comfort was key! If he joined you for dinner, it wasn’t unusual for him to show up in a button collar shirt and sweat pants. John’s culinary tastes were similar. A good day consisted of consuming two liters of Pepsi which helped to wash down his chicken nuggets or juicy cheeseburgers. He loved telling jokes and pulling pranks like pulling up to the Dunkin Donuts drive up window and asking for a hot dog all the way and fries with gravy just to see the reaction on the order takers face. Jo-Jo, his Yorkshire terrier and best little buddy often accompanied him on runs out for food. In fact, whenever he pulled up to the pick-up window at Wendy’s all the workers were so happy to see Jo-Jo and they usually treated him to some chicken nuggets of his own.

For many years, John enthusiastically volunteered thousands of hours at the Wayne P.A.L. where he was affectionately known as “Coach J.D..  Because of John’s professional experience he was larger than life to the kids and truly qualified to help the young players develop into potential future stars. John also had the privilege of coaching his own sons, Tim and Josh and, with his dad’s training, Josh made it all the way to the farm system of the St. Louis Cardinals, an accomplishment they were both very proud of.

Above all else, nothing was more important to John than being with and demonstrating love and devotion to Colleen, his kids, grandchildren and entire family. He especially got excited about being together for the holidays and recently, dressed up as Santa Claus to surprise his grandchildren. They never had a clue that it was their dear “Pop Pop” under that costume. Being the sun worshipper that he was, he had a pool installed in the back yard which became a favorite gathering spot for summer get-togethers with family and friends. John himself couldn’t get enough time out in the sun and so it was the sure place to find him if he was nowhere else to be found. John always put others before himself and he’d gladly go with less so that his family could have more. He was the greatest of providers and a true protector.

John was a fighter. He survived two heart attacks and presently was in the middle of a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Having recently completed cancer treatments, he was anticipating surgery soon and was feeling optimistic. His sudden, unexpected passing, no doubt, comes as a tremendously severe shock to his entire family. He was deeply loved and respected and, while his family is grateful for the time they had, your prayers are sincerely appreciated.  

John is survived by his beloved wife Colleen Shaw, six loving children: Jaclyn Dutkowski and husband John, Anna Stanin and husband Christopher, Diane Healy and husband Daniel, Shannon Farfaglia and husband Vince, Tim Shaw and fiancé Kristina, and Joshua Shaw; six adored grandchildren: Gabriella Stanin, Ava Healy, Victoria Stanin, Benjamin Healy, Mason Dutkowski, and Madeline Dutkowski; his dear brother Martin Seneca and wife Tina and their loving daughters, Alyssa and Serena and grandchildren; and numerous dear nieces and nephew, Laura, Christine and Robert.  He was predeceased by his dear sister Gail Seneca who is survived by her husband, Hal Nathan

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Jack McGovern Coats Disease Foundation (JMCDF) in honor of his beloved grandson, Mason Dutkowski.

Jack McGovern Coats Disease Foundation (JMCDF)
20 Park Road
Suite E
Burlingame, CA 94010

Anthony “Tony” D’Onofrio, age 80, of Pompton Lakes, passed Monday, April 11, 2022.

He was born in Paterson to Cesare (Charlie) and Carmella (Padula) D’Onofrio.  When Tony was about eight years old the family moved to Wayne where he was raised and graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1960.  While in high school he played the tuba for the Marching Band.

Just out of high school Tony’s worked in retail and was employed by Two Guys from Harrison at the Totowa location. Tony worked in the Linen Department and eventually was promoted to Assistant Manager.  Tony worked there for a few years.

On March 15, 1961 Tony was “Ordered to Active Duty” with the US Navy.  For his service Tony was given the Good Conduct Medal for his service and attained the rank of Boatswain’s Mate before being Honorably Discharged on February 25, 1963.

When he came out of the military he found work with the Wayne Township Parks Department and transitioned to the Wayne Police Department where he served for twenty-five years before retiring in 1991 at the rank of Sargent.  During his retirement years he worked as a pall bearer for area funeral homes and as a Security Guard at the Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne for a few years.

Tony will be remembered as a colorful, animated guy who was passionate about his beliefs and always ready to share his opinion with others. In his younger years he was a avid skier, loved tennis and more recently he enjoyed golfing at The County (Preakness Valley Golf Course) and Twin Willows golf courses. Tony was always willing to help others, loved cars and motorcycles (Tony’s Slingshot).

He was the loved brother of Anna Marie Basciano of Wayne, the late Albert C. D’Onofrio (d. 2011) and his surviving wife Nancy, and the late Michael D’Onofrio (d. 2021) and his surviving wife Christine. He will be missed by his nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in his memory are asked to consider donating to the Wayne PBA Local 136 and their efforts with the NJ Special Olympics. Make donations payable to: “Wayne PBA 136” and in the memo of your check please put “In Memory of Tony D’Onofrio-NJ Special Olympics.” Mail to: Wayne PBA 136, PO Box 3597, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Mary N. Stella, age 86, of Wayne, passed Sunday, April 10, 2022.

Mary was born in Port Chester, New York to Vito and Antoinette Christiano.  She worked at Royal Typewriter Company in Port Chester and followed the company to New York City as they consolidated their offices. It was at work that she fell in love with Michael Stella.  As a young couple they lived in Bayside Queens where their marriage was blessed with two children.  In September of 1982 they moved to Wayne, New Jersey where they lived for the next forty years of their fifty-seven year marriage.

Mary was the loving wife of Michael Stella; devoted mother of Marie Harden and her husband John of Wayne, Margaret Saraceni and her husband Frank of the Township of Washington; cherished grandmother of John, Michael, and Nicole Harden; she was predeceased by her loving brothers Tommy, Joey, and Jimmy.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to The American Heart Association (heart.org) would be greatly appreciated.