Robert J. Pacca, Sr., age 83, of Oak Ridge, NJ and Jupiter, FL, and a former long-time resident of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home in the loving presence of his beloved wife Barbara, on Sunday, January 10, 2021.

Born and raised in Paterson, Bob was a graduate of St. John’s Catholic High School with the Class of 1955. A few weeks later, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from June, 1955 until April, 1959. After that he remained in the Navy Reserves until 1963. Bob’s primary role in the Navy was that of a machinist on board the U.S.S. Waccamaw (AO-109) – a Navy replenishment oiler. His years in the Navy included a tour to Antarctica where he was involved in setting up a scientific base. Bob was proud to serve and truly enjoyed his time of service.

Upon return to civilian life, Bob attended Seton Hall University where in 1963 he earned and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. While working for various public accounting firms, Bob persevered with his studies and earned certification as a CPA in 1971. He transitioned to the private corporate sector and eventually worked his way up the corporate ladder to treasurer and vice president.

Between full-time work and caring for his family, Bob always found time to serve his community. He was Past President of the Wayne Board of Education where he volunteered his accounting expertise from 1971 to 1976. Enjoying that so much, he decided to run for the office of councilman in Wayne and served in that role from 1976 to 1984. After that, he became township administrator for the Borough of North Haledon from 1985 to 1996 when he retired from full-time work at the age of 60. In between all these roles Bob served on the Passaic County Community College Board of Directors from 1986 to 1988 and co-owned his own business called Anodizing Corporation.

As a young man, Bob was out with friends one night when he met a pretty, sweet and kind young lady by the name of Barbara Spataro. Soon after, they went on their first official date to New York City to see the premier of a 1963 movie called It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. They soon fell in love and married on Saturday, July 10, 1965 at St. Philip’s Roman Catholic Church in Clifton. After the reception in Lodi, the newlyweds took a road trip throughout New York State and Canada.

Bob and Barbara’s first home as husband and wife was an apartment in Clifton. From there they purchased their first home in the Allwood section of Clifton before moving to Squire Lane in Wayne in 1970. For the next 34 years, Bob and Barbara raised their family in Wayne and Bob served the town. In between, Bob spent much of his leisure time on the golf course with friends. This love of golf ultimately inspired a move in 2004 to a new home in Oak Ridge, close to the Bowling Green Golf Course where Bob served as a ranger and got lots of games in in-between.

Bob and Barbara felt blessed to have been able to enjoy travel. In all, they traveled to six different continents spending time in a vast amount of countries, including many that Bob had visited during his Navy days. They also blessed their four grandchildren by taking each one of them, individually, for their twelfth birthday to a destination of their choice. Kaitlyn chose Canada, Jocelyn chose Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore, Michael chose the Grand Canyon, and Abigail chose Costa Rica. In between, Bob and Barbara enjoyed over 30 years at their second home in Jupiter, FL. Bob loved Florida where he could play golf. He also enjoyed attending mass in Florida at St. Christopher Church in Hobe Sound.

Bob was a dearly-loved husband and a wonderful role model to his son and daughter and grandchildren. He was always happy and ever ready to help anyone in their time of need. His family is grateful for his life and, while they will miss him so very much, they are glad that his suffering is over and he’s at peace.

Bob was the beloved husband of Barbara (Spataro), blessed in marriage for 55 years. He was the loving father of Robert J. Pacca, Jr. and wife Kirsten of Paoli, PA, and Debra Barmure and husband David of Roxbury, NJ; cherished grandfather of: Kaitlyn and Jocelyn Barmure, and Michael and Abigail Pacca; and dear brother of the late Lester Palla (2012).

Though you presence is deeply appreciated, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bob’s family’s concern is for your utmost safety first and they will respect and understand if you choose not to attend services.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Robert’s name are asked to consider the Milton First Aid Squad, 45 Milton Road, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438. Please indicate that your gift is in memory and honor of Robert J. Pacca, Sr.

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

On January 9, 2021, our beloved sister Eleanor King passed away. She leaves behind her loving sisters Noreen and Augusta, her 5 nieces Tiffany, Britta, Rachele, Samantha and Alexa. She also leaves behind her loving mother Norma. She is now resting with her baby daughter Layla and her father Frank.

Kathleen Strall (nee Kempton), age 90 of Pompton Plains, died peacefully on Saturday, January 9, 2021. She had been a resident of Cedar Crest Village since 2016, living in Florida and Texas prior.

Kathy grew up in Lyndhurst, NJ and graduated from Lyndhurst High School with the class of 1948. After high school she worked as a legal secretary in Manhattan. She was a wonderful dancer and often attended the local CYO dances.  It was at one of these CYO dances that she met Bob Strall. They had their first official date on New Year’s Eve. At the stroke of midnight, Bob and Kathy exchanged their first kiss, and never looked back. Within two months, Kathy knew she would marry him, and on October 8, 1955 they exchanged vows. After a honeymoon to Miami, Florida, they embarked on a marriage that most people only dream of. They loved each other dearly, did everything together, and always put the other first. During their fifty-six years of marriage, they went on many cruises, visiting much of the United States, and vacations in Hawaii, Costa Rica, Bermuda and St. Thomas. Their children hosted a fiftieth wedding anniversary party for both of them on Hilton Head Island in 2005, where the whole family gathered to celebrate their milestone. They made wonderful memories throughout all their years together. Sadly, Bob passed away in 2011 and Kathy has missed him terribly ever since.

Kathy had lived in many places, as a result of Bob’s employment with IBM.  After marrying, they raised their family in West Milford, NJ before relocating to Roswell, Georgia, and then later to Hudson, Florida. Kathy didn’t mind all the moving around, and with her extroverted personality and expert Bridge playing skills, she made new friends at each new place.  She and Bob were very social and fit in everywhere, joining local clubs and making friends quickly. They also enjoyed entertaining in their home, and hosting holiday dinners. They ended up with a huge circle of friends, and maintained many of those relationships throughout the years.

Kathy was devoted to her family. Her children recall that she was a very involved mom, teaching CCD, volunteering as ‘class mom’ at their schools, and she always made sure that each of them felt special and loved. Kathy would often surprise them on holidays with a little treat, or special gift, and she was simply a great mom to each of them. That love and devotion naturally extended to her grandchildren as they came along, and she didn’t allow the long distances between them to keep them apart. She would travel to visit and spend a few weeks at a time with her grandchildren in Georgia, Texas, and New Jersey. They will all miss her dearly.

Kathleen is survived by her three children; Patricia Ludwig and her husband Bill of Wayne, NJ, Robert Strall and his wife Donna of Texas, and Douglas Strall and his wife Tracy of Georgia, eight grandchildren; Alexis Moakley and her husband Bill of Wayne, Samantha Strall of Texas, Billy Ludwig and his girlfriend Jessica Quazza of Totowa, Kathleen Hixon and her husband Jake of Texas, Collin Strall of Georgia, Miranda Campbell and her husband Chase of Georgia, Chandler Strall of Georgia, Knox Kenerly of Georgia, four great-grandchildren; Ava and Aria Moakley of Wayne, Addison Beatty of Texas, and Emerson Campbell of Georgia, and a brother; Allan Kempton and his wife Kitty of Paramus. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Bob in 2011, and by her brother Irwin in 2014.  

Leo A. Breda, age 91, of Mahwah and a former long-time resident of Wayne, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021.

The second-born of Louis and Mary (Mancin) Breda’s four children, Leo was born in Clifton and raised in the family home on 29 East Clifton Ave. Growing up, Leo loved to participate in all kinds of sports, but, when he entered high school, his mother preferred that he didn’t go out for any teams, so Leo chose the next best thing – writing the sports column for the Clifton High School newspaper. When he graduated, he also enjoyed the distinction of being named best dancer in his class.

Following graduation, Leo joined the U.S. Air Force National Guard where he proudly served stateside in the 101st Aircraft Control Squadron during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge from service in 1952, he returned to his hometown of Clifton. Not long after, Leo attended a church dance where his smooth dancing skills caught the attention of a young lady named Tillie LoBiondo.  A loving relationship blossomed. They married September 26, 1955 followed by a road trip honeymoon to Florida. They were blessed with 61 years of marriage until Tillie’s passing on December 21, 2014. When asked to use words to describe their parent’s relationship with one another, Linda and Jeffrey said, “It was a true romance!” Leo and Tillie were a great team.

For Leo and Tillie, nothing was more important than being together with family and friends. Their family home in Wayne was the gathering place for all celebrations. They hosted summer outings with good clean fun like playing a game of tetherball, basketball, bocce ball, badminton, billiards, ping-pong, or having a race in the pool.

He and Tillie were avid travelers who had the privilege of visiting numerous countries on almost every continent in the world. When blessed with grandchildren, Leo was so proud to see them compete in their sports and dance recitals. The family enjoyed a mutual love of gathering almost every Sunday afternoon over a home cooked dinner.

Leo and Tillie shared a passion for music and live entertainment that was woven into the many aspects of their lives.  As a very young man, he became one of the founding members of the Clifton Songsters, a barbershop singing chorus. He later sang with and was President of the Dapper Dans of Harmony where they were formidable competitors in the world of Barbershop.  Leo and his buddies started a few barbershop quartets, his most recent, the Gondoliers – the name being inspired by a trip with friends and fellow singers to Venice. No matter the venue, the quartet often broke into a spontaneous song that was musical treat for all around them.

Leo and Tillie loved to play tennis, paddle tennis and golf.  They enjoyed these sports and developed lifelong friendships on and off the court and course.

Leo was an entrepreneur. He was the VP of Sales at Charles Swatek, Ridgefield, NJ.  Later he founded LAB Papers, a packaging design company. He worked until remarkable age of 89 years old; quite the inspiration.

Sadly, in 2003, Tillie became ill with dementia. For the next twelve years, Leo was devoted to her care and comfort. December 21, 2014, Tillie peacefully passed away. Soon after, Leo sold their home in Wayne and moved to Brandywine Senior Living in Mahwah where he remained to the present. Now he is reunited with Tillie, the love of his life.

Those who knew Leo, will miss his love, laughter, and friendship. Rest in peace Leo.

Leo was the beloved husband of Tillie (LoBiondo) until Tillie’s passing in 2014. He was the loving father of Linda Neely and her husband Dean of Greenwich, CT, and Jeffrey Breda and his wife Melissa of Boonton Twp.; cherished grandfather of: Michael and Jennifer Breda and Catherine Neely; dear brother of: Albert Breda of Orlando, FL, Emma Breda Costantin of Cincinnati, OH, and the late Viola Breda Conserva (1983); dear brother-in-law of Dr. Martin Conserva of Clifton; and dear cousin of Jane Belli McHugh of Pompton Plains, NJ, who was as close as a sister.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Leo’s name are asked to consider Alzheimer’s New Jersey, 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, Suite 203, Roseland, NJ 07068 (www.alznj.org) or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS  66675 (www.WoundedWarriorProject.org).

Joseph A. Ruggiero, age 86 of Oakland, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. He had lived in N. Haledon for forty-two years before moving to Oakland in 2015.

Joe was a Traveling Operator for PSE&G, working out of their Clifton garage for more than forty years. It was a particularly dangerous job, working with extremely high voltages, and he was especially proud to have made it through his entire career without a mistake!

Joe grew up in Paterson and graduated from Eastside High School in 1952.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at just seventeen years old, and served aboard the USS Rockwall, an attack transport. He was fortunate to spend some time aboard ship on the Mediterranean Sea, visiting Italy during his tour, and he was honorably discharged in 1955. Upon his return home, he played semi-pro baseball with the Sheber’s baseball team in the North Jersey and Bergen County baseball league. Some of his most memorable and fun games were played at the Sing Sing State Prison in Upstate New York, providing some excitement and entertainment for the inmates. He remained an avid baseball fan throughout his lifetime, rooting for the YANKEES year after year.

Joe was a great dancer and during the 1950’s it was common for the local churches to host social dances. It was at the Holy Trinity Church dance in Passaic that he met Erika Gloss. They hit it off and began dancing together regularly at some of the local ballrooms and dance halls around Passaic and Garfield, such as the Belmont Ballroom. Joe eventually proposed to Erika and they were married on October 12, 1968 in N. Haledon.  After a honeymoon to the Amish Country of Pennsylvania, they settled in Passaic. In 1973, they moved to N. Haledon where they remained until 2015. Joe loved making homemade pizza and his family recalls how delicious his pizzas were.  He earned the title of “pizza man” with high honors. He also made excellent homemade wine using his family’s century-old grape press, and his father’s unique combination of grapes. Each bottle was consistently smooth and delicious!  During his retirement, Joe enjoyed meeting his buddies for coffee at the coffee shop on High Mountain Rd. in N. Haledon.

If you knew Joe, then you understood that he had a lifelong addiction…to golf! He played nearly every day, without exaggeration, and he would have played more often if he could have found a way.  He spent countless days at the Passaic County Golf Course in Wayne, earning tournament trophies along the way, and his coveted “hole-in-one.” He enjoyed the game so much that he even went golfing with a friend during his honeymoon! He could drive the heck out of the ball, and simply loved the game. He was devastated when doctors diagnosed him with Parkinson’s Disease, and he eventually had to stop playing.  He really missed the game. Throughout the years, Joe had also enjoyed rabbit hunting with his faithful beagle “Bonnie,” who he nicknamed “Shrimpy” because she was so small. Bonnie was a natural hunter and they never failed to come home a rabbit!  Joe was also passionate about his grandchildren; Tori and Joseph. He was particularly happy to share a birthday with his granddaughter, Tori, and this meant a lot to him.  Joe loved his family dearly and they will all miss him dearly.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Erika of Oakland, by his two daughters; Brenda Lyons and her husband Brian of Richmond, Texas, and Sally DaPassano and her husband Joe of Oakland, two grandchildren; Victoria “Tori” Lyons and Joseph E. Lyons, both of Richmond, Texas, a sister; Joanne Sabol and her husband Dominic of Pequannock and their family, and Dr. James Ruggiero and his wife Judy of Sussex, NJ.

Joe suffered from Parkinson’s Disease and donations in his memory would be appreciated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation where they are dedicated to finding a cure.  You may donate online at michaeljfox.org, or mail a donation to: “Donation Processing, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014”

John Patrick Tooman, “Patrick” “Pat” age 68 of Pompton Lakes, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Pat was born in 1952 on Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada where his father, Dr. John Tooman was stationed as a physician in the Navy and U.S. Air Force. Upon his father’s honorable discharge in 1955, his family moved back to New Jersey where Pat spent his formative years growing up in Leonia.

After graduation from Leonia High School with the Class of 1970, Pat earned his Bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. From there he began a career that would span 40 years as a sales representative and store manager for Jennifer Convertible Furniture. For the first ten years with the company, Pat managed the Denville, NJ store. From there, he was transferred to South Hampton, Long Island and worked at that location for the next thirty years. During that time, he lived in Sag Harbor and later in Greenport, Long Island. He loved his work and his laid back, easy-going approach and affable personality made for many satisfied customers over the course of his career. Health challenges eventually necessitated retirement in 2017, and Pat moved to Pompton Lakes in 2020. Among Pat's favorite pastimes were listening to music and getting together with friends. He had a significant collection of jazz recordings as well as Irish folk music which served as a great connection to his Irish ancestry.

Pat is survived by his dear long-time companion Elly Robins, his brother Christopher Tooman and his wife Lisa of Wayne, three nephews: Conor Patrick Tooman, John Kyle Tooman, and Scott Christopher Tooman; his Aunt Patricia Boardingham; his cousin Brian Boardingham. He was predeceased by his father John in 1989, his sister Mary Ellen in 2012, his mother Kathleen in 2014.

Even in his passing, Pat’s generous spirit shined as he chose to give the gift of life by being an organ donor through the NJ Sharing Network (NJSharingNetwork.org).

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in John Patrick’s name are therefore asked to consider the worthy work of the:

NJ Sharing Network,

Attn: Foundation

691 Central Ave.

New Providence, NJ 07974

(click here to download a Financial Contribution Form to send with your gift)

If you prefer to donate online, you can do so by visiting http://njsharingnetwork.org/contribute

Andrew Elzinga, age 84, of Pompton Lakes passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Andy was born and raised in Koudum, Friesland, the Netherlands and was one of four children born to Johannes and Trijntje Elzinga.  Andy grew up during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II.  Throughout the war, during the frequent air raids, young Jewish children and their families would seek shelter and safety at the Elzinga house.  After completing the eighth grade, Andy left school and went to work on a dairy farm.  His early employment at the dairy farm set the foundation for the outstanding work ethic that Andy would hold the rest of his life.

In the spring of 1955, Andy, his parents, his sister Jane, and brother, Simon, immigrated to the United States, in search of a better life and the “American Dream”.  Upon arriving in the US, the family settled in Sussex where Andy started working on a local farm.  Andy’s family  stayed in Sussex for seven months and then moved to Prospect Park.  After four months in Prospect Park, Andy moved back to Sussex where he continued his employment, eventually moving back to Prospect Park and finding work at Vandereems Manufacturing in Hawthorne.

In 1957, while at the annual school Labor Day picnic at Terrace Lake, located in Butler, NJ,  Andy met an attractive, young lady by the name of Charlotte Sinke.  Andy and Charlotte started dating and they fell in love.  While dating, Andy enlisted in the United States Army to serve his new homeland and secure his new country’s citizenship.  The United States Army is where Andy primarily learned the English Language (and picked up his slight southern drawl).  During his service in the US Army, Andy was one of the only men in his outfit that knew how to drive a truck.  He was assigned as a transport/heavy vehicle driver in the Army, transporting officers to their destinations as well as truckloads of troops and equipment.

On November 28, 1959 while still in the service, Andy and Charlotte were married.  Andy was honorably discharged in 1960 from the US Army and settled with his wife, in Haledon, NJ.  The couple welcomed their first child while living in Haledon but did not stay there long.  Andy and Charlotte moved to Pompton Lakes and over the years had three more children.

He then utilized his truck driving skills and accepted a position as a truck driver for Frasse Steel in Lyndhurst, where he worked until his retirement.  After retiring, Andy worked for Red Star Express Lines based out of Newark.  In retirement, Andy was busier than he had ever been before, including owning and operating a landscaping business for a few years. He enjoyed landscaping his yard, as well as driving his tractor, and cutting the fields at his son’s farm.

Andy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He was not only devoted to his family but also to his Christian faith. He started each morning by reading his Bible.   Andy was very active in the church. Andy was a Sunday school teacher, deacon and youth group leader at the former Third Christian Reformed Church, later known as Trinity Christian Reformed Church and then Covenant Christian Reformed Church. Andy and Charlotte were also members of the Mr. & Mrs. Club and helped organize many activities, including the many camping trips for the families of the Mr. & Mrs. Club.   He was also a member of the Booster Club at Trinity and Covenant Christian Reformed Church where he volunteered at the “fish ‘n’ chips” dinners they held.  He also served in various capacities at the Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church where he was a member at the time of his death.  Andy volunteered alongside his wife, Charlotte, at the Corner Closet and then Ditto, thrift stores, which both supported the Eastern Christian School Association. They purchased a fifth-wheel camper and traveled with it as members of The Good Sam Club.  Andy enjoyed his work for the Army Corps of Engineers in his retirement, meeting and making more friends along the way.  He was a soccer referee for the Pompton Lakes Youth Soccer League and a high school soccer referee, as well as a Pompton Lakes youth soccer coach.  Being outdoors was something that Andy truly treasured.  One of his family’s most memorable trips was a vacation out west with their pop-up trailer. This trip included the culmination of earning his Degree in Wildlife Conservation in Yellowstone National Park.  This held a special place in Andy’s heart because he always desired to be an “American Cowboy”.  Andy was also a proud member of the NRA.  Andy enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and also researching his family’s genealogy.  

Andy was called “Pake” (pronounced PAH-kuh) by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a word from a Dutch dialect meaning grandpa and he became known by this name, even to his children’s and grandchildren’s friends and many people throughout his community. Andy also had a great love for animals.  As his neighbors would walk by his house with their dogs, he would often come outside and give the dogs treats.  After a time, the neighbors’ dogs would automatically stop and sit in front of Andy’s house during their walk, even when Andy wasn’t outside, waiting for their treat.

Aside from all of Andy’s talents, hobbies, and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Andy than providing for his family with his incredible work ethic and supporting his grandchildren in whatever they did.  Andy was an outgoing, compassionate, and selfless man, always putting others’ needs and wants ahead of his own.  He and Charlotte cherished sixty-one years of loving and loyal marriage together.  Andy was truly a special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Andy is survived by his wife Charlotte (nee Sinke) of Pompton Lakes; three daughters, Janice Kuiken and her husband Dennis of Wyckoff, NJ, Carolyn Salvesen and her husband John of Keller, TX, and Patricia Moschella and her husband Robert of Byram Township, NJ, one son John Elzinga and his wife Sara of Lafayette, NJ, one sister Jane Lindemulder of Wayne, NJ, one brother Simon Elzinga and his wife Judith of Marietta, PA, his sister-in-law Rena Martens and her husband George of Wayne, NJ; thirteen grandchildren, Ryan Kuiken and his wife Laura Rocio, Laura Royle and her husband Simon, Michael Moschella and his fiancée Hayley Vicedomini, Brittany Chandler and her husband Dallas, Alyssa Morin and her husband Jake, Joseph Moschella, Brian Salvesen and his fiancée Emma Pourzan, Jessica Elzinga, Andrew Elzinga, Jenna Salvesen, Kaitlyn Elzinga, Andrew Salvesen,and Elizabeth Elzinga; five great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Chandler, Luke Royle, Aurora Chandler, Trevor Morin, Oliver Royle, and two great-grandchildren “on the way”; twelve nieces and nephews and their children, Cor Moens and his wife Janet, Tineke Groen-Moens, Jeannette Hoogendoorn and her husband Nico, Arien Moens, George Lindemulder and his wife Susan, John Lindemulder and his wife Susan, Paul Lindemulder and his wife Heidi, Peter Elzinga and his wife Stephanie, Kristen Ridge and her husband Michael, George Martens, Laura Martens, and David Martens and his wife Andrea.  Andy is also survived by Mary Jane Borger Elzinga, and many devoted friends and neighbors.  He was predeceased by his sister Pierkje (Piery) Moens and her husband Dierk, his brother-in-law Nicholas Lindemulder, and two nephews, Johan Moens and James Lindemulder.            

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Andy’s name are asked to consider their local Parkinson’s Foundation, which can be located through ADPA http://www.apdaparkinson.org  (Please reference Andy Elzinga/Charlotte Elzinga) or the NJ Chapter for the American Parkinson Disease Association at; APDANJ, PO Box 910, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, or The Little Light House, 5120 E 36th Street, Tulsa, OK 74135 http://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help/ (Please reference Andrew Elzinga/Brooklyn Chandler)

William “Bill” R. Kievit, age 95, of Wayne passed peacefully in the comfort of his home on Sunday, January 3, 2021.

He was born in Clifton to Crine and Goldie Kievit on the kitchen table where mom delivered all three of her children by Midwife. William attended Clifton High School and soon transferred to Montclair Academy in Montclair where he graduated with the Class of 1943.

About two months after graduating High School Bill enlisted in the US Coast Guard on July 23, 1943.  He served during World War II as an Apprentice Seaman and Aerographer’s Mate Third Class and held certifications as an Aerographer and Radiosonde. He was honorably discharged on December 1, 1945.

After his discharge from the service he enrolled in Lafayette College in Easton, PA under the GI Bill and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Engineering with the Class of 1949. During his years of working he was employed at Okonite Cable in Paterson as a Sales Engineer and worked in a similar capacity for NLS (Non-Linear Systems) in Nutley.  With a partner Bill founded KLS (Kievit Landy Systems) originally located in Fairfield and later moving to the Singac section of Little Falls. Their company sold all kinds of high end testing and recording equipment.  Some of their equipment recorded 911 calls for police departments and an example of one of their testing machines is one that determined the consistency of crunch in crackers for Nabisco. William officially retired in 1995.

Bill met the love of his life on a blind date that was set up by his brother Roy at the Upper Montclair Country Club. Bill called Joan “Doris” all night until she emphatically said “the name is Joan.”  Just two weeks later and after dates to Rutts Hut in Clifton and the Meadowbrook Dance Club, Cedar Grove, Bill proposed marriage.  Joan was an only child and when Bill asked her father for permission to marry his daughter he was met with “don’t you think it’s a little early?”  The other bad news Bill had for Joan’s parents was just after they married they were moving away to Richmond, Virginia.  As you can imagine her parents were not thrilled and many predicted the marriage would fail.  Well Bill and Joan proved everyone wrong and had a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-eight years.  They married on the lawn at North Jersey Country Club in Wayne on September 6, 1952 and honeymooned in New Haven, Connecticut and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Through all those years together they may have had disagreements but really never had a fight and never raised their voices to each other.  Their marriage has been an amazing role model for their children and grandchildren.

Bill will be remembered for his kind, patient, and wise ways.  He was a wonderful person who was an excellent communicator, story teller, and always thought through his words.  Most of all he took great pleasure in having his family together and took great pride in all their accomplishments. Bill was an avid golfer playing mostly at the Passaic County Golf Club now known as Preakness Valley Golf Club in Wayne. He played the game up through his ninety-fourth year and had two holes-in-one. Bill taught his granddaughter the game and she now plays at the collegiate level on the Quinnipiac University Golf Team in Hamden, Connecticut.

Bill was the loving husband of sixty-eight years to Joan Kievit; devoted father of Dave (Liz) Kievit of Glen Mills, PA, Bruce (Paulette) Kievit of Coatesville, PA, and Bob (Laura) Kievit of Cedar Grove; he was the cherished grandfather of Will (Alyssa) Kievit, Michael Kievit, Tim Kievit, Brian Kievit, Jeanette (Ryan) Cacesse, Christine Kievit, and Jennifer Kievit; he was the loved brother of the late Roy Kievit and Robert Kievit.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.

Thomas Joseph Naiman, age 84, of Riverdale passed away peacefully on January 1, 2021 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Tom was born in Staten Island and was one of five children to Chester and Mary Anne Naiman.  The family moved to Linden where Tom attended Linden High School and graduated with the class of 1954. While in high school, Tom was a member of the Track and Field team.  Following high school graduation, Tom attended Seton Hall University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1958.  Tom found work quickly after graduating college, accepting a position at Time Share Consulting Company in Newark where he worked in Finance.  Tom later worked for various other companies including Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Chilton Memorial Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, Jersey City Medical Center, and St Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson.  During this time, Tom went back to Seton Hall University and eventually earned his Master’s Degree in Business in 1972.  Tom’s career in Finance Management spanned over forty-two years until his retirement in 2000.

In 1961, Tom was introduced to a young attractive woman name Lois Palmer by some mutual friends.  Tom invited Lois to accompany him to a day down the shore at Point Pleasant.  The couple hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it they fell in love and two years later on May 4, 1963 Tom and Lois became husband and wife.  They were married at Mt Carmel RC Church in Bayonne.  The couple settled in Bayonne after they were married until 1968 when they moved to Roselle.  After spending about twelve years in Roselle, and as their family began to grow, they moved to Wayne in 1980 where they raised their children and remained until 2005.  In 2006, Tom and Lois moved to Riverdale and have been there ever since.

One of Tom’s favorite past times was reading the newspaper and was always ready to lend a helping hand.  He was a member of the American Guild of Patient Account Managers, based out of Washington DC.  Tom was also a member of the Roselle Board of Education from 1973-1976, as well as the Wayne Hills Band Boosters where he was president for eight years during the 1990’s.  Tom was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  His greatest passion was clearly his family.  Nothing made Tom happier than spending time with his children and grandchildren.  For Tom and Lois’ twenty-fifth anniversary, they took a memorable trip to Niagara Falls.  Another cherished family memory was their trip to Disney with their grandchildren in 2008.

Tom was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Faith.  He and his family were parishioners of Holy Cross RC Church in Wayne for  forty  years.  During that time Tom was very active in the church and was a Eucharistic Minister.  Tom and Lois cherished over fifty-seven years of loving and loyal marriage.  Tom was a quiet and private person, yet he was easy-going, caring and deeply loved his family.  He touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by his family and friends alike.

Tom is survived by his wife Lois (nee Palmer) of Riverdale, his daughter Dawn Lopez and her husband Diego of Buford, GA, one son Thomas Naiman and his wife Angela of Lake Hopatcong, two additional daughters; Renee Potter and her husband Carl of Fontana, CA, and Andrea Figueroa and her husband Domingo of Boonton, NJ, one brother Edward Naiman of Emerald Isle, NC, and nine grandchildren; Kaitlyn Lopez, Stephanie Lopez, Christopher Naiman, Nicholas Naiman, Hannah Naiman, Bryan Figueroa, Sidney Figueroa, Shawn Potter, and Ashley Potter.  He was predeceased by his three brothers; Douglas Naiman, James Naiman, and Chester Naiman.  He was also predeceased by his grandson Andrew Potter.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas’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

Madeline Brenner (nee Canestri), age 91, of Wayne passed away peacefully on January 1, 2021 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Madeline was born and raised in Newark and was the youngest of seven children to Carlo and Grace Canestri.  Madeline and her family lived in Newark and then Hillside, NJ. She then went to work at a young age to help support her family.  Madeline found employment quickly doing assembly line work and packaging for the Ronson Company in Newark.   She worked there for some time and also helped work for her family in Long Branch where they owned a boarding home and rented rooms to the general public.  One day, while at the beach in Long Branch, Madeline and her sister Connie were approached by some boys in a car offering the two girls a ride home.  Madeline declined the offer, however, Connie was glad to accept.  One of the boys was a handsome young man named Gus “Augie” Brenner.  After Gus asked Madeline out on a date, Gus was invited over to the house to meet Madeline and her large Italian family.  The couple started dating and as fate would have it they fell in love.  While they were dating, Gus enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict.  After being honorably discharged from the Navy, five years after they first met, Madeline and Gus were married in May of 1955 and honeymooned in Florida.

The couple settled in Hillside, NJ where they welcomed the first of their three children.  Madeline then decided that she would become a full time homemaker, devoting her life to nurturing and caring for her children.  As Madeline’s family grew larger, they moved to Pines Lake in Wayne in 1965, where she lived for the rest of her life.  Later in life, Madeline accepted a position as a Teacher’s Aid for children with special needs.  She had a particular passion for caring for children with Down Syndrome. Thereafter, she was employed as a bookkeeper at UA Columbia Cable Company in Oakland.  

While living in the Pines Lake section of Wayne, Madeline and Gus were members of the Pines Lake Sailing Club where Gus was also the “Commodore.”  Madeline treasured spending time at the beach, especially at the Jersey Shore and particularly at Long Branch.  She loved packing up her little red suitcase and taking the train to Long Branch and spending the weekend with her family.

Madeline’s greatest passion was for her family, nothing in the world meant more to her than providing for and spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She was not only dedicated to her family but also to her Catholic Faith.  She and her family were parishioners of St. Mary’s RC Church in Pompton Lakes for many years.  Madeline and Gus cherished thirty-four years of loving and loyal marriage until Gus’ passing in 1989.  Madeline was a soft spoken and kind woman who loved her family and people in general.  She was compassionate, selfless, and brave.  Madeline was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Madeline is survived by her three children. Linda Bracaglia and her husband David of Herndon, VA; Gary Brenner of Wayne, NJ; and Donna Klein and her husband Dr. James Klein of Englewood, NJ. In addition, she is survived by three grandchildren; Laurie Bracaglia Manning and her husband Daniel of Hamden, CT; Katie Bracaglia and her fiancé Chris Baxter of Reston, VA; and Jill Bracaglia of Charlottesville, VA, as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband August “Gus” Brenner in 1989.  She was also predeceased by her siblings; Jenny Palmucci, Luke Canestri, Beatrice Palma, Mary Leonardis, Connie DiLeo, and Casey Canestri.

Those wishing to make a donation in Madeline’s name are asked to consider Englewood Health Foundation, 350 Engle Street, Englewood, NJ 07631 http://www.support.englewoodhospitalfoundation.org/

Florence “Aunt Flo” A. Kattak, age 82 of Wayne passed peacefully on Thursday, December 31, 2020.

She was born in Paterson to the late Najeeb and Souad Kattak and when she was twelve the family moved to Clifton.  She was the youngest of thirteen children and lost her father at a very young age. As a little girl, Florence would accompany her mother to English Language classes and would help her mother with English translations.   Florence graduated from Clifton High School with the Class of 1956. Florence has lived in Wayne for the past twenty-five years.

After high school Florence went to Cosmetology and Hair Dressing School.  She worked as a hair dresser in Paterson alongside her sister Violet at Violets Beauty Salon before relocating the salon to 648 Lafayette Avenue in Hawthorne.  Violet passed away in 1993 and Florence continued to run the salon for over twenty-five more years.

Florence was a parishioner of St Ann’s Melkite Catholic Church, Woodland Park  and a member of the John Raad American Legion Post 438 Ladies Auxilary in Paterson.  Florence was an accomplished piano player and focused mostly on playing classical music. She loved her family and the many client-friends she made at the salon over the years.  She will be remembered as Aunt Flo to just about everyone, being honest and truthful - saying it like it was.  She will also be remembered for loving her trips to the casinos in Atlantic City; playing the slot machines and blackjack were her favorites.

Florence was predeceased by her nine siblings:  Joseph Kattak, Agnes Barbary, John Kattak, Violet Kattak, George Kattak, Lillian Khoury, Edmund Kattak, William Kattak, and Victor Kattak; and dearly loved aunt to numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews; she is also survived by her loving sister-in-law Adrianne Kattak of Wayne and brother-in-law Joseph Khoury of Somerset.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Ann’s Melkite Catholic Church or St Judes Children’s Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated

David G. Jones, age 89, of Pequannock, NJ has passed away on December 31st, 2020.

Born in Scranton, PA, David was the son of William and Catherine Jones.

David was predeceased by his wife Ruth Van Buskirk Jones, his brother Robert Jones, and his daughter Karen Jones Acker. He is the loving father of six children, the grandfather of twelve grandchildren and the great grandfather of five great grandchildren.

David was employed for 41 years with DeCamp Bus Lines in Montclair, NJ where he gained seniority status. He attended Jacksonville Chapel for 62 years where he was a “Young Life” leader and a member of a weekly men’s prayer group. Dave and Ruth both built a multitude of significant friendships over the years at the chapel.

Dave enjoyed hunting, golfing, swimming, boxing, personal fitness, and he participated as a captain in the Pequannock Senior Olympics for many years. He especially LOVED large family celebrations. Dave was known for being faithful and compassionate.  He had a tireless work ethic even in his childhood years. He was always ready to lend an ear or assist his family with any small or large project they needed help on. He delighted in reminiscing and laughing while performing the task at hand.

Dave’s huge heart and dedication to his wife of 69 years, and his entire family is MATCHLESS.

The Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home in Wayne, NJ will be in charge of the arrangements.

Rosemary Oliver (nee Sulli), age 73, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Rosemary was born in New York City and lived on East 13th Street.  When she was around nine years old, Rosemary and her family moved to West Paterson, NJ.  Rosemary attended St Bonaventure Grammar and High School in Paterson and graduated with the class of 1965.  She was an excellent student and loved school, including homework. During her high school years, she enjoyed  spending time with her friends and hanging out at Pappy’s Diner in Totowa.  One night while getting together with some friends in Bloomfield, she met a handsome young man by the name of Dennis Oliver.  Dennis was quite taken with Rosemary and was very persistent in trying to get a date with her.  She finally agreed to go out with him, and as fate would have it, they fell in love. Rosemary and Dennis were married in 1969 at St Bonaventure Church in Paterson, followed by a honeymoon in Bermuda.  They resided in an apartment in Paterson for a few years after their wedding, and then shortly after the birth of their first child, the couple bought a house in West Paterson.  During their time living there, Rosemary and Dennis welcomed two more children.  In 1979, the Olivers moved to Wayne where they would spend their life together and raise their three kids.

Rosemary was dedicated to nurturing and caring for her family.  This was Rosemary’s true calling and where she flourished.  Rosemary loved to bake and was a great cook. She especially enjoyed preparing (and eating) Italian food and loved all the traditions of her heritage. She cherished hosting family events such as birthdays and graduations.  She also loved planning and hosting all the family holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and New Year’s.  Rosemary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was always there for her children, and would fiercely defend them if need be. She was sure to always be class mom, Girl Scout troop leader, CCD teacher, den mother, dance class and sports spectator, car pool driver, and so on.

After Rosemary’s children grew up, she followed through on a promise she had made to herself and went back to college.  She enrolled in William Paterson University at age 48, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education and Child Development.  While attending classes and after earning her degree, Rosemary held a position as a teacher’s aide and substitute teacher in Paterson for children with special needs; work that she genuinely loved. Despite her dream and adoration of teaching, she ultimately decided to open two Curves gyms for women with one of her sons. There, she found a new outlet doing what she excelled at - helping people and chit-chatting. She made many friends throughout her years working at Curves. However, once she became a grandmother, Rosemary left Curves in order to focus on babysitting and helping to care for her beloved grandchildren.  Nothing meant more to her than spending time with and providing for her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Rosemary always loved to express her thoughts in writing.  She kept in depth and extensive memoirs and diaries of her family’s events and history. She has a collection of her own creative writings, many of them being poems, and most are about her family. Reading was also a favorite past time of Rosemary’s.  Earlier in her life she enjoyed reading novels (especially the classics) however, her most treasured reading became the Holy Bible, daily devotionals,  and books about Christianity.  She  loved listening to Christian music.  Rosemary was extremely dedicated to her faith. For almost the last twenty years, Rosemary was a member of Abundant Life Worship Center in Lincoln Park, where she enjoyed being active with her family and many friends. She had a special knack for getting people to join her at church. Rosemary was a kind, thoughtful, and generous person who touched the lives of many, and will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

Rosemary is survived by her husband Dennis Oliver of Wayne, one daughter; Taryn Buglione and her husband Albert of Wayne, two sons; Marc Oliver and his wife Hillary of Lake Hiawatha, and Michael Oliver and his wife Alexandra of Maplewood, one brother, Michael Sulli and his wife Mary of Lakewood, Colorado, and eight grandchildren; Amelia, AJ, Sierra, Elaina, Isla, Addison, Makenzie, and Everett.  She was predeceased by her sister Elaine Sulli.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Rosemary’s name are asked to consider Abundant Life Worship Center, 103 Jacksonville Rd, Lincoln Park, NJ 07035.http://www.alwclp.org/

Michael Theodore Dieffenbach (55) passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 after bravely battling a six-year rare neurological disorder.  He was surrounded by family and friends in Jupiter, Florida.

Born in New York City and raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, Michael graduated from Tenafly High School. He lived an admirable life working in real estate development, account management in the gourmet food and media industries and house renovation and restoration. Michael contributed to each of the communities in which he resided, including serving on the Board of the Green Pond Yacht Club. He made great memories from time spent in Hyde Park, Vermont; Woodland Valley, New York; Tenafly and Green Pond, New Jersey; and Jupiter, Florida.

Michael was kind, funny, helpful, generous, fun, never dull and keenly interested in other people’s experiences.  He loved music, concerts, travel, fly fishing, skiing, water skiing, snorkeling, horseback riding and gourmet cooking.  All of these activities were intertwined with lifelong friends he deeply loved. Michael will always be lovingly remembered for rising to life’s challenges without reservation, full of compassion with an infectious laugh.

A loving husband and devoted father who never missed an opportunity to create cherished memories with his family, Michael has left a great legacy. Michael’s enthusiastic involvement with his children and unwavering support of their individual aspirations have left an indelible mark for which they will be forever grateful.

Michael was predeceased by his beloved mother Kathleen Howe Fagan Dieffenbach (Dusan) and father William Theodore Dieffenbach (Teddy). He is survived by his wife Suzanne (Susan) and children Ekaterina (Katya) and Vladimir.

Memorial donations may be made to Trustbridge Hospice of Palm Beach (trustbridgefoundation.org) and he would be pleased to have friends listen to a Grateful Dead song in his honor.

Marleen J Fauerbach, age 79, of Wayne, passed peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2021.

She was born in Paterson to the late Frederick and Margaret Moore. The family lived in North Haledon and Marleen graduated from Hawthorne High School with the Class of 1959 where she was voted Class Flirt.  She continued her education at William Paterson University where she met the love of her life, William Henry Fauerbach.

Marleen was a member of the Wayne Presbyterian Church for over forty years.  Most recently she was involved with the Seniors Group but will always be remembered for the purses loaded with all kinds of essentials she made for women in crisis.

Marleen spied William (Bill) when he was crossing a street with some friends.  She promptly told her friends that the man over there was the guy she was going to marry.  They married on August 24, 1963 and Marleen, at 5’2”and 80 lbs. and Bill at 6’2” and 180 lbs., let there be no doubt she was the one in-charge for the next 50 years. They married at the Cedar Cliff Methodist Church in Haledon and honeymooned at Niagara Falls, New York. Marleen used to share a story about how Bill woke her up in the middle of the night and insisted she go sign their names to the fence outside. She complied and went outside to find the fence was actually a rope.  When she went back to the room and confronted Bill about this she realized that he had been talking in his sleep. That was just the start of their fifty wonderful years together which included many trips to New York City, polka dancing in Germantown on the East-side of Manhattan and always lots of fun.  They celebrated their Golden Anniversary in August of 2013 and Bill passed just seven months later on March 3, 2014.

She will be remembered for her loving and caring way, as well as her strong will and determination. She was devoted to her family and generous to a fault.  When one of her sons gave her the nickname “Stubby” she embraced it and even got vanity plates making her car the Stubby Mobile. She was a fantastic cook and her loving touch on Goulash, Pot Roast, and Holland Potato Salad will be greatly missed. For many years the family had a home in Ocean Beach III at the Jersey Shore where the family would spend entire summers together. She was a four time cancer survivor who beat breast cancer twice.  She transformed her knowledge and experience with cancer and would help others going through the difficulties of the disease.  She would spend hours on the phone speaking to people going through cancer treatment, some of whom she didn’t even know.  Her empathetic ear was a true comfort to many.

Marleen was predeceased by her loving husband of fifty years William Henry Fauerbach (2014); she was the devoted mother of Kurt Fauerbach and his wife Donna of Verona, Eric Fauerbach and his wife Alison of Roseland, Marc Fauerbach and his wife Darlene of Wayne, and Lauri Fauerbach-Adams and her husband Chris of Philadelphia, PA; she was the cherished grandmother of Billy, Cole, Faith, Angel, Zach, Connor, Emilie, and Zoe; she was also the loved sister of Frederick Moore, Jr. and his wife Sandy of Flemington.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Positive For Life Foundation positiveforlife.org or the Lustgarten Foundation lustgarten.org/donate/ would be greatly appreciated.

Lillian G. Fanslau, age 93, of Allendale and a former long-time resident of Wayne, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Lillian was born in Paterson and graduated from Eastside High School with the Class of 1945.  After graduation, she took a job at NJ Bell Telephone Company and worked in the billing department preparing customer’s monthly invoices.

How Lillian met her husband Roy is quite a story. When Roy was eighteen and Lillian just twelve they each accompanied their Mom on a church bus ride to High Point. Lillian must have made an impression on Roy as a few years later he asked if they could correspond through letters while Roy was serving with the Army in the Philippines. They fell in love through those letters, and when Roy returned, they began dating. They dated for two years and were married May 10, 1947 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Smith St. in Paterson and enjoyed a honeymoon traveling throughout New England.

Lillian and Roy lived in Paterson and welcomed their first son Richard in October 1948. They moved to their first home on Preakness Ave in Paterson in 1949 and welcomed another son, Wayne and a daughter April. In 1962 the family moved to Wayne and made that home for the next 52 years from 1962 to 2014.  

No matter where they lived, Lillian was the consummate awesome mom and excellent homemaker. She was the one who hosted most of the holidays, primarily because she enjoyed it, but quite possibly because she was an excellent cook and baker. Family favorites included Lillian’s Sauerkraut with pork which for many years was traditionally served on New Year’s Day, and her German stollen bread and various cookies, cakes and pies.

Throughout their marriage Lillian and Roy traveled on many road trips which were among their favorites. They visited National Parks such as Zion, Bryce, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. They also toured Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Denmark, and the Scandinavian countries, just to name a few. Their favorite destination was, without a doubt, wherever they could be together. They were blessed with 67 years in a loving marriage. Lillian and Roy moved to the Allendale Assisted Community where Roy passed away in 2014. Surely during the past six years, Lillian had a trove of fine memories to help keep Roy close to her heart. Now they are reunited once again.

Lillian took great pride and joy in her beautiful rock garden and planting flowers throughout the yard. She also enjoyed curling up with a good mystery book from Mary Higgins Clark and doing her word search puzzle books. She was a skilled seamstress who made many of her own clothes and curtains. She also adored spending time with her seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They all have fond memories of Grandma’s homemade applesauce and how she’d make them pizza.  

Lillian was  a longtime member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne where she was active in  the church’s Angel Circle – a group that made quilts which were lovingly donated to those in need. She also volunteered time to the church’s garden club with the goal of making the church’s grounds look as lovely as her own yard.

Over the years Lillian had some pet sayings. One of her favorites was “Whatever!” She’d often say “You have to do up with it” which meant, you have to put up with certain things. More recently, she would frequently refer to herself as “This old tomato” which became the inspiration for her 93rd birthday cake that resembled a giant red tomato. In the end, Lillian’s words were sometimes funny but her actions were truly what made her such a special person. She was a truly kind and selfless woman who often put the needs of others before her own. She was the consummate caregiver for her Mom, her brother Al, cousin Rene and for Roy as he experienced health issues.  Lillian was there for him every step of the way.

Lillian was predeceased by her beloved husband Roy Fanslau, blessed in marriage for 67 years until his passing 2014. She was the loving mother of Richard Fanslau (Nancy) of Saddle Brook, NJ, Wayne Fanslau (Joan) of Pine Beach, NJ, and April Spann (Jeff) of Rockaway, NJ; adoring grandmother of Michael Fanslau (Danielle), Sara Jefferson (John), Megan Rendon (Richard), David Fanslau (Carly), Justin Fanslau (Jonny Sta Ana), Kelly Spann, and Ryan Spann (Tonia Benoy); cherished great-grandmother of: Layla, Bennett, Aria, and Erika. Lillian was also predeceased by her two dear older brothers: Albert and Otto Schifferdecker.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Lillian’s name are asked to consider St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 395 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, or a charity of your choice.

James R Patten, age 78 of Wayne NJ died peacefully at home with his family by his side.

Jim was born and raised in New York City to Vincent and Mary Patten. He attended Rice High School and graduated from St Francis College in Brooklyn and was a broker in the maritime industry for Poten Partners for many years.

He met his wife Claire while working for Sinclair Oil in NYC. He and Claire moved to Wayne in 1970 and raised 3 boys in Packanack Lake. Jim was a member of Packanack Golf Club and also played for the Klorpz softball team for many years. He also enjoyed playing horseshoes with his friends. Jim was an avid sports fan who rooted for the Mets, Giants and The Fighting Irish. Nothing made him happier than watching his grandkids play sports and was at every game he could attend.

Jim was loving husband to Claire Patten and devoted father to James Patten Jr and wife Heather of Wayne, Brian Patten of Hoboken and Robert Patten and wife Stacy of Wayne and grandfather to Alex, Shane and Riley Patten all of Wayne.

In lieu of flowers our family would appreciate donations to Hospice of NJ or the Wayne First Aid Squad

Donna Farnese, age 58, of Hamilton, formerly of Paterson, Hamburg, and Forked River, passed Thursday, December 24, 2020.

Donna was born in Paterson to Alfred Patrick and Mary Ellen Farnese and was the baby of their “three D’s” Diane, Debra, and Donna. Donna was raised in the family home at 1001 East 28th Street and graduated from the Passaic County Technical and Vocational High School with an emphasis on Health Occupations.

Through the years Donna worked, just out of high school, for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Totowa as a Housekeeping Aide, later as a Maitre D’ for The Bethwood in Totowa,  and as a Home Health Aide for many years. She will be lovingly remembered as a person who had a kind heart and always put others needs before her own.  She brought these loving traits to her work and the family remembers when she was working at the Little Sisters of the Poor and would run errands and buy things for the residents with her own money.

Donna was extremely devoted to her five nieces, nephews, and great-nephew. When each was celebrating their second birthday she would arrange to have Mickey Mouse or a cartoon character of their choice show up at their birthday party.  On several occasions Donna would dress like a clown and entertain the kids as well. For several years she held Christmas parties for her nieces, nephews, and the children of her friends. She would dress up as Santa, give all presents and serve pizza. It could be said she was generous to a fault and a child at heart who loved to see joy on children’s faces. No story about Donna would be complete without recalling her living with her mom for several years and the inseparable bond they developed and her love of cars - especially her 80’s era black Mercury Cougar.  

Donna was the loving sister of Diane Jaouen of Toms River, Debra Migliorino and her husband Robert of Wayne; cherished aunt of Tracy Jaouen and her fiancé John, Robert Jaouen and his girlfriend AJ, Dana Guglielmo and her husband Joseph, Amy DiCarlo and her husband Marshall, and Frank Migliorino and his fiancé Kristen. She was also the dearly loved great-aunt of Joey Guglielmo.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the CURE PSP (click on the blue text to be brought to their donation page) would be greatly appreciated.

Philip Joseph Avella, Sr., age 78, of Wayne, New Jersey, formally of Brooklyn, New York, passed away on December 23, 2020.

Philip was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 29, 1942. He was the son of Katherine Mainella Avella and Samuel Michael Avella.  He was educated in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Franklin K. Lane High School and Pace University.

Philip spent most of his life working on Wall Street for several different firms in his career as a bond trader. He continued to enjoy the stock market in his retirement and followed the market as a hobby. He and his cousin Warren Mainella owned a Gun Shop, Gunslingers, in Long Island for many years. He relocated to Utica, New York where he spent several years in the retail industry and worked with his sister in their event planning company, By Invitation Only.  His later years were spent in Hampton Bays with family and he worked with them at Ricky’s Plumbing before retiring to New Jersey to be closer to his sons and grandchildren.

He was an accomplished pianist and had an incredible musical ear and could play anything without reading the sheet music. He was an accomplished songwriter having written several songs on his own, and some in collaboration with his mother. As a young man he was part of a musical group called the Jo-Vals along with his cousin Ronny DaBruzzo, Joe Mancuso, and John Ferrara. They recorded several songs on the Laurie Record Label.   Phil was an avid fisherman and he loved to go clamming and crabbing having spent most of his summers in Bayville, Long Island on the water. He enjoyed spending time on his uncle’s boat, “The Rebel” chumming for blue fish at Buoy 19 and at Mattituck point looking for striped bass with his father, uncles, and cousins.  He was an avid skeet shooter along with his partner-in-crime, his cousin Nick “Banging Birds” Sanito.

He loved to garden and plant his tomatoes and was an excellent cook. His dry sense of humor and his wit were legend. But among all his accomplishments, his greatest accomplishment was being both a father and mother to his two young sons raising them with the help of his parents when they were young and then by himself into adolescence and adulthood. He was a tremendous role model for his sons on what a father should be. He was most proud of the young men that they grew up to become. His life was his sons, and then his grandchildren. He treasured the times he spent cooking and baking with his grandchildren and passing along all the traditions of his Italian heritage, our family heritage and recipes such as making breadsticks and eggnog with his grandchildren. He savored every one of those moments and was so proud, often sending pictures to share those moment with the rest of the family.

Philip served his country as a member of The National Guard of New York and was right there during the country’s postal strike, out delivering the mail. He was a true patriot and loved his country.

Philip was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Katherine Avella and his loving Aunt Josephine (Fifi) Mainella, his Uncle Frank and Aunt Edith Mainella, Uncle Pat and Jean Mainella, Aunts Julia Silvestri, Frances Moreira, Mary Caccavale, Jennie and Uncle Ralph Tarantino, and Mae and Flo Avella, and his loving sister-in-law Thirza Castro Avella.

He is survived by his sons Michael J. Avella and his wife Sherry Posey Avella, and Philip J. Avella, Jr. and his wife Sharon Vega Avella, and four grandchildren, Daniella, Adrian, Kaden and Joseph Avella. He is survived by his brother Joseph Avella, and his sister and brother-in-law, Dr. Marc and Elise Avella Feiner, his nieces and nephews, Dr. Jeffrey M. Feiner, Steven and JoAnna Corso Feiner, Dr. David (his loving godson) and Courtney Mulvey Feiner, Lauren Feiner Asensio and Alfredo Asensio, Melissa Avella, Douglas Avella (his godson), and several great-nephews, Julian, Maxwell, and Jacob Feiner, Oliver Asensio Feiner, and Kahlil and Camilo Avella.

He is survived by his loving Goddaughter Julie Ann (DiPierdomenico) and Jerry Sapio, Joey and Jonathan Sapio, and the DiPierdomenico family, and many loving cousins, and three cousins to whom he was more like a brother than a cousin, Mary Ann and Michele Maida, and Toni Mollico, and several close friends including the Mercurio Clan, Fran and Norm Zierler, and Rae and Steve Rosenfeld. He really enjoyed Facebook because it allowed him to talk (and opine in many cases,) with many of his cousins and reconnect with them on a daily basis, The Silvestri, Saracino, Youngs, Calabreses, Franks, Caccavales, Arcaras, Grimaldis, Sanitos, Vennans, Mainellas, Barones, D’Amicos, Anselmos, and all the other extended cousins. He loved his time in Florida and spending time with Joseph Silvestri, Joanne and Carl Fsadni, and Sophia and Danny Duran, it was like being back in Huntington again, for him, a place he held near and dear.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Philip’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, or online at www.stjude.org.

Elba Iris Weitzman, “Iris”, age 66 of Gurabo, Puerto Rico and formerly of the Bronx, Wayne, and Paterson, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

Iris was born and raised in Arecibo, a town on the northern coast of Puerto Rico on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. After high school graduation, she left her beloved island, coming to the mainland of the U.S. to attend Lehman College in the Bronx in pursuit of a career as a social worker. She earned her bachelor’s degree and eventually attended Fordham University and in 1990, she graduated with a master’s degree in social work.

As a child growing up, Iris had many siblings and, in many ways, being one of the older children in the family, she was like a mother to the younger ones. In 1977, she attended one of her little sister’s parent-teacher conferences to assist her Mom who didn’t have complete mastery of the English language. There Iris met Jay Weitzman, her sister’s teacher. They hit it off, fell in love, and in July 1980, they eloped to Nevada to get married at the Silver Bell Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. Already equipped with mothering skills, Iris became a mother herself in 1981 with the arrival of her dear daughter Taryn. A year later, Taryn was joined by a baby brother named Brian.

It was after the birth of her children that Iris went to Fordham University for her master’s degree. Needless to say with two children and going to school, she had her hands full. But, with hard work, grit, and determination, she achieved her goal. Soon after, while living in Wayne, NJ, Iris’ ultimate dream was fulfilled when she took a job as a social worker with Paterson Public Schools. She simply loved her career, working with caseworkers as part of child study teams to advocate for the safety, protection, and well-being of the children under her care. Iris’s days were busy but highly fulfilling. After championing for the best possible life of countless children for a career that spanned 25 years, Iris retired in 2017 having enjoyed the love and respect of her colleagues and the kids that she served.

Soon after retirement, Iris decided to spend more time in her native Puerto Rico to be reunited with her beloved homeland. She bought a house in Gurabo and took great pride in ownership. Never afraid of physical labor, Iris kept that house spotlessly clean (she never saw a bottle of Clorox she didn’t like) and beautifully decorated. Her yard and gardens were equally meticulously maintained and nourished with love and care. Inside her home, one of Iris’ favorite places to channel her creative nature was in the kitchen where she cooked delicious foods. Family favorites included her Arroz Con Grandules (rice and pigeon peas), Arroz Con Habichuela (rice and pork chops), and Pasteles (pork and root vegetable mix wrapped in banana leaves). Of course, her faithful Chihuahua, affectionately named Rosie Bean was always by her side and willing to sample anything Iris cooked.

Blessed with the gift of handiness and creativity mixed with an insatiable desire to “make it happen”, whether it was morphing a broken piece of furniture into something new and beautiful and useful, or sewing custom designer pillowcases for her children or a sling to carry Rosie Bean in, Iris was always on the move and up to something. She loved dressing in vividly colorful outfits, dancing to salsa or merengue (likely where Taryn got her love of dance), playing Candy Crush for hours, and sharing life with family and friends.

Iris loved to travel - especially when her daughter Taryn came for a visit or when she traveled to LA.  Iris was known for excitedly saying “Let’s go on an adventure!” And off they’d go, taking in new sights, seeing Broadway shows, or doing what every woman loves to do – go shopping! Iris was also the proudest grandma in the whole wide world! When her grandson Jaxon was born, life took on a whole new dimension and, when it came to spending time with Jaxon, Iris had all the energy and time in the world and then some! As late as early December, she assisted her very talented son, Brian with building a custom bed for Jaxon.  She was extremely proud of her son's talents; particularly his career in law enforcement with the Passaic Country Sheriff's Department.  A fun fact about Iris was that not only was she a huge fan of Roberto Clemente and Reggie Jackson, but she could throw a baseball so wickedly fast, the Yankees or Mets would have loved to sign her to a multi-year contract. No doubt, her grandson Jaxon would have loved to witness Grandma Iris don the uniform of a major league baseball team.

Throughout much of her life, Iris was hampered by a heart ailment. Despite this challenge, she did her best to never let it hold her back from living life to the fullest and blessing others along the way. Her heart muscle might have had its challenges but her heart was always filled with love, kindness, selflessness, and generosity. She could not help being sensitive to the needs of others and she derived great joy by helping a hurting soul or giving a warm hug of encouragement. Iris may have formally retired from her job as a social worker but her love for the welfare of others never retired! Never able to deny her benevolent nature, Iris continued to address the needs she saw, even taking children in to live with her when they were down on their good fortune. She was like an angel.

Iris was the loving mother of Taryn Weitzman of Los Angeles and Brian and wife Jennifer Weitzman of Wayne; adoring grandmother of Jaxon Weitzman of Wayne; and dear sister of numerous siblings. She is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, and cousins and her faithful Chihuahua Rosie Bean.

Michael Joseph Heberling was born on June 19, 1976 in Ridgewood, NJ to Henry and Josephine Heberling (nee Carrabba). He passed away unexpectedly at age 44 on December 2, 2020, after years of struggling with diabetes.

Mike was a lifelong resident of Wayne, NJ, having attended Packanack Elementary and George Washington Junior High schools. He participated in Police Athletic League sports and played football, and briefly lacrosse, at Bayley-Ellard, a Catholic high school in Madison, NJ. After graduation, Mike took some community college courses, and ultimately decided to complete his learning outside of the classroom. He was well read, curious, and intelligent and was a dreamer who pursued his passions on his own terms. Mike loved music and his collection was extensive. Before his illness limited his ability to work, he was a security guard at various companies.

While Mike was not always capable of expressing his feelings as he grew into adulthood, it was obvious to all who knew him that he was a sensitive soul and that he had a big heart. He is fondly remembered for his mischievous smile, his childhood “hidden camera” pranks, the haunted houses he built in the cellar for his little sister, and for his protectiveness of his family. Growing up, he idolized his maternal grandfather, Carmen, wearing his police cap around the house and carrying his pipe in his mouth. As an adult, Mike spent hours talking over his thoughts about life and the world with his mother.

Mike is predeceased by his grandfather Carmen Carrabba and his father Hank Heberling, who died earlier in the year, also from complications with diabetes. He leaves behind his much beloved mother Jo Heberling of Wayne, NJ, his younger sister Katherine Heberling and her husband Jason Young of Brooklyn, NY, and his grandmother Rose Carrabba of Mahwah NJ, as well as a large extended family.

Donations may be made in Michael’s memory to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at http://www.nami.org

Donald J. Boonstra, age 76 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. Don has been a Wayne resident since 1980.

Don grew up in Paterson and was born into the family business; Boonstra’s Dairy, located on Union Avenue in Paterson.  The dairy dates back to the early 1800’s and Don was among the fourth generation to operate it.  Needless to say, Don knows his ice cream better than anyone!

Leading into the 1970’s, the dairy industry had changed almost as much as the City of Paterson had changed, and his family made the decision to sell the dairy.  It was then that Don decided to join the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department.  He graduated at the top of his class from the Police Academy, where he was also the oldest guy in the class, at thirty-six years old. He excelled in his new career, rising rapidly through the ranks. He was well respected among his peers and became the “go-to” guy for just about everything. Don enjoyed his career and the many friends he made along the way, but he always remained an ‘ice cream man’ at heart.

Don had been a fan of baseball his whole life.  He played ball for many years, was a devoted Brooklyn Dodgers fan, and later became a loyal METS fan. He was a ‘trivia master,’ with a vast knowledge of all sorts of things. He loved reading history, particularly about WWII, and he recently finished reading the World Almanac.  His brain was like a sponge for all things. It makes sense that he was a huge fan of Jeopardy!, watching the show faithfully each night. He went to a try-out session for the television gameshow in Atlantic City once, but he didn’t fare as well there as he ordinarily did in his own living room. Don also enjoyed doing research on his family history. He knew his Dutch heritage pretty well, so he thought, until his own DNA analysis revealed that he was primarily of Irish decent, with relatives hailing from the County Cork and County Cavan regions of Ireland.

Don met his wife, Suzanne Robinson, at Gino’s on Haledon Ave. in Haledon during the early 1960’s. He was smitten from the moment he met her and he took her to the movies for their first date. He proposed in 1965 and they were married on April 20, 1966 at St. Paul’s Church in Haledon.  After a honeymoon to the Poconos and Atlantic City, they settled into their first home in Haledon. They eventually moved to Wayne in 1980 and have called this their home ever since. They have enjoyed a “great” marriage for more than fifty-four years. More recently, they traveled together to Disney World and had taken several cruises as well. Don has always been very family oriented, teaching his children the importance of keeping close to one another. He was a hard worker and dedicated provider for his family. A generous dad, his children and grandchildren have never wanted for anything from him. He loved spending his free time with his family, and they all have countless great memories. Don had an especially close relationship will all of his grandchildren as well, and he was truly devoted to them. He was proud of all their accomplishments. They each adore him, and will miss him dearly.

Don is survived by his wife Suzanne (nee Robinson) of Wayne, three children; Jennifer Miller and her husband John of Sussex, Kevin Boonstra of Wayne and Brian Boonstra of Wayne, four grandchildren; Lauren Boonstra, John Boonstra, Skyler Boonstra, and Christine Miller, and his dear sister; Carol Schultz and her husband Frank of Secaucus.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory would be appreciated to the Friends of Wayne Animals, FOWA Rescue, PO Box 3701, Wayne, NJ 07470 or visit www.fowarescue.org.

John Geger, age 61, of Wayne passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 as a result of complications from COVID 19.

John was born in Passaic, and grew up in Bloomfield before moving to Wayne more than ten years ago.  He attended Essex Catholic High School in Newark.  During his years in high school, tragedy struck John’s life when his father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  Following his graduation from high school, John found work quickly with a company named SEBCO Laundry Systems in Raritan, NJ.  John’s career with SEBCO spanned more than thirty-five years.  He started out at an entry level position and over the years climbed the company ladder to the position of Operations Manager.  John held the position of Operations Manager for several years until his passing.

In 1994, John married the love of his life, Grace Van Der Veen.  The couple moved to Wayne and called it their home for the rest of their lives together.  John and Grace cherished twenty six years of loving and loyal marriage.  Apart from all of John’s talents, hobbies and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  He will always be remembered as a kind, loving, and caring man.  John was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by his family and friends alike.

John is survived by his wife Grace Geger (nee Van Der Veen), one son Jeffrey Sisco, his mother Jean Geger, one sister Jean Loesch and her husband Gerard, two nieces; Brianna Van Der Veen, and Clare Loesch, one nephew Brandon Van Der Veen, his brother-in-law Donald Van Der Veen and his wife Dianne, and his Goddaughter Kaitlyn Cropanese.  He was predeceased by his father John Geger and by his brother James Geger.

Gary P. Ragusa, age 49, of Wayne, passed away at his home on Thursday, December 16, 2020, with loving family at his side at the time of his passing.

In 2015, Gary was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. While his family mourns his loss, they are grateful that his suffering is no more.

The oldest of Andrew and Kathleen Ragusa’s three children, Gary was born at Barnet Hospital in Paterson. His arrival into this world was a little early and since he only weighed two pounds at the time of his birth, his stay at the hospital was a bit longer than average.

As a child, Gary took a great interest in sports. He could always be found at the Wayne P.A.L. playing basketball and also baseball on the traveling team. His favorite sport of all though was hockey. Gary was already on skates when he was just three years old and he was playing street hockey by first grade. To make things even more interesting, Gary’s father Andy was a mechanic who worked on the cars of several professional players from the NHL New Jersey Devils. This relationship gave Gary the rare opportunity to attend almost every Devils home game. One time, they even got four tickets behind the goal for the all-star game. If this didn’t spark Gary’s interest in the sport enough, the fact that he got to meet a lot of those Devils players at their practices at the former Ice World in Totowa surely did. Street hockey games with neighborhood friends in front of his childhood home in Wayne were a regular pastime, and by the time he was eleven or twelve, he was regularly playing games on the ice at Ice World in Totowa and later at the Ice Vault in Wayne. Gary’s love of Hockey continued well into adulthood. He played for the Comets in a league that traveled all over – even to Canada. This continued until his ALS diagnosis. To those close to Gary, including his teammates, his nickname was “Goose” and various fundraisers under the name “Team Goose” have been organized to help pay for Gary’s ongoing medical expenses.

Upon graduation from Wayne Hills High School with the Class of 1990, Gary started full-time work as a floor manager for N.D. Industries in Oakland. From there he took a job with A&A Oil Company in Wayne doing oil tank environmental remediation. Most recently, he worked for ten years with the Township of Wayne Water Department until his health condition necessitated retirement in 2015.

Gary was the kind of guy who never stood still. Fastidious about everything, you could always find him in his yard making sure it looked pristine. He loved caring for his coy fish which found solitude in the beautiful pond that he made with his own two hands. His son Ryan and all his neighborhood friends loved the zip line that Gary erected in the yard for good times. His cars were always clean, including his classic 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint Convertible which he enjoyed taking on leisurely rides on dry sunny days. In the house, Gary considered it a hobby to be in the kitchen trying cooking up his favorites or trying out new healthy recipes.

Gary’s sons meant the world to him. He loved them so much and did his best to give them memorable childhoods. When they were young, the family took great vacations like cruises and weeks down the shore. Gary enjoyed watching his son, Ryan playing basketball. He enjoyed riding on ATV’s with them and taking them to the shooting range. He’d get right in there with them to play street hockey in front of the house, teaching little Gary how to skate on the pond, and he enjoyed coaching them at the Ice Vault in Wayne and also driving the Zamboni ice grooming machine on the ice rink. He was so proud of his son Ryan who graduated with honors from Passaic County Technical High School.

Gary will always be remembered for his friendly, outgoing nature. Whether it was coaching the kids at the Ice Vault or helping any of his neighbors in need, Gary was the caring kind of a soul you could always count on to be there in your time of need or to make your life a little easier. He will be dearly missed.  

Gary was the loving father of Gary P. Ragusa, Jr. and Ryan M. Ragusa, both of Boonton; much-loved son of Andrew and Kathleen (Becker) Ragusa of Denville; dearest brother of the late Dennis Ragusa (2017), Sister-in-law Tara Ragusa, his sister Crystal Ann and husband Thomas Loweth of Oakland; dear uncle of: Cameron Ragusa, Julianna Ragusa, Tommy Loweth, Jr., and Isabella Loweth; and his beloved girlfriend Chelsea Otte. He is also survived by his grandmother Shirley Remella and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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

ALS Association – Greater New York Chapter

42 Broadway, Suite 1724

New York, NY 10004

If sending a check, please click here for printable donation form and make your check payable to “ALS Association Greater New York Chapter”

If donating online, click here (als-ny.org)

Daniel J. Biroc died suddenly on December 16, 2020 at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. He was the eldest of three sons born to Lucien and Genevieve Biroc in Jersey City NJ. His parents and two brothers, Albert and Richard predeceased him.

He was a forty eight year resident of Wayne and is survived by his wife Frances Bridget to whom he was married for over fifty years, by his step child Jackie Faulkner, her husband Pat and their children Padraig and Grainne, by his step child Barry McArdle and his children Aisling, Cian and Aoife, by the families of his sisters-in-law Monica Boyle, Bernadette McKittrick and Angela Daly, the families of his brothers Albert and Richard and his god-son Marc Richardson.

Daniel was raised in Union City where he was educated in the public school system and graduated from Edison High School. He later attended Pace University in New York City.

He spent most of his career at Chase Manhattan Bank working for 34 years in credit and finance areas of the retail bank. He retired as an Assistant Vice President. Following retirement Dan enjoyed spending time in Sandy Hook at the Jersey shore. He enjoyed gardening and keeping the property in tip top shape.

Daniel was a big sports fan and attended Giant games at the Meadowlands for years. He and his wife enjoyed each other’s company and traveled extensively together. He loved cruising. Being out on the water far from land had a special appeal for him. They vacationed on many Caribbean islands where they enjoyed getting to know the indigenous people. For years while the grandchildren were growing up, the family vacationed in Wildwood Crest where they created lasting memories.

Daniel and Frances Bridget owned a second home in Ireland where they spent time during the summer and at Christmastime with their Irish family who were all very close to Daniel. There were regular family visits and wonderful celebrations. A friend once asked Daniel what he did when in Ireland and he responded with a smile, ‘I answer the door’. He loved his Irish family and felt blest to be part of the love and good feelings they shared with him and with each other.

Daniel enjoyed long term relationships with close friends in Wayne, people he knew for over forty years and considered his American family. Shared dinners at home, dining out, and participating in events like Thanksgiving dinners, super-bowl parties, holiday celebrations and neighborhood get-togethers were among the things he treasured.

He also enjoyed a more recent group of friends known as the ‘Lunch Bunch’ who met at Justin’s restaurant in Hawthorne. They brightened his Fridays with their banter, jokes and sometimes serious conversion.

Those who knew Daniel will remember him as a sincere and caring man.  The world was a better place when he was in it. He will be sorely missed.

Albert V. Ruffini, age 82 of Wayne, died peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.  He had been a science teacher at Wayne Hills High School for forty-six years.

Al was raised in West Paterson and graduated from Passaic Valley High School with the class 1956. He earned his varsity letter on the golf team at P.V. and went on to be nominated “Class Clown” and “Class Chatterbox!” Al stayed in close contact with many of his former high school classmates and they would gather monthly at the Wayne Hills Diner for breakfast.  He went on to serve in the U.S. Army before pursuing his higher education. He earned degrees from Newark State College, Montclair State, and eventually earned his Ph.D. from Arizona State. He was a proud member of Mensa with an IQ of 156. Al was always enthusiastic about education and knowledge, and his career as a teacher was a perfect fit for him.

Al was active with many benevolent organizations throughout his lifetime.  He was a member of the American Legion, Lions Club International, the Wayne Environmental Commission, the NJ Camp for Blind Children, and he was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Foundation of the Handicapped in Wayne.  He founded the Leo Club, a student organization sponsored by Lions International, with many Wayne student members dedicated to community service. With the Leo Club, Al organized fund raisers for the St. Joseph School for the Blind, Walk for Juvenile Diabetes, and beach cleanups at Asbury Park. He was like the Energizer Bunny; rarely slowing down.  He had a generous spirit as well, and was always enthusiastic to help others in need. Al was a caring and good person in all respects.

Al met his wife, Rosa (nee Russo) at a party in early 1983. He was smitten from the moment he met her, and called her the very next day for a date. They married later that same year, on November 22, 1983 and enjoyed a honeymoon the following summer to Hawaii. They’ve enjoyed thirty-seven years in a loving, fun, and very active marriage. Together, they traveled all over the United States, and Al has visited every state except for Alaska.  They also visited Puerto Rico several times, and took a great trip to Italy a few years back. Al particularly liked playing three card poker in Atlantic City, and they made many trips there as well. He loved life, lived it well, and will be missed by many.

Al is survived by his beloved wife, Rosa of Wayne, daughter Tammi Lynn Ruffini of Canada, two step-children; Deborah Clark of Wayne and Dan Clark of Texas, eight grandchildren; Mikaela and Noelle Wood, Stephanie, John, Robert and Daniel Critchfield, Nicholas and Danielle Clark, and one brother; Robert Ruffini and his wife Barbara of Wayne.

For those wishing to make a donation in Al’s memory, please consider the Wayne Lions Club, 782 Valley Rd., Wayne, NJ  07470, or the St. Joseph’s School for the Blind, 761 Summit Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07307.

Robert ”Bob” Eugene Gut ,age 88, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on December 14, 2020.

Bob was born in 1932 to Antonina and Frank Gut in Passaic, NJ. He grew up in Garfield when the family purchased a home on Hudson St. Bob attended Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic where he was a member of the football, basketball and baseball team earning varsity letters all four years and All State honors as well as being captain of each sport. When he was 16, he met the love of his life Florence Serafin at CYO dance. They were married in 1955, and enjoyed a wonderful 65 year marriage. He affectionately called her Flocha and his “Baba” and their love story flourished for all to admire.

Upon graduation from high school, Bob accepted a full football scholarship to the University of Virginia, where he played offensive center and defensive linebacker. He was a sixty minute man playing both sides and was a part of a defense that in 1952 was number one in the nation. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and went to Germany to fulfill his ROTC commitment. His wife joined him in 1955 and there their daughter Karen was born. In 1960 they moved to the “country” from Garfield to Wayne and were founding members of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church.

Bob was known for always being on the go with his cherished wife Florence. Be it Aruba, Europe, cruising, a Giant's game, an athletic dinner or LBI summer vacations. They especially loved their weekly trips to Atlantic City where a one night stay would often become three.

 In 1956, Bob returned from Germany and began his professional career teaching physical education, science and driver's education in the Paterson School System at School 21, Central and John F. Kennedy High School until his retirement in 2007. . While teaching at Kennedy, he became the head coach of football, golf, track and tennis. In 1974 his JFK football team had its first undefeated season, going 9-0 and participated in the first state playoffs.

 In 1979, Bob became the Athletic Director at Kennedy High, which under his leadership in the 1980s and 90s, became known as ``Championship High.'' The Boys Basketball team won four County titles in a row, and a sectional title; the Girls team won five straight county titles and the Tournament of Champions. Championships, League and Sectional titles were also won by the Track, Cross Country, Soccer, Baseball and Football teams. As Athletic Director, Mr. Gut has organized the annual John F. Kennedy All Sports Awards Dinner, and he was involved in the creation of the Central-Kennedy Athletic Hall of Fame

In 2000, Bob was named a Passaic County ``Player of the Century'' by the Bergen Record and the Herald News. Coach and athletic director Paul Kelly called Bob, ``the greatest athlete he ever coached--bar none,''

 Bob's professionalism has extended beyond Passaic County. He served for 20 years on the Advisory Board and Eligibility Committee of the NJSIAA governing body and was the chairperson of the Eligibility Committee for 10 years. He served 28 years as the Chairperson of Bowling in the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League. He has long been a high school referee and umpire and served as President of the Tri-County Basketball Officials Association. He also volunteered his time for Passaic County Coaches Association, the Old Timers Association of Greater Paterson, and The Do-Good House.

He received numerous recognition throughout his career including being inducted into the Hall of Fame of Old Timers Athletic Association, Central-Kennedy and the Director of Athletics NJ.

Sportsmanship has always been his first priority for his players, coaches, and the fans. Bob was proudest of ``Sportsmanship Awards,'' and the NNJIL Sportsmanship banners that Kennedy High continuously won while he was Athletic Director.  He felt sports developed strong moral and ethical standards. His coaching peers across the state nicknamed him ``The Monsignor.''

Whether you knew him as Dad, Pop, Uncle, teacher, coach or monsignor, he will be remembered for his great love of family and his strong moral presence. He was loved by many and respected by all.

Bob was the beloved husband of the late Florence Gut(2020), loving father of Karen Giblin, and her husband Jim of Wayne. He is the cherished grandfather of James Giblin and his wife Victoria of Colonia and Kristen Giblin of Verona NJ.  He leaves great grandchildren Charlotte and James. He is predeceased by siblings Nellie Hetel(2016), Stanley Gut(1979) and Eugene Gut (1976).

Memorial donations to the Do-Good House 195 Union Boulevard, Totowa NJ would be greatly appreciated.

Robert “Bob” “Chief” "Beansie" W. Plavier, passed Sunday, December 13, 2020.

He was born to Peter and Anna Plavier in Paterson. Robert grew up in the Totowa section of Paterson and graduated from Central High School in the city and played baseball and football for the high school teams with the Class of 1956. Although his grandfather was his biggest fan and never missed a game, his father never thought he should play sports because he would get injured for the rest of his life.  His dad refused to sign any sports forms and never saw him play an inning of baseball or saw a single football play during his four years of high school sports where he lettered two years with football and in baseball as well.  Bob played football with a leather helmet, no face mask, no ankle tape, no mouth guard and he said you were “lucky if you had a jock strap.”  On the football team he was a second string center, long snapper, starting defensive linebacker, and played both offense and defense never missing a play. Bob also played softball and basketball in the city leagues because all of his friends were playing.

Bob met Joan in West Side Park when she was skating on a tennis court that was flooded during the winter so people could ice skate. Bob spotted Joan skating and borrowed a pair of skates from a friend so he could skate with her and hopefully meet her.  Their first date was to the movies at the Fabian Theatre in Paterson as per Bob “you always took your best date to the Fabian Theatre as it was a first class place to go.” Lou Costello would have his film world premieres at the Fabian Theatre and the Alexander Hamilton Hotel was next door where all the celebrities attending the premiere would stay.  Bob’s father, who owned P.G. Plavier & Sons Funeral Home in Paterson, and had two limousines, would drive the celebrities around town. Bob recalled his father driving Bella Lugosi at one time. Bob and Joan fell in love and married on June 24, 1961 at the Cedar Cliff Methodist Church in Haledon where Joan taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. They honeymooned at Cape Cod, Massachusetts and had a loving and devoted marriage.  They purchased a home in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne in 1963 where they raised their two children Robert and Suzanne. Bob was a truly devoted husband and held Joan’s hand until her last breath.

During his high school years Bob’s teacher Charlie Temple saw what a good kid Bob was and soon befriended him.  Bob would go to Charlie’s house all the time and his wife, who was a teacher at School 7 in Paterson, “treated him like gold” and would always make them something to eat.  Bob and Charlie would go fishing all over the place including trips to Lake Hopatcong. Often at lunch time during school Charlie would ask Bob to call his mom to tell her they were coming for lunch and the two of them would jump in Charlie’s car and run to Bob’s home to get something  to eat. Charlie Temple got Bob a job at Rocco Press in Paterson where he would work after school and weekends.  This part-time job would turn into a forty-five year career for Bob setting line-o-type at Rocco Press. This typesetting system cast blocks of metal type for individual uses where Bob would enter text on a 90 character keyboard.  Any mistakes were a nightmare so Bob got really good at proofreading.  As a matter of fact he would often call Vander May Funeral Home to alert us there was a typo in our obituaries. Bob was a member of International Typographical Union Local 195 in Paterson. For about seven years Bob worked two full time jobs.  He would go to Rocco Press from 6 AM – 2 PM and then worked as a Park Ranger for Wayne Township from 3:45 PM until Midnight. During the time he worked the two jobs his wife Joan began showing signs of dementia. He finally had to give up working at Rocco Press in 2000 and was able to work as a Park Ranger for a few more years until Joan’s condition worsened and he devoted his time to caring for her needs.

When Bob moved to Wayne one of his friends Bill Butler who lived down the street and a friend Jim Thompson, who Bob used to hang out with in Paterson and also lived in Packanack Lake, invited Bob to join Packanack Fire Company #5. Bob was active with the fire company for thirty years until he needed to direct all his time to caring for his wife Joan. Bob was Chief of Packanack Fire Company #5 from 1979-1980 and again from 1987-1988, he was Assistant Chief for five years, Wayne Township Fire Commissioner for two years, he was President of the Wayne Township Fireman’s Relief from 1995-1996 and 2005-2006, a Life Member of the Fireman’s Relief and Exempt Association, Member of the NJ State Fire Chiefs Association and a member of the NJ State Volunteer Chief’s Association.

Bob was the loving and devoted husband of the late Joan (DeBlock) Plavier (d.2004); devoted father of Robert J. Plavier of Montrose, PA, and Suzanne Amabile and her husband Scott of Wayne; he is the cherished grandfather of Miranda Luce and husband Jason and Hanna Amabile; and great grandfather to Joana Luce; he was the dear brother of the late Peter Plavier of Totowa and Earl T. Plavier (d.2006).

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne Fire Company #5 would be greatly appreciated.

Marion Mullen, age 88, of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home, with loving members of her family by her side, on Friday, December 11, 2020.

Born and raised in New York City, Marion was the fourth of five children born to Joseph and Ethel (nee Pritchard) Faust. She attended Sacred Heart Grammar School in New York City.

After high school graduation, Marion joined the telephone operator pool at AT&T and worked there until marriage and the duty and privilege of raising her own five children became her new calling.

Although they grew up on the same street, it wasn’t until she was a teenager that Marion started seeing a fine gentleman name Thomas Mullen. Tom had just returned from service in the U.S. Army. He was part of a social club called the Happy Boys and it was at one of their events that Marion and Tom really hit it off. Of course, this made Tom the happiest of the Happy Boys and, as time went on, they knew they were meant for each other. They exchanged their wedding promises before God, family and friends on Saturday, September 16, 1950 at Sacred Heart Church in New York City. Marion was just eighteen years old when she married.

As newlyweds, Marion and Tom’s first home together was an apartment on 60th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue. It was a humble abode with a common bathroom and a bathtub in the kitchen. Humble doesn’t matter though when you’re in love and many happy memories were made there. In 1958, with the family growing, they moved to 416 West 49th Street in an apartment building where Marion’s mom also lived. They stayed there for twenty years and might have stayed longer if the building didn’t collapse one night with one wall completely being destroyed giving a full view into countless apartments. It happened late at night and just Marion and her daughter Debbie were home at the time. Since this happened years before the age of cell phones, Marion’s son Kenny recalls getting a phone call at a local bar telling him to come home because the building collapsed. Thank God, not one person got hurt but it was certainly time to find a new place to live! They moved to 736 10th Ave and stayed there for nine years before moving across the river to Bergenfield, NJ. While living in Bergenfield, sadly, Marion’s beloved husband Tom passed away. In 1995, she moved to Wayne where she lived with her daughter Debbie’s family and son Kenny.

Marion embraced motherhood. To her, there was nothing more important than providing a warm, welcoming place for her family to call home. She was the finest of cooks and she always did her best to be at all the important events in her four sons and one daughter’s lives. Hockey was always a big thing in the Mullen family and she had her younger boys on skates before they could pronounce multisyllabic words. It seemed to pay off as two of her sons – Joey and Brian both enjoyed careers in professional hockey with one of them making it into the National Hockey League Hall of Fame.

In between caring for her kids, Marion worked a part-time job as an usherette at Broadhurst Theater on Broadway while living on 49th Street, and she and her mother Ethel turned their cooking skills into cold cash by working as cooks at Columbia University.

Next to her faith in God, nothing was more precious to Marion than the love and laughter of being with family. Playing games was a great way for everyone to enjoy time together and throughout her entire life games of rummy, poker and pinochle were never in short supply. Her children remember Marion and Tom having friends over every Saturday night to play cards – the room filled with smoke. Marion was also an avid bingo player playing at Sacred Heart Church when living in New York and at the Boys and Girls Club and Wayne PAL when living in New Jersey. Then of course, there were the games of bingo played at home where the stakes would sometimes get pretty high and a winner could walk away from the table with $100 in their pocket. When her own children were younger, she and Tom would rent a bungalow every summer in Rockaway, NY where they would all have a blast. While she and Tom didn’t travel a lot during their lives, one year, they especially enjoyed a trip to Edmonton in Alberta Canada to see the National Hockey League All-Star Game with her two sons competing against each.  

Marion was blessed with eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She actually lived with her youngest grandson Tom and helped to raise him while his parents went to work every day. Always the loving grandmother, Marion knitted for each of her grandchildren. She also loved it when her grandchildren would call her to find out how to make one of her recipes or just to chat about anything.

Marion will be remembered for her gentle, easy-going nature, her hard work, dedication and love to her family as well as countless friends she made along life’s path. If Marion considered you a friend, you were a true friend. She was selfless as a saint and would do anything for anyone in need. Her family gives thanks for her life and, while they will miss her dearly, they are thankful for the memories and grateful for her new life in a better place.

Marion was the beloved wife of Thomas Mullen, blessed in marriage for 39 years until his passing in 1989. She was the most loving mother of:  Kenneth Mullen of Wayne, Thomas Mullen of Roanoke, VA, Joseph and wife Linda Mullen of Cape Cod, MA, Debra Ann Mullen-Esposito and husband Al of Wayne, and Brian and wife Linda Mullen of Basking Ridge; adored grandmother of: Ryan and wife Stephanie, Joey and wife Ashley, Michael, Jared and wife Kendra, Patrick, Nicole and husband Mat, Jordan and husband Brandon, Chris, Erin, Bryce, and Tom; cherished great-grandmother of: Liam, Sawyer, Ellie, Jenson, and Max; and dear aunt of: John, Donna, and Michael. She was also predeceased by her four siblings: Raymond, Harold and Joseph Faust, and Jane Grasso.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Marion’s name are asked to consider a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, or online at www.stjude.org.

John Martin Duddy, Sr., age 60, of Pompton Lakes, passed Friday, December 11, 2020 with his wife, Linda, and daughter, Patti, by his side.

He was born in Newark, NJ, to Thomas and Dorothy Duddy. Later his family moved to Irvington where he was raised and graduated from Irvington High School with the Class of 1978.

John’s work history started at the Komishane’s Pharmacy in Irvington, where he was the youngest store manager in the store’s history. In later years, John managed New Jersey Gifts in Madison, NJ, where he also lived. For many of those years, John sold cologne and perfumes as a second job to support his growing family.

John got a job at a new startup software company called Novadigm, where he was initially responsible for packing and shipping the product, and worked his way into several management roles until Novadigm was ultimately bought out by Hewlett Packard. While at HP, John again worked his way through the ranks where he was regularly recognized and awarded for his hard work. John held the title of Customer Advocacy Manager with some of HP’s largest accounts before he was forced to retire after a serious injury in 2017.

John will be remembered as a happy and hard-working man who loved to spend time with his family.

John also enjoyed time as an avid boater for many years, as well as tending to his yearly vegetable garden. Every year for the past 22 years he would take the family up to Lake Wallenpaupack, PA where he kept his boat and where many of the family’s best memories were made. Most of all, John will be remembered as a loving brother and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His family was everything to him and they were a source of great happiness in his life.

John met Linda Carlson at the P.S. Pub in Madison. He asked where she was from and she said Buffalo, NY.  John caught her eye by “claiming” he could cook Buffalo chicken wings which may or may not have been true. John and Linda hit it off immediately that night and became inseparable ever since. Linda met and fell in love with John’s two children Patti and John and always considered them “her” children. Just a short 4 months after meeting, John proposed to Linda on Halloween night and they were married 10 months later at the First Congregational Church in Angola, NY. They were blessed with another son, Ryan, 4 years after they were married. John and Linda were happily married for 32 years.

John was the loving husband of Linda Duddy; devoted father of Patricia A. Duddy and her fiancé Brian Anthony Prawdzik, John M. Duddy, Jr. and Ryan C. Duddy, cherished grandfather of Jasmine M. Duddy, Lauren V. and Bella E. Zarate; the dearly loved great-grandfather of Luther, Hayden and Blake Ordonez-Duddy; beloved brother of Dennis J. Duddy and his wife Lissa, Dorothy E. D’Amore and her husband Phil, and the late Thomas E. Duddy and his wife Debbie, and uncle of several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father Dorothy and Thomas Duddy.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Association or the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation would be greatly appreciated in John’s name.

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate

https://www.christopherreeve.org/donate

Dorothy “Aunt Toot” Baisch, age 90, a lifelong resident of Paterson, passed peacefully on Thursday, December 10, 2020.

She was born in Paterson to Robert and Mary Baisch and lived at the family home located at 424 Mc Bride Avenue in Paterson. She graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1947.  After high school she continued her education at Saint Josephs Hospital in Paterson where she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse.  For many years she was a member of the Westside Methodist Church in Paterson and was very devoted to her Christian faith.

On February 21, 1953 Dorothy entered into the US Air Force and served as a nurse and flight nurse. She served during the Korean War and was stationed in Italy and Germany for nine years. She was honorably discharged on September 20, 1961 and received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in recognition for her service.

After leaving the US Air Force Dorothy, whose heart was truly dedicated to serving others, worked for several area nursing homes including: Chestnut Hill Convalescent Home in Passaic and the Preakness Health Care Center in Wayne. She was always a very private person and didn’t want people to know her business!  Most recently she was living in the Renaissance at Lincoln Park where she continued with her passion of helping others and would visit patients she felt needed companionship. Many will remember her playing bingo, cards, and playing the horses before going outside with her walker to smoke a cigarette.

She was the loving sister of Helen Boqucz of Manahawkin and the late: Charles Baisch, Marjorie Edward, Evelyn Baisch, Ruth Stout, and Robert Baisch. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Maureen “Mo” Kessanis, age 65, of Wayne, passed Sunday, December 6, 2020.

She was born to Stephen and Patricia Buckley in Long Beach, New York.  Maureen was raised in Long Beach and graduated from Stella Maris High School in Rockaway, NY with the Class of 1973. As a young girl Maureen was always pushing the limits while hanging out under the boardwalk or at bonfires at the beach. Her dad, a detective with the NY Police Department, would come down to the beach looking for her and the kids would scramble away saying “here comes Mr. Buckley.”

Maureen continued her education at the Berkeley College in New York where she learned secretarial skills. Her first two jobs were in administration for the Ad Council then the Squibb Corporation both in New York City. Her next career move was as a flight attendant where she earned her wings working for a small charter airline named Sunland. She continued her flight attendant career when she joined Arista Airlines at JFK Airport. She returned to her secretarial roots having worked as the personal assistant to the CEO of the Formica Corporation in Wayne and later again as a personal assistant to the CEO of Atlas Copco in Pine Brook.  Maureen spent the last fifteen years working in the Wayne School System, collimating in the position of Secretary to the Principal at Wayne Valley High School. She retired in September of 2020.

Maureen met her husband George Kessanis while working at Arista Airlines. On his first day at work his boss assigned him a task where he had to organize flight schedules on a large board in the administrative office. As he worked on the board he overheard  three girls behind him giggling. The girls were Maureen, her cousin Mary Pat, and a secretary name Ilene. When George looked over his shoulder and saw Maureen’s face and smile he was sold. Maureen and Mary Pat would often get picked up from their job at JFK Airport by family.  George offered to drive them home as a way to get closer to Maureen.  He would drop both girls off at Mary Pat’s house. One day George was bringing the girls home and suggested they stop for dinner at La Goulet in Atlantic Beach.  When the three of them got back in the car George leaned over, in his gold 1970 Ford Mach 1 Mustang, and kissed Maureen.  Mary Pat screamed! You see Maureen and Mary Pat came from a devoted Irish Catholic family and the public kissing of a Greek was scandalous. Maureen and George fell in love and he proposed marriage at his parents’ home in Wayne during a big party where Maureen’s family was meeting George’s family. They married in a Catholic ceremony on May 3, 1985 at St. Ignatius R.C. church and married again on May 11, 1985 in Athens, Greece. Their connections in the airline industry helped them have an extra special honeymoon.  They flew on a Flying Tigers Cargo 747 to London then Tel Aviv, Israel. George’s dad arranged first class hotel accommodations and tours to the holy land, Jerusalem. They also embarked on a cruise and visited Cyprus, Turkey, and several Greek Islands before finishing in the Port of Alexandria in Egypt, where George’s parents had met.  While in Egypt George showed Maureen where his parents  lived and courted before they were married.  George and Maureen’s marriage was blessed with two children John George and Patricia Anne. There is a family tradition of naming boys John George or George John. The father’s first name is traditionally the middle name given to the child, and the child’s first name is that of his grandfather. This is a tradition that has been ongoing for generations. George and Maureen have had a loving, devoted, and fulfilling marriage of thirty-five years.

Maureen was dedicated to her Catholic Faith and always saying The Rosary.  She was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne where she served as a Eucharistic Minister for several years.

Maureen had a huge personality that would take over a room as soon as she walked in.  She loved to sing, made up songs as she sang, enjoyed dancing, and had a severe addiction to playing Angry Birds.  She was fun, personable, caring, an overly cautious driver, and would admit in a second that her husband was a better cook than she was. Her favorite television shows were Colombo and Murder She Wrote. Her favorite movies were Fargo, Remember the Titans, Sharknado, but her favorite movie of all time was Jaws.  She loved her job at Wayne Valley High School and was always greeted by current and former students anywhere and everywhere she went. Amongst her peers she was known as a prankster and someone who never failed to make you laugh even in the most stressful of work days. Most of all Maureen was proud of her family and will be lovingly remembered as a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother.

Maureen was the beloved wife of George Kessanis; devoted mother of John George Kessanis and his wife Lisa of Wayne, and Patricia Kessanis and her fiancé Zachary Kozak of Orlando, FL; cherished grandmother of George John “Georgie” Kessanis; loved sister of Stephen “Bookah” Buckley, Christine Fowler and her husband Walter, and James Buckley and his wife Kathy all of Long Beach, NY.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memorials Processing, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Please note; due to COVID-19 concerns, the funeral mass on Friday has been cancelled. A memorial mass will be scheduled at a future date.  

Evelyn Mennella (nee Tammaro), 91 of Toms River, died peacefully after a brief illness on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. She had lived in Paterson before retiring to Toms River twenty five years ago.

Evelyn grew up in Paterson and graduated from Eastside High School. She met Tom Mennella when the two of them were just teenagers, and loved blossomed.  They married on June 25, 1950 at St. Anthony’s Church on Beech St. in Paterson, followed by a honeymoon to Niagara Falls. Their honeymoon was marked by many memorable moments, not the least of which was when Tom left his wedding ring in a men’s room and they had to drive back to retrieve it! Their marriage was “traditional” in the Italian sense; two large families were merged together and this formed their foundation. Holidays and family gatherings included large numbers of people, either on her side or his side of the family, where good times were had by all. They raised their children on Michigan Ave in Paterson, and great memories were made in their neighborhood. Her children recall how wonderful Evelyn’s chicken soup was, as well as her homemade roasted red peppers and broccoli rabe. Evelyn enjoyed bowling and belonged to a bowling league years ago, and she was very good.  She also enjoyed politics and had been a Passaic County Committeewoman for a period of time.  Evelyn loved to travel and she had visited many European destinations, sailed on many cruises, and explored numerous islands with Tom. Evelyn and Tom were blessed to enjoy many years of retirement at the Pine Ridge North condos in Green Acres, Florida. Their friends and neighbors there became like a second family and they enjoyed genuine, strong friendships with all of them.  After Tom passed away in 2010, Evelyn’s neighbors all stepped in to help her.  This truly meant a lot to Evelyn’s children who didn’t have to worry about her being alone in Florida – there was always someone available to help.

Evelyn is survived by her two children; Janice Mennella of Montville, NJ, and Thomas Mennella and his wife Barbara of Montville, NJ, four grandchildren; Timothy and Jennifer Mennella; Brandon Schweizer Sr. (and wife Sharon) and Eric Schweizer (and wife Jillian) and great-grandchildren; Avery, Aubrey, Brandon, Jr., Brett and Alexander, one sister, Frances Cunningham and her husband James, a brother; Anthony Tammaro.  She was predeceased by her husband Thomas in 2010.  She was also predeceased by her infant brother John, by her sister; Lora Messina and brother in law, Sonny Messina, Evelyn is also survived by several devoted nieces and nephews.  

Donations in Evelyn’s memory would be appreciated to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherd Lane, Totowa, NJ 07512.

Yorghi Turkmany, Jr., age 32 of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 2, 2020.

Yorghi was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, the fourth child of George and Siham Turkmany. The first twelve years of his life were spent in Florida where he especially loved saltwater fishing at Lake Worth Beach and swimming in the warm waters of the Atlantic as well as in his family’s pool. Upon becoming a teenager, Yorghi’s family moved to Wayne, NJ. He attended George Washington Middle School and later, Wayne Valley High School.

Yorghi was the epitome of a free spirit. He could decide to take a trip to Florida and, in less than an hour, he’d be on his way leaving everyone wondering “Where did Yorghi go?” But he was a happy-go-lucky, loving kind of free spirit. Always smiling, he had a real gift for making you laugh and no one was better at making you feel better if you were feeling down. He was affectionate and was known among his family for giving his parents kisses on the forehead on a regular basis and bringing them fresh coffee every morning.

Yorghi had a real creative side which manifested itself in various ways. He enjoyed cooking – especially Syrian dishes and no one was better equipped to teach him the ropes in the kitchen than his dear mother Siham whom he loved to share cooking ideas with. From a young age, Yorghi showed a real talent for free-hand sketching and drawing. Later in his life, he took this gift of drawing and used the human body as his favorite canvas in the form of tattoos. At one time or another, just about everyone in his family had been the recipient of one of Yorghi’s tattoos – something they will, no doubt, treasure as a daily reminder of their love for him. He would also gladly give any of his friends a tattoo too!

Yorghi’s favorite ways to unwind usually involved listening to music, no doubt with his favorite Chihuahua named Lucky by his side. He listened mostly to rap, hip-hop, R&B, and the Arabic tunes of his ancestry. He definitely never listened to classical or country. He also was a number one fan of the Dallas Cowboys despite the fact that he didn’t live in Texas and his family always teased him by calling his team the Dallas Cowgirls.

Above all else, Yorghi loved people. He made friends easily and was one of the most helpful people you could have ever met. If you needed a hand, Yorghi would drop everything and be there in a flash to lend a hand or offer support.  

Yorghi was the son of George and Siham (Attieh) Turkmany of Wayne; brother of: Elias Turkmany and wife Victoria of Hackettstown, Bertha Qassar of Wayne, Loris Turkmany of Wayne, Touma Turkmany of Wayne, and Nadima Turkmany of Wayne; nephew of Badia Turkmany of West Palm Beach, FL and numerous other uncles and aunts. He was also the uncle of many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Yorghi’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.

Michael Massood Sr., age 96 of Wayne, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. He had lived in Paterson, NJ and Fairlawn, NJ before moving to Wayne in 1970.

Michael was born on July 29, 1924 to Louis and Mary (Tashash) Massood in Paterson, New Jersey, the oldest boy of ten children in his family, who emigrated from Aleppo, Syria.

With humble beginnings, he strived for a better life. Michael, a self-educated man, worked for his father’s business, Lou Massood and Sons, delivering fruit in the 1940s. In 1952, after serving in the Army Air Force and having attained the rank of Corporal with a specialty as an Airplane Engine Mechanic and received the Good Conduct Medal during World War II, Michael co-founded MGM Transport Corp., with his brother George Massood. MGM Transport Corp., would grow to be one of the largest furniture distributors in the United States for the next fifty-nine years. Because of Michael’s character and leadership, he grew his business to over 700 employees and operated in 48 states. In 2015, Michael was inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, honoring his legacy of hard work, reliability, integrity and innovation. Michael was also honored with the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association's Pillar of the Industry Award, the City of Hope's National Home Furnishings Industry Man of the Year Award, the Anti-Defamation League's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association's Hal Meadoff Award and David Druckman Lifetime Achievement Award.

Michael was happiest when his family was gathered around. He enjoyed raising his five children and spending time with family, including his ten grandchildren in addition to nieces, nephews, godchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Throughout Michael’s life he was truly passionate about his Catholic faith and shared his passion with his family, having started a foundation for cancer research at St. Joseph's Hospital Medical Center in Paterson, N.J. Michael, a talented speaker and writer, who advised his children and grandchildren to be well-spoken noting, “a good speech is like an airplane ride, if the take-off [opening] and landing [conclusion] are memorable, relatable and humorous, the speech will be a great success.” Michael also enjoyed his time on the beach, and had a home in South Florida, where he spent many cold New Jersey winters with family and friends.

Michael will be remembered for his charismatic appeal to all strata of people. It can be said that he never met a stranger, was a friend to everyone, and could light up a room upon his arrival.  He always had a comforting, welcoming smile and was proud to have lived the American Dream. Michael was always ready and willing to share his success and was philanthropic to a fault. He was also a lover of cats and through the years shared his love with Tiger, Buzz, Omar, Molly, and Baby.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents; Louis and Mary, Siblings; Rose Ward, Jeanette Kishfy, Josephine Massood, Albert Massood, George Massood, Louis (Babe) Massood, and wife of forty-seven years; Helen the mother of his children.

Michael was lucky to find love once again and was married to Norma Massood for the past twenty-two years. He was the beloved father of Elias A. Massood and his wife Patricia of North Wildwood,NJ; Michael J. Massood and his wife Vivian of Wayne, NJ; Edward A. Massood of Greensboro, NC, Mary A. Massood of Woodland Park, NJ; and Bernadette S. Varone of Wayne, NJ; cherished grandfather (Gido) of Tiffany Massood Hadzi married to late Kerim of Medfield, MA, and Tara Massood Prevo of Greensboro, NC, and Michael Varone and his wife Jessica of Wayne, NJ, and Biagio Varone of Wayne, NJ, and Elias Massood of Wildwood, NJ, and Michael John Massood and his wife Chelsea of Wayne, NJ, and Nicole Massood of Wildwood, NJ, and Hillary Titus and her fiancé Kevin Bruns of Lincoln Park, NJ, and Chris Massood and his fiancé Cara Allison of Little Falls, NJ, and Matthew Varone of Wayne, NJ, and dearly loved great-grandfather (G-Gido) of Edward, Aiden, Mason, Alivia, Michael, Joseph, and Genevieve. He was the dear brother of Gloria Massoud, Joseph Massood and Shirley Massood. He was the beloved step-father of Edward Shrek and his wife Dawn of Dingman’s Ferry, PA and Thomas Shrek and his wife Jennifer of Hawley, PA.

In lieu of flowers please consider Mary Help of Christians in North Haledon or the City of Hope Cancer Center.

Frances R. Ivankovic (nee Shaffer) of Wayne, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. She has lived in Wayne since 1966.

Frances was born and raised in Lafayette, NJ.  After graduating from nursing school, she began a career as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. She later trader her nurse’s uniform to become a full-time mother when her son, John, was born.

Frances enjoyed ballroom dancing and in 1962, she went with some fellow nurses to New York City. It was here that she met Anton Ivankovic.  It didn’t take long for them to realize that they were great dance partners, and love blossomed. They married on September 14, 1963 at St. Bonaventure RC Church in Paterson and their love has endured for more than fifty-seven years since.  They moved to Wayne in 1966 and planted deep roots.  Frances enjoyed maintaining the landscaping around their home, growing flowers, and she always kept an immaculate home.  Together with Anton, their Catholic faith was foundational to their marriage and they quickly became active members of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne. Frances taught CCD and served as a Eucharistic Minister, volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson for many years. She and Anton also enjoyed travelling and had visited Croatia, Mexico, Israel, Italy, and the island of St. Maarten was her favorite destination.

Frances was a wonderful homemaker.  She enjoyed hosting family gatherings and holidays. She was a wonderful cook who made the best fruit salad and was a master at cooking chicken. Frances was also a very nurturing mother to her son, John. She was devoted to him and taught him so many things.  She was a prolific reader herself, and she would often read to John, starting when he was a small baby. She successfully taught John to read before he entered preschool, and he has enjoyed reading throughout his lifetime as well.  She inspired John to look at life as a Mandala; a gift he will always cherish.

Frances is survived by her loving husband Anton of Wayne, their son John of Wayne, and two sisters; Eleanor Shaffer and Helen Bridges of Hampton Township, NJ, and two nieces; Sharon Bridges-Marino of Branchville, NJ, and Michele Bridges-Lopez of State College, PA.

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

Celia Rivas-Plata, age 42, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer and while receiving the loving care of her family.

Celia was born in Queens, NY and was the older of two children to Adolfo and Mirtha Rivas-Plata.  In 1992, at the age of fourteen, Celia’s family moved to New Jersey and settled in the town of Wayne.  Shortly after settling in Wayne, Celia attended Wayne Valley High School where she made long lasting friendships and participated in the high school’s theatre productions as an actress and vocalist.

Following her high school graduation in 1996, Celia attended Bergen Community College followed by the Berdan Institute in Wayne where she earned her certification in Medical Billing.

Celia found work quickly after receiving her certification at Wayne Hematology And Oncology with Dr. Harish Shah.  She was employed there as a Medical Biller for about three years.  Celia was then offered another position, again as a Medical Biller, with Hackensack University Medical Center.  Celia’s career at Hackensack Medical Center spanned over ten years.  In 2013 Celia was diagnosed with Breast Cancer which forced her to stop working and begin her courageous battle.

In 2002 Celia met the light of her life when her son Mateo was born.  Being a mother was truly Celia’s calling and where she genuinely flourished.  Celia was a wonderfully dedicated mother and always there for her son.  Celia was a “Happy Go Lucky” kind of lady whom everyone seemed to know and love.  Throughout the years, she cherished planning parties and holidays with her friends and family.  She was known affectionately to her family and friends as the “Super Cel” because of her willingness to defend those who couldn’t stick up for themselves.  Celia was a generous person willing to help anyone in any way that she could.  She was wonderfully funny and often the life of the party.  Although she was funny, Celia was also outspoken and was never afraid to let you know what she thought or how she felt.  People always knew where they stood with Celia.  Apart from all of Celia’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Celia than providing for her son and spending time with her family and friends.  Celia was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Celia is survived by her son Mateo Mirko of Wayne, her mother Mirtha Rivas-Plata of Wayne, her brother Adolfo Rivas-Plata and his fiancé Michelle Fontanella of Woodland Park, her uncle William Revilla and his wife Maria of Wayne, her cousin Kathleen Hooban and her husband Joseph of Wayne, extended family in Arizona, Florida, New Jersey and New York, and her best friends, Marie Macrone, Bree Kelly and Lauren Bruno. Celia was also “Fairy Godmother” to Emma Jane Sheldon.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Celia’s name are asked to consider Fighting Pretty, 2300 SW 1st Ave Suite 104, Portland, OR 97201.  https://www.fightingpretty.org/

Jacqueline Scott Lenda (Hyer), age 88, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

Jacqueline was born in Glen Ridge in 1932 and was the only child to Jackson and Carol Hyer. While growing up, her family moved to Roseland where she attended Grover Cleveland High School and graduated in the class of 1950. This is where Jackie met the love of her life, Alfred Lenda. Following her graduation, Jackie found work quickly at a local bank, eventually working her way up to Manager at a bank in Northern NJ. Shortly thereafter Jackie and Alfred decided to get married. The couple eventually moved to Fort Hood Texas for a time while Alfred was serving with the United States Army. Following Alfred’s honorable discharge in 1953, the couple moved back to New Jersey and settled in the town of Wayne. Al and Jackie called Wayne their home for the rest of their lives together.

Tragedy struck Jackie in the middle of her life when she suffered a debilitating stroke, rendering her permanently disabled. However, Jackie’s robust will and positive attitude gave her the strength to continue. Although she never returned to the workplace, she became an avid gardener. Jackie spent endless hours and days planting flowers all around her home. The couple’s front and back yards could pass for botanical gardens. Jackie was also a wonderfully generous person and loved animals, donating regularly to the ASPCA. Jackie and Alfred cherished over sixty years of loving and loyal marriage together until Alfred’s passing in December of 2014.

Jackie was a warmhearted person, always generous and willing to help anyone in any way she could. She was witty and funny, yet she was strong willed and the kind of person who would let you know exactly how she felt. Jackie was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Jacqueline was predeceased by her husband Alfred Lenda in 2014, and by her parents; Jackson and Carol Hyer.

Those wishing to make a gesture of sympathy are asked to consider donations in Jacqueline’s name to ASPCA 424 East 92nd St, New York, NY 10128-*6804, https://www.aspca.org

Memorial visitation will be held from 1-3 PM on Saturday, January 9, 2020 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne. A 3 PM Funeral Service will be held at the conclusion of the visitation hours.

William “Bill” J. Daddio, Jr., age 74, of Ortley Beach, passed Monday, November 30, 2020

Bill was born in Newark to William Sr. and Elizabeth Daddio.  He was raised in Belleville and the family moved to Nutley where Bill would graduate from Nutley High School with the Class of 1964. After Nutley he lived in Rockaway and Mount Olive before moving to Ortley Beach in retirement.

While in high school Bill’s dad helped him get a job at DeLuxe Check Printing and he worked at DeLuxe for the next forty years.  Bill met Doris Quint at DeLuxe and they were friends for many years.  Bill and Doris married on November 24, 2003. Bill always put Doris first and to this day she says she couldn’t have married a better man.

Bill will be remembered as a quiet, strong, caring and loving man. He enjoyed sports and was a loyal New York Yankee fan that held season tickets for many years. He also enjoyed playing golf and when it came to football he was a Dallas Cowboys fan. Bill will be dearly missed by his two birds a Conure Parrot named Sammy and a Cockatiel named Kiwi.

Bill was the loving husband of seventeen years to Doris; devoted father of Shannon Daddio of Columbia, SC and Drew Daddio of Carlsbad, CA; he was the loved brother of Marilyn Peters and her husband Thomas of Nutley and uncle to their children Heather and Tracy.

For those inclined to make a memorial donation in Bill’s memory are asked to consider St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.

Dorothy “Dottie” “Maka” A.  Meurer, age 75, of Wayne (35 years), Sunrise Beach, Forked River (15 years), and Englewood, Florida (10 years), passed peacefully at her son’s home in Ridgefield on Saturday, November 28, 2020 with the comfort of family by her side.

Dorothy was a graduate of Pompton Lakes High School with the Class of 1963. During her senior year she was voted Cardinal Queen – Ms. Pompton Lakes and served as Treasurer of her class. During her high school years she met the love of her life Jack Meurer. Jack was a few years older than Dottie and would wait for her at The Cardinal – a sweet shop across from the high school. They fell deeply in love and Jack proposed marriage in his 1957 yellow and white Ford.  They were married by Dottie’s cousin Fr. Ray McKeon at Saint Marys Church in Pompton Lakes on May 2, 1964.  They honeymooned at The Sands Hotel in Miami Beach Florida and their marriage was blessed with two children Bobby and Dana.

Dottie’s working life includes her first job working at a shoe store in Pompton Lakes. After high school she got a secretarial job at the State Rehabilitation Center in Paterson having also worked as a crossing guard for the Township of Wayne and in a secretarial capacity at Jersey Specialty in Wayne.  For several years she worked as an executive administrative assistant at the Corporate World Headquarters of the Toshiba America Corporation in Totowa. Before retiring in 2000 Dottie worked as a trade show manager for the Reed Elsenier Corporation where she was responsible for getting vendors to commit to booths and corporate sponsorships at both national and international trade shows.

She will be lovingly remembered for her friendly and kind hearted personality.  She had a smile and a hug for just about everyone she met and was extremely sociable. Most of all she adored her family and especially her grandchildren.  Dottie was given the nickname Maka because her granddaughter Shayne couldn’t pronounce the word grandma but instead referred to Dottie as Maka. The name stuck and she is referred to as Maka to this day.

Dottie was the loving wife of fifty-six years to Jack Meurer; devoted mother of Bobby Meurer and his wife Isabelle of Ridgefield and Dana McNally of Bradley Beach; she was the cherished grandmother of Joseph, Nicholas, Gianna, and Francesca Meurer and Shayne, Brady, and Dale McNally; she was also the dearly loved sister of the late Bill and John Potter.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Salvation Army would be greatly appreciated.

Clifford Alan Vander Have, age 74, of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 28, 2020.

Cliff was born in Paterson and raised in Prospect Park. After graduating from Manchester High School in Haledon, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.

Cliff enjoyed a career in the insurance industry and, upon retirement, he worked as a substitute teacher in the Wayne and North Haledon Public Schools. He was a life-long member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church of Franklin Lakes.

He will be lovingly remembered for his kind hearted personality and devotion to his wife, whom he told he loved countless times a day.  His family will never forget the happiness he had as Janet and he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October.  He was a wonderful father who gave great advice, was always there to help, be our biggest fan and of course, have a hug ready when we needed it.  His hugs will be missed immensely, anyone who met him agreed, he gave the very best ones.  The happiness he had when with his granddaughters couldn’t be beat.  He thought they were the best, and they knew their Pop was the best too.

Clifford was the beloved husband of Janet Vander Have (nee Van Peenen); loving father of Kimberly Ann Vander Have of Wayne and Karen Lynn and husband Michael Soliman of Hawthorne; dear grandfather of: Emma Kate Soliman and Hailey Grace Soliman; dear brother of Jaynce and husband Anthony Van Grouw.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Clifford’s name are asked to consider the Netherland Reformed Christian School Endowment Fund, 164 Jacksonville Road, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444, or a charity of your choice.

Judith Prol, age 73, of Allendale, passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2020.

Judy was born in Paterson, raised in Prospect Park until the age of six, then she moved to Hawthorne where she lived the most of her life until moving to Allendale in 2019.

In her younger days Judy worked for Western Union and also as a home health aide.

Judy enjoyed embroidering and loved to bake, no doubt oftentimes in the company of her pet cockatoo, affectionately named Peaches, as well as other exotic birds that she had as pets throughout her lifetime.

Judy was a member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church of Franklin Lakes. She used her crocheting skills to make blankets which she would donate to the Lois Circle, a group in the church which she enjoyed so much being a part of.

Judy was the loving sister of Geraldine and her husband Rodney Verblaauw of Wyckoff, NJ, dear aunt of two nieces, two nephews and their spouses, and dear great-aunt of fifteen great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Geraldine Prol (Den Braven) in 1999 and her father Henry Prol in 2004.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Judith’s name are asked to consider the Netherlands Reformed Christian School Endowment Fund, 164 Jacksonville Road, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.

Rogelio Deibe, “Roger”, age 59 of Wayne, passed away suddenly on Nov. 25, 2020.  He was predeceased by his parents Marina and Rogelio I. Deibe.

Roger was born on March 11, 1961 in Havana, Cuba, and moved to the United States at the age of nine.  He attended St. Mary’s High School in Elizabeth, NJ where he was a member of the varsity basketball team.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Imaging from SUNY Brooklyn Health Sciences Center and worked in several hospitals and doctors’ offices in New York and New Jersey.  He was a truly gifted vascular technician.  He was a member of ARDMS and previously the Knights of Columbus.

Roger had a passion for music of all kinds and enjoyed cooking his native Cuban foods.  He was an avid sports fan, especially the New York JETS.

Roger is survived by his beloved son Jared, extended family in Cuba, and his dear friends Rolando and Terry Pacheco.

Memorial donations can be made to the MS Center, Holy Name Medical Center Foundation, 718 Teaneck Road, Teaneck NJ 07666, holyname.org.

To join a web casting of the service on Tuesday morning 10:30 AM please click on this text to bring you to the web-cast.

John Yeung, age 65 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020.

Born in Hong Kong, John came to America when he was just eight years old.  His family was sponsored by his aunt, who owned a Chinese Laundry in Guttenberg, NJ.  They lived in an apartment behind the laundry for a short while before moving to Union City, NJ.  John graduated from Union Hill High School and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University.  He went on to enjoy a career in sales, working for companies like NCR, AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Cablevision, and Verizon. He enjoyed lots of global travel as a part of his career, and he’s been to many countries around the globe.

John was a huge sports fan, rooting for his beloved NY GIANTS and NY YANKEES. He liked going to games and spending time with friends and family in the stands. He also enjoyed bowling and had belonged to a bowling league for many years.  He also liked working on his cars; fixing, maintaining, and customizing.  Relaxing at the Jersey Shore was also a favorite pastime, and he spent many days on the beach in Belmar with his family.  He loved all kinds of food and could usually out-eat just about anyone! He liked Italian food, Chinese food, and hot dogs, joined by either a nice cold beer or a glass of wine. John’s greatest love, of course, was his daughter Stefanie.  He was an outstanding dad, always active in her schooling and always supportive of her extracurricular activities. Stefanie was a cheerleader, and John always attended games and competitions throughout the years. He also enjoyed going on ski trips with Stefanie and other family members. Stefanie will always be his little girl, and she will surely miss him dearly.  

John is survived by his beloved daughter Stefanie of Hawthorne, five brothers; George and his wife Anh of Fairfax, VA, James and his wife Bellie of McLean, VA, David and his wife Esther of North Brunswick, NJ, William of Waldwick, NJ, and Edward and his wife Rosemary of Alexandria, VA, many nieces and nephews including Eric Yeung of New York, a dear cousin Bernice Eng of Rumson, NJ, and he remained dear friends with his former wife, Patricia Yeung of Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Maria Amanda Lagala

Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and devout Catholic. Maria Amanda Lagala age 82 passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Maria was born June 1, 1938 in Pitalito-Huila, Colombia, South America. She graduated from the Universidad de Valle in Cali where she studied and worked as a medical technician. Shortly after moving to Manhattan, NY, she met her husband of 56 years, Neil Lagala. They married in 1964 and lived in Hawthorne Heights, NJ. where they raised their two daughters, Linda & Lisa. Maria and her husband traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, South America, Mexico and Morocco.

Maria was an active member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary Post #1593. She volunteered to visit and cheer disabled veterans at the Paramus, NJ Veterans Home, as well as, assisting with other members to play bingo games and provide shows to entertain larger groups of veterans.

She had a personal interest and devotion to the Lady of Guadalupe and visited her shrine in Mexico City on two separate occasions, including one on the Feast Day. She is survived by her brother Tainé Calderón, her husband Neil, her daughter Linda Lagala-Spano and husband John Spano of Myrtle Beach, SC, her daughter Lisa Keiser and husband David Keiser of Hawthorne, NJ, and 6 very loved grandchildren, Nicholas, Jacklyn, Christopher, Gianna, Amanda and Bradley.

During her final days she would often softly say, “I want to go home now.” She is now home. She will be missed, but she is not gone because she is always in our hearts.

Willy Hector Marcel De Moor, age 77, of Wayne, passed Monday, November 23, 2020.

He was born to Roger and Andrea De Moor in Waregem, Belgium and moved to the United States when he was about 2 ½ years old.  The family settled in Lavonia, Georgia. Willy’s parents were unhappy in the United States and moved back to Belgium but there was no work to be found and they soon moved back to the United States.  This time they settled in a home at 26th and 6th in Paterson, New Jersey. Willy went on to graduate from Eastside High School where he played on the football team and was voted “Most Athletic.”

Much of Willy’s working career was spent in the retail industry.  He worked for stores such as Alexanders, Kmart, and Kids R Us for many years. Eventually he purchased his own business and was the proprietor of Pilgrim Liquors in Verona for several years before retiring in 2018.

Willy met the love of his life while working at K-Mart.  Mary De Matteo worked in the offices at K-Mart and Willy was a buyer.  He spotted Mary and said “that woman is going to change my life!”  Their first date was to a Mexican restaurant in Pelham, New York. They married at St. John The Baptist Church in Yonkers on August 15, 1982 and they honeymooned in Acapulco, Mexico. They have had a loving and caring marriage of thirty-eight years. Many would say they were “cute together.”

Many who knew him will remember he was a loving, family man who didn’t like being told what to do!  One of his favorite sayings was “I hate this!”  When Willy didn’t like something there was no gray area.  He hated some very specific words too: dating, closure, passing away, and TRUMP. He truly enjoyed an evening cocktail and enjoyed reading, music and stamp collecting. Willy was a sports fan and enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates. He would talk about how the first football game he saw was the NY Giants vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Giants won but Willy thought the Steelers were trying so hard his heart opened to them and never let go. He also enjoyed watching his children play sports and was the dad who would yell out the moment everyone else seemed to go quiet. He was also the dad who would ask the referee where he put his seeing-eye dog and would start singing "turn out the lights, the party’s over" when his child’s team was inevitably going to win.

Willy was the loving husband of thirty-eight years to Mary De Moor; devoted father of Debra and her husband Kurt Ludwig of Milltown, Diana and her husband Jordan Brown of Wayne, Joanna “Joni” and her husband James Audenried of Wayne, Michael De Moor of Wayne; he was the cherished grandfather of Sara, Allie, Jack, Luke, James, and Daniel Will.

Ryan Francis Plateroti, age 27, of Lincoln Park, passed in his sleep on Monday, November 23, 2020.

Ryan was born to Frank and Mary Ann Plateroti in Hackettstown and was raised in Lincoln Park. He graduated from DePaul Catholic High School with the Class of 2011. He continued his education at William Paterson Univeristy in Wayne where he received bachelor’s degrees in Political Science, Pre-Law, and Political Philosophy. Ryan was a certified paralegal and studying to take the LSTAT in order to gain admission to law school.

He worked as an assistant at the dental offices of John R. Mully, DMD, PA in Saddle Brook and as a Manager for 24hour Fitness in Wayne through 2019.

Ryan will be remembered for his warm hearted, caring, and compassionate way.  He had a great sense of humor and an acumen for all types of electronics and computers.

Ryan was the loving son of Frank Plateroti and the late Mary Ann Plateroti (d.1996); he was the dearly loved brother of Catherine and her husband Anthony Troncillito of Highland Hills, NY and Nicholas Mully of Lincoln Park. He also be missed by his beloved godfather and Uncle John Mully of Lincoln Park. Ryan was greeted in Heaven by his dearly loved Bichon Frise dog Lulu who passed earlier this year.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to: Children’s Aid and Family Services. (please click this link to access their donation page)

Susan Maffei, age 92, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 while in the loving presence of her family.

Susan was born in Wanaque and raised there for the early part of her childhood before moving to Paterson.

After attending Paterson’s Central High School, Susan went to school to become a licensed beautician. Her first job in her chosen profession was joining her sister Josephine at her beauty shop in Fair Lawn.

As a young lady, Susan enjoyed singing. Consequently, she was once asked to sing at a wedding which took place at the Haledon Fire Department. It was there that she met a handsome fireman named David Maffei. They soon fell in love and married on Sunday, September 14, 1947 at St. Michael’s Church in Paterson. After a honeymoon in Niagara Falls, they settled into their first home together in Haledon.

Soon after marriage, Susan and David were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Linda and Nancy. Susan put away her beauty shop scissors so that she could focus all of her loving care on raising her growing daughters. She enjoyed being home with them and her favorite room in the house was her kitchen. She was an outstanding cook and baker. When asked what their favorite recipes were that Mom made, Linda and Nancy emphatically exclaimed “Her eggplant parmigiana, lasagna, Easter pies….actually, everything!” If you closed your eyes for five seconds, she’d have a pie crust in the pan, and it would be made from scratch.

After her family was grown Susan picked up those beauty shop scissors again. She worked at A Brand New Touch Beauty Salon in Haledon for twenty-three years from 1981 until permanently retiring in 2004.

With extra spare time, Sue concentrated her time on some of her other favorite pastimes – shopping and keeping her house spotless. She was a shopping queen who loved the thrill of finding a great bargain.

For Susan, life was all about faith, family, and friends. She and her husband David were faithful parishioners of St. Gerard’s Church in Paterson while living in Haledon from 1947 to 1998. When her beloved husband passed away that year, Susan moved to Wayne and began attending Our Lady of Consolation Church. Susan’s faith was dear to her and, among other things, it taught her the virtues of caring for others. She would regularly visit shut-inns in nursing homes or go shopping for friends who couldn’t go on their own. Susan loved her family dearly and they will miss the simple things that made her special like seeing her, sharing time with her in the kitchen, and regularly talking with her on the phone.

Susan was the beloved wife of the late David P. Maffei, blessed in marriage for 50 years until his passing in 1998. She was the much-loved mother of Linda Di Mezza and husband Martin of Wayne, and Nancy Adams and husband Larry of Venice, Florida. She also leaves behind five step-grandchildren, thirteen step-great-grandchildren, and four step-great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her two sisters and brother: Josephine Yocamelli, Mary Aslan, and Andrew Della Sala; and one step-grandchild.      

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Susan’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959. To donate online click here www.stjude.org.

Michael A. Voglis, age 92, of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 20, 2020.

Michalis (Michael) Athanasios Voglis, was born just outside of Athens, Greece on November 4, 1928, although his Mother swore it was November 5th because she heard the clock strike twelve right before the second son of Athanasios and Ifigenia Voglis was born.

In Greece, each child is educated in a second language from grade school through high school.  Mike attended the French school. Upon graduation he planned to go to Paris for college. His brother George, attended the English school and went to college in the U.S. He convinced Mike to go to America instead.

His first job when he arrived in America was working in his uncle’s restaurant, The Oritani Diner in Hackensack, New Jersey. He lived with his aunt and uncle and cousins Alice, George, and Michael Lendrihas.

He began his college education at Bergen Junior Community College (now the Teaneck campus of Fairleigh Dickinson). It was there he met the love of his life, Joan Sheldon. Joan was a nursing student at Barnert Hospital in Paterson and met Mike while taking required courses at Bergen Junior.

Their real chemistry happened in the Student Lounge where the magic of a juke box and a dashing Greek dancer charmed all the ladies; but it was Joan who captured his heart. And the dancing led to a 68-year marriage, six children, eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

After college graduation, Mike obtained full-time employment at Givaudan Corporation in Clifton, NJ. During his tenure there, he served as the Union President for the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, Local 8-559, AFL-CIO, Delawanna, NJ. He was the go-to guy for his co-workers. He successfully negotiated several contracts and made sure everyone got the best possible outcomes. It was at Givaudan he received the moniker, “Greek.” He retired after 45 years of employment and was honored with a huge retirement party.

The family home in Wayne was established in 1960 after he won $1,500 in the lottery. Mike and Joan found a three-bedroom, one bath home on a dirt road in Wayne. Part of the house dated back to the 1800s and had no foundation. That didn’t stop Mike. He hand-dug a basement, famously starting the process with a soup spoon, affectionately known as “the dirt spoon.” After the basement was adequately deep, the house was raised and a new foundation was built. Home improvements continued for the next year with the help of his father-in-law, Walter Sheldon. In 1962, the family moved from 400 Broadway in Paterson, NJ to what is now affectionately known as “63.”

Mike also loved his dog, Jet. Jet returned that love tenfold. Whenever he came home, Jet would wag her tail and howl “Hello.” Really, she actually said that! We all believe Jet was among the first to greet Dad in Heaven.

He also loved soccer. He was an avid fan of The Cosmos and even got to see the great Pelé play. In 1977, he served as head coach for The Getaways, a Wayne PAL soccer team. The previous season, they had the worst record in the league, but Mike was determined to have a winning season and actively scouted and recruited players from Wayne, including his sons Tom and John. His roster was so strong, they had a 15-1 season and played in the Championship Game. It was the season’s only loss and ironically, to a team called The Acropolis!

His passion for fishing, either in a small brook, Toms Lake, the Atlantic Ocean or Aegean Sea was shared with his family. All of his children have fishing with Dad memories. Sometimes Mike would strip leaves off branches from the family’s willow tree and add a string so everyone could have a fishing pole. Other times it was chartered fishing expeditions off Point Pleasant. In Greece, it could be snorkeling in the sea to find octopus for dinner. And he could fillet a fish like a five-star chef.

Like Zorba, Mike’s love of life included dancing, cooking, and being with family. He was a pragmatic man, not impressed with “things.” It was not unusual to see him under a car on a Saturday changing his own oil or fixing a broken fuel pump. He truly cared more about people than things and always lent a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

One undeniable fact, he deeply loved Joan. It is said the greatest gift a man can give his children is to love their mother. He blessed us all with that knowledge.

Surviving are his wife, Joan (nee) Sheldon. Children: Linda Gottfried (Brad), Diane Hewitt (Bill, d. 2017), Nancy Dann (Roger), Tom Voglis and John Voglis. His son Michael Voglis predeceased in 1984. Grandchildren: Thomas Nieman (Janine) and Michael Nieman (Joanne), Benjamin Berry, Stephanie Berry (Jordan Malenke), Steven Dann (Janice), Emily and Kevin Dann, Michael and Melissa Voglis, Derek and Erika Voglis. Great-Grandchildren: Aiden and Amelia Nieman, Aleah Voglis, Adina and Elias Nieman, Everly and Jack Malenke.

Willie Mae Lamb (nee Whatley), age 91 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. She had lived in Queens, NY before moving to Wayne in 2018.

Willie Mae was born in Columbus, Georgia, one of seven children in her family. She grew up very poor in the deep South and strived for a better life. After graduating high school in the late 1940’s, she headed north to Brooklyn, New York and joined her older sister in the big city. On the day she arrived in New York, she met Henry Lamb while moving into her sister’s apartment.  The two of them began dating and quickly fell in love.  They married on February 11, 1950 and settled in with family in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. They eventually moved and purchased a home in Hollis, Queens, raising their three girls. They enjoyed a very loving marriage of thirty-five years with summer vacations to the Poconos and lots of travel. Willie Mae also enjoyed more than a few trips to Atlantic City with her girlfriends. Living in New York, they were also fortunate to see several live concerts, including Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Johnny Mathis, Anita Baker, Kenny G, Tracy Chapman, and many more. Sadly, Henry passed in 1985 while they were vacationing in Hawaii. This was a tragic loss for Willie Mae, but with the love and support of her family, she endured.

Willie Mae was at her happiest when her family was gathered around.  She always hosted Thanksgiving at her home and she was an excellent cook.  If you were lucky enough to eat her lasagna, banana pudding, or sweet potato pie, you’d never forget it! Willie Mae’s favorite ‘meal’ was, of course, dessert! She couldn’t pass up a slice of cake or anything sweet.

Willie Mae’s favorite hobby was kids!  She adored children and, while raising her own kids in Queens, she became a sort of ‘neighborhood mom’ to lots of other kids, watching after many of them. Throughout her life, she had a very loving and nurturing disposition. Her grandsons are among the lucky recipients of her love, and they have enjoyed a very close relationship with her. She traveled to New Jersey practically every week to help her daughter Sophiea take care of the boys for over seventeen years.  She became a permanent resident of Wayne upon selling her home in Queens.  Since living with her grandsons and granddog Benny, their bond grew even stronger. They will always love her and miss her dearly.

Willie Mae is survived by two daughters; Denise Martin and her husband Clarence of Jacksonville, FL, and Sophiea Lamb-de Lagarde and her husband Adrian of Wayne, two grandsons; Christopher Henry de Lagarde and Maxwell Xavier de Lagarde of Wayne, three sisters; Mattie Lee Bradley, Mary Alice Clark, and Carrie Zellner, all of Michigan.  Willie Mae was predeceased by her daughter, Rosemarie Lamb in 2012.

William J. Post, age 76 of Wayne, died on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. He was the founder of W.J. Post, Inc., Mechanical Contractors.

Raised in Clifton, Bill graduated from Clifton High School in 1962 and began working as a Union Pipefitter. During the 1960’s, he served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant in a Military Police unit and later in the National Guard. He joined the Clifton Special Police and headed up that unit between 1967 and 1986.

Many people knew Bill professionally as the owner of W. J. Post Mechanical Contractors.  He started the company in 1977 and has earned the respect of many throughout the years and he’s made many friends along the way.

Bill was a generous and selfless man with a ‘larger than life’ personality.  He lived for his family and his friends, and he had friends from all walks of life who he truly cared about. The world would be a better place if there were more people like Bill. As his son said; “If I could be half the man my father was, I would be doing alright.” Bill was also an avid fisherman whose best days were spent aboard his boat out on the Atlantic Ocean. He absolutely loved fishing and always looked forward to the next trip!

Bill was especially devoted to his wife, Louise (nee Hopphan).  They met in Clifton during the 1960’s and Bill proposed soon after.  They were married on April 1, 1967 at Holy Name Church in Garfield, but Bill was unable to take time off from work to enjoy a honeymoon. That didn’t stop them from starting a family. They eventually welcomed three boys, raising them at their home in Wayne. Bill and Louise were inseparable during the fifty-three years since their marriage. They were meant to be, and enjoyed doing everything together. Louise will miss him dearly.

Bill was tragically predeceased by his son; Charles “Chucky” Post in 2011.  He is survived by his beloved wife Louise of Wayne, by their two sons; William Jr. and his wife Petra of Whippany, and Robert “Bobby” of Woodland Park, two grandchildren; William III and Amanda of Whippany, his sister-in-law; Dorothy Simon of Oakland, a nephew; William Simon of Oakland, and one sister; Helen Berkenbush of Clifton.

Donations in Bill’s memory would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org.

Laurie C. Parnau (nee Campbell), age 67, originally of Union passed away peacefully on Monday, November 16, 2020 in her home surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Laurie was raised in Union and was the oldest of three children to William and Nancy Campbell.  She attended Union High School and graduated with the class of 1971.  Following her high school graduation, she attended Seton Hall University where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1975.  

Laurie accepted a position with Visiting Nurses of Union County where she worked for approximately fourteen years.  She then operated an in-home daycare where she lovingly cared for children while she gained her School Nurse Certificate to start the next chapter of her career. For 25 years Laurie was a beloved school nurse starting at Navesink Elementary School and then spending twenty-two years at Livingston Elementary School where she eventually retired in 2015.  

For nearly a century and for six generations, Laurie’s family owned a lake house in the Green Pond area of Rockaway Township.  Laurie always called this place, “our little piece of Heaven on earth.”  While living there, she was a member of the Green Pond Historical Society, as well as the Lake End Corporation Board of Directors for three years.  Laurie was also a long-time active parishioner of Townley Presbyterian Church in Union, NJ. She loved singing in the church choir and considered all of the members her second family.

Laurie’s mother Nancy was a trained vocalist and a Julliard School graduate so it came as no surprise that Laurie had a deep love for music.  In addition to singing in the Choir at church, she truly enjoyed attending plays and musicals.  She not only attended large professional performances but also attended and supported productions by local and community theatres. Laurie also had a passion for nature and animals. You would often find her exploring new trails or taking her grandchildren hiking through the “Magic Forest” or up to “Indian Look-Out” at Green Pond. She regularly supported animal rescue organizations and her rescue chihuahua, Georgia Mae, is a loved and spoiled member of her family that never left her side.

In 1981, Laurie married Robert Peter Kranz.  Laurie and Robert were married for twenty-two years and together raised four beautiful daughters. In 2004, Laurie found love again when she met a gentleman named Alan Parnau on a hike at the Trailside Nature & Science Center located on the Watchung Reservation. As fate would have it, Laurie and Alan fell in love and were married on July 18, 2009.  Laurie and Alan cherished eleven years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Laurie was the “Ultimate Care Giver.”  She was a completely selfless person, always putting other needs ahead of her own.  She always had a cheerful attitude about everything, and a positive outlook about every situation.  She was the kind of person who saw the good in everyone and never had a bad word to say about anybody.  Laurie was that certain type of person that you couldn’t help but like and admire.  Aside from all of her interests, hobbies, and talents, Laurie’s greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Laurie than providing for, and spending time with her family and friends.  Laurie was a wonderfully special person who touched and enriched the lives of countless people.  She will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Laurie is survived by her husband Alan Parnau of Hackettstown, four daughters; Lori Coponi and her husband Steven of Hazlet, Dawn Kranz and her partner Craig Milintschuk of Old Bridge, NJ, Melissa Ricci and her husband Marc of Cranford, NJ, and Katherine Bourke and her husband Ryan of Pearl River, NY, two stepchildren; April Parnau and her husband Kyle Roper of Saylorsburg, PA, and Adam Parnau of Brooklyn, NY, two sisters; Jennifer Serzan of Westfield, NJ, and Heather Campbell of Rockaway, NJ, eight grandchildren; Steven, Alexandra, Olivia, Ava, Lia, Riley, William, and Maxwell.  She was predeceased by her parents William and Nancy Campbell.

Those wishing to make a donation in Laurie’s name are asked to consider the following organizations.  Townley Presbyterian Church, 829 Salem Rd, Union, NJ 07083 https://www.townleychurch.org or Mt Pleasant Animal Shelter, 194 NJ-10, East Hanover, NJ 07936, https://njshelter.org/

William Palo, age 84, passed Sunday, November 15, 2020 at home with the comfort of family by his side.

He was born to Alfonso and Mary Palo and raised in Lyndhurst. He was a pitcher for the Lyndhurst High School baseball team and went on to pitch in the semi-pro leagues in the New York Giants baseball organization. A few years into his semi-pro career he received an injury that would end his baseball career. He was inducted into the Lyndhurst High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.

William continued his education and received his undergraduate degree in Education (1959) and he also received a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from William Paterson University in Wayne.  During his years playing baseball he also took a few classes at the Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He spend his final years working in the Verona School System and retired as Principal at H.B. Whitehorne Middle School.

He was likeable, outgoing and the kind of person who could talk to just about anyone. He loved the outdoors, especially sitting by the water in Florida. He enjoyed movies, game shows and sports on television.  He liked following the professional sports teams: Knicks, Jets, Dodgers and Yankees. When it came to a single player of any professional team he was a huge Tom Brady fan. William also enjoyed golfing in both New Jersey and Florida and especially liked following Tiger Woods achievements.  

William met Mary Ann Kurtz through his brother Angelo and they soon fell in love. They married in Miami Beach, Florida on December 16, 1961 and honeymooned in the Bahamas.  Their marriage was blessed with a daughter Michelle and a son Robert.  William and Mary Ann enjoyed a loving and caring marriage of 43 years before her passing in July of 2004.

William was the loving husband of the late Mary Ann Palo (d.2004); devoted father of Michelle Palo of Wayne and Robert Palo of Boynton Beach, FL; brother of Angelo Palo and his wife Julie of Fort Pierce, FL and the late Jean Henderson; he was the loved uncle of Karen Henderson-Melone, Kevin Palo and the late Kathy Palo.

Thaddeus Joseph Jachera, age 90, of Marco Island, FL and Pompton Plains, NJ, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Sunday, November 15, 2020.

Thaddeus, known to all as “Ted” was born in Bayonne, NJ on 3/12/30, the third of four children of Polish immigrant parents Louis and Aniela. Ted grew up in Bayonne with his family.  He went to high school at St. John Kanty All Boys School in Erie, PA and graduated in 1948. Soon after graduation, he worked as a runner for the NYC Stock Exchange. Ted was then called to duty in the US Army where he served as cook on the front lines during the Korean War. The experience he gained as a cook would affect the future course of his life.

Ted’s family eventually moved from Bayonne to Wayne, NJ.  His parents purchased a tavern called the Hi Ho Club and his entire family worked there. Ted played the drums with his band at the club and during breaks he would bartend.

Ted would eventually meet the love of his life, Sugar, at a dance in the Poconos. What began that evening was a beautiful love story and on November 12, 1960 Ted and Sugar exchanged their wedding vows at the Epiphany Church in Cliffside Park.  They settled into their first home in Packanack Manor on Chandler Drive.

With the skills he had learned, Ted decided to take a chance and open a catering business in 1964. He, his brother Stan Jachera and friend Jerry Cardillo built a catering hall on Route 23 and called it the Wayne Manor. Ted’s younger brother John Jachera would also join the business and together the Wayne Manor became a huge success. They brought joy to many people’s lives by hosting thousands of weddings and social events throughout the years. After Ted’s retirement, the family business continued on with the next generation for a total of 41 years.

Ted and Sugar were blessed with three children Kathleen, Robert and Thomas. In 1980, the family moved into their dream home in Pompton Plains, NJ. They enjoyed many summer vacations at their home at the Hideout in PA.  In their golden years, they retired to Marco Island, FL. They were able to travel the world, took up playing golf, played tennis and enjoyed their wonderful friends and extended family, including nine grandchildren.

Ted was a diehard NY Giants fan! He has been a season ticket holder since 1958. One of his greatest memories was attending the Giants first Super Bowl win in 1987 with his family and his brother-in-law, Al Aitkens.

Ted was a man who always acknowledged God’s presence in his life. He was an active parishioner in every church he belonged to. Ted was extremely kind and generous, yet very humble. On their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and the Wayne Manor’s twentieth anniversary of business, Ted took 75 staff members, friends and family away to the Bahamas for a celebration like no other. He donated to many charitable organizations: Little Sisters of the Poor, Huntington’s Disease and also set up a scholarship at DePaul Catholic High School, to name a few. Ted’s life philosophy was God comes first, family next and if you work hard, are a good person and give back to those less fortunate, you will be blessed.

Ted is survived by his beloved wife, Ethel “Sugar” Jachera, blessed in a loving marriage for 60 years: his daughter Kathleen Jachera and her children Keith and Ryan Agnello; his son Robert and his wife Nancy Jachera and their children Matthew, Daniel, David and Jessica; his son Thomas and his wife Lisa Jachera and their children Nicholas, Gabriella and Thomas; numerous nieces and nephews; and his sister-in-law Winifred Jachera. Ted was predeceased by his sister Helen Zuba and husband Stan, his brother Stanley Jachera, his brother John Jachera, and his nephew Michael Jachera.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Thaddeus’ name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959. To donate online click here www.stjude.org.

William Garcia, Sr., age 80 an over thirty year resident of North Bergen, most recently of Pompton Lakes, passed Saturday, November 14, 2020.

William was born to Andreas and Petra Garcia in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.  When William was ten years old his parents moved the family to the United States with dreams of a better life for their children.  They first settled in New York City and soon moved to Union City, then North Bergen.

   William found work in the textile industry working at a company that manufactured handbags and belts. He also worked at the Penettone Chemical Company in Teaneck, and the National Container Company in North Bergen, before taking a position with the United States Post Office in Secaucus in 1972. He worked for the US Post Office for thirty years before retiring in 2003.  Through the years many of his co-workers became his friends.  He valued these friendships greatly and wouldn’t take on a Supervisor position as he just couldn’t bring himself to tell his friends what to do.

He will be lovingly remembered for being both funny and loud.  He had a great sense of humor although it could be a bit dirty at times and if he was paired up with his sister Rosita the two of them could overtake a room full of people. He loved fishing and for many years had a boat named the D-n-D which he kept in a slip in Bayonne and would often go fishing in the rivers surrounding New York. For the last ten years he mostly fished area lakes. During his post office years William belonged to the post office bowling league. On bowling night it was always Spaghetti Wednesday as this was a quick meal and dad could get to the lanes on time.  He will also be remembered for his skill at playing dominos.  After just a few moves he would know and remember what you had in your hand and even knew when you could or couldn’t go. When it came to area sports teams William loved NY Mets, the NY Rangers, and the NY Giants. He was never afraid to tell you he couldn’t stand the NY Jets or NY Yankees. William also loved watching television.  He enjoyed westerns, Jerry Springer, Cheaters, any of the judge shows, and game shows, especially Deal or No Deal.  He was a hard worker who was always taking on holiday, Saturday, and Sunday hours at the post office. Many a Christmas was spent waiting for him to come home from work. He also had a love of dogs and through the years had several.  His Doberman Pinscher Max would often test him by tearing apart the living room couch or running around the yard dragging the garbage bag and emptying its contents all over the front lawn. Most of all William will be remembered for his loving, caring, considerate, and kind way.

William was the husband of Numidia Lucia Garcia (Rivera) of Ridgefield; loving father of: Diane Incognito and her husband Nick of Rivera Beach, Florida, William Garcia, Jr. of his late wife Pattie (2016) of Pompton Lakes, Steven Garcia and his wife Elaine of Carlstadt, and Aurora Aranzazu and her husband Kenny of Wayne; cherished grandfather of: Nick Incognito and wife Helene, the late Michael Incognito (2015), William Garcia, III and wife Jessica, Frank Garcia, Justine Marie Garcia, Eric Garcia, Nina Garcia, Adam Aranzazu, and Daniel Aranzazu; adored great-grandfather of: Penelope Incognito, Andie Incognito, Cole William Garcia, Chelsea Struble, and Cayden Struble; dear brother of:  the late Andrea Torres the late Rosita Cortez, Eva Lopena and husband Bob of Myrtle Beach, NC, and Victor Mercado of Rutherford; and dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews.

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

Thomas A. Antonucci, age 78 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 14, 2020.

Tom was born in Paterson and, soon moved to Wayne where he remained his entire life. He was a graduate of Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1961. Coming from a long line of mason contractors in his family, it was no surprise that Tom chose this field of work for his own life’s occupation. He joined Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers Local 4 (BAC) of Fairfield and enjoyed a career that spanned 43 years before retiring in 2004. After retiring, he worked for a short time as a building inspector in West Paterson.

Thomas was introduced, by the parish priest at Saint Michaels Church in Paterson, to a young woman named Rosa Iacono. They were married on September 19, 1971 at Saint Michaels Church and honeymooned in Jamaica. Tom and Rosa were inseparable. They were truly always there for each other, loved their trips to Italy as well as traveling all over Europe and going out to dinner with family and friends, and enjoyed trips to Atlantic City together. They lovingly were blessed with forty-six years of devoted marriage, living all those years in Wayne where they raised their three beautiful daughters. Sadly, Rosa passed away in June, 2017.

One of Tom’s favorite pastimes was getting away to the cabin in New York State that had been in his family for many years. When he and Rosa’s girls were growing up, they enjoyed many family vacations there and, in colder months, Tom would go upstate to fish and hunt deer. One year he even got a bobcat! He was a great hunter so there was always a good supply of venison in the freezer. This worked out real well because one of Tom’s other favorite hobbies was cooking and barbequing. Everyone loved Tom’s venison stew, and Italian recipes were his favorites. He also made some pretty tasty Pasta Fazool (Faggioli).

Tom was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes and earlier at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne where he especially enjoyed singing in the church’s choir. He was also a member of the Italian American Club in Totowa.

Tom will be remembered for his outgoing, fun-loving nature. He had a great sense of humor and because he liked showing his silly side, he was affectionately nicknamed “Yappy” and “Yappo”. Most of all Tom will be remembered for being a loving and devoted husband, father, and cherished “Pop-Pop”.

Tom was the loving husband of the late Rosa Antonietta Antonucci (June 2017). He was the dearly loved son of the late Thomas E. Antonucci and the late Sarah Antonucci; devoted father of Rosanne Antonucci of Wayne, Gina Biro and husband Chris of Pompton Plains, and the late Paula Jean Antonucci (May 1994); cherished grandfather of Justin, Christopher, and Olivia; loved brother of: Louis Antonucci and wife Donna, Jeffery Antonucci and wife Kathleen, John Antonucci and wife Rina, and Ron Antonucci; and dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Alzheimer’s New Jersey 425 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 203, Roseland, NJ 07068, would be appreciated.  Please make your check payable to Alzheimer’s New Jersey or, to donate online, click on this link www.alznj.org.

Gloria A. Focazio (Abdelnour), age 92, of Del Ray Beach, FL, passed peacefully on Saturday, November 14, 2020.

Gloria was born in Paterson to George and Najiba Abdelnour. She lived on Grand Street in Paterson and graduated from Central High School, where she sang in the choir with the Class of 1946. She continued her education at William Paterson University in Wayne and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

Gloria married John “Jack” Focazio and had a loving marriage of fifty-four years until his passing in May of 2004. They first lived in Niagara Falls, NY for a brief period of time and then moved to Montclair Avenue, Paterson, NJ where they started their family. They eventually moved to Sloping Hill Terrace, the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, NJ, and continued to raise their family.

Gloria was the youngest of eight girls. At the age of eleven she began working in a Paterson textile mill folding handkerchiefs, bed sheets, napkins, and tablecloths. After graduating from college she taught at the Ridgewood Secretarial School and soon found work with the Paterson Board of Education. Gloria taught at School 25 where she taught middle school-aged children and later worked at the Martin Luther King School as a reading specialist. She retired in 1985 and she and Jack moved to Del Ray Beach, Florida.

Gloria, her sisters, and friends started a Friday night “Knitting Club.” They wanted to  knit argyle socks for their husbands. Not a single pair of socks were ever finished because they decided to play cards instead. Many card games and fun filled nights were had during these “knitting club” meetings. Gloria was also an awesome cook. Her special touch on Arabic and Italian specialties will be greatly missed. Her home was always the destination for family holiday gatherings. You can imagine this was one busy house and kitchen! She also loved to watch her favorite television shows especially “Wheel of Fortune”. In her retirement Gloria found she had a talent for painting portraits with oil and painted many portraits of her grandchildren. She was one of the most progressive ninety-two year olds you will ever meet. She had a strong will, was faith-filled, and had a perseverance second to none. Gloria loved being with her family and friends. There could never be too many people!  Her welcoming way made her house a home.

She was also very dedicated to her Melkite Catholic faith and was a founding parishioner of Saint Ann’s Melkite Catholic Church that was originally in Paterson and is now located in Woodland Park. Gloria came from a family dedicated to their faith and had extended family members that were Bishops, Arch Bishops, and nuns. She could often be quoted as saying “If I didn’t have my faith, I would have nothing.”

Gloria was the loving wife of the late John “Jack” Focazio (d.2004); devoted mother of Jacqueline Focazio and her husband Manny of Point Pleasant Beach, Denise Fatica and her husband Pat of Wayne, and William Focazio,M.D. and his wife Debra of Saddle River; cherished grandmother of Dominique Focazio,Vanessa Focazio, Cara Focazio Koelsch,M.D,  Olivia Focazio, Remington Focazio,  Jack Fatica,M.D., William Fatica, Michael Fatica, ; she was the dearly loved great-grandmother of Marlo and Layla; she was predeceased by her seven sisters Mary Coussa, Helen Ged, Rita Cortese, Julia Sarapuchiello, Agnes Sciarrino, Emily Abdy, and Vera Hajjar; and will be dearly missed by many extended family and friends.

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Flowers are welcomed or if you would like to make a memorial donation the family asks you to consider Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing Center, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Walter Mazzie, age 62, of Wayne, passed Monday, November 9, 2020.

Walter was born to Donald and Betty Mazzie in Scotch Plains and lived in Wayne for the past fifty-eight years. He graduated from Wayne Hills High School with the Class of 1976. While growing up he was a member of the 4H Club in Wayne.

Walter was the owner of WDC Landscaping in Wayne for many years.

He will be remembered for his love of animals, generous heart, and class clown antics.  He was always ready to help those in need and was a source of strength for those he was close with.  His class clown antics were evident as he often enjoyed getting up to mischief with the younger kids within his family. As a young boy his family had many horses and chickens at the home in Wayne and this began Walter’s love of animals.  For a while he even bred Bernese Mountain Dogs.  He was outgoing, “Mazzie loud,” and someone who could fix just about anything.  He could always be found out in the garage working on a project or fixing something.

He is survived by his daughter Samantha Jones of Louisburg, NC; his sisters Donna Fugate of Ohio, Candice Manasse of AZ, and brothers Carl Mazzie (Debbie) of Wayne and Duke Mazzie (Jennifer) of AZ; he is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and his dear friends Christina Kay (Jason Owens) and Carter Owens.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.

Raymond John Witzak-husband, father, grandpa, age 82, of Pequannock passed away peacefully on Monday, November 9, 2020 with his family by his side.

The son of John and Sophie (Née Rubel) Witzak, Ray was Bayonne born in 1938, living there until relocating to Ridgewood in 1952. He was a 1956 graduate of Ridgewood high school, before enlisting in the U.S. army security agency. He had a two year tour of duty in Japan as a Russian linguist for the intelligence unit, following language school in California.

His work career spanned 45 years, began at Western Electric, and included 35 years as a sales representative, with 25 years with Lever Brothers. In 1964 he married Sandra (Née Yanulewicz), and briefly resided in Rochelle Park, and then Hawthorne. They came to Pequannock in 1966, and raised two sons, Richard and David.

Ray ran the Pequannock Men’s Independent softball league for ten years, and was a Little League baseball officer for twelve years, managing and coaching in both organizations. Ray also served Pequannock Township twice, on the Parks & Recreation board, and the Board of Adjustments after that.

In retirement, Ray served his Lord and Savior at Grace Bible church in Pompton Plains: Hosting hospitality, running the ushers, leading bible study, and servicing on the elder board.

He is survived by his wife Sandra, sons Richard & David, granddaughters Evangeline & Franchesca.

Josephine A. Lavina (nee Bonica), age 93, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 8, 2020 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Born November 17, 1926 in Waltham, Massachusetts to Giuseppe and Mary Bonica, Josephine (known to her family and friends  as “Jo”) left school to work and help her family. She spent time working for Waltham Watch Company and Servend. Josephine married the love of her life, Guy, in 1958.

Josephine was a dedicated daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother.  She dedicated much of her life to caring for her family. She was also dedicated to her Catholic faith and to helping those less fortunate than her.  She spent years volunteering for Meals on Wheels.

Josephine loved to cook and bake. Her banana bread recipe is well-loved in the family. She also was very social, and she always had many friends visiting and calling her home. Josephine was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by her family and friends alike.

Josephine is survived by her son, Bob, and daughter-in-law, Cindy, of Wayne, and her granddaughter, Rachael of Hoboken. She is predeceased by her husband, Guy, and her sister, Frances Bonica.

Mary Ann Dowling, age 80 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 with her family gathered at her bedside.  She has lived in Wayne for twenty-eight years.

Mary Ann grew up in Paterson, born the fourth of six girls in her family. At Central High School, Mary Ann was in the Drum and Bugle Corps.  Her sisters were her lifelong best friends. While in high school, Mary Ann fell in love with Ronald Dowling, whose family owned the neighborhood delicatessen. They married as teenagers and first lived in Paterson and Saddle Brook before establishing their family home in N. Haledon. Mary Ann helped her husband running his business, “Quality Dairy,” as a milkman. She did the bookkeeping while he did the deliveries. It was probably around this time that she developed her lifelong love of milk, and she truly appreciated a tall glass of quality milk. In 1971, Mary Ann and Ron ventured into the restaurant business, purchasing the Eagles Nest in N. Haledon. Ironically, they had no restaurant experience at all, but Mary Ann became the cook! They successfully ran the restaurant until 1981. Not long after, Ron passed away suddenly, and Mary Ann became a widow at just forty-seven years old. She went to work full-time at Purex in Hawthorne, and she also worked as a mortgage specialist with a few area banks. She eventually retired and moved to Wayne, taking on the role of full-time grandmother!

Mary Ann grew up in a tight-knit family and that carried over to her own family with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “Nana,” as she was affectionately called by them all, loved spending time with each of them, and she was very involved in their lives. Her grandchildren recall how much she enjoyed going to IHOP, the Hot Grill, and Patty’s Pancakes.  Family was simply her greatest joy.  Mary Ann was also extremely artistic and very talented as a seamstress, sketch artist, painter, ceramics crafter, and all sorts of things.  Her seamstress work was nothing short of amazing, and no garment was complete unless is was flawlessly perfect.  She handcrafted a magnificent Christening gown that has endured for over thirty-six years, used by more than twenty babies in the family.  She’s made First Communion dresses for her granddaughters, as well as countless garments for dolls – all of them perfect.  She took great pride in her gift wrapping as well. If you ever received a gift from her, you were reluctant to unwrap it because you could see how much love and care she had put into wrapping it.  She even tied her bows by hand, and each “Nana bow” was special and unique with a consideration for the people she made them for.  Easter baskets were among one of her favorite things to create. They turned out better than anything you would find in a store, each one more beautiful than the last, overflowing with love. The love that she shared with her family is a gift to them all that will endure forever.

Mary Ann is survived by four children; Kathleen Peragallo and her husband John of Wayne, Donald Dowling and his wife Tricia of N. Caldwell, Julia Paulison and her husband Ronald of Wanaque, and Elizabeth Murray and her husband Craig of Westfield, Indiana, one sister; Jane Salmanowitz, fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and her daughter-in-law; Kathleen Dowling of San Diego, California.  Mary Ann was predeceased by her husband Ronald in 1987, and by two sons; Charles in 2014 and Ronald, Jr. in 1995.

Friends wishing to make a donation in Mary Ann’s memory are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org.

Peter Schemly, age 71 of Wayne, died on Thursday, November 5, 2020.  He has lived in Packanack Lake in Wayne since 1978.

Peter was born in Bielefeld, Germany and his family came to America in 1950, while he was just a small baby.  He grew up in Little Falls and graduated from Passaic Valley High School before being drafted into the U.S. Army.  The Vietnam War was winding down at this time, and he was fortunate to avoid combat service.  After being discharged, he started working for NJ Bell Telephone, climbing telephone poles.  He advanced to become a software specialist, programming phone systems, and eventually retired from Avaya Technologies.  Peter was not one to sit still and he soon started his own company, Schemly, LLC, providing telecomm software support services for his clients.  Novartis was among his largest clients, and he made many friends there.  Pete would still be working today if he could.

Peter was a true family man and enjoyed living in Packanack Lake.  Raising his kids there, he became involved with Boy Scouts.  He was Scout Master of Troop 104 for many years, leading expeditions to Philmont, New Mexico and Sea Base in the Florida Keys. Peter was particularly proud that both of his sons became Eagle Scouts. Peter was especially devoted to his grandkids. “Pop-Pop Peter,” as many of them called him, loved spending every minute possible with his six grandchildren. Summer vacations at Long Beach Island, NJ, were always memorable, where he would gather with his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren.  Anytime he visited with his grandchildren, also meant visiting with his grand-dogs too!  Peter would arrive with dog treats in his pockets, and the dogs knew they were going to be spoiled whenever he came to visit.  Peter enjoyed boating and always kept his Pontoon Boat on Greenwood Lake.  He also liked to golf and he has a closet filled with at least three sets of old clubs, balls, shoes, and a large assortment of golfing paraphernalia that would be the envy of any golfer.

Peter was married to his wife, Janis, for thirty-two years.  They met at Montclair State College and married on April 19, 1975.  In 1978, they purchased their home in Packanack Lake. They were a very close couple, and they did everything together. When children came along, they simply grew closer to one another, and included the kids in all their activities. Sadly, after thirty-two years of marriage, Janis became ill and passed away in 2007. This was a difficult time for Peter, but as grandchildren began to arrive in his life, they brought him a new purpose. His grandchildren were everything to him, and he loves them all very dearly.  They will all miss him.

Peter is survived by his four children; Thomas Schemly and his wife Susan of Wayne, Nancy L’Heureux and her husband Charles of Wyckoff, Douglas Schemly and his wife Cinzia of Washington Township and Alyssa Zimmerly and her husband David of Wayne, and six grandchildren; Hailey and Kayla of Wayne, Ava and Luke of Wyckoff and Nicholas and Ryan of Washington Township, his sister; Vera Schemly of Little Falls.  He was predeceased by his wife, Janis, in 2007.  

Peter would enjoy having some flowers at his funeral, but if friends would prefer to make a donation in his memory, please consider either the Veterans Administration New Jersey Health Care System, www.newjersey.va.gov/giving/index.asp, or Susan G. Komen, ww5.komen.org.

Jane M. Zierer, age 85, of Wayne passed peacefully on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

She was born in Paterson and graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson where she played on the basketball team.  In her youth she always enjoyed roller-skating at the roller rink in Paterson-her husband Frank thinks he still has her roller skates somewhere in the garage.  Jane lived in Clifton before moving to Wayne over fifty years ago.

Jane and Frank met through a mutual friend named Rodger Lutz.  Rodger and Frank were friends with a mutual love of motorcycles. One day when Frank and Rodger were repairing Rodger’s motorcycle they received a call to give a friend a ride home.  That friend was Jane.  Rodger and his girlfriend Ethel were in the front two seats of the car and Frank was in the back where Jane sat next to him.  Little did she know that Frank fell in love at first sight. When she heard Frank referred to as “Tonto” (his nickname because he rode an Indian motorcycle) she slide away from him.  It seems Jane’s father had warned her to stay away from this guy named “Tonto” as her dad saw him standing on the seat of his Indian motorcycle while riding down the street in Paterson.  They met on a Friday and went to Johnny & Hanges in Paterson for hot dogs.  It took Frank about a week to propose marriage.  They went to Howard’s Jewelers in Paterson and picked out an engagement ring. They couldn’t afford it and saved for two years to buy it.  On occasion they would drive by the jewelers and peer into the window to look at the safe where there ring was being held. They married on September 17, 1955 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Paterson and took his 1949 Ford convertible on a trip North towards Canada.  They visited Howe Caverns, Niagara Falls, took the Maid of the Mist boat tour of Niagara Falls and had a beautiful meal at a restaurant called Refractor which overlooked the falls. During their two week honeymoon they spent a total of $500.00. They have enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-five years that was blessed with a son Frank.

Here’s a little more from an open letter from Jane:

    “Tonto”

I remember the night so well; walking from 79 Alabama Ave to Ethel’s house on the corner near Wonder Bread. The date was September 4th, Friday, 1953.  My life was about to change.

    The only way Ethel could see Roger Lutz was to arrange for him to come with a buddy to drive me home.  It was supposed to be “Tonto,” whom I had heard many talk about.  Up pulls the car and out steps this six foot, slim, well-built guy, jeans and white tee shirt, blue-green eyes and our eyes met and it was love at first sight. I though “Tonto” had been left behind and this fellow filled in.  It was Friday and we went to “Johnny & Hanges” near River Street, Paterson.  I had a hot dog with mustard.  On the way Roger turned and said “hey Tonto” and I jumped to the far side of the vehicle, practically scratching at the handle.  This couldn’t be “Tonto” but oh yes it was!  In the meantime he was trying to remember if he had cursed or worse was his fly open? They must have driven me home (I was dazed) as he had already asked me for a date. At the time Ronnie Bell, a very nice boy whom I was passing time with, was in the picture. Our final date was a day later as I informed him I had met someone and wanted to be fair with him.  He said “I hope it’s not Tonto - he’s tough as nails.”  And so the story begins...

Jane will be remembered as a quiet, reserved person who loved animals and gardening.  When it came to animals their house was a veritable zoo.  Through the years they had dogs Sniffy, Cleo, and Flint; cats Foxy, Pumpkin, Shadow, and Batman.  They also had pigeons, quail, a Macaw Parrot, a parakeet, and tropical fish. When it came to gardening she was by Frank’s side clearing trees and planting all kinds of flowers.  She was even cited in the Paterson Newspaper for the sunflowers and roses she grew.  She enjoyed watching General Hospital together with Frank even though he liked the Westerns better. She also enjoyed all kinds of educational television programming and loved crossword puzzles.

Jane was a playground aide for the Wayne Board of Education for over twenty years before retiring in 1994.

She was the loving wife of sixty-five years to Frank M. Zierer; devoted mother of Frank N. Zierer and his wife Rizalina of Bergenfield; daughter of the late Leo and Mary McHale; cherished aunt of nephews the late Frank Cerrato, and surviving nephews Timothy and Steven Krumm and nieces Coleen McHale and Maureen McHale.

Lydia Hoitsma (nee Caroselli), 98, a longtime resident of Wayne, NJ, passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2020.

Born November 12, 1921 in Jersey City to Ernesto Caroselli and Marie (nee Egle), Lydia graduated from Henry Snyder High School in 1939 and worked for Bendix Aviation Corporation in Teterboro during WWII. After the war, she was a secretary at Diebold Inc. in New York City. She also worked for ten years in the credit department of Meyer Brothers Department Store in Wayne before retiring in 1984. Married in 1951, Lydia was a devoted wife and mother to her loving family.

Lydia was the beloved wife of Peter who passed away in 1998. She is survived by her two sons, Gary of Washington D.C. and Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Sharon of Pompton Plains, her daughter Christine and son-in-law William Kirk of York, PA; five grandchildren: Steven Hoitsma and wife Kyle, Justin Hoitsma, Doug Kirk and wife Kelsey, Michelle Kirk, and Michael Kirk; great-granddaughter Aubrey Hoitsma; and her brother Edwin Carrell of The Villages, FL. She is predeceased by her brothers Enrico (Rick) Carell and Julius Carell, and sisters Claudia Ascough and Eugenia (Jean) Murphy.

George J. Heppel, age 87 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 26, 2020. George was born in New York City in 1933. The son of German immigrants, he didn’t learn to speak English until he started going to kindergarten. He grew up in New York City and was a graduate of Stuyvesant High School with the Class of 1952.

As a teenager, George was so determined to join the armed forces and enlisted in the National Guard when he was just sixteen years old. Because he was so young, he had to lie about his age to get in. After high school he worked for a year as a warehouseman at Globe Wernicke in the Bronx before enlisting in the United States Army. From 1952 to 1954 George proudly served in Korea and Japan during the Korean War. For his service to his country, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. After his return home with the rank of Corporal, he continued to serve in the Army Reserve Infantry until being honorably discharged in 1957.

After getting out of the service, George worked as a zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo. He absolutely loved that job and would never have left the zoo if his future wife Ronnie didn’t put her foot down and have him join her at the New York Telephone Company where the pay was better and he wasn’t quite as fragrant when he came home from work. There was also less chance of getting bitten in the backside by a sea lion there, as happened during his time at the Bronx Zoo. He worked for the telephone company for almost 40 years and retired in 1993 at the age of 60.

After marrying his wife of 63 years, Ronnie, they moved to New Jersey in 1965 where they bought a house and called Wayne, NJ home. George was a loving father to his sons George and Eric. He truly enjoyed sharing life with them by doing things like taking them to the shooting range at the Sportsman Club in Pennsylvania and going on an fishing trips to Ontario Canada together. Anyone who knew George, knew how much his sons meant to him. Until…his grandson Ryan was born and they both took a backseat. Ryan and Grandpa were pals and regularly did things together. George regularly picked Ryan up from school and took him to his football practices or wherever he had to go. He attended his football games and high school graduation and was more than happy to drive to South Carolina to watch him graduate from the United States Marine Corps boot camp as well as attending his Passaic County Sheriff’s Department pinning ceremony, even though it was starting to be tough to get around. He was always there for Ryan.

Serving in the Army awoke the travel bug in George. He served part of his tour of duty in Japan and, as a result, he fell in love with the country. He and Ronnie enjoyed trips to Mexico as well as going to Europe at times to see his relatives. He also loved vacationing in Turkey and recently took a trip to Italy.

It seemed that George never came across a book that he didn’t want to read. He could often be seen with his nose in a good story and he loved to read from a wide spectrum of subjects including westerns, science fiction, and anything having to do with any type of history. He loved animals and, while dogs were a part of his life in his earlier years, it was usually one of his cats, Milo, Rusty, or Tux, who would sit by his side as he enjoyed a good book.

George generally lived a quiet, private life choosing to enjoy the blessings of spending time with his loving family. He will be dearly missed by those whose life he touched.

George is survived by his son George Heppel, Jr. and daughter in law Geri of Wayne, his grandson Ryan Heppel of Wayne, and his honorary son Mike Stubbington of Portsmouth, England. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Veronica and by his loving son Eric Heppel - both in 2019.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in George’s name are asked to consider the Alan Purcell Wayne Township Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroad, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Johanna Wilbert (nee Metzler), age 93 of Wayne passed away peacefully on Friday October 23, 2020 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Johanna was born in Bockenau, Germany in 1927 and was the middle child of three children to Karl and Johanna Metzler.  As a young girl in the midst of the Second World War, Johanna left the eighth grade to go to work and help her family.  She was employed as a bookkeeper at a hardware store in Germany named Eckenroth, which would be the equivalent to an establishment such as Home Depot in the United States.  Later, after arriving in the United States in 1954, Johanna continued to work as a bookkeeper at various businesses. She worked at Bosland’s Hardware for nine years and Godwin Tool and Hardware Supply in Midland Park for about ten years.

As a young woman while living in Germany, Johanna would take the bus to work every day.  While standing at the bus stop, she met a handsome young man by the name of Hans Wilbert.  Johanna sat next to Hans on the bus so as to talk with the girls sitting in frontof her and Hans.  However, Johanna never got to speak with the girls due to the fact that she and Hans talked the entire ride.  Later, Hans invited Johanna to hear him play the violin, as he was an accomplished violinist.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on May 24, 1952 in Bad Kreuznach and then honeymooned in Bavaria.

Johanna and Hans immigrated to the United States in 1954 in search of a better life and the American Dream.  They settled in Brooklyn where Hans and Johanna found work quickly.  Johanna and Hans welcomed their first daughter, Linda, in 1959.  The company that Hans was working for moved from Brooklyn to Paterson and the family moved.  The couple had one of the first homes built in the Lions Head Lake section of Wayne.  In 1965, after living in Wayne for a number of years, they welcomed their second daughter, Susan.  Johanna and Hans remained in Wayne for the rest of their lives together.

Johanna was a dedicated mother and grandmother.  She was also dedicated to her Lutheran Faith.  She and her family were members of St Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Wayne for many years.  Johanna was also a member of the Golden Age Group of Wayne for many years as well.   From a young age, Johanna loved sports.  She loved soccer and kept pictures of the entire New York Cosmos soccer team in her home.  She also enjoyed watching golf on TV mainly because of its illustrious and colorful backgrounds.  She loved gardening, growing vegetables and flowers all year round.  She also loved to sew and read, particularly autobiographies and about history mostly.  Aside from all of Johanna’s interests, hobbies, and talents, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Johanna than providing for and spending time with her family.  She and Hans cherished an amazing fifty-nine years of loving and loyal marriage until Hans’ passing in 2011.  Johanna was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by her family and friends alike.  

Johanna is survived by her two daughters; Linda Sopko and her husband John of Wall Township, and Susan Phelan and her Husband Chris of Wayne, four grandchildren; Brian Phelan, Jake Sopko, Kevin Phelan, and Maxxi Sopko, she was predeceased by her husband Hans Wilbert in 2011, she was also predeceased by her sister Elfrieda Metzlerand her brother Loda Metzler.

Flowers are most welcome, however in lieu of flowers, donations in Johanna’s name may be made to St Timothy’s Lutheran Church, 395 Valley Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Igor was born in Germany in 1947 and was the oldest of four children to Arcenti and Anna Umansky.  The family moved to Belgium where they lived for several years until Igor was about twelve years old.  It was at this time the family immigrated to the United States in search of a better life and the American Dream.  When arriving in America, the family settled in Passaic where Igor attended Passaic High School.  While at Passaic High, Igor discovered his hidden skills and talent for the sport of American Football.  He was placed at the position of Center and made the high school All-State team.  Following his graduation from Passaic High School with the class of 1965 he earned a full football scholarship to Clemson University in South Carolina.  Igor transferred to Colorado State where he continued his All American College Football career but unfortunately suffered a shoulder injury which would cause him to miss his window of opportunity playing in the pros.  

While at a party in his college years, Igor met an attractive young lady by the name of Mildred Kneeland.  Igor and Mildred hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it they fell in love and were married in 1971 at St John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Passaic.  They had their reception at the Wayne Manor and honeymooned in the Bahamas.  Igor and Mildred settled in Cliffwood Lake in the town of Vernon in the early 1970’s and remained there for the rest of their lives together.  During their time living in Vernon they welcomed their one and only child Michael.

Over the years Mildred and Igor traveled quite a bit and frequented Marco Island in Florida.  Igor and Mildred cherished forty-two years of loving and loyal marriage together until Mildred’s passing in 2013.  Following his wife’s passing, Igor carried on and fulfilled their dream when he moved to Marco Island, Florida in 2017 after retiring from a 20+ year career with Tri-Coastal Design in East Hanover as Director of Logistics.

Igor never lost his love for sports, he followed professional football and also took up Karate when his son was a teenager, eventually earning a black belt.  One of Igor’s favorite past times was fishing, particularly saltwater fishing.  He was the captain/owner of a private fishing boat charter company Reel-Xtreem Fishing.  After moving to Florida he spent his time fishing for a variety of species of fish such as Tarpon, Common Snook, and Atlantic Tripletail fish.  Igor was also a member of the environmental organization Captains for Clean Water.  Igor also enjoyed cooking and in his free time he loved visiting one of his very good friends in Oak Ridge who owned Giuseppe’s Restaurant.  There Igor would drop in on occasion and do some cooking for his friend in the restaurant’s kitchen.

Igor was a fun person to be around.  He was the kind of person you couldn’t help but like.  He was funny, sarcastic and enjoyed socializing.  Every year his high school graduating class held a special get-together at Rut's Hut Hot Dog Restaurant in Clifton.  Igor was a wonderful outgoing person who made and cherished many life-long friendships.  Apart from all of Igor’s talents, interests, and hobbies, his greatest passion was for his friends and family.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother.  He was the rock of his siblings and treasured spending time with his only granddaughter Collin.  Igor was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Igor is survived by his son Michael Umansky and his wife Kristen of Vernon, his brother Alex Umansky of Naples, FL, one granddaughter Collin Umansky of Vernon, Sisters-in-law Susan Kneeland of Wall Twp and Sonja Kneeland of Butler.  He was predeceased by his wife Mildred Umansky (nee Kneeland) in 2013, and also by his two sisters; Lydia Umansky, and Tania Umansky.

In lieu of flowers, donation in Igor’s name may be made to Captains for Clean Water, 2031 Jackson St, Fort Meyers, FL 33901.  http://www.captainsforcleanwater.org/

Daniel Shark, age 65, of Montville, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Daniel was born in Paterson and raised in Little Falls and Wayne. He played basketball during his years at Wayne Hills High School and, after graduating with the Class of 1973, he continued his education at Waynesburg College in Waynesburg, PA, majoring in biology and earning his Bachelor’s Degree in 1977. After college, Dan launched right into a career as a sales representative with Standard Register and soon after became an independent contractor with FormTech Graphics in Warren, NJ. He enjoyed a long and rewarding career with FormTech and was presently anticipating retirement from the company he had worked for almost his entire career.

While working at Standard Register, Daniel had the good fortune of meeting a dear woman named Cabrina Potente who was employed as a part-time secretary. He quickly took a liking to Cabrina and desired to go with her on a date. Needing a way to get Cabrina’s attention, one day he hid her handbag in his office. As Cabrina was preparing to leave work for the day, he watched as she searched for the handbag and asked coworkers if they had seen it. Eventually, he approached her at her desk and asked, “Are you looking for this?” They ended up going out that very evening to a NJ Devils hockey game. They soon fell in love and, after a season of dating, the desire for marriage mutually increased. Dan’s first attempt at a formal marriage proposal came during an evening at his home in Basking Ridge. He prepared a delicious lamb chop dinner complete with the finest wine. He was about to propose when suddenly a friend of his arrived unannounced to share the exciting news of how he was going to propose marriage to his girlfriend the next day. Not wanting to steal his friend’s thunder, Dan postponed his own grand plans for the evening. Dan’s second attempt took place at Cabrina’s sister and brother-in-law’s home on the lake in Kinnelon. With the ring in his pocket, Dan invited Cabrina for a stroll around the lake. Cabrina thought this was a nice idea. Dan’s plan was working perfectly until Cabrina asked her mother if she would like to join them for the walk. That evening, again, the ring never left his pocket. The saying goes that “three’s a charm” and, in the case of his marriage proposal, it proved true. On another evening at Dan’s house, no one unexpectedly showed up and Dan was able to ask Cabrina to marry him. The wedding day came on Saturday, May 14, 1988 when Daniel and Cabrina exchanged their wedding vows before God, family and friends at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Wayne with Father Paul Kucynda officiating. It was a beautiful spring day and the reception followed at Cabrina’s sister and brother-in-law’s house by the lake in Kinnelon. After a honeymoon in France and England, the newlyweds made Basking Ridge their first home as husband and wife. Soon after they moved to Montville where they have lived for the past thirty one years.

It seemed that Dan and Cabrina’s marriage was meant to be. As a teenager, Dan loved to spend summers down the Jersey shore in Belmar. His days consisted of fun in the sun and surf but also included manning the grill and the Hire’s Root Beer barrel at his Aunt Nat’s beachfront restaurant, Sidoroff’s, alongside his parents, siblings, and cousins.  Ironically, when Cabrina was in her early twenties, she and her girlfriends would stay in Belmar, and they would have breakfast at Dan’s aunt’s restaurant every weekend. Little did Dan and Cabrina know that, in that restaurant, their paths were almost literally crossing and they would someday meet and marry.

Dan and Cabrina’s favorite getaways included St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Visiting two weeks out of every year, they felt like they were nearly residents and Dan actually would express a desire to permanently move there some day. They also loved sailing in the Tonga Islands in the South Pacific as well as in Greece and Corsica. They would charter a fifty five foot sailing vessel and sail themselves with friends who were certified sailing captains. Because Dan was a passionate wine collector with a beautiful wine cellar in his own basement, he was always commissioned to be the sommelier or wine steward on these sailing expeditions.  

In addition to his love of sailing and fine wines, Dan was a highly skilled pool player who could clear the table in record time… a talent honed in his college days. Friends would try to compete but never proved to be a match for Dan’s superior expertise of the game. Despite his intimidating ability, he and Cabrina enjoyed playing and Dan was always patient and helpful. Dan was also an avid fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants. When it came to basketball, he preferred the college games and rooted especially for Duke University.

Dan was a lifelong member of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Wayne. He served for many years on the Church Council and was always active in the continued development of the Church. He loved the liturgy and was always willing to serve the Lord by serving the church. He especially enjoyed assisting in the partaking of Holy Communion, and as a greeter of the congregation, his warmth and kindness was given to each person.

Daniel was a most outgoing person who always possessed a happy heart. He was a gentle and kind soul with a most generous spirit – never refusing a request for assistance and always helping to his maximum potential.

To his nieces and nephews, Uncle Dan was more than just an Uncle. He was also a best friend, a mentor, and opened up their eyes to the finer things in life.  From Broadway shows, to rock concerts, and visits to Morrell Wine Bar, he was always sure to give them unforgettable experiences; they were his “children on loan”. He always made sure they had the best seat in the house while drinking the finest wine in town. Large or small, Uncle Dan always made sure he was active in all life events for his nieces and nephews. He was never too busy for them, and he could never think of enough reasons to celebrate. He brightened their lives every time he walked into the room, always with a smile that exhibited his endless love for them.

Uncle Dan’s positive energy and great sense of humor made each family gathering a memorable one; and we always looked forward to spending time with him.  He was our “cool Uncle” and enriched our lives in new ways throughout the years as we grew from children into adults.  

Daniel was the beloved husband of Cabrina Potente, blessed in marriage for thirty two years. He was the loving son of Marion Shark of Jackson and the late Nicholas Shark (2008); dear brother of: Gregory and wife Tina Shark of Little Falls, Tamara and husband William Germann of Belle Mead, ..and Leonard and wife Brenda Shark of Lake Hopatcong; much-loved uncle of: Kathryn, Jaclyn and husband Michael, Zachary and wife Danielle, Anastasia, Lindsey, Dominick and wife Lauren, Michael; and dear brother-in-law of Carol and husband Bob Kerris of Mountain Lakes, and Dominick and wife Linda Potente of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Daniel’s name are asked to consider a donation to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Wayne, NJ.

William Comfort Hayden, known as Bill to most, died peacefully on October 19, 2020, at the age of 91.  He was born on August 7, 1929 in Tecumseh, Michigan to Perry and Elizabeth Comfort Hayden.

He was well known in high school for running track and winning awards on the state level. He was also senior class president.

He attended Kansas State University, Taylor University and graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics with a plan to take over the Hayden Flour Mill which had been in the family for 3 generations.

After being in the Army in the Counter Intelligence Corps he settled in Tecumseh.  Finding the mill to not be a good fit for him he pursued other lines of work and found his niche in the insurance industry in which he worked for over 40 years specializing in life and benefits products.  Most of that time he was a partner at Dunlop, Onderdonk and Wilson Agency (DOW) in Wayne, NJ. He held the insurance designations of CLU and CHFC. He also was a life and qualifying member of the Million Dollar Life Insurance Round Table.

He participated in several work-related organizations like the National Association of Life Underwriters, American Society of Financial Services, Bergen County Estate Planners Council.

During this time, he was also President of the Wayne Area Chamber of Commerce.

For 25 years he was married to Faith Dugan, had 4 children and divorced in 1977.

In 1984 he married Lenore Voorhis-Hayden and became step dad to her 3 children. They were married for 36 years.

For the last 45 years he has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Caldwell, sharing his talents as an elder, member of several committees, and chair of several stewardship drives. He and his good friend, Ray Corbin, helped start the adult bible class.  Everyone who knew him knew that his faith in God was of utmost importance to him.

He was a member of the Essex Fells Country Club for almost 50 years where he enjoyed playing golf and did win several tournaments.  He was also a past member of the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell/West Essex and the Old Guard.

He served for 17 years on the board of trustees of the Job Haines Home in Bloomfield, NJ and as president of the Parkview Chateau Condo Association. Upon retiring he volunteered at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston to visit patients on behalf of the chaplain’s office and pray with them, logging in 300 hours.

He also enjoyed traveling be it to the insurance conventions that he qualified for to Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Canada or on other tours to Provence, France, England, Scotland and Wales or a Danube cruise from Passau to Budapest.  Bermuda was a favorite spot where he frequented many times.  He also enjoyed the family condo during many summers at Ocean Edge, Brewster on Cape Cod.

Bill is survived by his wife, Lenore, his children Dr William Hayden (Nancy) of Tenn., Debi Inch (Joel) and Nancy Hueber (Tom) of Illinois, and Barbara Wright (Chuck) of New York.

He was a much-loved stepdad to Deborah Coughlin (John) of Massachusetts, Craig Voorhis (Andrea) of New York and Kevin Voorhis (Marisa) of Rhode Island.

He is also survived by sisters Mary Jane Wells of South Carolina and Martha Woodward of Michigan and brother John Hayden (Linda) also from Michigan.

He also leaves 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by brother Joe Hayden and sister Elizabeth Sprunger. Also, by brother in-laws Kenneth Woodward and Ronald Wells.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff at The Cliffs at Eagle Rock for their continued compassionate care and support of Bill during his 5 year stay there.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, 326 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006 or The Cliffs at Eagle Rock, 707 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052

John Andelora, Jr., age 93 of Haledon passed away peacefully on Monday October 19, 2020 while receiving the loving care of his family.

John was born, raised, and a lifelong resident of Haledon.  He was the older of two children to John and Josephine Andelora.  While growing up in Haledon, he attended his local high school and as a teenager worked on a farm in Parsippany.  While in his last years of high school, John felt deep in his heart, a desire to serve his country.  John dropped out of high school and enlisted in the United States Navy. When signing his DD Form 4/1 for the Navy, John fabricated his age to be eighteen years old when in actuality he was only seventeen.  John served proudly in the US Navy being stationed in Europe, and was honorably discharged in 1946.  Later in 1951 he was called up from the reserves and served honorably once more in the Navy from 1951 until 1953 during the Korean Conflict, during this service he was stationed in Pearl Harbor.

The time between his services with the Navy, John started what would turn out to be his life long career in Graphic Arts.  He worked for a book bindery in Clifton after his first service with the Navy, then eventually earning and accepting a position at Russak Bindery in Paterson where he retired from in 1990.  While employed in Clifton, John worked closely with an attractive young woman buy the name of Anita Tanzillo.  John asked her out to the movies in Passaic and the couple started dating.  As fate would have it they fell in love and were married on May 21, 1950.  John and Anita lived on Zabriski St in Haledon for a number of years then moved to John Parents’ house in Haledon several years later.  In 1952 they welcomed the birth of their first son Roger, and later in 1958, their second son Donald.  John and Anita spent their entire lives in Haledon where they raised their two sons.  The couple cherished an amazing sixty-three years of loving and loyal marriage until Anita’s passing in 2013.

John was a diehard New York Yankees fan, his favorite player being Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio.  He was also a huge fan of the New York Giants as well.  As a young man he enjoyed fishing and bowling.  He was also an avid gardener and took great pride in his tomato gardens throughout the years. He was a member of the American Legion in Fairlawn for many years.  He also loved “dining out,” frequenting various restaurants with his family and friends.  Aside from all of John’s talents and hobbies, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to John than spending time with his family and providing for them.  John was a truly dedicated father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  Becoming a great-grandfather was without a doubt one of highlights in his life.  John was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.    

John is survived by his two sons; Roger Andelora and his wife Donna of Wayne, and Donald Andelora and his wife Carol of Elmwood Park, one brother Robert Andelora and his wife Sharon of Allentown, PA, four grandchildren; Nicholas Andelora of Wayne, Cristina Andelora of Elmwood Park, Gina Andelora of Wayne, Elizabeth Andelora of Ladson, SC, one great grandchild Joseph Stoupakis of Wayne.  He was predeceased by his wife Anita Andelora (nee Tanzillo) in 2013 and his grandson Joseph Andelora in 2012.

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 or Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Ave Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001.  https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Brian Conrad Spring, age 59, of Kinnelon, formerly of Pompton Plains, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 18, 2020 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Brian was the Police Chief and a 34-year veteran of the Pequannock Township Police Department up until the time of his death.  During his tenure with the department, Brian attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA and the West Point School in Command and Leadership.  He was the treasurer and a member of the executive board of the Morris County Police Chiefs’ Association.

Brian was born in Chilton Hospital and raised in Pompton Plains.  He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Elementary School and Pequannock Township High School where he was on the tennis team.  Brian went on to Lynchburg College in Virginia where played on the tennis team and received a degree in business administration.  Brian later attended Jersey City State College where he received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and Fairleigh Dickenson University where he received a master’s degree in administrative science.  He was also certified as a public administrator. After returning from Lynchburg College, Brian joined the Pequannock Township Police Department in 1986.

In addition to his service in the police department, Brian was active in the community as a coach of softball and basketball with the Pequannock Township Little League, Boys and Girls Club of Northwest New Jersey, and the New Jersey Sparks Travel Softball Program.  Brian was passionate about softball and he loved being out on the field coaching and traveling with the New Jersey Sparks throughout the New York – New Jersey metropolitan area.  His players and parents loved him for his support and encouragement.  Brian always had a smile on his face when he was on the field and winning was secondary to Brian as long as the kids were having fun.

Brian loved playing tennis and continued to play long after college.  He gave lessons through the Pequannock Department of Recreation and at the Pacquenac Tennis Club.

Brian’s family was always the most important aspect of his life.  Brian and Stacy were together for 31 years and were married on March 19, 1994.  He loved Stacy and his daughter, Melissa more than anything else in the world.  Brian was so proud of his family and he was almost always at the shows and sporting events of his many nieces and nephews and it meant so much to them.  Brian was a huge fan of the New York Mets and he enjoyed going to games with Melissa at Shea Stadium and Citifield.   He enjoyed vacationing with his extended family during the summer on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York and at the Five Kezars in Waterford, Maine.  He often complained about how cold the water was but for some reason he was always the first one in the lake and the last one out.

Brian is survived by his beloved wife, Stacy (Elvin) Spring and his adoring daughter, Melissa Spring and her partner Brad Schuler;   Brian was the son of Elizabeth (Spano) Spring and the late Conrad Spring of Pompton Plains and was the only brother to three sisters, Linda Mycock (Jim) of Windham, Maine, Kathleen Spring of Irmo, SC, and Susan Smith of Pompton Plains, NJ.  He was the son-in-law of Keith and Susan Elvin of Bolton Landing, NY and the brother-in-law of Kristin (Tim) Carr of Pompton Plains and the late Kevin Elvin.  He is the uncle of Megan Smith of Hamden, CT and James Smith of Pompton Plains, Joseph Mycock of Ft. Worth TX, Elizabeth Mycock of Windham, Maine, Bridget Carr and her fiancé, Vincent Zarrillo, Joshua Carr and Emma Carr, all of Pompton Plains and Megan (Carr) Cannella and her husband Justin and the great uncle to their two daughters, Lily and Molly of Chester, NJ.

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In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the John Theurer Cancer Center - Bone Marrow Transplant Division at Hackensack University Hospital would be greatly appreciated.

Evelyn Quint, age 89 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 16, 2020.

Evelyn was born at home in Wallington, the fifth of Constantine and Mary (Gazda) Dombrowski’s eight children. She grew up in Passaic and was raised primarily by her mother, as her father passed away suddenly after a scaffolding accident when she was just six years old. Life was not easy during that time and, at a very early age, Evelyn had to quickly learn the virtue of chipping in to help her family.  Thus, she left high school before graduating in order to take a job and earn an income. She learned to sew and took a job at Barbizon as a seamstress to do her part to help provide for her struggling family. Later in life, she would return to school to earn her certificate so that she could pursue a career as a nurse’s aide.

Evelyn was the beloved wife of H. Albert Quint. A nod to their shared appreciation of the simple things in life, their first date included hot dogs at Johnny and Hanges, followed by some friendly competition at the local bowling alley. They soon fell in love and married on Saturday, November 8, 1952 at St. Ann’s church in Fairlawn. This was followed by a beautiful reception at the Crystal Room in Passaic and a romantic road trip to Florida for their honeymoon.

Evelyn and Albert’s first home as husband and wife was on the third floor of a cold water flat on Sixth Street in Paterson. On cold winter nights, they would regularly engage in their playful dispute of who should get in bed first to warm the icy blankets. Well, the bed must have been warm enough because, while living there, they welcomed the births of three of their four children, Doris, Evelyn, and Albert. In 1959, their young family was proud to purchase their brand-new house in Wayne, built on the former property of the old Sheffield Farm. Prior to the completion of construction, Evelyn’s children fondly remember the excitement of their weekend trips to the house to inspect its progress and lay claims to the bedrooms they dreamed of making memories in. Several years after moving in, they welcomed Michael, their fourth child and little brother.

Evelyn wholeheartedly embraced her role as homemaker and mother, right from the very start. Those years of unconditional love and dedicated care would turn out to be valuable training for the full-time work she would later pursue once her children matured. She took a position as a nurse’s aide at the former Wayne Haven Nursing Home on Black Oak Ridge Road in Wayne. During the span of 28 years of work at Wayne Haven, Evelyn was like an angel to the elderly residents she cared for, regularly going above and beyond the duties of her job description. It was not unusual for her to bring her patients fresh coffee from home, just the way they liked it, or to take their clothing and bedding home to personally wash in her own machine. She would do whatever it took to bring a little sunshine and happiness into their lives – even doing personal shopping for them in her spare time. Evelyn’s grandchildren, whom she adored, will always have fond memories of how she would bring them to work to spread some cheer into those old people’s hearts. And Evelyn put the capital “D” in the word dependable! She never turned down a day of overtime, often to the dismay of her devoted husband. When Wayne Haven closed its doors, Evelyn continued her calling of service to others, performing private duty care, and continued to do so until fully retiring at the age of 76.

As a young lady, one of Evelyn’s favorite pastimes was strapping on her roller skates, complete with wooden wheels, and flying around the Wallington Roller Rink, impressing onlookers with her fancy footwork. As a mother and homemaker, she put those skates on the shelf to put her kitchen utensils and gardening tools to use instead.  Her greatest passions were cooking and baking, most famous for her babka, stuffed cabbage and melt-in-your-mouth apple pie.  Her pierogis were her greatest masterpiece of all, highly coveted and the cause of many a spat amongst her children and grandchildren as to who would lay claim to the next batch.  She also found gardening to be therapeutic, not to mention very rewarding, and took great pride in caring for her property along with her husband. Their yard was always adorned with the most beautiful flowers, and the vegetables that they planted came in real handy when preparing delicious meals for the family.

Eventually, Evelyn’s children began to bless her with grandchildren, and some of those grandchildren in turn blessed her with great-grandchildren. From that time forward, hobbies and pastimes took a back seat to the unconditional and adoring love she lavished upon them. Her life’s calling became creating childhood dreams for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They fondly remember being able to do pretty-much anything they wanted at Grandma’s house. Play in the mud and splash in the sprinkler for hours on end?  No problem! She was a young grandma too, so getting right in there to share in activities like jumping rope, hopscotch and tossing a ball was never an issue. Always demonstrating the patience of a saint when it came to her grandkids, games of Rummy 500 usually turned into games of Rummy 3500.  There was never such a thing as too many treats at grandma’s house either, “If you want another ice cream, feel free to grab one out of the freezer whenever you wish!”

Evelyn will always be remembered for her innumerable virtues. She was a selfless caregiver with a motivation that came from a very pure and loving place in her heart. Make no mistake, though small in stature, she was full of spunk and a force to be reckoned with. Channeling a strong will for the good of others, she leaves behind a legacy of demonstrating to her children and grandchildren, the virtues of hard work and selflessness.  Evelyn was the epitome of the adage “It is better to give than to receive.”    

Evelyn was the beloved wife of H. Albert Quint, blessed in marriage for 46 years until his passing in 1998. She was the very loving mother of Doris Daddio and husband William of Seaside Heights, Evelyn Celentano of Wayne, the late Al Quint (2017), and Michael Quint of Wayne; most adored grandmother of: Tony and partner Vito, Nicole and husband Andrew, Thomas, Michelle, and Cristina; cherished great-grandmother of: Cole, TJ, Niko, and Andrew; dear sister of: Joseph Dombrowski and wife Audrey of Elmwood Park, and Dolores Kunzig of Wayne and her late husband George; mother-in-law of Deborah Quint of Wayne; and aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her sister Wanda Zaleski and her three brothers: Chet, Walter, and Eddie Dombrowski.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Evelyn’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).

Spiro Economou, age 82, of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 15, 2020.

Born “Spyros Economou” in 1937, and raised in Newark, Spiro was the son of Constantine “Gus” and Mary (nee Nicholas) Economou, Sadly, Spiro’s father passed away when he was just nine years old. Thanks in large part to the loving care of his mother, Spiro went on to graduate from Central High School in Newark.

Through hard work and the blessing of a great personality and a genuinely warm heart, Spiro enjoyed a long career as a salesman in the health and beauty field. His dedication to his profession paid off as he eventually became a self-employed sales executive who cherished the countless friendships he made as much as the work that he did all those years. Even though he was 82 years old, Spiro never totally retired still having a client or two up to the present time.

One sunny day in November, 1954 when Spiro was just seventeen, he and his buddy decided to catch a movie at the theater in downtown Newark. After purchasing their tickets and getting their popcorn, they entered the theater and looked for good seats to watch the film. They spotted seats behind two beautiful young ladies and quickly agreed that those were the best seats in the house. Upon sitting down, Spiro wasted no time to engage in some small talk with one of the girls named Bella (Isabel) by asking her “Did the movie begin yet?” After the movie was over, the guys offered the girls a ride home in Spiro’s friend’s Studebaker. This car was perfect as it only had room for three so Bella ended up having to sit on Spiro’s lap. With such a warm, friendly and persuasive personality, Spiro was able to secure a future date with Bella and many more after that. The dating routine typically consisted of Spiro taking the bus to Bella’s house, then Bella and Spiro taking the bus to their dating destination, then taking the bus back to Bella’s home where her father was always willing to give Spiro a ride home. Needless to say, Spiro and Bella’s friendship turned to love and exactly five years to the day they first met, they exchanged wedding vows before God, family and friends on Saturday, November 7, 1959 at Bella’s church – St. Catherine of Siena R.C. Church in Cedar Grove. After a reception at the Douglas Hotel in Newark, the newlyweds honeymooned in Florida.

Life as husband and wife began in a brand new apartment in Nutley. Spiro and Bella lived there for three years and welcomed their firstborn Lisa. Upon moving to another new apartment in Bellville, they welcomed their second daughter Vicki. After three years living there, they moved in 1965 into their present home in Wayne where they welcomed two sons – Michael and Spiro T.

Spiro and Bella always looked forward to their annual trips to Aruba. They loved it there so much that they decided to buy two timeshares so they could go twice a year. They also took a vacation one time to the home of Bella’s ancestors in Italy.

Spiro’s greatest spare time enjoyment was spent playing cards with his buddies and cheering on his beloved New York Giants. Cards night with his friends was every Tuesday and there was always a wager on the games. Spiro was proud that, at the end of the night, though he didn’t always win, the worst he ever did was break even. One of Spiro and Bella’s favorite past times in Aruba was going to the casino. Spiro had a real attraction for the roulette table where his favorite numbers were 14, 2, and 35. Play them some time in memory of Spiro. Maybe you’ll be a winner. Bella simply liked to play craps and she loved to quip about how she always won until Spiro came along to give her advice. A New York Giants fan since he could remember, Spiro was a season ticket holder since 1960. Throughout the many years of sitting through those cold winter games, only to see his beloved Giants lose, there were certainly some special memories of some great wins also.

Spiro was a great guy who’s warm, friendly, outgoing, kind and generous nature was a blessing to family, friends and acquaintances alike.

Spiro was the beloved husband of Bella (nee Blasi), blessed in marriage for 60 years. He was the father of: Lisa and husband Joseph Zisa of Wayne, Vicki Economou of Hilton Head, SC, Michael Economou of Wayne, and Spiro T. and wife Lisa Marie Economou of Rumson; grandfather of: Allison, Alexis, Ava, Nicole, Joseph, Nicolas, and Christopher; brother-in-law of Michael and wife Sharon Blasi of San Diego, CA; and sister-in-law of Patricia Blasi of Cedar Grove.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Spiro’s name are asked to consider Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959 (www.stjude.org).

Peter J. Scibetta, age 93 of Wayne passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 15, 2020 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Peter was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ and was one of eleven children to Biagio and Sarah Scibetta.  Peter grew up in the midst of the Great Depression as many people of the “Greatest Generation” did.  Peter at an early age harnessed the incredible work ethic that would fuel his career and character throughout his life.  When he was only eight years old, his brothers Benny and Carl took him to New York City where he shined shoes.  Peter gave the money that he earned directly to his parents to help support the family. Peter was employed by the United States Post Office sorting mail on trains in New York State for many years, eventually transferring to the Post Office in Paterson, gaining the title of Supervisor, and retiring nearly forty years ago.

Throughout Peter’s life he did whatever had to be done and more to support and provide for his family.  He was willing to work two jobs, often overnight pulling double shifts.  One of the main goals early in Peter’s life was to work and save enough money so that he would be able to move his growing family from Jersey City to the Town of Wayne, which he did in 1958.  Peter also worked for A&P part time at night as a clerk for twenty years as well as for Skyline Auto Exchange as a driver for twenty years.

After graduating from Ferris High School in 1945, Peter thought he would be spending his summer at the beaches of the Jersey Shore.  However, the United States Army had something different in mind.  Instead of soaking up the sun at the beach, Peter spent his summer in Fort Dix at basic training.  Peter served honorably in the United States Army from 1945 -1947, stationed in Fort Devins, MA barracks.  There he discharged GI’s returning from Europe.  Also while stationed in Fort Devins, he and his army buddies once had lunch with Louella Parsons, a famous journalist.

On January 7, 1951 Peter married the love of his life Mary Bogan.  Peter and Mary cherished nearly seventy years of loving and loyal marriage, and raised their ten children together.  Some of Peter’s most treasured past times included watching his beloved NY Giants and his favorite college football teams, Clemson and LSU on TV.  Peter also cherished traveling to various destinations throughout the world including Paris, Lourdes, Canada, and Mexico.  One of his most frequented destinations was Italy.  He traveled with his wife five times to Rome, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Venice, Pisa and Sicily where he was treated “like a king.” He spent many hours watching travel videos of Italy. Peter also enjoyed watching cowboy movies, particularly movies with Clint Walker. He also enjoyed movies with Errol Flynn, James Cagney and Judy Garland. He was a fan of the opera, as well.   Peter was also devoted to his Catholic Faith. He was one of the founding members of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne as well as a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  Above all of Peter’s interests and hobbies, his greatest passion was providing for and spending time with his family.  He was a very generous man, never forgetting any of his children’s or grandchildren’s birthdays. Peter was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Peter is survived by his wife Mary (nee Bogan) of Wayne, ten children; Peter and his wife Barbara, Mary Jane Doud and her husband Tommy, Bernadette, John and his wife Marianne, Sarah Nunziata and her husband Tom, Frances Moraca and her deceased husband Pete, Blaise, Edward and Irene, Michael and his wife Allyson, Nancy Meyer and her husband Dave, two brothers; Paul and his wife Lucille, and Joseph, one sister; Anna Marie Cavanaugh, twenty-one grandchildren; Brian Scibetta and his wife Shadi, David Scibetta, Christopher, Ryan, and Kate Doud, Michael Zeigler and his fiancée Kate Woodward, Samantha Scibetta, Jacqueline and her fiancé Mike Bollard, Allessandra Scibetta, Melanie Nunziata, Thomas Nunziata and his wife Samantha, Ann Ziata, Amanda and Peter Moraca, Elena Scibetta, Bethany Scibetta, Kayla, Shayna, Heather, Sabrina, and Chloe Meyer, one great-grandchild Sophia Mann, and 49 nieces and nephews.  Peter was predeceased by his siblings; Biagio (Benny), Carl, and Gabriel Scibetta, Lillian Stinziano, and Virginia (Dolly) Loredo, and by his infant daughter, Theresa.

Lorraine Zahner (nee Grabowski) age 84 of Wanaque, formerly of Pompton Plains passed at home on Thursday, October 15, 2020.

She was born in Passaic to Alexander and Tillie Grabowski. She was raised in Clifton where she graduated from Clifton High School with the Class of 1953.  After marriage she lived in Clifton, Wayne, and Pompton Plains before moving to Wanaque Reserve in Wanaque.

In her younger years she worked at Meyer Brothers Store in Paterson and as a waitress in a diner.  She didn't work outside the home after marriage until the kids were older, when she turned her love of garage sales into her own business - a second hand store called The Thrift Shop on Browertown Road in West Paterson. She truly loved that store.

For many years she dedicated herself to raising her four children. She was always a fixture at her children's activities and sporting events. In her later years she loved babysitting her grandchildren.  All fondly remember her high energy babysitting where she would help them do crafts, read books, take day trips to the park, and make tents in the house among many other activities.  On special occasions she even dressed up as Big Bird or Snoopy. When you were with "Gram", there was no sitting still.  Her love of activity translated into her adult social life as well.  She was always hosting parties for which she did all the cooking but it didn't stop there.  She knew how to make these get togethers a lot of fun.  She organized parades, contests, quizzes, charades and all kinds of fun events. Her home also had an open door policy, and neighbors and relatives were always stopping by unannounced for a quick cup of coffee.  When not entertaining, she was on the phone for hours.  Her caring and welcoming personality was the glue that kept her immediate family, extended family, extended-extended family, church family, and friends' family close to her.  For many years she bowled but had a tough time breaking 100 where it seemed she was there more for the social aspects than the sport itself.  

Lorraine and Charles' first meeting and courtship is filled with love and persistence - on Charles' part.  He first eyed Lorraine when she was wearing white buck shoes, red knee socks, and Bermuda shorts. He didn't get to talk to Lorraine that day but their paths would cross months later on a blind date.  When Lorraine first laid eyes upon Charles she groaned to her friends about the nerd she had been set up with.  He was persistent and when he finally worked up the nerve to ask Lorraine for a kiss she just stared back at him with an, I can't believe this guy, look.  Eventually he did get that kiss and Lorraine soon fell in love. Lorraine's brothers liked Charles because they heard he was studying to be an engineer and perhaps they could have the good fortune to get a ride on his train someday.  Their first date was on June 11, 1953 and they married on June 11, 1955 at the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church in Clifton and honeymooned at the Pocono Mountain Inn.  They enjoyed a loving, caring, and giving marriage of fifty-nine years before Charles' passing in February of 2014.

Lorraine was an active member of the Pequannock Reformed Church in Wayne for many years.  At the church she served in many capacities including being President of the Evening Circle, involved with the Couples Club, served as an Elder, was always hard at work at the church's Soup Luncheons, and loved supervising the Haggle Table at the Christmas Fair. She was dedicated to her faith and enjoyed all aspects of the church's faith based activities.

Lorraine (Grabowski) Zahner was the beloved wife of the late Charles Zahner (d. February 15, 2014); devoted mother of Diane Barany and her husband Harry of Pequannock, Richard Zahner and his wife Cheryl of Schenectady, NY, Steven Zahner and his wife Denice of Pompton Plains, and Daniel Zahner and his wife Cindy of Pompton Plains; cherished grandmother of Dana, Timothy, Allen, Emily, Harrison, Mitchell, Stefanie, Michele, Samuel, Joseph, Rebecca, and Jennifer; dear sister of the late Alan and Robert Grabowski.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.

June Lillian Gregory, age 90 of Clifton, New Jersey passed away peacefully on October 14, 2020.

June was happily married to her beloved husband Sergo for 66 years. She was the devoted mother to Lisa Galo and mother-in-law to Felix Galo. June was grandmother to Gina Christiano and her husband Dr. Tom Christiano, Matthew and Caitlin Galo, Thomas Galo and Cristina Giappone. June was the cherished great-grandmother to Thomas and Luke Christiano and Felicity Davis Galo.

June lived most of her life in Plainview, New York. She enjoyed playing Mah-jong, knitting, sewing, and watching Yankees baseball. She loved to travel and spend time with her beloved family. June was loved by all and will be greatly missed.

Charles (Skip) Jordan Robert Howe, age 72, of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, formerly of Wayne, passed peacefully at home on Monday, October 12, 2020.

He was born in Montclair to the late Virginia and Charles Jordan Robert Howe and raised in Livingston where he graduated from Livingston High School with the Class of 1966. Skip was a natural athlete and during his high school years played golf, football, baseball and tennis.  He continued his education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison and was later accepted into Pace University in New York City.  During his college years his father passed away at the age of fifty-two and he left college to become the provider and head of household for his mother and brother.

Skip found work in the dental field where he designed dental offices and procured the necessary equipment and supplies to run those offices. He was an exceptional man that was revered throughout his industry. Over the course of his career, Skip was nationally ranked in the top 20 of his field. In 2005 Skip’s battle with Parkinson’s made it hard for him to perform up to the high level he was used to and chose to retire.

He will be lovingly remembered for his brilliant mind, his outgoing personality, and his “sure I’ll try that” attitude. He fiercely fought Parkinson’s disease for the past thirty years without a complaint. He amazed many with his positive attitude, never letting Parkinson’s hold him back.

Skip’s determination coupled with his thrust for knowledge led him to not only teach himself guitar but become successful with his rock band Rain Tree County during the 70’s and 80’s. His passion for music continued throughout his life and had a positive impact on those he shared it with.

Skip was successful at just about anything he put his mind to. One of his passions beside music was golf.  He was an excellent golfer who at a young age would do just about anything to get on the course. Starting with being a caddy at his local country club. His love for golf was shared with his son Jordan and they often played together at Packanack Golf Course.  

In 1983 while working at a dentists office, Karen Ohlson met Skip Howe and that was the start of their thirty-seven year romance. Their first phone call on a Saturday lasted for about three hours.  At the end of the call Skip asked Karen to go out with him on Monday.  She said for him to call back to confirm and the salesman in him came out to close the deal and said “no…I’m confirming now.” Their first date, November 21, 1983 was to The Office in Summit and they got along so well they closed the place. And they have been inseparable ever since.

One month into their love affair, Skip asked Karen to move in with him, a story she loves to relive - When Karen arrived at his house after work he stopped her at the front door and cued up the song “I’ve Been Waiting for A Girl Like You”. With the fire going and a glass of Champagne, Skip took Karens hand for a slow dance. He sang the words aloud, told her how beautiful she was and they could truly rely on each other through thick and thin. Words that rang true throughout their relationship.

They married on September 21, 1985, two years after their first date. Through the years they acknowledged monthly the 21st as their special day.  They wished each other happy anniversary each month over the past thirty-seven years.  Actually it was a competition to see who could say it first on the 21st of each month.  Karen even set her bedside alarm for one minute after midnight so she could awaken Skip with a “happy anniversary” to which he replied “that’s cheating.”

Skip was the loving husband of thirty-five years to Karen (Ohlson) Howe; devoted father of Jordan Robert Howe of Chambersburg, PA and Paige Rigoglioso and her husband Charles of Wayne; cherished grandfather of Charles Rigoglioso III; he was the loved brother of Ricky Howe of Wayne and his late wife Marie (Mulick) Howe (d.2020); he was the dear uncle of Carrie Howe Franco (Pat), Laura Howe Jung (Ed), Ryan Howe. Brother-in-law to Stymie Ohlson (Kevin), Kristine (Ohlson) Walby (Christopher), and uncle to Chandlar Walby and Grant Walby; Great-Uncle to Aubrey Hartwell and Jaxton Walby. Skip was also dearly loved by his extended family and a multitude of friends he made over the years.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Skip's Go Fund Me Page would be greatly appreciated.

Patricia A. Montalbano (nee Nanus), age 73 of Little Falls, died peacefully on Friday, October 9, 2020.

Pat grew up in Wood-Ridge, NJ and after graduating from Wood-Ridge High School, she learned Interior Design at Pratt Institute in New York City.  Early in her career, she worked as an art teacher at several area parochial schools, and was a designer for Brenner Desk.  She went on to open her own interior design business known as Montalbano Design Group, in Little Falls.  She taught interior design at Berkeley College and also served as the President of the NJ Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Pat loved her family and friends and enjoyed socializing and entertaining with them.  They enjoyed many great years at Rockaway River Country Club with friends and family.  Pat was a fantastic cook and made many traditional Italian foods.  Christmas Eve was always a big event in their home, and no one ever went home hungry.  Pat especially loved being a grandmother – her granddaughters fondly called her "Mima".  She enjoyed a very close,  special and unique relationship with each one of her granddaughters.  Of course she enjoyed shopping, and that was something she gladly did with all of them.  On their birthdays, Mima’s tradition was to take them shopping for the day, and they all had very special memories to cherish.  Her granddaughters will all miss her dearly.

Pat met her husband, Bernie Montalbano, after being introduced by a mutual friend.  They hit it off immediately and Bernie asked her out on a date.  They went to a local restaurant and their affection for one another became apparent very early on.  Bernie proposed to Pat while they were strolling along Main Street in Rutherford, window shopping during the Christmas season.  They were married at St. Philips Church in Clifton on November 21, 1970 and honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  They eventually settled in Little Falls, where they have lived happily ever since.  Throughout the years, they were very social and enjoyed playing tennis and golf at Rockaway River Country Club.  Pat also enjoyed playing Mahjong with friends from the club.  Eventually they purchased a vacation home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where Pat and Bernie enjoyed watching the sunset from the beach and spending time with children, granddaughters, and friends.  They loved being there together, and they would often go down to the beach, sit on ‘their’ bench, and simply watch the ocean.  Together, they enjoyed fifty years of what Bernie describes as a “perfect” marriage.  Bernie has lost his soulmate and the love of his life.

Pat is survived by her beloved husband Bernard of Little Falls, their two children; Mark Montalbano and his wife Mary Ann, Paula Rubenacker and her husband Matthew, and four granddaughters; Madeline and Grace Montalbano and Lea and Eryn Rubenacker, all of Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sharing Network would be greatly appreciated.  Pat has long been an advocate for organ donation, having received a living donor kidney herself many years ago, your support to the Sharing Network would be most meaningful. www.njsharingnetwork.org.

Theodore “Teddy” DeVries, 29 years old of Oak Ridge, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 7, 2020.  Sadly, his grandfather, Dewain Crim of Denville, passed away just hours after on the same day.

Teddy grew up in Oak Ridge where he loved the outdoors, riding his quad in the woods, and hanging out with his friends.  As a young boy, he was like a monkey and shortly after he learned to walk, his mother found him climbing into the highest kitchen cabinets!  There was simply no way of holding him back.  Teddy had a big heart and made friends everywhere he went.  He also had the uncanny ability to make friends with all sorts of different people.  He meshed well with everyone and was sweet, polite, and generous.  He was the type of guy who would do anything to help a friend in need, no matter what.

Teddy’s true love was his dog, Janii.  She’s nearly eighteen years old, and the two of them have been inseparable for the past thirteen years or so.  Teddy loved Janii more than anything, and she loved him right back.  In his heart, Teddy had so much love to give and Janii was the lucky recipient.

Teddy is survived by his mother; Patricia Siek and her husband George of Whiting, NJ, and by his father; Phillip DeVries of Oak Ridge, NJ, his three siblings; Heather DeVries and her fiancé Bryan Walsh of Jefferson, Catherine DeVries and her boyfriend Josh Nussbaum of Franklin, and Philip J. DeVries, Jr. of Totowa, his grandmother; Cecilia Crim of Denville, his niece; Hailey DeVries, and two nephews; Cooper and Jasper DeVries, and a large family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and beloved friends.  He was predeceased by his grandparents; Hendrick and Margaret DeVries, and Dewain Crim.

Mary E. Ihne (nee Vojvodich), age 90 of Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, formerly a 58 year resident of North Bergen, passed peacefully on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.

Mary was the loving wife of twenty-five years to the late Robert Ihne (d.1981); loving mother of John Ihne and his wife Bernadette of Wayne, and Joseph Ihne of Denville; cherished grandmother of John Ihne, Jr. and his wife Katelyn of Parsippany, and Gina Fernicola and her husband Joseph of Randolph; she was the dearly loved great-grandmother of John “Jack” Ihne, III, Nicholas Fernicola, and Madison Ihne; she was the loved sister of Mario Vojvodich and his wife Barbara of Pompton Plains; and dearly loved aunt of Laura Eisen.

Mary was born in Jersey City to Martin and Jaka Vojvodich.  She was raised on 12th Street in Union City and graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Union City with the Class of 1948.  Just out of high school, she soon found work as a secretary at the Netherlands Trading Society Bank in New York City.  She often spoke of how she would walk in heels from her home in Jersey City to the Path Train then to the office in the city through the rain and snow. During this time, she also worked as a seamstress helping friends and family with wedding and evening gowns.

Mary met the love of her life, Robert Ihne, through mutual friends, Marian and Don Addas.  They married on November 24, 1956, at St. Joseph’s Church in Union City, then drove to Niagara Falls in their blue and white Dodge Coronet for their honeymoon.  They started their life together on Congress Street in Jersey City where their first son, John was born.  Shortly thereafter they purchased their first and only home on 76th Street in North Bergen where their marriage was again blessed with their second son, Joseph.  They had a loving and devoted marriage of twenty-five years before Robert’s passing in August of 1981.

After dedicating herself to raising her two boys, Mary returned to work as a bookkeeper at the Balance Foods Store in North Bergen and eventually retired from the law firm of Verde, Steinberg & Pontell, LLC in Hackensack at the age of 87 after 25 plus years.  She was known as “Miss Mary” by all of her co-workers and was loved and respected by all who worked with her.

Mary was always particular about her appearance and never went out without her accessories and the right shoes. She loved New York City, and was always out on the town with her many friends to see Operas, Ballets and Plays and was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Society.

Those who knew Mary knew she couldn’t sit still.  She was at the movies each month, went out to dinner with friends, and loved to attend dances, aside from her love of dancing, she also traveled extensively.  Newly widowed, she booked trips to Bermuda and Hawaii with travel tours.  However, she was never alone for long as she met and kept friends from each trip she was on.  Mary could and would talk to anyone.  She had a kind and compassionate way about her and many of whom she met quickly became fast friends.  She cruised the Mississippi on the River Boat Queen, went to England and boarded the Queen Mary II for a cruise.  She loved the casinos and visited Las Vegas many times.

Being of Croatian descent, Mary visited her family and friends in Korcula many times over the years.  In fact, Mary was the first stop for family who emigrated from Croatia. She helped with translation, locating housing, and employment while assisting them through everyday life in America. She often was the NYC ‘tour guide’ for many of her overseas family who stayed with her for weeks at a time - never saying no to their visit no matter when they planned to arrive.

Most of all Mary cherished her family and friends. She was a caring friend to anyone who needed her help in times of need. She would visit, bring food, and comfort not only her family and extended family, but her friends and did so without hesitation.  Mary volunteered at a nursing home after her dear friend Rose passed and quickly made more friends who also cherished her friendship till this day.

She attended church every Sunday and afterwards would join her friends at the area diners for brunch. Mary enjoyed dancing and could often be found at The Bayway in Elizabeth, The Coupe in Fairview, or the Fort Lee Senior Center dancing up a storm. . Whenever you visited Mary, you could find her sitting at the kitchen table with her feet up, phone on her ear, laughing and chatting away. She was always there when you needed her, she was selfless, loyal, and an easy-to-talk-to confidant. Her children, grandchildren and family will always remember the holidays and the delicious Histula and Christmas Cookies she prepared with so much love and hard work.  The cookies were put in her dozen or more tins and the Histula would be placed gently in huge coat boxes and stored on the bed in the guest room.  When the cookies came out on Christmas Day, everyone enjoyed the love she put into them.

Mary adored her grandchildren and was fortunate enough to know and love her three great-grandchildren.  Her grandchildren, John and Gina, were her pride and joy. They could do nothing wrong. She was their ‘Grandma’ and they loved her more than anything.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN would be greatly appreciated.

Friends are warmly invited to join with Ruth’s family for a service in memory of her life and new life in Christ, which will take place 11 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at The Chapel, 264 Jacksonville Road, Lincoln Park, NJ 07035.

Ruth Jones, age 87, of Pequannock, NJ has passed away on October 5th, 2020.

Born in Montclair, NJ, Ruth was the daughter to Andrew and Marie Van Buskirk and the youngest of their thirteen children.

Ruth is survived by her husband David Jones, her sister Betty and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She is the mother of six children, the grandmother to twelve grandchildren and the great grandmother to five great grandchildren.

Ruth married David, her high school sweetheart and they recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. She attended Jacksonville Chapel for 62 years where she taught Sunday school. Ruth enjoyed family gatherings, reading, bible studies, music, singing, baking, knitting, playing cards with her grandchildren, participating in the Senior Olympics and watching the NY Yankees. Ruth's number one title was "MOM".

In memory of Ruth, donations may be sent to The Chapel 264 Jacksonville Road Lincoln Park, NJ 07035, and would be greatly appreciated by the Jones family.

Katarzyna Tieluszecka age 38 of Toms River passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, October 4, 2020 while spending time with her loving family.

Katarzyna, affectionately known as Kasia to her family and friends, was born in Hajnowka, Poland and was the oldest of three children to Miroslaw and Alina Tieluszecki.  Kasia was raised in Poland until the age of ten when her family immigrated to the United States in search of a better life and the American Dream.  Upon arriving in the United States, the family settled in Garfield where they lived for about four years.  In 1996, Kasia and her family then moved to the town of Haskell.  While living in Haskell, Kasia attended Wanaque High School where she was on the girl’s field hockey team.  Kasia had an incredible work ethic in her and sought employment at the age of fifteen at a local bagel store. She then worked as a waitress at the IHOP with her sister Adela on Hamburg Tpk in Wayne.  Following her graduation from Lakeland High School in 2001, she attended William Paterson University where she studied Business and Marketing.  In 2006 she graduated from William Paterson with high honors, earning her Bachelor’s Degree.

Subsequent to graduating college and earning her degree, Kasia worked tending bars for a few years for some different taverns and restaurants including Franklin Steakhouse in Nutley where she lived at the time.  Kasia truly enjoyed this work as it put her in the position to meet many people and make many friends.  After working a few years tending bar, Kasia started a new career as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative with Primex Pharmaceuticals Ltd.  She held this position for about two years and was then offered another job with Horizon Pharmaceuticals. She earned several awards and bonuses, being named their top sales representative for several years.  During her time in Pharmaceutical Sales she moved to Brick Township for two years, then to Toms River where she was currently residing.

Kasia had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, camping, mountain biking, and was obsessed with picking mushrooms.  She loved being on the water; boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, or just soaking up the sun.  Because Kasia cherished the outdoors, it came as no surprise that she loved gardening.  Kasia grew a variety of flowers, vegetables, and fruit including blackberries, cucumbers and tomatoes nearly all year long.  Not only did Kasia love to grow the vegetables, she also put them to good use with her outstanding cooking skills.  Kasia treasured cooking a large variety of food for her family and friends for all sorts of occasions.  As people were sitting down to eat her delicious meals, Kasia would remain in the kitchen, continuing to cook and then clean.

Kasia was a selfless person who was there for those she cared for and always wanted the best for them. She worked with the Coalition for Peace Action in Paterson and their gun buyback program for several years.  She also had a deep love for animals, especially cats. She was known as the “Cat Lady”  because she would walk her cats Mishka, Bella, and Fluffy around the neighborhood on a leash.  Kasia loved to show off her awesome dance moves and was a big fan of music and concerts, her tastes ranged from Electronic Dance to Sinatra.  She had a natural talent for painting with acrylic and oil paints, creating beautiful landscapes and truly unique abstract art. Her favorite thing to paint was also her favorite place to be, the ocean.  Kasia was extremely creative and treasured spending time on her arts and crafts. She loved animals from all walks of life and enjoyed caring for wild life. A woman of culture, Kasia loved to travel. She and her family enjoyed wonderful vacations together to far away destinations all over the world including their homeland of Poland.  Kasia always told her family the city of Krakow, Poland was the most beautiful city in the world.   Other favorite places Kasia visited included Florida, Hawaii, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and most memorably traveling all over Europe for 30 days.

During the last year and half Kasia happily spent her time in a loving relationship with the love of her life, Pasquale Destro. They spent everyday together in their own paradise on the bay, enjoying life to the fullest and doing all of the things she loved, and looking forward to weekly visits from her parents and sisters.

Kasia was a smart, selfless person who was helpful, hardworking and had a great deal of determination in whatever she did.  She was funny and sarcastic and was the type of person whom you couldn’t help but want to be around.  Aside from all of her interests, hobbies, and talents, Kasia’s greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Kasia than spending time with her friends and family.  Kasia was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Kasia is survived by her parents Miroslaw and Alina Tieluszecki of Haskell, two younger sisters, Adela and Diana, both of Haskell, one aunt (Godmother) Theresa Durzynska and her husband Edmund, her aunt Lilla Durzynska and her daughters Eliza and Dominica, as well as family from Poland, Canada, and Australia.

Kasia’s beautiful soul will never be forgotten.

In addition to and in lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Kasia's name are asked to consider Kasisi Foundation, ul. Klarysewska 52C 02-936 Warsaw, Poland https://www.fundacjakasisi.pl/ or Compassion International,  Inc 12290 Voyager Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80921 https://www.compassion.com/.

Susanne V. McGarry, age 71, of Wayne, passed away peacefully at her home, while in the loving company of her family, on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

Born is Passaic, Susanne’s childhood was spent in Garfield, Sacramento, CA, Passaic, and many years in Wayne in the family home on Clifford Drive. After graduation from Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1968, she joined the workforce with a position at Hoffmann La Roche in Clifton.

In 1968, while working at La Roche, Sue met the love of her life – Owen McGarry. She didn’t know it but, one day, Owen had noticed her in the company cafeteria. Later that day, he saw Sue again as she was walking across the parking lot towards her car to go home. He politely approached her and struck up a conversation. The mutual vibe seemed positive so Owen asked Sue if she would like to go out with him the following Friday night. Much to his delight, she agreed and they spent that Friday night enjoying dinner at a restaurant across the highway from La Roche. As Sue and Owen’s love for each other grew, Owen came up with a plan to ask for Sue’s hand in marriage. Of course, he started by purchasing a beautiful ring. One evening, he and Sue and another couple – Patty and Bill met at Susy’s house before going to see Tom Jones perform at the Copacabana in New York City. Before they left for the concert, Sue’s mother wanted to take a group photo and, as they posed for the picture, Owen reached into his pocket and held up the box with the ring. Of course, Sue’s mom noticed immediately and screamed in delight! They married on Sunday, August 23, 1970 at Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church in Wayne. A reception was held at The Wayne Manor on route 23 (now a BMW dealership) where they danced to the Beatles “Something” for their first dance as husband and wife. Afterwards, they honeymooned in Hawaii.

Sue and Owen’s first home together was in Wallington. They soon moved to Sparta and were blessed with their daughter Tracy and son Ian. In 1985, they moved to Wayne where they’ve lived ever since. With the arrival of children Sue left her work at Hoffman La Roche to become a fulltime mother and homemaker. She learned to become an excellent cook – so good that her son Ian said that his friends would rather eat at his house than their own. Family favorites included Sue’s meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, ravioli and spaghetti, and any recipe with flounder. Sue had the greatest knack for making the McGarry house the type of place you simply looked forward to coming home to. Susanne was so energized by the magic of the holidays and that energy was contagious. With the enthusiasm of a youngster, she’d start decorating for Halloween and Christmas a month or two before the big days actually arrived. The house smelled delicious from the aroma of the fresh pine needles on the always real Christmas tree and the nostalgia of the Department 56 Christmas Village always put everyone in that holiday spirit.

One of Sue’s greatest joys was listening to music. In fact, music was playing in the house all the time. Favorite artists included Janice Joplin, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Joe Cocker, Canned Heat, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Stevie Winwood, Fleetwood Mac, Jefferson Starship, Genesis, Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Billy Joel. She and Owen saw many of these artists in live concerts. Before the got married, they were planning to go to Woodstock but opted out to save their money in anticipation of marriage. There was also no bigger Mets fan than Sue. Many trips were made to Flushing Queens to see the Amazin’ Mets including thirty times in the 1986 season when they last won the World Series. Even in the last five years since suffering a stroke, Sue made it to a game at least once a season and enjoyed the action from her wheelchair while enjoying her favorite snack of Cracker Jacks.

When her kids were younger, the family enjoyed trips to Virginia Beach and later in life, she and Owen to several trips to Las Vegas where several times they got to see George Carlin perform his comedy routine. Closer to home, Sue enjoyed working in her garden, so much so, that she became a florist and worked at Strawberry Blossom Garden Center when it was owned by her husband Owen. Later, when they sold the business, Sue got a job in the floral department at the Kings Grocery Store in Wayne (which is now Corrado’s Market). Sue and Owen were blessed with 50 years of marriage. They loved each other’s company and special date nights out to favorite restaurants including, Mt. Fuji Japanese Steakhouse, Ben Benson’s Steakhouse, Houston’s in Hackensack, and Houlihan’s in Wayne never grew old. She adored her children through all their phases of life. When Tracy was younger, Sue was there for all her figure skating practices and competitions and they family would take trips to Lake Placid to see figure skating. She and Tracy also enjoyed day trips together down the Jersey Shore at Spring Lake and, of course, going shopping together. After filling the trunk with their purchases, they often hit a favorite restaurant for lunch. With her son Ian, Sue learned the true meaning of travel by traveling all over the place to see him play hockey on a traveling team, and she even accepted his invitation to a Van Halen and Metallica concert.

Despite numerous battles with health over the past recent years, Sue always remained upbeat and positive – even in the worst of times. Not only did she dress classy, she always behaved in a classy manner and was truly one of the kindest persons you would ever meet. She loved visitors to her house and they were always allowed to stay for as long as they wanted. And she loved calling and receiving phone calls from good friends. Sue loved good conversation and short ones often turned into long ones. She could talk about anything but especially liked to talk about current affairs. When Owen would come home from work, he simply just enjoyed seeing her because she was always happy and upbeat.            

Susanne was the beloved wife of Owen, blessed in marriage for fifty years. She was the most loving mother of Tracy McGarry of Scotch Plains and Ian McGarry of Wayne; cherished sister of Kathy West of Pompton Lakes and her son Jason West; and dear aunt of numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Susanne’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)

Mary Ann Scharf, age 81, of Butler, passed peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2020.

Mary Ann was born to Salvatore and Genevieve Greco at the family home in West Orange.  Mary Ann was a twin and she was born in the bathtub and delivered by her father at the family home in West Orange. Her twin brother was born fifteen minutes later in the bed.

Mary Ann grew up in a family that was deeply devoted to their Catholic faith.  She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School in West Orange and Mt. St. Dominic Academy in Caldwell where she graduated with the Class of 1956.  She continued her education at the Caldwell College where she graduated with the Class of 1960 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She also attended Jersey City State College where she received her Masters Degree in Guidance and a State of NJ Certification for drug and alcohol counseling.  In 1956 Maryann entered the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, received her Habit in 1957 and took her 1st Vows in 1958 and her Final Vows in 1964.  It was in 1968 she left the Dominican Order and married Robert Scharf in a private ceremony on May 10, 1968 that was officiated by the Most Reverend Thomas A. Boland, Archbishop of Newark.

MaryAnn will be lovingly remembered for her devotion to her Catholic faith, wonderful sense of humor, and as a great all-around cook. Although she cooked the special ingredient of love into everything she made, her shrimp scampi will be remembered as her signature dish. For ten years she served as the Pastor’s Cook for the late Monsignor Stanley E. Schinski at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Wayne where she also served on the Parish Council for four years. Mary Ann worked as a Guidance Counselor for the Jersey City Board of Education for many years.

Mary Ann was the loving wife of forty-five years to the late Robert Scharf (2013); she was the devoted mother of Stacy Scharf and devoted foster mother of Thuy Dinh, and Duyen Pham; adored grandmother of Emma Pham; she was the dearly loved sister of her twin brother Richard K. Greco of Wilton, FL, Martha Shadwell of Kinnelon, John Greco and his wife Nancy of Toms River, Alberta C. Greco of Totowa, Reverend Raymond Greco OSB of Sun City, AZ; she was predeceased by her siblings Joseph P. Greco, ESQ., Genevieve Mary Morgan, Angela Jean Mc Cluskey, Reverend Evan Joseph Greco, OFM, Reverend Robert Paschal Greco, and  Loren A. Greco. Mary Ann was also the dearly loved aunt to many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Catholic Charities, 777 Valley Road, Clifton, NJ 07013 would be greatly appreciated.

Arlene Elizabeth den Hollander, age 61, of Pompton Plains, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2020, after a brief illness.

Born in Passaic, Arlene was raised in Clifton and North Haledon and had been a long-time resident of Lincoln Park before moving to Pompton Plains in 2017.

Arlene was a graduate of Upsala College where she earned the honor of being her class’s salutatorian. She went on to enjoy a long and fruitful career as a faithful and dedicated school teacher at the Netherlands Reformed Christian School in Pompton Plains. In between her years of teaching, Arlene stayed home to raise her own children, and over the span of her teaching career, which only stopped due to her recent illness, she taught many different grade levels and subjects. She was a member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church of Franklin Lakes where she served for many years as organist.  

Arlene was the beloved wife of the late Jon den Hollander who passed away in 2009. She was the loving mother of Leah and husband Samuel Moerdyk of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sarah den Hollander of Pompton Plains, and Jonathan den Hollander of Pompton Plains; cherished grandmother of: Juan, Johanna, Tirzah, Samson, and Simeon; dearest daughter of Lena Southway (nee Hoogmoed) of Pompton Plains and the late Peter Southway who passed away in 2016; dear sister of Peter J. and wife Marilyn Southway of Newton; daughter-in-law of Claire den Hollander of Pittstown, NJ and the late Jacob den Hollander who passed away in 2004; sister-in-law of David and Cindy den Hollander, Jacob and Tammi den Hollander, Elizabeth and Ray Grisnich, Rev. Henry and Ada den Hollander, Cheryl den Hollander, Mark and Gwen den Hollander, Roy and Karen den Hollander, Dawn and Corne Vogelaar, Dwayne den Hollander and the late Kevin den Hollander and Steven den Hollander; and dear aunt of many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Arlene’s name are asked to consider the Netherlands Reformed Christian School Endowment Fund, 164 Jacksonville Road, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.

Joseph was born in Passaic and was one of four children to Joseph and Caroline Opalka.  Joe was raised in Clifton until moving to Wayne in 1960.  Following his graduation from high school, he attended Paterson Technical Institute where he studied Mechanical Drafting for approximately two years.  Joe then found work quickly as an Aerospace Machinist at Singer Kearfott in West Paterson.  His career as an Aerospace Machinist spanned more than thirty years until his retirement in the late 1990’s.

In 1957 as a young man, Joe got the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States National Guard with the 215th Infantry.  After his honorable discharge in 1960, he served a total of six years in the reserves.

On May 24, 1958 Joe married he girl of his dreams, Patricia "Pat" Fertal.  He was introduced to her at a church function by Pat’s 2nd cousin.  The couple dated for a while and as fate would have it, they fell in love getting married in St Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Passaic.  Joe and Pat settled in Clifton for a short time then moved to the town of Wayne in 1960.  There they welcomed the births of their three children Joseph Jr., Margaret, and Cheryll.  Joe and Pat raised their children there and remained in Wayne for the rest of their lives together.  One of Joe’s favorite pastimes was Ballroom Dancing.  He cherished Ballroom Dancing along with his wife Pat for more than twenty five years.  

Joe was a member of the Wayne Elks Lodge #2181 for many years and was a dedicated New York Giants Fan.  Joe was a truly dedicated husband and father.  His greatest passion throughout his life was his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Joe than providing for and spending time with his family.  He and his wife Pat's treasured fifty four years of loving and loyal marriage until Pat’s passing in 2012.  Joe was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone that met him.  He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends alike.    

Joseph is survived by his son Joseph Opalka, Jr. and his wife Christine of Wayne, two daughters; Margaret Hochkeppel and her husband William of Kinnelon, and Cheryll Remus and her husband John of Jefferson, one brother John Opalka and his wife Glory of Wayne, and one sister Elsie Kacmarik of Clifton, three grandchildren; William and his wife Brianne of Union, Patricia of Oakland, CA, and Andre of New Hampshire.  He was predeceased by his brother Edward Opalka.

Cecilia (nee Willekes) Sweetman, age 75 of Fairfield, passed away after a long illness on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.  Cecilia was born in Ridderkerk, Netherlands, and came to America with her family at the age of seven.

Cecilia was widowed first to Robert Kievit in 1992, and then by her second husband, Barney Sweetman, in 2014, and was also predeceased by one of her great grandchildren.  She is survived by ten children; Robert Kievit and his wife Andrea of Oak Ridge, NJ, Rita Anzelmo and her husband Gary, Jr., of Bloomingdale, NJ, Donna Mol and her husband Doug of Lincoln Park, NJ Richard Kievit and his wife Stacy of Highland Lakes, NJ, John Sweetman and his wife Sandra of Boonton, NJ, Margaret Baum and her husband Leonard of Butler, NJ, Samuel Sweetman and his wife Ruth of Otisville, NY, Barbara Greendyk and her husband Peter of Montville, NJ, Florence VanVugt and her husband Arie of Andover, NJ, and Laurie Van Wingerden and her husband Kenneth of Lincoln Park, NJ, forty-two grandchildren and forty-seven great grandchildren, six brothers and sisters; Anna Warmenhoven and her husband Paul of Washington, Wilhemina Hook and her husband Wayne of Pequannock, Rose Heerschap and her husband William (predeceased) of Ontario, Lou Willekes and his wife Marie of Michigan, John Willekes and his wife Joke (predeceased) of Pompton Plains, and Joe Willekes and his wife Margaret of Oak Ridge.

As expressions of sympathy in Cecilia’s memory, donations would be appreciated to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School, 164 Jacksonville Rd., Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.

Michael P Hodupski, age 36, of Hewitt passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, September 24, 2020 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Michael was born in Pequannock and raised in Wayne.  He was one of two children to Michael and Irene Hodupski.  As a young boy, Michael was an avid dirt bike and motocross fan.  He enjoyed riding his motorcycles and his BMX bikes trying to push the envelope racing and performing stunts.  Along with his passion for motorcycles and bikes, Michael had a great interest in camping and fishing.  These were interests that Michael held his entire life and passed on, and shared with, his family.  He played competitive baseball and basketball for the Wayne Boys and Girls Club as a youngster as well.

Michael attended Wayne Valley High School and graduated with the class of 2002.  Following his graduation, he held a few various landscaping jobs.  In 2011, he was then offered a position as a Service Technician at Corner to Corner Irrigation in Wyckoff.  Michael held this position for six years until 2017.  Michael then accepted an offer as a Pesticide Service Technician from Western Pest Service in West Orange.  Michael held this position for about three years until his passing.

In 2012, as like many other couples their age, Michael met the girl of his dreams Christine Schall on an online dating service.  The couple dated for almost three years and as fate would have it they fell in love and were married on October 24, 2014. The following year in 2015 Christine and Michael welcomed their twins, Michael and Makayla.  Michael was a loving and devoted husband and father. Michael’s family were known affectionately as the “Weekend Warriors.”  Michael, Christine, and their children treasured their yearly family vacations, traveling in their camper to various destinations including Keen Lake in Pennsylvania.

Michael was a warm hearted person who loved life.  He was quite a prankster to the people closest to him and had an unwavering love for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Michael than providing for and spending time with his friends and family.   He was lovingly known to his family as “Mayor of His Street.”  He was the kind of person you couldn’t help but like and wanted to be around.  Michael would walk into a room and instantly brighten it with his signature smile.  He could and would always make you feel comfortable, right at home, and have a conversation with anyone about anything.  Michael was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Michael is survived by his wife Christine Hodupski (nee Schall) of Hewitt, his son Michael Hodupski, and his daughter MaKayla Hodupski both of Hewitt, one sister Linda Cicchetti and her husband Steve of Lincoln Park, his parents Michael and Irene Hodupski of Wayne, four nieces; Emerson Cicchetti, Alexandria Crockford, Arianna Crockford, and Darcy Schall, four nephews; Jackson Cicchetti, Derek Schall, Oliver Schall, and Bernard Schall, his mother and father-in-law Joseph and Mary Schall of Pompton Lakes, four brother-in-laws; Robert Crockford of Moore, SC, William Schall of Duncan, SC, Edward Schall and his wife Ana of Easley, SC, and Matthew Schall and his wife Shana of Pompton Lakes, his grandparents Marianna (Nana) and Patrick (Papa) Perrotta of Clifton, and Jacqueline (Nanny) Crockford of Moore, SC.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Michael’s name are asked to consider Cares, 99 Bank St, Rockaway, NJ 07866.  http://www.caresnj.org

Andrew J. Brennan, age 63 of Wayne, died on Thursday, September 24, 2020.  Andy was employed with Team Logistics in Fair Lawn for twenty-four years.  He enjoyed the people he worked with at Team, and he was well loved by his coworkers.

Andy grew up in Riverdale and went on to graduate from DePaul High School with the class of 1975.  Affectionately known as “The Duke,” he played Varsity basketball at DePaul, was in the National Honor Society, and also made Dean’s List while at Seton Hall University.  As a kid, Andy loved to produce home movies, recreating popular films and TV shows of the era.  He always loved movies and had an uncanny ability to recite dialogue verbatim.  His creativity led him to host elaborate neighborhood carnivals, and he also built a two-story fort, complete with a basement, in his backyard.  Andy also loved history and had an amazing ability to remember dates and times of all sorts of historical events.  He was an expert of all things related to The Revolutionary War and the Civil War, and he was named official historian of the 1976 Bicentennial celebration in Wayne.  He loved music as well, listening to John Denver, America, Seals and Croft, and Dan Fogelberg, just to name a few.  He enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, did his share of camping, and enjoyed relaxing at the Jersey Shore.

Andy was the second-oldest of six children in his family, and his family members remained his closest friends throughout the years.  “Uncle Andy” was the hands-down favorite uncle among his ten nieces and nephews, and he loved them all dearly.  Andy had a great sense of humor, was a kind & gentle soul, always happy, and he was generous to a fault.  He made friends with everyone he met, could laugh at himself, and was always a good sport.  He will be missed by so many who truly loved him.

Andy was predeceased by his beloved parents; Andrew and Dolores (nee Cimins) Brennan, and by two siblings; John Brennan and Rosemary Uhl.  He is survived by his companion of more than twenty years; Andrea Gubitosi, and by siblings; Maureen Tencza, Richard Brennan, Joseph Brennan and his wife Beth, sister-in-law; Sharon Lang Brennan, brother-in-law; Bill Uhl, ten nieces and nephews, two great nephews and one great niece.  He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law; Robert Tencza, and by his sister-in-law; Nancy Pankow Brennan.

Maria Martinez, age 86, of Paterson passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Maria was born and raised in Florida, Cuba and was the older of two daughters to Manuel and Ana Martinez.  In 1969, Maria, her husband Ramon R., her mother Ana, and her only son Ramon, immigrated to the United States during the final years of the Freedom Flights from Cuba.  In search of a better life and the “American Dream”, the family arrived in the United States and settled in Paterson.

Maria found work quickly at a semiconductor plant known as UPI located in Paterson and was employed as a Transmitter Tester. A few years later, her husband Ramon later started a travel agency/accounting services, also located in Paterson and later expanding to a second location in Passaic. Maria worked alongside her husband for nearly thirty years as a travel agent.  Following her husband Ramon’s passing; Maria found work again as a Travel Agent at RTN Travel Agency located in Passaic.  She held this position until her retirement several years ago.

Being a travel agent, it came as no surprise that Maria loved to travel.  She and her family treasured visiting exotic destinations such as Bermuda, Bahamas, and her homeland of Cuba.  Maria’s favorite place to visit was any destination that had a beach. Later in life, she met her second husband, Fidel Gonzales, and together they enjoyed cooking, traveling, and going to Atlantic City. Her love for her family was unwavering and was her greatest passion.  Nothing in the world meant more to Maria that providing for and spending time with her son Ramon and her grandchildren. She also loved spending time with her sister Sila. In her later years as she became ill her dear friend Carlos provided and took great care of her. Maria was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by her family and friends alike.

Maria is survived by her son Ramon Lopez and his wife Susan of Pompton Lakes, her sister Sila Suri and her husband Emilio of Paterson, three grandchildren; Gina Lopez and her partner Bob of Hoboken, Chris Lopez and his wife Kate of Ramsey, and Marissa Buklad and her husband Corey of Butler, and four great grandchildren; Emma, Ethan, Nora, and Mason.  She was predeceased by her late husband Fidel Gonzales, and by her four brothers; Antonio Martinez, Orlando Martinez, Jose Martinez, and Guillermo Martinez.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maria’s name to Risen King Church.26 Manning Ave, Butler, NJ 07405.  https://www.risenkingchurch.com/

Alan Robin, age 85 of Wayne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22. 2020 surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Al has been a resident of Wayne since 1969

Al was born on November 17, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, one of six siblings. He married his high school sweetheart Joyce Robin in 1956 and moved to Wayne in 1968 where he raised four children. A true patriot Alan served twice in the US Army. He raised his family to respect and honor America.

Al leaves a legacy of Coaching in the Wayne community for 50 years. It was his passion, he shared his time, attention and wisdom with thousands of kids over the years. Further, Al had the distinction of being the first baseball coach in Wayne PAL history to have two sons plus two grandsons play on his team.  Al’s “home base” was the former Tom’s Lake field, which is next to Captain Kilroy Park. In 2008, this field was dedicated to his years of dedication and in recognition of his commitment to his community.  Al’s enthusiasm for the youth of Wayne was not limited to baseball.  He philosophy “You only learn when you  make mistakes… you gotta make mistakes to succeed” became his mantra not only for the sports of baseball and basketball, but for life.  Aly-Kat will be missed by all the generations of children and families he so loving influenced.  His amazing life will be celebrated with a memorial post Covid.   Donations in his name can be made to the Wayne PAL to continue to support the programs he so genuinely believed in.

Al was proceeded in death by his son Dave and survived by his children Loren Robin, Cindy Kyparissis, Son-in-law Jimmy, Steven Robin and companion Maria Spina, Grandsons Adam, Alex, Jonathan, Daniel.  He will always be remember by his long time best friend Angela McClane and countless extended family and friends.

Vasilija Vasic, age 88, of Paterson, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2020.

Vasilija, known to all as “Vaso”, was born in May of 1932 in Bosnia, the former Yugoslavia, in the town of Modrica. Vaso was one of Gligor and Jovanka Vasic’s four children.

As Vaso grew into adulthood, he chose construction as a life’s vocation. Along with his cousin, Vaso built homes and performed all kinds of other construction projects for his customers. With skills not limited to just one trade, he was just as much a skilled mason, working with stone, as he was a carpenter, working with wood. All the while, he worked simultaneously as a farmer, running a family farm to provide meat, milk and produce for his own wife and children while also serving as a local merchant by selling some of the fruits of his labor to the local townspeople.

Together with his dear wife Gospa, Vaso raised their five children – four sons and one daughter. In 1985, in search of the best quality of life he could provide for his family, Vaso, Gospa, and their by now adult children emigrated from Bosnia to the United States of America. Vaso’s first home was at 29 Ward Street in Paterson. From there he moved to 144 Mill Street in Paterson where he remained all these years until recently moving to Wayne.

Upon coming to America, Vaso originally worked for Three Guys Restoration (TGR) Company of Clifton, working in asbestos abatement. Shortly thereafter, he had to retire due to a back injury.

Vaso was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed nature. In his native land of Bosnia, he was an avid hunter and, when he came to the United States, he developed a real interest in going fishing. In his spare time, he especially loved spending time with his friends playing games at the Serbian Social Club on Grand Street in Paterson.    

Vaso was the beloved husband of the late Gospa Vasic who predeceased him in 2018. He was the loving father of: Stojan Vasic and wife Vidosava of Paterson, Savo Vasic and wife Duka of Slovenia, Niko Vasic and wife Joka of Clifton, Toda Simic and her late husband Branko (2019) of Bosnia, and Dragan Vasic and wife Alexandra of Kinnelon. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and predeceased by his brother Ranko, and two sisters: Durdia and Jerosima.

Warren A. Helms, age 58, of West Milford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. His loving wife, Andrea, was at his side.

Warren was born to Warren H. and Antoinette Helms (nee Vitetta) in Paterson, NJ, in 1961. Warren lived all over New Jersey throughout his life, including Saddle Brook, Fair Lawn, Mount Olive, Boonton, Mount Tabor, and Pompton Lakes before moving to West Milford about two years ago.

He attended Morris Catholic High School where he was a member of the Instrumental Music Program and played trombone. He graduated from Mount Olive High School with the Class of 1979 where he was Drum Major for the Marching Band. Warren attended County College of Morris and William Paterson University where he received his Bachelors of Music Education. He received a full scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he attained his Master’s Degree.

Warren’s musical career began with performances in local venues such as Lovey’s Showcase in Cranberry Lake, NJ. Two months after graduating from Manhattan School of Music he was hired to be part of their accompanying faculty. He soon began teaching at The Juilliard School as well. Warren was passionate about teaching and worked at Kinnelon High School, followed by many years at William Paterson University in Wayne, and Caldwell University in Caldwell. He served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne from 1998-2019, first as the Choir Accompanist and then as Director of Music and Liturgy. Most recently, he served as Minister of Music at of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Sparta. Notably close to his heart were his years with the IHM Church Choir, his work at Plays in the Park in Edison, NJ, and the Coro Lirico choral group, based in Madison, NJ.

Warren was a virtuoso pianist who worked on- and off- Broadway for years. He accompanied legends such as Aretha Franklin and international stars like Susan Boyle, Clay Aiken, and the Irish Tenors. He appeared on The Today Show and The View, as well as at Lincoln Center. In 2015, he worked with Broadway legend Hal Prince.

Warren met the love of his life, Andrea (nee Brown), at the Manhattan School of Music and they began dating in 1993. The two married on October 14, 1995 and honeymooned in Ireland, their favorite place in the world. Warren and Andrea enjoyed twenty-five years of loving and devoted marriage and had two beautiful daughters, Fiona and Julia, whom Warren adored.

Warren will be lovingly remembered as a giant in the New York/New Jersey music and theatre world, having played for some of the most talented (both known and unknown) as well as some of the most promising singers. He was kind, selfless, talented, compassionate, and a friend to everyone. It is often said, but could not be truer in Warren’s case: he was a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He loved his work deeply and was one of the hardest working people you could possibly meet. Warren had a robust laugh, a radiant smile, a great sense of humor, and an ability to make anyone feel important when he talked to them. For many years he has been a member of Cosmos Club, his beloved Italian-American social club, in Fair Lawn.

Warren is survived by his wife and daughters; his sisters, Diane Miller of Atlantic City, and Rosanna Fox (Michael) of Nashua, New Hampshire; his niece, Jennifer Battista (Brian), her sons Michael and Braedan; his niece and nephew Elizabeth and Matthew Fox; his mother-in-law, Kathy Brown; as well as many treasured family members, in-laws, friends, students, and fellow musicians and performers. He is predeceased by his cherished parents.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the upcoming Warren Helms Scholarship Fund, which is currently being established at William Paterson University. More information and details will be posted soon. Thank you.

Geraldine Ellen Pinto, age 75 of Wayne passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2020 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Geraldine was born and raised in Brooklyn and was the younger of two children to James and Ida Cuilla.  As a young girl, Geraldine took to being an artist.  In her youth she showed great talent drawing and sketching various objects and scenes.  She truly had an eye for beauty at a very early age.  Geraldine attended Bay Ridge High School in New York and graduated with the class of 1962.  Following her graduation, she earned her Associates Degree at Drake’s Business School, also in New York. She then worked as a secretary and manager in Manhattan for two years.

Geraldine married and soon went to work at Saint Louis University in Missouri while her husband attended medical school. She later put her drawing and sketching skills to work and was contracted to sketch medical illustrations. Not long after, Geraldine devoted her life to being a full time homemaker and taking care of her children.  

In 1968, Geraldine welcomed the birth of her fist son Richard, and later in 1970 her second son Matthew.  As a young woman raising two boys, she moved around, living in Virginia at a US Army Base where her husband was stationed at the time.  The family then moved to Little Falls, NJ in 1973 and remained there for about three years.  Subsequent to living in Little Falls, the family moved to Wayne, then to Texas.  After spending a short amount of time in Texas, the family was drawn back to Wayne in 1978.  Geraldine remained in Wayne for the rest of her life.  

Geraldine was truly dedicated to her family and was always there when they needed her.  She was a wonderful cook and cherished hosting holidays for her family, friends, and those who had nowhere to spend the holidays. She was a highly skilled craftsperson creating quilts, clothing and embroideries for her loved ones. She was wonderfully generous and dedicated to her community.  When she knew someone was sick or having a hard time, she would take time out of her day to check up on them and would send them hand made cards and notes.  

Geraldine was not only dedicated to her family but also to her Catholic Faith.  She was a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Wayne for many years. There she also volunteered at the school library.  Geraldine loved animals, especially dogs, and treasured everything that nature had to offer.  She often took nature walks and enjoyed bird watching as well.  She was a voracious reader of all sorts of literature, always trying to fill her mind with knowledge.

Throughout the years, Geraldine and her family enjoyed traveling, visiting a number of destination such as Hawaii, Scandinavia, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  She was a quiet and private person who truly enjoyed her independence.  Her greatest passion however, was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Geraldine than caring for, and spending time with her family.  Geraldine was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.  

Geraldine is survived by her two sons; Richard Pinto and his wife Rosie of New York, NY, and Matthew Pinto of Ashburn, VA.  One sister Diane Cuilla of Brooklyn, NY, one aunt Patricia Wells of Lakeland, FL, four cousins, Ellen Madjidi of Long Island, NY, Vera Garret of Westchester, NY, Deborah Oliver of Stafford, Virginia and Sal Trapani of Jacksonville FL and other extended family.        

In lieu of flowers, donations in Geraldine’s name may be made to Friends of Wayne Animals PO Box 3701, Wayne, NJ 07470 http://www.fowarescue.org or Lustgarten Foundation 1111 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, NY 11714. http://www.lustgarten.org .

Carol Margaret Ahart (nee Dahl), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed peacefully on September 18, 2020.

Carol, the only child of the late Hanna Spence Dahl and Warren Dahl was born on March 10, 1934 in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. She was raised in Teaneck, New Jersey where she lived with her parents, grandparents, and extended family. She especially adored and treasured her grandmother, the late Carrie Dahl.

Carol graduated Teaneck High School and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she initially met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Ahart. Carol then worked at Bendix Corporation as a switchboard operator, where she met Bob for the second time, who also worked for Bendix as an industrial engineer. They fell in love and were married in September 1956. They eventually settled in Wayne where they raised their five children: Bob, Joann, John, Joseph, and Susan.

Carol was a full-time homemaker and kept busy raising her five very active children. She was extremely outgoing and established many lifelong friendships. She was well known for telling delightful stories of her life, children, and grandchildren to anyone and everyone. One could say she had the gift of gab.

Carol was a talented and avid painter who blessed her family with her artistic gift. She taught her children and grandchildren to see the world and every sunset through the eyes of an artist. Her other passion was driving. She offered to drive anyone who needed a ride and took the scenic route every chance she had. Carol was especially proud of her knowledge of every back road and destination in New Jersey… she was the first “navigation system.”

Another passion was her love for the water, especially the ocean. She enjoyed 60 years of annual vacations to the Jersey Shore. Carol spent countless hours on the beach and swimming in the waves with her family. She passed her love for the water to her children and grandchildren. When not at the Jersey Shore, she could be found enjoying her pool and lake views at her house

in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey.

Similarly to her love for the ocean, Carol passed her love for the holidays to her family, especially Christmas. From a year-round Christmas tree (tastefully decorated according to each season) to life sized gift bags filled with matching pajamas and unique gifts, she knew how to make Christmas truly magical. Carol has touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

Carol was predeceased by her husband Robert Ahart in 2017. She was the most loved mother of:  Robert Ahart (Kelly) of Tuxedo Park, NY, Joann Vander Zee (John) of Montville, John Ahart of Kinnelon, Joseph Ahart (Mary Lynn) of Lake Hopatcong, and Susan Sesko (Steve) of Pine Brook; adored grandmother of: Carolyn (Nicholas), Stephanie, Brian, Joseph, Hanna, Robert, Julia, Stephen, Jacqueline, Jennifer, Erin, Michael, Jack, and Christopher; and cherished great-grandmother of Thea and Grey.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Carol’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)

Stella De Biasio (nee Groncki) age 98 of Wayne passed away peacefully in her home on September 14, 2020.

She was born in Passaic, New Jersey to Wojciech and Mary Groncki. Stella’s father, three siblings, and extended family raised her from when she was three years old following her mother’s untimely passing. Stella and her family supported and relied on each other as they strove to maintain the welfare of their family. They each contributed to maintaining the family’s independence, and Stella began working in the clothing mills of Passaic at a young age. The loving bonds she and her siblings developed as children continued to grow throughout their lives.

One evening at a dance during the Second World War, Stella met a handsome young man named John De Biasio. They danced together, began a wonderful courtship, and soon fell in love. They were married at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Passaic in 1944 and celebrated their honeymoon in New York City. They initially settled in Clifton, NJ where they lived for fifteen years before finding their permanent home in Wayne. The love the two of them shared for each other lasted their entire lives.

To Stella, the greatest personal values grew from an appreciation of family and home. She instilled in her children and grandchildren the same virtues with which she was raised: kindness, industriousness, honor, and integrity. Despite the challenge of losing most of her hearing in her 40’s, Stella demonstrated her resilience: she adapted and maintained her cherished connections to friends and family. Well into her 80’s, Stella modeled the remarkable strength of her character as she never failed to offer time, effort, or love to those important to her.

Stella will be remembered fondly by her family and friends for the many ways in which she connected with other people. Over the years, she became known for her cooking and baking, especially her lasagna, crisp roasted potatoes, cookies, and homemade pies. For her grandchildren, she was always a welcome presence whether she watched a performance proudly from the audience or hugged them with all her strength. She and her husband John were avid travelers and loved to explore the world with family and friends. Stella was an active Roman Catholic and founding member of Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church in Wayne. She always found ways to support her family and her community.

Stella was defined by her strength, hard work, generosity, and love of family. Above all she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all of whom she was always ready to help whenever she could. She loved people, whether dancing with friends or traveling the world. She was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Stella is survived by her two daughters, Joan Chrisbacher and her husband Al of Stonington, CT and Barbara DeCamp and her husband Tim of Wayne; one son, John and his wife Lynn of River Vale; twelve grandchildren, John, Donna, Jason, Michele, Kristy, Thomas, Justin, Nicole, Danielle, Lauren, Kim, and Greg; and twelve  great-grandchildren, Elise, Amy, Alexander, Alexa, Gavin, Isabella, Ian, Emilia, Lorenzo, Annabelle, Liliana, and Ainsley. She was predeceased by her husband, John De Biasio; her brother, John Groncki; her sisters, Sophie Jaskot and Jean Waller; and her granddaughter Karen.

Those wishing to make a donation in Stella’s name are asked to consider Alzheimer’s Foundation, 425 Eagle Rock Avenue., Suite 203, Roseland, NJ 07068.

Robert V. Costantin, age 90 of Wayne, died peacefully on Monday, September 14, 2020.  He has lived in Wayne since 1959.

Bob grew up in Clifton and after graduating from high school, he played semi-pro baseball before joining the U.S. Marine Corps.  During his time in the service, he was a tank mechanic at Quantico and San Diego, also earning his expert rifleman designation.  After being honorably discharged in 1952, he maintained close ties to his fellow Marines and was active with the Marine Corps League Lakeland Detachment 744 in Oakland, NJ.

Bob enjoyed a career spanning nearly forty years with Local 102 IBEW, retiring nearly thirty years ago as an Electrician General Foreman.

Bob’s interests were wide-spread.  He was always passionate about auto racing, and he drag raced with his son during the early 1970’s, racing at Island Dragway and Raceway Park.  He attended the Indianapolis 500 many times throughout the years, went to Trenton Speedway, and others. Bob also loved to watch his son, Robert, build and race his own car in more recent years.  Bob was also a big fan of the NY GIANTS and the NY YANKEES.  He remained a loyal Willy Mays fan his entire life.  Bob also loved watching any movie that starred his favorite actor; John Wayne.  He could watch John Wayne films all day long, reciting nearly every line, and he collected various John Wayne memorabilia over the years.  He also enjoyed landscaping his yard, target shooting, and collecting toy trains.

Bob met his wife, Alice (nee Rigney), in 1951 at Mario’s Restaurant in Clifton.  They hit it off right from the start and their romance blossomed.  They married in 1952 and lived in Clifton before moving to Wayne in 1959.  Together, they hosted weekend-long parties at their home, including backyard BBQ’s where the pool was always full of family and friends.  They made a great team raising their three children, followed by seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  They enjoyed fifty-nine years together before Alice passed away in 2011.  Bob has missed her dearly ever since.  Sadly, Bob also lost his daughter, Carlene Gruber, in 2019.

Bob is survived by two of his children; Robert N. Costantin and his wife Patty of Sayreville, NJ, and Michele Costantin of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, his son-in-law; James Gruber of Naperville, IL, seven grandchildren; Dave, Brian, Jennifer, Amanda, Kristine, RJ, and Marissa, as well as three great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his wife Alice in 2011, by his daughter Carlene Gruber of Naperville, IL in 2019, mother Eleanor (nee Collari) in 1984, father Attilio Costantin in 1989, and sister, Alice Cutrona, of Bradenton, FL, in 2005.

Ljiljana Bijelonic, age 38, of Wayne passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, September 14, 2020 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Ljiljana was born in Prnjavor, Bosnia and was the younger of two children to Ljubomir and Grozda Bijelonic.  When Ljiljana was twelve years old, her parents immigrated to the United States in search of a better life.  When arriving the Unites States, the family settled in Paterson.  Ljiljana attended Passaic County Technical Institute and graduated with the class of 2000.  Upon her graduation she was accepted and enrolled at Rutgers University in New Brunswick where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with the class of 2004.

Following her graduation, tragedy struck her life, when Ljiljana had a terrible accident which left her paralyzed from the chest down.  Most people would not find the will to go on with their lives, but Ljiljana was a courageous and strong-willed woman who would not give up.  One of her doctors, Dr. Robert Heary, invited her as a guest speaker at one of his seminars.  She was asked to speak on the subject of providing personal insight to physicians about the daily lives and struggles of those with her disability.  Throughout the years, Ljiljana also participated in research for spinal cord injuries, again providing understanding and awareness in regards to people in her position.

Ljiljana was an avid reader and an animal lover.  She was not only an animal lover but someone who deeply cared about all living things and the environment in which they lived.  She was a vegetarian and was the kind of person who wouldn’t do harm to anyone or anything.  When a spider, ant or fly was in the house, she made sure that her family would “escort it outside and not kill it.”  She was truly someone who cherished nature and all of its inhabitants.

Ljiljana was a cherished daughter, sister, and aunt.  Her greatest passion was for her family and she was loved deeply by everyone she knew.  Ljiljana was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Ljiljana is survived by her parents Ljubomir and Grozda Bijelonic of Wayne, her brother Ranko Bijelonic and his wife Jelena of Hoboken, two nieces Milena Bijelonic, and Larisa Bijelonic both of Hoboken, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ljiljana's name to the Humane Society of The United States, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450 Washington, DC 20037.  https://www.humanesociety.org/