Ruth Mastrogiovanni (nee Gremmler), age 90, of Leesburg, Florida and Wayne, New Jersey and formerly of the Poconos, Fair Lawn and Paterson, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2020.

Ruth was born and raised in the Riverside Section of Paterson where she attended Paterson’s School 21 and Eastside High School.

In the neighborhood where Ruth grew up, she met and fell in love with Edward Mastrogiovanni. Ed and Ruth exchanged their vows on Sunday, February 23, 1947 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in Paterson.

After a honeymoon in Niagara Falls, Ruth and Ed began a cherished life as husband and wife in their first home together, an apartment in Paterson. Ruth was just eighteen years old at this point in her life. One year later, she and Ed welcomed their first child – a baby girl they named Sheryl. Three years after that, their second daughter, Linda, was born.  Ruth was an amazing mother who poured all her love into raising Sheryl and Linda while also working as a seamstress for many years in Paterson textile mills, which were so prevalent during that era. When her daughters were grown, she worked for a time at Dial-A-Phone Answering Service in Ridgewood.  Sadly, in 1974, their Linda died; there is no greater tragedy in life than this loss.

After years of living in Paterson, Ruth and Ed moved to Fair Lawn where they remained until retiring to homes in Tannersville in the Poconos and Leesburg, Florida.  Eventually the Poconos home was sold and Ruth and Ed spent summers with Sheryl and the family in Wayne.

Ruth and Ed were blessed with many wonderful retirement years. In addition to their close friends at home in New Jersey, they developed new friendships in both the Poconos and Florida; they enjoyed vacations to various destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe, and doing all kinds of things including going out for frequent dinners. Ruth loved to play Majong and cards and maintained an active lifestyle by taking walks and riding her three-wheeler bike in Florida while Ed enjoyed visiting the Carpenter Shop to spend time with friends.

Above all else, Ruth’s greatest joy and satisfaction came from quality time spent with her family. She adored them and the feeling was mutual. Utilizing her amazing seamstress skills, when her own daughters were growing up, Ruth made all of their clothing as well as her own, including dresses, prom gowns, and coats. Everything she made was done with patience and perfection. When the blessing of grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled her life, she blessed them all right back by handcrafting knitted, crocheted or sewn baby blankets, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens. It was also the intangibles of Ruth’s life that touched her family’s hearts, like her patient, pleasant and calm spirit.

Ruth was the most beloved and devoted wife of Edward, blessed in marriage for 71 years until his passing in 2018. She was the dearly loved mother of Sheryl and husband Richard P. Centrelli of Wayne, and the late Linda Mastrogiovanni-Breitstein who passed away in 1974; adored grandmother of Lynn McTeague and husband George, and Kristy Fernand; cherished great-grandmother of Isabella Fernand, Ryan McTeague, Alexandra Fernand, and Connor McTeague; dear sister of the late Edith Bariou; and loved aunt of numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.          

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ruth Mastrogiovanni’s memory to support MSK.  Checks, made payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, should be mailed to:

Memorial Sloan Kettering Office of Development

Attn: (Elliott Pollock)

PO Box 27106

New York, NY 10087

Clare N. Ramaglia (nee Johnstone), 89, of West Milford, died on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020.  She had been an Underwriter for State Farm Insurance from 1972-1992 and volunteered at Shore Medical Center from 1994-2018.

Clare grew up in Passaic and graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in 1948.  She began working at the Clifton Public Library, where she first met Emil John “Biggy” Ramaglia.  Biggy came to the library frequently, always checking out books and chatting with Clare, who later learned that Biggy had little interest in reading… he just needed an excuse to talk with her. Their relationship soon blossomed and they were married on November 5, 1949 at St. Nicholas Church in Passaic.  They enjoyed a brief honeymoon at a posh New York City hotel before settling down, spending most of their married life together in Wayne, NJ.  They had a wonderful marriage and Clare doted on her beloved husband.  She was a traditional wife in every way, happily caring for their home and family, and always cooking exceptional meals.  Clare and Biggy took excellent care of each other and loved each other very much during the sixty-three years that they were married.  They enjoyed summer vacations at Lavallette with their children and family for many years, visited the Catskills often, took bus trips to Nova Scotia, and celebrated a multitude of happy times together.  Clare was heartbroken to lose Biggy in 2012, but she remained stoically resilient and persevered in the years following.  They had moved to Ocean City, NJ in 1993, where Clare continued to live until she eventually relocated to West Milford in 2019.

Clare is survived by her five children: Christine Colabelli of Pompton Lakes, Susan McCrostie and her husband Glenn of Mt. Tabor, NJ, James Ramaglia of Ocean City, NJ, Paul Ramaglia of W. Milford, NJ, and John Ramaglia and his wife Debbi of Woodstock, GA; seven grandchildren: Anthony Colabelli and his wife Christine, Matthew Colabelli and his wife Jamie, Jesse McCrostie and his wife Jeanna, Janice McCrostie, Gina McCrostie, Nicholas Ramaglia, and Jenna Ramaglia; four great-grandchildren: Anthony, Scarlett, Layah, and Levi; and one sister: Florence Pallarino and her husband Mike of Chatham.  Clare was predeceased by her husband, Emil John in 2012, and by her sister Elizabeth “Betty” Spaldo in 2016.

In lieu of flowers the family would suggest a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Mary Lyle Freeman (nee Parsons), age 89, of Wayne passed away peacefully at her home in Cedar Crest Village on Friday January 31, 2020 while in the presence of her loving family.

Mary was born and raised in Silver Spring MD, just outside of Washington DC.  She was one of four children to Douglas and Lyle Parsons. After graduating from high school with the class of 1947, Mary was accepted and attended Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia.  After some time at Davis & Elkins, Mary’s parents convinced her to leave college and attend secretarial school.  

While at Davis & Elkins, Mary’s sister introduced her to a handsome young man by the name of George Freeman.  The couple attended a fraternity dance on their first date and hit it off great. Mary and George dated for a time and as fate would have it, they fell in love and were married in November of 1950.  

George and Mary settled in Washington DC, spending about two years there until they needed to relocate to Boulder, CO for George’s employment with the US government.  While living in Boulder the couple welcomed their first child. Unfortunately, George's employment took him somewhere far off and Mary moved back to Maryland with her parents for a short time.  When George arrived back in Washington DC after a short time, the couple welcomed their second child.  The couple then moved to the Packanack Lake section of Wayne where they welcomed their next two children. George and Mary raised their family in Packanack Lake and remained in Wayne for the next fifty years until moving to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains in 2010.      

Immediately after getting married Mary devoted herself to being a homemaker, caring for and nurturing her family.  In 1975, Mary decided to get back into the workplace. Mary was offered a position as a clerk at the Wayne Police Department.  She worked there for the next ten years until her retirement in 1985.  

Mary was an active member of the Packanack Lake community.  She was a member of the Packanack Lake Golf Club for many years.  She also enjoyed playing Bridge with the ladies in her neighborhood and bowled in the women’s bowling league in Wayne as well.  Mary and her family were members of the Packanack Lake Community Church for many years. Mary was also an avid gardener, growing an assortment of flowers and tomatoes in her yard throughout the years.  Her family also remembers their yearly vacations to Deep Creek Lake in Maryland where they treasured family reunions. She was fun loving, social and had an infectious smile. Everyone that knew Mary loved being around her.   Mary was a very special person who touched the lives of many people, she will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Mary is survived by her husband George Freeman of Wayne, three sons Dan Freeman and his wife Almeda of Pequannock, Richard Freeman and his wife Linda of Swartswood, NJ, and Brad Freeman and his wife Diane of Whitehouse Station, NJ, one daughter Joyce Lorusso and her husband Phil of Pompton Lakes, eight grandchildren; Dawn McDonough, Danielle Wallin, Reese Freeman, Lyle Freeman, George Lorusso, Maddie Freeman, Nikki Freeman, and Sammy Freeman, and four great grandchildren; Brenda McDonough, Colleen McDonough, Maggie Wallin, and Ryan Wallin.  Mary was predeceased by her two brothers Bill Parsons and Bob Parsons, and her sister Margie Brinckman.

Those planing to make donations in Mary’s name are asked to consider the Wayne Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroad, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Frances M. Ianuale (nee Pettrizzie), age 88 of Wayne, died peacefully with family and friends at her side on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.  She has lived in Wayne since 1964.

Fran was born at home in North Arlington, NJ in 1931.  She was raised in Union City, NJ, the fifth child born into a family of six children, and was rather close with her sister Agnes.  Fran, or “Dolly” as she was known during her childhood, was just two years younger than Agnes, and they enjoyed a feisty and sometimes contentious relationship, as two sisters often do.

Agnes was her devilish confidant and seemed to gain a bit of pleasure getting little Dolly in trouble. Surely her childhood experiences contributed to developing her independent, “spitfire” personality that she was so well known for.

After Fran graduated from Emerson High School with the class of 1950, she took her first job as a secretary with Palm, Fechteler & Co. in Weehawken, NJ.  It was here that she met her husband, Gaitano.  They were married on May 2, 1954 at St. Anthony’s Church in Union City and they honeymooned in the Poconos.  They first lived on Hudson Ave. in West New York before moving to Union City and then to Wayne in 1964. They both enjoyed traveling extensively including Italy, Hawaii, Bermuda, the Caribbean Islands and, of course, the annual family vacations to Wildwood Crest at the Jersey shore.

Taking care of her family was her first priority, and she took exceptional pride in maintaining her landscaping and home.  She was a bit of a neat-freak and could always be seen out on beautiful days manicuring the grounds - she was in her element. She was also very involved raising her three children, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and she also was a Parishioner and taught CCD at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne.  She also worked at Joseph Markovitz, Inc. and MGM Transport Corp., both in Totowa. Fran made some wonderful, lifelong friends when she moved to Wayne where they proceeded to raise their families and share their lives together over the decades.  A small close knit group remained for 50+ years where they took frequent walks together reminiscing in "the neighborhood".  Coincidentally, her dear friend, Frances West, from across the street passed away just two weeks ago, but they were able to see each other recently and spend some quality time together.

Fran is survived by her three children; Steven of Wayne, Michael and his wife Laura of Southwest Florida, and Marissa Sabia and her husband Carmine of Wayne, four grandchildren; Nicole Ianuale and Paulo Almeida of Harrison, NJ, Mark Ianuale and his wife Jacqueline of Franklin, NJ, Cory Ianuale of Wayne, and Francesca Sabia of Wayne, one great-grandson; Marcelo, her dear sister; Johanna Pettrizzie of Wayne and nephew; Robert Spada, of Toms River.  Fran was predeceased by her beloved husband Gaitano in 1996, and by four of her siblings; Madeline, Marie, Agnes and John.

Charles G. Mougalian, age 86, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Charlie was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and was the youngest of three sons to George and Varteni Mougalian.  Growing up, he spent a lot of his time playing handball and stoop ball on the streets of Brooklyn while also boxing at the Boys' Club and playing basketball in his church league.  Following his graduation from Erasmus Hall High School in 1951, he pursued a business degree from New York University, from which he graduated in 1955.  He then served in the U.S. Army as a Special 3rd Class Combat Engineer where he earned the U.S. Army Sharpshooter Badge.

After completing his military service, Charlie entered the business world where he spent the next 36 years working in the purchasing and procurement departments of Colgate-Palmolive, American Cyanamid, Shulton, and Procter & Gamble before retiring in 1993.

When he was 17 years old, he met his beloved wife, Lois, at a "Hi-Y" dance sponsored by the Flatbush YMCA.  They  were married seven years later on October 25, 1958.  Lois and Charlie soon started a family and made their home in Wayne, NJ where they lived for the next 56 years.  They joined the United Methodist Church in Wayne where Charlie held various volunteer positions as an active church member.

Charlie loved sports, woodworking, and barbecuing.  He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Charlie is survived by his wife Lois Mougalian (nee Tyndall) of Wayne, his daughter Lori Ingerman and son-in-law David, his son Chuck Mougalian and daughter-in-law Linda, and his son Gary Mougalian and daughter-in-law Nancy.  He also is survived by his eight grandchildren -- Alex, Dylan, Eric, Evan, Grace, Alexis, Madison, and Bailey, who were the source of his greatest joy.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie’s name may be made to the United Methodist Church, 99 Parish Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Matthew Dox, Sr., age 67, a forty-five year resident of Wayne, passed suddenly on Monday, January 27, 2020 with the comfort of his family by his side.

He was born in Paterson to Matthew and Margaret Dox and raised on Marion Street in Paterson. Matt was a football player and graduated from Paterson Catholic High School with the Class of 1970.  He continued his education at Seton Hall University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting with the Class of 1974.

Matt’s work history includes being a bus boy at Perkins Pancake House on Route 46, being a deli counter person at the A&P food store in Fair Lawn, and after college he found work as an accountant at Saint Josephs Hospital in Paterson.  One of Matt’s duties, as an accountant, was being picked up by the Paterson Police to bring the hospital’s deposit to the bank. This casual encounter with the police, and the fact that Matt hated being an accountant, led him to pursue a career in law enforcement. Matt saw a recruitment advertisement in the newspaper from the Wayne Police Department and was soon taking the test.  His career with the Wayne Police spanned over thirty years having started as a Patrolman and working his way up through the ranks to Detective and then to Detective Sergeant before retiring in 2010. During his years with the Wayne Police he served as President of the Wayne P.B.A. Local 136.

During Matt’s years as an accountant at Saint Josephs Hospital he met a beautiful girl named Patricia “Patty” Rolleri at a hospital dinner.  Matt and Patty really hit it off and he took her to one of his favorite hamburger places on their first date.  In typical Matt fashion he proposed marriage, sometime close to Valentines Day, while in the basement of his parents’ home watching a hockey game. Patty and Matt married on October 8, 1977 and had their reception in the Emerald Room at the Wayne Manor.  They honeymooned at Negril Beach in Jamaica, where much to Matt’s…surprise??... the hotel just happened to be by a clothing optional beach.  Matt and Patty have enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage, filled with love and laughter, for forty-two years.

Those who know Matt will remember him as a sincere, caring, nice guy.  He loved sports and was a dedicated NY Giants and NY Mets fan. For many years he enjoyed playing in the PBA Softball League, playing touch football for the Wyckoff Jets, and in his later years he enjoyed golfing.  He loved a good joke, enjoyed self-deprecating humor, often had a sarcastic comment, was forever a schmoozer, hated phony people, and was one of the most easy-going people you would ever meet. Most of all he will be remembered as a great family man.  His children have many fond and loving memories including annual trips to Long Beach Island in the summer where they would go crabbing, mini-golfing, and to the water park. He was incredibly proud of his children and his granddaughter Addie.

Matt was the loving husband of Patricia (Rolleri) Dox, the devoted father of Matthew Dox and his wife Jennifer of Pompton Lakes and Meghan Sims and her husband Ryan of Medford; he was the cherished grandfather of Addie Sims; the dearly loved son of Matthew and Margaret Dox of Wayne; devoted brother of Michael Dox and his wife Linda of Bloomfield; loving brother-in-law to Dr. Robert and Norma Jean Falcone and well as Robert and Gail Rolleri; loved uncle to Stephanie, Michelle, Melissa, Lucas, Rachel, Katie, and Michael.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the NJ Special Olympics or the National Alopecia Areata Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

http://sthuberts.org

Jacqueline Ruth Crane, age 76, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

Jackie, as she was affectionately known, was born in Jersey City, NJ. Being the daughter of an Army father, she moved around a bit as a child and spent her formative years in places including Iceland and California, ultimately settling back in New Jersey where she was on the drill team and the volleyball team at Jonathan Dayton High School, graduating with the class of 1960.

It was soon after high school that Jackie met Roger Crane, a businessman who worked around the corner from Stanley’s Restaurant in Springfield. Jackie worked  there as a waitress and while the food was great, once Roger met Jackie, she became his greatest incentive for frequenting the local eatery. When he finally worked up the courage to ask her out, Jackie and Roger’s first date was at a different restaurant, called The Shortstop – a hamburger stop in Belleville. It didn’t take long for the two of them to fall in love, and they were soon after married in the spring of 1963 on Friday, May 18th at the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit, NJ.

The newlyweds’ first home together was an apartment in New Providence where ten months later, they welcomed a baby boy named David. Soon after, Jackie and Roger moved to a house in Rockaway, NJ and two more baby boy blessings arrived, Richard “Rick” and Edward “Ted.” During her sons’ childhood years, Jackie embraced her role as homemaker, loving wife and mother. With house moves in 1974 to Benson Drive in Wayne and in 2005 to the Ridge Rise Complex in Wayne, Jackie made her homes into welcoming places where friends and family always enjoyed gathering. She was truly devoted to her boys and Jackie caringly poured herself into their lives. Her son Dave took a real interest in tennis, while son Rick enjoyed playing basketball and Ted displayed enthusiasm for music and skiing. Consequently, Jackie gladly and sometimes dutifully attended a lot of tennis matches, basketball games, music lessons and spent many days sitting in ski lodges so that all three of her son’s interests could be better developed.

Jackie was equally devoted to her husband Roger. When Dave, Rick and Ted were old enough to take on some independence, Jackie turned her attention more toward Roger’s business venture, which together they called Patriot Printing. Jackie’s entrepreneurial skills and spirit became indispensable to the success of the business. While Roger concentrated on accumulating customers, including but not limited to, the American Red Cross and the Archdiocese of Newark, Jackie wore many hats, such as graphic designer, production manager, logistical leader and bookkeeper. The boys were involved too, to some degree, and developed valuable work skills along the way.

In every facet of life, Jackie and Roger had a mutual respect and admiration for one another and enjoyed infusing lots of good natured fun into their marriage. They loved playing chess and cards together and there was always a puzzle being assembled on the kitchen table. In fact, almost every game they played turned into a friendly competition - even with puzzles - and they were both very skilled at putting puzzles together! They would set a timer for an hour to see who could put together a 500 piece puzzle first. When they had less time, they’d just pick puzzles with less pieces. Every pursuit in life, from the grand to the mundane, always included an element of mind sharpening. For example, gathering together around the table for dinner was just as much about choosing a topic of debate or quizzing each other on naming all the U.S. presidents one night or naming all the countries in South America the next night. It always made dinner time interesting and enjoyable.

When her boys were growing up, there was no one who could plan a vacation with such thoughtfulness and strategy like Jackie. So, since Dave liked tennis, and Rick liked pools with diving boards and Ted liked game rooms, Jackie made sure to plan a vacation where all three boys had access to what they liked the most. Each day of vacation was planned with efficient precision, starting off with breakfast, followed by a morning visit to a historical site or some other teachable activity, then free time for whatever her sons wanted to do. Vacations were always traveled by car, and favorite destinations included Disney, Myrtle Beach, the Outer Banks - basically all of the east coast! And of course, the Jersey Shore, including a beach house they owned at L.B.I. from 1984 to 1998. Many family memories were made there and nothing made Jackie happier than having her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren present.

Jackie simply adored her six grandchildren and by all accounts, the feeling was mutual. She took a keen interest in each one of them, oftentimes seeming to unconsciously ignore the adults because she was so focused and interested in what was going on in her grandchildren’s lives. She treated them like her own sons, never wanting to miss any of their games or other accomplishments. Even when she got older and mobility proved to be more difficult, she and Roger would park as close to the game as possible to get a view of the action.

Jackie had plenty of love to go around for her friends too. She and her girlfriend, Gail, maintained a long-standing tradition for over forty years of getting together every Tuesday afternoon for lunch together at Aldo’s or the Village Inn in Wayne. Having gone through every phase of life together, they never seemed to run out of things to talk about. She always kept in touch with her cherished friends, including her dear friend Sandy.

Her adoration for animals was equal to her love for humans, especially her faithful blonde lab named Sam. He was like their fourth child who came into Jackie and Roger’s life to dote upon just as her sons were entering that season of life where they were getting married or moving into places of their own. Of course, her sons and daughters-in-law were always welcomed back home, especially when they brought their own dogs, which Jackie affectionately referred to as her grand dogs. Her dog Sam was a symbol of Jackie’s love and concern for all of God’s creatures. He suffered from anxiety, so when Jackie and Roger would go out, they always parked the car where Sam could see them to keep him calm. Sam was rescued from an animal shelter and any organization that looked out for the welfare of animals was an organization Jackie would support.

Jackie leaves behind wonderful memories and a lasting legacy as an adoring wife and most loving mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. She epitomized selflessness, always caring about others more than herself. She was thoughtful, resourceful and generous. Well-learned, she loved to read books of all genres, watch classic movies, attend Broadway shows, and keep up with the latest in current affairs as well as pop-culture. Consequently, she was very funny and very interesting to spend time with. Her family and friends give thanks for her loving presence and influence in their lives.

Jackie was the beloved wife of Roger, blessed in marriage for 56 years. She was the very loving mother of: Dave and wife Patricia Crane of Glen Rock, Rick and wife Joy Crane of Summit, and Ted Crane of Fort Myers, FL; and cherished grandmother of: Alex, Trevor, Shaun, Nicole, Andrew and Ella.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Jackie’s name are asked to consider St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, P.O. Box 159, 575 Woodland Ave. Madison, NJ 07940. You may also donate online at sthuberts.org

Mario A. Gentile, age 95, of Pompton Plains and a former long-time resident of Wayne, passed away with loving family by his side, on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

Mario was the first born child of Italian immigrants, Thomas and Christine Gentile. He was born at home in 1924 in their second floor apartment above a grocery store owned by his father in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, Class of 1942

After what can be called a “spirited” childhood he would make some money by charging a few cents for rides in a horse drawn cart starting his path to entrepreneurship.

Mario met the love of his life, Marie Cannizzaro, along the bicycle trail that runs along Ocean Parkway. Mario and his cousins were “hanging out” on some benches just as Marie rode by on her bicycle with a friend and he was immediately smitten.  He asked Marie out on a date and showed up with flowers in hand. Marie got cold feet and refused to answer the door.  As she peeked out the window she saw Mario throw the flowers he had brought onto the ground and he left. Mario was persistent and they soon fell in love.  Mario and Marie married on April 4, 1948 and had a Football Wedding reception for about 500 of their closest family and friends.  A Football Wedding is where sub sandwiches were actually hurled across the room to the guests.  They honeymooned in Niagara Falls, New York, and enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-nine years before Marie’s passing in June of 2017.

His first real employment was for the Charlie Mills Electric Company in NYC. This eventually led to starting his own successful electrical contracting business MAGE ELECTRIC ( MArio GEntile) .He ran MAGE for 32 years before selling the business. Mario was very well regarded by his employees, building management companies, city inspectors, building owners, and superintendents.  While in early retirement and due to his expertise and experience, he was hired as a consultant many times, before finally moving into full retirement in 1990.

When writing a story about Mario a few things need to be said. First of all, he was a true gentleman that was thoroughly devoted to his family and business.  He loved playing cards, and never met a Craps table in Atlantic City or Las Vegas he didn’t like (as long as it was paying out).He was proficient at craps and you would frequently see him at the Borgata tables as recently as a few months ago. Mario was a “Crooner”, with a wonderful voice. While attending family weddings, talent shows, nursing homes, and karaoke nights, if there was music and a microphone he was in.  He even booked some recording studio time to preserve his songs for generations to come. At the recording studio they nicknamed him “One Take Mario.”  

Mario was the loving husband of sixty-nine years to Marie (d.6/2017); devoted father of Christine Doran and her husband James of Fort Mills, SC, Thomas Gentile and partner Olga Mehrhoff of Cheshire, CT, Mary Jane Threlfall and her husband Gary of Wayne, Ann Marie Simpson and her husband Don of Wayne, and Salvatore Gentile and his wife Arlene of Wayne; he was the cherished grandfather of Joy Marie, Alicia, Michael, Mario, Thomas, Tara, Danielle, Joseph, Matthew, Deandra, Andrea, and Alexa; he was also the dearly loved great-grandfather of Kyra, Julianna, Eleanor, Amelia, Bethany, Grace, Nathan, and Emma Jane.

In lieu of flowers donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 (stjude.org), or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601, (alz.org), would be greatly appreciated.

Anna Van Der Heide, age 94, of Wyoming, Michigan, formerly of Haledon, New Jersey, died on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at her home.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Hendrik in November 1997; siblings, Martha Valk, John Valk, William Valk.  She was the loving mother of daughter, Ann Marie Van Der Heide; son, Peter Van Der Heide and his wife Sharon; and loving grandmother of Jennifer and Andrew Rysdam, Steven and Kelly Van Der Heide, Brian and Kelli Van Der Heide; and seven great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister, Hilda Oussoren and her sister-in-law, Alida Valk.

Anna was a faithful member of First Byron Christian Reformed Church in Byron Center and formerly of Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff, NJ.

Anna was born in America, raised in the Netherlands and returned to America in March 1949 with her husband and settled in Hoboken, NJ.  She resided in New Jersey until 2015 when she moved to Michigan.

Anna was blessed to be a homemaker and took pride in serving others in their homes. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Anna’s memory to Byron Center Christian Schools, 8840 Byron Center Avenue, Byron Center, MI 49315. If you are sending a check, kindly be sure to include a note that your gift is in memory of Anna Van Der Heide.

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

Jay J. LaRusso, 89 of Wayne, died on Thursday, January 23, 2020.

Jay is survived by his two children; Jay LaRusso of Englewood Cliffs, and Allison Carroll of Dayton, NJ, five grandchildren; Tommy, Kristen, Aidan, Connor, and Delaney, and his companion of nearly forty years; Sharon Patnaude.  He was predeceased by his wife, Alice.

Elena L. Lao, “Ellen”, age 60, of Wayne, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2020.

Ellen was born in the Philippines in the city of Manila. She was the youngest of four children and she spent her entire up-bringing living in Manila. Her post-high school education took place at the Philippine Women’s University where she earned her B.S.N. degree in Nursing in 1980.

Soon after college, Ellen began working at Philippine General Hospital in Manilla. While there, she was recruited by the Preakness Healthcare Center in Wayne, NJ. Ellen took the opportunity and immigrated to the United States in 1982. It was a decision she would never regret as she went on to enjoy a very fulfilling thirty-two year career at the Preakness Healthcare Center before retiring in 2014. During her years there, she had a great reputation for being a dedicated worker and a compassionate nurse to the patients that she was charged to care for. Following her work there, she worked at the Paterson Board of Health for a year-and-a-half before her own health issues necessitated full retirement.

Ellen was the beloved wife of Venchito Lao who she met one day after work at a restaurant called the Binghamton – a floating restaurant. Though it sounds cliché to say, it truly was “love at first sight.” After dating for about a year, one night at dinner, Venchito asked Ellen if she would be his wife and, much to their mutual delight, Ellen said yes! They exchanged their wedding promises before God, family and friends on Monday, January 13, 1986 at the St. Nicholas Church in Passaic. After a reception at the Jade Fountain in Lyndhurst – all you could eat, Ellen and Venchito jumped in a car and headed down to sunny, warm Orlando Florida for their honeymoon. Their first home together was in an apartment in Paterson where they remained for three years before moving to their present home in Wayne.

In 1993, Ellen and Venchito became the proud parents of a beautiful son, Mark Anthony. They were so excited to welcome Mark into their home and Ellen now split her time between raising her son and working as a Nursing Supervisor at Preakness Healthcare Center. Family was so very important to Ellen and so, while she loved her career, she also loved getting together as frequently as she could with family and friends. Anyone that knew Ellen knew that she was a great cook. It would stand to reason therefore that she loved this pastime of cooking, and her family was thankful to God for Ellen’s work in the kitchen as they were the frequently blessed recipients of her culinary delights. Family favorites included Ellen’s Imbutido, a Filipino stew called Kare, and a noodle dish called Pancit.

Ellen loved all of God’s creatures but she truly had a special place in her heart for her sweet canine friend Pot-Pot, a terrier and Pomeranian mixed pooch that was her faithful friend and companion. Her little furry friend was so fortunate to have such a loving master and so many that knew Ellen were very blessed to have her as a friend. Ellen had a heart of gold. She loved to give back a portion of the blessings that God gave to her and consequently, she was very generous to relatives and friends both with her time, talents and also her treasures. Many were given a great chance to thrive in their lives because of Ellen’s generosity.

It should come as no surprise, knowing what a loving heart Ellen possessed, that Ellen walked closely with God. She was devout in her catholic faith and over the years, was involved in the ministry of several parishes including Our Lady of Consolation Church and Our Lady of the Valley Church, both in Wayne, as well as St. Gerard’s Church in Paterson and St. Clare’s Church in Clifton. Ellen’s life was a true reflection of God’s love, grace, and provision that she experienced in her own life.  

Ellen was the beloved wife of Venchito, blessed in marriage for 34 years. She was the most loving mother of Mark Anthony Lao of Wayne, and dear aunt of numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her one sister and two brothers.

Charles F. Spinella, age 68 of Wayne, died at home on Thursday, January 23, 2020 with his loving family gathered at his bedside.  He had fought a courageous nine-month battle with Leukemia.

Charlie grew up in Paterson and graduated in 1968 from John F. Kennedy high school, the first graduating class from the newest high school in the city of Paterson.  Charlie was especially proud to have graduated high school and started college while he was still just sixteen years old.  He went on to Fairleigh Dickinson College in Teaneck and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in K-12 Social Studies.  He started teaching at his alma mater; John F. Kennedy High, and ultimately spent his entire forty-year career at Kennedy.  He taught history for much of his time there, and was Dean of Students for the last twelve years before retiring in 2012.  He truly loved being a teacher, mentoring students, and especially coaching basketball.

Many of Charlie’s students appreciated him for his influence in their lives.  He was inspirational and a talented motivator.  As a basketball coach, he loved watching his players grow and improve their skills, all the while building their own confidence and self-esteem.  He loved the game of basketball, but especially appreciated how his students and players matured through playing the game.  Charlie played basketball himself throughout his entire life.  As a member of the “Boys of Summer” team, he played often with his group of friends, and he loved watching NBA games as well.  Though he had a love for basketball, his family was always his top priority.

Charlie was madly in love with his wife, Linda (nee Zangrilli), and they were truly devoted to one another.  They met at a diabetes fundraiser clam bake in October of 1978. Their romance moved quickly and they were soon engaged to be married.  They wed on November 25, 1979, just one year after meeting.  Even though he couldn’t wait to tie the knot, their big day was scheduled to work around basketball season!  They enjoyed a Bahamas honeymoon before moving to Clifton and eventually settling in Wayne in 1986.  They shared dreams, they shared goals, and they shared a very special love for over forty years.  They had a fun marriage and were very affectionate, despite any obstacles life threw at them.

Charlie and Linda’s home was always warm and inviting. Charlie cared for the landscaping, grew a garden with fruits and vegetables, and took impeccable care of everything outside. He treasured not only taking care of his house, but creating a home that brought the family together. Charlie and Linda raised three children and Charlie was their “#1 fan.” He had a special and unique bond with each of his children, and his greatest sense of pride and accomplishment came from watching them become successful. Charlie loved his family more than anything, and they will all miss him dearly.

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife Linda of Wayne, their three children; Lynette Spinella and her partner Daniel Jensen of Butler, Lauren Spinella and her husband Christopher D’Amico of Bloomingdale, and Joseph Spinella and his wife Ashley of Florida.

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

Maria Mayer, age 88 of Wayne died peacefully on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.  She had formerly lived in North Haledon before moving to Wayne in 1999.

Maria was born in Marko, Hungary and her childhood was largely shaped by the events of World War II.  After the war had ended, Hungary was under oppressive Soviet control and at just seventeen years old, Maria went seeking a better life.  Along with her family, she escaped under cover of darkness into Eastern Germany and then to Western Germany where they had family to stay with.  She wanted to go to America, but the immigration quotas had been reached and she was denied.  While most of her family chose to remain in Germany, her older brother, George, emigrated to Australia.  However, Maria waited patiently for passage to the United States. In 1956, at twenty-five years old, she boarded a ship alone and sailed to New York City.  She settled in Union, NJ with her aunt and uncle, quickly finding work in a drapery shop.

Maria was very talented at making draperies and custom upholstery.  Upon arriving in America, she went to a drapery shop for an interview and was quickly hired.  She was so incredibly talented that within two weeks of taking the job, they promoted her to forewoman of the shop!  In 1970, just fourteen years after coming to America, she took a leap of faith and opened her own business!  This was nothing less than a true realization of the American dream for her and “Maykin’s Custom Draperies and Slip Covers” was opened in Prospect Park. She operated her business for nearly eighteen years before retiring.  Her beautiful handiwork has adorned many homes throughout the area.  Becoming a grandmother was her motivation to retire, and she poured her heart into her grandchildren.  She loved to cook with them and share her incredible baking skills.  She was an “outrageous baker” and worked real magic in her kitchen.  Her traditional Hungarian fare was to die for, especially her Chicken Paprikash, Palacinka, Zwetschgenknodel and Kipfel!!  

When Maria first arrived in New Jersey, she used to go to Hungarian social dances, which were common in the area.  At one such dance in Manhattan, she met Anthony Mayer who happened to be a fantastic dancer.  They had a great time that night, and a romance ensued.  Before long, Anthony proposed and they were married on October 10, 1959 at St. Boniface RC Church in Paterson.  Their honeymoon lasted just one day and they both returned to work on Monday, October 12!  The two of them shared a loving marriage that Anthony describes as “the best!” Maria was a devoted wife and homemaker, managing just about everything.  They were both very hard working and built a wonderful life together.  They traveled back to Europe at least once every two years, visiting family in Germany and Hungary.  They even went to Australia to see her brother.  Her favorite destination of all was “home,” close to her family and loved ones.  After more than sixty years of marriage, Anthony will surely miss her dearly, as will her loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Maria is survived by her devoted husband Anthony of Wayne, two children;  Anton Mayer and his wife Jeanie of Cedar Grove, and Christina Strang-Wolf and her husband Peter of Cedar Grove,  six grandchildren; Gioiella Belasco and her husband Anthony of Little Falls, Anton Mayer and his wife Nicole of Hoboken, Max Strang-Wolf and his fiancee Jordyn of Hoboken, Nick Strang-Wolf and his wife Shaina of Dumont, Alexia Strang-Wolf of Cedar Grove, and Frank Mayer and his wife Natalie of Hoboken, four great-grandchildren; Maxemilia, Anton, Michelina, and Anthony, and two brothers; George Brenner of Australia and Hans Brenner of Germany.

Frances Bernadette West (nee McNicholl), age 85 of Wayne, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday January 17, 2020.

Frances was born on February 11, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York and was one of five children to John and Ellen McNicholl.  When Frances was a young girl, she and her family returned to Ireland for a time, returning to the United States after the Second World War.

After meeting Arthur West of the Bronx, NY, at a dance, the young couple married on November 16, 1957. They began their married life in Metuchen, NJ, and then moved to Little Falls where they welcomed their first child, Kevin. In the mid-1960’s, they moved to Wayne, where they then also raised their next two children, Darren and Janine, remaining there for the rest of their lives. Arthur and Frances enjoyed 47 years of marriage until Arthur’s passing in 2004.

In 1974, Frances was offered a position at the Wayne-based paper manufacturing company, Union Camp. While there, Frances had various secretarial responsibilities until 1982, when she was promoted to Fleet Manager, a position she held for the rest of her career.  Frances worked for Union Camp until her retirement in 1996.

Frances was a devout Catholic who attended church daily at Our Lady of the Valley RC Church and Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wayne. All who knew her would agree that her greatest passions were her faith and her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sibling, aunt and friend, who loved gardening, decorating, and hosting family and friends at her home and pool during summers and holidays.  Her happiest moments included knowing her children and grandchildren were happy, well and loved. She will be remembered lovingly as a wise and understanding person who was kind, inclusive and always made people feel welcome. Her loving heart, intelligence, and warm personality will most certainly live on in her children and grandchildren.

Frances is survived by her two sons, Kevin West of Bushkill, PA, and Darren West and his wife Sharon of Wayne; her daughter, Janine Latz and her husband Glen of Norwood; her sister Mary Ralph of Wayne, her brother John B. McNicholl of Las Vegas, NV, and seven grandchildren, Kyle, Shane, Aidan and Holly Latz of Norwood, Dean West of Wayne, Kathryn Moore and her husband David of High Bridge, Dana West of PA, and her great grandchild, Alexandra Moore.  She is predeceased by her husband Arthur, as well as her siblings, Patrick and Elizabeth.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frances' 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

Edmund S. Guzik, age 97, of Pompton Lakes, died peacefully Wednesday evening at the home of his daughter, Cinthia, in Doylestown, PA.  He resided in Pompton Lakes for 46 years before moving to Doylestown 5 years ago.

He was born in the family home on Lewis Street in Paterson and attended Saint Stephens School in Paterson.  Edmund attended Central High School and in a short time decided to go to Passaic County Technical High School in Paterson to learn to be an auto mechanic. He didn’t like that either, quit school, and found an ad in the newspaper for a job working with upholstery at Saks Brothers Upholstery Company in Paterson.  Being one of twelve children, the income was necessary to keep the household functioning.  He later found work at Wrights Aeronautical in Fair Lawn where he would clean airplane engine cylinder heads and their cooling fins.

He was drafted into the US Army during WWII and began serving on April 27, 1943.  He was assigned to the 1st Armored Division, was proficient in many types of arms, and specialized as a machine gunner.  His service brought him to places like Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, North Apennines, and the Po Valley.  He received decorations and citations including the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal, a Bronze Star, the Infantry Badge, the Germany-Occupation Badge and four Battle Stars.

Upon being discharged from the military on December 6, 1945 he returned home to Paterson and once again established employment in the upholstery business.  He met the love of his life, Helen Rog, through her extended family.  They married on September 13, 1947 at Saint Joseph’s Church in Passaic.  They took a bus to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania for their honeymoon and established their home in Paterson.  Edmund and Helen had three of their four children while living in Paterson and later moved to Pompton Lakes where they had their fourth child.

Edmund enjoyed fishing both locally at Greenwood Lake and in the Atlantic Ocean at the Jersey Shore.  It is also rumored he liked to skinny-dip in the Passaic Falls in Paterson.  He always enjoyed keeping up with current events by reading the newspaper.  In later life he enjoyed jig-saw puzzles, bird watching, watching golf and poker on TV.

Before moving to Doylestown, he was a parishioner and usher at Church of the Annunciation of the BVM in Wayne.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and he belonged to the VFW.

Edmund was the loving husband of the late Helen Guzik (d.2012), he was the devoted father of Stephen Guzik and his wife Susan of Milltown, the late Glenn Guzik (d.2002), Cinthia Irwin and her husband Kenneth of Doylestown, PA, and Sharon Woelfel and her husband Eric of Long Valley; he was the cherished grandfather of Jonathan Guzik of Clark and Luke Woelfel of Long Valley; he was the brother-in-law of Patricia Guzik; he was the dear brother of Sophie Pohl of Wyckoff, Stella Cleaver of Peoria, AZ and the late Anne Guzik, Adolph “Otto” Guzik, John Guzik, Janie Jazwinski, Helen Jakubowski, Eleanor Waszak, Irene Guzik, Alice Welch and Chester Guzik.

In lieu of flowers donations in Edmund's name may be made to St. Stephens Parish, 86 Martin St. Paterson, NJ 07501.

Raymond Michael Krupo, age 92, of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home with the comfort of his loving family by his side.

Ray was a US Navy Veteran of WWII having served at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois and aboard the USS Colorado-BB45. He was Honorably Discharged and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon.

He will be remembered as a man with a passion for caring for others.  He was a hospital administrator with the New York health & Hospital Corporation in New York City and for many years donated his time and talents in Israel to help those less fortunate.  For many years up until he was 88 years old, he was blessed to travel all around the world. Amongst all places traveled, his favorite place was his home on the bay in Lavallette, NJ. He loved the beach, crabbing in his backyard and most of all when his grandchildren and guests visited in the summer. He was a true New York Giants fan and a season ticket holder for 60+ years.

Ray met the love of his life Eileen and married her on March 3, 1957 in Long Island City and resided in Wayne, NJ. After twenty-eight years of loving and devoted marriage Eileen passed in 1985.

He was the father of Maria, Lisa (Jon), Cindy (Mark), Charles, Raymond, and Teddy. His greatest joy in life were his six grandchildren; Marie, Mark Jr., Katie and Helene Salerno, and James and Jon Lamp. He is also survived by one sister Penny Trapp and was predeceased by his six other siblings.

Those inclined to make a memorial donation in Raymond’s memory are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Joan Marosits, age 77, of Pompton Plains, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020.

Joan was born to Emma and Jerome Frost in Buffalo, NY. As a child, her family moved to Ridgewood, NJ, where neighbors became lifelong friends. She attended the Academy of St. Elizabeth, a private secondary school in Convent Station, NJ in preparation to become a nun. Upon graduation, Joan heard the calling to pursue a career in nursing. She graduated St. Francis School of Nursing in Poughkeepsie, NY. Her nursing career covered the gamut from pediatrics to geriatrics. When her own children were young, she went back to school to earn her Bachelors in Education so that she could serve as a school nurse and health educator. She blessed the lives of countless adults and children before retiring in 2005 from Lincoln School, Pompton Lakes, NJ, where she spent the majority of her career.

Joan raised her much-loved children in Wayne, NJ, where they were active parishioners of St. Ann’s Melkite Catholic Church in West Paterson. When Jackie and Bill each started their own families and settled in the area, she began attending Our Lady of Good Council Church in Pompton Plains. Most recently, Joan was a integral member of the St. Mary’s community in Pompton Lakes. Over the years, Joan was involved in so many different ministries, proving service to so many people that is difficult to list them all. Most notably, her involvement with Mission of Hope, Eucharistic Ministry, Centering Prayer, and Stephen Ministry were a genuine examples of stewardship.

Joan has been described as a strong and compassionate follower of Christ. She was a friend to all she met. She was a good listener, an advocate for the weak, and found beauty in all of God’s creation. While Joan kept busy investing in the lives of others, she found greatest joy spending time with family. She would often load the grandkids up for adventures, visiting nursing homes to administer Eucharist or attend Rosary meetings. One of their favorite destinations was the Bergen Wildlife Center in Wyckoff – a place they referred to as The Bamboo Place.

Joan was the loving mother of Jacqueline and husband Damon Hahn of Maricopa, AZ and William, Jr and wife Barbara Marosits of Wayne; adoring grandmother of Emma M. Marosits, Megan J. Hahn, William J. Marosits, and Robert C. Hahn; and dear sister of Jacqueline Modig of Maricopa, AZ.

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In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Joan’s name are asked to consider a donation to their favorite charity in Joan’s name.

Gordon Nilsen, 65, passed Sunday, January 12, 2020.  He was born in Englewood, NJ to Alf and Lillian Nilsen.  

He was raised in Pearl River NY and graduated Suma Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson. He was married to the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, on May 26th 1974, Carolyn.

He ran a successful construction business and truly enjoyed what he did. Gordon was one of the hardest working men there ever was.  Everything he did, he did for his family and he was a hero to many.  He enjoyed a good debate and loved to read and keep up on current events, he would take a separate view point with you just to keep the debate going.  But his true passion was playing with his grandchildren and spending time with his family.   He was known for his infectious smile, his humble attitude and his kind and compassionate spirit.

Gordon is survived by his wife Carolyn and his daughter Tania and her husband Sal, his son Chris and his wife Irina, his son David and his grandchildren Aiden and Ninah. He is also survived by his siblings Irene and her husband Pat, Linda and her husband Marty, Lorri and her husband Al, Roy his and his wife Teresa and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Craig in 2014.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gordon'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 or The Salvation Army - Paterson Corps, 541-545 West Broadway, Paterson, NJ 07522.  https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/

Lena A. Lentine, age 92, of Woodland Park, passed Saturday, January 11, 2020.

She was born in Newark to Joseph and Nancy Torsiello.  Lena attended the McKinley High School in Newark with the Class of 1945.  At the age of sixteen, Lena left high school and went to work at Tung-Sol in Bloomfield where she worked for twenty-five years on the tube manufacturing line and then as an inspector.

As a young lady, Lena went roller skating with friends to the roller rink in Elizabeth and her life would change forever.  She and a young man named Paul Lentine would meet that night and after their first official date dancing at the Elizabeth Elks Lodge they truly fell in love. When Paul and Lena made their intentions to marry known Paul was called to a sit down with Lena’s father, eldest brother Jimmy and Aunt Lucy.  They interrogated him about his background, family history, future school and work intentions. Lena’s father proclaiming that although they thought he was perfect she should keep looking. Lena’s family and specifically her father would grow to love Paul.  When Paul’s father learned of this meeting he in turn gave some fatherly advice to Paul.  He told him when you go to visit Lena always greet her father when you first get there. He also suggested they agree on the following; 1. Lena wouldn’t interfere with his education,  2. They would never spend more than $100 without asking each other’s permission, and 3. They would never go to bed angry at each other. Lena and Paul went to a pawn shop in Atlantic City where they purchased a diamond engagement ring and married on May 1, 1954 at Saint Lucy’s Church in Newark.  They drove Paul’s 1953 blue Plymouth for three days on Route 1 and honeymooned in Miami, Florida.  Paul and Lena have had a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-six years.

She was a family oriented, loving and caring person who always spoke her mind. She was an excellent cook and was always making traditional Italian specialties whenever the family was together. She was always willing to try new recipes and was forever clipping them from newspapers and magazines. Lena enjoyed having family over but when it came to cleaning up she was meticulous. She would stay up ‘til three in the morning as she couldn’t go to bed until the house was back to immaculate.

Lena was the loving wife of sixty-six years to Paul Lentine; devoted mother of Nancy Lentine DO and her husband Lee Turner of Kinnelon; cherished grandmother of Sophia Lentine-Turner of Kinnelon; loved sister of Anna Firetto of Newark, and Joseph Torsiello and his wife Adrienne of Jupiter, FL; she was also the dearly loved God-Mother of Robert Firetto of Newark. Lena was predeceased by her brothers James, Gerald, and Anthony Torsiello.

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In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be greatly appreciated.

Jerome Pasek, age 82 of Wayne, died peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2020.  He’s lived in Wayne since 1972.

Jerry was a guidance counselor in the Garfield public schools, retiring in 2014.  Despite being a resident of Wayne, Jerry essentially spent his entire life in Garfield.  He grew up there as a kid, and after graduating from William Paterson College, he took his first teaching job in the Garfield schools.  He ultimately enjoyed fifty-five years, his entire career, in the Garfield schools, and the vast majority of that time was as a guidance counselor at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School.  Being there for so long, he found himself counseling students who were the children of his previous students!  He loved his job, loved mentoring kids, and he had a firm appreciation for the value of academics.

On one occasion in 1969, a new music teacher, Sheila, came into his classroom to retrieve a few students for music class.  Jerry was smitten and agreed to let her take the students, but only if she would give him her phone number.  They enjoyed their first date to the Old Barge Inn and the rest is history.  They married in 1971 and after a honeymoon to Bermuda, they moved into their home in Packanack Lake in 1972.  Throughout the years, they took several cruises together and visited with Sheila’s family in Pennsylvania on many occasions.  Jerry was a devoted husband and when she was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis, he took care of her at home, doing everything he could for her.  He loved her dearly and it broke his heart when she passed in 2010.

Jerry did travel in the years since, cruising to Alaska and he visited Death Valley in California.  He was most comfortable at home though, enjoying a good meal and then settling in to watch a movie with Otis, his English bulldog.  Jerry’s three grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he truly enjoyed spending time with them.  He loved visiting Sean and Ryan in Pennsylvania, and watching Madison learn to play soccer and ride her bike.  He simply adored his grandchildren and they will all miss him dearly.

Jerry is survived by his three children; Jeffrey Pasek and his wife Bianca of Wayne, Jaqueline Pasek of Wayne, and Jennifer Hare and her husband Kevin of Collegeville, PA, his three grandchildren; Madison, Sean and Ryan.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife Sheila in 2010, and by his brother Robert in 2003.

Donna Verhoest, age 65 of Wayne, passed away at home on Thursday, January 9, 2020. Her loving family was by her side at the time of her passing.

Donna was born in East Orange to Vincent and Josephine Caputo. She was raised first in Bloomfield moving later to Nutley where she graduated from Nutley High School with the Class of 1972. After graduating she attended secretarial school and later became certified as a massage therapist.

Donna met Paul Verhoest on a blind date that was arranged by her best friends Nan and Frank Batelli. That first date took place at the 94th Bomber Group Restaurant in Fairfield and, as the saying goes, the rest was history. Donna and Paul fell in love and Paul proposed marriage while on the deck of their home in Kinnelon. They married at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne on August 4, 1991.

Donna simply loved the sight, sounds, smell and feel of the ocean which was instilled in her with many family trips to the Long Beach Island Section of the Jersey Shore. On LBI she especially enjoyed walks on the beach, bicycling to breakfast, and mini-golf. While the sound of the waves lapping on the beach brought great peace, she found an equally special place in the southwest desert of Scottsdale, AZ. With its gorgeous weather nine months out of the year, it was a destination which she described as a place where her soul felt at home and Donna visited often, even hoping to one day retire there with her husband Paul.

Donna will be lovingly remembered for her healthy lifestyle, love of life, kindness and generosity to family and friends. She lived a courageous life, never afraid to try new things.  Some of her favorite interests included yoga, massage, meditation, jazz music, the arts, and dance. Oh, how she loved to dance! A fond family memory was seeing Donna dancing to that 1970’s hit Brick House. She was a truly awesome cook too, whose loving touch on Italian dishes will be greatly missed. She had a natural eye for interior decorating and, whether it was furniture, accessories, or making the house festive for any conceivable occasion, Donna was in her glory.

Donna simply adored her family, life with them was a constantly joyous pursuit. Vacation time spent in Orlando, FL held many special memories.  Skiing, while certainly not her favorite pastime, was still always fun.  This was especially true after the skiing was over and the night led to the dancing and dining. Gladly investing herself into the lives of her children, Donna took many road trips to watch #17 – her son Dennis, play soccer. She loved watching her daughter Danie go through school and begin helping others as a counselor.  Also, seeing her son P.J.’s opening night performances on Broadway brought her a huge amount of joy. A true life highlight was witnessing Danie’s marriage two summers ago at the family home in Wayne and recently finding out she was going to be a grandmother to Harrison Paul, due July 2, 2020. For Donna, her best friend Nan was like a sister and the two of them had precious memories, countless laughs and beautiful trips together over the many years the two shared.  

Donna was the beloved wife of 28 years to Paul Verhoest; devoted mother of Dennis Gourley of Wayne, Danielle Baird and her wife Rande of Maricopa, AZ, and P.J. Verhoest and his partner Kelvin Ponder of Queens, NY; precious daughter of Vincent and Josephine Caputo of Nutley; dear sister of Paul Caputo and his wife Lorraine of Nutley, and Deborah Caputo of Toms River; much loved aunt of William and Paula; and best friend of Nan and her husband Frank Batelli. She also had plenty of love in her heart for her favorite pooches, Bella, Mr. Toby, Luna and Bean.

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In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Donna’s name are asked to consider Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 5028 Hagerstown, MD  21740 (or online by clicking here).

Bryan J. Massoud, MD, age 54, of Englewood Cliffs and formerly of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 6, 2020.

A devoted father and gifted surgeon, Bryan dedicated his life to loving his family, healing his patients, and living in the moment.

Bryan is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Josephine, and his sister Patricia, and is survived by his loving wife Jodi, children Raquel, Luke, and Benjamir, brother Anthony, and numerous other family members and friends.

The following is the eulogy that was shared by Bryan’s daughter Raquel at the Funeral Mass:

My father was the most gregarious, intelligent and generous person that I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was a beloved son, husband, father, uncle, friend, and role model to many. A gifted surgeon, a soulful musician, a quick-witted storyteller, and a trailblazer.

He had a spark about him that was undeniable. When he spoke--you listened, whether he was captivating you with a story only Dad could tell, giving you his famous pre-college speech, calling your name down the office halls, or yelling instructions across the point table (if you know, you know).

Dad was the master of ceremonies, the ringleader, the life of the party. Fun came naturally to him, and if you could open yourself up to the ride, he’d happily take you along for it.

People from all walks of life were drawn to him because he was so non-judgmental, and genuinely himself. Whether it was a stranger in a crowded room, a new associate at a business dinner, or a woman sitting next to him on an airplane that would later become his future wife and mother of his children, my father could make a lifelong friend in a matter of minutes.

Dad squeezed countless lifetimes of laughter and adventure into his 54 years, because he lived fully in the moment.

He has given me everything in my life that is worth having. He has taught me the necessity of balance--The ethics of working hard and the fruit it bears, the importance of playing hard and the joy it brings, and how one cannot live without the other. He has taught me to trust in life, how to let go of what doesn’t matter, but most importantly, how to live freely.

I am grateful for the privilege of being molded by him. For the gift of Jodi, his soulmate, my greatest ally in this life. For my brothers, who are more like him than they may yet understand, and for teaching us how to have fun all these years.

Some people believe that before we are born, our souls choose the paths our lives will take, and the lives that our paths will cross with.

If I could have seen the way my father’s life would play out--if I could have looked in the face of the sickness and pain that was coming for him, and the loss that was coming for us--I wouldn’t have traded his path for anyone else’s.

One of a kind. Irreplaceable. My father.

Raquel Massoud

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to THANC Foundation, PO Box 1021 New York, NY 10276, or online at thancfoundation.org/give. The THANC Foundation is committed to supporting research and education in the early detection and treatment of thyroid and head and neck cancer, to advancing new therapies, and alleviating the suffering of patients who undergo treatment.

Dwane Ruth Benedict Mapletoft passed away peacefully on January 5, 2020.

Born April 4, 1929, she grew up in Caldwell, NJ.  Dwane moved to Packanack Lake, Wayne, in 1959 and raised her children in a loving home.

She is survived by her daughter Kim and her wife Jayne, a son Fred and his wife Janet, beloved grandmother of Juliann Mapletoft, beloved sister of Roger Burgraf and his wife Delois of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Helen King Bowers, age 86, of Farmville, VA formerly of NJ and Port Orange FL passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 4, 2020 in her happy place, surrounded by love ,and comfort.

Born and raised in Newark, NJ she was the eldest of eleven children but ten surviving. Helen was a Clerk for Prudential Insurance Company in Newark for many years until her retirement some time ago.  Helen and her husband George Bowers cherished many years of loving and loyal companionship together until George’s passing in 1999.

A selfless person who was always willing to help someone that needed it, that was Helen.  She was someone who believed genuinely in the work of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  She sincerely believed and thought that children should have a second chance, and would  pray for a cure of all cancers.  Helen was truly a cherished and devoted mother, grandmother.& great grandmother.  Aside from all of Helen’s interests, talents, and hobbies, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Helen than providing for and spending time with her family, playing bingo, singing Happy Birthday to each and every member when it was there turn along with singing to the little ones to help them sleep or even sharing her childhood memories, and to see the little ones, laugh and smile and wonder what is she talking about, melted her heart.  Helen was a very special woman who touched the lives of many people, she will be sincerely missed by her family, friends and everyone that knew her.

Helen is survived by two daughters; Nancy Macaluso and her husband John of Port Orange, FL, and Cindy DeLotto and her husband John of Amelia, VA, one son Robert Flemm and his wife Nancy of Augusta, NJ,  five grandchildren; whom were her darlings, Amber Kitrinos and her husband Chris, Derek DeLotto, Vincent Macaluso and his wife Taryn, Danielle Kuhlman and her husband Bill, and Matthew Flemm, and her little darlings her six great-grandchildren; Gunnar John, Madison Rose, Rheinar William, Sophia Gracelyn Lee, Emma Roe, and Connor David, she is also survived by her siblings; Barbara, George, Edward, William, Robin, and Charles along with many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband George Bowers in 1999 as well as her siblings; Richard, Robert, and Sherman.

Donations in Helen’s name may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 www.stjude.org or Cycle For Survival/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 27432, NY NY 10087 **NOTE ON CHECK “MEGAN’S MIRACLE MAKERS”

Clara Ilona Pady, 85, of Highland Lakes, died suddenly on Friday, January 3, 2020.

Clara (née Bekevari) was born in 1934 in Várpalota, Hungary. Her childhood was filled with fond memories of times spent ice-skating at the Thury Castle and Sunday’s spent visiting her grandparents vacation home at the family orchard. Her life was largely shaped by the events of WWII. At the age of 10, she was severely wounded from the wartime aerial bombings and her younger sister, Gyöngyike, perished from her injuries at the age of 8 as they laid side-by-side in the hospital. In 1956, she fled during the Hungarian Revolution and embarked on foot, making a treacherous journey through miles of forest and river crossings. She eventually arrived safely in Austria where she lived in a refugee camp for several months before boarding a military plane to the United States. She eventually settled in Garfield and lived there for nearly 40 years before moving to Highland Lakes.

In 1962, Clara married John Pady, also a Hungarian refugee who joined the US Army upon his arrival in 1956 and they remained married until John’s passing in 1981. Known for her excellent cooking skills, Clara became a private cook for Dr. Sheriff and his family. Impressed with her knowledge and interest in medicine and health, Dr. Sheriff encouraged her to take courses and become a medical assistant. Once she became certified, Clara worked at his practice in NYC as a medical assistant until her retirement at age 65.

Clara took pride in everything she did and paid attention to detail. She was a fantastic cook and an amazing baker which was a treat to everyone who ate her food. While she enjoyed making all ethnic dishes, her Hungarian food and cookies were her family’s favorites. Her lasagna and cream puffs also left lasting impressions. Clara enjoyed playing her classic 1898 Bosendorfer piano which her parents bought her at the age of 16. Years later, she had it lovingly restored and shipped over from Hungary. She was a talented seamstress and made many outfits for her family throughout the years. Clara was also an avid reader, a passion that she passed down to her family. She loved reading articles on health, education, and food, often cutting out articles and recipes and sharing them with her loved ones. Clara had a true passion for gardening and could be found outside every day once Spring came. She always kept a beautiful garden with vegetables, flowers, and trees. When she moved to Vernon 16 years ago, she converted her yard into a park-like setting, working tirelessly planting flowers and shrubs and building landscape walls. She loved every minute of it.

Clara will be remembered as a strong-willed, warm and caring person who made everyone feel at ease. She was loved by many and was a compassionate person who donated and supported various charities to help others in need.

Clara was a devoted mother to her two daughters Clara and Susan and to her granddaughter Melissa. But her great-grandson, Dexter, was her true pride and joy. Her world and happiness revolved around that boy, and they truly had a special bond. Her face would light up each time she heard him say “Dedi-mama”. She enjoyed teaching him Hungarian words and taking frequent family trips together. The highlight was 4-generations of family going back to Hungary in 2018 where she showed Dexter her family history. She will be missed dearly.

Clara is survived by daughters Clara Fuchs of Highland Lakes and Susan Pady of West Milford; her sister Zsuzsa Dioszegi of Budapest, Hungary; her grand-daughter Melissa Ruffilo and her husband Nick of Fair Lawn, and her great-grandson Dexter Ruffilo of Fair Lawn.  She was predeceased by her sister Gyöngyike, husband John, and her son-in-law Alois Fuchs.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children.

Peter Vander Jagt, age 86, of Wayne passed away peacefully on December 31, 2019 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Peter was born on March 3, 1933 to Peter and Josephine Vander Jagt and lived in Prospect Park, attending Kossuzt Street Grammar School, then Paterson Technical High School.

He joined the US Navy in 1952 serving on the USS Vulcan AR5 and the Sheldrake AGS19 during the Korean War.

Peter married Dolores Nashawaty on September 18, 1954 residing in Clifton and Ringwood until her passing in May of 1981.  He was a volunteer fireman for many years at the Skyline Lakes and the Stonetown Fire Departments in Ringwood. He worked for several manufacturing facilities in managerial positions, retiring from S. Goldberg of Hackensack in 2001.

He married Roseanne Fodor (nee Russo) on October 10, 1987 and moved to Wayne.

Peter loved working with his hands and was always in the garage or shed building things. He was always at home on the water and had several boats over the years. One of his favorite pastimes was busting chops and having fun with family and friends. For many years when he was younger, Peter was an active Barbershop singer. Peter and Roseanne loved to travel all over the world and enjoyed many cruises, trips to Cancun, Italy and long drives to their favorite vacation spots up and down the east coast.

Peter was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Josephine Vander Jagt and his brother Thomas.

He is survived by his wife Roseanne, his daughter Susan of Wayne, daughter Lisa Fodor of Wayne, son Steven Fodor and his wife Ellen of Caldwell, and four grand children, Casey Peter Timorason and his wife Josefa of Weehawken, Sydney Elizabeth Timorason of Wayne, Andrew James Fodor and Tyler Joseph Fodor both of Caldwell.

Donations in Peter’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

Christa Hertha Martha Brandt (nee Rehfeld), age 84, of Wayne, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2019 peacefully at home.

Christa was born to Alfred and Gertrude Rehfeld in Hamburg, Germany in 1935.  She attended school in Hamburg and upon her eighth grade graduation attended secretarial school. Growing up, playing the accordion was her passion and she travelled Europe in an accordion ensemble to perform concerts.  Then Christa went to work for Carl Spaeter Gruppe and later the Strüver Company in Hamburg, where she would meet her future husband, Bernhard.  She married him and they moved to the United States to start a life together in 1958.  They settled in New York City where Christa found work at a jewelry factory and at Lane Bryant.  In 1962 they moved to the rural town of Wayne, New Jersey where Christa would live for the next 57 years.  Through the years they enjoyed family trips to Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire and the Pocono Mountains.  In her and her husband’s retirement, they enjoyed road trips to Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Christa and Bernhard had a loving marriage of over forty-six years before his passing in 2004.

Christa will be remembered as a loving and quiet person who wasn’t afraid to try new things. She was an excellent cook and baker.  She was also a very crafty person who loved to sew and do embroidery, appliqué, macrame, and puzzles.  She even used to make all of her own clothes and clothes for her children.  Christa also had a green thumb, especially for her many African violet plants.  

Christa was predeceased by her loving husband Bernhard (d.2004). She is survived by her daughter Diane Hering and her husband Paul of Wayne, son Andy Brandt and his wife Eliana of Wayne, grandchildren Christopher, Kaitlyn, Melissa, Paula, Ana Karolina, Naila, and Joshua (who all called her Oma), and her cherished caregiver of 11 years Rebecca Owens and her husband, John, and son, Jason.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research would be greatly appreciated.

Charles “Charlie” Raymond Graber, age 77 of Pompton Lakes and Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, passed at home on Friday, December 27, 2019.

He was born in Jersey City to Charles and Lillian Graber.  Charlie was raised at 1505 76th Street in North Bergen having graduated from Union Hill High School with the Class of 1960. Charlie recently returned to New Jersey after living in South Carolina for ten years to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

Charlie was always a hard worker and his varied career path brought him to the livery car business.  After working for several livery car services he established TLC Limousine which he ran for 25 years before retiring in 2006. At one time TLC was the third largest livery company in New Jersey.

Charlie was a loving, generous man with an infectious sense of humor who would make friends anywhere he went.  He loved movies and music and loved to dance.  He was also an accomplished accordion player.  His children’s childhood memories include many events where he played the accordion and entertained the family.  He enjoyed boating and had a pontoon boat and jet-skis.  He loved being on the water.  Most of all, he loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally.  Whether it was playing X-Box with his grandchildren or seeing the latest Star Wars movie, or attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, he wanted to be around his children and grandchildren all the time.

Charlie was the loving father of Karen and her husband Peter Hug of Pompton Lakes, Kathleen and her husband Steven Roman of Pompton Lakes, and Christopher and his wife Patricia Graber of Lincoln Park; he was the cherished grandfather of Edward and his wife Therese, Kristle and her husband Ryan, Matthew and his wife Jackie, Peter, Andrew, Christopher, Keira, Ryan, Lucas, and Jacob; he was also the adored great-grandfather of Aiden and Chase; he was also the brother of Judith Bagar of Wyckoff and the late Diane Graber.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

Lee Hubinger, age 75 of Wayne, passed peacefully at home on Monday, December 23, 2019.

Lee was born to the late Samuel and Mabel Sampson in Brooklyn, New York and at the age of three her family moved away from the city to Wayne.  In 1947 Wayne was a very rural area and a town centered around life along the Pompton River.

Lee met her future husband while working as a waitress in a local diner. A young man wearing a Marine Corps uniform with brilliant blue eyes took a seat in her section and she was smitten.  She gave the handsome military man a large piece of pie that she described as too big for a single portion but too small to divide in two. Well the boss saw the size of the piece of pie she gave him and Lee was fired from her position.  They fell in love and married on June 12, 1966. Lee and Edward bought the home next door to her parents to foster a loving family centered home life of which she just celebrated the 51st anniversary in the home.  They had a loving and devoted marriage of twenty-one years that was blessed by a family of four children before Edward’s passing in 1987.

After her husband Edward’s passing Lee stepped up to provide the most stable home life possible for her children.  She was selfless in making sure her kids always had what they needed and would go without just to make sure they had whatever they wanted. She was loving and giving and strong willed when it came to raising her children.  When the kids would ask “why” she would respond “because I’m the mother!”  She was an awesome cook and her homemade Thanksgiving stuffing was her specialty. For many years the children remember the family bedroom change where everyone would switch bedrooms in the house. Everyone would have to move their bedroom furniture into their new room at least once a year. As the years went by and Lee had grandchildren they all had different names for her.  She was known as Granny, Grandma-Grandma, and Whatever.  She got the name “Whatever” when Denise got married and Lee told her husband to be he had to stop calling her Mrs. Hubinger and said he can now call her Mom, Lee, or Whatever.  He chose Whatever and it stuck for the past 30 years.

Lee was always smiling and concerned that her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids were doing ok. While her grandkids were playing the game Odds Are in the yard one of the grandkids said “odds are Whatever won’t eat a dandelion” which prompted Lee to bend over and pick a large dandelion from the yard and eat it.  The grandkids thought it was hysterical.  A glimpse into Lee’s family centric heart was evidenced just recently that even though she herself was bedbound she was always making sure everyone else was ok. Even until the end, each and every night, Lee  would send a message to the family group text simply reading, “prayers, hugs and kisses” as her family was in her every thought. She was a confidant to many in her family and always had time to listen and give any advice she could.

She was the loving wife of 21 years to the late Edward Charles Hubinger III (d. 1987); she was the loving mother of the late David Brown (d. 9/15/2019) and his surviving wife Susan of Chambersburg, PA, Denise Shaw and her fiancé David Rubino of Parsippany, Edward Hubinger of Wayne, and Joseph Hubinger and his fiancé Susan of West Milford; cherished grandmother of Nicholas Brown and his wife Nicole, Samantha Brown, Daniel Brown and his wife Dee, Casey Shaw, Kerri Shaw, Ryan Shaw, Nicholas Hubinger, Joseph Hubinger, Jr., and Ava Lynn Hubinger; proud and loving great-grandmother of Chloe Brown and Olivia Brown and Kyle Brown; loved sister of the late Samuel B. Sampson, Jr. and the late Ruth Sampson; dearly loved aunt of her nieces Dione Visvardis, Christa Visvardis, Stephanie Visvardis, Valerie Gumina, Donna Gunich and nephews Michael Sampson and Russell Sampson.

Those inclined to make a memorial donation in Lee’s memory as asked to consider The Wayne First Aid Squad or MDA, Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Geraldine Hayes (nee Conklin), 91 of Wayne, died peacefully on December 23, 2019.  She was a resident of Packanack Lake for nearly seventy years.

Geraldine grew up in Belleville, NJ which is where she met her husband, Robert.  They had known each other in the community and began dating after a youth group function at a local church.  They were married on March 12, 1949 and settled into an apartment in Belleville while Robert began building them a home in Wayne.  They moved there in 1953 and raised their family at Packanack Lake.  Geraldine became active in the community, serving with her husband as co-president of the Square Dance Club for many years, swimming laps at the beach for exercise, and enjoying the comradery of life at Packanack Lake.  Raising their four children in Packanack was an adventure, and their vacations were much the same.  Gerry and Bob traveled across the country four times by car with all the kids, visiting national parks, museums, and all sorts of interesting places along the way.  Each time they took a different route, visiting unique places and exposing their kids to all that this Nation has to offer.  Geraldine took full advantage of the “AAA route planning” and used the AAA guides every time.  Ironically, she was a worrier, concerned that someone might fall in while they were making spectacular family memories in places like the Grand Canyon and Watkins Glen.  Her offspring agree that they inherited Mom and Dad’s love of travel and have all traveled with their own families throughout the United States and the world.   She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family.  They will all miss her dearly.

Geraldine is survived by her four children; Marjorie Catania of West Milford, Kenneth Hayes and his wife Jacalyn of Flemington, NJ, Lorraine Storbeck and her husband John of Wayne, and Virginia Senft and her husband David of Gaithersburg, MD, seven grandchildren; Jason Catania, Derek Storbeck (Emily), Katherine Storbeck, Garrett Hayes (Manisha), Bradley Senft, Christopher Senft, and Danielle Senft, and one great-grandchild; Bodhi Hayes.  She was predeceased by her husband Robert in 2005, and by her three siblings; Arthur Conklin, Evelyn Chilton, and Julia Hardaker.

Connie Lacava, age 90, of Montville, formerly of  Paterson, Wayne, and Toms River, passed Monday, December 23, 2019.

She was born to John and Mildred Lacava and raised in Paterson.  Connie graduated from Saint Bonaventure High School in Paterson with the Class of 1947. After high school she worked her way through the ranks to Office Manager at the C. Goodman textile company on Spruce Street in Paterson where she worked for forty years before retiring in 1984. She moved to Wayne in her retirement and soon took a job with Meyer Brothers Department Store in Wayne where she worked for a few years. She officially retired-again-when she moved to Holiday City in Toms River in 1990.  Most recently Connie has lived at The Chelsea in Montville since 2011.

Connie was dedicated to her Catholic faith and for many years she was a parishioner of Saint Bonaventures Church and Saint Josephs Church both in Paterson.

She will be lovingly remembered as a very optimistic, fun and quirky person.  She loved music, played the piano, enjoyed dancing, and was very social and engaging. Another of her loves was travel. She has been all over the world including destinations like Italy, England, and Spain as well as cruises throughout the Caribbean with her girlfriends and cousin Kitty.

Connie was the dearly loved sister of the late Loretta Rom, the late Marie Ast and her surviving husband Joseph of Toms River, and the late Elizabeth Devito; she was the dearly loved aunt of eight nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews, and two great-great nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.

William B. Lehault, age 72, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 while in the loving presence of his family.

Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois. After growing up there during early childhood, his family moved east to Long Island, NY and then, in 1959, to Wayne, NJ. Bill attended Wayne High School – known today as Wayne Valley High School, where he excelled in wrestling and soccer, and graduated with the class of 1965.

In the fall of 1965, Bill headed west again, this time to attend college at Kansas State University. While back home in New Jersey during the summer after his freshman year of college, Bill met a young lady with a sweet smile and an even sweeter personality one night while attending a dance at the former Pleasureland in neighboring Oakland. Her name was Eileen Compesi and, after a fun time dancing and getting to know one another, Bill asked Eileen if he could give her a ride home. Eileen called her mom and, after securing permission, she and her friend Lynn hopped in Bill’s Buick LeSabre for that ride home. While dating long-distance over the next few years, Eileen wrote Bill a letter each and every day, and Bill called her every night on the pink princess phone in her bedroom. After they both graduated from college and began careers, they married on Sunday, November 14, 1971 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne. After a reception at The Cameo (known today as The Venetian) in Garfield, they honeymooned in the Bahamas.

The first year of married life was spent together in an apartment in Wallington. After that, Bill and Eileen moved into their first home in West Milford where they welcomed their first two sons, Michael and Christopher. Six years later, in 1979, they moved to Wayne. Soon after they welcomed their third son, William.

After graduating from Kansas State University in 1970 with a dual B.S. degree in Bakery Science and Technology and Business Administration, Bill set off on a long and storied career in commercial baking. He started off as a Plant Manager and Director of Operations for several large wholesale bakeries including Thomas’ English Muffins, Arnold Bread, Ellio’s Pizza, and J.J. Cassone Bakery.

He then transitioned into entrepreneurial enterprises and ownership of a wholesale bagel operation called Jerry’s Bagels in Passaic and, later, Oki’s Muffins n’ Stuff in Fort Lee, Bogota, and Clifton. From there, he became involved in Global Client Development for Lockwood Greene and CH2M Hill. His final transition, in which he was still presently involved, was into private, independent consulting for large-scale bakery management.

Even when participating in activities meant just for fun, Bill often displayed a penchant for the competitive. He enjoyed traveling to Atlantic City or Las Vegas to play poker and  challenging his sons to games of cribbage, cornhole, or disc golf. An avid, lifetime weight lifter, Bill could bench press 315 pounds, well into his fifties, and every year on his birthday, he would proudly announce that he could still do it. He loved watching most sports, especially football and baseball, and a good afternoon or evening for Bill would often consist of catching a game on the radio or television beside his loving wife.

Back in his days at Kansas State University, Bill traveled cross-country on his motorcycle. Over the years, he worked his way up from the Suzuki 500 that he had in college to a more powerful Harley Sportster. His love for riding was rekindled when his son Michael got a bike too, and they would often take rides together.

Bill enjoyed all kinds of music, especially performed live. Billy Joel, The Doors and Jim Croce were amongst his early favorites. His musical tastes evolved over time to include interest in jazz and the blues and, most recently, boogie woogie stomp. Since the time he met his beloved wife Eileen at that dance at Pleasureland, Bill’s love of dancing never waned. He and Eileen’s wedding song was a 1962 hit called “Till” by a band that originated from New Jersey called the Angels. In fact, it became a tradition for Bill to request that song from the band leader or DJ at every wedding they attended, so they could enjoy a nice romantic slow dance together. One of his personal favorite songs was the 1959 “Theme from a Summer Place” by Percy Faith. Even in his final hours in the hospital the words of this beautiful song, some of which go like this, played in the background:    

“There's a summer place where it may rain or storm, yet I'm safe and warm. For within that summer place, your arms reach out to me and my heart is free from all care. For it knows there are no gloomy skies when seen through the eyes of those who are blessed with love...”

Bill and Eileen shared a common attraction to anyplace with warm sun and sand, and clear blue water.  In 1977, they purchased a bungalow down the Jersey Shore in Chadwick Beach, just steps from that beautiful warm sand. Close enough to home, Chadwick Beach was a place where Bill loved to go for long walks along the shore. That little bungalow served Bill and Eileen well and was the place where their boys grew up spending their summers. In more recent years, as Bill and Eileen’s boys graduated college, married and had children of their own, the little bungalow that had served them well for so many years was rebuilt to accommodate their growing family. It has since became tradition for the whole family to gather every Fourth of July week for fun times together barbequing, spending time at the beach during the day, and seeing the fireworks at night.

Bill’s love and devotion was first and foremost to his family. Throughout his life, he did his best to be a great provider and to invest in each one of their lives in a meaningful way. He was also devoted to service in his community. When his sons were young and were beginning to get involved in sports at the Wayne Boys and Girls Club, Bill joined them by volunteering as their soccer coach. He coached there for many years and, even when his own boys went off to college, Bill continued to serve on the Board of Directors and helped expand the club to other towns to become the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest New Jersey.

Bill was the beloved husband of Eileen, blest in marriage for 48 years. He was the loving father of: Michael and wife Allison Lehault of San Pedro, CA, Christopher and wife Lindsay Lehault of Cranford, NJ, and William B., III and wife Kathleen Lehault of Warwick, NY; cherished grandfather of: Alexandra, Sebastian, Donovan, Miles, William B., IV, and Sidney; dear brother of the late Karen Dranginis; dear brother-in-law of: Gary and wife JoAnn Compesi of Wayne, and Alan Compesi of Wayne; dear uncle of: Michael Lindewurth, the late Bryan Lindewurth, Jenna and husband James Furfaro, and Philip Compesi; and great-uncle of: Franco Furfaro and Anthony Furfaro.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Bill’s life may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest, New Jersey, 153 Garside Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470. To donate online Click Here.

Mary Concetta Sileo, (nee Salonia), age 98, of Pompton Plains passed away peacefully on Saturday December 21, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Mary was born in Auburn, NY and was one of five children to Carmello and Antoinette Solonia.  When Mary was just a little girl, her family moved from Auburn to Paterson, NJ.  She attended Eastside High School in Paterson and was a member of the Pep Club while a student there.  During Mary’s high school years the Great Depression was in full force, and like many other young adults, Mary was taken out of high school by her parents to work and help support her family.  Mary found work as a seamstress and worked for a variety of companies over the years.

Mary was a member of demographic in our society known as the “Greatest Generation”.   People of this generation were those who grew up during the Great Depression, then witnessed and fought in the Second World War.  During the World War Two, Mary contributed greatly with her talents and skills as a seamstress, making coats for our soldiers in the armed forces.  In the early 1940’s, Mary was visiting New York City with some of her girlfriends, when she caught the eye of a young handsome man in a Navy uniform named Angelo Sileo.  Mary was just walking down the streets of Manhattan when Angelo stepped up to her and started a conversation.  Angelo was on leave and had to return to duty, however Mary agreed to write to him while he was overseas.  Mary and Angelo dated when he was on leave and as fate would have it they fell in love.  When the war ended they were married on September 1, 1946.

Mary and Angelo settled in Paterson when they were first married, living with Mary’s parents.  It wasn’t very long until Mary and Angelo bought their own house in Paterson and in 1950 welcomed their first child Michael.  Shortly after getting pregnant, Angelo and Mary decided that Mary would stay at home and be a full time homemaker.  Ten years later in 1960, Mary and Angelo welcomed their second child Linda. When Linda was five years old in 1965 the family moved to Wayne.  Mary stayed in Wayne until 2002 when Mary moved to Cedar Crest Retirement Village, in Pompton Plains.

Mary went back to work in 1966 at the cafeteria in Wayne Valley High School.  She worked there for the extra money and the hours were so that she would still be able to take care of her children, which was always her first priority.  She held this position until her retirement in 1986.

Mary and Angelo were parishioners of Annunciation Church in Wayne for many years and attended Our lady of the Valley in recent years.  Mary was a selfless person always willing to help those in need or with problems.  She lived to take charge of situations especially when there were people that needed help.  Mary also regularly donated to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and was also very outspoken, you always knew where you stood with Mary and always received an honest answer. Mary’s greatest passion was for her family.  Being a wife, mother, and grandmother was truly Mary’s calling and where she flourished.  Mary and Angelo cherished forty nine years of loving and loyal marriage until Angelo’s passing in 1995.  Mary was a wonderful woman who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Mary is survived by her son Michael Sileo and his wife Jane of Rice, VA, her daughter Linda Alfieri and her husband Ralph of East Hanover, one brother John Salonia and his wife Christine of North Haledon, and two grandchildren Ralph and Andrew Alfieri, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband Angelo Sileo in 1995, as well as her brothers Joseph Salonia, Santo Salonia, and her sister Lucy Malzone.

Donations in Mary’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

Thomas F. Halpin, III, age 66, of Vernon Township, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2019 while family was lovingly gathered by his side.

Tom was born in New York City, and lived in Rosedale, Queens until the age of thirteen. His family then moved to Northvale, NJ where he attended Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, and played on the school’s varsity baseball and soccer teams. After graduating from high school with the Class of 1971, Tom went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Western New England University.

Tom’s first job out of college was as a wholesale buyer with Trousers Up, a clothier in Moonachie. In 1978 he began working for New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company as an auto claims adjuster. Over the course of his 38 years with NJM until retirement in 2016, Tom worked his way up the ranks to Litigation Claims Representative. He enjoyed a long and rewarding career in which one of his greatest rewards was meeting his wife-to-be Maureen Grish who began working at NJM in 1979. Tom and fellow workers had a tradition of gathering after work on Fridays at the local Holiday Inn for happy hour. It was there that he and Maureen really got to know one another. They began dating and ultimately married on November 29, 1980 at St. George’s Church in Paterson.

Tom and Maureen lived in Wayne before purchasing their first home in Vernon Township a year later, where they have remained to the present. There they welcomed their daughter Nicole and twin sons Tommy and Eric. Tom adored his kids and always took a real interest in them. When they were young, he loved being a regular volunteer as one of their coaches for their soccer, baseball, and basketball teams and, no matter what his kids chose to get involved in, Tom was always right there alongside them getting involved in that activity too. He took special attention to look closely after his son, Tommy.  The whole family will always have fond memories of vacationing every summer down the Jersey shore at LBI.  

Tom just loved being in the great outdoors. In his younger years, he enjoyed camping on Turtle Island in Lake George, and after moving to Vernon he would often take rides on his ATV.  He loved kayaking on nearby Cliffwood Lake, and  going to the rifle range.  Sandy, his sidekick German Shorthaired Pointer, would often accompany him on his adventures. Tom also loved working in his yard which he kept in impeccable shape and was an avid griller. In fact, outdoors or in the kitchen, Tom enjoyed cooking and his family were always happy recipients of his culinary creations.

Whether volunteering in his community as a forest service member and Hardyston Ambulance Corps member, or just doing his best to love, care and provide for his family, in his low-key, easy-going and humble manner, Tom will be forever loved by all who had the privilege of having him in their life.

Tom was the beloved husband of Maureen (nee Grish), blessed in marriage for 39 years. He was the most loving father of: Nicole Halpin, Thomas F. Halpin, IV, and Eric Halpin; cherished son of Vivian Halpin and the late Thomas F. Halpin, Jr.; and dear brother of Laura Halpin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Vernon Township Ambulance Squad, Inc, P.O. Box 236, Vernon, NJ 07462, would be appreciated.

Robert C. Alexander, Sr. (“Bob”), age 90, of Wayne, N.J, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Eleanor, their six children: Roberta Napoli and her husband Paul of Rockaway, Heide Alexander of Manhattan, Eleanor Kino and her husband Alan of Waldwick, Christine Alexander and her husband Richard Molinaro of Wayne, Tammy Rossi of Nutley and Robert C. Alexander, Jr. and his wife Karen of Wayne; nine grandchildren: Nicholas Napoli (Paula), Michael Napoli (Christina), Hunter Kino, Alexander Rossi, Anthony Rossi, Gabriella Molinaro, Brooke Alexander, Kaitlyn Alexander, and Christian Alexander; three great-grandchildren: Isabella Napoli, Paige Napoli, and Owen Napoli; and one surviving brother Gorman Alexander of Naples, Florida.

Bob was one of ten children born in Newark, NJ, in 1929, the year of the Great Depression.  He was only 13 when asked to hold a job as a porter in a local bakery for his older brother (drafted into the Army to fight the war in Europe).  His hard work and reliability impressed the bakery owner who offered him an apprenticeship.  He soon excelled at all baking skills from making breads to decorating wedding cakes and, as a “Master Baker”, eventually opened his own bakery in North Arlington, NJ, the “Alexander’s Ridge Bakery” on Ridge Road.

Bob owned and operated his bakery for seventeen years.  Along the way he married the love of his life, Eleanor, who helped him handle some of the baking tasks and operate the store front.  It wasn’t long before their children came along – six altogether.  A business owner and family man, Bob made sure to make time to enjoy life by taking road-trips with his family to other states, spent summer days at his shore house on Long Beach Island and gave back to the community and to his trade.

Bob was President of the North Arlington Businessmen’s Association bringing his creative ideas to improve the town by organizing holiday parades honoring the local citizens, bringing Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny for children to visit and hanging Christmas lights to brighten Ridge Road.

Bob was also very active in the North Jersey Bakers Board of Trade helping to organize annual events such as the summertime Baker’s Picnic, Christmas Party and a formal dinner-dance Banquet.  The bakery owners in North Jersey got to know each other and became life-long friends through the organization.  He also helped the young baker graduates of the North Jersey Vocational School find jobs through the Baker Board of Trade network.

Bob had good mentors advising him to invest in real estate, which he wisely did.  He eventually sold the bakery to manage his properties full time, built a beautiful home in Wayne, NJ, and in 1969 moved from North Arlington with his family to enjoy the open space of the suburbs and the good education of the Wayne school system.

Bob was always a compassionate and generous person helping whenever he could.  He lived his life with boundless energy, ideas and determination for constant improvement and, with the never ending support and dedication of his loving wife, Eleanor, made a nice life for his family and for those lucky enough to have known him. Bob lived a good, long and productive life and will be greatly missed by all.

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

Please check back soon for a more detailed obituary once complete.

George P. Wiederecht, age 90 of Wayne, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 20, 2019.  He had moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains just one year ago.  

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS  66675, www.WoundedWarriorProject.org

Florence G. Felano (nee Conforti), age 87 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, December 19, 2019. She was born in Newark, NJ, started her family in Pompton Lakes before she moved to Wayne to start a long, loving life surrounded by family and friends.

When her husband Victor passed away in 2011, Florence thought of an old saying amongst educators: “You will never know how many lives you have touched.” However, through her humility, she may never have considered the innumerable lives she touched over her own life.

Above all else, Flo was a mother, a teacher, mentor and a coach. Flo raised five wonderful children who grew up to have their own beautiful families. She is preceded in death by her husband Victor, whom she met at Panzer College and married in 1954. They described their fifty-seven year marriage as adventurous and loving. She taught students with disabilities in physical education for close to fifty years, coached track and field in the Wayne Special Olympics for over forty years.

Flo is survived by her five children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Her children are Denise Felano of Toms River, Skip Felano of Bloomingdale, Steven Felano and his wife Carol of Jefferson, Karen Viglione and her husband Michael of Brick, and Thomas Felano and his wife Sandy of Angier, North Carolina. Her grandchildren are Nicole and Stephanie Quinn, Andrea and Derek Felano, Joseph, Andrew and James Felano, Anthony and Michael Viglione, and Gabrielle Morgano and her husband Vincent. Her great-grandchildren are Georgiana, Dominic, and Joseph. She also leaves behind two nieces and two nephews and their families.  

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Florence’s Honor and Memory are asked to consider New Jersey Special Olympics (NJSO), 1 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. (Please note Passaic County in memo); or to Alzheimer’s disease & research at WWW.ALZ.ORG

Elias Karim Sayad, age 95, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2019 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Elias was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria and was one of seven children to Karim and Gemela Sayad.  When Elias was a young man of twenty-eight years, he immigrated to the United States in search of a better life and the “American Dream”.  Upon arriving in the United States, Elias settled in Utica, NY and then moved to Brooklyn soon after. While living in Brooklyn, Elias found work quickly as a Quilting Machine Operator.  Elias would hold this position for the next ten years. Then, in 1963, Elias started his own company based out of Brooklyn called Asiatic Hosiery Company. Elias, as the owner and president of his own company, nurtured and grew the business for the next twenty-six years until his retirement in 1988.  Through the years, as a business owner, he employed many people that immigrated to the United States and helped many family members immigrate here as well. Those immigrating to the US that he couldn’t employ, he assisted in finding jobs.

In early 1960, Elias met an attractive young woman by the name of Mary Orfaly.  Elias and Mary fell deeply in love, enjoyed a romantic courtship and were married on July 21, 1961. The couple settled in Brooklyn after they were first married, and while living there, they welcomed the births of all three of their children, Mary Lou, Louis, and Judy.  As Elias’ family grew, they moved to North Carolina for a time, Totowa, NJ, then lived in Wanaque. Elias and Mary then moved to Wayne in 2011 and have resided there ever since. Elias and Mary were parishioners of St. Ann’s Melkite Catholic Church in Woodland Park for many years and were also parishioners of Virgin Mary Melkite Church in Brooklyn prior to moving to New Jersey.

Elias had an outstanding work ethic, generous heart, and truly enjoyed being a business owner. He welcomed the many challenges that are associated with being a success.  Growing his business was something that Elias was very dedicated to. He also enjoyed baseball, particularly after his son started playing as a youngster. He and his wife Mary also enjoyed traveling together over the years.  Among Elias’s talents and interests were playing cards, solving math problems, working in his garden, and being the first one on the dance floor at a party. However, his greatest passion was for his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Elias than spending time with and providing for his family.  Elias was a truly devoted husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife Mary cherished fifty-eight years of loving and loyal marriage together. Elias was always good company and a pleasure to be with. He was extremely social but also outspoken, he was always honest and you always knew where you stood with him.  Elias was a special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Elias is survived by his wife Mary (nee Orfaly) of Wayne, two daughters; Mary Lou De Caprio and her husband Vincent of Mountain Lakes, and Judy Swetlitschnyj and her husband Vladimir of Totowa, one son Louis Sayad and his wife Kathleen of Wayne and  and eleven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sisters Olga Sayad, Mary Altongy, Antoinette Esper and three brothers George Sayad, Joseph Sayad, and Edouard Sayad.

Donations in Elias'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  

Conrad Henry Frederick Spring, age 84, of Pompton Plains passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. As a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, engineer, college lacrosse player, skier, tennis and squash player, and walking unpaid Grey Goose advertisement— he leaves behind a familial legacy stretching from Maine to South Carolina.

“Connie” was the first born to German immigrants Conrad and Anna Spring (nee Wenz) and grew up in Ridgefield, NJ. As a teenager, his family owned a summer cabin on Shady Lake in West Milford, NJ, where he ultimately met his future wife, Betty, who lived across the lake. Connie attended Dwight D. Morrow High School in Englewood, NJ and graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1956, followed by his Masters in 1964. While at Stevens, he was a proud member of Sigma Nu and endured life-long friendships with his fraternity brothers and fellow lacrosse buddies.

Connie’s career as a mechanical engineer upon graduation began with Bell Labs in Whippany, NJ, where for 16 years, he worked on the design and development of anti-ballistic missile systems. From 1972 to 1984, he was in charge of the Department of Physical Design and Telephone Building Engineering. The final leg of his career brought him to Bell Communications Research where he headed the Network Physical Protection and Information Exchange Management Department. He retired in 1992.

Upon his retirement, Connie spent the majority of his time supporting his family in various ways—supplying his knowledge and labor on endless home improvement projects and gathering family and friends together in Maine on the Five Kezar Ponds and Moosehead Lake for lobsters, steamers, happy hours, music and sunsets. The fierce support of his children and grandchildren through their college educations were his priority and his gift.

Additionally, for 19 years he was treasurer of Corbe, Inc., which protected the interests of retirees and actives of Bell Communications and Telcordia Technologies regarding their pensions, 401Ks and medical benefits.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Spring (nee Spano), his four children—Kathleen Spring of Irmo, SC, Susan Spring Smith of Pompton Plains, Brian Spring and wife, Stacy, of Kinnelon, and Linda Mycock and her husband, Jim of Windham, ME; his five grandchildren—James and Megan Smith, Joseph and Elizabeth Mycock, and Melissa Spring; his two sisters Carol Farbanish and husband, Robert, of Morris Plains, Elizabeth Newkirk and husband, Gary, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and sister-in-law, Sister Mary D. Spano. Connie is also survived by many nieces and nephews and many close friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John Theurer Cancer Center of Hackensack University Medical Center, in memory of Conrad H.F. Spring. https://www.hackensackumc.org/services/cancer-care/

Angela Milazzo (nee DeRosa) age 89 of Haledon, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.  She had lived in Haledon for more than forty years.

Angela was raised in Jersey City and one of her earliest jobs was as a secretary with Bogue Electric.  It was at Bogue Electric that she worked as secretary to Robert Roe.  When Robert and his brother left Bogue to start their own firm, Carol Construction, she went with them.  She worked for more than twenty years there as a secretary to Robert and as his career turned toward politics, she remained loyal to him.  In 1969, Robert was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey and Angela continued as his personal secretary throughout his eleven consecutive terms.  She went everywhere that he did and joined the Congressman on diplomatic journeys around the world, meeting countless international dignitaries along the way.  She even got to fly on Air Force 2!  After the Congressman retired in 1993, she continued to serve as his personal secretary until his death in 2014.

Angela met Michael Milazzo at a political dinner party one evening and their relationship blossomed quickly.  They were both outstanding dancers, appearing to float across the floor together, and they never sat down!  The quickly became inseparable and were married in 1976.  They loved each other truly and enjoyed a fantastic marriage.  They were fortunate to enjoy more than twenty five years of ‘retirement,’ wintering in Pompano Beach, Florida, although Angela never stopped working.

Angela is survived by her son Michael Milazzo and is wife Ramona of Haledon, Cassilda Jewell and her husband Al of Wanaque, Elena Milazzo of Riverdale, a niece; Cheryl DeRosa of Florida, and a nephew; John DeRosa of South Carolina, four grandchildren, ten greatgrandchildren, and countless dear friends and extended family.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael in 2014, and by her three brothers; John DeRosa, Joseph DeRosa, and Alfred DeRosa.

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

Othilia Louise Boutin, age 89, of Lakewood, formerly a fifty-four-year resident of Clifton, passed at home on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Othilia, affectionately known as Tillie, was born to Jacob and Victoria Kaplon in Brooklyn, New York.  She was raised in Brooklyn and went to high school in Enfield Connecticut with intentions of becoming a nun. That all changed when some mutual friends introduced her to Raymond Boutin. They dated for a while and as fate would have it, they fell in love. They were married on April 15, 1950 at Our Lady of Consolation RC Church in Brooklyn where they would be parishioners for many years to come. After getting married, Raymond and Othilia stayed in Brooklyn and welcomed the birth of their two children, Dianne and Raymond III.  In 1964 when the children were about ten and thirteen years old, they moved to the city of Clifton.  They would call Clifton their home for the rest of their lives.  When they moved to Clifton, they became parishioners of Sacred Heart Church where they were also very active in CCD and the Catholic Youth Organization. While at Sacred Heart Church in Clifton she would take over and donate her time to help when the priests’ housekeeper and/or cook would go away. Othilia and Raymond traveled extensively throughout their years together having been all over the United States mostly by car. In their later years they enjoyed going to the Garden State Plaza together to simply people watch. They had a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-nine years before Raymond’s passing on January 3rd, 2019.

Othilia will be remembered as a sweet, caring person who found great comfort and pride at seeing her family get together. Although she was sweet and caring, if pushed, her Brooklyn would come out it a big way.  She was one of twelve children and just loved to see her brothers and sisters all together at family gatherings.  She was the youngest and sadly through the years witnessed the passing of all.

She was the loving wife of the late Raymond Boutin Jr. (d.1/15/2019); loving mother of Dianne Bursey of Wayne and Raymond Boutin and his wife Ellen of Brick; she was the cherished grandmother of Scott Bursey, Bryan Boutin, Ashley Boutin, and the late Keith Bursey (d.2014) and great grandmother of Jaxon and Brooks Bursey.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Serenity Hospice of NJ, 54 Georgetown Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505 would be greatly appreciated.

Louis A. Contino, age 94, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Louis was born in Astoria Queens, NY where he was raised until finishing the eighth grade. He moved with his family to Teaneck, NJ and attended Teaneck High School starring on the school’s varsity football, baseball and wrestling teams. In his senior year, a strong sense of patriotism prompted Louis to enlist in the United States Marines. He served in the Pacific during World War II from 1943 to 1945 in the Marianas Islands and was involved in two invasions on the Islands of Saipan and Tinian. He was a telephone lineman where, one of his jobs, because of his great athletic speed, was to literally run wire from one switchboard to the next.

After the war, Louis finished high school and was accepted to West Virginia University where he played football. He then joined his brother who was already a full-time fireman for the Teaneck Fire Department and concurrently attended Bergen Community College. His life path switched gears again when he took the exam to become a New Jersey State Trooper. While serving in this capacity of law enforcement, Lou also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Soon after he left the state police to pursue a career in education. He taught social studies and physical education at Clifton High School but, realizing that this was not for him, he went to work for Travelers Insurance Company where he began as a claims adjuster and retired in 1995 after a long and fulfilling career as a claims supervisor.

One day while Louis was a state trooper, he and fellow troopers were involved in a good-will campaign bringing Christmas candy to the telephone operators at New Jersey Bell. By mistake, Lou brought the candy to the wrong department where he had the good fortune of meeting a service representative named Ellen Jardine. Ellen explained to Lou where the operator pool was, but before he left to complete his delivery, he asked Ellen if she would like to join him for coffee. Struck by Lou’s handsomeness and polite manner, Ellen accepted his offer and, that very day, before Lou left, the two of them went across the street to the local coffee shop on that first impromptu date. Nine months later, on September 5, 1954, they married at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes. Following a honeymoon in Cape Cod the newlyweds initially settled into their first official home together with Lou’s parents. They remained there for two years before moving to their present home in Wayne where Louis lived the rest of his life – 63 years! During those years, Lou and Ellen were blessed with two sons – first Peter and then Paul Contino.

Retirement from Travelers Insurance Company in 1995 opened the door for new pursuits for Lou. Always one who enjoyed working with his hands, Lou tried some new and interesting hobbies such as wood carving and making his own greeting cards. His wood carvings were primarily wood figurines including intricate figures of Santa. The card making began when he started copying the cartoon called “Love Is” that was published in the newspaper. As time went on and Lou’s ability to draw and sketch improved, he started incorporating his works into greeting cards for all occasions. Ellen never had to go to the Hallmark store again and if you are reading this, at one time, maybe you received a homemade Christmas card from Lou and Ellen. Lou also gave baking a shot but limited his pursuit exclusively to fresh breads. The house always smelled so delicious when those breads were in the oven!

Lou took great pride in his yard and really enjoyed being outdoors working in his beautiful gardens which he and Ellen affectionately called “The Forest.”  He created a series of garden paths adorned with all kinds of perennials that bloomed at different times throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Lou and Ellen enjoyed travel with some of their favorite adventures being trips to England, France, Italy and a little closer to home with trips to the Alaska, the Rockies, and New Orleans, and even a little closer to home at their summer house in Beach Haven at Long Beach Island where Lou could often be found casting his fishing line off of the beach. During his thirty years of fishing, Lou hauled in many-a delicious dinner entrée. Lou and Ellen loved the ocean waters and also enjoyed a Tauck Tour vacation sailing to all the countries in the Mediterranean.

It should come as no surprise that Lou was a big sports fan whose greatest allegiance was to the New York Giants and the New York Yankees. With his conservative leanings, he also enjoyed engaging in a good debate with Ellen who leaned more toward a liberal utopia. He enjoyed so much to see his grandchildren when he got the chance and he loved any kind of get-together when he could be with family a friends. Above all, Louis Contino wanted to be remembered as a good and loving husband, father, and provider.  

Louis was the beloved husband of Ellen (nee Jardine) blest in marriage for 65 years. He was the loving father of Peter C. Contino and wife Dr. Deborah Winking of Windsor, Colorado, and Paul L. Contino of Bloomingdale; cherished grandfather of: Gabriel, Isabella, Carl, Sophia, Julia, and Maxim; dear brother of the late Charles Contino and his late wife Helen; and dear uncle of: Barbara Contino, Patricia Contino, and the late Carolyn Contino.

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

Pompton Falls Volunteer Fire Department No. 3

130 Jackson Avenue

Wayne, NJ 07470

You may also donate online at waynefire3.com

Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad

PO Box 2004

Wayne, NJ 07470

You may also donate online at waynefirstaid.com

Kathleen Martone, age 88, of Riverdale, passed peacefully at home on Monday, December 13, 2019.

Kathleen was born to Salvatore “Hughy” and Estelle Massaro and raised on Summer Street in Passaic. As a young girl attending Passaic High School, Kathleen met a cute boy, Anthony “Buddy”  Martone.  They dated all throughout high school and on June 22, 1952 they were married in Mt Carmel Church in Passaic.  They honeymooned in Bermuda and lived in Passaic where they started their family and raised their three daughters until moving to Packanack Lake in Wayne. Their honeymoon in Bermuda made both Kathleen and Anthony realize that they had a common love of travel.  Through their years together they had many adventures and traveled all over the United States and to destinations all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Fiji Islands.

Kathleen will be remembered for her sweet-even temperament. She was loving, generous and an outstanding wife, devoted and beloved mother and grandmother. The ingredient of love cooked into her meatloaf, linguini with clam sauce, and her special zucchini sauce-a favorite family recipe- will be dearly missed. For her children’s formative years she dedicated herself to being the best mother she could be.  She was the Class Mother and member of the PTA at the Jefferson School No. 1 in Passaic for twelve years where she worked tirelessly on carnivals, bake sales and supporting the school during each of her daughters school years there.

Once her children all graduated from school she told Buddy she was bored.  He told her to go get a job and she did!  She went to Hudson City Savings Bank on Allwood Road in Clifton and was hired on the spot.  She started as a Platform Secretary and advanced to Assistant Manager.  She loved going to work and through her twenty years at the bank established friendships with co-workers and clients. In her retirement years she was a member of The Leisure Club with her six lifelong close friends and served as the treasurer.  This group of friends would do all kinds of fun activities together. She was dearly loved and truly loved her three son-in-law’s Michael, Mario and the late Walter.

Kathleen and her family would like to sincerely thank their Health Care Angels who became treasured family friends: Milena & Joe, Helen, Maria & Nicole, Sylvia, and Renata.  Their love and care gave Kathleen dignity and comfort through her autumn years and memory care transition.

She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony “Buddy” Frank Martone (d. 8/2018); loving mother of Debralyn Kathleen Terranova and her husband Michael of Wayne, Darlene Karol Moskal of Mahwah and her late husband Walter; Kimberly Ann Martone-Savvides and her husband Mario of Parrish, FL; loved sister of Joseph Massaro of Cape May and his late wife Bonna, and loving sister-in-law of Carol DeBlasi and her husband Richard of Wylie, TX; cherished grandmother of Christopher M. Terranova and his wife Lauren of Wayne, Kelly Martone Terranova and her fiancé Michael Ryan of North Arlington, Lyndsay Ryan Dodds and her husband David of Pompton Lakes, Jamie Leigh Moskal of Mahwah, Eric Anthony Moskal of Denver, CO., Alexandria Leigh Savvides of Tampa, FL, and Tyler Jay Savvides of Bradenton, FL; dearly loved great-grandmother of Madison Elisabeth Dodds of Pompton Lakes and Jayden Anthony Moskal of Mahwah.

Those inclined to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Association.

Gabriela “Gaby” Alexandra Aristizabal Lotero, age 12, of Wayne, passed Friday, December 13, 2019.

She was born in Philadelphia, PA and when she was five years old she moved to Clifton and has lived in Wayne for the past five years.

Gabby was a student at the North Jersey Elks Developmental Disability Agency School in Clifton.  Gabby’s eyesight was not so good but when she heard the voice of a person she knew she would light up with a big smile. She loved all kinds of music and also got a large smile when you would whistle or blow kisses.

She was the loving daughter of the late Sabrina Aristizabal who passed in 2013. She was adopted by her loving grandparents Luis Aristizabal and Esther Lotero of Wayne; she was the much loved sister of Analia Aristizabal of Wayne, and dearly loved niece of Melisa Aristizabal and her husband Felix of Wayne,  Alex Aristizabal and his wife Alejandra of Randolph, and Magda Aristizabal and her husband Oscar of Colombia; she was also dearly loved by many cousins, extended family, and friends.

Charles “Charlie” “Chuck” Reisinger, age 66 of Stockholm, formerly of Wayne passed Friday, Dec. 13, 2019.

Charlie was born to the late George and Margaret Reisinger in Montclair and raised in Wayne where he lived before moving to Stockholm 31 years ago. He graduated from Wayne Hills High School with the Class of 1971. During his high school years, he wasn’t interested in sports rather you could find him spending all his spare time in the metal shop at school.

Out of high school Charlie’s first job was as a welder for the Vibra-Screw Corporation in Totowa. He soon opened his own welding company Reisinger Welding in Wayne which he has operated for over forty-five years.  His sons will now take over the business.  As he was growing his own welding company, he also worked as a gas pipeline welder for various contractors including Gray Supply and Elgate Construction.  He also worked as an ironworker for Sparwick Contracting and Archer Steel Erecting Company.  This all came before getting the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream to be a crane operator when he joined the Operating Engineers Union Local 825, where for fourteen years he worked for Linde Griffith Construction in Newark.  Most recently he worked for the Bay Crane Service of NJ where he had the pleasure to work with both of his sons for 2 years.

When one thinks of Charlie you think of a guy that always worked hard for his family and freely gave of himself to a friend in need.  It didn’t matter if you needed a helping hand repairing something (although welding repair orders for family were always given the highest “requisition numbers”) advice or instruction he was always ready and willing to help.  Charlie loved to kid around with people and “break their socks” but you can be assured if he was kidding around with you, he liked you.  He donated hours and hours of his time to the Ski Patrol at the former Hidden Valley Ski Resort now The National Winter Activity Center in Vernon Township.  For many years he taught Outdoor Emergency Care and the Lift Evacuation Refresher Course at the mountain.  The running joke with the patrollers at the mountain was that Charlie didn’t need a radio as his voice was loud enough to be heard anywhere on the mountain.  Several years ago, Charlie was awarded with National Appointment #10332.  Just three weeks ago the National Ski Patrol awarded Charlie with the Distinguished Service Award for his work with the National Ski Patrol.

Another of Charlie’s passions was scuba diving.  He has over forty years of diving experience and enjoyed wreck diving off the NY and NJ coast and trips to the Bahamas.  Charlie also loved motorcycles having a Husqvarna 250 dirt bike and a Honda CBR 1000 RR street bike.  For many years he would do a dual sport ride at the Michaux State Forrest in Carlisle, PA and when his boys were old enough, they started joining him there as well.  He rode this event for the last time just this past August.

Charlie was as an assistant dive instructor at William Paterson University when he met his wife Bobbi in March of 1980.  After a first date to see the movie Airplane they fell in love and married at the First Presbyterian Church in Boonton on March 30, 1985. They had their reception at the Hanover Manor and honeymooned on a two-week skiing trip in Switzerland.  They have had almost thirty-five years of a loving and devoted marriage.

Charlie was the loving husband of Barbara “Bobbi” Reisinger; devoted father of Scott Reisinger of Vernon, and Andrew Reisinger and his wife Vanessa of Wayne.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Ski Patrol Memorial Fund, C/O Harriet L. Frawley-Memorial Fund Advisor, 70 Coventry Road, Newfoundland, NJ 07435 would be greatly appreciated.

David Vincent Rasa, MD, RPh, 68, died Thursday evening in The Valley Hospital, in Ridgewood, NJ surrounded by his wife Diane, son Mikey and daughter Nicole as well as close relatives and personal friends.

Well known throughout the Wayne community, Dr. Rasa was the founding partner of High Mountain Health Medical Group and was active with the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation and the Wayne Police Department and the Board of Education.

Born in Paterson, NJ, he graduated John F. Kennedy High School in 1968 and from Rutgers University in 1974. He earned his degree in Pharmacy from Rutgers and went on to study medicine at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara Mexico, earning his medical degree in 1981.

Dr. Rasa was certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the NJ Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association. In 2008, Dr. Rasa was honored by the St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital Foundation as “Distinguished Physician of the Year”.

Dr. Rasa built a loyal medical practice and was active in Wayne’s football and lacrosse programs and served as the physician to the Wayne Board of Education. He also served the local Wayne Policeman’s Benevolent Association. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed skiing, golfing, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.

Dr. Rasa enjoyed life to the fullest. He would escape with his family and close friends to his home in Ludlow, VT. They would spend the entire day skiing on the slopes of Okemo Mountain. After a full day of activities, you could find him in the hot tub - regardless of the outside temperatures - with a glass of B&B and a big smile.  

David was well known for his hearty laugh, his excitement for next best gadget, his love of cars, photos, and antiques.  His name is synonymous with High Mountain Health.  He took great pride in his life’s work and all of the wonderful staff and patients that became his extended family.    His behavior and reputation are well known among family and friends. He was never at a loss for attending a family and friend’s functions whether at home in New Jersey or in Hawaii and California. David loved all animals and most recently his 3-year-old Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier who he named Vinny after his late brother Vincent. David’s look forward to these opportunities to relax and unwind.

Whether it was a day on the links, a day on the ski slopes or a day on the water fishing there was always lots of fun-cheer-and laughs with this bigger than life equal opportunity buster of family and friends. He would always use his smile and dimples to save him ..... and guess what….it almost always worked.  

He was also Chairman of the Annual Golf Sports Classic Outing at North Jersey Country Club for multiple years which raised funds for the St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital Foundation. He was responsible for starting the Annual Breast Cancer Walk in Wayne that raised funds for Breast Cancer Awareness and local scholarships as well.

He is survived by his wife Diane Rasa; his three children, his only son Michael, a senior at Wayne Hills High School who will be attending Manhattan College in September to play lacrosse; his daughter Nicole, a family medicine resident at Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine, and her fiancé Joe; and his daughter Davina, a graduate of Ohio Northern University School of Law. Also his Uncle Harry and Aunt Gloria, as well as his three sisters, Jean, Sharon and Georgia along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

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In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in David’s memory to the David Vincent Rasa, M.D., RPh Healthcare Scholarship Fund for a Wayne, NJ high school senior who is planning a career in healthcare-please mail to: David V Rasa MD RPh Healthcare Scholarship Fund,  PO Box 398, Ridgewood, NJ 07451.

Orland Germinario, age 29, of Wayne passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on December 10, 2019.

Orland was born and raised in Wayne and was the youngest of three children to Peter and Lauralyn Germinario.  As a young boy growing up, Orland played baseball with the Wayne Boys and Girls Club and enjoyed dirt bike riding on his Yamaha motorcycle.  Orland attended Wayne Hills High School and graduated with the class of 2007.  While a student at Wayne Hills, Orland played on the varsity football team.

After graduating from high school, Orland attended Sacred Heart University for approximately a year and a half.  Orland then attended Lincoln Technical Institute in Paramus where he received his Associates degree in HVAC and Electric.  Not long after receiving his degree, Orland developed some health issues and was not able to take advantage of his newly learned skills.  In 2016, Orland earned a position at the Goodwill in Pequannock, where he worked for about three years until his passing.

As a young boy, Orland was an avid sports fan.  As an adult, his love of sports continued and his favorite teams included the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Cowboys, and the New Jersey Devils.  He loved listening to music, his favorite artist being Tupac Shakur.  He enjoyed watching movies, horror movie genre in particular, and was a huge fan of the Comedy Central channel on cable TV.  Orland was also a big fan of the comedians George Carlin, Dan Cooke, and Dave Chappelle.  Orland was a sensitive and compassionate man who loved his family dearly.  He also loved animals, dogs especially.  Orland touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Orland is survived by his son Mikie Germinario of Virginia Beach, VA, his mother Lauralyn Carlen and her husband Ronald of Wayne, one brother Louis Giannini and his wife Lauren of New Fairfield, CT, one sister Lauren Mahfouf and her husband Said of Queens, NY, his maternal grandparents, Helen and Orlando Giannini of Spring Lake.

Those planning to make a donation in Orland’s name are asked to consider the ASPCA Tributes, 520 8th Ave, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Mary P. Mascolo, age 96, of Wayne, passed on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.

She was born to William and Veronica Mackiewicz (Mack) in Exeter, PA.  During her high school years she moved to Nanticoke, PA, to live with extended family.  She graduated from Nanticoke High School with the Class of 1941. After high school, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in banking.  After a short-lived move to Washington DC, she moved back to New York City, where she met and married her husband, Philip, in 1951.  In 1957, they moved to Lodi and she continued to commute into Manhattan for work.  In 1965, she officially left the banking industry to dedicate herself to raising her family in Lodi.  In 2000, after her children had families of their own, she downsized to a condominium in Wayne.

Mary will be remembered as a mild-mannered, fun-loving person with a huge heart.  She was always the optimist, seeing the good in every situation.  She was young at heart and you could set a watch to her routine of watching her soap operas and game shows. She was taught to cook Italian by her mother-in-law and was forever in the kitchen.  Cooking shows were always playing on television and she would take notes and write down new recipes as she was always willing to try something new.  Mary’s loving hands on her Sunday sauce, lasagna, and meatloaf will be greatly missed.

She was the loving wife of the late Philip Mascolo (d. 1990); loving mother of Philip Mascolo and his fiancé Luz of Wayne, Ellen Chesney and her husband Bill of Pompton Plains, and the late Nicholas Mascolo (d. 2004) and his wife Diane (d. 2010); cherished grandmother of Nicholas, Connor, Alexandra, Brian, and Kevin.  She was also predeceased by her loving brother John Mack.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.

Gordon Kuipers, age 91 of Wyckoff and a former longtime resident of North Haledon, went to his eternal home in heaven on Monday, December 9, 2019.

Gordon was born in Wommels, a small village located in the center of the Frisian dairy farm area in the Netherlands where a look out the front window of his childhood home showed him a view of a path along the canal, and a look from the his dining room window displayed herds of Holstein cows, woolly sheep and proud, black Frisian horses dotting the miles of luscious green meadows.

Gordon’s life in Wommels was vastly different than his life in Northern New Jersey today. Only three people in Wommels had a car, there was one cop but he’d probably never been told what a ticket was, the wooden toys that Gordon played with were painted in beautiful colors -  all with pure lead based paint, everyone drank from the same spigot or from the same tin cup hanging on the side of the rain barrel (after pushing the dead bugs, floating on the surface, to the side), horses, bikes and hay wagons were rode with no helmet, scraped knees, black eyes and broken legs healed by themselves, and since his family had nothing, they never felt like they lost anything. As a young boy, Gordon played soccer in his wooden shoes, got one peppermint for church on Sunday, one penny for the church collection plate and, when he reached the age of ten, he got one cigarette for catechism (religious training class). Baths were once a week in a tub behind the stove.

Gordon loved school and so he dreaded the day when he’d finish the seventh grade. His parents had already told him that attending high school was out of the question. The tuition was simply too much for his parents to pay and, as his father would say, “I have four more kids to put through school.” In May of 1941, Gordon entered vocational school to learn to become a blacksmith. He finished second in his class of thirty students despite never doing any homework. The principal of the school saw something special in Gordon and urged his parents to allow him to transfer to the only Technical University in the Netherland to study engineering but, because it was financially out of the question, his parents didn’t even give that a thought. Even when the principal offered to pay for Gordon’s tuition, his parents turned it down because they could not even afford the room and board and they knew that, whatever they did for Gordon, they’d have to do for their other four kids. Gordon had one more ray of hope – a school which prepared boys for officer positions on ocean liners. There was no tuition and, upon graduation, the students would serve on ships, sailing in tropical waters for seven years. Gordon entered the application himself and initially, things looked promising. Once again however, hopes were dashed when the Germans combined the school with their navy and moved it to the German city of Hamburg.

Gordon’s introduction to work came in 1943, the middle of World War II. Not that this was his first job; when he was nine he had to come home right after school, and go help his father in his shop making butter barrels for a local creamery.

Thinking back on his earlier years, it was understandable to Gordon that many of his memories seemed to focus on the experiences of World War II: the hardships, difficulties, deprivations, as well as the small victories he was able to gain every now and then. One happening really stood out in his memory because it clearly showed what his parents were made of. One day, on his way to school, Gordon passed a potato field being harvested. Armed German soldiers were making sure that every last potato was loaded on waiting German trucks. Taking in the scene, Gordon decided to go to this field to see what he could glean. His pursuit yielded forty pounds of potatoes. As he proudly walked into his house to greet his mother, Gordon expected her to be overjoyed but, instead she cried and said, “It’s so wonderful that you got all those potatoes, but we have nothing to make a fire to cook them with.” When his dad saw the situation, he went upstairs without a word, took down the door to their bedroom and chopped it up for firewood. That night, the family enjoyed a sumptuous dinner of newly harvested potatoes.

As time went on, the Nazi’s became more aggressive in Gordon’s hometown. They built large billboards on which they pasted Nazi propaganda using wheat paste. As soon as they finished and left, Gordon climbed up and pulled the sheets down which was easy with the paste still wet. Eventually, the Nazi’s learned of Gordon’s shenanigans so he had to escape. He took refuge in a neighboring county and got a job as a blacksmith in the village of Witmarssum. He shoed horses, sharpened mowing machine sickle bars and plow sheers, repaired kitchen stoves and made stovepipes. One thing he became rather good at was copper welding to repair little holes in enamel pots. In the middle of the war, you could not buy new pots and word got out about the new boy who knew how to fix worn-through enamel pots. One day, a very attractive girl came in with a pot that needed repair. Gordon was very happy to fix it but very sad to find out she was only fourteen, but happy again when he was told that she had an older sister who was equally or maybe even more beautiful. The older sister was Shirley Faber and on December 15, 1944 they had their first date. Dates were walks and over the next three or four weeks Gordon and Shirley took many. These walks were always accompanied by Shirley’s sister. As time went on, Gordon became more anxious for that first kiss, just not in front of Shirley’s sister. Able to devise a plan to get alone with Shirley for a few minutes, they enjoyed their first heavenly sweet kiss. Gordon and Shirley were both just sixteen years old at the time.

The war went on, food was in scarce supply and Gordon became very ill. Bedridden for a year, Shirley visited often. During that year of resting and recuperating Gordon took the idle time to study for a year to become a junior accountant. With just a seventh grade education, the odds of him passing the exam were slim but to his great joy, he passed! Thank you Lord! Looking back, he came out totally cured, had gained a valuable skill, and still had the love of his life. In Gordon’s estimation, God had proven the truth of His words, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” and His other promise, “I will be with you all the days of your life.”

As time went on, Gordon’s parents emigrated to the United States. Gordon stayed behind and soon after, he and Shirley exchanged wedding vows before God, her family, and friends on October 3, 1951. Their first apartment cost $2.00 per month. In August of 1952, they welcomed their first child – a son which they named Bernard who looked so strong and healthy, Gordon felt he would make a good blacksmith someday. In May of 1953, they joined the rest of Gordon’s family in the United States, settling initially in Whitinsville, Massachusetts.

Moving to a new country with a strange culture brought with it many challenges and changes – a new language and even new names. Thankfully for Americans who would come to know them, Gordon’s name was changed from Gerben to Gordon and Shirley’s name was changed from Sijbrichje to Shirley. Years later, Gordon’s kids gave him vanity plates for his car inscribed “Gerben” . Those plates have been on various cars for almost 40 years and those cars were often affectionately referred to as “The Gerb-Mobile”.

Gordon and Shirley and their son Bernie eventually moved to Hawthorne, NJ where Gordon took a job as a bookkeeper in Shirley’s Uncle John Vander Eems’ wood shop in Hawthorne. It came with a house too! Gordon loved the job and, being a go-getter, in his spare time he started his own company called “The Household Finishing Company” selling cutlery to new brides. He also developed his own tax service which kept him busy every year from January through April 15 well into his early eighties. In the ensuing years, the blessing of children kept coming. Bernie was followed by Regina, Pete, Sharon, Janice, Richard, a son Stanley who passed at age four months, and Marcia. With each new child came the need for more space and, over the years, the family moved many times including to three homes in Hawthorne, many years in North Haledon, a home in Wayne, back to North Haledon and most recently to their own apartment at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff.

Gordon spent most of his professional life as a banker – first with Prospect Park National Bank and later with Citizen’s First National Bank from which he retired in 1995 at Vice President of the Wyckoff branch. During many years in banking Gordon made it a practice to come home for lunch where he continued a tradition of calling the house and letting the house phone ring twice to signal to Shirley that it was time to get the food ready and put on the coffee.

Gordon’s life was built on a firm foundation of service - first to God, then to family, and finally to anyone that God caused his life to cross paths with. While he served for many years as a deacon and elder in both the former Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Paterson and later at the Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff, his greatest desire was that those who didn’t enjoy a personal relationship with Jesus Christ would get the chance to know and love Christ like he did. Consequently, he spent many Sunday afternoons visiting the elderly and lonely in local nursing homes, and many Friday nights hanging out with the homeless men who took refuge at Cedar Hill Church where he tried his best to give them hope by getting to know them, listen to their stories, help them with their challenges and teach them about Jesus’ love and purpose for their lives. Retirement from banking afforded even more time and Gordon quickly went to work for Ridgefield Church in Clifton. He made up a little flyer called “Forever” and went door-to-door in Clifton, handing out this flyer and inviting people to church. He also preached God’s word in that church and guest-preached in many others and brought comfort and officiated at the funerals of countless family and friends.

Gordon viewed God’s fatherly love, care, guidance and provision for him as the perfect example and inspiration for how he could live his life in service to others. Nowhere was that more demonstrated than in his role as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. Thus, he was first and foremost, a great-provider who worked tirelessly yet always cheerfully to provide a roof over his family’s head, food on the table, and a Christian education for all seven of his kids. Many nights, he’d come home from a day of work at the bank only to have to go out again at night to do someone’s tax return, work as their bookkeeper or to attend a church meeting. It wasn’t unusual for him to have dinner with his family, then put his head on the table for a quick fifteen minute power nap before heading out for a night of work.

Gordon’s family always felt like they had all they wanted and, what he couldn’t provide in material blessings he more than made up for in rich, lasting and often humorous memories. Gordon blessed his family with wonderful traditions like making nine cups of tea every morning and delivering the cups of tea to his wife and each of his kids in bed. On Sunday mornings he would take rolls of Lifesaver candies, cut them in sections of three and stack them on the kitchen counter on top of seven little piles of coins so that each of his kids had money to put in the church collection plate and candies to put in their bellies during the church service. For many years, Christmas trees were picked up on Christmas Eve. He’d usually get two for next to nothing or free. After the kids were in bed, he’d drill holes in the best tree and take branches from the other tree and insert them in the holes to make one beautiful tree. His children never knew the difference! Later, when money was more abundant, Gordon would pick up one Christmas tree in his Volkswagen. To get it home, he’d roll down the window and carry the tree with his left hand out the window, steer with his right hand and have whatever kid went with him shift the car’s manual transmission. Gordon believed that asking for forgiveness was better than asking for permission. This philosophy inspired him to drive that same Volkswagen down the sidewalk as he helped his kids deliver their morning newspapers on rainy or snowy days. It worked great when the police officer stopped him, as forgiveness was granted. In addition to Christmas trees, Gordon never saw a tree that he didn’t want to cut down. This propensity for deforestation earned him the title of “The Mad Hatcher”. Ironically, while living in Wayne, for each new grandchild his children blessed him with, Gordon planted a Arborvitae tree. They were all planted in an impressive row and, by the time he and Shirley moved from that house, 22 trees had been planted. In his seventies and early eighties, Gordon rode his bicycle everywhere. Sometimes he’d deliver you bagels by bike on Saturday mornings or come visit you by bike if you were fishing. Finally, Gordon loved to be in his workshop where he could work magic to restore any piece of old furniture you could challenge him with. He’d make everything look beautiful and he always took on the challenge in a genuine spirit of love. His family is blessed with many of those labors of love which beautify their homes and serve as a lasting memory of the great man that he was.

Gordon had other great “Gordon-isms.” His thunderously loud throat clearing was famous. If you weren’t sure if he was in a large crowd, the throat clearing gave it away for sure. The only thing louder than his throat clearing was his singing. Gordon had one volume…..LOUD! If his kids had an earache, a little hot oil poured in the ear was so painful, you quickly forgot about your earache, and to Gordon there was nothing like a little brandy or cognac to cure a sore throat. And one more thing…..No one could wiggle both ears at once, without hands, like Gordon.

Gordon was the eternal optimist. He would often say, “If I was any better, I wouldn’t be able to stand myself”.  Coupled with his strong faith Gordon had a bankroll of wisdom which he loved to share. He truly cared about the welfare of others, whether one of his own family, a friend, or even an acquaintance. When something upsetting would happen, he would often say “The soup is always hottest when it’s first served”. In other words, “Give the situation a little time to cool. You will have a much clearer perspective if you do and it won’t seem as bad”. He’d also say, “First things first” and encourage you to take the emotion out of it, do the right thing, and always stay optimistic! He was very supportive and very welcoming. With one caring phone call or conversation, he could ease your mind and enfold you. When his children or grandchildren married, the spouse was never considered an “in-law”.  You were immediately another child or grandchild.

2019 was Gordon’s most challenging year. Health wise, he faced a lot of adversity. Seizures muddled his otherwise sharp mind, blindness due to glaucoma made his world a dark place, and a failing ability to hear closed him off from so much that life had always offered. Throughout it all, his faith remained strong. Now, in heaven with family and friends who have gone before him, he is enjoying a new and eternal chapter. His family gives thanks for his legacy and example which will live on in each of them.

Special thanks also to all who have kept Gordon in prayer, visited him and encouraged him in his final lap of the race on earth. Also, his family would like to express sincere appreciation to the loving and caring team of caregivers at the Christian Health Care Center who took great care of Gordon. Your job is hard and often thankless. You are loved and appreciated by the Kuipers family!

Gordon! Know you are loved!

Gordon was the beloved husband of Shirley (nee Faber) – blessed in marriage for 68 years. He was the loving father of Bernie and wife Eileen Kuipers of Midland Park, Regina and husband Dennis Englishman of Oak Ridge, NC, Pete and wife Geertje Kuipers of Wayne, Sharon and husband Henry Vogel of Warwick, NY, Janice and husband George Hoogenhuis of Warwick, NY, Richard and wife Laurie Kuipers of North Haledon, the late Stanley Kuipers, and Marcia Kuipers of Wayne; much-loved grandfather of 24 grandchildren – Amanda and husband Brian DeWitte, the late Dennis Englishman, Douglas Englishman, Kimberly Vogel, Jason and wife Toni Vogel, Melissa and husband Brandt Hoffman, Allison and husband Mark Schemper, David Englishman, Lauren and husband Christopher Vellenga, Philip and wife Tara Kuipers, Philip and wife Kerri Hoogenhuis, Drew Kuipers, Dustin and wife Jessica Englishman, Ryan Hoogenhuis, Peter Kuipers, Carlin Englishman, Breann and husband Casey Sytsema, Steven Kuipers, Cherie and husband Reade Ferguson, Julia and husband Jon Snader, Emma and husband Andy Phillips, Elisabeth Kuipers, Anneliese Kuipers, and Benjamin Kuipers; cherished great-grandfather of 22 great-grandchildren – Ashley, Damon, Abigail, Brooke, Ryan, Easton, Justin, Makenzie, Sawyer, Joshua, Blake, Madison, Braden, Mia, Jonathan, Cole, Sylvie, Case, Kinley, June, Dylan, and Dean; dear brother of the late Tjalling Kuipers, Oscar and wife Henny Kuipers of Tucson, AZ, the late Charles Kuipers and his late wife Betty, the late Gloria Kuipers, and the late Pete Kuipers; and dear uncle and great-uncle of numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.  

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Gordon’s name are asked to consider Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat 700 Mountain Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481(eccretreat.org/donate), or to Bethany Christian Services, attention: Donor Records, 901 Eastern Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0294 (bethany.org)

Dianne Mass, age 67, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2019 while in the presence of her loving family.

“Dee” as she was affectionately known, was born in Passaic and raised in Clifton. She had been a long-time resident of North Haledon before recently moving to Wayne, NJ.

Diane enjoyed a career that spanned more than forty years and saw her rise to the title of President of Style-Rite of America, manufacturer of custom shower doors in Clifton, before retiring in 2015.

Dee’s greatest joy was spending time with her loving family. She loved hosting family gatherings, especially during the holidays and her wonderful cooking was always a source of great enjoyment for all who came to her home.

Dee had a great sense of humor and was always up for a good laugh. She loved fun times with her grandchildren and she was one of the most caring and giving persons you will ever meet. Dee was the go-to person when wise advice or counsel was needed. Even her children’s friends would come to her for advice and her door was always open to anyone in need.

Dee is survived by her beloved husband Michael Kinailuk; her much loved children: Jennifer Mass, Jaime Galorenzo, Sherri Zalvino, Tammy Witters, Michael L Kinailuk, and Kevin J. Kinailuk; seventeen adored grandchildren; her dear sisters: Ann Trace and Theresa Rompa; and her dear nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother David Rompa.  

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

Carmela Ryan (nee DeLuca), age 89, of Effort, PA passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Carmela was born and raised in West New York, NJ and was the second oldest of five daughters to Donato and Rosa DeLuca.  Carmela attended Memorial High School in West New York and graduated with the class of 1947.  While in high school, Carmela discovered one of her many talents, the art of being a seamstress.  Carmela as a young girl was the lead costume designer for her senior play.  After graduating high school, Carmela put her talent to good work and was employed as an artist for several years for various companies, painting lamp shades, table clothes, and performing glass etching.  Carmela was not only a talented seamstress, but also had a great flair for knitting crocheting, painting, and sketching.

One day in the early 1950’s, Carmela was at a square dance at The Coop in Fairview nj when she was introduced, by some mutual friends, to a handsome young man by the name of Edmond Ryan.  Carmela and Edmond hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, the two of them fell in love and were married on June 4, 1956.  After getting married, the couple settled in Belleville and remained there for the next thirty-seven years.  In that time, Carmela and Edmond welcomed and raised their three children Edmond, Michael, and Rose Ellen.  In 1993 after their retirement, the couple moved to Effort, PA.

Following the birth of their first child, Carmela decided that she would dedicate herself to being a full time homemaker.  Carmela flourished as a mom and wife, always being there for her children and her husband.  She had dinner on the table at five o’clock every day and Sunday dinners at 3:30 sharp.  Carmela was an outstanding cook and even a better baker, her signature dishes being her famous “Suzamelles”, and her lasagna.  As Carmela’s children got older in the early seventies, she decided to get back into the workplace.  Carmela earned a position at the Star ledger judging and correcting completed puzzles by the newspaper’s subscribers.  Carmela did this for a couple of years then landed another position that allowed her to work from home.  This time she was in charge of analyzing sizes of advertisement ads in all of the local newspapers.

Being an outstanding cook and baker, it was no surprise that Carmela cherished hosting holidays and back yard parties year round.  Carmela also loved music, some of her favorite artists being Jerry Vale, Mantovani, Andy Williams, and the Bee Gees.  For many years she was a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts alike.  She and her family were also parishioners of St Mary’s RC Church in Nutley for many years.

Carmela was a quiet and soft spoken woman almost to a fault, as her family recalls.  She was unselfish and always thinking of others.  She had a bit of a sweet tooth, she loved her chocolate and cookies. But aside from all of Carmela’s talents and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Carmela than spending time with her grandchildren.  Carmela and her husband Edmond cherished fifty-three years of loving and loyal marriage until Edmond’s passing in 2009.  Carmela touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by her family and friends alike.

Carmela is survived by her daughter Rose Ellen Paradiso and her husband Savino of Wayne, two sons Edmond Ryan and his wife Susan of Flanders, and Michael Ryan of Effort, PA, three sisters; Diana Mulhearn and her husband Harry of Florida, Doris Criscione of South Jersey, and Mary Richardson and her husband Frank of Weehawken, six grandchildren; Michael, Nicholas, Alex, Katherine, Ned, and Daniel.  She was predeceased by her husband Edmond Ryan in 2009 and her sister Filomena Socolich in 2002.

Donations in Carmela’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org

Anne Liddell, age 88, of Lee, Massachusetts, formerly of Siena Village in Wayne, passed Sunday, December 8, 2019.

She was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Redden and raised at 14 Beacon Avenue in Jersey City.  She graduated from the Saint Aloysius Academy High School in Jersey City with the Class of 1949. She lived in Jersey City, Clifton for about twenty years, and the Siena Village in Wayne, before moving to The Landing at Laurel Lake Assisted Living in Lee, Massachusetts.

Just out of high school Anne worked locally for several companies in a secretarial capacity.  Before formally retiring in 1996 she worked as Administrative Assistant for the AAA Corporation in Wayne for about ten years.

Anne will be lovingly remembered for her Irish humor, sarcastic wit, her strong, fun loving personality that always brought out energy and joy to those around her.  She was a fantastic and remarkable woman who was truly one of a kind. Her strong dedication to family is evidenced by her raising her four daughters from the ages 5, 4, 3, and 2 as a single mom.  With the help of her mother and brothers she dedicated herself to being the best possible mother she could be. For many years she sprinkled her fun on every holiday, birthday, and family occasion making them special.  Going to New York City’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, watching the inflating of the parade balloons, trips to Broadway, and the pontoon boat she purchased and kept at the Jersey Shore are a small sample of the foundation of lifelong fun and memories she gave her children.

Anne was dedicated to her Catholic faith and a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne for many years. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading mysteries and all kinds of other books. As the years progressed and her eyesight began to fail she found great comfort in reading books on tape.

Anne was the dedicated and loving mother of Janet Randall of and her husband Don of Wayne, NJ, Anne Rekeda and her husband Wayne of Pittsfield, MA, and Ellen Clark and her husband Kevin of Oxford, NJ, Jill Maynes and her husband Christopher Luking of Mount Airy, MD; loved sister of the late Robert Redden and the late Thomas Redden; cherished grandmother of twelve grandchildren and much loved great-grandmother of fourteen great-grandchildren.

For those inclined to make a memorial donation please consider the American Cancer Society. (click on the blue text and your will be directed to the American Cancer Society's donation page)

Dr. Robert James Brabston, died peacefully at home, while surrounded by  his loving family on Saturday December 7, 2019.  He was 81.

Dr. Brabston was born in New Brunswick and was one of two children to James and Celia Brabston.  Raised in Jamesburg, NJ, he attended Jamesburg High School and graduated with the class of 1954.

Following high school, Dr. Brabston attended Seton Hall University where he earned his undergraduate degree.  He continued his education at Seton Hall College of Medicine, earning a degree as a Medical Doctor in 1964. He spent the first two years of his internship in Jersey City Medical Center. His final two years of senior residency were spent in Newark at UMDNJ where he specialized in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics.

In 1965, during the first years of his internship, Bob was introduced to Ms. Louise L’Heritier - a nurse, who was also working at Jersey City Hospital.  The two were matched up on a date by their Senior Resident Physician and as fate would have it, they fell in love.  They were married less than a year later, on January 22, 1966 at St Philips RC Church in Clifton.  Bob and Louise honeymooned in Jamaica at the Montego Beach Hotel.

After completing his medical residency in 1968, Bob felt the call to serve his country and enlisted in the military where he served in the United States Army Medical Corps as a Medical Officer and Internist, ultimately achieving the Rank of Major.  During his duty, he was stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC where he received the National Defense Service Medal.  Dr. Brabston served proudly and honorably in the US Army Medical Corps until 1970, when he was honorably discharged.  Upon his return home, Bob and Louise made their home in Wayne, N.J., where they raised their four children and cherished fifty-three years of marriage together.

Immediately following his military service, Dr. Brabston began his medical career at Medical Associates of North Jersey, in Pompton Lakes, where he worked alongside the founding members of the practice - Dr. Alan Semet and Dr. Arthur Gross - until his retirement in 2004.  Dr Brabston was devoted to his career as a physician and treated his staff and patients as extended family.  

One of Dr. Brabston’s favorite hobbies was golf.  He was introduced to the sport while in his teens, when he worked as a caddy and bartender at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township.  Louise is quite the golfer as well and in 1973, they joined the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton.  Bob played golf about three times a week and had a handicap of seven when he was in his prime.  He was often seen on the links with his loving wife Louise or with his cherished golfing buddies; George Dunn, George Eggers, Artie Couch, Bob Glinane - all of whom have since passed.  (Currently looking for a fourth are Ed Loftus, Allan Stewart, and Charlie Rogers).  Bob and Louise also enjoyed traveling.  Some of their most memorable destinations were the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska and a River Cruise in Russia.  They also enjoyed taking golf vacations together.

Dr. Brabston was a devout Catholic and both he and his wife Louise were parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne and most recently, of Our Lady of Consolation RC Church, also in Wayne.

But above all else, Dr. Robert James Brabston’s greatest passion was his devotion to his family.  He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  Bob touched and cared for the lives of countless people throughout his life as well as his medical career and he will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Dr. Brabston is survived by his wife Louise (nee L’Heritier) of Wayne, and his children:  Robert John Brabston and his wife Beth of Wenonah, James Henry Brabston and his wife Patty of Fairfax Station, VA, Dr. Timothy Brabston and his wife Theresa of Mahwah and Krista Louise Brabston of Clifton and her partner Lynn Masiello of Verona.  

He is also survived by four grandchildren:  Robert Maxwell and Margaret Louise of Fairfax Station, VA, and Timothy Lawless and Alex Robert of Mahwah.  Additionally, Dr. Brabston is survived by his brother Mark Brabston and his wife Christine of East Brunswick, niece Danielle Brabston Kennedy and her husband Bill, nephew Mark Brabston, Jr., and great-niece Kaylee.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Dr. Brabston’s name, to the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation, 3 Golf Drive, Suite 206, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, https://www.njsga.org/caddie-scholarship, or to the charity of their choice.

Julia Locarno, 94 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Thursday, December 5, 2019.  She’s lived in Wayne since 1958.

Julia grew up in Jersey City, where she graduated high school.  She took a job with Western Electric at age eighteen and continued with the same job into the 1980’s, transitioning along with the company to Bell Telephone and eventually AT&T.

Julia was an excellent cook who loved seafood, and she enjoyed baking creampuffs, cookies, pastries, and eclairs.  Her hobbies included making jewelry and keeping a flower garden.  She traveled extensively and toured the U.S. with her husband in their conversion van, visiting all of the contiguous States.  They spent many winters in Florida and had planned to build a retirement home there until grandchildren came along.  That was all the reason she needed to stay in New Jersey!  With her husband, she continued to travel in her retirement years and they averaged about two cruises each year.  On their fiftieth wedding anniversary, they took a two week tour or Europe, visiting France, England, Italy, Greece and Holland.  It was all very memorable, especially the Red Light District of Amsterdam, where she refused to get off the tour bus!

Julia met her husband Frank at a dance, shortly after he was discharged from the U.S. Navy.  They were married on September 25, 1948 and enjoyed sixty five years of marriage before he passed away in 2013.  The majority of those years were spent living in Wayne, where they raised their son, Michael.

Julia is survived by her son; Michael and his wife Lisa of Kinnelon, two grandchildren; Nicholas Locarno of Harrisburg, PA, and Jennifer Locarno of West Haven, CT, one sister; Florence Morley of Columbia, TN, and a brother; Frank Rogala of Roseland, FL.  She was predeceased by her husband Frank in 2013.

Sharon Bellusci (nee Chanda), age 64 of Wayne, died on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.  She was a first grade teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Wayne for twenty six years.

Sharon grew up in Wayne and graduated from Wayne Hills High School with the class of 1973.  She went on to graduate with a teaching degree from Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania and began her career in the Paterson public schools.  She eventually settled at JFK Elementary School in Wayne where she has taught the first grade for twenty six years.  She loved her career and loved all the children she’s had the privilege of working with throughout the years.

Sharon loved the beach.  Every summer, she would vacation with her family at Ocean Beach 3 at the Jersey Shore, renting a different house each year.  Once her children were grown, she began vacationing in the islands.  To her, it didn’t matter what island she was on, as long as there was a beach on the ocean, and an all-inclusive buffet…with desserts…lots of desserts.  Sharon loved desserts and sweets, and if you enjoyed a meal with her, you learned quickly that dessert was as important as any part of the meal, and sharing dessert was required!  She also enjoyed reading suspense and drama novels, and Sharon was the world’s most amazing shopper.  Her shopping skills were second to none and she was particularly good at buying gifts.  She was one of those thoughtful people who never went anywhere without a gift.  She was a grateful soul and selfless nearly to a fault.  Just a few days ago, as ill as she was, she ordered a catered breakfast to the teacher’s lounge at JFK Elementary, just to remind her coworkers how much she cared about, and missed them all.  She was a wonderful friend and will be missed by them all.

Sharon met her husband while working at the T-Bowl Pharmacy in Wayne.  Tom Bellusci worked there during his college years and he invited Sharon to go to church with him.  That was their first date, and many more followed.  He eventually proposed in her kitchen, presenting her with a rose that had a ring tied to it.  They married on May 6, 1979 at Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne, followed by a honeymoon to Hawaii.  Their marriage of forty years was something they worked hard at, but it was perfect in every way.  They loved each other, and actually ‘liked’ each other too, sharing much laughter and lots of fun.  Tom treated her like a princess, and she gladly went with it.  They built a strong family, giving their children the best life they could, including a warm and welcoming home.  Sharon was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who will be sadly missed by them all.

Sharon is survived by her beloved husband Thomas of Wayne, their two children; Thomas and his wife Amanda of Wayne, and Shannon Parella and her husband Brian of Wayne, her granddaughter; Aria Bellusci of Wayne, and another granddaughter on the way; Aubrey Parella, her father; George Chanda of Wayne, brother; Steven Chanda of Wayne, two sisters-in-law; Ellen Dorso and her husband Al of Pompton Plains, and Rosemary Cramer and her husband James of Pompton Plains, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.  She was predeceased by her mother Doris Chanda in 1999.

Donations in Sharon’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.

Dorothy “Dottie” A. Atherton, age 89, of Kunkletown, PA, formerly of Belvidere, NJ and Wayne, NJ passed peacefully on Wednesday, December 4, 2019

She was born in East Orange, NJ to Frederick and Helen Reimer.

Dottie was dedicated to her Christian faith and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wayne.  She was a member of the church choir for over thirty years, secretary to the Mother’s Circle, member of the Ruth Circle, flower chairman, and member of the United Methodist Women. She was also involved with cooking at many, many church dinners. Dottie also welcomed everyone into her home, especially at the holidays – she never wanted anyone to be alone.  There was always room at the table for another person.  Dottie enjoyed crocheting, baking, and all kinds of crafts for many years.  She also loved bowling and was active in a weekly bowling league at the T-Bowl for many years.

In 2004, Dottie and her husband Paul, moved to Belvidere, NJ. They joined the Belvidere United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the church choir. She was a member of the Brookfield Bowling League and also enjoyed playing bocce.

She was the loving wife of fifty-six years to the late Paul G. Atherton (2008); devoted mother of Marilyn Creamer and her husband Don of Oakland, and Douglas Atherton and his wife Marianne of Effort, PA; cherished grandmother of Brian Creamer and his wife Kristy, Laura Foray and her husband Andrew, Paul Atherton and his wife Meagan, and Andrew Atherton; beloved great-grandmother to Sean Creamer, Aidan Creamer and Charlotte Atherton.  Dottie is survived by her dear sister Barbara and brother Robert and many nephews and nieces.  She was predeceased by three brothers, Charles, Walter, and Donald, and three sisters, Mildred, Miriam and Elsie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the United Methodist Church in Wayne, 99 Parish Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be greatly appreciated.

Marilyn A. Addison, age 76, died peacefully in her daughters arms on Tuesday evening, December 3, 2019.  

Marilyn grew up in Prospect Park N.J, vacationed at the Camp of the Woods in Speculator N.Y, and attended the Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Marilyn was the 1st graduating class of Manchester Regional H.S in North Haledon. After marriage to Dan McDermott, they raised their two children, Daniel & Sheri McDermott, in Wayne.  She was the office manager for Dr. Voglino, DMD, on Valley Road for many years, and then later worked in the consumer affairs department of Hackensack and Wayne General hospital. Marilyn was also a food critic on the cable television show “Wine and Dine News”, along with weekly publications in the newspaper, which she was very proud of.

Marilyn had many friends, and spent lots of leisure time traveling with them to many wonderful places, including Europe, Hawaii, Colorado, and Hong Kong.  She also enjoyed spending time at the Jersey Shore each summer with family and friends.  Her hobbies included skiing, skating, painting, dancing, and singing.  She sang in the church choir and cantatas all of her life. Marilyn was bigger than life and a lot of fun. If you were looking for inspiration, fun, or encouragement, Marilyn could always be found with a smile on her face, and a heart full of love. If I could come up with one quote for Marilyn it would be, “Everything should be a celebration!”  

After 42 years in Wayne N.J, Marilyn moved to Massachusetts to be closer to her daughter. There she became a member of the East Brookfield Baptist Church. She remained very close with both her children, and especially so with her grandchildren: Danny, Bianca, Madison, and Liza.  On any weekend you could find Marilyn enjoying time with her family, children, and grandchildren. She will be missed greatly!

Marilyn was in perfect health when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease December 8, 2008. For the past 11 years, Marilyn and her family have suffered with this journey of losing all that we had known. Time and experience have a way of bringing Marilyn’s full, vibrant, existence on this earth to the forefront as we celebrate her life.

Marilyn is survived by her beloved daughter, Sheri Flandreau, and Sheri’s husband, Matthew of Sturbridge, MA; four grandchildren: Danny and Bianca McDermott, both of Wayne, NJ, Madison and Liza Flandreau, both of Sturbridge, MA; and a sister, Gertrude Atema, and her husband Henry, and brother-in-law; Joe McDermott.

Keith Salviano, age 65, of North Haledon and formerly of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 1, 2019.

Born and raised in Paterson, Keith graduated from Don Bosco Technical High School.  He earned an Associates degree in Mechanical Technology from the County College of Morris and his Bachelor’s degree from California Coast University. Keith was the founder and owner of Foresight Consulting Home Inspections and a dedicated Councilman for the Borough of North Haledon. He dutifully served on the borough Planning Board for many years.

Keith was a kind and compassionate man who lived a life of integrity and honor.  With a special zest for life, he was always on the go.  He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his loving family.  He was a sports enthusiast with a special love for baseball and racquetball. He was an avid Yankees and Jets fan.

Keith was the beloved husband of Sandra Salviano,blessed in marriage for 44 years. He was the loving father of Kimberly and husband Dr. Matthew Rosen of Merion Station, PA, and Christopher and wife Christa Salviano of Wayne; cherished son of Claire Huntington Salviano of Wayne; beloved son-in-law of Geri and Emil Cappucio of West Milford; adored grandfather “Duke” of Skylar and Stella Rosen and Cameron and Colton Salviano; dear brother of James and wife Faith Salviano, Mark and wife Loida Salviano, and Robert and wife Christina Salviano, all of Wayne; dear brother-in-law of Mary Salviano of Wind Gap, PA, Darlene and husband Jay Cook and Carol Cappuccio of Pompton Lakes, Kenny and wife Kum Cappuccio of Bloomfield, Gary Cappuccio of West Milford; and many cherished nieces and nephews. Keith was predeceased by his beloved father Virgil Salviano in 1997, and his dear brother Virgil J. Salviano in 2016.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the North Haledon PBA Local 292, 103 Overlook Avenue, North Haledon, NJ 07508, or the North Haledon Fire Department, 568 High Mountain Rd. North Haledon, NJ 07508, would be greatly appreciated.

Steven R. Fournier, age 60, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in the company of his loving family.

Steve was born to Robert and Dina Fournier on September 24, 1959 in Teaneck, NJ. The family lived in Kinnelon before moving to Wayne when he was 10 years old. He was the oldest of three sons, survived by his brothers Paul and Dave. Steve attended Wayne Hills High School, graduating with the class of 1977.

After high school, Steve enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he served proudly as a cook, stationed in San Francisco, until his honorable discharge. Subsequent to his service, he attended Ramapo College in New Jersey where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Following a brief career in accounting, he went to work for the family business, American Belting Inc. When the business came under new ownership, Steve left and earned a position as a sales representative at Motion Industries, based out of Cedar Rapids, IA. He remained there through the rest of his career, ultimately earning the title of Vice President of Sales.

In 1985, while at a family wedding, Steve met the love of his life Audrey Moore. They spent the night dancing, after which he asked her on a date the following day. They went to the Fulton Fish Market at South Street Seaport in New York City. The couple started dating immediately and after three years, as fate would have it, they were married on July 31, 1988. The couple immediately settled in Wayne and have been there ever since, calling it home and raising their two children Allison and Andrew.

Steve was a dedicated member and former Commissioner of Wayne PAL Football and  also served as President of the Wayne Valley Football Booster Club. He had a great love of sports and, despite being a dedicated New York Giants and New York Mets fan, his absolute favorite sporting events to attend were those of his children. He was the biggest fan of his son and daughter, never missing a single one of their games or events at school. Instead of a Giants jersey, you would have been more likely to find him in a Marymount lacrosse T-shirt or TCNJ track and field sweater. Another one of Steve’s favorite pastimes was sailing, or anything salt water related for that matter. A true waterman, he owned a home in Seaside Park, NJ, where he and his family spent their summers boating, fishing, cooking, having bonfires on Island Beach State Park, and enjoying the summer air — traditions that are sure to be continued in his honor. His favorite place to be in the world was on the waters around the British Virgin Islands with his family and friends. Over the years, they chartered multiple catamarans — all of which he captained — to island-hop and explore the paradise that is the BVI.

Steve was an outstanding cook — a “self-proclaimed Master Chef.” He treasured hosting parties and thrived on laughter, friends, family, and good country music. It should come as no surprise that Steve’s favorite holiday was always Thanksgiving. He has hosted for the past thirty-two years and would plan meticulously for weeks in advance, deciding on turkey brines, porchetta dressings, and side dishes for the table. However, he was never averse to some last-minute inspiration. He called these his “experiments.” Although these dishes were often incredibly delicious, they rarely could be recreated.    

Anyone who had the honor of knowing Steve Fournier knew how hard he worked and that he worked so hard in order to enjoy time with his family and friends. Although he had a great many talents and interests, his greatest passion was for his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Steve than spending time with them. He was a truly dedicated father and husband. He and his wife Audrey cherished a uniquely loving and loyal marriage, one that lasted thirty-one years. He was a man that was larger than life and one that you could not help but like and want to be around. He was a gentle giant; “Big Steve” was endlessly generous and had a great talent for turning every situation into a good time. He was a friend to everyone he met, and many would name him among their top five favorite people. Steve touched the lives of too many people to count and will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew him.

Steve is survived by his wife Audrey (née Moore) of Wayne; his daughter Allison Fournier of Wayne; his son Andrew Fournier of Wayne; two brothers, Paul Fournier of Forked River and David Fournier and his wife Tracey of Toms River; his parents Dina and Robert Fournier of Forked River; nieces Lauren Holtz and Nicolette Fournier; nephews Brian Miller, Matthew Grundy, Dawson Fournier, and Marco Fournier; his mother-in-law Gloria Moore of Pompton Plains; and two sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Barbara and Bill Grundy of Ridgewood, and Susan and Joseph Miller of Farmingdale.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s name may be made to Friends of Island Beach State Park, PO Box 406, Seaside Park, NJ 08752 https://www.friendsofibsp.org/donate or ReClam the Bay, 68 Main St, Waretown, NJ 08758 http://www.reclamthebay.org/what-you-can-do/donate/

PLEASE NOTE:

Because of the weather predicted for Monday we have moved the Funeral Mass to Tuesday. The visitation hours will remain Sunday 3-7 PM.

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Funeral services will be held 9:30 AM on Tuesday from the funeral home then to Our Lady of the Valley Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne where a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass will be offered.

Robert D. Martens, Sr., age 76, of Clifton passed Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

He was born in Hackensack to George and Marjoriy Martens and raised in Elmwood Park where he graduated from East Paterson High School with the Class of 1961.  Robert lived in Woodland park for fifty years before moving to Clifton three years ago.

As a young man he worked as a forklift operator and chemical blender for the Unger Company.   He soon became a machinist having worked in several area machine shops including the Chrysler Company, Singer-Kearfott in Totowa, Bejour Machine Shop in Oakland to name a few.  He truly enjoyed the challenge of machining instruments like gyros for NASA or military aircraft and weaponry.  At home he would often make tools to help him repair, calibrate, and maintain his tools and instruments at work. Many of his tools were old school machinist’ tools and he loved seeing the new tools of the craft like lasers, CNC machines and milling machines. Robert blended his skills as a machinist with his love of music and musical instruments and worked for many years repairing and rebuilding all kinds of musical instruments. He really enjoyed working with woodwind instruments and owned his own instrument repair company called Martens Musical Instrument Repairs which he operated out of his home for several years.  Robert also worked at Robbies Music City in Wayne and for the Peragallo Organ Company in Paterson.  He played the saxophone beautifully but also played guitar, flute, trombone, French horn, the organ, and probably some other instruments we forgot, all with proficiently.

Robert was dedicated to his Catholic faith and a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne where for many years where he sang in the church choir. He was a caring, kind man who was always considerate of those around him. He was always putting others needs before his own and willing to help anyone with his time and talent.

Many will remember Robert’s love of gardening.  His backyard in Woodland Park was the home of a man who needed a farm.  In his little yard he grew corn, carrots, peas, cucuzza squash, cucumbers, radishes, several different types of tomatoes, kale, broccoli, basil, parsley, eggplant, strawberries, and grapes.  Let’s not forget he had a mulberry tree and fig trees were said to be a passion of his. He was also an excellent cook of Italian specialties. He made gallons of sauce, pickled his own cucumbers, made his own bread, and for many years he made his own wine.  Now when making his wine he would go to Corrados and buy grapes but insisted on making all the necessary equipment for making the wine himself.  That reveals Robert’s broader capability of making just about anything. If he could make it himself he would. If he saw any way to make it better he would. On many occasions his kids would come to him with broken toys that would be returned to them with dad asserting it was better than it was when new. He also told the children to listen even if you were well versed in the topic as you may pick up something you didn’t know. If you could figure out how to do it faster, better, or improve it in some way shape or form just do it.

Robert was the loving husband of the late Frances Perry Martens (d.1999) and loving companion of Marge Miller; he was the dearly loved brother of George Martens and his wife Rena of Wayne; devoted father of Robert Martens, Jr. and his wife Amy of Wantage, Frances V. Martens of Vernon, and Matthew Martens of Woodland Park; he was the cherished grandfather of Brandon Daniel Martens of Wantage, Joanna Maria Rosa of Paterson, Allysa Nicole Rosa of Waldwick, Albert Louis Rosa of Woodland Park, Brian Michael Rosa of Vernon, Jorge Rosa of Vernon, Christopher Rosa of Vernon; much loved great-grandfather of Austin Tyler Rosa of Waldwick and Jaiden Alberto Castro of Waldwick.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center would be greatly appreciated.

Rita Piccinno, age 83, of Wayne passed Sunday, November 24, 2019.

She was born to Liborio and Rosaria Piccinno and raised in Paterson at 23 E. 23rd Street. She was a graduate of Central High School in Paterson with the Class of 1954.

Rita’s first job out of high school was a secretarial position at a law firm in Paterson. When the lawyer passed away she found work with the George Vermuelen Insurance Company in Haledon. She continued to work at the agency when George’s son Bill took it over and the agency was purchased by the Turner Group. She stayed with the Turner Group through their acquisition by the Hansen & Ryan Insurance Agency in Totowa. She worked in the insurance industry for over fifty years before retiring in 2014. About fifty years ago during her days with the George Vermuelen Insurance Company she took on a side job of doing the accounting for the Fair Lawn Cemetery.  She did this for over fifty years and up until the day she passed she was still doing the books for the cemetery.

Rita had a great sense of humor, was for the most part quiet, and was the kind of person who was extremely generous and as the saying goes would give you the shirt off her back if she could. She loved her pets and had parakeets, parrots, and several dogs over the years.  She loved all of her animals as if they were her children.  For many years she enjoyed getting together with her sister Dolores around the holidays and making their mom’s Italian Christmas Cookies. They made so many it took a couple of weekends to complete the array of cookies. She is also rumored to have made great cannoli.

Rita was the loving sister of Dolores Di Tacconi and her husband John of Oak Ridge; much loved aunt of Lewis Di Tacconi and his wife Karen of Glenwood and John Di Tacconi and his wife Suzanne of Florham Park; she was the dear great-aunt of Anthony Boonstra and his wife Nicole of Murrieta, CA and Vincenzo Di Tacconi of Florham Park; she was also the dearly loved great-great aunt of Jackson and Scarlet Boonstra of Murrieta, CA.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to any animal rescue/shelter or the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.

Jean Bylinski, age 95, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019.

The youngest of John and Catherine Bezak’s four children, Jean was born and raised in Newark, NJ where she graduated from vocational high school.

After school, Jean’s first job in a pocketbook factory proved to be more noteworthy for who she met there than for the actual job. You see, while working at this factory, she met the man who would ultimately become the love of her life – John Bylinski. John was Jean’s boss but he also happened to be an eligible bachelor. That was all good and well but, initially, Jean wouldn’t even consider accepting a date from him because she thought he had a reputation as a player. In time, she became more and more aware that first impressions are not necessarily accurate and eventually she and John went on their first date together. One date lead to the next and soon they fell in love. Those that knew them would say that they were always holding hands. Then World War II came and John was drafted into the U.S. Army. They kept in touch through constant love letters and, upon his return to civilian life, they married in 1946 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls.

Jean and John’s first home together was in Newark, but after a short time, they moved to Nutley. When God blessed them with three beautiful children – Jean Marie, Thomas and John, Jean concentrated her time on homemaking and being a loving and caring mother.  Eventually, Jean’s own mother, known to all as “Bobci” came to live with them. One day, Bobci told Jean that “We can’t have two women in the house” and she advised Jean to find a job while she stayed home and cared for the kids.

It was common knowledge that a great place to work was Hoffman-La Roche Pharmaceutical Company so that’s where Jean decided to try for a job. The competition for a position in the company was great but Jean’s persistence ultimately paid off. She started as a night shift assembly line worker, then moved to days as a glass washer in the laboratory, and ultimately worked herself up to the position of laboratory technician. She retired in 1984 after enjoying a long and prosperous career.

Retirement ushered in a whole new era of adventure for Jean. She and John moved down the Jersey shore to Barnegat where Jean had plenty of opportunity to play bingo and cards with all her lady friends. With Atlantic City in such close proximity to home, she enjoyed taking many bus trips there with the Seniors Group. She also spent a lot of time crocheting things like blankets for her grandchildren and cute Christmas ornaments for all her family and friends.  

Together, Jean and John got to visit every state in the U.S.A. including Hawaii which she loved the most. Their last trip was a cruise to Alaska and winters were always spent in sunny warm Florida from just after Christmas until Easter. Speaking of the holidays; one of the ways Jean expressed her love for Christmas was by baking lots of polish cookies. The house always smelled wonderful that time of year and the cookies were delicious.

Jean never saw a puzzle she didn’t need to solve. She loved keeping her mind sharp and Amazon loved the revenue they received every time Jean ordered another puzzle book. It seemed like the truck was always pulling up to the house with another delivery. Above all else, Jean loved being gathered together with her children and grandchildren. When her beloved husband John passed away, she remained in Barnegat for a few years until coming to live with her son Thomas and daughter-in-law MaryAnn in Wayne three years ago.

Jean was one of the most pleasant people you could ever meet. Easy going, it seemed that she would always greet you with the warmest of smiles. She encompassed every quality that could be described as virtuous and she will be missed by all who had the pleasure of having her in their life.

Jean was the beloved wife of John Bylinski, blessed in marriage for 59 years until his passing in 2005. She was the loving mother of Jean Marie Bylinski of Elwood, Thomas and wife MaryAnn Bylinski of Wayne, and John and Debbie Bylinski of Lake Panasoffkee, FL; cherished grandmother of Adam, Timothy and wife Michelle, and Cheryl Bylinski and Lauren and husband Anthony Palatucci; and dear aunt of numerous nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her two brothers and one sister: Ziggie Bezak, Loretta Grzelak, and Milton Bezak.

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

Josephine Winkler, age 102 of Wayne died peacefully at home while receiving the loving care of her daughters.  She was a greatly appreciated hostess at the Paris Inn in Wayne for twenty years.

Josephine grew up in Niagara Falls, NY, the eldest of seven children.  She epitomized perseverance and always maintained a positive outlook despite the circumstances.

Respect for herself and others was an important part of who she was.

One day in the spring of 1950, Josephine had finished her shift as a waitress in a local restaurant in Niagara Falls.  The hostess asked Josephine if she would please take care of a young man who had been waiting a long time for a table.  She did, and three months later they were married!   Josephine and her husband, Rudolph, settle in Wayne, built their house in the early 1950’s, and raised their family.

Josephine was widowed in 1966 and returned to the restaurant business.  She worked as a hostess at “Dan’s Steakhouse” in Wayne and then moved to the Paris Inn, where she remained in her hostess position until age 75.

She was proud to become a grandmother at age 80!  Josephine loved her daughters dearly and they loved her even more in return.

Her family is grateful to have had her in their lives so many wonderful years.

She will be missed by them all.

Josephine is survived by her two daughters; Frances Winkler of Wayne, Deborah Winkler-Giesey, husband George Giesey, and their daughter Adelaide Giesey of Bloomfield, NJ, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Rudolph in 1966 and by all six of her younger siblings; Tony Vecchiarelli, Benny Vecchiarelli, John Vecchiarelli, Jessie Morinello, Mary Pileggi, and Angie Donovan, all of Niagara Falls, NY.

Friends wishing to make a donation in Josephine'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.

Celeste Canning (nee Muse) age 86, formerly of Wayne passed away peacefully on Thursday November 21, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Celeste was born and raised in Paterson and was one of two children to Edward and Elizabeth Muse.  Celeste spent her formative years in Paterson but as a teenager, her family moved to Totowa where she attended Passaic Valley High School and graduated with the class of 1952.  Celeste was employed for over twenty years at Toys R Us in Wayne and worked in the Accounts Receivable department until her retirement many years ago.

In 1992 Celeste met a handsome man by the name of William Canning.  As fate would have it they fell in love and were married on February 14, 1992.  Shortly after getting married William and Celeste moved to Wayne and remained there for twenty-six years until relocating to Effort, PA more about a year ago.

William and Celeste were parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne for many years together.  They enjoyed gardening and traveling together particularly on cruises.  The couple cherished twenty-seven years of marriage together.  Celeste was also an animal lover and cherished her cat “Sammy.”  Celeste was a very special lady who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Celeste is survived by her husband William Canning of Effort, PA, her son Richard Brinkman of Florida, her daughter Pamela Brinkman-Espinosa and her husband Juan Diego, her sons; John Canning and his girlfriend Karen of Effort, PA, and William Canning of Passaic, one sister Emily DeGraff of Pennsylvania, seven grandchildren; Curtis and his wife Laura, Katie, Christopher and his wife Angie, Alexis, Drew, Briana, and Cameron, and three great grandchildren; Devon, Brandon, and Luna Mae.  She was predeceased by her first husband Peter Brinkman.

William “Billy G"  Geraghty, age 72, of Nutley, formerly of Wayne, passed Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

He was born in Jersey City and raised in Clifton by William and Marjorie Geraghty. In 1962 the family moved to Wayne and in 1976 they moved to Nutley.  Bill graduated from the Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1966.

Billy G’s first job during his high school years was at the Packanack Lake Bakery in Wayne. Still during high school he worked for the Brown Engineering Company in Hawthorne where he drove a truck and helped install glass including window’s and mirrors. He began driving a truck for Finest Grocery Stores based in South Kearny and would often pick up his sons Gary and Ricky, who were not supposed to be riding in the truck, outside the gates of the distribution center to help him during the day. He also worked for Preston Trucking in Kearny for about twenty years retiring in 2001.

Billy G met Susie Solari while they were in the Schuyler Colfax Middle School in Wayne and they started dating while attending the Wayne Valley High School.  They were high school sweethearts whose first date bowling at Butler Bowl. They fell in love and married on January 17, 1967 and honeymooned at Mount Airey Lodge in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  Their marriage was blessed with two sons Gary and Ricky. Billy G and Susan had a loving and devoted marriage of fifty-three years.

Billy G was generous to a fault and was always fishing twenty dollar bills out of his wallet for everyone. He was always joking and making up rhymes. He enjoyed having friends and family over to the house especially on holidays where he would make sure everyone had the drink they needed.  In recent years Billy G was known for sitting on his driveway known as Tar Beach for many who knew him and was in charge of the unofficial neighborhood watch. He enjoyed a summer home on Long Beach Island and boating for pleasure and fishing. It was not uncommon to hear over the CB radio that the Geraghty boys were stuck out on the water and needed a tow in.  He was an avid New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. He would take his radio out into the yard and often listen to Yankee games out there.  Although he was in charge of about all outside maintenance and car washing at home in his retirement he would sometimes surprise Susan having dinner cooked and even do the dishes.  Billy G was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who attended as many of his grandchildren’s games or events as possible. He will also be remembered for wearing his sunglasses all the time. Day, night, indoor, outdoor, out to dinner, weddings and just about anywhere where sun glasses were appropriate or inappropriate. His Irish heritage was of utmost importance to him and St. Patrick's Day was one of his favorite holidays to celebrate.

Billy G is the loving husband of Susan Geraghty; devoted father of Ricky Geraghty of Nutley,  Gary Geraghty and his wife Nancy also of Nutley; he was the cherished grandfather of Madison, Jackson, Mia, and Isabel Geraghty; brothers, Bob Geraghty and his wife Laurie of Roseland, John Geraghty and his wife Leslie of Wayne, Jim Geraghty and his wife Rahel of Wayne, and Michael Geraghty and his wife Kelly of Chesterfield, MO; He was preceded in passing by his parents Marjorie Geraghty (d.2003), William F. Geraghty, Jr. (d.2010), his brother Richard (d.2011), and his nephew Peter (d.2009).

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

Robert R. Runz, age 85, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Robert was born and raised in Paterson and was one of three sons to Otto and Dorothy Runz.  When Robert was about thirteen years old his family moved to Vernon Township in Northern New Jersey.  Robert then transferred to Sussex High School and graduated with the class of 1951.  Soon after graduating from Sussex High School, in 1952, Robert felt the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.  During his tour of duty with the USMC he was stationed in Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, Japan, as well as Korea.  While in the armed forces, Robert served as a “Magazine Keeper,” involved with the storage of various types of ammunition.  Robert served honorably in the USMC from 1952-1955.

Following his honorable discharge from the Marines, Robert attended Pipefitting School.  And after a three year program and one year apprenticeship, Robert was a licensed Pipefitter and found work quickly with the Pipefitters Union Local 265 in Passaic.  Eventually several Pipefitters Unions merged and Robert spent most of his career working out of Local 274 in Parsippany.  Robert’s career as a Pipefitter spanned nearly forty years until his retirement in 1996.  

When Robert arrived home after his discharge from the Marines, his mother Dorothy met him at the airport.  His mom was not alone, she was accompanied by her best friend and her best friend’s daughter.  The daughter was a young attractive lady by the name of Vera Mellon.  Straight from the airport, Robert, his mom, his mom’s best friend, and her daughter went square dancing.  If there was ever a case of “Love at First Sight,” this was it.  Vera and Robert hit it off great, had a romantic three year courtship and on April 7, 1956 they were husband and wife.

Robert and Vera settled in Paterson after first getting married and while living there welcomed their son Mark.  Then in July of 1963 the family moved to Wayne and in 1965 the couple welcomed their second son Glenn.  Vera and Robert remained in Wayne, calling it their home for the next fifty-six years.  Robert and Vera cherished sixty-three years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Robert was a long time member of the Masonic Lodge in the Mountain View Section of Wayne.  He was also a devoted volunteer of the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.  For many years Robert volunteered transporting children to Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia and Boston, MA.  He and his dear friend Norman Walker made countless trips together undertaking the transportation of patients to the hospitals.

Robert was a quiet man and resolute in his beliefs.  One can say that he was the strong silent type.  He was always very straight forward with people and was not given to small talk. If you didn’t really want an honest answer to a question, Robert was not the person you should ask.  Robert was a devoted husband and father.  Every year Robert and the family would pack up and go on road trips.  From as far east as Maine to Wisconsin, and far north as Canada to Virginia.  Robert was a unique and special person who touched the lives of many people.  He will be sincerely miss by everyone that knew him.

Robert is survived by his wife Vera (nee Mellon) of Wayne, two sons; Glenn Runz and his wife Sheryl of Myerstown, PA, and Mark Runz of Cedar Grove, two grandchildren; Bryson Runz and Olivia Runz of Myerstown, PA, and one niece Nicole Mahaffey of Anthem, AR.  Robert was predeceased by his two brothers Kenny Runz, and Don Runz.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Roberts name may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL 33607. http://www.lovetotherescue.org

Lawrence Scarmazzo “Larry”, age 88, of Newfoundland, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, with loving family by his side.

Larry was born in Paterson, the son of Charles and Alice (nee Wanamaker) Scarmazzo. Larry spent his childhood years in Paterson, NJ and Greenwich Village, NY.  He attended high school in New Jersey at Central High in Paterson.

Larry’s first job was with Manhattan Shirt Company, but he wanted to serve his country.  In 1951 he enlisted in the United States Navy and during his service he was stationed in Trinidad where the Naval Air Force was responsible for protecting the Panama Canal. In 1955 he was honorably discharged and awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Good Conduct Medal.

After military service Larry took a job with Singer Kearfott Corporation as a draftsman.  He enjoyed working for this same company during his entire thirty-five year career until retirement in 1993.

In 1961 Larry married Gloria (Seminerio) Scarmazzo and they were blessed with two daughters – Sandra and Patricia.  After his marriage ended, he met a lovely woman named Rosemary Wilk Ehrhart.  While dating they attended many dances.  Even with his artificial leg, Larry was a wonderful dancer.  Their favorites were the Big Band sound, especially “In the Mood” and “String of Pearls”.  Over time, Larry and Rosemary fell in love which lead to marriage on August 15, 1987 at Christ Episcopal Church in Pompton Lakes. They eventually moved to their current residence in Newfoundland.

Larry was a very warm, engaging man who loved staying in touch with friends and was always in search of a good time.  He and Rosemary frequently entertained family and friends having parties and barbeques at their home.

Larry loved the guitar.  His cousin taught him to play and eventually he learned to play a song called “Lady of Spain”.  Baseball was his favorite sport and he played on a men’s Sunday softball league where he was the designated pitcher.  Because he had an artificial leg, when it was his turn to hit a teammate would always run for him.  During this time, he also coached a women’s softball league.  He was a huge fan of the New York Yankees and was always up on the current the game schedule and knew all the player’s names better than he knew his family’s names.

Throughout his life, Larry’s strong faith in God led him through the good times and the bad. He and Rosemary were faithful parishioners of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes.  Larry never missed saying Grace before meals even when eating out.

Larry loved dogs and, over the course of his life, he had many of them to love. His current companion was a loving pooch named Mia. She was always with him. When he sat in the kitchen, Mia was on his lap and even at the time of his passing she was right there by his side on the bed.

Larry was the beloved husband of Rosemary Wilk Ehrhart Scarmazzo, blest in marriage for 32 years. He was the loving father of:  Sandra and husband Jack Rippey of Oak Ridge, Patricia and husband Lester Reiche of Highland Lakes, John and wife Theresa Ehrhart of Port Orange, FL, Suzanne and husband Carlos Segarra of Roswell, GA, and Michael and wife Colleen Ehrhart of Port Orange, FL; adored grandfather of: Daniel Rippey, Sean Reiche, Kristine and husband Lance Briley, and John Ehrhart and companion Whitney Sanders; cherished great-grandfather of Aaden, Adryanna, and Kenzie; brother of Joan and husband William Handling of Sparks, NV, Charles and wife Gerd Scarmazzo of Stow Creek, NJ, the late Ronald Scarmazzo and the late Paul Scarmazzo survived by wife Erika of Butler, NJ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Mary’s Church, Annual Fund, 17 Pompton Avenue, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442, would be appreciated.

Kathleen Van Wingerden (nee Vriezema), age 83, of Pompton Plains passed away peacefully on Tuesday November 19, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Kathleen was born in her home in North Haledon and was the oldest of three children to Richard and Hester Vriezema.  Shortly after graduating high school she married the love of her life Arie Van Wingerden on November 4, 1955.  Arie and Kathleen settled in Wayne and stayed there for about three years.  As their family started to grow they moved to Pompton Plains.  They called Pompton Plains their home for the next sixty-one years, raising their five sons.

Throughout the years Kathleen assisted her husband Arie in the family business, Van Wingerden and Sons Greenhouse.  However, Kathleen’s true calling in life was to be a mother and homemaker, and this is where she truly flourished.  Kathleen was totally devoted to her husband Arie and to her five sons.  Kathleen and her family were devout members for many years to the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes where she was also a member of the Lois Circle.  Kathleen was also extremely involved with the Netherlands Reformed Christian School in Pompton Plains where her children attended.  Kathleen and Arie cherished sixty-four years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Kathleen was a wonderful cook and was known as “The Famous Cookie Baker” in their area.  Kathleen loved traveling to visit her family in Washington and Idaho and sincerely enjoyed when her family would get together for holidays, particularly Thanksgiving.  It was abundantly clear that Kathleen’s true passion in life was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Kathleen than spending time with, and providing for her family.  Kathleen was a wonderful woman who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Kathleen is survived by her husband Arie Van Wingerden of Pompton Plains, her five sons; John Van Wingerden and his wife Jane of Sunnyside, WA, Alan Van Wingerden and his wife Anita of Pompton Plains, Ron Van Wingerden and his wife Joyce of Priest River, ID, Paul Van Wingerden and his wife Stacey of Priest River, ID, and Glenn Van Wingerden and his wife Nicole of Priest River, ID, twenty one grandchildren; Michael, Matthew, Rachel, Heather, Kristen, Amanda, Arielle, Zachary, Alanna, Jack, Caitlyn, Andrew, Dylan, Lauryn, Arie, Brian, Edward, Katie, Kasondra, Logan, and Emma, fourteen great-grandchildren; Ayden, Tate, Londyn, Matilda, Teague, Piper, Vera, Grant, Gisele, Brielle, Levi, Julia, Cora, and Marie, one sister Ruth Oliviero of Norwich, NY.  She was predeceased by her brother Richard Vriezema.          

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen’s name may be made to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School, 164 Jacksonville Rd, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.  

Albert P. Langlois, age 89, of Wayne, NJ, went home to be with the Lord, peacefully with the comfort of family by his side, on Tuesday, November 19, 2019.

Al was born in Worcester, Massachusetts where he was raised before moving with his family to Paterson, NJ in his early teens. After graduating from Eastside High School, he took a job starting as a messenger with National Community Bank in Paterson.

Al met his loving and beautiful wife Grace (nee Pascarella) while attending Bethany Church in Paterson where they both played the accordion as part of the church’s outreach. Their first date was to New York City for dinner. Al and Grace soon fell in love and married on Saturday, December 1, 1951 at the Bethany Church in Paterson and honeymooned in Miami Beach, Florida.

Immediately after their wedding, 21-year-old Al answered the call of his country and went off to serve in the United States Marines. He served from 1951 to 1953 and, upon being honorably discharged, he returned home to resume his job with National Community Bank. Al enjoyed a long and rewarding career with the bank, moving up through the ranks to Vice President and Branch Manager. He retired in 1994, shortly after the bank was bought out by Bank of New York.

Al and Grace initially lived in Paterson before moving to Wayne in 1965. There they raised their three daughters and enjoyed a loving, caring and faith-filled marriage of 61 years until Grace was called home to be with the Lord in 2013. Al continued to live in that same home in Wayne for the rest of his life.

Outside of work, Al liked to relax and enjoy God’s creation by casting his fishing line off the shore in Montauk, NY and closer to home in Kinnelon. At home you could often find him working in his garden where he grew delicious vegetables of all kinds. He simply cherished the blessing of grandchildren and great-grandchildren in his life and especially enjoyed family get-togethers.

Al loved and served the Lord with all his heart and soul. He was a member of Bethany Church in Paterson and later in Wyckoff. He was currently attending Hawthorne Gospel Church for 30 years. Al loved serving as one of the church ushers and he and Grace had also been active in the church’s nursing home ministry.

Al was the loving husband of Grace (nee Pascarella), blessed in marriage for sixty-one years until her passing in 2013. Devoted father of: Reneé Drenth and son-in-law Dean of Washingtonville, NY, Denise DeBlock and son-in-law Kenneth of Wayne, and Bonnie Langlois of Wayne; cherished grandfather of: Kevin Drenth and his wife Erika, Danielle Doran and her husband Kevin, Jacqueline Preiskines and her husband Matthew, Kenneth DeBlock and his wife Janelle, Nicole Drenth, Ashley Drenth, and Kerry Hanisch and her husband Steven; dear great-grandfather of: Hunter Drenth, Gracie Drenth, Gabriel Doran, Tristan Preiskines Abigail Doran, Blake DeBlock, Mya Melchiorre, Noah Doran, and Levi Preiskines; dear uncle of many nieces and nephews; and dear brother-in-law of Esther Pascarella and Carol Pascarella. Al was also predeceased by his parents Albert and Florence Langlois, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Vincent and Mary Pascarella and his brother and sister-in-law William and Alice Langlois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Hawthorne Gospel Church, 2000 Route 208, Hawthorne, NJ 07506, would be appreciated.

Huguette Boback, age 95 of Wayne and most recently Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2019.

She was born to Emile and Emilienne Charlebois in Montreal, Canada. At the age of eleven her father passed away. Her uncle, a bishop in the Catholic church, stepped in and assisted with Huguette’s and her siblings’ education. She attended a boarding school before pursuing a career in nursing.

Huguette always wanted to travel and see the world so as a young nurse she and her friend Vicky decided to look for nursing jobs in the United States. They scanned the newspapers for nursing positions and chose Middletown, NY as their first destination. Huguette received her certification as a Registered Nurse and after a period of time returned to Montreal. Eventually the adventurer in her was ready for another challenge and she and Vicky found jobs in Jersey City. Huguette enjoyed her work in the United States very much and was particularly amused that many Americans found her French Canadian accent so charming (an accent which she never really lost even after residing most of her life in the States).

Huguette met her future husband Michael at a YMCA square dance in Jersey City. They were married at Saint Aloysius Church in Jersey City on December 1, 1951. Their honeymoon in Atlantic City marked the beginning of a lifetime traveling the world and experiencing everything they had ever dreamed of. Their experiences and spirit of adventure enriched the lives of their children in more ways than they could ever have imagined.

Mike’s work as a mechanical engineer for the Colgate Palmolive Company allowed them to live in numerous locations around the world including Columbia, Venezuela, Thailand and many others. They eventually decided to settle down and established roots in Wayne where they purchased a home in Packanack Lake in 1963. Huguette maintained her love of travel and accompanied Mike on consulting jobs in Belgium and Guatemala after his retirement from Colgate. They also traveled for pleasure with Huguette keeping a journal of each place they visited. Huguette and Mike had a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-two years before his passing in 2013. Shortly after his passing Huguette moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, enjoying what she fondly called her “hotel living” and making many new and special friendships which she valued tremendously.

Huguette was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a lifelong parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne. She was active with the church in numerous ways including the Lazarus Society. Huguette was always ready to help those in need. Her compassionate nature was evident in her actions with the church, friends and neighbors over her many years at Packanack Lake.

Huguette had a deep life long appreciation of art and music. She especially loved classical music and for many years as an adult took classical guitar lessons and attended classical guitar concerts. At age 94 she was still taking advantage of Cedar Crest’s monthly shuttle buses into NYC to wander around the Metropolitan Museum of Art on her own for hours, soaking up the experience of being around the things that spoke so deeply to her.

Huguette was the devoted wife of the late Michael Boback (d.2013); loving mother of Michelle Wojtukiewicz and her husband Charles of Parsippany; Andrea Boback of Monmouth Junction, NJ; David Boback of Reno, Nevada, and Thomas Boback of Coppell, Texas. She was the cherished grandmother of Christopher Wojtukiewicz. Huguette was the dear sister of Camille Drolet and Lise Chamberlain both of Quebec City, Canada and Josee McGuire of Drummondville,Canada. She was pre-deceased by her beloved sister, Marie and brother, Jean.

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

Nick Arthur Louridas, age 77, of Wayne passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2019.

He was born in Paterson to Gust and Louise Louridas.  He was raised in Paterson at 28 North 3rd Street and the family later moved to 36 Franklin Street in East Paterson. He graduated from East Paterson High School with the Class of 1960.  After high school, he served as member of the United States Army Reserve.

As a young man Nick worked as a pin setter at the Martone Lanes in East Paterson, Harmon Colors paint store in Haledon, and the State of NJ Highway Department. He was the proprietor of Constantine Vending in Paterson along with with his brother, Leo. Together, they had accounts throughout the state of New Jersey that they serviced for about forty years before retiring. His children have fond memories of going to dad’s warehouse for the vending machines as there was soda and candy everywhere you looked.

Nick had a fun, sarcastic personality and loved being surrounded by family and friends. He lived life on his terms and was not much of a rule-follower.  He was an old-school kind of guy and would like to drop in on friends unannounced and surprise them.  He loved kids and coached Wayne PAL Baseball both during his children’s formative years and beyond.  He loved his dogs naming his German Shepherd Thor and his two Maltese dogs Sasha and Shea.  His dog Thor was highly trained and won obedience awards.  He was so well trained Nick could walk him around the Mall and he would stay right at his side.

Nick was the loving husband of Donna Louridas who predeceased him in July of 1995; he was the loving father of Nick Louridas and his wife Kristy of Williamsburg, VA, Eric Louridas and his wife Alexandra of Wayne, and Nicole Louridas of Wayne; he was the cherished grandfather of Samantha, Christopher, Nicholas, and Eva Louridas; he was the beloved brother of Leo Louridas and his wife Eileen of Wayne and the late Constance Devine.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne PAL, 1 PAL Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 or St Jude Childrens Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.

Richard J. Monzo, age 84, of Wayne, passed Saturday, November 16, 2019.

He was born to Joseph and Grace Monzo and raised in the Hillcrest Section of Paterson on Marion Street.  He attended both Saint Marys High School and Paterson Technical High School with the Class of 1953.

Just out of high school Richard worked for the Kelly Nut Company and soon found a job with the Continental Can Company in Paterson and later Wayne where he served as a Union Recording Secretary for several years. After his thirty years with Continental Can Richard opened his own company the Nutley Postal Center which he ran for twenty-eight years having retired in 2016.

He will be remembered as a loving, generous, and caring man.  He enjoyed golf, basketball, bowling, and his Amazon Gray parrots which he named Jeremy and LT after his favorite New York Giants players.

Richard is the devoted father of Richard and Debbie Monzo both of Wayne; he was the cherished grandfather of Alyssa Bernascone and Nicholas Monzo and great-grandfather of Alexa Bernascone; he was the dear brother of Marilyn Palukaitis of Lincoln Park and the late Vera Reinhardt; and he considered Karen Esa and Michelle Arno like daughters.

Joan Madsen, age 88, of Packanack Lake, Wayne NJ, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. Joan had lived in Packanack Lake, since 1957 then moved to Kinnelon in 1987. After the passing of her husband in 2013, she returned to Packanack Lake to live with her daughter Michele Cantwell and son-in-law Kevin Cantwell.

Joan worked as graphics coordinator for TRW in Fairfield New Jersey for over twenty years and prior to that she worked at Prudential Insurance in Newark. While raising her children, she was active in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church offices and volunteering in the community of Packanack Lake.

Joan was raised in Passaic, NJ where she graduated from high school. She was the captain of cheerleading team at Passaic High School. She maintained her passion for supporting sports throughout her life and passed much of it on to her children and grandchildren, many of whom are also accomplished athletes. Inspired by her mother, who was a designer’s seamstress, Joan had a flair for fashion and design, and received a full scholarship to Parson’s School of Design, NYC.

In the summer of 1947 Joan Lajeskie met the love of her life, Christian “Fred” Madsen. He and a close friend had traveled up north for a day at the lake. They noticed a picnic going on across the lake and took a row boat across to the picnic. Upon reaching the shore Fred connected with the eyes of the most beautiful woman he had ever encountered. He said to his friend, “I am going to marry that girl”. They married in 1951 and the rest is history. Their love for each other was extraordinary, beautiful and everlasting.  

Joan was best known for her quiet, kind, genuine and devoted nature with a true compassion and heartfelt goodwill.  She was a patient and supportive listener who embraced the importance of family, honor and integrity in everything she did. She will be remembered for her sweet, kind and loving disposition, especially towards her children and grandchildren.

Over the years, Joan enjoyed sewing, embroidery, quilting, gathering with her friends for bridge club and traveling with her husband Fred. She and Fred had an adventurous spirit and for many years they traveled on vacations to Hawaii, Mexico, Virgin Islands and eventually to explore Europe. They took their family on camping explorations up and down the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada. Their children were inspired by these travels, which led to some having settled in Southern California, where Joan and Fred frequently visited. The adventures they have shared together have helped to create a trove of treasured memories and happy times that her family will cherish throughout their lifetimes. She will always be remembered as a caring person, a loving wife and a most wonderful mother and grandmother. She will be missed dearly.

Joan is survived by her four daughters; Elisa “Lisa” Madsen of Bridgewater, NJ, Pamela Madsen and her husband Eric Dries of Laguna Beach, CA, Kathy Madsen of Carlsbad, CA, and Michele Madsen Cantwell and her husband Kevin of Wayne, and four grandchildren: Lauren and William Nutter of Carlsbad, Annika Dries of Laguna Beach, and Danielle Cantwell of San Diego, California. She is predecased by her husband Christian Fred Madsen her mother Catherine Lajeskie and father Edward Lajeskie of Passaic, New Jersey.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to further Parkinson disease research www.parkinson.org

Maria Scialba (nee Zapparrata), age 84, of Woodland Park, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Maria was born in southern Italy, in the town of Vittoria, in the province of Ragusa, Sicily. While growing up there, Maria met a fine gentleman by the name of Giuseppe Scialba by the help of some friends who introduced them to each other. They soon fell in love but, when Maria’s brother Giovanni urged her to come to the United States in the early 1960’s, she found herself in a struggle between love and the promise of greater opportunities in a new land. She ultimately chose a better life in America, but she and Giuseppe kept the love-light burning through regular written correspondence. Maria looked forward to receiving love letters from Giuseppe, always marveling at how romantic they were. She got the best of both worlds in 1967 when Giuseppe joined her in the U.S. and they married a year later on November 9, 1968 at St. Anthony’s Church in Paterson with a reception following at the North Pole Restaurant in Lodi.

After the wedding, Maria and Giuseppe’s first home was an apartment in Paterson. While there, they welcomed two beautiful children – first their son John followed by their daughter Rosa. They later moved to their own home in Elmwood Park. Maria settled into a life she quickly came to love and embrace as a loving wife, caring mother and meticulous homemaker. She made her home the most warm and welcoming place you would every want to be and, thanks to her excellent skills as an amazing cook and baker, the house was always filled with the delicious smells of her culinary creations. Her son John’s favorite was Maria’s Manicotti which she made every year for his birthday, and Rosa’s favorite was her mom’s Focaccia Bread, filled with homemade sauce, onion, and ricotta. For dessert, nothing could beat Maria’s lemon cookies and lemon Bundt Cake, or her delicious jello molds, and she really enjoyed exploring new recipes and trying them out on her family and friends.

The holidays were always special in the Scialba home as Maria loved to decorate and have all of the family together for Christmas. Every Halloween, her children had the coolest costumes which Maria sewed herself. In fact she was an excellent seamstress who could make anything and she loved the experience the whole time she was creating a new outfit.

Without a doubt, Maria’s greatest passions were for her family and her faith. One of her greatest memories was traveling back to her homeland in Italy on a family vacation with her husband Giuseppe and her children. She enjoyed showing John and Rosa the places she played as a child and they also included some travel through France and Spain. In her later years, Maria found it to be such a joy to hear the laughter and see the exuberance of her five grandchildren. When Maria was young, she had a beautiful dog which she grew very close to. Sadly, the dog passed away at a young age. Afraid it would happen again, she never got another dog for herself or her children, wanting to shield them from that pain of loss. But as her children grew older, they got their own dogs – John had Gigi and Rosa had Lexi and currently has CiCi. Throughout recent years, Maria grew to love those pooches as if they were part of the family.

Maria’s faith in God was a cornerstone pillar of her life. It was this love of God that help guide her to be a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She always did her very best to reflect God’s perfect love to everyone. For many years, she was a parishioner of St. Leo’s Roman Catholic Church in her hometown of Elmwood Park and she was devoted to St. Padre Pio.

Maria was an amazing woman who did such an excellent job creating a safe, warm and inviting place to gather and share life and laughter. With great sorrow, she lost her husband Giuseppe in 2008. She continued to live in Elmwood Park until three years ago when she joined her son John in his home in Woodland Park.      

Maria was the beloved wife of Giuseppe, blessed in marriage for 39 years until his passing in 2008. She was the most loving mother of John Scialba of Woodland Park, and Rosa and husband Marc Cinque of North Caldwell; adored grandmother of: Darren James “D.J.”, Stevie, Alec, Alana, and Adam; and dear aunt of several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother and sister: John “Giovanni Zapparrata and Giovanna Giacchi.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION INFORMATION

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

The American Cancer Society

7 Ridgedale Avenue, Suite 103,

Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927

To donate online visit: www.cancer.org

The ALS Association of Greater New York Chapter

42 Broadway, Suite 1724,

New York, NY 10004

To donate online visit: www.als-ny.org

Laura Bishop Lefelar died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends at the age of 55. Diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2017, throughout her treatment, Laura continued to live fully as a single parent, marriage counselor and writer.

Born July 8, 1964, Laura lived in Wayne all her life.  She loved skiing and ran five marathons, including the Boston Marathon.  A life-long lover of learning, she earned a degree from the University of Delaware, Duke and Seton Hall.  She presented at national and local conferences and on television.  She loved classical music and was a season ticket holder with the NJ Symphony Orchestra.

Laura B. Lefelar was a mother to her children, Tyler M. Barch, Emily G. Barch, Sarah F. Barch, and Paige A. Barch.  She is also survived by her parents, Lynne W. Lefelar and Bob A. Lefelar; sisters Gaye L. Servideo and Victoria R. Lefelar; brother-in-law Michael Servideo, nieces and nephews, step-siblings, and their spouses, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

With her children, Laura enjoyed traveling, long, deep talks, and family meals.  She was whole-hearted; loved flowed through her but did not make her sweet or overly sentimental.  She was wise, present, and truthful, which was the measure of her love.

Laura Bishop Lefelar was a life-long dreamer, recording and working with her nighttime dreams. She won a dream telepathy contest twice at an international dream conference. She supported dream research and education. The family would like to ask that donations in her honor go to The International Association for the Study of Dreams at www.iasdreams.org. You can click on the website listed to the left to be brought to their homepage.

Josephine M. Chidiac, age 92 of Andover and formerly of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 9, 2019.

Josephine was born in Paterson, the second of Nicolas and Selma Chidiac’s six daughters. She spent her early childhood there in Paterson before moving with her family to Jacksonville, Florida when she was nine years old. This move to Florida was prompted by her father, a baker by trade, who felt that greater opportunity awaited in the sunshine state.

While living in Florida, Josephine graduated from Immaculate Conception High School with the Class of 1944. A year later, sadly, her father passed away unexpectedly and in 1947, her family moved to Miami where Josephine began to work for Prudential Life Insurance Company. She relocated to Newark, NJ in 1955 via a company transfer and she continued to work for Prudential for another thirty years, retiring in 1985. During Josephine’s years back in New Jersey, she lived in Clifton before residing in Wayne from 1994 to 2014. She had been living in Andover at Bristol Glen Assisted Living for the past five years.

Faith and family were the cornerstone pillars of Josephine’s life.

She was devoted to her faith in God and was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne. When she moved to Andover, Josephine attended Mass at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Newton until her health no longer allowed. Then she faithfully watched Mass on television.

In many respects, Josephine’s love of poker and going to the casinos was simply a reason to get together with the ones she loved. She and her five sisters once enjoyed a long-lasting tradition of gathering once a week at one of their houses for a night of poker. It was all for fun and the wagers were always limited to quarters, dimes and nickels. She also loved going to Atlantic City with her sister Margaret and, in more recent years when she moved up to Andover, Josephine’s nieces would take her to The Sands Resort and Casino in nearby Bethlehem, PA where she especially loved playing the slots. Throughout her lifetime, Josephine was also privileged to see much of God’s beautiful creation. She and her sisters, Margaret and Bertha, saw a lot of this great world traveling to such destinations as Spain, Italy, Portugal, Austria, and throughout Canada and the United States, including Alaska, and she and Margaret always enjoyed escaping the cold of Jersey winters by living during that season in Florida. Josephine also found great joy in being a special aunt to her eleven very-much-loved nieces and nephews. There were great memories of frequently getting together with all of them at Josephine’s house for summer afternoons around the swimming pool where they swam and also enjoyed a game of shuffle board or badminton. Josephine also enjoyed spoiling them on their birthdays and other special occasions.    

Josephine is survived by her one sister: Marie D’Annunzio and husband Gabe of Florham Park; eleven nieces and nephews: Christine, John, Carol, Nancy, Alyse, Marie, William, Linda, Jeanne, Lisa, and Gary; twenty-three great nieces and nephews; one great-great niece and one great-great nephew; and numerous cousins. She was predeceased by her parents: Nicolas and Selma Chidiac, and by four sisters: Bertha Chidiac, Harriet Dikdan, Margaret Chidiac, and Laura Homsani.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Josephine’s honor would be greatly appreciated to Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherds Lane, Totowa, NJ 07512, or Eva’s Village, 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501.

Claud Gilbert Goodwin (Punky) 85 of Wayne, NJ passed away peacefully on November 9, 2019.  Claud was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia on February 10, 1934.  Claud survived his parents; Charles Tod Goodwin and Mary Goodwin (nee Connor).  He retired in 1995 as the Athletic Director from Waldwick High School.

Claud leaves behind his three children; Michelle Mallett and her husband Dean, Scott and his wife Maryann, and Michael and his wife Kelly, and ten grandchildren.  He loved football, basketball, and tennis.  He was a very loving and well-liked man.  He will be truly missed!

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001, or visit www.alzfnd.org.

George J Perillo, age 77, of West Milford passed away peacefully on Friday, November 8, 2019 while receiving the loving care of his family.

George was born in Newark, and was the older of two children to George and Anne Perillo.  George and his family moved to Bloomfield when he was just a small boy.  George attended Bloomfield High School and graduated with the class of 1960.

It wasn’t very long after graduating from high school that George heard the call to serve his country.  He enlisted in the United States Marines Corp in 1960.  George served honorably from 1960 until 1963 when he was honorably discharged.  While in the USMC, George started to learn the electrical trade which would then become his career for the rest of his life.  After being discharged from the military, George went to work for the Electrician’s Union local 52 which later merged with Local 164.  George remained a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers until his retirement in 2007.  

Sometime after graduating from high school, George met the love of his life Joann and the two started dating.  They dated for about a year and a half and as fate would have it they fell in love and were married on May 7, 1966.  After getting married the couple immediately moved to Bloomfield where they lived and raised their three children.  George and Joann remained in Bloomfield until 1999 when they moved to West Milford.

Baseball was one of George’s greatest loves.  He was a devout Yankee fan, his favorite player and idol being #7 Mickey Mantle.  George was also a big New York Giants fan as well.  Baseball was in George’s blood, which is why he coached Little League and Babe Ruth Leagues in Bloomfield for more than twenty years.  Throughout his years of coaching baseball he became affectionately known as “Mr. P” to the kids he coached.

George was devoted to his Catholic faith. He and his wife, Joann, were parishioners of St. Lucy’s Church in Newark for many years and George was a member of their male choir.  George and Joann later became parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pequannock.   George and Joann cherished fifty-three years of loving and loyal marriage.  Aside from all of George’s hobbies and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  He was a devoted father and grandfather and was affectionately known as Poppi.  Nothing in the world meant more to George than spending time with and providing for his family.  George was a special person who touched the lives of many people and he will be missed by everyone that knew him.

George is survived by his wife Joann (nee Riccobono) of West Milford, two daughters; Lori Erickson and her husband John of Middlesex, Kelly Maldonado and her husband Hector of Oak Ridge, one son Christopher Perillo and his fiancé Jennifer of Hewitt, four grandchildren; Luca and Isabella Maldonado, and Kylee and Rylee Perillo.  He was predeceased by his sister Linda Pocchio.

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In lieu of flowers, those planning to make a donation in George’s name are asked to consider St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 http://www.stjude.org or the National MS Society P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 http://www.nationalmssociety.org.

Anna Wood (nee Howarth), age 94, and a lifelong Haledon resident, died peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019.

Anna lived her entire life in the home that her grandfather originally built in the 1899. There she and Victor, her husband of 46 years, raised their family and also cared for her parents until their passing.

She worked for the United States Postal Service in Paterson, where she received many commendations before retiring in 1990.

Anna was known as a loving, patient, and generous woman who genuinely cared about the well-being of others and was loved by everyone. She was also an expert at solving challenging crossword puzzles and cryptograms.

Anna was a very enthusiastic shopper and a skilled gardener.  She was especially proud of the rose bushes she planted and cultivated around the yard.  

Anna is survived by her daughter, Denise Wood, of Knoxville, Tennessee.  She was predeceased by her husband Victor in 1991, and by her son Randall in 1979.

Flowers are welcome; donations to Hospice of NJ would be preferred - mail to: Hospice of NJ, 400 Broad Acres Drive, Suite 175, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 - make checks payable to: "Island Hana Mana Foundation"  and place "In memory of Anna Wood" in the memo.

Joyce Hensen (nee Kattwinkel), age 90, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 7, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Joyce was born and raised in Clifton and was the younger of two children to Otto and Martha Kattwinkel. As a child, Joyce loved spending summers swimming at her family's lakehouse at Lindy's Lake, Bloomingdale. In school, Joyce was a talented scholar, dancer and cheerleader. She also enjoyed playing the accordian.  While at Clifton High, she met her future husband, John Hensen, and the two were inseparable from that point on. Joyce graduated from Clifton High School in 1947, and went on to attend Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. She then secured a secretarial position at Dumont, the company that produced the first televisions in the US. Joyce and John were married December 29, 1951, after John's honorable discharge from the army. They honeymooned at Lake Placid.

Joyce then dedicated herself to being a wife, homemaker, and raising her 3 children, in Packanack Lake, Wayne, NJ.  Joyce later went back to the workplace, securing a secretarial position at Hammond Organ, and later as Administrative Assistant at the Recreation Center at  William Paterson University, from which she eventually retired.  Never one to settle, Joyce then became a crossing guard for the Wayne Township schools, which she greatly enjoyed.  

Through the years, Joyce was involved in many groups and activities in the Packanack Lake community. She enjoyed reading,  playing bridge, volleyball, tennis and swimming. Joyce was immersed in the Packanack Players  theater group, and later, the Wayne Senior Follies, where  she was a lead choreographer and dancer, as well as costume designer and seamstress.  Joyce and her family spent their summers at the Jersey shore, sharing beach houses with dear friends from Packanack.  Joyce and John enjoyed traveling to various destinations both within the U.S. and abroad. Joyce was a pet lover, and the family always had a dog, and often a cat as well.    She was an independent woman, with an outgoing disposition and an easy smile.   Joyce and her husband John remained “High School Sweethearts” forever.  Throughout the years, their children would often enter a room to find them giggling together like a young couple in love. They both loved to throw a good party, and friends were often gathered at the Hensen house.   Joyce and John cherished fifty-four years of loving and loyal marriage together until John’s passing in 2005.   Joyce had many interests and talents, however her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Joyce than spending time with, and providing for her family.  Joyce was a very special person who touched the lives of many people.  She will be extremely missed by everyone that knew her.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Joy Schmitz and her husband Fred of Sparta, two sons; Dyke Hensen and his wife Suzanne of Kinnelon, and Reid Hensen and his wife Laurie of Wayne, four grandchildren; Corinne Travis of Westborough, MA, Lindsay Schmitz of Sparta, Reid Hensen of West Hollywood, CA, Stevie Hensen of Wayne, two great grandchildren; Kylan Travis and Jude Travis.  She was predeceased by her brother Frank Kattwinkel, and her husband John Hensen (2005).

Josephine Frost (nee Sisco) age 95, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 6, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Josephine was born and raised in Little Falls, NJ and was one of six children to Joseph and Antoinetta Sisco.  After graduating from High School with the class of 1942 she immediately found work.  She worked for several different companies until finally earning a position at Kearfott Corporation in Little Falls.

While working at Kearfott, Josephine met a handsome young man, also an employee there, by the name of Albert Frost.  Josephine and Albert dated for a while and as fate would have it they fell in love and were married on October 20, 1967.  Shortly after getting married, Josephine and Al lived in an apartment in Wayne then briefly moved to the town of Dover.  The couple then settled in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne and remained there for the rest of their lives.

Jay and Al had a wonderful marriage full of travel, adventure, and cherished memories. They visited Maine often to see Al’s family, Nashville on a few occasions, drove to Chicago, and journeyed across the United States in the 1970’s for a full month. They had been on several cruises, visited Bermuda a couple of times, and toured the Greek Isles and Italy. Among their most memorable trips was to Turkey and the city of Ephesus. They toured the Greek and Roman ruins there, visited the Church of Mary where it is believed that the Virgin Mary had lived, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  Josephine and Albert cherished more than forty-eight years of loving and loyal marriage together until Albert’s passing in 2015.

Josephine was a devoted wife and was also truly devoted to her Catholic Faith.  She and her husband were parishioners of Annunciation Church in Wayne for many years where Josephine was also extremely active. She was a Eucharistic minister for Annunciation and participated in the RCIA through the church for many years as well.  One of Josephine’s favorite past times was the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle.  Almost every Sunday she could be found in her home working on them.  Josephine was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by her friends and family alike.

Josephine is survived by her sister Elizabeth DeGange of Hamburg, two nieces; Kathy and Helen, and five nephews; Clark, Charles, Joseph, Daniel, and David.  She was predeceased by her three sisters Helen Sisco, Angie Romeo, and Julia Roan.  She was also predeceased by her brother Carl Sisco and her husband Albert in 2015.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or the charity of your choice.

Josephine Sole (nee Battaglia), “Jo” as she was known by all, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 with her family gathered at her bedside.  She was 93 years old and had enjoyed a happy life full of love and leaves her family with a trove of fond memories.  She had retired from Broadway Bank in Paterson many years ago.

Born in New York, New York, Jo moved to Paterson as a young girl and graduated from Central High School.  She met her husband, Joseph F. Sole, in the neighborhood where they knew each other as young kids.  After his return from serving in the U.S. Navy, they married on March 23, 1957.  Settling in the People’s Park section of the city, Jo raised her four sons in a very traditional Italian home with plenty of good food for all.  She was an excellent cook and made great sauce.  Her sons used to sneak into the kitchen and dip bread into her sauce to taste it, and she’d yell at them for leaving bread crumbs in the pot!   Her corn muffins with butter and jelly were simply delicious, and Christmas Eve was her favorite holiday when she would cook all the traditional fish.  She has left them all with wonderful memories that they will each cherish throughout their lifetime.

As a young girl, her father would rent a house in Atlantic City each summer and she came to love the beach.  She vacationed in the Caribbean, took several cruises, visited Florida, California, and made a few trips to Italy.  On any given day, she would venture down to the bus stop and head into New York City for a Broadway show or a concert, and she went to the Paper Mill Playhouse often as well.  She was never one to sit still, and even if she was home she would be busy with crossword puzzles, coloring books, and word searches.  There was certainly no moss growing under her feet, and she lived a good life.

Jo is survived by her four sons; Steven and his wife Maria of Oak Ridge, Joseph of Oak Ridge, Richard of Elmwood Park, and Robert and his wife Cynthia of Hamburg, and four grandchildren; Steven Sole, Jr., Stephanie M. Sole, Robert A. Sole, and Brandon M Sole.  She was predeceased by her husband Joseph in 2005.

Joan M. Schmitt, (nee McBride), age 86 of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2019 surrounded by friends and family.

Joan was born on July 2, 1933, in Paterson, NJ to Thomas and Wilma McBride, (nee Christ). She and her sister, Elizabeth Manghisi, (nee McBride) grew up in South Paterson. Joan attended St. George’s School during her grade school years and graduated from St. John’s High School. While in high school, she was selected to attend Girls State.

On February 14, 1953, Joan married the love of her life, George Schmitt. They met when she was thirteen and have been together ever since. During their 73 years together, they have welcomed five children: Debra and her husband, Richard Mirabelli of West Milford, NJ, George Schmitt of Wanye, NJ, Edward and his wife Kim Schmitt of Chester, NY, Diane and her husband Dave Brennan of Sparta, NJ, and Lisa Schmitt of Wanye, NJ.

Joan also was blessed with 11 grandchildren: Melissa and her husband Denis Welch of West Milford, NJ, Dana and her husband Donald Reonieri of Landing, NJ, Michele and her husband Erik Gillis of Ringwood, NJ, Scott and his wife Rosy Schmitt of Belvidere, NJ, Kayla Schmitt and Jahne and Patrick Liszewski of Chester, NY, Ashley, Casey, and Shannon Brennan of Wayne, NJ, and Melvin Green of Bloomfield, NJ.

On her 59th Wedding Anniversary, Joan welcomed her first great grandchild and since then she was blessed with an additional four great grandchildren. Denis, Aubrey, Ryan, Owen, and Edison always enjoyed spending time with her and sitting on Great Grandma Joan’s lap.

When Joan was young she learned to play the piano and continued the tradition by surrounding her children and grandchildren with her love of music. Joan enjoyed her role as a home-maker. She loved knitting, sewing costumes and clothing for her family, baking cookies and cakes for all occasions, and gifting family members her beautiful ceramics pieces that have become priceless memories to them.

Joan was most happy spending time with her family. Over the years she enjoyed many summers at Lake Hopatcong and going on annual family vacations to Wildwood Crest. Being surrounded by her family and friends is what made Joan happy. Hosting family parties, special occasions and the holidays is what Joan enjoyed most. These events were always shared with her parents, sister Betty, nephew Frankie and extended family and friends.

After a long full life and 66 beautiful years of marriage to her sweetheart George, Joan’s legacy will live on through her family and friends. She always had time to enjoy their company and was able to lovingly embrace four generations of family.

She was predeceased by her mother, Wilma McBride in 1999, her sister, Elizabeth Manghisi in 2007, and her father, Thomas McBride in 2010.

Paula Dodge Earle, 62

Paula Dodge Earle of Woodland Park (formerly of Wayne), New Jersey passed from this life on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

She was born in Hudson Falls, New York and attended Hudson Falls High School and Green Mountain College. She married her prince, Robert W. Earle and was the mother to her pride and joy, Kaitlyn Rose Earle.  She was predeceased by her husband Robert in 2012, and by her parents Paul and Marcella Dodge, her brother Phillip Dodge and her sister Judith Dodge Dunham.

During her career, Paula was engaged in many aspects of fashion on both retail management and wholesale sides of industry. She always strived for success and a new knowledge base with every opportunity. Known for her creativity, she loved decorating, cooking, holidays, horticulture, music, camping.  She especially loved “her” Lake George.

Paula leaves her daughter, Kaitlyn Rose Earle, brothers- in-law Kevin Earle, Geoffrey Earle, Robert Peterson and Peter Dunham along with sister-in-law Cathie Mattei; her nieces Elizabeth Earle Coakley, Amie Dodge Fay, Jennifer Dodge McSweeney and Susan Dunham; and nephews Bradford Earle, Scott Dunham and Brian Dunham. She is also survived by lifelong friends Gisele Freed and Theresa Fink; and Beth Smith, college hi-jinx partner, godmother to her daughter and best friend until the very end, along with her husband Roger and daughter Brianna.

Special thanks to John Kruse and Louise Alvers, Al Forgione and Virginia Maniero-Forgione, Brian and Sandy Donovan, and Nancy Montesano- all special friends who helped us manage our day to day lives while she fought. She was fortunate to have so many people who loved her.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Pequannock Township Engine Company 2 by visiting home.ptfd-co2.org or send donation to Pequannock Engine Company 2, PO Box 217, Pequannock, NJ 07440.

Louis Lamandri, age 60, of Wayne passed Saturday, November 2, 2019.

He was born in Newark and raised in Bloomfield and lived in Manahawkin before moving to Wayne over fifteen years ago but was often heard saying “YOU CAN NEVER TAKE THE NEWARK OUT OF ME!”

As a young man he worked at the Savoy Deli in Newark his Aunt Anna’s Delicatessen. This first job led to many years of working in the food preparation industry. Louis has worked for companies including: ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Jersey Mikes, Tiff’s, Macaroni Grill, and Panera. His main career was with the UPS Corporation where he worked for over twenty-five years.  He worked through the ranks at UPS having sorted packages, packed trucks, and finally took over a route delivering in North Bergen and Union City.

Louis will be lovingly remembered for his mayor like personality. He was very outgoing, sociable, and just loved to talk with just about anybody. He was an avid saltwater fisherman. He could often be found on the party boats the Elaine B, The Fisherman, and The Prowler out of Atlantic Highlands. For a while he owned his own boat “My Girls” a Bayliner with twin Mercury outboards. He loved that boat and was always fishing Barnegat Bay with it. He loved professional sports and was an avid NJ Devils, NY Mets, and Minnesota Vikings fan. Most of all Louis loved his yellow lab Rocky who was always by his side and loved to go on the boat fishing with him.

Louis is survived by his companion Victoria Gastulo who he lovingly called “My Bonita,” he is the son of Margaret Trento of Wayne and her late husband Michael; he was the father of Margaret Lamandri of South Portland, ME; brother of Anna Winick and her husband Eric of Wayne, and the late Michael and Rosemarie Lamandri; he was the uncle of Jessica and Gio Siracusa, Daniel Winick, Joshua Winick, and Mark Winick; two aunts Anna Icona and Sophie Florio both of Bloomfield; several loving cousins and his BEST friend Donny “Green.”

Elizabeth “Betty” DeRonde, 96, of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 2, 2019. Her passing culminated a life filled with many rich blessings and came one day before what would have been her wedding anniversary to her beloved late husband Cornelius who passed before her in 2005. Surely, they are excited to be reunited in heaven celebrating a marriage that was marked with much love, admiration and affection.

Betty was born and raised in West Paterson (known today as Woodland Park), the third of Robert and Mary Mooney’s five children. Along with her classmates, she enjoyed the distinction of being a member of the first graduating class from the brand new Passaic Valley Regional High School in Little Falls.

Betty was just fourteen years old when she first met the young man she would ultimately marry. His name was Cornelius “Neil” DeRonde and one day he came home with Betty’s older brothers who happened to work with him at the Curtiss Wright Corporation. It did not take long for Neil to notice and quickly take a liking to Betty, but with her being only fourteen years old at the time, her parents’ only thought was “keep Neil away from Betty!” Soon after, World War II began and Neil was called into service as soldier in the armed forces of the United States. While genuinely concerned for Neil’s safety, the distance from their young daughter that the war afforded admittedly gave Betty’s parents a certain level of comfort. Neil ultimately returned from war and, in good time, Betty’s parents actually came to adore Neil. They married on a snowy Saturday, November 3, 1945 in a private home in Montclair, and Betty’s parents gave their heartfelt blessing to the marriage. The newlyweds started life together in a rented apartment on Boyle Avenue in Totowa. Over the course of their lives together they would move three more times – first to 259 Moreland Ave in West Paterson, then to 241 Rifle Camp Road in West Paterson, and finally, in 1995 to their present home in Wayne.

Betty was the consummate homemaker. There wasn’t a thing she wasn’t able to do and everything she did was done to perfection. Her role of professional homemaker was inspired by her sincere desire to be a loving wife to her husband Neil, devoted mother to their two children Cheryl and Allan, and an adoring grandmother to her four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her home was always a most welcoming place to be. A most desired cook and baker, family favorites included Betty’s blueberry cheese pie, carrot cake and lemon coconut cake. The whirring of the sewing machine was a familiar sound in the home as Betty made much of the family’s clothing, and always to a high degree of excellence. One year, just one day before Easter, Betty decided that her daughter Cheryl needed to have a nice outfit for the special holiday. She quickly purchased the material and had the beautifully crafted wool suit ready in time for Cheryl to wear to church the next morning for Easter Sunday service. She could make anything and even made Cheryl’s wedding dress. When the blessing of grandchildren came, they were all gifted with blankets, booty’s and sweaters lovingly made by the skilled hands of Grandma DeRonde.

Betty’s home was always fastidiously kept and the outside of the house was equally lovely because of her advanced gardening skills. Betty had beautiful annual and perennial gardens all around the house. She also enjoyed growing her own vegetables and the rhubarb in her garden made for some delicious rhubarb pie. Betty’s skills weren’t just limited to growing plants, she could actually start new one from just a sprig or a leaf from an existing plant. She did this often with African violets and her Christmas Poinsettia flowered every year because Betty just knew how to make that happen. Betty also was the go-to person when a room needed to be wallpapered. This was due to her high standards of perfection which demanded that that patterns in the wallpaper always matched up perfectly from one hung piece to the next.

Betty loved her home and her role as homemaker for her family so much, she usually chose to stay at home versus taking a vacation. When she did travel, it was usually only to a place as far away as Asbury Park. Faith in God and love of family were the hallmarks of her life. She faithfully gathered with fellow believers at Grace Church in Clifton. This practice went on for 45 years until older age made it too difficult to do. When her children were young, she and Neil took great interest in their activities. She especially loved watching her son Allan play basketball and baseball during his years at Passaic Valley Regional High School. Being the proud mom that she was, she always enjoyed hearing the mothers from the opposing team lamenting about their sons chances of winning when her son Allan was slated to pitch a game. She and Neil also enjoyed attending many of their grandchildren’s sporting events travelling regularly to wherever the games were being played. She was an awesome grandma who regularly hosted her grandchildren for sleepovers and enjoyed taking them with Neil to the Thanksgiving parades.  

Betty was a brilliant woman. She loved keeping her mind sharp by doing daily crossword puzzles. She will be greatly missed because she was one of the strongest bedrocks in the whole family. She leaves behind a legacy of love and being a shining example for all that is good in God’s world. Her children will miss the daily phone calls with Mom and how she consistently took a genuine interest in each one of her children and grandchildren. Betty always knew what was going on in all of their lives and her love and care for each one was so evident. She would often pray for each one and was always glad to receive requests for extra prayer.  

Betty was the beloved wife of Cornelius, blessed in marriage for 59 years until his passing in 2005; devoted mother of Cheryl Holmberg of Totowa, and Allan and wife Eloise DeRonde of Shrewsbury; adoring grandmother of: Robert and wife Alison Holmberg, David and wife Christine Holmberg, Matthew DeRonde, and Alex DeRonde; cherished great-grandmother of Dylan, Casey, Shane, Aidan, and Logan; and dear aunt of several nieces and nephews. Betty was also predeceased by her three brothers and one sister: Robert, William and Joseph Mooney and Mae Meier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Leukemia and Lymphoma, Donor Services P.O. Box 98018 Washington DC 20090-8018 (www.lls.org), would be appreciated.

Anne Jane Connelly, age 76 of Pompton Plains, formerly of Wayne, N.J., passed away on October 30, 2019. She was a retired school teacher.

Anne was born in 1943 to John and Helen Sullivan. She grew up in Garden City, N.Y. with her sister Maureen whom she loved dearly. After high school, she attended Marywood University where she received her Bachelor’s degree for education so she could become a school teacher. Later, Anne received her Master’s degree in education from William Paterson University.

In her younger years, Anne enjoyed painting and she created a number of oil paintings that friends and family always saw around her home. During undergrad, she took a trip to visit numerous countries in Europe. It was a memory she always looked back on fondly. She was a woman that enjoyed having fun and her laugh was contagious. Her laugh will be greatly missed.

Anne is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Janish and her husband, Joseph, her daughter Nancy Connelly and her husband, Jeff Parenti, her daughter Eileen Crawford and her husband, Kevin, and her daughter, Tara Connelly. Anne is also survived by her six grandchildren. Anne was predeceased by her sister, Maureen Sullivan Moreau, in 2018.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Anne’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 7 Ridgedale Avenue, Suite 103, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927, www.cancer.org.

Daniel “Danno” Tomasulo, age 55 of Butler, died on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, after a battle with cancer.  He was employed in IT in the healthcare industry, and had also worked in the swimming pool business.

Dan grew up in Wayne and lived on Sherwood St. during his formative years.  He played soccer at Wayne Hills High School before graduating with the class of 1981.  Dan always sought to have a good time wherever he went, and the house parties he hosted during the 70’s and 80’s were legendary.  He enjoyed a large group of friends, many of whom he remained close with since high school, and he loved listening to good music, playing guitar, and singing his favorite songs.

Dan is survived by his sister; Susan Mendillo (Paul Schumacher) of Vernon, three brothers; Michael Tomasulo (Marcia Vardi) of Vernon, David Tomasulo of Vernon, and Matthew Tomasulo of Wanaque, and his nieces and nephews; Tara, Jesse, Nicole, Krissy, and Matt.  He was predeceased by his mother; Eileen Tomasulo in 2004.

Memorial donations in Dan’s honor would be appreciated.  Please consider the American Cancer Society, NJ Chapter, 7 Ridgedale Ave., Suite 103, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927.

Mark Marlow, age 75 of Paterson passed peacefully at home on Monday, October 28, 2019.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived in Paterson for the past forty-seven years.

Mark’s work history includes working at the movie theatre, liquor store, and corner sweet shop during his youth in Brooklyn.  He went on to work as a jewelry mechanic setting stones in jewelry and later worked at the John T. Stanley Soap Company’s print shop in Brooklyn where he was also in charge of driving the boss after extended lunches in the local tavern.  He also worked selling liquor at the Two Guys store in North Bergen and Trip Distributors in Paterson before finding work with the City of Paterson.  He worked for the City of Paterson for over twenty years having been a 911 Dispatcher for the Police Department, a dispatcher for the Department of Public Works, and eventually as a Payroll Supervisor before retiring in 2009.

It was during Mark’s years at the John T. Stanley Soap Company that he met his future wife Diana Reinhardt. Diana worked in the front office and was told to go out back and get a stamp.  Once outside of the office she went into a huge manufacturing plant and wandered around until she found the print shop where Mark happened to be working.  Mark soon asked Diana out on a date and took her to see the romantic movie Goldfinger. They soon fell in love and after asking Diana’s parents for her hand in marriage and receiving their blessing they married in March 11, 1967.  The exchanged vows at Greenspans Restaurant in Jersey City and honeymooned in Bermuda. After seven years of marriage they married again at St. Brendan’s Church in Clifton. They have enjoyed fifty-two years of a “phenomenal” marriage.

Mark will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was quiet, fun loving, a jokester, who very rarely got mad and never had a bad word to say about anyone. He loved his Kindle and playing all kinds of games on it.  He also enjoyed his many years helping at the Bader Farm Market on weekends. Anyone who was close to Mark knows he had a collection of over one thousand penguins. This collection started from someone at Paterson City Hall giving him a penguin and the rest is history.

Mark is the loving husband of fifty-two years to Diana Marlow; devoted father of Jeff Marlow and his wife Sandra of Wanaque and Dave Marlow and his wife Christina of Port St. Lucie, Florida; cherished grandfather of Jeffrey Marlow (Anna Shanks), Louise Marlow (Fiancé Antoine Delannoy), Ryan Marlow, David Castagnetti (Kelli), Andrew Castagnetti (Nicole Topic), Anthony Marlow, Jeremy Heinz, and Jacob Heinz; much loved great-grandfather of Olivia Castagnetti, Ava Castagnetti, Aria Castagnetti, Lucas Castagnetti, Sophia Topic, and Adrianna Topic; he was also the dear brother of the late Ronald Marlow.

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

John Van Easteren, age 64 of Whiting passed on October 27, 2019.

He was born to the late Peter and Gladys Van Easteren in Passaic and lived in Chester before moving to Whiting 6 years ago.

John served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1977.  After several years he enlisted with the United States Army and served during the Persian Gulf War and was again honorably discharged in 1992. After his military service John was employed by Exxon and the United States Post Office.

John was the brother of Karen Van Easteren of Cedar Grove, Susan Clark and her husband Robert of Washington Township, and Ronald Van Easteren and his wife Beverly of Southlake, Texas; he was also the uncle to five nieces and nephews.

Dr. James G Atieh, age 67, of Woodland Park passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 27, 2019.

Jim was born in Paterson and was the youngest child of Louis and Agnes Atieh.  When Jim was about four years old, the family moved from Paterson to Totowa.  Jim attended Passaic Valley High School and graduated with the class of 1969.  Following his graduation, Jim moved out to Davenport, Iowa where he attended the Palmer College of Chiropractic’s.

Subsequent to Jim’s graduation in 1974 from Palmer, he moved back to New Jerse4y where he set up his first private Chiropractic practice in Paterson.  Jim stayed in Paterson for about ten years then moved his practice to Totowa.  Eventually Jim relocated his practice again to Woodland Park and remained there for the rest of his career.  Jim’s career as a Chiropractor spanned just over forty-three years.  During his career, Jim was a member of the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors for many years and also volunteered at public schools in Paterson to help screen for Scoliosis. Jim also gave back to and supported his community by participating in work-study groups for the local high schools.

Jim was a big fan of just about all sports, but his favorite was baseball and football.  He was a huge New York Yankees and New York Giants fan.  Jim loved the Yankees so much he named his last cat “Jeter”.  He was also a big fan of Frank Sinatra and had paintings, pictures, and other memorabilia of Sinatra throughout his home.  Traveling was one of Jim’s favorite things.  Some of his most preferred destinations were Hawaii, Acapulco, and Puerto Rico.   Jim was a special person who touched many people’s lives and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Jim is survived by his sister Carol Moulakis and her husband Alex of Totowa, his sister-in-law Francis Atieh, two nieces; Dr. Deena Graham, and Lauren Atieh, one nephew Louis Athieh (L.J.), and his cat Jeter.  He was predeceased by his brother Louis Atieh in 2001.

Those wishing to make a donation in Jim’s name may do so to the charity of their choice.

"Pat" Alice Patricia (nee Lloyd) Washburn, July 5, 1932 – October 24, 2019.

She was raised in Elizabeth and spent her summers in Allenhurst, moving to Wayne in 1958.  Pat was a marvelous speech pathologist implementing many programs for the deaf and handicapped, developing from scratch the speech program at Parsippany/Troy Hills public schools that is still in use today.  Pat also had a love for the theatre throughout her whole life, whether performing on stage or attending shows, and has always had a love for the Paper Mill Playhouse for many years.

Pat was the beloved wife of Carver Washburn for sixty-two years, devoted mother to Mark Washburn and his wife Lisa, Nancy Weeks and her husband David, cherished grandmother to David, Michael and his wife Patrice, Robert, and Victoria Weeks, Julia, Jack, and Lizzy Washburn, beloved aunt to William, Edward, and Sheridan Lloyd.  She was predeceased by her brother Robert Lloyd Jr. and sister-in-law Catherine “Nancy” Lloyd.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Dr., Millburn, NJ 07041, www.papermill.org

Ruth L. Shannon, age 96, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.

Ruth was born to Henry and Venora Lawson on June 7, 1923 in Spartanburg, SC. She grew up as the middle child of three and attended Spartanburg High School. In 1940, she met Thomas Shannon while he was stationed in Camp Croft, SC, they married shortly thereafter. In 1943, after Tom was deployed to North Africa and Italy, Ruth wanted to play her part in the war effort and in 1943, enlisted in the United States Army’s Woman’s Army Corp (WAC).

Upon the conclusion of the war, Ruth was honorably discharged and was decorated with the Women’s Army Corps Service Medal, American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. She and Tom returned to Tom’s home state of New Jersey where they raised their family in Saddle Brook.

Ruth was a free spirit and a bit of a nonconformist. She had a voracious appetite for knowledge and read extensively on just about every subject under the sun. She had numerous hobbies such as writing, reading, stamp and coin collecting, scrabble, bird watching and quilt making. But most of all Ruth loved her family.

Ruth was the loving mother of: Kathy and Steven Kipnis of Wayne, NJ; Andrea and Rocco Mazzo of Jackson, NJ, Thomas of Knoxville, TN; much-loved grandmother of: JoAnna and Benjamin Mendez, Michael and Annette Shannon, Anthony Inzerillo, Rebecca and David Schubart, Hank Sherhandt, Raymond and Cora Inzerillo, Jennifer Sherhandt, Christopher and Lori Shannon, Alex Kipnis, Caroline Kipnis; Rocco and Sylvia Mazzo, Robert and Colleen Mazzo and Michelle and Dave Womack; cherished great-grandmother of Elizabeth, Benjamin, Michael, Carmine, Vincent, Rocco and Dimitri. She was predeceased by her husband Tom, daughter Barbara Cornfield, brother Henry Lawson, sister Sarah Lussardi and daughter-in-law Nancy Shannon.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Ruth’s name are asked to consider the following charities:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorials Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

www.stjude.org

Wayne Animal Shelter,

201 Pompton Plains Crossroad

Wayne, NJ 07470

Cornelia Cass, age 93, of North Haledon passed Monday, October 21, 2019.

She was born and raised in Elmwood Park (formerly knows as East Paterson) and lived in Wayne for fifty-five years before moving to the Holland Home in North Haledon in 2011.

For many years Cornelia was a member of the Pompton Valley Presbyterian Church in Pompton Plains. For many years she enjoyed playing the organ at home for her husband Albert. And took great pleasure in knitting hats for newborn babies at Chilton Hospital.

Cornelia was the loving wife for forty-four years to the late Albert Cass (1995); she was the much loved twin of her late brother Peter Van Easteren (2010) and his wife Gladys (2019); she was the dearly loved aunt to John Van Easteren of Whiting, Karen Van Easteren of Cedar Grove, Susan Clark and her husband Robert of Washington Township, and Ronald Van Easteren and his wife Beverly of Southlake, Texas; and great-aunt to five nieces and nephews.

Anne E. Warren-Miriagos, age 70 of Wayne, died on Monday, October 21, 2019.

Anne was raised in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, moving there with her parents in 1952.  A product of Catholic schooling, Anne went on to earn her degree in Library Science and worked at the Wayne Public Library for many years.  She was best known recently as “Miss Anne,” the crossing guard near Randal Carter Elementary School in Wayne.  This was an important part of her life and she loved getting all the little kids safely to school.

Education was paramount to Anne, and she always stressed higher learning to her family.  She read voraciously and enjoyed studying ancient civilizations, British Royalty, Egyptian history, as well as more recent dynasties like the Kennedys.  She has a home full of books, all of which she’s read, and visiting the public library was a part of her daily routine.  She instilled this love of knowledge in her grandson as well, and she took him to the library often.  Anne also made sure that every academic achievement was celebrated, every award was framed and hung on the wall, and she expressed how proud she was of her family’s accomplishments.

Anne met her husband, Stamatios, while on a cruise with her parents. Stamatios was the First Financial Officer for the cruise line, a member of the crew essentially, and they took a liking for one another.  They began corresponding and exchanged hundreds of letters and postcards over the next few years.  They were married in North Haledon in 1972 and moved to Xios, Greece, where his family lived, in 1976.  They moved to Piraeus, near Athens, and she lived there until 2010 when she returned to Wayne.  Anne has lived in Packanack Lake ever since.  She traveled extensively, but Anne’s favorite destination was always home, with her family.

Anne’s faith was strong and she was raised Roman Catholic.  During her years in Greece, she attended services at the Greek Orthodox Church, and upon returning to Packanack Lake, she attended mass regularly at Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church.

Anne is survived by her two children; Triantafilo “Rose” Reenstra and her husband William of Sparta, and Panagiotis “Peter” Miriangos of Wayne, and one grandson; Stamatis Myriagkos of Wayne, as well as her beloved grand-dogs; Sina and Taffy.  She was predeceased by her husband Stamatios in 2013.

In lieu of flowers and for those wishing to make a donation in Anne’s memory, please consider Eleventh Hour Rescue, PO Box 218, Rockaway, NJ 07866, www.ehrdogs.org, or Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 580 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470, or Wild Baby Rescue Center, 14 Grouse Mountain Rd, Blairstown, NJ 07825, www.wildbabyrescue.org.

Lilyan Menegus, of Wayne, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2019.

Lilyan was born in New Brunswick, the daughter of Andrew and Anna Smerek, joining her older sister Anne.  Raised in South River, NJ, she graduated with the Class of 1945 from South River High School.

As a young woman, Lilyan went down to the Jersey shore with a group of eight of her girlfriends and rented a bungalow for the week in Seaside Heights. There she met a handsome young man, fresh back from service in the U.S. Army named Bruno Menegus who just happened to be on vacation down the Jersey Shore with eight of his buddies. The gang all hung out on the beach with their portable transistor radio and a driftwood bonfire. Bruno was smitten by Lilyan and drove to South River to visit her. He met Lilyan’s parents and her father greeted him with “nice to meet you Brown.” “Brown” was German slang for Bruno. The two hit it off so well that, if Lilyan and Bruno had an argument  Lilyan’s parents would tell her she must be at fault. After asking for her father's permission, Bruno asked Lilyan to marry him. They wed on June 26, 1948 at Saint Stephens RC Church in South River, and enjoyed a two month honeymoon in Florida.

After returning from their honeymoon, the newlyweds moved to Bruno’s home town of Clifton and Lilyan got a job as an executive administrator for Shulton Cosmetics and Skincare Company – makers of Old Spice. She worked there until 1955 when she and Bruno welcomed their son Mark. In 1957 they moved to Clifford Drive in Wayne and, two years later, Mark got a little sister when Donna was born. During those years when her children were growing up, Lilyan stayed home to lovingly care for them and their new home in Wayne. She eventually decided to pursue a career in real estate taking her first job with Joseph Felice Realtors. Lilyan found that she really enjoyed the business so she earned her broker’s license and eventually opened North Ridge Realty in Wayne. She enjoyed a career that spanned more than 25 years with great success and the respect of her many clients.

Lilyan loved going skiing as a family and had skied for over thirty years in Utah, New Mexico, New England, France, Italy and Austria. She and Bruno lived a storied life enjoying trips all over the world on almost every continent. Closer to home, she and her local girlfriends started the Wayne Ladies Volleyball League and played for over twenty years in all the local school gyms. She adored her grandchildren and would take them anywhere – museums or out for dinner – any excuse to be with them. She was so very proud of her family that, when she moved to Cedar Crest Village in 2017, she couldn’t help but tell all of her friends about her children and grandchildren. Her faith in God was very important to her too and she and Bruno were parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne for many years.

Lilyan will be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother and awesome grandmother. She was a truly glamorous and stylish woman who took great pride in her outward appearance, but, with a warm heart and easy-to-talk-to disposition, she was just as beautiful on the inside.    

Lilyan was the beloved wife of Bruno, blessed in wonderful, loving, affectionate and devoted marriage for 67 years until his passing in 2015; devoted mother of Dr. Mark Menegus and his wife Jane of Harrington Park, Donna McLaughlin and her husband John of Verona; cherished grandmother of Sara and Bryan Menegus, Brittany and husband Todd Biron, and Nicole McLaughlin; dear sister of the late Anne Torok.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, NJ Chapter, 7 Ridgedale Ave., Suite 103, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927, would be appreciated.

Margaret F. Klock (nee Padgett) “Nanny”, age 90, of Wayne passed away peacefully at home, in her sleep on Friday, October 18, 2019. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Margaret was born and raised on a dairy farm in Lattimore, NC. She was the youngest of 4 children who all worked hard to keep the farm going after their dad passed from heart disease and the ravages of the 1929 depression hit them.  When she graduated high school she moved to Durham, NC with her oldest sister, Martha who had already received a nursing degree from Duke University and followed in her footsteps.

In the 1950’s she moved to New York City to become an OR nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. While working there she also did some modeling for Powers Models. One of her roommates told her about an airline that was looking for nurses to fly on their international flights. She applied and was chosen as a Pan Am Stewardess, which in those days was considered quite the honor.  Margaret circled the globe many times and loved to see the world and all the exotic locales. She had beautiful charms from almost every country you can imagine and some countries that don’t exist anymore.

Margaret met her husband, Robert, a widower, at the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink. They were both skating when he saw her. Eventually they married and she chose to become a homemaker and mother to his daughter from his first marriage, Carolyn. They moved to Packanack in 1960. They had two children together, Patricia and Ken.  They were active tennis players at Packanack Tennis Club and spent many happy years involved and made many wonderful friends.

During these years, Margaret also belonged to a special group called, The Harmony Singers. Every Tuesday they gathered and sang together. It was a ritual for her and a treasured pastime. She loved playing the piano and singing all her life. The family knew not to plan anything for a Tuesday night!

Tragically, in 1987 Margaret was diagnosed with hereditary ataxia. This would alter the course of her active life. Her family watched as her physical abilities declined, but with her strong nature and desire to be with the family she struggled to keep moving. She remained the matriarch of her family throughout her life even though Patricia and her husband, David and Kenneth would all be involved in her care until her death.

Margaret’s greatest accomplishment was her unconditional love for her children and then grandchildren, Michael, Brandon, and Rebecca DiCenso. Even though she was confined, she made her opinions and presence felt through their lives. All their friends knew of “Nanny” who was upstairs and often spoke to them through the intercom. When she spoke, everyone listened. Sometimes begrudgingly! But she always wanted the best for her family and her total love was never in question. It gave her great satisfaction that she was so much a part of raising her grandchildren and we were all so grateful for her influence. She had a kind and gentle soul and was a constant champion for them.

Margaret was particularly happy to have experienced her grandchildren falling in love.  Michael & Dianne, Brandon &Briana and Becca & Dave. She was also proud to have met her great, great grandchild, Isabella Marie.

Nanny will be so dearly missed by her family, but she will forever be in our hearts. She was a living angel watching over us and now she has her wings.

Laura D. Puccia (nee Arrighi), age 90, of Riverdale passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Laura was born in Secaucus and raised in North Bergen and was the oldest of three children to Louis and Angelina Arrighi.  After high school, she  worked for The Gibraltar Corrugated Paper Company in North Bergen and had her eye on one particularly handsome employee: A young Nicholas Puccia and his new convertible.  Laura told her friends on many occasions, “That’s the man I’m going to date!”  As fate would have it, the two started dating, culminating with Laura and Nicholas falling in love and marrying on February 18, 1950 at St. Brigid RC Church in North Bergen.

Laura and Nicholas settled in North Bergen after getting married and lived there for several years.  During those several years, the couple welcomed their three daughters: Sharon, RoseAnn and MaryAnn.  As their family grew, they moved to Fort Lee and purchased their first home.  Laura and Nicholas remained in Fort Lee for the rest of their lives together and were happy to have raised their children there.  Nicholas and Laura cherished forty-five years of loving and loyal marriage until Nicholas’ passing in 1995.  In 2007 Laura moved to Riverdale where she remained until her passing.

Laura decided to become a homemaker and dedicated her life to nurturing and caring for her family.  Over the course of her life, Laura held a few part-time jobs, but her true calling and where she shined brightest was as a devoted mother and wife.  Laura was always there for her children, volunteering at the PTO in her girls’ schools and as a Girl Scout Leader.  Laura enjoyed many crafts, such as needlepoint, knitting and crocheting baby items for her friends and family. She loved to read, shop, and do word searches. She was a member of the Riverdale seniors and enjoyed spending time with her friends. She was a parishioner of Madonna Church in Fort Lee for many years, as well as Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oakland.  Laura’s personality was equal parts funny and stubborn, with a dash of  feistiness and a surplus of vitality.  While of Laura’s interests and hobbies help characterize her as an individual, her most defining trait was her  passion and devotion to her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Laura than spending time with her children and grandchildren.  Laura was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.

Laura is survived by her three daughters; Sharon Krysiak and her husband Michael of Montvale, RoseAnn Mauro and her husband Christopher of Manchester Center, VT, and MaryAnn Dunn and her husband Andrew of Oakland, two brothers Louis Arrighi of North Bergen, and Roy Arrighi and his wife Janice of Smyrna, DE, four grandchildren; Nicole Scalice and her husband Michael, Kaitlyn Funtsch and her husband Michael, Andrew Dunn, III, and Christopher Mauro, and numerous nieces, and nephews.  Laura was predeceased by her husband Nicholas Puccia in 1995.