Jo Ann Walter (nee Cofrancesco) of Wayne, NJ passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Jo Ann was born in Paterson where she lived her childhood years. She received her formal education at Paterson’s Central High School and then went on to study nursing at Passaic County Community College and then Felician College in South Hackensack where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree and later a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University. Jo Ann graduated Magna Cum Laude from all colleges and was a member of Kappa Gamma Pl.

Her long and dedicated career in nursing began at Saint Joseph’s Hospital. She then worked for Patient Care Incorporated, the Passaic Valley Visiting Health Services in Totowa, and was director of health services at Passaic Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross in Wayne. She was Patient Care Manager at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains, also a Beth Israel Hospital in Passaic and twenty-four years as Executive Director of Englewood Home Health Services/ Hospice.

Jo Ann Cofrancesco met Ken in a hospital setting with him being the patient do to a volleyball injury, and Jo Ann the care giver. About two years later he ran into her shopping while at Macy’s Department Store. They had lunch together, and eventually fell in love and then joined their hearts in marriage. They very much loved and supported each other and were thankful for every day together.

Jo Ann was gifted with a caring personality that brought her much satisfaction personally in helping others. Her chosen station in life was as a care giver nurse and she pursued her given skills to perfection for all the lives she was privileged to help. She found joy in helping others with their health problems. Jo Ann found the perfect occupation for her life.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her husband Kenneth E. Walter; her children Jaclyn Braddock and husband Thomas, Kenneth Walter, Jr. and his wife Deborah, Robert Walter and his wife Donna and Denise Mara and her husband John. She is the cherished grandmother of Tyler and Matthew Braddock, Kenneth Walter, Kristen Henandez, Danielle Bush, Rhonda Lysiak, Lauren Cheput, Courtney Billings, John Marra Jr., Christine Ward, Erin Mara and twelve great grandchildren. Jo Ann is also survived by her sister Arlene Willis and her brother Richard Cofrancesco. She also is survived by nieces Adrienne, Meghan and nephews Ryan and Lewis.

She was predeceased by her parents Louis Cofrancesco and Lee Ecenia Hickman; also she was predeceased by her brothers Louis and Glenn Cofrancesco.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Jo Ann Walter’s memory are asked to consider the Felician College Nursing Program, 262 South Main Street, Lodi, NJ 07644. www.felician.edu

Edward A. Barbera, age 92 of Wayne died suddenly on Friday, April 19, 2013. Ed had been a resident of Wayne since 1952.

Ed was born in Paterson and grew up in Hawthorne and Prospect Park. He graduated from Paterson Technical High School and his first job was corking soda bottles and delivering them throughout the area. In fact, he learned to drive at sixteen years old behind the wheel of the soda delivery truck. He enjoyed a lengthy career as a machinist, working in several area textile factories, where his incredible mechanical skills were most appreciated.

World War II broke out and Ed was drafted into the Navy. He proudly served aboard the USS Canberra, CA-70 in the Pacific Fleet. His ship was torpedoed by a Japanese aircraft during the battle of Taiwan-Okinawa, killing 23 sailors onboard and flooded the engine room, disabling the ship. Amazingly, the ship remained afloat and was towed to Ulithi for repairs. Ed received a Silver Star and three Bronze Stars during his service and was discharged in 1945. He remained a strong American patriot all of his life, and very proud of his service to the Navy. He continued to attend Navy reunions for many years thereafter.

Ed’s children recall their dad being able to build and fix just about anything. He was the neighborhood handyman, having fixed or replaced countless hot water heaters, furnaces, appliances and the like, for so many of his neighbors. He installed wells, by hand, for many of his neighbors which they used to water their lawns and gardens – many of them still in use today. He enjoyed all sports and watched baseball, football, golf, and even NASCAR races. He was as sharp as a tack and knew many of the statistics to go along with the various sports and players. He even had an opinion on Tiger Woods and his attempt at a comeback this year.

Ed met his wife Mary in Paterson before World War II and they enjoyed their first date to the Palisades Amusement Park. They married on October 17, 1942 at St. Anthony’s RC Church in Hawthorne and enjoyed a honeymoon to Niagara Falls. Their marriage was an adventure and they were always trying new things. Ballroom dancing was among their favorite activities, having started with the Herb & Sally Walker Studios. They would go to the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, and dances all around the area. Ed began to work as a DJ in his retirement and was always at the Elks Lodge mixing music for the Wayne Golden Age Circle parties. They even went through a phase of rock collecting and polishing. Travel was also a favorite of theirs and together they went to many Navy reunions around the country, cruises to the islands, a visit to the Grand Canyon, Alaska, and the Canadian Rockies. Ed’s true love for Mary shined brightly, especially after she was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease. Ed lovingly cared for her as best he could through it all. Sadly, Mary passed in 2011 after sixty nine years of devoted and loving marriage. They were the best of friends, loved life, and truly enjoyed many happy years by each other’s side.

Ed’s family is extremely grateful to Marge Zayac and RoseMarie Conoscenti who provided the best help, care, and love to both of their parents during the recent years. Their family couldn’t have done it without them and appreciate the dedication and kindness of both of these women.

Ed is survived by his four children; Lois Eddeh and her husband Jess of Pequannock, Ellen Barbera of Middlebury, VT, Steven Barbera and his wife Louanne of Wayne, and Thomas Barbera and his wife Melissa of Hawthorne, six grandchildren; JoAnn, Tommy, Michael, Danny, Stevie, and Chrissy, six great grandchildren; Jordyn, Andrew, Mitchell, Andie Claire, Russell, and Aven, his sister Doris Fazio of Las Vegas, NV, his brother; Gustave Barbera and his wife Dixie of Leigh Acres, FL, and his very dear cousin; Gina Whitehead and her husband Paul of Hawthorne.

Joseph Avella, Jr., age 77 of Wayne died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 18, 2013. His wife and children were gathered at his bedside.

Joe had been an Elmwood Park police officer for twenty five years before retiring in 1991.

Joe was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic and quite amazingly, his mother kept the original paid hospital receipt from his birth. The total charge to deliver baby Joseph, including the doctor, the nurses, the birthing room and lab tests, came to $24.25! He moved with his family to East Paterson when he was in grammar school. East Paterson, which later became Elmwood Park, didn’t have its own high school in those days, therefore Joe went to Lodi High School. He graduated with the class of 1955 and attended the University of Alabama before completing his BS degree at William Paterson College. He began working as a brick layer before being accepted into a grant program which offered training to become a police officer. He first joined the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department after completing the program, and then made his way to the Elmwood Park Police Department in 1966. He was PBA Delegate for many years while on the force.

Joe was active with the Freemasons, Euclid Lodge 136 in Hasbrouck Heights where he was Past Master and Club Trustee. He was also active with the Scottish Rite, and Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Eclipse 226.

While in high school, Joe met Marge Almodovar. They struck up a relationship at a Valentine’s Day dance and as Joe would often tell the story of that first date; his “knees went to mush.” They fell in love and were married on September 20, 1959 at St. Ann’s RC Church in Fairlawn followed by a fabulous honeymoon in Acapulco. They first settled in Garfield and lived in Saddle Brook before moving to East Paterson in 1966. After retirement, the two of them traveled extensively to Spain, Africa, Gibraltar, Venezuela, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Among one of Joe’s favorite destinations of all however, was home. Together, he and Marge moved to Wayne in 2001 and they recently celebrated fifty three very happy years of marriage. Joe was a great family man. His children made him very proud and he especially adored his grandchildren. He was truly blessed with a good life.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of fifty three years; Marge of Wayne, his two children; Malvina Weiss and her husband David of Cary, Illinois, and Joseph III of Haledon, four grandchildren; Gabrielle and Robby Perez, Evan and Matthew Weiss, all of Cary, Illinois, and his sister Geri Avella of Elmwood Park. He was predeceased by his sister Virginia Morisco of Oakland, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider Valley Hospice and mail your donations to: Valley Hospital Foundation, 223 N. Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450. Be sure to indicate “Valley Hospice” in the memo, including Joe’s name.

Grace Torre, age 84, of Paterson, entered into eternal rest as her family surrounded her with love on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

Grace is survived by her three adored daughters: Katherine Cesa and husband Dennis of Hillsdale, Lydia Liebchen and husband Gary of Hackensack and Victoria Conte and husband Salvatore of Totowa; and seven dearly-loved grandchildren: Gianna, Torre, Arianna, Julia, Christopher, Marisa and Sabrina. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Ernesto “Nello” in 1992 and her brother Albert in 2010.

Carol P. Wolff, 82, of Pompton Plains, NJ, formerly of Spring Hill, FL and Packanack Lake, Wayne, NJ, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Carol was born in Passaic and grew up in Woodridge. She was the daughter of Stephen and Evangeline Prezkuta and the older sister of Joan. Following graduation in 1948 from Woodridge High School, Carol began to work as a secretary for Young and Rubicam Advertising Agency, commuting every day by bus to New York City. Meanwhile unbeknownst to Carol, a young man named Carl Wolff was commuting with Carol’s girlfriend Doris to their respective jobs in the city. Doris thought that Carol and Carl would make a nice couple so she suggested that they meet each other. They went on a blind date to a dance sponsored by the 200 Club in West Orange with a whole group of friends. Things went so well that they went out again the very next night, this time to a restaurant called The Harbor in Rockaway.

Those two nights in 1952 began three years of courtship that ultimately culminated in Carl asking Carol to marry him. They married on April 16, 1955 and just recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. For their honeymoon, they packed Carl’s brand new 1954 two-toned metallic brown and cream Chevy Bel Air and headed for Key West. Upon their return, the newlyweds settled into an apartment in Rutherford on Montrose Ave. They stayed there for a couple of years and Carol continued to commute every day to her job at Young and Rubicam. One day, some friends announced to Carol and Carl that they were moving to “the country!” It turned out “the country” was Packanack Lake. After seeing it for themselves, they bought their first house at Packanack at 20 Hillcrest Drive.

In 1958 Carol gave birth to the couple’s firstborn, a baby girl whom they named Karen. Baby Susan followed in 1961 and in 1963 they welcomed a little boy whom they named James. The family of five remained in the house at 20 Hillcrest Drive, but Carol was always looking for a “better” house. She ultimately found their next home on the same street and in 1965 they moved into 188 Hillcrest Drive. Carol remained home to care for Karen, Susan and James until they were in school full time. Meanwhile she got involved with Packanack School PTA where she ultimately served as co-president with Carl. She also started attending a brand new Roman Catholic church in town called Immaculate Heart of Mary. Carol regularly attended Sunday mass and also was past president of the Council of Catholic Women. In the early 1970’s she returned to work part time, this time as a secretary for a company called Ucko Machine Tools Inc., in Fairfield. She also served on the editorial staff of Pack-A-News for twenty years.

Her family felt that Carol may have missed her calling in life and that she should have been a real-estate agent. It seemed she was always looking for a new place to live, and in 1980 she found the family’s third new house. Amazingly enough, like the first two houses in Packanack Lake, this one was also on Hillcrest Drive. It was number 131. Many summers Carol, Carl and the kids headed down the Garden State Parkway and got off at exit 10 to go to their favorite vacation spot down the shore in Stone Harbor. Days were enjoyed on the beach and in the evenings they went to Springer’s for ice cream or enjoyed cheese steaks at a place called Bradlees but known to all as “The Dugout.” Of course, there was also plenty of good shopping on 96th Street!

After retiring, 1994 saw a change for Carol and Carl. They sold 131 Hillcrest Drive and headed south. They moved into a golf community in Spring Hill, Florida called Timber Pines. They both enjoyed golf with Carol playing once a week with the women she had quickly befriended. Carol also found work volunteering at Hernando-Pasco Hospice and she continued to volunteer there for ten years. She rounded out her weeks with games of bridge and participation in the book club she started. Carol loved to read, especially her favorite author, Maeve Binchy. While living in Florida, Carol attended St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Spring Hill. Carol and Carl also indulged their love of travel taking many amazing trips. They visited the British Isles, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, British Columbia, and Bermuda. They took a river cruise on the Rhone River through France and most recently a cruise through the Panama Canal. They also traveled extensively in the US visiting Hawaii, Alaska, Williamsburg, New Orleans, San Francisco, the Pacific Northwest, and many of the state parks out west including the Grand Canyon.

In 1998, Carol was delighted to finally become a grandmother when her daughter Susan gave birth to Katharine Jeanne, Carol and Carl’s only grandchild. Katharine was even more incentive for Carol to come north a few times per year to visit. In addition to visiting for two weeks each Christmas and a week around Mother’s Day each year, Carol and Carl also continued that long standing tradition that started in 1967 of gathering in the summer down the shore in Stone Harbor. Carol and Carl returned to New Jersey in 2012, residing at Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains.

Carol will always be remembered for her devotion to prayer and to the church, her love and commitment to her family, and for always being available to listen and to offer help or advice in a spirit of love. She had a great sense of humor and a quick wit, and had a love for the written word whether as reader or an editor. Her family and friends will feel her loss deeply.

Surviving are her husband Carl W.; her children: Karen A. Talerico and husband Amedeo of Monmouth Beach, NJ, Susan J. McNaught and husband William of West Milford, NJ, and James W. Wolff of Morgantown, WV; one granddaughter, Katharine Jeanne of West Milford; and her sister Joan Mason of Lancaster, PA.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Carol’s memory to the Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714 or online at www.lustgarten.org. The Lustgarten Foundation is for pancreatic cancer research.

Joseph L. Damato, age 79 of Manahawkin and formerly of Upper Montclair, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Joe had lived in Upper Montclair from 1964 until retiring to Manahawkin, NJ in 2000.

Joe was raised in Newark and graduated from Seton Hall Prep High School with the class of 1952. He went on to earn his degree from Seton Hall University in 1956. He proudly holds a spot in the Seton Hall University “Hall of Fame” for his basketball skills. He was also an excellent second baseman on the Seton Hall Pirates baseball team.

After graduating from Seton Hall University, Joe attended Wisconsin University Graduate School of Bank Marketing and Northwestern University School of Bank Public Relations. Joe then began his financial career with Manufacturers Hanover Trust. He was recruited by the East Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and loved going to New York City every day. He eventually started his own consulting firm, JLD Marketing Resources of Upper Montclair, from which he retired in 2000.

Joe was an active member of the Clifton UNICO for many years and very proud of his Italian heritage. He was a naturally social guy and had a wonderful talent for remembering people’s names. He simply never forgot a name. He was sincere when asking “how are you?” and truly interested in knowing how things were going in your life. He was the family ‘ambassador’. Joe’s family was very important to him and he always kept in touch with his daughters; he loved seeing how their careers were going and making sure they were happy. His daughters meant the world to him and he spoke with them nearly every day.

Joe was always an avid swimmer, loved the water, and had been a lifeguard in his teens. While living in Upper Montclair, Joe swam in his pool every morning that he could before going to work. His family vacations were always to the beach; Beach Haven and North Beach, on LBI, where he would swim each day. When it came time to retire, finding an appropriate place was easy; Manahawkin was close to the ocean and dear to his heart. He and Joan would make daily trips to the beach and he would swim each day that he could, as recently as this past summer. Joe was also a regular on the golf course, a big New York Yankees and New York Giants fan.

Joe and Joan were married on September 15, 1962 and enjoyed 50 wonderful years together. Joe is survived by his devoted wife Joan of Manahawkin, his three daughters; Susan Tomsky and her husband Craig of Clinton Township, NJ, Nancy Damato-Tarasco and her husband Joseph of Cold Spring, NY, and Lori Giardino and her husband Steven of Wayne, five grandchildren; Marisa, Eric, and Jenna Tomsky of Clinton, Nicole and Alyssa Giardino of Wayne, his sister Ferne Mutone Cinque of Clifton, and his dear sister-in-law; Dorothy Martin of Southold, NY.

Donations in Joe’s memory, if friends so wish, would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the Meridian Hospice, 1340 Campus Parkway, Wall Township, NJ 07753 or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106.

Doris B. Porter (nee Welle) age 87 of Wayne passed peacefully on April 17, 2013 at home with the comfort of family by her side.

She was born in the family home at 111 Lafayette Ave. in Hawthorne and lived in Glen Rock for two years before moving  to the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne where they have lived for the past sixty-eight years.

Doris met the love of her life Gerald Porter when she was dating a basketball player. Gerry saw her and wouldn’t take no for an answer when requesting a date.  Doris finally gave in and they went to a “ring dance” and then to a fancy restaurant in Wayne named the “Alps Manor”(on Alps Road)on their first date.  Gerry was 21 and Doris was 17 when they married.  They honeymooned in Atlantic City and celebrated their wedding at the “Fork and Spoon” a famous restaurant in Atlantic City which is still in business. Gerry was already serving in the Army during WWII when they married, and they had their first child, Joann (Porter) Mauer, which he did not find out about for some time as the mail service was slow during the war. They have enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage for almost seventy years.

Doris, after raising eight children in Wayne, was dedicated to helping others. From 1966 to 1969 she helped at Don Bosco Technical High School assisting the Salesian Brothers. She also spent ten years traveling to churches in New Jersey to teach about Tithing. Doris was a volunteer for Eva’s Kitchen in Paterson, a founder of Oasis, volunteered at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains for over twenty years, and served as a “room mother” at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School and President of the Mother’s Club for many years.     Doris was a Christian Service Moderator at DePaul High School in Wayne and involved with the Fashion Show having chaired the Annual Spring Fashion Show from 1958 – 1987.  She was a Red Cross Volunteer Nurses’ Aid at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair for eighteen years.

She was dedicated to her Catholic faith and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church.

Doris was also a member and President of the Packanack Women’s Golf Club in Wayne.

Doris and Gerry bought their first home in the Packanack section of Wayne Township when Packanack Lake wasn’t much more than a brook. The home they purchased was on the East side of where the lake is now and was the summer residence of Fred MacMurray(actor famous for being the widowed patriarch of the television show My Three Sons). After a brief move to Atlanta Georgia Doris wanted to return “home” to Packanack Lake where they purchased a home on the West side of the lake.   The family has many fond memories of summers at the Jersey Shore.  Doris and Gerry would take all eight children and stay in Ocean Beach, Unit 3, where other family friends would vacation as well.

She was dedicated to her Catholic faith and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church. She was also a member of the Packanack Golf Club in Wayne.

Doris was the loving wife of Gerald J. Porter, Sr.; devoted mother of JoAnn M. Maurer and her husband Robert of Newtown, CT, Tim Porter of Wayne, Gerard “Skip” Porter and his wife Mary of Wayne,  Jayne Elizabeth Baskin and her husband Ron of Atlanta, GA, Doris B. Porter of Atlanta, GA, Thomas Porter and his wife Lisa of Haledon, Patrick Porter and his wife Carole of Wayne, and the late Debbie Porter (2008); cherished grandmother of ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Passaic Valley Hospice, 783 Riverview Drive, Totowa, NJ 07512 would be appreciated.

Richard E. Stamboulian, age 59 of Wayne, died peacefully, with his family by his side, on Sunday, April 14, 2013.

Richard was born and raised in Binghamton, NY, hometown of The Twilight Zone’s Rod Sterling. He was the son of Edward and Alice (nee Bandayan) Stamboulian. When he was just ten years of age his mom passed away leaving his father to care for him and his sister Aleda. Dad eventually remarried and, with his two step-brothers Stuart and John, the family grew to be a family of six.

Rich had a great love for all sports and he played every one of them including baseball, basketball, football and swimming. He even was a member of his hometown Binghamton Central High School track and long distance running team! After graduation from Central High, Rich attended Clarkson University, an independent technological school in Potsdam, NY. Clarkson was a big hockey school so, while there, Rich parlayed his love of sports with his studies as a math major by landing a job with the schools ice hockey program as team statistician. After graduating from Clarkson in 1974, he furthered his studies at SUNY Binghamton, receiving his master’s degree in accounting in 1976. While there Rich enjoyed playing hockey and was the goalie for the schools club teams.

With his education behind him Rich moved to New York City in search of work. He landed a position with CBS Records before going to work as an accountant for the Showtime Network for most of his career. He eventually left Showtime to pursue a new venture and had served for several years as a professor of accounting at Bergen Community College, Warren County Community College, Berkley College and Passaic Community College.

In 1985 Rich decided to run in the New York City Marathon. In the middle of the race he sustained a serious knee injury. He received a recommendation from a friend to see a sports medicine orthopedist. While there he met a kind and intelligent woman who worked for the doctor. Her name was Marcia Mayer and he liked her so much that he decided to ask her out. Their first date was to the movie theater at Willowbrook Mall where they saw the movie Back to the Future. After the show they went to the Tick Tock Diner in Clifton. They married on April 4, 1987 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton followed by a reception at the Bethwood and honeymoon in Virgin Gorda, the British Virgin Islands. The newlyweds initially settled in Wallington before moving to Wayne in 1988. During Rich and Marcia’s twenty-six years of marriage the clock had tick-tocked many happy memories of love, laughter and togetherness.

Rich and Marcia loved to travel together and recall trips, twice to England as well as to Portugal, Spain, Puerto Rico, many of the Caribbean Islands and local trips to Maine and Cape Cod. The two of them shared a love for animals, especially dogs. Their sense of compassion prompted them to volunteer for several years with Wayne Animal Shelter where they cleaned cages, fed and walked the dogs and resisted the urge to take just about every one of them, to give them a good loving home. They themselves have a Doberman Pinscher named Cody which they rescued from a shelter. Cody loved to nuzzle in bed between Rich and Marcia and will surely miss Rich!

In his spare time, Rich continued in his love of sports. At this point in his life he was more of a spectator than a participant and he loved his season tickets for the New York Rangers as well as rooting for other local favorites including the Yankees and Giants. Following sports was not just restricted to professional teams though. Rich also enjoyed following local high school sports teams. In 2006 he became a sports writer for the local Wayne Today newspaper. As a parishioner of Saint Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes since 1990, Rich ran several of the church’s charity golf tournaments and was also involved in the church’s Cornerstone program and men’s Sunday night prayer group.

Rich will be remembered as a good man and a good friend who loved music and art and who selflessly gave of himself to anyone in need. He was very friendly and he loved to talk and tell stories and he really loved to laugh!

Richard is survived by his beloved wife Marcia (nee Mayer), his dear sister Aleda Stamboulian of Saugerties, NY, and his two step-brothers: Stuart and wife Margaret Stamos of Endicott, NY, and John and wife Catherine Stamos of Bethlehem, CT.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Richard’s name are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Association, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834, or online at www.alz.org/nj

James “Coffee” B. Iaconio, Sr. age 94 of North Haledon passed peacefully on Thursday, April 11, 2013.

He was born in Paterson at the family home on Hoxey Street.  He attended School # 7 and Central High School with the Class of 1936.  He left high school during his junior year to seek work and support the family income.  He found work in the Paterson silk mills as a weaver on a loom.  He soon found another job as a plumber’s helper and eventually started his own plumbing business as Automatic Heating in Paterson for over forty years.  He also worked as a Plumber Foreman at William Paterson University in Wayne where he worked from 1964 until retiring in 1984.  During his tenure at William Paterson he kept his plumbing business going which he continued through the early 1990’s.

When Jim was just seven years old he was playing on the street corner when a truck took the corner too close and hit him.  He spent the better part of a year at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson.  His mother, while still caring for Jim’s six siblings, would walk 15 blocks (about 1 ½ miles) from Hoxey Street to the hospital at least once or twice a day bringing him food and her motherly comfort.

He played cards for many years with a special group of his buddies. At least once or twice a year he would bring his wife Annie to Las Vegas where he would play Blackjack for hours on end. Jim enjoyed flower gardening around the home and grew tomatoes, cucumbers, and all the typical Italian garden vegetables. His special touch on Pizzagaina - Italian Easter Pie - will be missed by the family, friends, and neighbors he would make it for. He was also dedicated to his Catholic faith and Catholic charities – something his mother taught him many years ago. Jim will be remembered as a very family oriented man who was not overly demonstrative with his emotions, but conveyed his love for you in his own special way.

He was the devoted husband of fifty-eight years to the late Annie B. (Sloss) Iaconio (2009); loving father of James Iaconio and his wife Eileen of Haledon; cherished grandfather of Jimmy Iaconio of Haledon, and his fiancé Kristen Lippmann, and Dana Galusha and her husband Nick of Schenectady, NY; dear great-grandfather of Grayson James Galusha; loved brother of the late Frank “Chippy”, Johnny, Alexander, Michael, and Sadie Iaconio, and Edith Brancato.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Valley Hospital Foundation, 233 N. Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood NJ 07450 would be appreciated.

Henry T. Kopec, age 88 of Wayne died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 11, 2013.

Henry grew up in Wallington, NJ and graduated from East Rutherford High School with the class of 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served proudly during World War II and Korea. He was stationed on the USS Ramsay, DM-16 as well as the USS Olmstead, APA-188. He was in charge of shipboard mail and enjoyed the assignment because he was one of the few people who were permitted to leave the ship at every port they went to.

Upon his return from the Navy, Henry began a lengthy career with PSE&G. He was an Underground Supervisor and retired in 1981. He relaxed for about a year before embarking on his second career; as a custodian with the Wayne schools. He enjoyed his second career as it brought him into direct contact with teachers and students. He made many good friends at George Washington and Schuyler Colfax middle schools, including teachers, administrators, students, and the lunchroom staff. He retired from Wayne Schools in 1990.

Henry met his wife Irene (nee Tencza) when they were just young children. In fact, they were in the same kindergarten class together and had been good friends all through their school years. Henry proposed one evening while they were dancing at the Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove and they married on July 20, 1946. They rode the bus to Lake George, NY for a two week honeymoon and stayed at the Blue Water Inn, right on the lake. Upon their return, they settled in Wallington before 1952 when they built a home in Packanack Lake. They have lived in that same home ever since. They’ve traveled to more than fourteen countries, all throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Hawaii and they especially loved Greece. They’ve enjoyed sixty-six years together in what Irene describes as a beautiful and fun adventure.

Henry was never one to sit still and he always had projects going on around the house. He enjoyed yard work, tending to his lawn, and playing with his three beloved dogs. Henry enjoyed work on home fix-it projects with his son Ron, and being involved with his son Ted’s Boy Scout Troop. If family came to visit on a nice day, he would often get out the hose and wash their car. His son-in-law Steve recalls visiting from Ohio and shortly after arriving, Henry was washing their car, checking the tire pressure, and sometimes even changed the engine oil for him. Henry was just as devoted to his faith and as a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Packanack, you could count on seeing him at every Saturday Mass. He would arrive to church at least 30 minutes early and always parked in ‘his’ spot.

Henry is survived by his loving wife; Irene (nee Tencza), four children; Bernadine Kopec Zapytowski and her husband Steve of Kent, OH, Ron Kopec and his wife Sandy of Northvale, NJ, Henry (Ted) Kopec and his wife Karen of Arizona, and Marianne Kopec of Sandyston, NJ, four grandchildren; Michael Zapytowski and his wife Breann of Arizona, Catherine Zapytowski of Medina, OH, R.J. Kopec and Kaci Kopec both of Northvale, NJ, and two great-grandchildren; Sofia and Stella Zapytowski of Arizona.

Clara C. Dressler, age 90 of Glenwood, NJ, died peacefully on Thursday, April 11, 2013.

Clara was born in Jersey City and graduated high school there. She was employed as a proofreader for Flintkote Company in Rutherford for twenty nine years before retiring.

Clara had lived with her sister Shirley Abner and her previously deceased husband, William (2011) in Wayne for nearly forty five years before moving to Glenwood, NJ about twelve years ago. She resided there with her nephew John and his wife Karen and family.

Clara was a big NY JETS football fan, which often caused her more aggravation than joy. Nonetheless, she stood by her team and was a loyal fan. Watching JETS football on Sunday was a special treat for her and she always had a tall Manhattan (with three cherries) to enjoy during the game.

Clara is survived by her sister; Shirley Abner of Wayne, her three nephews; John Abner and his wife Karen of Glenwood, NJ, Robert Abner and his wife Luann of Pequannock, and James Abner and his wife Michelle of Point Pleasant, NJ, great-nieces and great-nephews; Jennifer Pedri and her husband Eric of Colorado, Kelly Abner of South Florida, Kyle Abner and his wife Lauren of Tokyo, Japan, Daniel Abner of New York, NY, and Summer and Dawson Abner of Point Pleasant, NJ.

Viola “Vi” Mae Cook (nee Babcock) age 92 of Wayne went peacefully home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Wednesday, April 10, 2013.

In 1920 a stamp was 2 cents, eggs were 39 cents per dozen, gasoline was 30 cents per gallon, a car was $345.00, steak was 36 cents per pound, bread was 11 cents per loaf, milk was 58 cents per gallon, a house could be bought for just over $6,000.00, and the average income was $1,130.00 per year. Most mass communication was done by radio as the television wasn’t invented yet, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich became popular, women got the right to vote, and a 10 lb baby named Viola Babcock was born at home on the kitchen table on North 8th Street in Hawthorne.

She graduated from Hawthorne High School with the Class of 1938. She was a bank teller for Citizens Bank in Paterson before being married on November 17, 1945 to David P. Cook. Vi and Dave met on a double date, each dating someone else. Shortly, after Dave asked his friend if he would mind if he called Vi to ask her out. The rest is history! They had a long engagement because Dave had to serve in World War II. Vi wrote letters nightly. When he returned, they got married at Bethany Church in Paterson. They honeymooned at The Breakers Hotel in Miami, Florida. Upon their return they lived first in Elizabeth, then Clifton, and purchased their first home in Wayne in 1951.

Vi was dedicated to her Christian faith and was a member of Bethany Church in Paterson, a founding member of Calvary Temple in Wayne, a member of the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church in Paterson and was currently an honorary member of the Bethany Church in Wanaque. She led the Missionettes & Prims ministries and taught Sunday School for many years. Her husband David was also very active within the churches serving as an Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, Worship Leader, and Vi was there by his side helping in any way she could. Vi was humbled by the fact that she and David were entrusted with the care of children in at least thirty-five people’s wills.

She was a dedicated wife and mother who, just like her parents, never drove a vehicle. David, who had the patience of a saint, would drive her everywhere and when he was not available she relied on other family members or the bus. Vi and David truly worked together as one for fifty-two years until his passing on October 30, 1998. Faith and family were priorities in their lives. They were the best cheerleaders/supporters of any activity, concert, or sport that their daughter or grandsons participated in. They did all in their power to be present at all these events. Vi and Dave enjoyed vacationing in Wildwood during the summer and Myrtle Beach in the fall.

Vi is the loving mother of Beverly Sullivan of Wayne; devoted grandmother of Steven and Glenn Sullivan of Wayne; dear sister of Isabella Drenth of Midland Park, and the late Hubert Babcock (1989); dear “adopted” great-grandmother of Anthony and Allison Paterno of Parsippany; she was also cherished by nieces and nephews. Vi’s life was made more comfortable, in her latter years, by her devoted aides Stephanie and Sheema McCrae, Delseeta Thompson, and Betty Lawson.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Bethany Church (Wanaque Campus), 568 Wellington Drive, Wyckoff, NJ 07481 would be appreciated.

Bernd P. Kayser “Bernie” age 66 of Butler passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at the Morristown Memorial Hospital. His passing was graciously peaceful with his loving family at his bedside.

He was born in Hamburg, Germany on May 16, 1946 just as World War II was coming to an end. His mother would relay the many stresses in their lives at the time one of which was no electricity or heat in their residence. His grandfather had left Germany earlier and he sponsored Bernd’s parents to join him here in America. His parents Erich and Hilde Kayser immigrated in 1955 settling in Haledon. Bernd was nine years of age at the time.

In 1965 Bernd and his parents moved to Wayne.

Bernie’s first job was at the Food Town in Haledon as a cashier. Bernie had also worked in the computer field at Mosler in Wayne, was a computer programmer for Clay Adams and later Becton Dickinson. Bernie retired in 2006 from BASF as a Senior Systems Analyst for 26 ½ years.

He joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was part of a special new technology regarding refueling in flight, airplanes. It was his job to aim the pipe on the fuel supply tanker plane into a fuel portal on the nose of the receiving plane that needed fuel.

Bernd was gifted in life with a very quiet personality coupled with high intelligence. Much of his personal education in life was computer oriented and in many ways his interest brought him personal success and much satisfaction in his occupation. His quiet personality would effervesce into joyous communication when he would find people around him inquisitive about computers. He loved to talk the language of computers. He was of the Lutheran Faith. Bernie enjoyed watching soccer games on TV, going for walks and spending time with his family.

He agreed to go on a blind date one evening in 1973 and met a pretty girl named Diane Bucinsky at Anthony’s Restaurant on Route 46 in Totowa. After a one year courtship they joined their hearts in marriage. The final result was that they had a “very loving and content marriage together for thirty-eight years.” “He was very easy to live with and he and Diane did everything together.” Diane’s special name for him at home was “Honsey”.

Bernie was also a loving and dedicated father to Eric who was a very important part of his own personal life journey. “Thanks Dad” for being such a special part of my life.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife Diane (nee Bucinsky) Kayser; one son Eric Kayser and his wife Tristia of Wharton. He also leaves behind a sister-in-law, Elaine Otis & her husband, Charles of North Carolina; two nephews, a niece and their families.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Bernie Kayser’s memory to the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad, PO Box 222, Butler, NJ 07405 would be greatly appreciated.

Robert James Sherwood, age 92 of Wayne, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

Bob was born and raised in Paterson, the son of Arnold and Margaret Sherwood. He enjoyed a happy childhood with extended family living nearby and visiting frequently. After graduating from Eastside High School in 1938, Bob furthered his education at Upsula College, East Orange, graduating in 1942 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and geology. Following graduation Bob took a position with U.S. Rubber Company in Passaic. The company would later become known as Uniroyal Corporation and Bob worked in the company’s hose and belt division, originally doing time studies to measure the company’s manufacturing efficiencies.

Bob’s ascent up the corporate ladder took a detour in 1943 as the call to serve came from Uncle Sam. Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. Following training in photography, photo intelligence and terrain modeling, Bob was deployed to the European Theater serving in the air offensive over Europe, Normandy, France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. As a First Lieutenant, he served in the Air Corps 33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron and the 9th Air Force Photo Reconnaissance. On his ascent to the rank of Captain Bob was decorated with the Distinguished Unit Citation, Belgian Fouragere Citation, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon and the EAME ribbon with 6 stars. During his service he briefly came home on leave to marry his high school sweetheart, Gertrude Simmons. They enjoyed 56 years of married life together until Gertrudes’s passing in 1999.

After the war Bob continued in his career with Uniroyal ascending to the level of factory manager in Passaic. Meanwhile, he and Gert welcomed their two children, Robert and Kathryn and purchased their new home in Wayne in 1949 for $13,000. In 1973 he and Gert moved to Italy for two years so that Bob could manage a joint venture called Uniroyal-Manuli. He then went on to manage their factory in Maryville, MO and Port Clinton, OH before returning to his home in Wayne following retirement in 1984 after forty years of service to Uniroyal.

Bob loved taking his family on vacations to such destinations as New England for fall foliage watching, to his brother-in-laws home in Long Beach Island to be at the beach, to tour the Cape May Victorian homes, to Washington DC, and to Williamsburg, Virginia and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to teach his kids about early American history. There are fond memories of Bob loading up the 1957 Dodge, which was described to be as big as a living room, to go on these educational trips. That car was big enough to accommodate everyone, including Bob’s parents.

A self-proclaimed workaholic, Bob didn’t have much time for leisure pursuits but he did enjoy watching sports of all kinds, especially football. He also loved to watch the stock market, even offering his well-thought opinions about its future as recently as the Friday before his passing.

Bob will be remembered for his extreme intelligence that was balanced by an extremely kind and thoughtful demeanor. You name the subject and Bob would be happy to humbly share his thoughts with you. He was also a man who was incredibly proud of America and the flag.

Surviving is his son Robert H. of Bloomingdale, his niece Lee Walsh of Boonton who was a tremendous help to Bob in later years, his nephew Charles Geiger, his special friends Michael and Jerry Snudden, his other nieces and nephews, and his cousins Thomas Neuviller and Fred Huettig. Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife Gertrude “Gert” in 1999 and his dear daughter Kathryn Sherwood in 2009.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Robert’s name are asked to consider the Lustgarten Foundation (for Pancreatic Cancer Research), 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Murray, Socolof, age 98, died of cardiac arrest Sunday, April 7 at Chilton Hospital after suffering a fractured neck in an accidental fall Friday, April 5. He grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Cornell University in 1935, after which he began his career in the supermarket business. He soon owned a chain of food markets in the Hudson Valley and Connecticut which he sold to Grand Union Co. in the early 1950’s. After joining Grand Union, he spent 13 years running the Mid-Atlantic Division of supermarkets in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. When he was transferred back to Grand Union’s headquarters in New Jersey, he settled with his family in Franklin Lakes for the next 34 years. He reached the age of retirement in 1979, and followed the departing president of Grand Union to The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company as assistant to the chairman, and ultimately as a consultant until his retirement at the age of 89.

Murray’s retirement years were spent continuing his passion for travel. He spent four weeks in Guatemala City as a volunteer with the International Executive Service Corps. As a recognized expert in food distribution, he was invited by the French firm presenting plans for food distribution centers in the USSR; and later went as an adviser with the U.S. State Department to Honduras and Nicaragua. He also explored supermarket possibilities in Mexico, Brazil and Russia.

After his family, his love for tennis and bridge was a priority. Throughout his sixties and seventies, he played in the USTA Senior Tennis tournaments in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Myrtle Beach, and even California. He and his partner, Ken Sausville, were the #1 over-75-doubles team in the East for two years. His love for bridge kept him challenged and entertained as he spent his weekday afternoons with the Activities Unlimited Bridge Group in Wyckoff. He and his partner, both nonagenarians, were even cited in the NY Times bridge column for an unusual hand they had played and won in their duplicate game in New Jersey. Murray and his wife moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains in 2006.

Murray is survived by two children from his first marriage to the late Adrienne Baron, Peter Socolof of Kew Gardens, NY and Susan Socolof of Bethesda, MD. With his second wife of 54 years, the former Joan Gallagher, Murray was the proud and devoted patriarch of his family: five sons, their wives, seven grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.. He is survived by Stephen Socolof and Cristina Corona and their daughters, Giulia and Vittoria of Summit, NJ; Drs. Elias and Roslyn Socolof and their children, Rachel and Tom of Queensbury, NY; David and Maria Socolof of Chevy Chase, MD and daughters, Michaela and Camille; Jonathan Socolof of Lincoln Park, NJ; and Joseph and Dr. Virginia Lolley Socolof and daughter Eve, of Birmingham, AL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to the Scholar’s Fund at Cedar Crest Village, 1 Cedar Crest Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 would be appreciated.

Howard John Williams, age 49 of Wayne, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 5, 2013. Everyone knew him as John.

John grew up in Dover, New Hampshire and attended Dover High School, graduating with the class of 1981. He was a stellar athlete and played football throughout his youth into High School. In addition to football, John participated in many other competitive sports often coached by his Father (Howard) such as weight lifting, canoe racing, and ski racing. After graduation, he attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama where he continued to play football. John LOVED college football!! ROLL TIDE!!! His favorite college team was Alabama, and the Raiders were his favorite NFL team. As an Alabama Crimson Tide fan it must be noted that he HATED AUBURN.

As a young man, John loved to cook and prepare meals. His grandmother (Anne Andrusyk) was a huge influence and taught him everything she knew. He enjoyed making her classic home recipes and carrying on her cooking traditions. He earned a Sous Chef position at the Sheraton Twin Towers in Boston where he worked with a highly skilled French Chef. John considered himself a classically trained French Sous Chef but could cook and loved to cook anything and everything! John’s favorite meals to prepare were southern style cuisine and BBQ. He made the best BBQ ribs and he loved to see people enjoying the foods that he prepared. Christmas and holidays were the only time he baked. He enjoyed making his Grandmother’s cookie recipes with Sarah and Steven and sharing the results with EVERYONE. John was famous for his Christmas cookies.

John was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed duck and goose hunting, fishing, boating, and hiking. Over the years he had several Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, all of which he trained for competitions called Field Trials and to retrieve the ducks and geese that he hunted in New Hampshire. He would never waste a shot on a duck out of range or one that he believed was too far away to retrieve. He respected nature and the sport of hunting. He loved all animals and all animals loved John, except maybe ducks and geese.

John was a truly devoted, warm, loving husband and family man. John was the foundation of the family, he was a loyal, loveable, strong husband to Arlene. He was so proud that both Sarah and Steven are excellent scholars and athletes. John enjoyed being a part of his children’s athletic activities. For Sarah he would loudly cheer at Softball games, so much so, Arlene made him go sit in the truck because he was TOO LOUD!!! He coached football and kept score at baseball games for Steven. Both Sarah and Steven ran Cross Country, Winter, and Spring Track. John was their biggest fan! He was especially proud when his daughter was accepted into the Aerospace Engineering program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. John was also especially proud when his son showed an interest in Art at Passaic Valley High School because his Grandmother (Anne Andrusyk) was an accomplished artist along with his Mother (Lydia) who is an award winning photographer.

John met his wife Arlene when they were both working at a restaurant called “Memory Lane” in Newington, NH while Arlene was attending the University of New Hampshire. They fell deeply in love and were married on October 19, 1991. They spent many happy years in New Hampshire and then Georgia before moving to Wayne in 2006. They have enjoyed 21 wonderful years together.

John is survived by his wife Arlene, daughter Sarah and son Steven, his parents; Dr. Howard and Lydia Williams of Dover, NH, his sister Anne Ormond and her husband James of Dover, NH, his brother Barry and his wife Sydney of Elsinore, CA, and his mother-in-law Lillian Brennick of Haverhill, MA.

Daniel Lougheed, age 73 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Friday, April 5, 2013. Born April 29, 1939 in Glen Ridge, NJ, he was a lifelong resident of Wayne.

After high school, Dan joined the U.S. Army and served from 1958 to 1962. He stayed in touch with many of his Army buddies for a number of years and he was also active with the American Legion Post 174 in Wayne.

Dan was a tile setter for Local 2212 in East Orange. He retired from the union after a career of fifty years.

Dan was a big sports fan and an avid supporter of the Wayne PAL. He helped install the flooring when the building was constructed, and was a trustee and baseball coach for many years there. Many will remember him driving over to the PAL in his golf cart where, more recently, he would buy an ice cream and then watch the game with his wife Janet sitting beside him. He owned several golf carts over the years and that was his favorite mode of transportation around the neighborhood and to the PAL. On a few occasions he rode his cart down the road into Mountain View and the police pulled him over more than a couple of times, kindly letting him go with just a warning.

Dan was both a great ice and roller skater, and that’s how he met Janet. He called her up one day and asked her to come skating. She told him that she was eating dinner and that he should call back in an hour or so. Fifteen minutes later he was ringing her doorbell and once she let him in, he never left. They married on August 18, 1962 and enjoyed a honeymoon at the Jersey Shore. Over the years they traveled quite a bit with a group of about twenty friends, calling themselves the “Traveling Team”. They visited the Bahamas, California, Las Vegas, Canada and many resorts in Upstate New York. They had many fun times together and recently celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Dan is survived by his wife Janet (nee Soder), Daughter Donna McIlwrath and her boyfriend Max Williams of Wayne, a son; Daniel Lougheed and his wife Marie of Newfoundland, NJ, grandsons; Patrick and Nicholas McIlwrath, Daniel and Eric Lougheed, granddaughters; Jaclyn and Laura McIlwrath, and Colleen Saia. Great-granddaughters; Madison McIlwrath and Nicole Saia and great-grandson; Derek Simmons, sisters; Arlene Botham and Nancy Linn, and one brother; Robert Lougheed. Dan was predeceased by his brother Donald in 2005 and by his sister Patricia Kaiser in 2005.

Memorial donations in Dan’s honor, if friends so wish, would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or the Wayne PAL, 1 PAL Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Stephen G. Loboda, age 86 of Wayne, died peacefully at home, with family by his side on Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Stephen was born in Newark, NJ, the older brother of two sisters to Stephen and Mary Loboda.

Growing up with modest means, Stephen would often share childhood memories of walking around the Newark Farmers Market after closing time, collecting fruits and vegetables that were left behind. He would proudly bring them home to his mother as she would use the produce to prepare the family meal.

As a child Stephen enjoyed activities such as Boy Scouts and football but it was his faith in God that proved to be the most important in his life. On most Sundays, he rode his bicycle to St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church where he and his family would attend mass.

At the age of twenty one he met a beautiful young girl named Roseanne Garg at the corner candy shop. For Stephen, meeting her changed his life! It was love at first sight but marriage would have to wait for two reasons…..he was too young and he first had to finish a tour of enlisted service in the United States Navy where he served in the Asiatic Pacific area as a 2nd class Petty Officer from 1944 to 1946. While in the Navy, Stephen served in Beijing, China and was the recipient of the Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal. He did return to marry Roseanna on October 25, 1952. Following a wonderful honeymoon in Florida, the happy couple settled in their first home together…an attic apartment in Newark.

In an effort to achieve “The American Dream”, Stephen was trained as an engine mechanic in the Navy. Stephen later decided to go in a different direction. He got a job as an ice cream man with Good Humor. He started out as a point-of-sale vendor, delivering ice cream in the parks and other venues where people gathered to relax in the great outdoors. Eventually, he traded in his white uniform and truck for a suit and tie when he worked his way up to manager, district manager and finally regional manager for the company. His career spanned over 42 years and upon retiring from Good Humor he took a position with Keebler Company, working in distribution until finally retiring for good in 1992.

Stephens was a great provider for his family. As he began to advance in his career he and Rosanne decided to move from Newark to then an unknown place called Packanack Lake. Friends and family tried to discourage him, incredulously asking, “Why would you want to move to the farm country?” Stephen didn’t waiver and he went ahead with his plans of building his home there for $14,500. Before leaving Newark they joyfully welcomed their first born son named Stephen

Packanack Lake continued to develop as more and more young families moved in. Over the next few years, the family grew to four and then five members as they welcomed two beautiful baby girls, Linda and Janette. Living at Packanack provided all opportunities a young family would long for. Together as a family they enjoyed Packanack Lake, sailing, tennis, volleyball and the small town feels of community. Stephen got involved with the Catholic Youth Organization as a basketball coach and the Bone Crushers pee-wee football team so that he could spend time with his young son.

The family enjoyed visits to Van Saun Park in Paramus and Garrett Mountain in Paterson. The highlight of the year was the much anticipated family vacation to Jersey shore each summer. The family also enjoyed daytrips to Sandy Hook and Keansburg. He’s left his children with many fond memories and traditions to cherish throughout their lifetimes. As his children married, Stephen would treasure the many activities his grandchildren would participate in from games to dance recitals. Grandpa was always proudly present for milestones, celebrations and accomplishments.

In 1957, he became a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church where he actively served in numerous ministries. He was a Eucharistic Minister, served as a Guard of Honor at the 5:00 PM Mass, he was also a Eucharistic Minister at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pequannock and at the St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital, a Prayer Leader Nocturnal Adoration Annunciation Church, a member of the Wayne First Saturday Club and he would minister to the homeless at Eva’s Village in Paterson. He joined the Knights of Columbus and became a forth degree Knight, was a former officer of the Commodore Barry Assembly and Past Grand Knight of Council #10206. He was Chairman of the annual St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance for thirteen years and editor of the Knights of Columbus Newsletter The Guardian News, for twelve years. Stephen was the Pro-Life coordinator and member of the Paterson Diocese Pro-Life organization, was active in the New Jersey and Passaic County Right to Life organizations, and was a bus captain for the Annual Right to Life Washington, D.C. trip for eleven years. He simply loved his parish, he looked forward to passionately selling roses at the church door on Sunday to raise money for Right to Life.

Stephen lived his life as a dedicated servant and was a true reflection of God’s love through ministry and daily living. Stephen was a great example of love, kindness and compassion. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy to be treasured by his family and the lives of those that he has touched.

Stephen is survived by his three children; Stephen Loboda and his wife Janet of Lake Hiawatha, Linda Mariconda and her husband Tony of Hackettstown, and Janette Scrozzo of Woodland Park, seven grandchildren; Christina and Gabriella Scrozzo and Eli, Daniel and Lindsey Loboda, Kevin and Dennis Coyle, Kelly and Nick Guerra one great-granddaughter; Mikayla, two sisters; Veronica Knitowski of Brick, .Maryann Fiorillo and her husband Anthony of Rahway, and family member Joseph Scrozzo. Stephen was predeceased by his beloved wife Roseanna in 1977.

William T. Coombs age 76 of Wayne died on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
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He was born in East Orange and had lived in Springfield N.J. for many years. He received his formal education at Springfield Grammar school and then he went to the Jonathan Dayton Regional High School in Springfield where he graduated.

Bill was employed at Wayne Township for twenty-eight years before his retirement in 2001. He was a member of the Wayne First Aid Squad for many years and retired in the 1990’s. He also was a Special Police Officer for Wayne Township from which he also retired.

He was interested in traveling, fishing and music.

Surviving are his loving wife Joan (nee Swanson) Coombs; one sister Mrs. Anne Kooiker and family of Osceola, Iowa; one brother Joseph Woolley and family of Branchville, N.J. and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Bill Coombs memory are asked to consider the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474.

Kathleen “Kathe” Crimmins age 64 of Wayne passed, peacefully at home with the comfort of family by her side, on Sunday, March 31, 2013.

She was born in Paterson and raised in Totowa having graduated from DePaul High School in Wayne with the Class of 1967.

Kathe helped open and worked at Fortunoff’s in Wayne as a manager and transitioned to the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce where she worked for several years before retiring.

She was a member of the Wayne Rotary Club and served as treasurer of the St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital Foundation.

Kathe leaves behind special family memories of summer vacations at the New Jersey shore in Lavallette, family trips to Disney World in Florida, and day trips to Sunrise Mountain at Stokes State Forest. She also enjoyed trips to Vermont and Maine where she could take in the simplicity, and slower pace of life there. She received her MBA (Masters of Beer Appreciation) from the Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell and loved meeting with a group of Margarita aficionados at Chili’s where she could oversee one of her two sons who worked there as managers.

She met her husband, Bill Crimmins, at a party in Spring Lake Heights where he had rented a house with a group of guys. Their first formal date was to see the show Hair on Broadway. They married on January 9, 1970 at Saint James RC Church in Totowa, had their reception at The Tides in North Haledon, and honeymooned in Bermuda. They initially settled in the Bronx New York and soon moved to Wayne New Jersey to raise their family. Initially Kathe was a New York Mets fan but was converted to a Yankee fan after being influenced by living in the Bronx and Bill’s unwavering loyalty to the Yankees. They enjoyed twenty years of a loving and caring marriage before Bill’s passing in 1990.

Kathe’s greatest love was caring for her two grandchildren Kyle and Owen. Anything that happened at grandma’s - stayed at grandma’s…except for the boy’s inability to keep a secret. When they returned home they would talk about how they had soda for breakfast, Pez, or other candy at all hours of the day and night. She adored the boys and they could do nothing wrong.

Kathe was the loving wife of the late Bill Crimmins(1990); devoted mother of Tracy Crimmins of Wayne, the late Ali Crimmins (1999); Christian M. Crimmins and his wife Stephanie of Middlesex, and Justin M. Crimmins of Rutherford; cherished grandmother of Kyle and Owen Crimmins; loved sister-in-law of Susan Crimmins of Santa Monica, CA; dear daughter of Harold Condon and the late Margaret (Garbe) Condon (2006). Kathe also enjoyed many years of wonderful companionship with Mr. Terry Dwyer.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Alliance for Lupus Research, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 501, NY, NY 10036 http://www.lupusresearch.org ; or the Wayne Rotary Foundation, PO Box 2022, Wayne, NJ 07470-2022 would be appreciated.

Dr. Yolanda Holliger (nee Tomaiuoli), age 74 of Wayne, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2013.

Yo, as she was known by all, was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s Academy of Brentwood, Long Island. An accomplished musician, she graduated with a BA in piano performance from The College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown where she was presented the Mother Xavier award as an outstanding graduate of the college. She furthered her studies at Columbia University, New York and graduated with an MA in piano performance before going on to study at numerous conservatories throughout Europe. Following her marriage to her beloved husband of 44 years, Thomas Holliger, the couple began a life journey together and lived in various places including Tonawanda, NY, Packanack Lake and St. Petersburg, FL before returning to Packanack Lake in 1977. Wherever they lived, Yolanda always maintained a studio in which she taught students to play piano. She was former organist as well as president of the women’s guild and parish board member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne. While residing in St. Petersburg, FL she served at Holy Family Catholic Church as organist, choir director, and president of the school’s PTA. Upon returning to Wayne in 1977, Yolanda resumed her ministry of music as organist at Immaculate Heart Parish and later served as organist and choir director for Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne. She continued to receive her masters and doctorate in music education from Columbia University. While a doctoral candidate, she served as director of the community music center at Teachers College, Columbia University. Throughout her life she used her gifts of music to bless others through numerous philanthropic endeavors.

Outside of musical pursuits Yolanda lived a full and vibrant life in which she especially enjoyed horseback riding, playing golf, taking art lessons, playing tennis, bowling, rooting for the Yankees and attending as many of her sixteen grandchildren’s events as she could.

Despite all her accomplishments, nothing was more important to Yo than her faith in God and her love for her family. She will be missed by all of them and is survived by her six children: Rosemarie Costello and husband Brian of Edmond, OK, Michele Betz and husband William of Wayne, Aileen Lange and husband Frank of Lincoln Park, Thomas Holliger and wife Michele of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Maureen Karsen and husband Keith of Pompton Plains, and Michael Holliger and wife Deanna of Denver, CO; sixteen grandchildren: Kevin Costello of Los Angeles, CA, First Lieutenant Christopher Costello and wife Amanda of Omaha, NE, William Betz of Wayne, Kathryn Elder and husband Clayton of Irvine, CA, Kyle, Carlyn and Clare Costello, all of Edmond, OK, Matthew Betz of Wayne, Frank and Colleen Lange, both of Lincoln Park, Shannon Betz of Wayne, Kendra, Ryan and Reed Karsen, all of Pompton Plains, and Kayla and Matthew Holliger, both of Denver, CO; one great-grandchild: Chloe Costello of Omaha, NE; and two sisters-in-law: Cookie Tomaiuoli of Syracuse, NY and Patsy Landholt of Columbus, OH.

Yolanda was predeceased by her beloved husband Thomas in 2004, as well as her brother Matthew and brother-in-law Gerald Landholt.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Yolanda’s memory to The Society for the Propogation of the Faith, 70 West 36th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10018, or The Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, P.O. Box 728, Peoria, IL 61652.

Michael W. Pascrell age 21 of Wayne passed in a tragic accident on Friday, March 29, 2013.

Michael was born in Paterson and was a lifelong resident of Wayne. He graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 2010 having been a member of the football and track teams for all four years. He was currently a Junior at Rider University’s Lawrenceville Campus.

Mike will be remembered as a person who always put other’s before himself. He was a people pleaser who had a light hearted sense of humor and was quick with a joke. He had a comforting way in which he could engage in conversation with his peers just as easily as someone many years his senior. His twenty-one summers, at Long Beach Island with his family, have left them many fond memories of Mike crabbing, sitting on the beach all day, and cruising in the boat. He was a great son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend and will be greatly missed.

He was the loving son of Frank J. Pascrell of Wayne and the late Eileen (Horn) Pascrell (2007); loving brother of Theresa Eileen Pascrell of Wayne; cherished grandson of Eileen “Nana” Pascrell of Wayne and the late Frank Pascrell (1985), and Theresa “Granny” Horn of Manahawkin and the late William L. Horn (2000); dear nephew, cousin, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Wayne Rotary Foundation, PO Box 2022, Wayne, NJ 07470-2022 would be appreciated.

Roslyn F. Scott, age 88 of Oakland, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

She was a bookkeeper and accountant during her career, working for several different companies over the years. She retired in 1985 from Nabisco in Fairlawn after having been there for seventeen years.

Roslyn was born in Paterson and graduated from Central High School in 1942. She met her husband Warren while they were both roller skating one night. They married in 1945 and settled in Paterson before moving to Oakland in 1960. They enjoyed forty four years together before Warren passed in 1989. They had traveled extensively over the years and were blessed with two sons and two grandchildren.

Roslyn is survived by her two sons; Charles Scott and Marshall Scott, both of Oakland, two grandchildren; Ryan Scott and Casey Scott, both of Vernon, and her sister-in-law Dorothy Scott of Wayne. She was predeceased by her grandson Justin Scott in 1982, and her brother Cyril Francus of Fort Lee in 2012.

James K. Levetsanos, age 85 of Totowa, died on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. He had been a resident of Totowa for many years.

“Jimmy the Greek the hot dog man”, as he was known to most everyone, was proprietor of “NJ Weiner”, a hot dog establishment on Van Houten Street in Paterson, founded by his father in 1919. Their restaurant was a Paterson fixture for seventy-seven years before closing in 1996.

Jimmy graduated from Passaic Valley High School at just 16 years old, with the first graduating class at the new Passaic Valley High School. He had tried out for and made the varsity football team at Passaic Valley HS but that experience ended quickly when his mother found out. She chased him off the football field and forbade him from playing ball because the sport was dangerous. Ironically, His mother allowed him to later enlist in the U.S. Army. While attending the Merchant Marine Academy in Louisiana, Jim’s father suddenly passed away and his mother pled with him to drop out of the academy and to return home to run the family business. At this point, Jim was just nineteen years of age but Jimmy knew the business and worked very hard to provide for his family while carving niche for himself and was loved by many.

So many of Paterson’s Police and Fireman were among his regular customers that the store that it became known as the “91st Precinct”.

During the 1991 fire that destroyed the Meyer Brother’s building in downtown Paterson, Jimmy kept his shop open for three days straight to feed police and firemen who were working at the scene of the blaze. He kept the store operational to assist with keeping police and firefighters fed while at the same time, giving them a place to rest and get out of the cold conditions at no charge.

Back in the 1950’s and 60’s, Jim also worked 7 days per week to provide meals to the prisoners at the county jail.

Jim had the perfect personality to run a successful restaurant; friendly, funny, entertaining, quick with a joke, and sometimes, you just never knew what was going to come out of him so you’d better be ready. He eventually closed the restaurant and retired in 1996.

Jimmy met his wife Isabelle (Pulford) in Paterson. Her family didn’t care so much for Jim and Isabelle’s mother even threatened not to attend their wedding if they were to marry. They did marry on July 14, 1957 (with her mother in attendance) at St. Ignatius on the east side of Paterson and honeymooned at Cape May. They proved all the naysayers wrong and enjoyed fifty five years of devoted marriage to one another, bringing four lovely children into the world along the way. Over the years they made eight trips to Greece, visiting with Jimmy’s family there. They drove throughout the countryside and he even took some time to go fishing while in Greece. He loved to go fishing and would often fish at nearby lakes and the Wanaque Reservoir when he had a day off. He liked to tinker in his garden, growing vegetables and tending to his peonies. He always looked forward to spring when flowers would start to bloom and was excited to see his tulips start to pop up in recent days.

Jimmy loved his dogs and had many years which included several fox terriers, a Jack Russell terrier, a Dalmatian, a German shepherd mix, to name a few.

Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of fifty five years; Isabelle of Totowa, his four children; Gus Levetsanos, Barbara Levetsanos, James L. Levetsanos all of Totowa, and Jamie De Visser and her husband Forrest of Wayne, four grandchildren; Olivia and Alyssa De Visser of Wayne and Jessica and Korin Levetsanos of Totowa, and his cousin George Courtis of Totowa. He was predeceased by his brother Gerry Levetsanos of Totowa in 1994.

Valentin Tuhari, age 71, of Hollywood, FL and formerly of Wayne, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2013.

Valentin was born in Soroca, Romania and raised in the city of Brasov. Following graduation from high school, he continued his education at the Bucharest Construction Institute. While there he met a young woman named Alexandra Nicolescu at a New Year’s Eve party. Valentin asked her if she would like to dance with him and to his delight, she said yes; they continued to date while together they attended school. Valentin ultimately graduated and landed his first job as an engineer with a company that focused on highway and bridge construction. He worked for two years but he and Alexandra’s great desire was to escape the communist regime that ruled Romania. The couple escaped Romania on a train to Hungary. From there they went to Germany and married in 1969. They remained in Germany for some time while paperwork was being processed so that they could immigrate to the United States of America. Valentin and Alexandra found work and stayed in New York City for one-and-a-half years before settling into their new home in the Pines Lake section of Wayne in 1972. Valentin continued in his career as a structural engineer with Traynor and Hansen Construction, Briscoe Corporation, and Turner Construction Company before starting his own business in 1986 as an independent structural engineering consultant.

During this time, he and Alexandra were blessed with three beautiful children: two little girls that they named Julie and Nathalie and a little boy whom they named Shelby. Valentin adored his kids and instilled in them the love he had for the outdoors by taking them downhill skiing pretty soon after they learned to walk. He also started and continued a tradition of taking them fresh-water fishing to Saranac Lake, NY every Memorial Day weekend. Valentin surprised the kids one day by bringing home two beautiful dogs; a basset hound named 5th Ave. and a cocker spaniel named Park Ave. He created a nice story telling his children that those two poor pups were hungry and homeless, walking the streets and their names represented where he found and rescued them. There was a deep sense of family in the Tuhari home and it honored Valentin greatly that his own parents, Nichifor and Lidia were able to live with his family in their home in Pines Lake. Family extended beyond blood lines and Valentin and Alexandra enjoyed the company of many friends and their home was often a place for gatherings and celebrations.

In 1996 Valentin took work in South Korea and China which lasted until 2000 when he returned to the United States, settling in Florida. His most recent achievements in Florida were the Marquis Miami, a seventy story high-rise and the Hard Rock Cafe.

As a young man in high school, Valentin won awards in the long jump skiing competition. One time while jumping, he sustained an injury where the tip of the ski went right through his chin. An avid hunter, Valentin loved to spend time with his father Nichifor hunting for bear and deer in some of North America’s most beautiful regions, including Alaska and Montana. On one particular trip, Valentin caught a great black bear that he had the hide made into a big carpet for the house. Valentin also enjoyed deep sea fishing off of the Atlantic City coast; he once caught a huge trophy sized marlin. During his years at Briscoe Corp. and Turner Construction, a nice sunny day of eighteen holes of golf was a good way to have fun while doing business with professional colleagues. Also, Valentin obtained his pilot’s license enjoying many weekends flying out of and around Atlantic City. He continued this love of being one with the sky when he moved to Florida and spent quite a bit of time flying, often bringing along his canine companion named Soldier.

Valentin will be remembered for being a man who loved life! He always displayed qualities of determination, industriousness, and drive that caused him to work hard, giving his all, but which also allowed him to play hard and enjoy the many beautiful opportunities that life offered for the taking. In the words of Frank Sinatra, Valentin was a man who believed in doing things his way.

Surviving are his two daughters: Julie Tuhari of Hoboken, Nathalie Tuhari-Katz and husband Brian of Hoboken; his son Shelby Tuhari and wife Melanie of Wayne, his three grandchildren: Shelby, Justin and Chelsea; and his former wife Alexandra Shaaban.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Valentin’s memory to The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675.

Richard E. Gass age 72 of Lincoln Park passed, peacefully, after a brief illness, on Monday, March 25, 2013.

He was born in New York City and raised in Riveredge, NJ having graduated from Riverdell High School with the Class of 1959. Soon after high school Richard enlisted in the United States Army National Guard and served from 1960 through 1966 with a military occupational specialty of Armor Crewman/Tank Commander attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Richard worked for Singer Kearfott Corporation in Wayne as a Technical Illustrator. Eventually the group he worked with at Singer Kearfott was sold to the GEC Marconi Corporation, then the Plessey Corporation. and finally the BAE Corporation before he retired in 2005.

Richard’s great sense of humor and his ability to make just about any sound endeared him to many. He was known as “Problem Rich” in The Program and recently celebrated twenty-four years of sobriety. His loving, caring way will be greatly missed as he made a difference in many people’s lives just being there for them as a good friend.

He met his wife, Diane Beardsmore, at work and their first date was to Red Lobster with the intention of going to see the movie Pretty Woman. The movie was sold out so they went for desert instead. They soon fell in love and Rich would leave bunches of flowers on the bench by Diane’s front door to let her know he had stopped by. He proposed marriage about ten times before Diane said yes. They married on September 4, 1992 and have enjoyed twenty years of a wonderful, exciting, and caring marriage.

Richard was the loving husband of Diane Gass; devoted father of Michael Gass of Hewitt, Gregory Gass and his wife Cynthia of Paramus, Jeffrey Gass and his wife Lauren of Paramus, and David Gass and his wife Alyson of Wayne; cherished grandfather of Sean, Christopher, Ryan, Mark, Eileen, Daniel, and Gabriel.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Lincoln Park First Aid Squad, 34 Chapel Hill Road, PO Box 332, Lincoln Park, NJ 07035-0332 would be appreciated.

Jillian A. De Lillo, age 26 of Kinnelon died on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Jillian was born with a condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, which is essentially a malformation within her heart. She endured her first surgery when she was just a few hours old and this most certainly saved her life. At fifteen months old she had open heart surgery to perform a more permanent repair however, during the surgery Jillian suffered permanent brain damage resulting in a lifetime of disability. Her strong will and determination however, brought her much farther than any of her doctors could have ever predicted.

Jillian went on to graduate from the Transition Center at Woodridge and she received her high school diploma. She loved to sing and if the radio was on, she would sing along to just about every song – knowing all the words. She loved watching TV, and “Sponge Bob Square Pants” was by far her favorite cartoon. She also loved movies and would view them over and over again until she remembered every line. “Home Alone”, “Liar, Liar” and “Annie” were among her top favorites. Her sister had recently surprised Jillian with tickets to go see “Annie” on Broadway this coming May, and Jillian was looking forward to it very much so.

Jillian had been working at “Willing Hands” in Kinnelon, a work activity training center for developmentally disabled adults. Willing Hands helped to boost Jillian’s self-esteem and expanded her social network. She loved it there and made some great friends over the years. They had day trips from time to time as well; going bowling and to the circus, which Jillian looked forward to. The annual Willing Hands dinner was an event that she really enjoyed and she liked to dance there with her friends from the Center.

Ten years ago, the Make-A-Wish Foundation selected Jillian and treated her and her family to an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World. The trip was “the best trip ever”, as her family described it. They received VIP treatment at every turn and Jillian was on top of the world. They never had to wait on a line and Jillian was always provided with the best seats in the house for the live shows. The highlight of her trip was when she met Barney after one of his live shows. He had been one of her favorite TV personalities at the time, and to meet him in person filled her with complete joy! Make-A-Wish also provided them with accommodations at the ‘Give Kids The World Village’. ‘Give Kids The World’ is a non-profit resort near Disney which provides children with life-threatening illnesses, and their families, cost-free fantasy vacations. It was the nearest thing to Heaven on earth and Jillian didn’t want to leave. Jillian’s family is eternally grateful to all of those who made that trip so spectacular for each of them, but especially for the joy it brought to Jillian.

Like any other girl, Jillian enjoyed shopping at the mall. Usually finding a new movie on DVD made her most happy, but she would still like to wander around the mall. She also liked good food and her grandmother’s chicken cutlets were her favorite, but cheese doodles and chicken nuggets were pretty high on her list too. Her best friend and trusted companion was her service dog; Comet. They had been together about two years now and Comet was her constant companion. He was trained to take care of her and would be by her side no matter what. He was even able to sense when she was having a seizure and he would place his body at her feet, ready to break her fall in the event that she collapsed. Comet was devoted to her and she loved him dearly.

Jillian is survived by her parents; Robert and Geralyn De Lillo of Kinnelon, her three sisters; Jaclyn, Kristen, and Katelyn De Lillo of Kinnelon, her brother Bobby of Kinnelon, her grandmother; Jeanette De Lillo of Butler, her aunt Jennifer Tempio and her husband Stephen of Kinnelon, her aunt Valerie Harrell and her husband Lonnie of Lakeland, FL, her uncle; Chris Natoli and his wife Mandy of Riverdale, and seven cousins; Jennifer, Melissa and Stephen Tempio, Destiny, Lonnie and Leeann Harrell of Lakeland, FL, and Gianna Natoli of Riverdale. Jillian was predeceased by her grandmother Mary Natoli of Lodi just last week, and her grandfathers; Robert De Lillo (2010) and Henry Natoli (2006).

Memorial donations if friends so wish would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the Willing Hands, Inc., 91 Kinnelon Rd., Kinnelon, NJ 07405.

Daniel M. Forrest, age 52, of Florida and formerly of Pequannock, died tragically on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

Dan moved to Pequannock with his family when he was about seven years old. He graduated from Pequannock High School with the class of 1978. He continued on at Lincoln Tech and became a mechanic. He had worked for the family business, Forrest Manufacturing in Clifton, before moving to Florida in 1998.

Dan was a very smart guy and had varied interests. He enjoyed beekeeping as a young man, building the hives and selling the honey. He became very good at leather tooling after receiving a gift set of tools from his grandparents. He was very skilled and a craftsman in many ways. He would pour himself into his hobbies and master them until something else more intriguing came along. During high school, he became interested in weight lifting and soon had a perfect physique. He stood at six feet, five inches tall and was an imposing character to begin with, but he was truly a quiet and modest person through and through. Dan was a very private man, and it may be that his mother knew him better than anyone. They would, at times, have long talks together. Shortly after losing her in 1997, Dan moved to Florida, where he lived ever since.

Dan is survived by his sister Lynn Forrest of Wanaque, his brother Jay Forrest and his wife Denise of Pequannock, and Jim Forrest and his wife Lisa of Boonton Township, as well as six nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Lois Forrest in 1997 and his father James E. Forrest in 2008.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to www.lifenet4families.org would be greatly appreciated.

David W. Tullo age 88 of Wayne died peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2013 at home with the comfort of family by his side.

He was born and raised in Paterson having lived in Greenwood Lake before moving to Wayne fifty years ago.

David was the Superintendant of the Motor Pool of the Paterson Police Department before retiring in 1993.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation RC Church in Wayne.

David was a United States Air Force veteran of WWII having served with the 114th Army Airways Communications System Squadron. His military occupational specialty was a Teletype Mechanic. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

He was a former member of the Italian American Independent Club of Totowa.

Surviving him are his loving companion Helen Kill and her daughters Sandra Connolly of Tuxedo Park, NY, and Sherry Lawson of Haskell, and their children Stefan Connolly, and Danny and Sherry Thompson, He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Denise Susino, Cindy Bangaree, Hank Locker, Joe Brady, Dorothy Ann Brady, Maureen Fiore, Katheleen LaBark, Theresa Piller, Michael Tullo and Roger Tullo; as well as his great nieces and great nephews.

David was predeceased by his siblings Matilda Locker, Eleanor Gera, George and Joseph Tullo.

Joan Ruth Di Donato (nee Kaminski) age 79 of Wayne passed on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

She was born and raised in Paterson having lived in West Paterson before moving to Wayne almost fifty years ago.

Joan was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wayne.

She was a Matron with the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of the Red Hats of Wayne and active with the Golden Age Circle of Wayne.

Joan was truly dedicated to her family and will be remembered as a person who was generous, loving, had a witty sense of humor, was always impeccably dressed, and enjoyed time with friends creating all kinds of arts and crafts.

She met her future husband Joseph Di Donato while on a double date with her sister. They married on April 3, 1954 and honeymooned at Niagara Falls New York and actually left there because they didn’t like the dampness and cold. They enjoyed fifty-nine years of a loving and caring marriage.

Joan was predeceased by her husband Joseph Di Donato, Sr. in 2008. She was the devoted mother of Joseph Di Donato, Jr. and his wife Lisa of Wayne, and Michele Di Donato of Boonton; cherished grandmother of Joseph Di Donato, III, and Victoria Lee Di Donato; dear sister of Joseph Kaminski and his wife Marge of Paterson, John Kaminski and his wife Darlene of Ringwood, and the late Lillian Duffy, and late Leo Kaminski.

In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made to Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or visit their website to make a donation online at www.waynefas.com/donate.

Irene H. Voellmy, 93, of Bloomingdale, passed from this life on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

Irene was born in Paterson, the daughter of Benjamin Marshall and Clemence Stanley. She grew up in North Haledon with her two brothers and three sisters and graduated from Hawthorne High School. Following graduation she began working for Western Electric.

One night she went out on a double blind date. The young man that was not her date liked Irene better than the girl that was his date. His name was Charles Voellmy and that night while on the date, he rearranged the seating arrangement in the car to make sure he ended up sitting next to Irene. They fell in love and, following Charles’ service in the United States Navy, they married in July of 1945 at the First Baptist Church in Paterson. The nuptials were followed by a reception at a local hall and then an exciting honeymoon in Atlantic City. Over the 54 years of their beautiful marriage, Charles and Irene frequently visited Atlantic City. The newlyweds settled in Paterson in a two-family house that they shared with Charles’ parents. Irene continued to work as an expert circuit board assembler for Western Electric. She took a break for three years so that she could take care of their beautiful newborn baby girl which they named Bonnie Lee. Eventually, Western Electric moved the company to Kearny but Irene didn’t go with them. Instead she took a job with a company called Monsanto doing the same type of work. The family eventually moved to their own home in Fair Lawn. Through hard work, thriftiness and perseverance, they paid off the mortgage on the house, as well as the down payment loan from Charles’ parents, in seven years! They enjoyed that home for twenty-one years and, following Irene’s retirement from Meadox Medicals, Inc. she and Charlie moved south to Whiting, NJ to a nice retirement community. They enjoyed the care-free lifestyle in Whiting, playing golf and going out to dinner with good friends that had made over the years. Irene remained in Whiting for a few years after Charlie passed away in April, 2001. At this point in her life she was in her 80’s but that didn’t stop her from driving up the Garden State Parkway on many weekends to stay with her daughter Bonnie. She continued that practice until one time while driving home to Whiting, Irene had a heart-attack. Thank God for her cell phone! She called 911 from the side of the road and that cell phone probably saved her life that day! After that, it was time to move north so in 2005 Irene moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains where she stayed to the present.

Throughout the years, Irene amused herself and other with many hobbies. Some of her ceramic creations include egg plates and baskets with bunnies which she made for Easter, and Christmas plates for the season of yuletide. She enjoyed gardening and grew her own tomatoes, string beans and strawberries while living in Whiting. She had exorbitant iris gardens along the side of the house in Fair Lawn and when she moved from there, Irene took a bunch of the bulbs to plant in her gardens in Whiting. Together, she and Charlie enjoyed the music of such big-band greats as Glenn Miller and Lawrence Welk and it’s been said that she and Charlie danced a pretty mean fox-trot too. The big bands were sweet but nothing like Irene’s secret crush…..Engelbert Humperdinck! When she would hear him sing “Release Me” or “The Last Waltz” or After the Lovin…..WOW! While living at Cedar Crest, Irene could be heard singing and often times it was songs by Engelbert Humperdinck. Irene and Charlie got to enjoy some good years of traveling too. They made many a trip to Vermont with friends. Charlie and the boys would play eighteen holes of golf while the ladies shopped. Afterwards, they would all join together for dinner. Other highlighted destinations included San Francisco, California, Utah’s Zion National Park, and Nevada’s Lake Tahoe. One of the most memorable destinations was to a place where Charlie had been stationed while in the service. It was a place he always promised to take his wife. That destination was Hawaii and Charlie ultimately kept that promise. Charlie and Irene’s daughter Bonnie did a very special thing for her parents. Bonnie took each of them, separately, on vacations – Dad to see the national parks out west and Mom to Italy for her 75th birthday. They played a card game called 99 in the hotel lobby with friends they had made while there. Memories of that time were filled with joy and laughter.

The Voellmy find great comfort in knowing that Irene is now with the Lord. Her faith in God was lived out in her life through her involvement over the years at Columbia Heights Community Church in Fair Lawn, and the Community Church in Whiting and attending worship services in the nursing home at Cedar Crest Village.

Irene was predeceased by her beloved husband of 54 years, Charles Voellmy, brothers Richard and Harry Stanley and sisters Doris Wolf and Isabelle Blundo. Irene is survived by her loving daughter Bonnie Lee, sister Alice Stanley and her loving nieces and nephews.

Angelo J. Giaquinto, age 88 of Wayne, died peacefully on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

Angelo was born in the Bronx and graduated from Samuel Gompers Vocational School in 1942. After graduation, he began working at the Parker-Kalon Manufacturing company as a tool maker and eventually retired from Edwards Engineering in Pequannock. He has been a resident of Wayne since 1964.

Shortly after high school, Angelo found himself serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps in England. Shortly after the D-Day invasion, he was assigned to a regular Army unit, put on a boat and sent to the beaches of Normandy, France. He landed on June 9, 1944 in the vicinity of Utah and Omaha beaches. He was never certain exactly where he landed in France because, as he told his family, there were no “Welcome” signs on the beach to tell you where you were. He did recall however, seeing a parachute tangled on a church spire not far from where he landed, which he later learned is the town of Sainte-Mère-Église, in France. Angelo received four battle stars with his European Campaign Ribbon. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945. Many years later, on his twenty fifth wedding anniversary, Angelo took a tour with his wife and retraced his steps from World War II. They began in London and went on to France, Belgium and finally Germany. They had a delightful trip, certainly much more enjoyable and care free than the first time he visited those places.

While home on leave from the Army, Angelo and some friends took a day cruise up the Hudson River towards West Point. Onboard, they met a few girls who were headed to a park at Indian Point for a picnic. Angelo was smart enough to adjust his plans and he chose to join the girls. They disembarked together and soon after the skies opened up and it rained most of the day. They sat together in a small pavilion with a roof over their heads until their ship returned to take them back to Manhattan. Angelo hit it off that day with Gerri (nee Masi) and continued dating while he completed his war service. On July 10, 1948 they married and enjoyed a honeymoon to Niagara Falls. During their marriage, they embarked on many more cruises to Alaska, Panama and many other destinations. Angelo’s favorite vessel was the “Celebrity”. He and his wife Gerri were blessed with sixty five loving years together.

Angelo was an active member of the Elks Club, For the Pines Lake Woman’s Club of Wayne, he collected can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. He kept himself very busy during retirement with numerous volunteering efforts. His passion however, was Line Dancing. Together with Gerri, they taught Line Dancing for seventeen years at Camp Hope in West Milford. They had petitioned the County to let them teach during the summers and once they got the approval, they had eighty one ‘first timers’ at their very first lesson! They taught countless people to Line Dance and had been invited to all kinds of events to offer dancing instruction. They even convinced a cruise director once to let them teach during one of their cruises - and their class was a big hit! They were honored with dinner at the Captain’s table. Needless to say, he was very blessed and has left his family with many wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Angelo is survived by his loving wife of sixty five years, Gerri of Wayne, his daughter Diane Lattanzio of Kinnelon, his son Ronald of Colts Neck and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Anthony of Mount Vernon, NY and his sister Fay Ryffel of Hilton Head, SC.

Memorial donations may be made to Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or visit their website to make a donation online at www.waynefas.com/donate.

Albert L. Sager, age 85 died peacefully on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Albert was welcomed into the world by his parents Rudolf and Amanda Sager on July 2, 1927. He joined his older brother Walter in the family home in Passaic where he was raised.

After graduation from Passaic High School, Albert continued his education at Upsala College and graduated in 1949 with his B.S. degree in business administration.

Once while attending the dance that was held every Friday night at the Passaic YMCA, Al spotted a pretty young lady named Doris Kaufer. He drew up the nerve to ask her for a dance and, to his delight, she said yes. Al and Doris hit it off, dancing with no one else but each other for the rest of the evening! They married at the East Rutherford Lutheran Church on November 29, 1952 and after honeymooning in Miami they settled in an apartment in Clifton on Trimble Ave.

As a young man, Al took a job as a New York stockbroker but eventually took a position with Curtiss Wright Corporation as a purchasing agent. Meanwhile, Doris worked too and together they squirreled their money and celebrated the day that they could move into their new home in Passaic Park. Eventually, the family grew to three members as they welcomed their first-born, a son they named Al and then to four as they welcomed their second child, a beautiful girl which they named Barbara. In 1967, the Sager family packed the moving trucks one more time and headed for Wayne where they have remained to this day.

Over the span of his career as a purchasing agent Al also worked for Congoleum Nairn of Kearny, Yardley London of Totowa, Revlon in New York City and George Fuller Construction Company of New York City. Following retirement he continued part-time as an independent consultant. Retirement allowed Al to return in earnest to one of the earlier loves of his life – stock trading. Al spent a good portion of his time absorbing stock information on a daily basis from The Wall Street Journal and on a weekly basis from Baron’s Weekly to help him make his trades. He also enjoyed being a member of the Lessing-Passaic Masonic Lodge and working in the yard or doing odd-jobs around the house.

Throughout his life, Al enjoyed traveling and vacationing. When the kids were younger, the family would vacation every summer in Seaside Park, NJ with Doris’ parents. Al and Doris have a home in Venice, FL which they enjoy very much and the trip to Alaska will never be forgotten as they were there on 9/11/2001.

Al loved his two granddaughters, Kristin and Jennifer. He and Doris would visit them in California and they would come with their parents to NJ to visit too. He was especially proud of the girl’s golfing accomplishments and their participation in the U.S.G.A. Girls Junior Golf Tournament at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster where he had the opportunity to meet Donald Trump.

Al was a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Passaic where he served on the church council. When they moved to Wayne, he and Doris became members of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne.

Al will be remembered for being a hard-working man who was dedicated to his family, home and work.

Surviving are his beloved wife of sixty years, Doris (nee Kaufer), his son Al Sager of Wayne, his daughter Barbara and husband Colin Coleman of Rolling Hills Estates, CA and his two granddaughters: Kristin and Jennifer Coleman. Al was predeceased by his brother Walter in 1994.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Albert’s memory to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 395 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, or to a charity of your choice.

Rosemarie O’Shea, beloved wife and mother, and longtime educator, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2013, in the presence of her family. She was sixty. Her happiness and love of life were gifts to all that knew her.

Rose was born to Mary and Joseph Spinella, grew up in Paterson in the fifties and sixties with a sister and three brothers in a three-family house on Chestnut Street, and was a member of Saint Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church.

She graduated fourth in Eastside High School’s Class of 1970 and was the Yearbook Editor and the National Honor Society Secretary.

Rose graduated cum laude from Saint Peters College in 1974, receiving her Bachelor's Degree and a Gold Key for her service as a Student Senator and Chair of the Administrative, Health and Hispanic Studies Committees.

Rosemarie fulfilled the requirements of student teacher at Kennedy High School in Paterson and then passed her New Jersey certification examinations to teach Spanish and French. Her first teaching position was at Hasbrouck Heights High School, where she taught Spanish and French, developed a new French program, and coached a Girls’ Gymnastics Team which won a State Sectional Title. Subsequently, Rose taught French at Wayne Hills High School and Spanish at Wayne Valley.

After staying home for twelve years to raise her children, she returned to Wayne Valley for seventeen years, first as a Spanish Teacher and then a Guidance Counselor, until illness forced her retirement in 2012. Rose cared about everyone she met. As a Guidance Counselor, Rose worked as hard helping troubled students receive needed services as she did developing close working relationships with college admissions officers.

Whether working or raising her family, Rosemarie continued her education nights and summers, and obtained additional certifications: Principal/Supervisor, Student Personnel Services and School Social Worker. Rosemarie earned a Master of Arts in Counseling, Human Services and Guidance in 1978 from Montclair State University. She also completed advanced graduate courses in World Languages, Creative Writing, and Counseling Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Students at Farleigh Dickinson and William Paterson.

Rosemarie played the piano and enjoyed friends, colleagues and traveling. But her love was her family. In 1978 Rosemarie married Michael J. O’Shea, and they had three children: Timothy, Mary and Michael. The family joined Our Lady of the Valley Church. In addition to her husband and children, Rosemarie is survived by her sister Kathryn and her husband Robert, brothers, Charles Spinella and his wife Linda and Joseph Spinella and his wife Nicole, many nieces and nephews, and Tim's wife, Clara. Rose's brother Vincent previously passed away.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Rosemarie to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research www.lustgarten.org.

Grace M. Langlois (nee Pascarella) of Wayne, NJ went home to be with the Lord peacefully with the comfort of family by her side on Friday, March 15, 2013.

She was born and raised in Paterson having moved to Wayne forty-eight years ago. Grace worked for the Barbizon Corporation in Paterson as a seamstress. She left Barbizon to dedicate herself to raising her three daughters.

Grace met her loving and handsome husband Albert Langlois while attending Bethany Church in Paterson. Albert and Grace’s first date was to New York City for dinner. They soon fell in love and married on December 1, 1951 at the Bethany Church in Paterson and honeymooned in Miami Beach, Florida. They enjoyed a loving, caring and faith filled marriage of sixty-one years.

Grace loved and served the Lord. She was a member of Bethany Church in Paterson and later in Wyckoff having been their organist for over thirty years. She also played the piano and accordion. She was currently attending Hawthorne Gospel Church for the past eighteen years.

She will be remembered as a sweet, loving, caring, joyful person who loved to laugh. Grace loved and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and baking Italian specialties. Her special touch on pastries, Easter pies, and lasagna made family gatherings special. Grace was a wonderful person and to know her was to love her. She will be greatly missed.

Grace was the loving wife of Albert Langlois; devoted mother 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 grandmother of Kevin Drenth and his wife Erika, Danielle Doran and her husband Kevin, Nicole Drenth, Ashley Drenth, Jacqueline Preiskines and her husband Matthew, Kenneth DeBlock and his wife Janelle, and Kerry DeBlock; dear great-grandmother of Hunter Drenth, Gracie Drenth, Gabriel Doran, Abigail Doran, and Tristan Preiskines; dear sister of Esther Pascarella of Leesburg, FL, and Dolores Detrick of Margate, FL, dear sister-in-law of Carol Pascarella of Pompano Beach, FL; and dear Aunt of many nieces and nephews. Grace was predeceased by her parents Vincent and Mary Pascarella, mother-in-law Florence Langlois, sister Vincenza Rozell and brother John Pascarella.

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

Walter W. Porter Jr., age 94 of Paterson, died peacefully on Thursday, March 14, 2013.

He was born October 18, 1918 to his loving parents Walter W. Porter Sr. and Jane Murphy Porter in Paterson and had lived in Paterson all of his life.

He received his formal education at Paterson Grammar School No. Five and then went to Central High School where he was a talented football and basketball player on a Champion Team. He was also a member of the Central High record-breaking swim team with Al Vanderweigh, a 1936 Olympic Team Member. During his high school years, his family move several blocks which caused Walt to finish at Paterson’s Eastside High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1939. Playing football first for Central High and then for their arch-rival Eastside High caused quite a stir, some good spirited rivalry, and a little confusion for his many friends. Walt was also a member of the Championship Baseball team with fellow players Lou Cuccinello and Rube Wiggins. He was inducted into the Eastside High School Hall of Fame for his stellar athletisism.

He met Mildred Beggs a high school classmate who was also a cheerleader for Walter’s football team and they soon became sweethearts. They were married after a two year courtship on September 20, 1941 by Reverend Elwell at the Broadway Baptist Church in Paterson and almost immediately thereafter they went to Saint Joseph’s RC Church on Market Street in Paterson and were married in a Roman Catholic wedding, all on the same day! Walter and Mildred had a “wonderful marriage” together for seventy years until her passing in 2010. Mildred was the love of his life having raised two wonderful boys Russell and Douglas. Walter always said that his in-laws Chester and Lillian Beggs “where the best people in the whole world” and Mildred would say the same for Walt’s parents; Walter Sr. and Jane Porter.

Walter was a parishioner of Saint Paul’s RC Church in Prospect Park.

Walter served during World War II in the U.S. Army, Company A 414th Infantry 104th Division. He served in the battles of Rhineland, Central Europe, and the Battle of The Bulge in the Ardennes. He was wounded in action, receiving a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and a Combat Infantry Badge, as well as the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He told a story of one of his war experiences; he was assigned to a special Browning Automatic weapon after the previous soldiers who had been manning the gun were wounded by an enemy sniper. While he was using the weapon, a sniper shot him in the head and, because his right foot stumbled into a depression in the ground, lowering his head momentarily, the sniper’s bullet pierced his helmet but only managed to graze his skull, rendering him unconscious. After being transported to a tent hospital for the wounded, he was greatly surprised by a visit from his brother Gerard, a moment he has cherished ever since. Gerard had heard of his brother’s plight and travelled many difficult miles to visit his wounded brother in that hospital. Walt and Gerry have enjoyed a close relationship together their whole lives and Gerry is well known in Wayne where he was a councilman for twenty years.

After the War, Walt was employed by the Paterson Police Department as a motorcycle patrolman from 1945 to 1953 and was President of the Police Benevolent Association Local #1. He then worked at the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office and the Passaic County Prosecutors Office from 1960-1979, as Captain of Passaic County Detectives, finally retiring in 1979. He had a long and highly respected career.

Before and also after retirement he served his community in many political and community service rolls. Walt had a special political drive that was truly “a service above self personality”. Perhaps you could refer to his demeanor as havng an idealistic approach, but whatever adjective you use to describe his personal style perhaps the best is “selfless”, always doing for others. Couple that attribute with honesty beyond reproach, determination to do the best job he could, and you describe Walter Porter. He had the utmost respect of people from all walks of life.

He was a member and Past Commander of the Bernard Armitage Post #360 of the American Legion in Paterson, a life member and Past Commander of the American Legion, Past County Commander of the American Legion, Past New Jersey State Vice Commander of the American Legion, and member of the Legion’s Executive Committee, and the Riverside Veterans Post. He was a Life Member of the “Military Order of the Purple Heart”, Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #139 in Paterson, a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans Argonne Chapter, Paterson, and a member of the Riverside Veterans of Hawthorne.

Over a period of thirty years, Walter personally presented on behalf of the Passaic County American Legion, more thirty thousand American Flags, welcoming new citizens naturalized into the citizenship of our wonderful country.

He served as President of the Passaic County Employees Pension Fund, Past President of the Passaic County Employees Credit Union, a twenty-five year member of the Civil Service Association. Was a County Committeeman in Paterson’s 4th Ward for twenty years, was a Republican Candidate for Congress in 1962, served many fund raising rolls and campaign manager for several individuals wanting to be mayors, county clerks and freeholders, seeking election. He was an honorary member of the Passaic County Chiefs of Police Association, a member of the Clifton Moose Lodge 654 and the Passaic County 200 Club.

Walter enjoyed politics and he was elected Passaic County Freeholder in 1980, followed by reelection in 1983, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1999. He served as Director of the Passaic County Freeholder Board in 1982, 1983 and 1986. He was elected delegate to the Republican National Convention 1984, 1988 and 1992. He was elected President of the New Jersey Association of Counties in 1989, representing all constitutional officers, freeholders, county clerks, surrogates and sheriffs.

He was the first chairman of the Paterson Municipal Energy Conservation Commission in 1980, a Life Member of the Elmwood Park/ Paterson Elks Lodge #60 where he served as Chairman of Americanism Committee in 1979. Was a member of the Passaic County Blood Drive a former member of the Board of Directors of Passaic Valley United Way. An Associated member of the Newspaper Publisher’s Pica Club

He is the holder of a Silver Life Membership from PBA Local #197 presented to him via the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department. He was an Honorary Member of the Passaic County Police Chief’s Association and a member of the Passaic County 200 Club. He was a house member of the Upper Montclair Country Club.

Walter was a founder of the Paterson Boys and Girls Club along with the late Gordon Canfield who also was a very well respected Congressman at that time. Participating with the founding also was Frank Cundari, Sam Sheber and members of the Paterson Jayces also known as the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Paterson.

He served as President and Chairman of the Board of the Boys and Girls Club and was instrumental in raising over three hundred thousand dollars at annual fund raising dinners. The Club honored him by designating him Director Emeritus.

He was appointed by Congressman William Pascrell to the United States Military Academy’s “Selection Committee” for candidates to the U.S. Military Academies; Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.

Walter’s greatest achievement, the one he cherished most, was being the husband to his beloved Mildred. He loved her dearly, and the family they were blessed with including their two sons, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Walter believed in good planning and he made his own funeral arrangements. As part of his plan, he wanted to leave his sons and daughter in laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren a sincere, heart-felt final message; “I loved you with all of my heart and soul and wish you a wonderful lifetime with your health and family.”

Surviving to cherish his memory are two sons Russell Porter and his wife Ginger of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and Douglas Porter and his wife Robin of Panther Valley, Allamuchy, NJ; four grandchildren Matthew Porter of Fairfax, Virginia, Darren Porter of Springfield, Virginia, Sharon O’Meara and her husband Patrick of Liberty, NJ and Jennifer Schleer and her husband John of Roxbury; four great-grandchildren Grace and Colin Porter-O’Mera of Liberty, McKenna Rose Porter of Springfield, Virginia and Hope Porter-Schleer of Roxbury.   He was predeceased by his beloved wife Millie in 2010.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Walter’s memory are asked to consider The Boys and Girls Club of Paterson, 264 21st Avenue, Paterson, NJ 07510 or The Straight and Narrow Program 396 Straight Street, Paterson and the Passaic Valley Hospice , 783 Riverview Drive, Totowa, NJ 07511.

Theodore J. Ryan, age 72 of Wayne, died on Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Ted was born in Orange, NJ and raised in Montclair. Sadly, he lost his mother and father at a very young age and was raised by his caring foster parents; Harold and Frances Eltholtz. Mr. Eltholtz was a plumber and he taught Ted everything he knew. Ted actually dropped out of high school to work for the family business. In 1961 he decided to join the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Fulton, a submarine tender, and aboard the USS John Hood. He served in the waters off of Cuba during the Bay of Pigs Invasion, but never divulged too many details of his service there. He was transferred to the Naval Reserves in 1965 and honorably discharged in 1967. He was very proud of his time in the U.S. Navy.

After returning to civilian life, he dreamed of becoming a fireman and had applied as such with the city of Montclair. No openings were available so he joined the police department and figured he would work as a policeman until an opportunity opened at the fire department. As fate would have it, he enjoyed the police force a great deal and chose to never leave that career. He stayed on for twenty five years with the Montclair Police Department before retiring in 1994. Having had so much expertise as a plumber too, Ted worked part time as a boiler inspector for Peter Vallas Associates of Hackensack and he did fire sprinkler systems in his retirement. He managed to keep himself very busy.

In his leisure time, Ted enjoyed fishing and was a member of the Packanack Anglers Club. You could frequently find him on the Packanack Lake peninsula casting his line out into the water. He and his wife Lucille enjoyed raising their Huskies, six in all. When their kids were young, they also raised two litters of Huskies, with the pups being born right at home. It was a great experience for their children, and a lot of hard work. Ted was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ted met his wife Lucille (nee Rosi) at a club down at the Jersey Shore. They hit it off together and were married in 1969 in Elmhurst, NY at St. Bartholomew Church. They enjoyed a honeymoon to Jamaica and had a wonderful time. Their family continued to vacation at the Jersey Shore as well as a few trips to Disney World and Myrtle Beach too.

Ted is survived by his wife of forty three years; Lucille of Wayne, three children; Daniel Ryan of Wayne, Christina Kindler and her husband Paul of Wayne, and Suzanne Serini and her husband Dr. Dominic of Holmdel, NJ, five grandchildren; Brandon and Aidan Kindler of Wayne and Frankie, Anthony, and Josephine Serini of Holmdel, NJ, one brother; Michael of Florida, and his foster sister; Mary Middleton of Staunton, Virginia.

Memorial donations in Ted’s honor, if friends so wish, would be appreciated. Please consider “Brandon’s Bunch”. Donation information can be found at: www.marchforbabies.com/kindler

Mary “Dolly” Natoli (nee DiTommaso) age 80, a fifty-two year resident of Lodi, died peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2013.

She was born in Brooklyn New York and raised in Lakeland Florida. As a young woman Dolly moved to Paterson New Jersey and worked as a waitress and as a seamstress in the textile mills. Always a hard worker she worked for Insley Caterers in Fair Lawn and most recently as a waitress for the Rustic Lodge in Elmwood Park before retiring in 2007.

Many years ago Dolly’s friend Ann was dating a young man named Jimmy Natoli. Jimmy was in the US Army along with his brother Henry. Ann and Jimmy corresponded throughout his military service and eventually Dolly began corresponding with Jimmy’s brother Henry. Dolly and Henry’s courtship was strictly pen and paper for the first few years. Eventually Henry was discharged from the Army and the two began dating and fell in love. They married on August 20, 1955 at Saint Anthonys Church in Paterson and honeymooned in Atlantic City New Jersey. They enjoyed fifty-one years of a loving and devoted marriage until Henry’s passing in 2006.

Dolly was an outgoing person who is best described as a mother to all. She lost her father when she was just three months old and found great pleasure in seeing joy in children’s eyes. For many years she volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club in Lodi where she could see the joy in children’s faces and fill that special part of her heart. She also loved the excursions with her group of friend to Sandy Hook, NJ and Glen Spay, NY. They had fun playing cards and po-ke-no together.

She was a gifted seamstress who made many of her own clothes, sewed and hemmed all family clothes, and could fix a hole in clothing that was virtually undetectable.

Dolly was the beloved wife of the late Henry Natoli (2006); She was the devoted mother of Geralyn Delillo and her husband Robert of Kinnelon, Valerie Harrell and her husband Lonnie of Lakeland, FL, and Christopher Natoli and his wife Mandy of Riverdale; cherished grandmother of Jaclyn, Jillian, Kristen, Katelyn, Robert III, Destiny, Lonnie, Leeann, and Gianna; dear great-grandmother of Cody, Kayle, Madysen, and Joey; loved sister of Lena Caputo of Queens, NY, Gilda Basile and Dominic Caputo both of Tampa, FL.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1347 Perrineville Road, Monroe Twp, NJ 08831 would be appreciated.

Vincent Palumbo age 88 of the Lions Head Lake Village of Wayne passed away to his new life eternal on Saturday, March 9, 2013.  His loving family was at his bedside to see him off.

He was born in Paterson in a refined neighborhood along Straight Street.  Later the family moved to the Peoples Park area of Paterson in the vicinity of Madison Avenue which was at the time an upscale neighborhood.

Vincent received his formal education at Saint Anthony’s Parochial School in Paterson and upon graduation he went to Paterson Central High School which he attended  until he was seventeen.

At age seventeen he had a strong calling of “Patriotism” as many young men of his time, in 1943, encouraging them to join the Navy.  World War II was in full process and he and many others wanted to do their part in preserving the United States of America. On January 7, 1943 he joined the United States Navy.

Vince went through intensive sea training in the Chicago Naval Base at the Great Lakes and upon completion of his training he was assigned to the DE146 USS Inch.  His war service included the Atlantic, Pacific Oceans.  He received the Atlantic Defense Atlantic Theater-European Medals, Africa, Asiatic, Pacific Ribbons, The Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Citation, Navy Commendation Medal,  A Bronze Star, Navy Combat Action Medal and the New Jersey WW II Commendation Medal.

Lest we forget as we enjoy our wonderful freedoms in America many men like Vincent gave up their yesterdays, todays’ and tomorrows for all of us to be free in this great country of ours. The ship USS Inch was designed to detect submarines and destroy them.  They were part of the Anti-Submarine Hunter Killer Task Force No. 22.  The men of the USS Inch are credited with sinking eight German submarines, taking sixty German prisoners from German U-boat No. 490, and protecting  the D-day invasion at the Normandy Beachhead.  One of their last assignments was that they were directed to the invasion of Japan when just prior to their arrival at Tokyo Harbor the Atom Bomb brought World War II to a conclusion.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Wayne as well as the American Legion Post 174 in Wayne.  He would often be seen in the middle of the street selling poppies as a veterans fund raiser.

In 2001 a very thoughtful event took place to honor those service men who quit their high school education early to save our country when we needed them most.  In 2001 all those veterans who missed their high school graduation were given their high school diploma to make up for their sacrifices in the face of war.  Vincent Palumbo did cherish that moment and it was well deserved.

Vince’s first job as a young man was in a Paterson Dye house.  After his service he joined the family enterprise known as Belmont Cleaners which was located in Haledon.  Later in life he took a position with the Wayne Board of Education as the head custodian of Pines Lake School and people recall that he kept that school building in immaculate condition.

Before  Vincent joined the Navy and at the age of fifteen he met a beautiful girl in school named Jean Roatti.  Soon after meeting her he declared that he was going to marry her someday.  Her father Angelo intervened and set down some firm rules.  Forget about marriage until you finish your Navy hitch and that is final.  Well history tells us that upon his return from the Navy in March 1946 he and Jean married.  The final result was sixty three years of loving and dedicated marriage together until Jean’s passing in December 2009.

Vincent was gifted with a outgoing and gregarious personality that caused him to enjoy life and accumulate many friends.  His primary dedication in life was first to his family and next to his church.  He always worked two jobs one at his custodial job a Pines Lake School and the second at his job at Belmont Cleaners where he maintained his own route to customers’ homes.  He was a founding parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation Church where he very much loved  being an usher.

As a family man his family recalls that they loved him day in and day out every day.  If they could walk up to heaven and say one more thing to him they would enthusiastically declare one more time “I love you Dad”.

It is noteworthy that a boy named, Anthony Galietti, who he met at age four has stayed his “Lifelong Friend” Within the Palumbo family he is affectionately known as Uncle Tony.

Surviving to cherish the loss of this wonderful person in their lives are his daughter Barbara “Bobbie” Gerardo and her husband Pat and James Palumbo his son of Wayne and his son Angelo Palumbo of Stuart, Florida; two brothers Jim Palumbo and his wife Diane of Toms River, and Father Eugene Palumbo of Mahwah and his sister in law Rose Roatti of Haledon, grandchildren Pat Vincent Gerardo and his wife Lorraine and Vincent Angelo Gerardo; great grandchildren Gabriella Jean Gerardo, Raymond Vincent Gerardo and Nicolette Gianna Gerardo.  He is also survived by his very special niece Deborah Schmidt of NC.

The Palumbo family acknowledges with many thanks a good friend of Vincents named Joeseph Nevatinski who went out of his way to assist Vince escorting him to church for Mass.  Also Kathy Krzysko a dear family friend who helped in many positive ways to aid Vincent in theAutuum days of his life.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Vincent Palumbo’s memory are asked to consider Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN  38105.

When we reflect back on Vincent Palumbo’s life and his many contributions to America with his participation through his Navy service during World War II, to his family, to his many friends and the greater community we are thankful for people like Vincent.  In honor of his many contributions the Passaic County Sheriff, Richard Berdnik has provided an escort for his funeral to Our Lady of Consolation Church.  The escort will continue after his Funeral Mass to Christ The King Cemetery where Vince will be laid to rest with his wife Jean who predeceased him.  He will be buried with full “Military Honors”.

Donald J. Oberg, Sr. age 75, a resident of Wayne for fifty-five years, died peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Donald ("Don") grew up in Clifton and was the youngest of Arthur and Mabel's five children. Don attended Clifton High School and as a teenager, displayed a real affinity and talent for fixing automobiles. In 1954 he enlisted in the United States Army and while stationed in Germany, was assigned the duty of being a General’s personal driver so that if anything went wrong with the vehicle, he knew he could be confident that Don would know how to fix it. Donald served in the Army until August of 1957 when upon his honorable discharge, returned home and took a position as a mechanic in an auto repair shop in Wayne on the corner of Hamburg Turnpike and Church Lane. One day while working there, an attractive young lady pulled her father’s car into the repair shop. Don immediately noticed that the car had sustained some minor body damage and the young woman was looking quite distressed! Her name was Doris Knapp and she pleaded with Don to help with the repair before her father could find out. Dee, as everyone knew her, had no money for the parts and matching paint so Don took the money out of his own pocket to do the repairs. Don thought she was beautiful and so he asked her out on a date. On their first date they went to a restaurant called the Crystal Chandelier in Pompton Lakes only to find that it was closed. It didn’t matter to Dee. They found another place to go and soon they fell in love. Donald asked Dee’s parents for her hand in marriage and they exchanged rings on June 4, 1960 at the Advent Lutheran Church in Wyckoff as St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne was still under construction. They honeymooned in Niagara Falls, New York and went on to enjoy fifty-one years of loving marriage until Dee’s passing in April of 2012.

In 1960, Don joined the Wayne Township Police Department where he served as an officer until 1965. You could say that Don’s love for cars ran through his blood like 10W-40 oil ran through an engine. In 1966, he opened his own repair shop. In 1973, he purchased a repair shop on Farmingdale Road in Wayne and named it Wayne Towing and Radiator. It was often said, that if you needed a car and especially a radiator repaired, Don was the man to call and as a result, he developed quite a reputation which caused his business to prosper. The Monroe Shock Absorber Company often gave incentives to auto repair shops to sell their shocks. Frequently, Don was one of their top selling customers resulting in prize trips awarded by Monroe. Don and Dee loved those awards and would often travel on all-expense-paid trips to Las Vegas. They also enjoyed accompanying friends that they had made through the business to auto repair trade shows. Wayne Towing and Radiator continued to do business until 1980 when Don decided it was time to try a new venture. He bought an eighteen wheeler and became an independent long-haul trucker for the better part of 1980 to 2004. During those twenty four years he owned mostly Fords and one Peterbilt. He loved the independence and spending long hours on our nation’s highways seeing the beauty of this great land. During that time, he also spent some time working for Wayne Subaru as a service manager.

In his spare time, Donald liked to go to Atlantic City and Las Vegas and loved to play poker and blackjack. He enjoyed attending car shows, especially the one in Carlisle Pennsylvania, and was an avid car enthusiast having restored numerous vehicles including his prized 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible which for him was pure f-u-n!

He loved to watch baseball and football and grew up a NY Giants fan for both. He loved to share stories of watching Willie Mays and when the Giants left for San Francisco, he became an avid Yankee fan. His lone reqret was allowing his son, Donald Jr., to become a New York Jet fan rather than a fan of his beloved Giants. More recently, he enjoyed updates on his grandchildren’s sporting activities including Tyler’s Susquehanna University baseball games, Paige’s Gettysburg College soccer games, and Amanda and Kristin’s Jersey Nightmare, Hightstown High and Kreps Cougar softball games.

Surviving is his son Donald Oberg, Jr. and wife Lynn of East Windsor, his daughter Carin Della Badia of Scotch Plains; four grandchildren: Tyler and Paige Della Badia and Amanda and Kristin Oberg; his sister Eleanor Boehm of Clifton and his brother Frank Oberg of Wayne. Donald was predeceased by his beloved wife Doris “Dee” in 2012 and his sister Joyce and brother Arthur.

Pier Kooistra of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on March 8 in Pasadena, CA.

Born in Paterson on Septem­ber 8, 1929, son of the late Bert and Lillian Kooistra, he leaves his brother Buddy and sister Peggy Boyle.

Loving father of Debbie Carls and Cindy Beck of DeKalb, IL, Missy Eaves of Pasadena, CA, and Kerry Maese of Arcadia, CA, he was a devoted grandfa­ther to Brad, Chad and Tho­mas Carls, Morgan Beck Miller and Garrett Beck, Alex, Hayley and Hayden Eaves, and Lau­ren and Augustino Maese.

He founded and operated Pier Kooistra Excavation Com­pany for over forty years begin­ning shortly after graduating Pompton Lakes H.S. in 1947. He was one of the first N.J. contractors to use the then, newest concept - a more pow­erful and efficient hydraulic excavating machine. He start­ed a secure storage facility for construction equipment in the Preakness area of Wayne. He and two partners also trans­formed their Westbrook Park swim and picnic facility into a large KOA Campground in West Milford.

Pier was a radioman in the U.S. Naval Reserve, a Freema­son and Shriner. He was a member of the Rotary Club and was West Milford Cham­ber of Commerce President.

Pier had an adventurous spi­rit and dry sense of humor from his earliest youth. He traveled widely and was a well­known raconteur to his nu­merous friends. His primary pleasure was spending time with his daughters, grandchil­dren and friends. His sense of humor was on display until the end and he will be sorely missed.

Anthony J. Mongiello “Tony” age 95, died peacefully at his residence in Pompton Plains on Friday, March 8, 2013.

Tony was born in Jersey City on May 6, 1917, the third child of six born to Cosmo and Genevieve Mongiello. He was the first to be born in the United States right after his parents and two older sisters emigrated in pursuit of the American dream! His family experienced a great setback when, at the tender age of six, Tony’s mother died. As a young lad Tony helped his father in his coal and ice delivery business. Between school and helping his father, Tony enjoyed playing baseball and football. While attending high school in Jersey City, his father’s leg broke and Tony had to quit school so that he could help keep Dad’s business going.

In March of 1941 Tony was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served until being honorably discharged in August of 1945. During his service he was decorated with the American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star.

Upon return from the Army, Tony met the love of his life, Rita Maresca. They were married on September 22, 1946 at St. Aedan’s Roman Catholic Church in Jersey City. After honeymooning in Niagara Falls, Canada, Tony and Rita settled in Jersey City. He worked briefly for a leather coat manufacturer but soon took a job with the Continental Can Company and he traveled to work every day from Jersey City to Paterson. Over a span of thirty years, from 1949 to 1979, his work provided him with the ability to provide for his wife and three children. He faithfully served as a store room clerk until retiring at the age of 62. During his career, Tony enjoyed participating in the company’s bowling league. He was a real asset to the team carrying an average of 185 and he could even boast about one 700 series! His highest score ever was a 279 and he also served for many years as the league’s secretary, treasurer and banquet coordinator.

Following retirement Tony’s life could almost be summed up with one word – GOLF! He played usually three to four times per week, usually at the Sunset Golf Course in Pompton Plains or, when visiting his daughter Judy, at the course near her home in Hillsboro. In his spare time from golf, Tony was very active in the Knights of Columbus serving as Sergeant at Arms and cook. He also loved to just spend time with his buddies out for coffee or maybe a couple of Heineken’s while catching a baseball or football game on TV.

Early on in his marriage to his dear wife Rita, she became sick, leaving most of the responsibility of caring for their three children and the duties in the home to Tony. While their oldest son Gus was off to college and their second son Robert was in high school, their youngest child, Judith was just two when Mom became too sick to handle the household duties. Tony took over, helping with homework and cooking the meals. Since he loved steak, the kids were served it almost every night with pasta. In later years, Tony spent time living with each one of his kids. He even spent some time living with Robert down in Tennessee. While there he had a plate on the front of his car that simply said “Toe-Knee”. Living with his children gave opportunity for wonderful memories with his eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Tony lived life to the fullest. A true conservative, he believed in working hard and playing hard. He drove his car until the age of 94, only giving it up because it needed new brakes.

Surviving are his two sons: Gus Mongiello and wife Carol of Pompton Plains and Robert Mongiello, DC of Chattanooga TN; his one daughter Judith Fortunato and husband Chris of Hillsboro; eleven grandchildren: Kenny, Nicole, Chris, Kevin, Matthew, Kristen, Gina, Marissa, Michael, Hope and Sarah; and two great-grandchildren: Ryan and Brooke Hayzler.

Tony was predeceased by his beloved wife Rita in 2005 and his one brother and four sisters.

Hildegard Meili Van Deusen of Wayne, New Jersey and Siasconset, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, died on March 06, 2013, of complications following a stroke. She was 91 years old.

Hildegard, or Hildy as she was known to her many friends, attended Eastside High School in Paterson. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1943 from Connecticut College. She was a researcher for Life magazine, and wrote for the Journal of Medical Economics. She finished her journalism career as Editor of The Forum, the magazine of Al-Anon, the organization supporting the families and friends of alcoholics.

A highlight of her professional career was working with H.R.H. Edward, the Duke of Windsor, on his memoirs, "A King’s Story". She spent a year in London and Paris conducting research for both the Duke and Duchess. In his Author’s Note to the memoirs, the Duke wrote that he owed Hildegard a special debt “For research and for keeping me straight on innumerable factual details.” The Duke joked that Hildegard knew more about coronations than he did since her responsibilities included researching coronations for the book. During the post-War period she was involved with speeches for both General Eisenhower and General MacArthur.

Hildegard served on the Board of Al-Anon for many years. She was an inspiration to Al-Anon members and traveled throughout the United States giving talks. Members called her regularly seeking her advice, and Hildegard was always generous with her time, giving great comfort and counsel.

In 1979, she met John G. Van Deusen, the love of her life, and they were married on March 28, 1981. Asked the secret to their very happy second marriage, Hildegard recently said, “Respect.” Judging from their laughter and obvious delight in each other, humor also played a role in their deep love. They enjoyed adventure and traveled round the world -- joining camera safaris in Africa, scuba diving in the Bahamas, and trekking in Nepal and New Zealand. Other trips included the polar bears and ice north of Spitzbergen, the Torres del Paine in Patagonia as well as both the Far and Middle East. A talented photographer always ready with her camera, Hildegard was oblivious to danger, edging close to wildlife and leaning far over the water to capture the moment. John hung on to her.

They spent their summers in Nantucket, where they had many good friends, played golf and Hildegard, who loved the ocean, swam almost daily. She formed the nine-holers’ group at Sankaty Head Golf Club, where she and John were members. Hildegard said getting a new set of golf clubs for her 90th birthday was the best present ever and she used them proudly. The couple welcomed family and friends all summer, cooking sensational meals. At their New Jersey home, she enjoyed reading and the friends in her two book groups. Computers she did not like.

Hildegard loved children and they were drawn to her gentleness, warmth and kindness. She was always ready to play a game, find a treasure, or frost a cake with them. Her daughter and three step-daughters treasured the albums of family photographs that she gave them each Christmas. She basked in the company of eight grandchildren and delighted in the birth of her two great grandchildren

Hildegard was a member of the Alumni Board of Connecticut College, and she served as class agent for the Annual Fund for many years, assisted with the alumni magazine, and was her class president. She was looking forward to receiving the Alumni Tribute Award, which honors alumni for sustained and extraordinary service to the College. Her family plans to accept this award on her behalf in June. Capturing in words what everyone who knew Hildegard felt, Bridget McShane, director of the Connecticut College Alumni Office wrote, “I speak for everyone when I say that she made all of our lives better just having known her. She is a gift; a treasure to all of us.”

Vivacious, beautiful, and filled with laughter, Hildegard had a gift for making people feel instantly at ease and she had many dear friends. Her family adored her and celebrates her life despite our deep sadness.

Hildegard is survived by her husband John Van Deusen, her daughter Alison Baetzel and Monte Pappas of Richmond, VT, her sister Krin Anderton of Mahwah, NJ, her brother Jay Meili and his wife Carol, of Milwaukee, WI, her step-daughters, Anne Reilly and her husband James of Hoboken, NJ, Margaret Van Deusen and her husband James Doyle of Brookline, MA, Isabel Landzert and her husband Bart of Mooresville, NC, her grandchildren: Sarah Heinemann, Christine Parker, Michael Baetzel , Erica Baetzel Nichols , Thomas and Isabel Landzert, Nick and Libby Doyle, and her great grandchildren Ryan and Grayson Nichols.

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Herbert Hubschman, Jr., 58, of Wayne and formerly of S. Orange, passed away, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, from complications after multiple surgeries and extensive rehab.

Herb, born in Jersey City, NJ and raised in S. Orange then moved to Wayne in the early eighties. He was the son of Herbert Hubschman, Founder and CEO of Two Guys Department Stores where he worked until their closure. His many hobbies included a love of music and sports. Herb had a generous, friendly and unique charm that would bring a smile to all he came in contact with. He was a faithful, honest, kind and giving soul.

Herb is survived by his sisters, Deborah Ann Hubschman of Davie, Florida, Wendy Hubschman Forsyth of Boston, Massachusetts and brother Albert Guy Hubschman and wife Lisa, of Andover, Massachusetts; niece, Brittany Hubschman, and nephews, Jared, Kenneth, Thomas, Brandon, Douglas and William Hubschman, and Justin & Jason Forsyth. He is pre-deceased by his father, Herbert, his mother, Laura, his brother, Jay and his half-sister, Alice. He is also survived by many close friends, Nancy, Tommy (Gethro), Jimmy & Rita, Glen & Sharon and Ben along with numerous friends at his favorite dining establishment, The Grasshopper Too in Wayne, who supported him in his last days. Herb touched many lives and leaves behind family and other dear friends who will miss him very much.

Grace Allen Flanders, age 96, died peacefully on Monday, March 4, 2013.

Grace was the eldest of two children born to Adna and Madeline Morris on August 1, 1916 in New York City. She grew up in the Bronx.

As a young woman Grace attended the Holy Comforter Lutheran Church on Woodycrest Avenue in the Bronx. One Sunday, the minister’s son, a fine young man named Clifford Flanders, asked her out. Their first date, to the Russian Tea Room on 150 West 57th Street, was followed by many others and ultimately the couple married on May 29, 1938 at the same church where they met. After a honeymoon in Washington, D.C. the happy newlyweds settled in Raleigh, NC so that Cliff could pursue his doctorate from North Carolina State University. While living there, Grace and Cliff welcomed their firstborn child – a daughter named Edith. Soon after her birth, this family of three moved to Louisville, KY so that Cliff could continue his education at the University of Louisville. While there, Grace gave birth to their second child – another little girl which they named Grace. Mom and the children followed Dad one more time, this time to Morgantown, WV where Cliff finished the pursuit of his doctorate at the University of West Virginia. While there, Grace and Cliff welcomed two more children - a baby girl that they named Ruth and a baby boy which they named Clifford.

Following Cliff’s graduation, the family moved north again and settled in Packanack Lake – a place they would call home for 45 years. Grace began to attend Paterson State College (now called William Paterson University) in pursuit of her bachelor of arts degree in education. With the added responsibility of raising her four dear children, the quest for higher education had its challenges but Grace ultimately did receive her degree and soon settled into a long and rewarding career with the Montville Schools. In the early part of her career she taught at the elementary level, but when her husband Cliff’s work necessitated a move to Ohio for a year, Grace attended classes at Ohio State University and received her master’s degree. When she returned to the Montville Schools she rounded out her twenty-year career teaching at the high school level before retiring in 1982. While there, she especially enjoyed being involved in teaching the students drama.

Along with Cliff, Grace enjoyed a wonderful retirement traveling all over the world together. What made it especially wonderful was that Cliff always did all the preparations right down to packing Grace’s suitcase!

Grace had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge! She loved to read books from a wide range of genres and authors and seldom found a book she didn’t like. Throughout the years, she was a member and often times, a discussion leader of many book clubs.

One book that Grace could often be seen reading was her Holy Bible. A woman of great faith in God, she also led many Bible discussions throughout her life, most recently at Crane’s Mill Retirement Community in West Caldwell which she called home since 1998. Grace was a founding and charter member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church on Valley Road in Wayne. The church actually got started in Grace and Cliff’s house on Beechwood Drive in Packanack Lake in the late 1950’s!

Because of Grace’s love for theater and drama she often enjoyed watching Masterpiece Theater on Sunday nights. She often felt a pull back to her childhood roots in New York City and she would frequently take trips there to see Broadway shows and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Grace was also known to wear out many a deck of cards playing solitaire and should seldom missed watching Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy.

Surviving are her three daughters: Edith Lambert (William) of Middleville, NJ, Grace Schmeelcke (Robert) of Salem, SC, and Ruth Williams (Donald) of Burke, VA; her one son Clifford A. Flanders (David Taylor) of New York City; her five grandchildren: William Lambert, Matthew Lambert, Kristen Ittig, Rob Schmeelcke, and Jessie English; and three great-grandchildren: Thomas, Brock and Ainsley. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Clifford in 1999.

In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Grace’s memory to St. Timothy Lutheran Church.

Hilde M. Ferraro (nee Kaden), age 92, of Cedar Crest Village in Pequannock, died with her daughter at her bedside on Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Hilde was born in Germany and came to the U.S. when she was just a young girl. Her father had come here shortly after World War I to find employment and get established before his wife and daughter joined him a few years later. They settled in Paterson, and while attending Eastside High School, she met her sweetheart, Ignazio “Steve” Ferraro. Despite their cultural differences, they were married in St. Anthony Church in Paterson in 1942. Hilde worked as a seamstress at Barbizon in Paterson, and Steve worked hard as the owner of Hospital Pharmacy in Paterson. Later, they moved to Clifton where Hilde devoted her time caring for her family. They travelled extensively together, including several trips to Europe, Asia, Canada, and throughout the United States. Their love prevailed and they remained devoted to one another for more than forty eight years. Sadly, Steve passed in 1991.

Hilde moved to Cedar Crest Village in 2001. She truly enjoyed her years there, crocheting, playing cards, bingo, and her favorite game, Rummikub! She looked forward with great anticipation to Thursdays at Cedar Crest, when she would attend “Spiritual Sparks” with Chaplain Alan Bowen. His services inspired her and she left there feeling ‘recharged’ each week. Surely she is now enjoying her eternal reward.

Hilde is survived by her daughter Irene McNamara and her husband Gregory, two granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Laurie McNamara; her sister, Johanna Nahass; three nephews, Gary Nahass, Glenn and Josie Nahass, and Donald and Barbara Nahass; grand-nephews, Michael and Alan Nahass; grand-niece, Michelle Nahass, and her dear cousin and travelling companion, Emma Cedrone.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Hilde’s memory would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the “Pastoral Care Fund” or the “Assisted Living Activities Fund” at Cedar Crest (please make checks payable to Cedar Crest and indicate fund of choice), and mail the donations to, Cedar Crest Village, Attn: Katelyn Tanis, 4 Cedar Crest Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444, or to Hospice of New Jersey, 400 Broad Acres Drive, First Floor, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.

Margaret Bannworth Ackershoek, age 87, of Wayne, N.J. died at the Memory Care Facility at Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, N.J.

She was born in Paterson and lived in Fair Lawn and Wayne before moving to Cedar Crest in 2009.

Margaret was a student at Eastside High School in Paterson and with a concentrated area in secretarial skills.  She graduated with Honors in 1943.

After graduation, Margaret was employed by N.J. Bell Telephone Company as a service representative.

April 6, 1946 Margaret married Edward Ackershoek, who was recently discharged from the U.S. Army after two and a half years’ service to his country.  They began their life together in a small apartment in Fair Lawn.

Margaret continued to work for the phone company until her first child was born.  Daughter Margaret was followed by the birth of Lynn three years later and son Edward arrived four years after that.  After Lynn’s birth, the family moved to Wayne.

While Margaret and her husband raised their family, she began working at International Veiling Company as a bookkeeper. Mrs. Ackershoek worked with this company until her retirement in 1992.

Margaret and Edward were married for 57 years. They enjoyed traveling throughout the country and vacationing each summer at the Jersey Shore.

Mrs. Ackershoek was an avid reader and a very talented crafter.  She created beautiful quilts and pillows.  Knitting was her real passion, making afghans, baby blankets and sweaters for many people.

She was a member of the Sixth Reformed Church in North Haledon.

Surviving are daughters Margaret Ackershoek Hook and her husband Greg of Cincinnati, Ohio; Lynn Ackershoek Flanagan and her husband Brian of Hebron, New York.  One son, Edward D. Ackershoek and his wife Patrice of Butler, N.J.  Also surviving are six grandchildren, Rachel and Sara Hook, Brian and Ian Flanagan, Brittany and Matthew Ackershoek.

Her husband, Edward and her brother, Charles Bannworth, predeceased Margaret.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Margaret’s memory can be made to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, 54 Pitman Avenue P.O. Box 248, Ocean Grove, N.J.  07756, would be greatly appreciated.

Anne Marie DuBois (nee Thompson), age 74 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

Anne grew up in Paterson and graduated from St. John’s High School in 1956. She was exceedingly bright; a straight “A” student. During that era however, girls were not encouraged to go to college and she began working as a secretary at the Manhattan Shirt Company in Paterson. She became a full time mom after moving to Wayne in 1961.

Anne met her husband Orrie in Paterson. He was a cook at a local luncheonette near St. Joseph’s hospital and she came in occasionally for lunch. He took her out on a date in his Ford convertible and they fell in love. They continued to correspond while Orrie served in the Marine Corps and upon his discharge they married at St. Agnes Church in Paterson on October 3, 1959. Orrie recalls having a total of $17 for their honeymoon, which bought them about three days of enjoyment before he had to return to work. The newlyweds settled into an apartment in Paterson before moving to Packanack Lake in 1961.

Anne was a selfless individual who was always concerned about everyone else, especially her family, and she found joy in making people happy. Christmas was her favorite holiday because nothing brought her greater pleasure than giving to others. She was devoted to her faith and Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Wayne, where she had been generous and supportive of the nuns that used to be in residence there. She was always concerned about her family and making sure her kids were well looked after. Her children recall how their clothes always smelled great and were pressed to perfection. She loved to iron and would press not only their shirts and slacks, but their socks and underwear too. She was a dedicated mom and there was no higher calling, until she was promoted to “grandma” of course. She was devoted to her grandchildren and spent time with them as often as possible.

Her most favorite pastime was tending to her garden, which was more like a passion than a chore. She would toil for hours in her garden, making sure everything was perfect. Her cooking left nothing to be desired and her cheese cake was like nothing you had ever had before – it was perfect. She also liked watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy each day, as well as taking trips to Atlantic City with her brother (and best friend) Joe. She had earned ‘Diamond’ status at several of the casinos and enjoyed all the special treatment she received as a result. She would play the slots and had hit the jackpot a few times over the years. She would also spend time people-watching, both in the casinos and out on the boardwalk. She could spend hours watching all the people having fun and carrying on. This often provided better entertainment than the slot machines ever could. She was blessed with many fun times over the years, but most importantly she was blessed with the love of her family. They will all miss her dearly.

Anne is survived by her husband Orrie, her four children; Orry and his wife Leslie of Wayne, Mark and his wife Carolyn of Wayne, Daniel and his wife Gretchen of Wayne, and Ruthanne Cairoli and her husband Michael of Hawthorne, her sister Terri Walles and her husband Frank of Wayne, four brothers; Francis Thompson and his wife Cathy of California, James Thompson and his wife Maria of Forked River, NJ, Patrick Thompson and his wife Jane of Florida, and Joseph Thompson of Wayne who was not only her brother, but her best friend too, as well as ten grandchildren; Madeleine and Isabelle Cairoli of Hawthorne, Ryan, Samantha, David, Stephen, Mark, Daniel, Sean and Olivia DuBois, all of Wayne. She was predeceased by her brother Daniel Thompson who was killed in action during the Vietnam War, May 23, 1968.

Earl R. Granville, Jr. age 77 of Clifton passed away on Friday, March 1, 2013 with his wife by his side. Earl was a strong, hard working man who spent his life working many hours to support his family.

He was born and raised in Carbondale Pennsylvania. He was the third oldest of fifteen children of Earl Granville, Sr. and Rosella Fortuner. He loved to tell stories of his childhood, growing up with so many siblings and being one of the oldest, he played many practical jokes on his siblings, especially his sisters. When he was not working, his favorite place to go was “back home”. He loved being back in Carbondale, visiting his family. His mother, just recently passed in December of 2011 at the age of 98. He loved to spend hours at his mom’s house talking with his brothers and sisters. One of his favorite places to be was in his mom’s kitchen at her counter top having coffee and catching up with his family. He also, enjoyed sports of all kind. One of his other favorite pastimes was on the couch with his wife watching football, especially college football and baseball. His favorite baseball team was the Boston Red Sox’s and loved to argue with any Yankee fan that came along. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and loved to watch them in their many sports they participated in and tried to make as many games as he could.

Earl graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School of Carbondale. His first job was as a farm hand milking cows, making hay, and performing all kinds of farm chores. He soon found employment in the local shoe factory before enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After his service in the Marines he returned to Carbondale to find a very thin job market. Along with some of his brothers and friends, they moved to New Jersey in search of work. On the weekends, they all headed back home.

On one of his weekends at home Earl met Catherine Fabricatore at a local dance. They dated for a few years, back in forth from New Jersey to Pennsylvania until they married and she joined him in New Jersey to start their lives together as husband and wife. They married on November 3, 1962 at St Anthony’s Church in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. They honeymooned at the Echo Valley Lodge in the Pocono’s. In Novemeber of 2012 they celebrated their fifty year wedding anniversary.

They lived in Newark for a short time where Earl worked for the Thomas Electronics Company in Newark. About 1966 Earl and Kay moved to Clifton to raise their family. Earl found work at the Continental Can Company as a maintenance mechanic and served as a Union Shop Steward during his twenty years working there. Before retiring in 2002 Earl worked as a maintenance mechanic for ten years at the Marcal Paper Corporation in Elmwood Park.

Earl will be remembered as a man who: thought the world of his family, was hard working man and spent many years, with his wife by his side, remodeling their home. He enjoyed carpentry work as a hobby and made almost every piece of furniture in their home. He will also be remembered for his major conversations of sports and politics. His favorite subject was History, enjoyed watching the History channel, reading books of any and all kind of History and visiting Historical places such as Philadelphia and Williamsburg.

He was the loving husband of Catherine “Kay” Granville, devoted father of Earl R. Granville III and his wife Lori of Old Bridge and Rose Marie Loffredo and her husband Anthony of Ringwood; cherished grandfather of Veronica Granville, Melanie Loffredo, Breanna Loffredo, Christopher Loftus, Kyle Loftus, and Shannon Loftus. He was the loving brother of 7 sisters and 7 brothers. Surviving are his seven sisters, Elizabeth Opalka, Ann Barnowski and her husband Sam, Rose Greene and her husband Robert, Mary Roche and her husband James, Beatrice Okrasinski and her husband Lee, Cathy Ball and her husband PJ, Florence Palmiero. Surviving five brothers, Paul Granville and his wife Barbara, Claude Granville and his wife Judy, Alwin Granville, Harry Granville, and Philip Granville and his wife Cathy. He was the uncle of over 60 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers Joseph Granville and James Granville.

Alice M. Brown (nee Remington), age 86 of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home with her family at her bedside on Friday, March 1, 2013.

Alice was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She married Alexander E. Brown, a successful self-employed tool-and-die maker, WWII Naval veteran and New Jersey resident. After her marriage, she had called NJ her home and remained in NJ for more than 75 years. She had resided in Wayne for the remainder of her life.

Alice and her husband Al were one of the first families to purchase a home in the newly, but not yet completely developed neighborhood on Sylvan Terrace off of a then small road called Valley Road which was at that time a rich farm land and home to X-cell Dairy Farms. Under the direction of Father James Rugel, Alice and her husband were key fundraisers for the building fund for OLV and instrumental in contributing to the construction of Our Lady of the Valley Church, R.C.

For many years, Alice became very well known a dedicated worker as Office Manager for Mr. Thomas Finn of Finn’s Mobile Home Park in Wayne. Alice also loved playing the NJ State Lottery and was the lucky winner of a quick pick, winning over $100,000 in the NJ Cash Five. She was an avid animal lover and supporter of animal rights.

Alice enjoyed being a cast member of the Senior Follies tap dancing for several years. She was also active in the Ladies Auxiliary and a frequent member at the Wayne Elks Lodge in Wayne. In later years, Alice worked for the Wayne Board of Education as a Teacher’s aide at George Washington Middle School where she became very popular and well-liked by the young students. Alice also made a brief attempt at running for the Wayne Council.

For the last 16 years, Alice resided and was cared for by her daughter and son-in-law and her three grandchildren. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family. She was loved and will be greatly missed.

Alice is survived by her two daughters, Alice Essing of Kinnelon and Bonita Knierim of Wayne. She also has eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Mildred Umansky, “Millie”, age 63 of Cliffwood Lake in Stockholm, died on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 with her family gathered at her bedside.

Millie was raised in North Bergen and moved to Wayne as a junior in high school. She graduated from Wayne Valley H.S. in 1967 and began taking classes at Paterson College, now known as William Paterson University. She eventually landed a great job with Engineering Assemblies Corp. in Teterboro. She was a natural workaholic and excelled at her career. She quickly advanced to managerial positions and left the company as a Purchasing Manager. She loved her job and had travelled to China a few times to inspect their overseas suppliers.

During her college years, while at a party, she met Igor Umansky. The two of them hit it off and danced the night away. Igor declared that night Millie would never dance with anyone else and they were married in 1971 at St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Passaic. They enjoyed a reception at the Wayne Manor and honeymooned in the Bahamas. They travelled quite a bit over the years, including frequent trips to Marco Island. Millie was happiest where there was water, especially at home on the lake, or anywhere she could be near the ocean and a beach. Igor described their forty one years together as a “blessed event”, one he would gladly repeat.

Millie was a fabulous cook and would often entertain for large groups at her home. She hosted New Year’s Eve parties for several years with more than forty people. Families from around the lake would all come to her house, with porta-cribs for their kids lined up in the bedrooms, and they would party the night away. She also enjoyed hosting a huge Thanksgiving meal, all homemade, fresh dishes, where her uncle counted no less than 19 different vegetables on the table, and all went home with full bellies. Seeing her family together and enjoying themselves was all it took to make her happy. She was like the glue that kept them all so close.

Millie was also a natural caregiver with a huge heart and truly enjoyed helping others. Many years ago, she took it upon herself to care for her Uncle Bobby. He was an elderly veteran, ailing in Florida, with no relatives to care for him. She didn’t know him well, but she knew that he needed help. He became her mission, and she would travel to Florida several times a year to visit with him. Soon, she became his legal guardian and took care of everything for him over the course of several years before he passed. It gave her great satisfaction knowing that his autumn years were not spent alone. This sort of kindness defined who Millie was; a huge heart, selfless, and ready to help anyone in need. She will be sadly missed by many.

Millie is survived by her beloved husband of forty one years; Igor of Cliffwood Lake, her son Michael and his wife Kristen of Parsippany, her two sisters; Susan Tahan and her husband Thomas of Livingston and Sonja Kneeland of Butler, her brother-in-law; Alex Umansky of Clifton, her nephew Thomas Tahan and his wife Kaitlyn of Morris Township, niece Briana Tahan of Manhattan, and nephew Anton Petrak of Butler, and her ‘adoptive’ father; Richard Miller of Horseheads, NY.

John A. “Jack” De Noble, Jr. age 70, of Wayne passed on Wednesday, February 27, 2013.

He was born in Paterson and raised on 16th Ave having attended the Paterson Technical High School with the Class of 1960.

After high school Jack got a job as a fry cook at the first McDonald’s in the area located on Route 4 in Fair Lawn. After a short while he enlisted in the US Navy having served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon returning to civilian life he found employment at the Adams Diner in Lodi. His careers in food service ended when he found employment with Dormer Builders in Towaco. His life took a sharp turn when he entered the Roman Academy Beauty School in Paterson. Not only did he change careers but he met a beautiful girl name Anna Bordonaro. Their first date was to Johnny and Hanges in Paterson. After graduating from beauty school Jack and Anna opened their own beauty salon called Glamour Gallery. They also fell in love and married on September 7, 1968 at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church in Paterson. Their honeymoon took them on a cross country trip, in a 1966 Buick, to California and back after a honeymoon night at the Thunderbird Hotel in Paterson. Rumor has it Jack paid the hotel with a check that was rejected by the bank for being illegible due to too much partying. Eventually Jack started his own business called Dormers to Doors in Wayne which he operated for over thirty years before retiring in 1990.

Jack was a member of Packanack Lake Fire Co. #5 for many years.

He will be remembered for his creativity with just about anything he could find. He was also an avid photographer and has over fifty photo albums. Jack was always laughing or making others laugh. You were nobody to him unless your picture wound up in his toilet lid picture frame in the basement where you had to lift the lid to see who was on his *%#* list. He also had an intimate knowledge of the pipes in the basement that he would inspect on a regular basis..

He was the loving husband of Anna (Bordonaro) De Noble; devoted father of Kelly Ann De Noble of Pompton Lakes and John A. De Noble, III and his wife Toni of Haskell.

In lieu of flowers those inclined to make memorial donation are asked to consider:

Packanack Lake Fire Co. #5, 5 Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ 07470, the Wanaque Boro Fire Co #2, One 4th Ave, Haskell, NJ 07420, or donations to the family would be appreciated.

Doris Hempstead (nee Pagano), of Lake Mohawk, died on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the age of 80.

Doris grew up in Newark, the fourth of five children, and lived in Clifton before moving to Wayne in 1962, where she and her husband, Bill, along with many friends, built their dream home. Doris and her family spent summers at their home on Green Pond where she enjoyed water skiing and sailing. Her love of lake life, nature and gardening inspired her retirement to Lake Mohawk in 2002 where she was Secretary for the Power Boat Club for several years.

Doris graduated from Montclair State College with a B.A. in English, yet ended up teaching Art and Math in Clifton, ending her career at Woodrow Wilson Jr. H.S. Thereafter, she began a family and chose to become a full-time mom to her two children, but her passion for teaching never waned. Throughout her life Doris often volunteered her time to tutor children struggling in Algebra or English.

Doris loved playing tennis and spent a great deal of time with the “Red Eye” group – known for their pre-dawn matches - at the Knoll Racquet Club in Lake Hiawatha. She made many lifelong friends there over the years and shared her love of tennis with her granddaughter, Taylor. Doris’s competitive nature could also be seen in her serious Rumikub competitions with her grandchildren, friends, and anyone to whom she could teach the game. Doris loved the arts, and enjoyed plays, classical music, ballets, art museums, and a good mystery novel. Heather and Sam credit their love of the arts to their Grandmother. More than anything, Doris was known for her cooking and baking. An avid and diverse cook, Doris could whip up a feast from what she had in the house at any given moment, and loved to entertain.

Doris is survived by her beloved Arthur Cangialosi of Sparta; her children; Laura O’Connell and her husband Glenn of Pequannock, and Kurt Hempstead and his wife Jacqueline; six grandchildren; Heather, Samantha, Daniel, Taylor, Georgiana and Trevor; her dear friend and former tennis trainer George Hardman; one sister; Norma O’Neill of Whiting, NJ, one brother; Thomas Pagano and his wife Mary Jane of Florida, and brother-in-law; Joseph Mistretta of Morristown. Doris was predeceased by her first husband, William Hempstead, her brother, Rudolph Pagano and her sister, Gloria Mistretta.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Doris’ memory are asked to consider Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Catherine Marsilio, age 95 of Paterson, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. Born in Paterson, she called that city her home for all of her life.

As a young woman, Catherine worked for Wright Aeronautics in Paterson and Meyer Brothers, also in Paterson. She met her husband, Bruno, on a blind date which was set up by her friend Johanna. Love compelled them to be married in 1946, at the home of her Aunt Katie in Ridgewood, which was followed by a honeymoon in Florida. When their firstborn daughter Linda arrived, Catherine dedicated her life to being a nurturing and caring homemaker.

Catherine loved her family and the joys that came from being a wife, mother and, later on, a grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved having four daughters and spending girl-time with them. They enjoyed her sense of humor and recall how, loving to wear pink, Catherine would often say “pink, pink, makes the boys wink. She loved to kid the girls telling each one at different times that one of them was her favorite. Truth be told, she didn’t really have a favorite, she just liked to kid them and keep them on their toes. Catherine loyally stood by the girls even if they did something she didn’t approve of. She was extremely proud of her grandchildren too! Because the little ones lived in New Hampshire, she and Bruno would regularly take trips half-way toward their home, meeting their parents, Linda and Michael in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Melissa and Matt would get out of Daddy and Mommy’s car and into Gram and Pop-Pop’s car to head back to NJ for some quality time going on train rides, or to the circus or down the shore. On a number of occasions Catherine would take her granddaughter, Melissa, on the bus with her friends to Atlantic City. Melissa learned the art of gambling at a very tender age and it has been said that she loved those times with Grandma! The birth of her grandson, Matthew, was a most momentous occasion in Catherine’s life. Because she had only daughters, when Matthew was born he was the closest thing to a son Catherine had ever had and this made him the apple of her eye! When her great-grandchildren Theodore and Charlie were born, it was said that Catherine was just “over the moon” about being their great grandma!

Catherine and Bruno enjoyed many trips all over the world to such wonderful destinations as Italy, Holland, The Soviet Union, South America, Alaska and many of the tropical islands. Of all those trips, nothing was more cherished and filled with memories for Catherine than the family vacations for two weeks in the summer and two weeks in the winter to St. Maarten. This tradition of having her family all together lasted over twenty years and included children, spouses and grandchildren. Catherine and the girls would swim, eat and shop while Bruno walked the beach making new friends. While those trips abroad were special, sometimes the family would just spend time together more locally at the Villa Piemonte in West Milford where together they could enjoy times together ice skating, fishing, apple picking, swimming and, of course, enjoying fine wine and food!

Catherine believed in the saying that she was a better person when there was less on her plate, so a night out to one of her favorite restaurants was something she enjoyed very much! She especially loved dining at Enza’s Restaurant and Pizzeria in Hawthorne, Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse in Wayne and, if she was feeling really adventurous, she would eat at Khao Tip Thai Cuisine also in Wayne.

Catherine was a devoted member of Madison Ave. Presbyterian Church and later Westminster Presbyterian Church, both of Paterson, where she served as a Girl Scout leader when her girls were of age to be involved. Every Sunday after church, the family would go for lunch at Tree Tavern on Market Street. By now, Catherine and Bruno had those four beautiful daughters and for them, the best part of going to Tree Tavern was the free candy that was given out afterward!

In later years, Catherine applied the virtues she learned each Sunday at church. She had many friends who couldn’t drive themselves to the grocery store or to the doctor. Sometimes a friend might want to visit another friend in the hospital. Catherine was always willing to take the time to drive her friends wherever they needed to go.

She will be remembered for such exemplary character traits as loyalty, humor, love, generosity, eternal optimism and an overall love of life that she consistently demonstrated to family and friends!

Catherine is survived by her three daughters: Linda Fanny and husband Michael of Concord, NH, Lois Marsilio of Paterson, and Diane Marsilio of Paterson; two grandchildren: Matthew Fanny and Melissa and husband Timothy Davis; two great-grandchildren: Theodore and Charles Davis; and her dear cousin Anita and husband Walter Vuurens.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Bruno in 1996 and her dear daughter Marilou Gibney in 2002.

In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Catherine’s memory to Westminster Presbyterian Church, c/o Reverend Kotora, 29 Bellgrade Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013, or a charity of your choice

John “Jan” Straub age 74 of Wayne passed away on Monday February 25, 2013 at Chilton Memorial Hospital peacefully with his family by his side.  

John was born and raised in Poland, upon his graduation from High School he enlisted in the Polish Army.  During his service with the Polish Army he learned and practiced as a machinist. He carried through with this skill after his discharge from the Polish Military. He then furthered his career as a machinist when he and his wife Maria immigrated to the United States in 1972. John worked for Thomas Electronics in Wayne for 15 years before his retirement 5 years ago.

John’s family remembers him as being a “simple Man”, he was honest, easy going, and laid back. He loved nature and sports especially soccer, hockey, and gymnastics. John was also very handy and could fix just about anything.  John cherished 48½ years of marriage to his wife Maria (nee Galka) whom he met in Poland before he moved to the US.

John is survived by his wife, one daughter, one son-in-law, and 3 grandchildren.

Patrick C. Ippolito, age 83 of Wayne, died on Sunday, February 24, 2013.

Pat was raised in South Orange and graduated from Columbia High School with the class of 1947. He took his first job as a soda jerk at Grunings Soda Parlor in South Orange before joining the U.S. Army. He served with the First Infantry Division, the “Big Red One”, in Germany as part of the European Occupation Forces. He was a tank mechanic and crewman, and also served with the First Recon Company of the Big Red One. Pat was very proud of his service and enjoyed his time with the First Infantry.

Upon his discharge from the Army in 1952, Pat began a career in retail. He worked as a store manager for Woolworth’s at several of their area locations. He became manager of Ben Eisen’s 5 &10 in Newark before opening his own store in 1970. Ippolito’s 5 & 10, on Broad Street in Bloomfield was Pat’s business for twenty years and as a hands-on proprietor, he got to know everyone in town. People from that area, and era, all seem to recall Ippolito’s 5 & 10 and what a great store it was.

Over the years, Pat lived in South Orange, Bloomfield and Glen Ridge before moving to Wayne in 2004. For many years, he was active with the Bloomfield Civic Chorus and he absolutely loved to sing and perform in their shows. It became a family affair, as his wife Patricia and daughter Mary Jean joined him on stage, and his son Patrick played in the orchestra. He was also a member of the Our Lady of the Valley Church Choir in Wayne since moving to the area.

In 1968, Pat attended ‘back to school night’ to meet his daughter Terry’s sixth grade teacher, “Miss Palmer”. Pat had sadly lost his first wife and he had no idea that at this back to school night, he would meet his soul mate. Pat fell in love with Miss Patricia Palmer and before Terry could finish the seventh grade, Patricia Palmer became Mrs. Ippolito. Their story book romance turned into forty three years of loving marriage which brought along two more children; Mary Jean and Patrick, Jr. Together, Pat and Patricia enjoyed singing and performing together, trips to Atlantic City to play the slots, and Pat’s favorite destination; Wildwood Crest at the Jersey Shore. He also enjoyed watching TV dramas and crime shows, sports, and especially the Yankees. Most recently, he and Patricia made some great new friends as part of the Wayne Golden Age Circle.

Pat is survived by his devoted and loving wife of forty three years, Patricia (nee Palmer) of Wayne, his daughters Theresa Ippolito of Ringwood, and Mary Jean Alsina and her husband Ismael of Wanaque, and by his son; Patrick Ippolito, Jr. of Wayne, one grandson; Jason Tamburri of Wanaque, his sister Rosemarie Zuzuro of Madison, NJ, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Donations in Pat’s memory to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Rd Wilton, NH 03086, would be greatly appreciated.

Carol Ann Kopacz age 68 of Lake Shawnee, formerly of Butler, died peacefully with the comfort of family by her side, on Sunday, February 24, 2013.

Carol was born, the second of ten children, in Bayonne, New Jersey, and raised in Staten Island New York. She graduated from Saint Joseph high School, Milwaukee, WI with the Class of 1962 while she was living in a convent in preparation to become a Nun. Carol never did become a Religious Sister but continued her education. She received her bachelors degree with a major in History and minor in Sociology from Dominican Collage and went on to get her Master’s Degree in Teaching Arts from William Paterson College. Additionally, she received a Masters degree in Educational Administration from Caldwell College in 2007.

She worked for the Passaic County Probation Department as a probation officer for over thirty years before retiring in 2005. At the start of her career, this profession was unique for a woman to hold. What was more unique was the fact that as a young woman she was enrolled in the Franciscan Order to be a Nun.

Carol will be remembered as being reserved, yet was a strong willed multitasker. She was a single mom juggling career, home, finances, and children for many years. She loved reading and especially liked watching cooking shows. She has a cook book collection that would be the envy of Julia Child. When asked about a favorite recipe their mom made, her daughters replied “spaghetti with sauce from a jar”. As the heartbeat of their home Carol gave her children the gift of an everlasting influence of love.

Carol was the loving mother of Wayne S. Cameron II and his wife Nikki of Hopatcong, Heather C. Cameron of Denver, CO, Rachel M. Wayman and her husband Al of Thompson, PA, and Jonathan A. Kopacz of Thompson, PA; cherished grandmother of Emma Cameron, and Kaleb Cameron – Pesek; daughter of Stanley Kopacz and the late Caroline Kopacz; dear sister of Joan Deodato and her husband Guy, Patti Decker and her husband Richie, Nancy Salzer and her husband Ken, Debbie Dilkes, Annette Smith, Margaret Papageorge and her husband Nick, Janet Holland and her husband Ken, and Jackie Collins and her husband Dave; loved sister of the late Stanley Kopacz and his surviving wife Geraldine.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Jefferson Township Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 300, 827 Route 15 South, Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey 07849

Helen Kuzow Shumeyko, age 89 and a long time resident of Wayne, died peacefully on Thursday, February 21, 2013.

She is survived by her sons Daniel of Pompton Plains, Gregory of Suwanee, GA and her daughter Joanne Johnson of Detroit, Michigan as well as six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Daniel in 1980 and her son Matthew in 2006.

Helen was born in Manhattan on January 4, 1924. Her parents, Olga Schneider and Michael Kuzow had immigrated to New York from the Ukraine to seek opportunities in the United States. Helen joined a family of two older sisters, Mary and Anne, and later welcomed a younger brother, John. She graduated from high school and pursued a brief career in modeling for Jenkins Fifth Avenue in New York City.

She met Daniel Shumeyko when they both sang in the Ukrainian Youth Choir in New York. They were married in St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on February 7, 1942. A beautiful photo of Helen in her wedding gown was featured in the storefront window of the Jenkins Fifth Avenue Company.

Married during World War II, the newlyweds travelled to wherever Daniel was stationed while enlisted in the Army Air Force. They resided in Madison, Wisconsin and later in Sioux Falls, South Dakota before returning to New Jersey to be near family there. Soon after their return, their oldest son Daniel was born. They lived again in New York City before moving to Union, NJ where Joanne and Matthew joined the family. Later they moved to Wayne, NJ where Gregory was born.

Helen worked in several jobs besides modeling; she was a secretary for the Wayne Township schools, then an office manager and executive assistant for several companies before retiring in 2000 from Liaizon Technology in Pompton Lakes. Her energetic style and quick wit brought personality to every task.

Helen was a parishioner at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Manhattan, then St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, and finally at Our Lady of the Valley in Wayne.

Helen was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a doting grandmother and a proud great-grandmother. She welcomed each newcomer to her growing family, entertaining daughters-in-law Mary and Sue, son-in-law Kevin, grandchildren Kate, Jonathan, Amelia, Kyle, Ryann, and Caroline, and great-grandchildren Julian and Sylvie. Nicknamed “GiGi” during her modeling years, the name was recently and appropriately revived by her great-grandchildren. She loved music; she played her piano until the last few years, sang in English and Ukrainian, and welcomed any reason to gather with family and friends. She enjoyed cooking and baking, teaching her granddaughters how to make pierogies from scratch. On Christmas Eve every year, with a family member playing Santa, Helen would sit on his lap and remind him to bring her Scotch!

Helen and her sense of humor will be missed by her many family members and friends. Everyone who knew her was graced by her vibrant presence; she was the life of any party and the soul of her family.

Donations in Helen’s memory can be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 21-00 Route 208, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 or to the Pequannock Reformed Church, 530 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Marie F. Schell, age 89 of Wayne, died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.

Marie was born in Newark and grew up in Down Neck. She attended elementary school at St. Benedict’s and, beginning in the fourth grade, Marie and her twin sister Rose were called upon by St. Benedict’s to sing during many Funeral Mass’s there. She was also a wonderful piano player.

Marie later graduated from Newark’s Eastside High School with the class of 1941. She took her first job with Western Electric and then RCA and Firestone before becoming a secretary for the Pequannock Township Board of Education. She retired from there over thirty years ago.

Marie always remained close with her twin sister Rose and she’s lived with Rose’s family for many years. Ever since they were little girls, they rode the trolley together in Newark, roller skated together, and sang in church together. Rose recalls that Marie loved to visit Point Pleasant Beach at the Jersey Shore, certainly her favorite vacation spot. Marie also loved to simply drive around. Sunday drives were among her favorite pastimes and together with Rose they would drive around nice neighborhoods and look at the fancy houses. She enjoyed life and cherished the love she had for her family.

Marie is survived by her sister Rose Satina of Wayne, her niece Marion Ajaj and her husband Ed of Pompton Plains, and her great-nephew Douglas DeStefano of Wayne. She was predeceased by her brother George Schell many years ago, by her brother-in-law Edward Satina, and by her niece Lorraine McLean in 2002.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Marie’s memory are asked to consider the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or visit www.stjude.org.

Lois Jane Marakovitz, 74, a resident of Wayne, died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.

Lois grew up in Hawthorne and graduated from Hawthorne High School with the class of 1956. She had a strong desire for learning and went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at Montclair State College. She graduated magna cum laude in 1960. Lois taught for six years, mostly at the Benjamin Franklin Junior High School (now middle school) in Teaneck. She made a number of close friends in college and, then, met some exceptional teachers who remained life-long friends. She stopped teaching for a period of time and turned her attention to raising her two daughters. Some years later she returned to teaching as a substitute in the Wayne public schools but soon realized she needed a change. Lois started a new career with Prudential Insurance Company where she was trained in computer programming. She became a systems analyst at Prudential, serving there for over twenty years before joining IBM. She worked for IBM in their Pine Brook office for six years before retiring in 2001.

She and her husband Matthew retired around the same time and traveled together extensively along with their close friends. They visited many places in the U.S. and also went abroad to Europe, traveling to Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Russia. Before their trip to Italy, Lois studied Italian by listening to a tape in her car and learned enough to communicate with the locals. They also visited most of the U.S. National Parks and covered the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida on their many family vacations. One of Lois’ favorite destinations of all was the Jersey Shore. Her father and a close friend had homes on Long Beach Island for many years. When her girls were younger, she enjoyed trips to Point Pleasant Beach. These trips were even more fun when she was joined by her sister, Claire, and niece, Laurie.

Lois enjoyed recreational activities. She loved swimming, especially in her own pool, as well as dancing, water skiing and downhill skiing. She and Matthew took up downhill skiing in their late forties, learning right alongside their daughters. For many years, they skied the slopes of Mount Snow in Vermont but also ventured as far as the steeps of Steamboat Springs in Colorado. She was also a league bowler for thirty years at T-Bowl in Wayne.

Lois also had some more relaxing hobbies. She was an avid reader of novels particularly historical fiction but also some poetry. Like her father, she had a knack for crossword puzzles, eventually conquering the Sunday puzzle in the New York Times. As a young adult, she wrote poetry. Later, she took up drawing and painting. When her daughters started playing the piano, Lois took lessons. The piano teacher came to be another one of her close friends. She also enjoyed sewing and knitting. For many years, she was part of a circle of women who would get together regularly to knit, calling themselves the “knit-wits.” Her flower gardens were another source of joy.

Lois met her husband Matthew while roller skating. Saturday night at the local rink was ‘pick-up night’ and Matthew asked her to skate with him. The two of them fell in love and dated for a couple of years including the time that Matthew was in the service. He proposed to her in Goffle Brook Park while they were listening to the “Caballeros” band play on the lawn. They were married on July 1, 1961 and have enjoyed nearly fifty two years of a loving and wonderful marriage together. Matthew recalls that she was a good person, never judgmental, and never had a bad word to say about anyone.

She will be dearly missed by her loving husband Matthew of Wayne; her two daughters, Susan Marakovitz of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Sharon Marakovitz of Lincoln Park, New Jersey; and a niece, Laurie Serfilippi of Thompson, Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by her sister Claire Giannella of Harford, Pennsylvania in October of 2012.

Donations in Lois’ memory, if friends so wish, may be sent to the HHT Foundation International (www.hht.org), P.O. Box 329, Monkton, MD 21111.

James J. Coyne, Jr. of Wayne died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.

Raised in Ridgewood, Jim graduated from Ridgewood High School and earned a BS in Physical Education and an MS in Education from Niagara University. U.S. Army First Lieutenant Coyne served in Vietnam, receiving a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal, among other awards, and was later commissioned a Captain. Jim was proud of his time in the U.S. Army and remained a tireless advocate for American POW/MIAs throughout his lifetime, serving as president of the Bergen and Rockland counties chapter of the Vietnam Veterans for America. Jim always wore his POW/MIA bracelet and lived by the motto “Never Forget.”

Jim began his career with the Wayne Township schools. He influenced countless students during his years at Anthony Wayne, Wayne Hills, and Wayne Valley, where he taught physical education and health, coached football and track, and later became a guidance counselor. He was instrumental in bringing Project Adventure to the Wayne schools, a program he believed was key to helping students conquer their fears and gain self-confidence. Known as “tough but fair,” he enjoyed running into former students who would often express their gratitude for the inspiration and motivation he gave them.

Always adventurous, Jim loved being outdoors. He was a Certified Scuba Instructor and took students on diving trips to Lake Champlain; Lake George; Newport, Rhode Island; and the Caribbean. He was an avid skier, hiker, and bicyclist, and he scaled Cathedral Ledge on one of his many rock climbing excursions.

Jim continued his adventures as he and Kathi traveled throughout New England—especially to Vermont and coastal Maine—as well as the Midwest to visit Colleen in Chicago and Minneapolis. Even on the road, he had a stack of books by his side. An avid reader, especially of mystery and history, Jim enjoyed meeting different authors and collecting signed first editions. Jim never missed a chance to capture life’s moments, big and small, in photographs that he displayed alongside model trains in his den.

As he celebrated milestones, Jim also found happiness in everyday life: a good cup of coffee, a college football game on TV, a phone call from a friend. His faith was important to him as well, and for the past five years, Jim was a Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Unfailingly generous, funny, and loyal, Jim’s family and friends knew they could always count on his love and support.

Jim is survived by his wife Kathleen of Wayne; his daughter Colleen and her husband Bart Brinkman of Framingham, MA; his mother Ethel Coyne of Manahawkin; two sisters, Susanne and her husband Bill Driscoll of New Hampshire, and Jane and her husband Tom Helfrich of Germany; one brother, Michael Coyne of Florida; his brother-in-law, John Wasak of Wayne; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his father James and his sister Kathleen Ellis.

Memorial donations may be made to Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or visit their website to make a donation online at www.waynefas.com/donate.

Roger “Sam” Worell age 67 of Sunset Beach, NC, formerly of Wayne, NJ died peacefully with the comfort of his family by his side on Monday, February 18, 2013.

He was born and raised in Paterson having graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1963. He lived in Wayne for forty years before moving to Sunset Beach North Carolina on October 31, 2011.

Sam worked for NJ Bell Telephone n Paterson as a lineman and after a few years he joined the Paterson Police Department. He worked for the Paterson Police for twenty-eight years having retired in 1994. Never one to let grass grow under his feet Sam took on a multitude of different jobs after retiring. He painted lines in parking lots trading as Modern NuStripe, worked as a contractor having built several homes – including the family home the children grew up in and the home his son lives in today, he worked for the PFIA (Police Fire Insurance Agency), did roofing, framing and just about anything he could make a buck at. Eventually he found a job at Wayne Tile Company which he loved. He was in charge of maintenance and built in store vignettes to display the tile. As you can see Sam could build or fix just about anything.

He loved to make people laugh and would do just about anything for you. He would hear about your situation and say “I can do that” never making you ask him for help. He would just help get it done. Sam was also an avid sportsman who really enjoyed deer hunting in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He enjoyed traveling to anywhere there was beach and sun. He made many trips to the Bahamas, and enjoyed vacations in Las Vegas, and Florida. One vacation/entrepreneurial endeavor was to Scotland. Sam hooked up online with a baker in Scotland and went there to learn how to make Mutton Pies with Arlene's cousin Al. That idea never really got off the ground. Sam belonged to several fraternal organizations including: North Carolina Elks, Honor Legion, Emerald Society, Paterson PBA, and the Coastal Carolina Shields.

Sam met a young girl named Arlene Gueterman and soon fell in love. Their first date was to Mama Leone’s Restaurant in New York City followed by dancing at the Peppermint Lounge. Sam proposed to Arlene in the restaurant located at the Motel on the Mountain now known as Mount Fuji in Suffern, NY. He slipped an engagement ring into Arlene’s glass of wine. They married at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church in Paterson on October 11, 1969 and honeymooned in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Arlene and Sam have enjoyed forty-three years of a loving, caring, and giving marriage.

Sam was the beloved husband of Arlene Worell (nee Gueterman) of Sunset Beach, NC; devoted father of Brian Worell and his fiance Ashley Milovitz of Sandyston, and Dana Worell of North Haledon; he will also be greatly missed by his loving Miniature Schnauzer Abbey.

In lieu of flowers donations in Sam's memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 www.pancan.org would be appreciated.

Edith A. Intres (nee Romano) age 94 of Wayne passed peacefully on Sunday, February 17, 2013.

Agnes A. Spada (nee Pettrizzie) age 82 of Toms River, formerly of Wayne, died peacefully on Saturday, February 16, 2013 with the comfort of her son Robert by her side.

Agnes was born in the home on Front Street in North Arlington. She was raised in Union City having graduated from Emerson High School in Union City with the Class of 1948. After high school Agnes worked for Foremost Corrugated in Little Ferry as a bookkeeper. She also worked for Sclavo Corporation in Wayne before retiring from the Silver Threads Company of Toms River in 1995.

She met Robert L. Spada, who was Captain of the Saint Michael's High School football team also in Union City, when he stumbled upon her trying to make a u-turn with her car. Their first date was to see the movie Moulin Rouge and they soon fell in love. They married on February 19, 1955 and enjoyed a forty-five year loving and devoted marriage before Robert’s passing in 2000.

Agnes will be remember as a person who loved music, especially Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra, and most recently Country Music. She was a great mom who, in her younger years, was a great cook.

She was the loving mother of Robert J. Spada of Toms River; devoted sister of John Pettrizzie of Wayne, Joanne Pettrizzie of Wayne, Frances Ianuale of Wayne, Marie Mancini of Cliffside Park, and the late Madeline Pettrizzie.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Robert Spada, c/o Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne , NJ 07470 would be appreciated.

Sal Dell’Orto, age 84 of Wayne, died peacefully with his family at his bedside on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.

Sal was born in Manhattan and earned a scholarship to Fordham University. He graduated Cum Laude and went right to work at his family’s business; “Manganaro Grosseria Italiana”; purveyors of premium Italian specialty foods. His family started the famous eatery on New York’s Ninth Avenue in 1893 and Sal proudly carried the torch until 2010. Manganaro’s was truly a New York City landmark during his tenure, and Sal was the charismatic owner that all of his customers came to love. He became personal friends with the likes of Jackie Gleason and Shecky Greene, had coffee every morning with Burt Lancaster during the filming of “Tough Guys”, and Frank Sinatra would request that his Prosciutto be personally sliced by Sal. The Ninth Avenue Food Festival was traditionally started with the sitting New York City mayor enjoying a meal at Manganaro’s followed by an opening ceremony on the sidewalk right out front. Sal has had lunch with Jacob Javits, Ed Koch, David Dinkins and Rudy Giuliani, just to name a few. Sal enjoyed many ‘firsts’ at Manganaro’s: first family to import Salami from Italy shortly after World War I, GQ magazine featured him in the late 1990’s wearing fine Italian suits, and he is credited with inventing the “Six Foot Hero” sandwich in 1956. The six foot hero earned him a spot on the TV game show “What’s My Line?” where Sal successfully stumped the panelists. The Hormel Meats Company also used his grosseria as the set for many of their TV commercials over the years. Needless to say, he enjoyed a lengthy career and was blessed with many wonderful and dear friends throughout the years.

Sal and his wife Marion (2012) met while vacationing in the Catskills. He made her laugh all the time and she fell in love with his magnetic personality. They were married in 1949 with over eight hundred guests at their Brooklyn wedding. Sal had to pay for the wedding, but he often remarked that she was worth every penny. They settled in Brooklyn before moving to Wayne in 1961. Together, they were social butterflies and active members of North Jersey Country Club for over forty years. They loved to golf there, but were also instrumental in planning bus trips to New York City for Broadway shows and shopping. Sal also enjoyed his annual golf trips with his buddies to various golf destinations around the country and Puerto Rico.

Having grown up and lived in New York City, Sal didn’t need a car until he moved to Wayne. Once he started driving, he loved it! His first car was a Desoto and he became a ‘luxury sedan aficionado’ over the years. Selecting his new car was an important task and was very particular. He enjoyed his share of Cadillacs and Lincolns, but his favorite car was a toss-up between Mercedes and Audi. Simply going for a drive brought him joy and relaxation. Most of the family vacations over the years were road trips and Sal did all the driving. On a recent ride to the grocery store, Sal commented to his son-in-law Steve how nice it was to just be riding around in the car.

Sal is survived by his five daughters; Seline Dell’Orto of Pompton Lakes, Linda Dell’Orto of Montclair, Nina Dell’Orto of Wayne, Marissa Dell’Orto-Alex and her husband Steve of Florida, and Lisa Dell’Orto-Tiase of Pompton Lakes, three grandchildren; Marina Alex and Anthony Alex of Florida and Vivian Tiase of Pompton Lakes, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Marion in April of 2012.

Donations in Sal’s memory, if friends so wish, would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004, or the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.

Joyce Ottens, age 81 of Wayne, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, February 10, 2013.

Joyce was born in East Rutherford and grew up in Woodridge. She graduated from Woodridge High School in 1949. Joyce worked at Becton-Dickinson during her early career and later she was payroll manager for Universal Magnatec in Paramus before retiring in 1989.

On one particular day shortly after high school, while roller skating with her friends in Paramus, Joyce met Richard Ottens. They skated together that day and never parted. Although it isn’t clear exactly what attracted them to each other, Joyce had often told her mother “I’m going to marry a guy with a Buick”, and Richard just happened to be driving a Buick at the time. They were married in 1950 and moved to Wayne to raise their family. They enjoyed nearly fifty years together before Richard passed in 2000.

Joyce was an active member of the Preakness Reformed Church in Wayne where she taught Sunday school and was very involved in several aspects of the church. She loved her church and will be laid to rest in the cemetery there.

Joyce enjoyed gardening, making Eucalyptus wreaths, and all sorts of crafts. She also loved reading and found great joy as a volunteer at the Wayne Public Library. She had a sense of adventure from her earliest years and liked to ride on her son’s motorcycle, go flying in their Cessna, and have her grandchildren take her for rides on their quads at the family Christmas tree farm. Raising her four children was perhaps her greatest joy, and seeing fifteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren added to her legacy all made her very happy.

Joyce is survived by her four loving children: Richard and his wife Peg of New Egypt, NJ, Joyce Bozik and her husband Larry of Wayne, Elizabeth Morse and her husband Rick of Owego, NY, and Paul and his wife Mary Anne of Hawthorne; fifteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one sister; Rosary DiBiasi and her husband Vincent of Naples, FL. She was predeceased by her husband Richard in 2000, her granddaughter Kate Ottens in 1992, and her brothers John and Emanuel Laudicina.

Donations in Joyce’s memory, if friends so wish, would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the Preakness Reformed Church, 131 Church Lane, Wayne, NJ 07470 or Passaic Valley Hospice, P.O. 783 Riverview Drive, Totowa, NJ 07511.

Charles “Carl” Rex age 50 of Wayne, NJ passed away peacefully in his home while receiving the loving care of his family on Saturday February 9, 2013 after a long fought battle with COPD for many years.

Charlie was born in New York City and was raised in Fort Lee, then moving to Leonia later in his childhood where he would graduate from Leonia High School. After his high school graduation, he worked with his father in the Re-Insurance industry for a couple of years. Charlie then relocated to Tampa, Florida where he went to work as a controller for a British Concrete company, then, eventually started his own business, Affordable Home Repair in Leonia. During this time he also continued with his education at various colleges over the years.  The bulk of Charlie’s knowledge was acquired on his own, teaching himself.

It was during his time in Florida in 1991 where he met his wife Lynn Rex. After Charlie and Lynn were married, they moved to NJ where they raised their son Chaz. Charlie and Lynn cherished 17 years of marriage.

Charlie’s family remembers him as having a MacGyver type quality, he could fix just about anything. He would read medical encyclopedias front to back and worked hand in hand with his doctor, developing new devices and medical formulas to combat his own illness. His family actually recalls Charlie being a “self-proclaimed doctor”. He was quite an athlete in his high school days, excelling in track and field.  Charlie had an extraordinary creative quality; he was always pondering new inventions and new ways to do things.  Charlie loved to help people, was quick witted, strong willed and extremely intelligent. He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends alike.

Charlie is survived by his son Charles “Chaz” Rex and his wife Daisy of Philadelphia, his son Clint Davis also of Philadelphia; his ex-wife Lynn Rex of Sanford, NC; his loving mother Doris Rex Belschner of Wayne; his step-mother Patricia Rex of Livingston Manor, NY; his sister Dale Saltiel and her husband Ron of Wayne; his brother Mark and his wife Cherry of Oldsmar, FL; his sister Elisabeth Minkoff and her husband Scott of Potomac, MD; his brother Cliffy Belschner of CA; his brother Bruce Belschner and his wife Kathi of Roselle Park, NJ; his sister Sue Vierling and her husband Don of Oradell; and his only grand-daughter Savannah Rex.

Andrew P. Sarchio, age 69 of Wayne, died suddenly on Saturday, February 9, 2013.

Andrew grew up in Passaic and Clifton before moving to Toms River as a teenager. He graduated from Brick Township High School with the class of 1961. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served for three years, stationed for the most part in Germany. Andrew enjoyed his time in the Army and seeing his son build a career in the Army achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and as an attorney making Andrew a very proud father indeed.

After the Army, Andrew earned his Master’s Degree in Social Science. He began working with the North Jersey Developmental Center in Totowa and after almost thirty five years of a very rewarding career, he retired in 2007. Andy had been polishing his golf game since retirement and enjoyed golfing at the North Jersey Country Club.

Andrew also enjoyed traveling. St. Thomas, Jupiter, Florida and of course, his beloved Jersey Shore were among his favorite places to vacation. Since his retirement, he enjoyed time at his home with his wife Gina.

Andy had a knack for making great Martinis, an appreciation for fine foods and quality wine. His favorite restaurant was LuNello’s, and the chef never disappointed Andrew. Music was also huge part of Andy’s life, ever since he was a boy. He played the saxophone well and had been taking mandolin lessons recently. His musical tastes were eclectic; classical, jazz, 40’s and 50’s band music. He could listen to just about anything.

About twenty years ago, Andrew met Gina Diamond at a Society of Human Resources meeting. Their meeting was the beginning of what would be a long and wonderful relationship. For those that knew Andrew know that he was simply a wonderful man, he was kind, generous and caring. They fell in love and were married on July 22, 2007; Andy’s birthday. They loved each other dearly and had been anticipating their sixth anniversary this summer.

Andy is survived by his beloved wife Gina Diamond of Wayne, his son; Chad Sarchio and his wife Christina of Alexandria, Virginia, and two grandchildren: Evan and Raquel.

Ruth Hess (nee Messler) age 87, was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, at 397 East 30th Street. She attended Paterson Grammar School #13, and graduated from Paterson’s Eastside High School with the Class of 1942.  Ruth then matriculated at the Paterson General Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated as a Registered Nurse with the Class of 1946.

Ruth served for many years at the Paterson General Hospital in a variety of nursing and supervisory positions, and then took time out to raise her family. Ruth loved her family with unconditional devotion and compassion.  As the children matured, she returned to her love of nursing at the Paterson General.  She later became Director of Nursing at the Cherry Nursing Home in Montclair, retiring from this position in 1989.  Ruth prided herself in being a Florence Nightingale nurse, indefatigable in her efforts and exercising unyielding ethics. Another of Ruth’s loves was the study of Latin.  As a young girl she studied Latin extensively.  When her children would ask for help with a word’s definition, they would often be given a lengthy explanation of the Latin derivation.

Ruth was gifted with a great intellect, overshadowed only by an infinite compassion and selflessness. Empathetic to those in need, and to all of God's gentle creatures, hers was a most giving, virtuous and tenacious nature. As unconditional as her love could be, Ruth could also be brutally honest… she was so honest that it was oftentimes hilarious.

She was a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she established many friendships.  Her interest in the Eastern Star was sparked by her father being a 32nd Degree Mason. Ruth later converted to the Roman Catholic faith, and remained a devout Catholic throughout her life.

When Ruth was a nurse at Paterson General Hospital, she received a parking ticket and went to the police station to inquire about it.  It was while she was at the police station that she was spied by a handsome young police officer named John Joseph Hess.  John asked Ruth’s uncle who was assisting her to introduce him.  They were introduced, and their first date was to Libby’s for a chili dog and a milkshake. As far as John was concerned, this was the perfect girl and the perfect date.  They quickly fell in love and after John’s proposal, the first person he told was a homeless man in an abandoned building.  John woke him to tell him the good news. As you can see, both John and Ruth were non-judgmental and caring people. They married at Saint Joseph's Church in Paterson on Valentine’s Day in 1953. They were supposed to honeymoon at Niagara Falls, New York, but duty called and this never happened.  Twenty-plus years into the marriage, they did take a weekend at the Waldorf Astoria and called it their honeymoon.

Sadness struck her life in 1975 when her husband, John Hess, who was Assistant Police Chief of the Paterson Police Department, passed away.  John and Ruth had previously lost one of their children, James Hess, who was only two days old.  She was also predeceased by a sister, Arlene Messler, who died at just two years and three months old.

Surviving to mourn the loss of this very special mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister are her children, Margaret Jessie Trottier of Houston, TX, John Joseph Hess and his wife Sandra of Clifton, VA, Mary Rose Luckhaus and her husband Martin of Greensboro, NC, and Suzanne Elizabeth Hess of Fort Mill, SC;  one sister, Marilyn Joyce Kazimir and her husband Charles of Clifton, NJ. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Mileva, Daniel, Jamie, John Sven, John Joseph, Ryan, Thomas, Meghan; and two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica. Ruth is also mourned by her dearest Dragana and Svetlana, and the members of her cherished chosen family.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Ruth’s memory are asked to consider the ASPCA  or the local animal welfare chapter of one's choosing.

Geraldine “Geri” B. Berkman, age 82 of Wayne, died at her residence on Monday, February 4, 2013.

Geri was born in Weatherly, PA on December 21, 1930. She was one of William and Emma Laubach’s eight children. For many years she was a resident of Paterson which is where she raised her three sons, David, Daryl and Michael. As children, the boys were active in the Cub Scouts and whether they liked it or not, Geri was one of their den mothers. There was always a lot of laughter in the house. In her younger years, the boys would sneak party snappers into Mom’s cigarettes so they would pop when the cigarette burned down far enough.

In 1979, with the boys now married and out of the house, Geri decided it was time to move so she found a nice townhouse in Wayne. Boy, were the squirrels happy when she moved in! She treated them like they were royalty! She would buy those fuzzy-tailed furry creatures large bags of roasted peanuts and even shell them before serving. On some days they even got crackers with peanut butter, probably because she got a kick out of seeing them struggle to chew with that sticky stuff in their little mouths. Geri enjoyed making ceramic creations like cats, ducks, Christmas trees and cookie canisters. She loved playing bingo with friends at her home or going on day trips to Atlantic City with her daughter-in-law Dawn’s mom, Georgina. They never won the giant jackpot but together they always had a good time gambling till the cash they allotted themselves was gone. Then it was off to a nice restaurant for a lunch or meal before heading back on the bus towards home. Geri also loved to ice skate and roller skate. For many years she could be found every Sunday at Ice World in Totowa or South Mountain Arena in West Orange carving up the ice with family and friends. One time, she attended a block party at her townhouse. Everyone was having a great old time so Geri decided it was time to strap on her roller skates and impress them with her skills. As they say, “it’s all laughs until somebody gets hurt” and wow did Geri get hurt! She took a bad fall which resulted in her sustaining a compound wrist fracture. Geri was an interesting cook, deriving many of her recipes from The Star, that publication found at every grocery checkout in the country. She knew 101 ways to make meatloaf and the family most notably remembers meatloaf with prunes and meatloaf with whole hard-boiled eggs in it. She loved it when her children and grandchildren would come for dinner and if you came, you could always count on a new recipe being served.

In 1998, Geri decided it was time to move again so she sold her townhouse to her youngest son Michael and his wife Dawn and she began the next chapter of her life at Sisco Retirement Village in Wayne. As she settled in, it wasn’t unusual to hear her say, “boy oh boy, there are all old people living here!” The squirrels she used to spoil at the townhouse weren’t too happy to see her leave but over a period of time Sisco Village felt more and more like home for her and her two cats – a crème and black colored Himalayan named Chrissy and a grey Persian with orange eyes named Thira. Like the squirrels, she adored those cats and spoiled them rotten, serving them only food she would eat herself. Despite her allergies, she really loved animals and the whole family enjoyed their brown poodle named Susie and two other cats named Farrah and Tammy before Chrissy and Thira came along. In her later years she loved to listen to talk radio, especially Bernard Meltzer who had a show called “What’s your problem” and Rush Limbaugh. She always looked forward to Tuesday nights because Daryl would come over to drop off groceries, eat supper and watch Ghost Hunters with her. She’ll be remembered for the fun-loving, easy going person that she was and the love and affection she had for grandchildren.

Surviving are her three sons: David and wife Clara Berkman of Virginia Beach, VA, Daryl and wife Linda Berkman of Wayne, and Michael and wife Dawn Berkman; her seven grandchildren: Andrea, Ashley, Joshua, Kari, Justin, Tyler and Sarena; her two great-grandchildren: Kailey and Savannah; her brother Earl and wife Beverly of Kutztown, PA; and her two sisters: Lois of Easton, PA and Sara and husband Joe of Easton, PA. She was predeceased by four other siblings.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Geraldine’s name are asked to consider Friends of Wayne Animals (FOWA) P.O. Box 3701, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Karen C. Brink (nee Gnatiuk) age 56 of Wayne died peacefully on Sunday, February 3, 2013.

She was born in Passaic and raised in Garfield. She graduated Garfield High School with the Class of 1974, then entered secretarial school. After working as a secretary, she entered the US Army and became an Operating Room Technician.

Karen met David Brink at a United States Army reception in Fair Lawn. Both had enlisted in the Army and were in a waiting period before their initial assignments. They kept in touch with letters over the years as they were stationed far apart. They were re-united when they were stationed close together in Texas. Their letter relationship turned into love and David proposed marriage at a Texas Military Base. Karen accepted and they were married on June 30, 1979 at Our Lady of Sorrows RC Church in Garfield New Jersey. They honeymooned at the Jersey Shore and have enjoyed thirty-four years of a loving and devoted marriage.

Karen graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne as a Registered Nurse with the Class of 1983.

She worked at the Hackensack University Medical Center, as a Nurse Auditor for the IRP Corporation, and as a School Nurse for Paramus Catholic High School, the Wayne Board of Education, and most recently the Passaic Board of Education.

Karen was a truly selfless person. She volunteered her time at the Wayne Animal Shelter, Passaic Valley Hospice, Home Care Options, and the Preakness Reformed Church in Wayne. She will be remembered as an energetic, multi-tasker, who was always helping others. She was caring, giving, compassionate and had Energizer Bunny stamina. Even when receiving chemo-therapy she got in the car and went to the Wayne Animal Shelter to help socialize animals. Karen’s caring, loving heart was comforting those animals during her most difficult time.

Karen was a dedicated member of the Preakness Reformed Church in Wayne where she also volunteered her time. She dedicated herself to the church and its various outreach ministries such as visits to the North Jersey Developmental Center, the annual Crop Walk, and the annual garage sale at the church to benefit the Dawn Treader Christian School in Paterson. Even just recently she volunteered to help the Reformed Church at the Consistory Level – her heart was there but her illness kept her from completing that mission.

She was the loving wife of David Brink; devoted mother of Lauren Brink and Kristen Brink both of Wayne; loved sister of Alice Gnatiuk and her husband George of Garfield.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Passaic Valley Hospice, 783 Riverview Drive, Totowa, NJ 07511 would be appreciated.

Alan P. Rothberg, age 67 of Pompton Lakes and formerly of Wayne, died peacefully on Sunday, February 3, 2013.

Alan was born in Paterson on Thursday, February 15, 1945. The fourth child of William and Celia Rothberg, Alan enjoyed all the attention he received from his parents and three older sisters. He graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson and Rutgers University Pharmacy School in Newark in 1967.

Soon after college Alan was drafted into the United States Army where he served his country from April, 1969 to April, 1970. While serving, his superiors quickly recognized his pharmaceutical knowledge and subsequently transferred him to work at Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver Colorado. Not even the U.S. Army could keep Alan from coming home to marry a beautiful girl named Kathy Graham whom he had met between graduation and being drafted, while working at Sussman’s Pharmacy in Paterson. Kathy had been working for Dr. Hirsch in Paterson and a nurse associate who came into Sussman’s Pharmacy told Alan about this nice gal she worked with. Alan took the advice of the nurse associate and gave Kathy a call. She accepted and they went on a nice date to an exquisite restaurant in Whippany. They married on November 22, 1969 at Our Lady of Consolation Church, Wayne. After a quick honeymoon in Florida, Alan headed back to Colorado to resume his military duties at Fitzsimmons General Hospital. Alan completed his tour with the Army and came home to his lovely bride.  The Rothberg family settled in Lincoln Park where they welcomed their son Scott. After a short stint living in Marlborough the family moved to Wayne in 1972 where they remained for thirty-three years before moving to Pompton Lakes in 2005.

Alan professionally dedicated his life to his career as a pharmacist. For many years he worked at Lee’s Pharmacy in Paramus. His career culminated with a position as Pharmacy Manager for Drug Fair in Oakland where he worked from 2004 until retiring in 2008. He enjoyed his work and helping countless customers throughout his career.

Pharmacy life could become demanding but when Alan had some time to himself one thing he enjoyed was spending time with his dogs. In the early years it was Bailey and later on it was Maggie – both Yorkies. After taking them for a nice walk, he enjoyed their company as together they would watch movies, sometimes even until 2:00 in the morning! His favorites included anything James Bond or Star Wars. Alan also loved sports, especially the Yankees and the Giants. He watched almost every Yankee game of the season and the postseason and he would often text the final score to his son Scott. Alan also loved to read, especially books by Clive Cussler and John Grisham. He found it relaxing to go to his daughter Colleen’s house just to relax by her built in pool and sip on a nice, refreshing whiskey sour. He enjoyed home cooked meals that Kathy lovingly prepared especially her pot roast, stews and pasta. Kathy also learned to make Matzah ball soup which recalled Alan’s childhood.

To Alan family was everything! When he first was dating Kathy, he treated her two daughters Tracey and Colleen with great love and respect and, once married, it gave him great joy to be able to adopt them as his own daughter. He always told them how lucky he was to have met their mother and have them all in his life. As they grew, he regularly affirmed them with such compliments as “you’re beautiful” or “I love you!” His son Scott was like a best friend and together they would go to concerts to see the likes of Kiss and Bob Dylan or watch ball games together. In 1988, Alan’s niece’s Wendy and Beth’s mother became very sick. As a result, she was unable to care for her two daughters. Alan took his nieces into his own home and, with Kathy and his own three children, he loved and cared and provided for them for two years, again, as if they were his own. The family enjoyed many trips to Florida and South Carolina too. As Alan grew older his children blessed him with something every person dreams of…..grandchildren! Alan shared his love of movies with them often times taking them to Saturday matinees. As time marched on he was blessed with even more grandchildren and he always enjoyed the times he got to share with them, playing miniature golf or reading them a story. He was a loved grandpa who they affectionately called “Big Al!” Alan got a great kick out of taking the whole family including his grandchildren to Long Beach Island where they stayed altogether in a big rented house with all expenses covered by none other than “Big Al!”

Alan was always happy, he loved life and always felt very blessed. He was fun and energetic with a passion for Rock and Roll, which he would love to blast loudly. His goal in life was to make everyone around him happy too! He could never do enough for anyone.

Alan is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen, his three children: Tracey Seylaz of Pompton Plains, Colleen Darpino and husband Dean of Wayne, and Scott Rothberg and Angela Napoli of Ocean; his eight grandchildren: Ryan, Meghan, Brianna, Connor, Brynn, Trevor, James and Alyssa; and his two sisters: Sondra Teitel of FL and Paula Godt of Cranbury, NJ. Alan was predeceased by his sister Joan Shangold.

In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Alan’s memory to the American Heart Association 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.

Sally Ann Ryerson, age 66 of Wayne died peacefully on Thursday, January 31, 2013.

Born in Newark, Sally was the older of Russell and Mary Zabriskie’s two children. Soon after birth, the Zabriskie family moved to Wayne and Sally attended first grade at Wayne’s historic Preakness School, but her father’s career moved the family to Colorado and Sally graduated from St. James Elementary School in Denver. The Zabriskie’s moved back to New Jersey and Sally went on to graduate from Wayne Valley High School. She furthered her education and graduated with her Associates Degree from Saint Alphonsus College in Woodcliff Lake.

While at college, she met Earle Ryerson, Jr. They married on April 18, 1970 at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Wayne with Monsignor Wolsen presiding. After a reception at Lydecker’s Northwood on Route 23 in Butler, the newlyweds honeymooned in Bermuda and settled in Nutly.

Sally found a home with the Mandee Corporation, now known as Big M, Inc. of Totowa. It is with this company, her second family, that she enjoyed a long and meaningful career that continued until her passing. Most recently, she served as the corporate receptionist and because of her love for people and the genuine interest she demonstrated to everyone she met, it was the perfect job for her!

Sally adored her beloved husband Earle. It didn’t matter what they did, as long as they did it together, but they especially enjoyed sharing dinner together at The Robin Hood Inn in Clifton or The Manor in West Orange. They also loved Gallagher’s Steakhouse on 52nd Street in New York City where they would often meet Sally’s younger brother Laurie who was in college at the time. After thirty-six years of a wonderful life together Earle passed away on April 21, 2006.

Recently Sally had a beautiful cat named Bootsie. His black and white fur gave the impression that he was donning a high class tuxedo and, for the caliber of food Sally fed him, you would think a tuxedo would be required to show up for dinner. No canned cat food for Bootsie! Oh no! Sally wouldn’t hear of it. Instead Bootsie was served fresh shrimp and delicious free range chicken! He was a special boy who unfortunately passed away from cancer just the day before this past thanksgiving.

Sally had a wonderful faith in God that made her the person her family and friends knew, loved and respected. As a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Wayne, Sally volunteered to help the church in whatever capacity she could. As recently as this past November 11, Sally organized and helped scramble over three hundred eggs and make the Veterans Day breakfast at the church an enjoyable time for many of the parishioners. She never missed mass, not solely from an obligation to attend but for her love of Jesus! She walked close with Him and had many prayer books and written prayers throughout her home to remind her of His love for her and others. Sally’s belief in Christianity inspired her to love those she came in contact with and helped her embrace a strong feeling of compassion and an absence of judgment toward her fellow man. She was always doing things for others!

Sally also enjoyed spending quality time with her nieces and nephews. One of her favorite places to take them was the theater in New York City and she attended all of their milestone moments like baptisms, graduations and weddings.

As a child, Sally, her brother Laurie and their cousins Maryanne, Jay and Tom loved to pile into Aunt Anne’s 1964 Chevy Impala convertible and head for Rutt’s Hut for deep fried hot dogs known as “Rippers”, burgers with gravy, french fries and ice cold birch beer. The Zabriskie family also had a tradition that spanned from 1951 to 2000 where the entire extended family would spend part of their summers in Newport Rhode Island. It was like a second home for the family and a come-together place where family memories were made. While there, Sally especially loved spending time on the beach, swimming in the ocean, trips to Block Island and going to the Lobster Pot Restaurant for dinner.

Sally is survived by her brother Laurence Zabriskie and wife Donna, her niece Elizabeth Conner, her cousins Maryanne Farrell and husband Tom and Thomas Healey, and her cousin’s children: Carey Anne, Kevin, Liam, Connor and Lauren.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Sally’s memory to Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherds Lane, Totowa, NJ 07512 or Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church.

Mary E. Custin (nee O’Brien) age 98, a long time resident of the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 30, 2013.

She was born and raised in Brooklyn New York. Her earliest memories in Brooklyn revolved around her 6 older and 1 younger sisters and brothers all packed into a single family apartment near Prospect Park. With the family gathering around the oldest sister Alice at the grand piano, the O'Briens would all sing familiar songs that she kept with her for a lifetime. She even got to attend a few games at the nearby Brooklyn Dodgers Ballpark when it was Ladies day for 25 cents with her two brothers! Summers were spent at her Aunt Olivia's home in Amelia Virginia. Mary had many wonderful memories of her time spent in Virginia from age 7 to 15, playing with friends there, and enjoying a very different Southern lifestyle from her native Brooklyn. She was blessed with having experienced both an urban and a rural lifestyle while growing up as a child. All 8 of the O'brien siblings got together for one "Last Roundup" in 1982 at the home of Mary's younger Sister Elizabeth located in rural Colorado. Many photos were taken and memories shared of all their days together in Brooklyn. It was a special moment in time for all 8 O'brien family members, and a weekend that Mary treasured for the rest of her life. Mary's gifted and talented siblings included the late Alice O'Brien Donovan of Erie, PA, Sister Dorothy O'Brien of the Cenacle, Sister Miriam Therese Eleanor O'Brien of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Claire O'Brien Halfpenny of Westbury New York, Stephen L. O'Brien of Miller Place New York, Thomas O'Brien of Santa Barbarbra CA, and Elizabeth O'Brien Moynihan of Colorado. Mary was the last surviving member of this wonderful family.

Mary graduated a year early from Bishop McDonnell High School in Brooklyn with the Class of 1931. She and her friends created a group they called the "Junior Optimist Club". Mary had many fond memories of those years and retained many pictures of all the group members having fun at work and play. They wrote prose, created keepsakes, and just enjoyed each others company all through High School. After graduation, Mary was accepted to Cooper Union Art School, but her Mother had other plans! It was the depression era, and it was decided that Mary had to join the workforce. She worked hard choosing the difficult task of trying to juggle both a day job, and also attending night school at nearby Brooklyn College. She studied Art, French and took courses in shorthand.

Mary’s first job was at the Abraham & Strauss Department Store in New York City as a greeter. She later worked at Tudor City, an upscale apartment complex, where one of her jobs was to run routine background checks on the references listed on applications. One application she checked on involved the family of noted playwright Neil Simon. His family had listed the famous Elsa Maxwell, the queen of Etiquette at the time, as their reference. When Mary called Elsa to check the Simon family's reference, Elsa was curt and to the point stating "dearie, He’s OK". When Mary pressed on with her standard questionnaire, she was stopped short by Elsa who reiterated "dearie, I SAID he’s ok" and then the queen of etiquette hung up on her! Mary's most rewarding employment came later on when she worked as an executive secretary to the owner of International Minerals and Metals in New York City. Her career in the working world ended in 1943 at International when, after marrying her husband John a year earlier, they decided put aside her job and begin a new life dedicating herself to raising a family- her first of 5 children starting in 1943.

Mary met her husband to be John F. Custin on a chaperoned weekend to the Lincoln Dude Ranch in Carmel New York in 1937. John was working as a ranch hand, although he grew up in Brooklyn as well. They soon fell in love and married at Saint Rose of Lima Church in Brooklyn on Valentines Day in 1942. They honeymooned at Niagara Falls New York, and had fifty-five years of devoted marriage. As they shopped for furniture on December 7, 1941 they heard of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. John was drafted into the United States Army and was sent to Fort Sam Houston Texas. Mary soon had her first child named Virginia, and promptly followed John to Texas, much to the dismay of her mother who said "Don’t take that beautiful baby to Texas."

In 1946 the family moved from Brooklyn NY to 1 Maple Street in Lincoln Park New Jersey. After a huge flood in 1952, where she watched her wedding dress and John’s accordion float down the Passaic River, they decided to move to higher ground in Wayne. They were offered lakefront property on Packanack Lake, but after seeing enough water for a lifetime, they chose instead a house located up from the lake. While living in Lincoln Park they were parishioners of Holy Cross RC Church in the Mountain View section of Wayne. It is from here they followed Monsignor Scully from Holy Cross Parish to the new parish that was being planned for Packanack named The Immaculate Heart of Mary Church that he was forming. They attended Mass at the Packanack School in Wayne while the new church was being built, and were active parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Wayne for many years.

Mary was a very dedicated mother who was always there for her children. She was an expert at helping with homework, but John was the cook in the kitchen. She was there to fix cuts and scrapes and John was there doing the grocery shopping. They worked very well together to raise their five children. Mary used her business acumen to help a young Dr. Chilton by going door to door soliciting donations for a new hospital to be built in Pequannock. As a matter of fact Dr. Chilton, known then as "Uncle Chilty" to his patients, personally picked up Mary from her home in Lincoln park and drove her to Passaic General Hospital to deliver two of her children! Her work helped to build the Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pequannock. Her artistic flair was on display in the Immaculate Heart of Mary School all through the 1960s. Mary donated much of her time and talents as the main provider of all the wonderful poster artwork that was displayed on the rear bulletin boards of each classroom during those early years at IHM.

Mary was the loving wife of fifty-five years to the late John F. Custin(1997) who many will fondly remember driving his yellow Nash Rambler around Wayne. She was the devoted mother of Virginia Strain and her husband Ronald of Levelgreen, PA, Nancy Custin of Newport, RI, Melissa Kerins of Middletown, RI, John M. Custin of Wayne, and Christopher Custin of Wayne; cherished grandmother of Erin Ehrenfeld, Jill Strain, Bowen Kerins, Abbey Kerins, and Megan Kerins; loved great-grandmother of Rylan and Brody Ehrenfeld, and Aaron Kerins; she was the dear sister, and last surviving member of seven O'Brien siblings.

Thomas J. Hofbauer, age 79, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. He was a resident of Wayne for forty years, and currently a resident of Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Tommy was raised in East Orange, the second of six children of John and Katherine Hofbauer. As a child, Tommy was a mischievous one and it was said that he gave his mother gray hair in her twenties! One summer day, Tommy decided he wanted ice cream from a passing ice cream vendor. Donning his roller skates, he jumped on the back of the moving ice cream truck. All was fine until he fell back and got his roller skate hooked on the bumper of the truck which dragged him for about a mile. After spending a week in a coma Tommy eventually recovered to experience more tales of adventure—enough tales to prove Tommy had nine lives.

In school, Tommy left his mother no opportunity to regain the natural color of her hair. Once, when he was grounded by his parents in high school, he and his sister, Ann Marie, contrived to switch beds so that when his father came to check on him, he would think that Tommy was dutifully complying with his parents’ wish instead of maintaining his social life. Tommy also made his mark on Holy Name Grammar School—literally. In addition to carving his initials in the glass of the school main door, his other schemes landed him in so much trouble that his parish priest later sighed, “I thought he’d end up in jail!”

But in addition to his practical jokes, Tommy’s golden heart was active in him at an early age. One time, his sister’s pet dog was hit by a car, and their parents could not pay the vet bill to set the dog’s leg. Tommy used his caddying money to pay the bill himself. Perhaps, too, we can see in this incident the subsequent and rather humorous affection for his little dog “Angel.”

Tommy served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. As a young Cadet he quickly displayed his leadership skills and was consequently put in charge of his class. Because of his deep faith in God, instilled in him by his parents, Tommy was also named chapel officer of his fellow cadets.

In 1955, Tommy was introduced to the love of his life, Margaret “Margot” Browne, by his younger sister. Tommy fell for her at first sight but he couldn’t ask her out, because he already had a blind date for the upcoming dance at the Glen Ridge Country Club. Tommy was a quick thinker and he set his friend Jim Scala up with Margot to be sure she was at the dance. The plan worked; Tommy never met his intended blind date that night and instead danced the entire evening with Margot. They were married on June 7, 1958 and after a honeymoon in Bermuda, they settled in a little apartment in Montclair, which Margot decorated exquisitely. They moved to Wayne in 1960, where they raised their four children and have enjoyed fifty-four wonderful years together. During the last twelve years they have called Fort Lauderdale their home and spent summers at Long Beach Island.

Tommy received his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Newark College of Engineering. Following the beginning of his career with National Tape Corporation he soon took a position with Bell Labs where his inventive gifts were quickly recognized and many of his inventions and processes are still employed by Bell Labs today. Eventually, Tommy started his own magnetic tape manufacturing company, which he called Livingston Audio Products. As the company’s leader he invented a machine that massed produced 8-tracks. The machine became known as the “Sidewinder,” and the technology was later applied to cassette and VHS tape also. After his time at Livingston Audio, Tommy formed another company called Magnetic Marketing Corporation, where he represented large tape manufacturers and continued to promote and sell the Sidewinder. Always looking for new opportunities, Tommy left Magnetic Marketing to join Sony Corporation as a sales executive of major accounts.

Tommy’s work life took a different direction after retirement from Sony. He founded a non-profit organization, called Save Our Community (SOC), to preserve land and associated wildlife in Long Beach Island. Through his leadership, SOC was successful in preserving hundreds of acres of land for wildlife in LBI.

Tommy’s passion for inventing never ended, and he continued to work on his inventions, even to his last days. Currently, he has several patents still pending.

As a man, Tommy’s life could be summed up with one word – Love! Anyone who knew him would describe him as an extremely loving man who demonstrated that love through his kind, gentle, patient supportive actions. His faith in God was instilled in him already as a young man and, no doubt, that faith taught him the virtues that helped to make Tommy the loving man that he was. Faith and family were the most important realities in Tommy’s life. Recently, he and his beloved wife Margot completed a forty day seminar that culminated with their Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Tommy also had a great sense of humor. It was corny but never-the-less endearing. Since Tommy had a reputation for being chronically late, he used to quip that he wanted the epitaph on his gravestone to read “The late Tommy Hofbauer.” Despite the intensity that he displayed with his inventions, Tommy also lived by the philosophy that one should take time to smell the roses and enjoy the process of taking the road less traveled.

Tommy is survived by his four children: Thomas Jr (Tucker) of Parsippany, Peter and his wife Denise of Kinnelon, William (Billy) and his wife Denise of Parsippany, and Maggie Killackey of Wayne; his sisters, Joan McLaughlin, Ann Marie and her husband Joseph Sheehan, and Mary and her husband Steve Safka; his brother Jack and his wife Mary; and eight grandchildren; Tara and Max Hofbauer of Kinnelon, Rachel and Billy Hofbauer of Wayne, and John, Brian, Margaux and Tommy Killackey of Wayne.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Margaret “Margot” just this past September, 2012.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, 7880 West Denton Road, Box 147, Denton, NE 68339, where Tommy’s grandson is currently a seminarian, or Missionary Servants of the Poor of the Third World, P.O. Box 907 Cuzco, Peru, where another grandson is serving.

Gustave J. Battaglino, age 79 of Wayne died peacefully at home on Friday, January 25, 2013.

“Gus”, as he was known to all, grew up in Jersey City. He graduated from Snyder High School with the class of 1952. He began his career with Western Electric right after high school, only to find himself drafted into the Army shortly thereafter. He proudly served for two years, from 1954 to 1956, with the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, Western Electric took him back and even paid for him to go to college. He continued his career there for thirty seven years, retiring in 1989 as a Supervisor. He remained active for many years with the “Pioneers”, comprised of retirees from Western Electric. After a brief retirement, he began his second career with the U.S. Department of Defense as a contract administrator. He retired again just a few years ago.

Gus was a charismatic guy, loved by everyone. He was always laughing, telling a story or joke, and would light up any room he entered. He was like a comedian and perhaps missed his true calling to be an entertainer. At the annual Wayne Manor New Year’s Eve party, and event Gus and his wife attended for many years, he would invariably end up on stage, entertaining everyone there. He found the humor in most anything and enjoyed seeing to it that those around him were happy and having a good time. He was the life of the party.

Ironically, when Gus first met his wife, Mary Ann (nee Mastrolia), she didn’t care too much for him because he never stopped talking! They had been setup by mutual friends to attend a dinner party and coincidentally they both brought a cheesecake for the hostess. It’s unclear if they ever enjoyed the desert because Gus just kept telling stories and carrying on all evening. A week or so later he called Mary Ann for a date and she made some excuse why she couldn’t go out with him. Gus was persistent however, and his charm and warm heart eventually won her over. They dated for a few years before marrying in October of 1964. They settled in Jersey City before moving to Wayne in 1972. They have enjoyed forty eight years of loving (and entertaining!) marriage together.

Gus enjoyed vacation road-trips and he took his family all over the United States. He was a Civil War enthusiast and most of his destinations had some Civil War significance. He tortured his young sons by taking them to museums all around the South including battlefields and any Civil War attraction he could find. They had driven from here to Dallas and most everywhere in between, each time going somewhere different. Gus’ two young sons confess that although the museums were educational, their favorite road-trip memories were probably to Disney World and the beach. Needless to say, Gus has given his family a lifetime of memories, smiles, and laughter to cherish for many years to come.

Gus is survived by his loving and devoted wife Mary Ann of Wayne, his two sons; Mark of Butler, NJ and Craig and his wife Dayna of Somerset, NJ, two grandchildren; Lindsey and Tyler, and one brother; Vincent and his wife Raye of Las Vegas, Nevada. He was predeceased by his sister Mara Martarano in 2001.

William Patrick Lewin age 64 of Palatka, FL, formerly of Wayne, died peacefully on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

He was born in Montclair and lived in Wayne before moving to Palatka, FL. four years ago.

William was a mechanical engineer for Edwards Engineering in Pompton Plains for 32 years before retiring.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 174 in Wayne.

William was the loving husband of Mary (Kammerer) Lewin; devoted father of Brenda Friedrich and her husband Christopher of Wayne; cherished grandfather of Taylor Madison; dear brother of Richard Lewin and his wife Lois of Lincoln Park, George Lewin of Land 0 Lakes, FL, and Michael Lewin of Hudson, FL; loved uncle of Brittany Lewin, Richard Lewin and his wife Andrea, and Shawn Lewin and his wife Lucy; he will also be missed by several loving brother and sister-in-laws, and several dear nieces and nephews.

Wilhelmina (nee Daube) Sherger “Willie”, age 94, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, loving sister, aunt and friend, departed this life January 24, 2013. Willie will be remembered for her service to the community, her generosity of spirit, her commitment to her family and friends and, most of all, for her love of life, her endearing smile and her contagious sense of humor.

Willie was born to Anna and Paul Daube on December 26, 1918 in the Bronx, New York. After graduating from Julia Richman High School in 1940, she served as a secretary at Auchincloss, Parker and Redpath on Wall Street. There she met the love of her life, John Sherger whom she wed on March 10, 1946 at the "Little Church Around the Corner" on 33rd Street in New York City. Together they began a family, moving to the Riverview Community in Wayne, New Jersey in 1952.

Willie reentered the workforce in 1970 as Secretary to the Mayor of Wayne Township. She held that position for 24 years, serving three mayors with distinction. She was widely respected throughout the community for her knowledge, professionalism, calm demeanor in any crisis and her “can do” attitude.

Willie had many talents and she used them to the fullest. She was a founding member of the Riverview Garden Club, a nationally accredited Flower Show Judge, a lifelong member of the Eastern Star, member and President the Paterson chapter of Zonta Club International, a member of Professional Secretaries International and Elks Club Woman of the Year. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Wayne Senior Citizens Housing Corporation. Most remarkably, she was a member of a canasta group that played together for more than 50 years.

Willie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Johnnie who died in 1982. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Anna and Dorothy. She was the devoted mother of John D. Sherger of Hamburg, and Robert W. Sherger and his wife Kathleen of Lincoln Park; cherished grandmother of Erika Sherger of Boonton Twp., Reed Sherger of Lincoln Park, and Sara Varney and her husband Jason of Philadelphia, PA; dear sister of the late Anna Freund and Dorothy Daube; much loved aunt to several nieces and nephews; loved and respected by several life-long friends. They are sustained by the knowledge of her enduring love.

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

Ralph Scarpa age 82 of Wayne passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday January 24, 2013.  Ralph was born and raised in Jersey City.  He attended the local public schools and shortly after his graduation from High School he enlisted in the United State Army.  After his honorable discharge from the military he became a Postman for the United States Postal Service in Butler where he worked for 35 years until his retirement in 1986.  Also shortly after his military discharge, he met his wife Janet (nee Fritz) with whom he would share a cherished 24 years of marriage until her passing in February 1980.

One day while on his postal route in Butler, he noticed that a lady had missed taking in her mail only one day.  Because he was the kind of person that had wonderful relationships with all of those who knew him, he became concerned.  He peered through the window and saw that the woman had taken ill and was lying on her living room floor.  Ralph immediately called the police and the woman was saved.  Ralph in turn received a reward from the city of Butler.

Ralph had a love for life and laughter and when he could was generous with all who knew him.  He enjoyed attending the shows at the Metropolitan Opera.  His family remembers him as having a love for not just opera, but all types and genres of music. Ralph was also the type of guy that would always route for the underdog no matter what the sport or situation.   He was a dedicated Father and a loving and cherished Grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends alike.  

Ralph is survived by his daughter Lisa Goodman and her husband Craig of Frederick, MD; one son Gregg and his wife Suzanne of Jefferson; his youngest daughter Laurie Velardi and her husband Gregory of Wayne; two brothers Carmine of Jersey City and Morris of Lyndhurst; and five grandchildren James, Sabrina, Amanda, Gianna, and Nicole; he was pre-deceased by his wife of 24 years Janet (nee Fritz).

In lieu of flowers, friends and loved ones are asked to consider Wayne POL Fire Co #2 PO Box 1 Wayne, NJ 07470, or the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad PO Box 2004 Wayne, NJ 07474.

Frank W. Eckert, age 83 of Wayne died peacefully on Thursday, January 24, 2013 after his family had gathered at his bedside.

Frank was raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and graduated from Harrisburg High School with the class of 1945. He later earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University, where he was also a brother in the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. He was a talented trumpet player , a member of the school band and glee club. His wife, Leona, fondly recalls watching him perform with the band during the lacrosse games at Johns Hopkins.

Upon graduation, he began his career with Eastern Stainless Steel as a sales representative. He remained in the industrial machinery business throughout his career, working in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Illinois, Kansas, and North Carolina before moving to New Jersey in 1969. Ultimately, he started his own firm which supplied industrial machinery and consulting services.

Frank travelled a great deal with his work, but he also enjoyed travelling with his family. Together, they had been all around the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. He and his wife have also traveled to Switzerland, Mexico, Egypt, through the Panama Canal and even to Australia. He loved photography and their trips have produced boxes of photos and slides – all meticulously organized. Frank loved the planning process of their vacations and he would spend hours on the phone, setting everything up ahead of time and always on the lookout for a new destination. When he wasn’t travelling, he enjoyed watching the NJ Devils play hockey or simply watching the news and weather.

Frank was raised in the Lutheran church and was active at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church here in Wayne. He was a past president of the church council. In fact, it was at a Lutheran Student Association meeting in Baltimore, where Frank met his wife Leona during the 1950’s, while they were both in college. She had been attending Towson State Teachers College while he was at The Johns Hopkins University. Their first date was out to dinner in Baltimore, including a ride on one of the city trolleys. They married on June 27, 1953 and have enjoyed nearly sixty years of loving marriage together, blessed with four children, six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

He is survived by his loving wife Leona (nee Martin) of Wayne, his daughter Cynthia Tschanz of Egypt, three sons; Mark of Fort Wayne, IN, Keith and his wife Carolyn of Wayne, and Robert and his wife Patty of E. Windsor, NJ, six grandchildren; Karl Tschanz of York, PA, Eric Tschanz of Butler, NJ, Sarah Eckert of Convoy, OH, Bill Eckert of Fort Wayne, IN, and Kendall and Gavin Eckert of Wayne, and great granddaughter Madison Dickman of Convoy, OH. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Sienna Eckert in 2006.

Memorial donations to St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, 395 Valley Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470 would be greatly appreciated.

Joseph A., Falcone, Honorable Superior Court Judge, age 70, of Wayne, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Judge Joseph A. Falcone was born in Newark, NJ and was a product of that city’s school system. He received his B.A. degree from Rutgers University and went on to receive his J.D. degree from Rutgers-Camden School of Law in 1968.

After taking the bar examination in July 1968, Judge Falcone commenced his legal career as law secretary for the Honorable Mark A. Sullivan, who was then Presiding Judge of Part D of the Appellate Division and later became Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

He was admitted to the Bar on November 27, 1968.

In September 1969, Judge Falcone was sworn in as an assistant Essex County prosecutor. During his tenure with that office Judge Falcone served in the appellate and trial sections He also served as Deputy Director of the City-County Organized Crime Strike Force. A book entitled “Marked to Die,” published by Simon and Schuster in 1984 recounts many of his accomplishments and experiences.

Judge Falcone was sworn in as First Assistant Prosecutor for Passaic County in September 1975. In that same month he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

From January 3, 1980 to March 25, 1986 Judge Falcone served as Passaic County Prosecutor. During his tenure he served as Chair of the New Jersey County Prosecutors Association

In March 1990, the National Center for State Courts issued a report that concluded the criminal justice system in Essex County “is one of the slowest and least efficient of any urban county in the United States.” On the recommendation of newly appointed Assignment Judge Burrell Ives Humphreys, selected Judge Falcone to serve as Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, effective April 2, 1990. Reorganization of the criminal justice system in the county was the mandate given to Presiding Judge Falcone.

The reorganization was an overwhelming success. According to a report issued in 1995 by the Justice Management Institute, “Essex County, New Jersey, is the scene of one of the most dramatic improvements in the handling of serious criminal cases that has taken place anywhere in the USA in the past thirty years. Judge Falcone was described in the October 1996 edition of Governing Magazine as “the management wizard of the NJ judiciary. The same article asked if Judge Falcone could “repeat the miracle in Passaic County”, since he had been transferred there by Chief Justice Wilentz in May 1996 to serve as Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division.

On October 3, 1996, Chief Justice Deborah T. Poritz appointed Judge Falcone to serve the assignment judge for the vicinage. During his tenure, Judge Falcone authorized the creation of what became the highly acclaimed Village Initiative. He also addressed and significantly reduced criminal court backlogs and increased efficiency in the court system.

In an editorial that appeared in the August 28, 1997 edition of the Herald News it was noted that Judge Falcone had “made the criminal court system in Passaic County a trim and responsive operation.”

Effective August 13, 1999, Judge Falcone assumed the position of Assignment Judge for the Essex Vicinage. Again, his mandate was to reduce backlogs and improve the efficiency of court operations. By all accounts Judge Falcone achieved both goals during his five year tenure.

In 2004, Judge Falcone was inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame.

In May 2006, he was elected to The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, “in recognition of outstanding dedication to the welfare of the community, the traditions of the profession and the advancement of the objectives of The American Bar Association.” Membership is limited to one-third of one percent of the Bar membership in each state.

During his tenure as Assignment Judge in the Essex Vicinage, two significant pilot programs were developed and implemented after approval by the Supreme Court, namely, the Greater Newark Safer Cities Initiative and the License Reinstatement Program, the latter a joint project of the Judiciary and the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. In addition, he authored In re Fire at Seton Hall University, 368 N.J. Super. 269 (Law Div. 2003), hailed by many as mini-treatise on grand jury practice and procedure. In connection with the Seton Hall fire case, he approved publication of a Grand Jury Presentment, which led to legislation making it mandatory for residential colleges to install fire sprinklers.

From August 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005, Judge Falcone served in the Appellate Division. Among his published opinions are State v Jordan, 378 N.J. Super. 254 (App. Div. 2005), which determined that a prior conviction for second-degree robbery could not serve as a predicate offense for imposition of sentence under the “Three Strikes and You’re In” law, and State v. Ramirez. 378 N.J. Super. 355 (App. Div. 2005), which addressed the protocol to be followed when a bail bond surety seeks remission of a forfeiture.

For a number of years during his twenty-five years on the bench, Judge Falcone served on the Model Criminal Jury Charges Committee. He had also served as a member of and later the Chair of the Bail Forfeiture Judges Committee, Chair of the Judicial Council’s IT Steering Committee, and a member of and in 2003-2004 the Chair of the Judicial Council.

Since September 2005, Judge Falcone had been assigned to the trial courts, first, in the Morris/Sussex Vicinage, and since September 2007, in his home county of Passaic.

In 2011, at an AOC-sponsored program commemorating the fifteenth anniversary of the Comprehensive Enforcement Program, Judge Falcone was recognized for his many contributions in establishing the program.

Judge Falcone retired from the state Superior Court bench in May, 2011 after twenty-five years of service, including terms as assignment judge in the counties of Passaic and Essex.

Joseph met his beloved wife Beverly in the Passaic County Prosecutors Office where they both worked. They were friends at first but one day Joseph asked Beverly out for lunch. They went to Dickie Dee’s in Newark for Hot Dogs. The lunch was followed by a real date to Vincent’s Hilltop Villa in Clifton. Eight months later, Beverly Bernardo became Mrs. Beverly Falcone as she and Joseph were married on June 19, 1979 at The Manor in West Orange followed by an outdoor reception and then their honeymoon in St. Martin. They settled in Little Falls.

In 1984, Joseph and Beverly became parents to a newborn baby girl that they named Larissa. She was their pride and joy! As Larissa grew, the Falcone’s moved to Wayne in 1989 where they still reside today. They were a very close and loving family and despite his storied career, Joseph always put family first. The Falcone’s loved to travel and Larissa was the “resident travel agent” to such glorious destinations as Disney World, Aruba, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Italy and London, England. With Beverly, Joseph attended all of Larissa’s dance recitals, piano recitals and marching band competitions, even when she was in college. He also loved movies! In fact he regularly went on “dates” with his dear daughter Larissa. They had a deal…..he bought the tickets and she bought the concessions.

On the home front, Joseph loved solving crossword puzzles and reading books, especially ones by John Grisham and David Baldacci. Much to Beverly’s dismay, he loved all sports, but especially football and baseball and his favorite teams were the Giants and Yankees. He also enjoyed watching golf but he never played. He would say, “If I can’t devote enough time to excel, I won’t start playing at all.”

Throughout his battle with pancreatic cancer, Joseph was a fighter. His daughter Larissa was to be married to her fiancé Thomas Ubriaco on November 10, 2012. The plan was for Joseph to marry them but when they were a month away from the wedding date, Joseph confided in Beverly that he didn’t think he was going to have the strength to go through with officiating. He lined up a friend to take his place. The wedding day came and Joseph told Beverly that he thought he would be strong enough to marry their daughter but that they would need to go home right after the ceremony. After the exchanging of vows, he told Beverly that they should stay for the cocktail hour, but then they should go home. God kept giving Joseph strength and that night, he ended up dancing with Larissa and his beloved Beverly. In fact, he was one of the last to leave the reception.

Joseph will be remembered for his great sense of humor, for his dedication to his profession and for the great love he had for his family, friends and colleagues.

Joseph is survived by his beloved wife Beverly; his dear daughter Larissa Ubriaco and husband Thomas of Wayne; his brother Richard Falcone of Wayne; and his four nieces and two nephews: Dr. Richard Falcone, Jr. of Cincinnati, OH, Renee Luttrell of Holmdel, NJ, Kimberly Bernardo of Wayne, Janine Bernardo of Wayne, Matthew Falcone of Wayne, and Susan A. Greco, Esq. of Butler.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Joseph Falcone’s name are asked to consider The Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714. This organization is dedicated to finding a cure for pancreatic cancer.

George Schelling passed peacefully at home on Sunday, January 20, 2013.

George Schelling age 99 ½ died Sunday, January 20, 2013, peacefully at home with the comfort and care of his family.

He was born in New York City to German immigrant parents the late Arthur and Margaret(Dietrich) Schelling. George’s father owned a New York City deli on Amsterdam Avenue. The family moved to a cold water flat in Jersey City where he owned and operated a bar. His mother made potato salad that was given out free to patrols. In 1921 the family moved to Pequannock where they again owned and operated a deli. George's first job was pulling weeds for a farmer for 1.00 a day. Still under the age of 10 he worked for a milk man who lived where Lincoln Park Airport now resides. His family eventually sold the deli and got into the construction trades building residential and commercial buildings. As the years went on the family construction business specialized in the production of diners and changed the company name to New Masters Diners. Some of the diners they built serve as landmarks in their towns: The Bendix Diner in Hasbrouck Heights, the Eggplatter Diner in Paterson, and even Cooperstown Diner in Cooperstown, NY.

George graduated from Butler High School after attending his lower grades in a two room schoolhouse in Wayne. George was drafted in the United States Army and served with the Co C 284 Engineer Battalion from 1943 through 1945. He served in Ardennes, Central Europe, Rhineland, and Rome-Arno and received the WWII Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medals, as well as the Good Conduct Medal. After his service he again worked at the family business New Masters Diners before retiring in 1976.

George was never one to sit still. He was a true outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and hiking. In 1954 George gathered his family into the station wagon and drove to Alaska. This was no easy trek as many of the highways that we take for granted weren’t built yet or were just dirt roads. He joined a hiking group with people half his age and attempted to travel the entire Appalachian Trail one segment at a time. George hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and finished his quest when he was in his 80’s. When you went on a 3 mile hike with him it was actually an eight mile hike. His love of the outdoors is something he enjoyed sharing with friends, his children, and grandchildren. His daughter Kathy moved to Alaska and lived there for eighteen years. Dad could be counted on visiting almost every summer to fish and climb mountains.

George met his wife Virginia as he was the landlord to property her family was renting along the river in Pequannock. One hot afternoon Virginia invited her high school friends over to the river for a swim. George was there to rescue Virginia after she ventured into the water and couldn’t swim. George gave Virginia his high school ring but ground the year of graduation off so she couldn’t tell his age. They fell in love and marred about a year later. They married on July 12, 1947 and had a loving and devoted marriage. Most recently they stayed in separate hospital beds in the same room at home. George would reach his hand through the bed rails and Virginia would extend hers as they touched to say goodnight to each other.

George was the loving husband of 65 years to Virginia (Williams) Schelling; loving father of the late Robert Schelling(1980), Kathy Hibbard and her husband Jim residing temporarily in Pompton Plains, and Carol Magazino and her husband John of Pompton Plains; loved brother of the late Elsie Van Riper(2012), and Bill Schelling of Wayne; cherished grandfather of Scott, Christopher, and Joshua Hibbard, Gwen, Stephen, and Kevin Lopez; much loved great-grandfather of Schelling, Andrew, Wade, Harrington, Quinn, Paysen, Audrey, and Lucas.

John Schagen Dunning, age 95 years of Boonton, died Saturday, January 19, 2013, in Victoria Mews Assisted Living following a decline in health.

Born in Paterson, Mr. Dunning was a January 1936 graduate of Eastside High School where he majored in Mechanical Arts. He was a member of the Peoples Park Reformed and Madison Avenue Presbyterian Churches in Paterson, and in recent years, attended Living Word (formerly Sixth Reformed) Church in North Haledon. While a member, John served as an elder, led the singing during services and other church activities, was a Sunday School teacher, and organized church picnics in the summer at Bubbling Springs Lake.

Mr. Dunning was a machinist who spent his entire career working for Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical, beginning in Paterson in 1937 and eventually moving to the facility in Wood-Ridge. Within several years after starting, John was promoted to foreman, which job he held until retirement in 1976. He originally made pistons and then supervised those who made various mechanical parts for Wright airplane engines, especially those flying during World War II. He tried twice to enlist in the army but was denied each time because of his “necessary war occupation.”

John enjoyed sports of all kinds, but cheered most often for the New Jersey Devils and New York Giants. He played softball and basketball and was a league bowler in Paterson for many years. Mr. Dunning and his wife, Jeanette Catherine Kendall, were married 63 years before Jeanette died in 2004. They lived half their married life in a Paterson home on East 24th Street built by Mrs. Dunning’s father, George Kendall. They purchased their Lake Iosco house in 1960 as a summer bungalow, turning it into a year-round home to which they moved full-time in 1977. They enjoyed many outdoor summer parties with friends and family at “the lake” and traveled for many years from New Jersey to spend winters in Florida.

Surviving John is his beloved family: a daughter: Wilma Pierson; a son and daughter-in-law: John G/Jack and Rosemary Feller Dunning; a daughter and son-in-law: Marilyn Dunning and Alan Jacobson; grandchildren: Richard and Susan Lindemann Burman, Lynn Burman and Georgio Vuolde, Nicole Dunning and Craig Fayak, Jill Dunning, and Jaclyn Dunning and Don Jannazzo; great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Mia, Joshua, and Sophia Vuolde, Matthew and Alison Burman; Elijah Fayak; Luke and Jack Jannazzo; and Cooper and Baxter Lee. John was also surrounded by many additional relatives and dear friends.

Joseph M. Bopp, Sr., age 84 of Passaic, died peacefully on Friday, January 18, 2013.

Joe was born and raised in the Bronx and graduated from Rice High School with the class of 1946. He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War and worked as a Meat Inspector for the United States Department of Agriculture. He was a loyal and devoted NY Giants and NY Rangers fan.

One summer day while hanging out on Coney Island with his friends, he came upon some young girls from New Jersey who had been robbed of their money and were sulking on the beach, with no means to get back home. Out of the goodness of his heart, Joe gave them money for the bus fare to Passaic, NJ and asked one of the girls, Elinor Rinkerman, if he could someday come to Passaic to see her again. She obliged and they set a date. Joe was always a man of his word and he showed up in Passaic as planned, but Elinor was nowhere to be found. She assumed he would never show. Joe was determined and went to her house finding Elinor – and he eventually did, much to her dismay. They enjoyed a storybook courtship and were married on August 12, 1950 in Passaic. They lived in Passaic at an apartment briefly and eventually purchased her parents home when her parents passed away and have lived there throughout their entire time together. Their marriage was a special one, filled with love and devotion for more than fifty five years until Elinor passed away in 2005. Joe has missed her terribly since then and often said so. There is solace in knowing they are together once again in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Joe is survived by his three children; Debbie Daly and her husband Matt of Oak Ridge, NJ, Donna Schmitz and her husband Robert of Passaic, and David Bopp of Passaic, two grandchildren; Katie Daly of Oak Ridge, and Alexis Schmitz of Passaic, one brother; James Bopp of Staten Island and one sister; Barbara Schrepel of Yonkers, NY. He was predeceased by his wife Elinor in 2005 and his son Joseph, Jr. in 1992.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Joe’s name are asked to consider the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015, www.deborah.org.

Joseph A. Silvano MD age 79 of Middleton

Joseph was born in Paterson, NJ in 1933.

He was a graduate of Rutgers University and received his medical degree from the University of Rome, Italy.

Before his retirement, he practiced anesthesiology at Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center and the General Hospital at Passaic. He enjoyed singing with local glee clubs and was an avid fan of the Rutgers football team.  

During his retirement, he enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara of 35 years.  Also surviving are his stepson Ronald Ricci and his wife Wendy of Wayne, NJ and his stepson Paul Ricci and his wife Marina of Clark, NJ, and his four grandchildren, Joelle, Nicolas, Lucas and Nadia. He was predeceased by his sister Emily Silvano.  He is also survived by his beloved brother Doctor Nino Silvano of Wayne NJ, and his two beloved sisters, Connie Carlo of Wayne, NJ and Helen Piccolo of Haledon, NJ.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 would be appreciated.

Gail Janet Klemans, age 68 of Wayne and formerly of Haledon and Paterson, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 16, 2013.

Gail was born in Paterson on June 30, 1944. She grew up in Paterson where she enjoyed a wonderful sense of community with family and friends. After graduating from Eastside High School she entered into the nursing program at St. Vincent’s Nursing School in Montclair. After graduation, she took her medical skills and combined them with her friend Gloria Highfield’s teaching skills and together they established the Tots and Toddlers Nursery School on the corner of East 25th Street and Park Avenue in Paterson. The school operated in a day and age when the majority of women stayed home with their little ones. Tots and Toddlers quickly became a school for the prestigious members of society.

Though humble about herself, Gail was a beautiful young lady with eyes as blue as the sky on a crystal clear day! Many young men in the eastside community of Paterson knew Gail and wished for a date with her, but she fell for Albin Klemans, a roofer by trade. For many of the ten years they dated, they were more like great friends, but as the weather grew warmer, so did their love and on May 10, 1969, they married at St. Agnes Church in Paterson with Father Alonzo presiding. The huge reception that followed took place at the historic Brownstone House in Paterson.

The newlyweds settled in, you guessed it…..Paterson and Gail went on to practice nursing at St. Joseph Hospital in Paterson. She continued her nursing career until 1973 when she and Albin welcomed their firstborn, a beautiful girl that they named Colleen. From this point forward Gail devoted herself to being a mother and homemaker. In 1978 the family welcomed another beautiful girl! They named her Arlene and shortly before her arrival the family moved to Haledon. As a homemaker married to a man of polish descent, Gail learned from her mother-in-law Babcia to make home-made pierogies.

Gail was very particular with how she kept her house, It was not unusual for her to be vacuuming at three o-clock in the morning and she was even known for ironing cotton hankies. Always full of energy, Gail didn’t like to talk on the phone but she loved to entertain at home. It was casual entertainment as she didn’t believe in formally inviting folks over. She wanted family and friends to feel comfortable just stopping by whenever they felt like it. Her black teacup poodle Tippy was a part of the family for eighteen happy years! When Tippy Tar, as she called him, passed away, Gail buried him in the front yard of their house in Haledon, right outside the kitchen window where she could always look out and remember him. In later years, Gail devoted herself to her three wonderful grandchildren.

Gail will be remembered for her humbleness, for never judging anyone or gossiping about them, and for always humming a tune. Her hum always reflected her mood.

Gail is survived by her two dear daughters: Colleen Breeman and husband Steven of Oak Ridge, NJ and Arlene Marchese and husband Gary, Jr. of Wayne: three adored grandchildren: Steven James and Victoria Colleen Breeman and Alexandra Brooke Marchese; and her boyfriend Arthur Valdez of Wayne. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Albin in 1984, her brother Barry in 1992, her mother Janet Bornkamp in 2005 and her father Roger Bornkamp in 1977.

Marian S. Hallbergh (nee Greene - Myhren) age 88 of Wayne formerly of Leonia, Fort Lee and Closter passed to her new eternal life on Sunday, January 13, 2013.

She was born in Troy, New York where she lived her early childhood years and then her family moved to Teaneck, New Jersey where she lived until 1968.

Marian was employed at Hallbergh Whitman & Sweeney an accounting firm in Ridgefield. She fell in love with the owner, John Hallbergh and they joined their hearts and minds in marriage. As a couple they had a very happy marriage and traveled often. Their mode of travel was an RV and they visited much of the United States in that vehicle. They also traveled to Europe and enjoyed their journeys immensely.

In their many trips within the United States their favorite spot was Greenville, South Carolina where they decided to established a residence and then lived there for seventeen years.

Sadness visited her life journey on September 26, 2002 when her cherished love John Hallbergh passed away. He was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville, South Carolina where Marian will now be laid to rest next to him.

Her children will always remember her a as very loving and dedicated mother. As a mother she contributed much to their own life journeys. Thanks Mom for being so special in our lives.

Marian was gifted in life with a quiet personality and was a very private person. Her husband John had the ability to draw out the joy and fun in her personality and as a result they were very happy together as a couple.

Surviving to savor the motherly contribution in their own life journeys are one daughter Carol Babcock and her husband Stephen of Wayne New Jersey and her son Richard Myhren and his wife Linda of Linden New Jersey. Also surviving are her former daughter in law Dale Myhren of Bergenfield. Grandchildren are Amy Fein and her husband Michael of Pennsylania, David Myhren of Bergenfield, Katelyn of Linden, Lisa Roche and her husband Stephen of Butler, Laura Hamway and her husband Darren of Wayne and Brian Norton and his wife Jessica of Colorado. Great Grandchildren are Sierra Roche, Danielle Norton, Paige Hamway, Julian Fein and Grayson Fein.

Her first husband Harold Myhren died earlier.

Richard D. Bowen, Sr. age 83 a lifelong resident of Pompton Lakes died Friday, January 11, 2013 at home.

He worked for the Pompton Feed Co. in Riverdale for forty years and then Structural Stone in Fairfield before retiring in 1989.

He was an outgoing person who would talk to just about anyone. He had a good sense of humor and always had a corny joke. Richard loved animals and as a young boy he adopted a pigeon who would land on his bicycle when he whistled. As a young man he enjoyed boxing at Joe Lewis’ Boxing Camp in Pompton Lakes.

He was the loving husband of the late Constance Bowen (1996); loved father of Richard Bowen, Jr. and his wife Betty of Highland Lakes, Ron Bowen and his wife Peggy of Bloomingdale, Robert Bowen and his wife Barbara of Pompton Plains, and Susan Bowen of Pompton Lakes; dear brother of Madeline Gordon and Mildred Bunton; cherished grandfather of five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Carol Ann Post, age 67 of Haskell and formerly of Paterson, died on Friday, January 11, 2013.

Carol is survived by her sister, Barbara Conklin, niece, Nancy Conklin Dukeshire, nephew, David Conklin, and great-nieces and nephews. Carol was predeceased by her parents William and Carrie Post, and her niece Joanne Conklin Custer.

Carol was a lifelong resident of Paterson. She graduated from Central High School with the class of 1962.

Carol proudly served as a court clerk for the Superior Court of New Jersey for thirty eight years before retiring in 2005 as a Supervisor Clerk.

Carol was an avid follower and supporter of the Caballeros drum and bugle corp. She enjoyed reading, stitching and doing puzzles.

Beatrice C. Murphy age 74 of Riverdale died Friday, January 11, 2013, peacefully with the comfort of her family by her side.

The daughter of the late Michael and Mary Ann Gugel, she was born in Jersey City and raised in Secaucus having graduated from Saint Michael's High School in Union City with the Class of 1956. She lived in Wayne Township for over forty years before moving to Riverdale seven years ago.

She met her husband George J. Murphy on a blind date setup by family friends Joan and Joe Cirone. They married on November 24, 1956 and honeymooned in Virginia Beach, VA. They had forty-six years together having proudly raised three daughters Eileen, Linda and Mary Ellen.

When her children were older she took a job with the Wayne Board of Education in the cafeteria at Wayne Valley High School. She worked in the cafeteria for thirty-five years having retired as the cafeteria manager.

Bea was an excellent cook and her special loving touch on sausage bread and her homemade pasta sauce will be greatly missed. She loved to travel, having been to Alaska, Ireland, and Hawaii, and had fond memories of her many trips with the Valley and Riverdale Seniors. She will be remembered as being fun loving, witty, and outgoing.

She was extremely dedicated to her Catholic faith and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation RC Church in Wayne.

Beatrice was the devoted wife of the late George J. Murphy(2002); she was the loving mother of Eileen Murphy-Hoffmann and her husband Mark of Glenmoore, PA, Linda Hratko and her husband Matthew of Colonia, and Mary Ellen Murphy-Strohmeyer and her husband William of Wayne; cherished grandmother of Matthew, Megan, Andrew, Brian, Kathryn, and Michael; dear sister of Donald Robinson and his wife Anne of Dover, and the late Ken, Frank, Patricia, Ann, and Rosemary; dear sister-in-law of Arthur Murphy and his wife Lynne of Mine Hill.

She was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary Ann Gugel.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Pompton Lakes/Riverdale First Aid Squad, 700 Ramapo Ave., Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 or the Wayne Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroads, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be appreciated.

Arthur “Art” D. Brown, Jr., age 69, a 37-year resident of Pompton Plains, died Friday, January 11, 2013.

He was born in Mount Vernon, NY and raised in Yonkers, NY. Arthur graduated from Lincoln High School with the Class of 1961. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA with the Class of 1965. He went on to receive his Masters Degree from Farleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck with the Class of 1972.

Arthur’s first job was working at Woodlawn Cemetary in the Bronx, NY during his summers off from school. After attending Allegheny, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of his service, he then found employment as a scientist with the Schering Plough Corporation in Kenilworth where he worked for thirty-eight years before retiring in 2006.

He was a true outdoorsman. Arthur enjoyed hiking, camping, rock climbing, fishing, cross-country skiing, backpacking and cycling just to name a few. He was an avid reader, loved woodworking, gardening, and was quite the handyman around the house. He also enjoyed traveling and once took his wife, three daughters, the family dog, and all his camping equipment on a six-week road trip to Alaska. He was a fun-loving, honest and genuine, contemplative man with a quirky sense of humor.

Arthur was the loving husband of Charlye (Roden) Brown; devoted father of Dana and Stacey Brown, both of Pompton Plains, and Laura Brown of Weehawken; dear step-brother of Virginia Martin and her husband Robert of Darien, CT, and Carolee Iltis of Poughquag, NY; dear brother-in-law of Pamela Moore and her husband Eugene of Pottersville.  

Marie A. Romano (nee Gentile), age 93 of Boynton Beach, Florida and formerly of Wayne, died on Thursday, January 10, 2013.

Marie grew up in Orange, NJ where she met her husband Anthony while they were in high school together. They married in October of 1942 and had lived in Maine while Anthony served during World War II. The two of them loved to golf and they eventually moved to Wayne in the 1950’s, drawn there by, of all things, the golf course at North Jersey Country Club. She was a member there for more than forty years and in the 1970’s, they bought a vacation home in Florida at the Delray Dunes Country Club. That home was positioned right on the golf course, between the 5th and 6th holes – it was perfect!

Besides golfing, the two of them travelled all over the world, particularly Europe. Marie enjoyed collecting artwork and oil paintings from the various countries they visited and she was proud of her collection. She and Anthony also had a pet Samoyed named Chang. Chang was like a child to them, truly a member of the family, and they loved him dearly.

Marie is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Anthony in 1989, her three sisters; Francis DeRosa, Phyllis Rivera, Margaret Frazzanio, and her brother Charles Gentile.

Memorial donations, if friends so wish, would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407.

Lucille Alice Petersen (nee Ringen-Mohn) age 80 of Pompton Plains formerly of Pines Lake in Wayne, died Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pequannock. Her family was gathered around her bedside and witnessed her peacefully go off to a new beginning in heaven.

She was born in Orange, New Jersey and lived her childhood years in West Orange where she received her formal education at the Pleasantdale Elementary School in West Orange and also the West Orange High School, graduating with the Class of 1949. Lucille went on to study nursing at Cornell University School of Nursing and after a five year intensive program she received a Degree in Nursing with the Class of 1954 and her Registered Nurse Degree with the Class of 1955.

Her life work was a special dedication to helping the infirm, ill and disabled. Although she worked for a short time as a nurse, her skills and executive abilities motivated her to the administrative level of nursing care. One of her early work experiences involved employment at the Paterson General Hospital where she served as the Director of Volunteers. She was employed by the State of New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman where she was in charge of NJ State Licensed nursing homes to ensure that their facilities and level of care were adequate for their patients. She also served as administrator for the Reformed Church Retirement Home in Hackensack as well as for the Wanaque Nursing Home in Wanaque. In addition she had her own business, LRM Associates, which was focused on support for the elderly.

Lucille was gifted in life with a very high intelligence coupled with a very inquisitive, gracious and wonderful personality that was welcoming all who came to her person and her door. She simply loved to be with people, an attribute she combined with her passion for travel with her husband Henry as they traveled the globe to far-flung destinations including China, Antarctica, Kenya, Iran, islands of the South Pacific and many, many other adventurous locations.

She was a member of the Pines Lake Garden Club and was active with the Preakness Reformed Church in Wayne.

She married Henry Petersen on August 28th, 2000. She and Henry had known each other for many years as their children grew up together. Finding love in her later years brought her a joy that she truly cherished.

Sadness visited her life journey when in August18, 2012 her first husband David Mohn predeceased her.

Surviving to mourn her loss in their lives are her husband Henry Petersen; four sons Peter Mohn and his wife Annie of Vernon, Douglas Mohn and his wife Joanne of Lincoln Nebraska, Jon Mohn and his wife Judy of Saratoga, California, Dwight Mohn and his wife Sharon of Huntington, Vermont; one daughter Heather Kahl and her husband David of West Milford; Henry Petersen and his wife Lynn of West Milford and Nancy Tambe and her husband Nicholas of Wayne; Ten Grandchildren including Kimberly and Jillian Mohn, Kristen Spangler and her husband Cody, Danielle Hoefer and her husband Scott, David, Sarah, Natalie, Logan Mohn, Taylor and Trevor Kahl, Nicole Mueller and her husband Andrew. Four great-grandchildren Connor, Liam, Harper and Hunter.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Preakness Reformed Church, 52 Church Lane, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be appreciated.

Heidi Cullere age 35 of Oakland died suddenly in an accident on Thursday, January 10, 2013.

She was born in Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and raised in Oakland. She attended Dogwood Hills Elementary and Valley Middle Schools in Oakland having graduated from Hawthorne Christian Academy High School with the class of 1995. Heidi loved to sing and at Hawthorne Christian Academy she was a member of the choir and selected for the Servants of the King Choir.

From a young age Heidi learned a strong work ethic. Her first job was helping her dad repair a roof. He remembers her scrambling right up the ladder. She later worked at the Burger King in Oakland and as a security guard at Marcal Paper in Elmwood Park. Never one to conform, Heidi soon found a job with Public Service Electric and Gas as a pipe fitter. She got her Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and was driving a PSE&G truck, operating a back hoe and even a jack hammer. A secretarial job opened up at PSE&G and Heidi took it. She was soon bored and moved on to work at a florist, delivered Chinese Food for a short time, and became a personal driver for Andre William of WB Williams Paving in Wayne. It is here that she was re-introduced to the world of trucking and now paving. She enjoyed working in the paving industry. She took a great deal of pride in the trucks and equipment she was responsible for, always keeping them maintained and clean. Heidi also worked for TFI Fleet Maintenance where she would test trucks after being serviced to assure they were road worthy. After work, Heidi was a picture of femininity. She was known for her beautiful curly hair and vibrant smile. She had her own sense of style and was always a vision... she was not your average bear.

Heidi will be remembered as a person who loved life, was always hands on, and loved a challenge. She was a true lover of nature, flowers, and people. Her happy, fun loving, encouraging personality was infectious. She always had a smile, was a gifted confidant as she always knew what to say to make you feel better. All this being said Heidi would never sugar coat anything she said and yet she was gentle at the same time. A sparkle in her eye she connected easily with people and never met a stranger. To know her was truly to love her.

Heidi was the loving daughter of Al and Sue Cullere; cherished sister of Heather Cullere and her significant other Jose Ramierez of Paterson, and cherished sister of James Cullere and his wife Jenna of Oakland; dear granddaughter of Mickey Cullere and his wife Margaret of Dumont, Erla Jane Cullere of Oakland, and the late Evelyn and Bill DeVos; devoted girlfriend of 14 years to Felito Serrano of Paterson; much loved aunt of Brandie, Paige, and Seth Ramirez, and James William (LJ) Cullere; loved niece of Bill DeVos, Kathy & James Danaher, Karen and John Erichsen. Also loved by her many extended aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends. Lovingly remembered by Pastors Robert & Jennifer Smith, the Lighthouse family and Calvary Assembly church families.

Heidi will also be greatly missed by her “adopted family” her best friend Eurydice Rodriguez, second mom Maria Rodriguez, brother Gabriel Rodriguez, and niece Jacinda Star Cedeno.

In lieu of flowers a memorial garden, in honor of Heidi’s love of flowers, is being established. Donations toward the garden can be made by making a check out to “Sue Cullere” – please mail to: Calvary Assembly, 605 Lackawanna Ave., Woodland Park, NJ 07424 and be sure to include your name and address.

Catherine Herrmann died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 10, 2013 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Born in the Bronx, NY, the third of four children to Italian immigrants, she lived in Clifton since 1978. For most of her career, Catherine was Vice President of a local marketing firm. For the last 9 years she was employed at Pio Costa Enterprises in Fairfield, NJ.

She was a member and past president of the Passaic Valley Chapter of Soroptimist International for over 25 years. She loved being involved with this organization because they worked to help improve the lives of those in need in local communities.

Cathy was a strong, courageous person. She lovingly raised her two daughters, Laura and Lisa, often working two jobs so they would be assured of straight teeth, a college education and a future. Being a single parent, a special bond was created between them, and they were the best of friends tackling life’s obstacles together.

Cathy loved life! True to her Italian roots, she loved to cook, especially recipes passed down from her mother. A family favorite was chicken and sausage with peas and potatoes. She loved entertaining at home, which was always filled with lots to eat, drink and plenty of love. Her favorite holiday was Christmas Eve, and her door was open to everyone friends and family alike.

One of Cathy’s greatest loves was dancing! On many Friday and Saturday nights, she would say to her girls, “I’m gonna go shake my ass” and she’d be off to Bogeys in Clifton or PJ Rufos in Woodland Park, enjoying a dance or just listening to the music of some of her favorite local bands. She also derived great joy from going to Manhattan to visit a museum or catch some dinner and a play with friends or family.

While she loved all these great activities life had to offer, she most of all loved her dear family and friends, and to her, friends were family! Cathy loved feeling young when folks thought she and her two daughters were sisters. But she also derived great joy from being a doting, spoiling grandmother to her five grandchildren. Whether shopping for them or taking them out for dinner or having them over for weekend sleepovers complete with chicken cutlets and mac and cheese for dinner followed by eggs on Saturday morning, her grandchildren will have special memories.

Whether they were family, friends or a person she met that day, she will be remembered for her friendly smile and the most generous spirit that helped her put the needs of other people before her own. She blessed many lives!

Cathy is survived by her two adoring daughters: Laura Conroy and husband Richard of Kinnelon, and Lisa Herrmann-Srednicki and husband David of Franklin Lakes; five loving grandchildren: Ashley, Amber, Ariana, Garrett, and Elle; her two dear brothers: Salvatore Mediterraneo and wife Carol of Ormond Beach, FL and Ralph Mediterraneo and wife Carmela of Clifton; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her brother Dominic Mediterraneo.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Catherine’s name are asked to consider a donation to Eva’s Village, 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501.

Andrew “Andy” James Lueddeke, Sr. age 55 of Wayne, died suddenly and unexpectedly, on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at home.

He was born in Montclair and was raised in the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne. Andy graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1976.

Andy was always known to be a hard worker and manages to work two jobs in his 20’s as a mason’s helper for Carmen Raymond mason contractor in Wayne and also bartending at the Waterfront in Packanack Lake. It is at the Waterfront that he met his wife Michelle which was the love of his life and the love of hers. They were inseparable. His first date with Michelle was at Ratskeller’s in Haledon, they fell in love and eloped to New Mexico where they married on November 27, 1981. Andy and Michelle enjoyed thirty wonderful years together.

Andy was a very generous, kind and giving man. He was a mason by trade but was also a skilled carpenter. He built a half dozen homes in New Mexico - from start to finish. There was nothing Andy couldn’t do. His forte was site work where he would get projects literally off the ground for Donnelly Construction in Wayne. He also worked in the construction trade with Stackpole Construction in Westwood and Hekemian & Co. in Hackensack.

Andy also put his skilled hands to work helping family and friends remodel their homes. They would call Andy because of his craftsmanship & expertise. No one worked like Andy…he was a machine! Many said they never saw someone work as hard as he did…he was a perfectionist and his work showed that. Nearly all the time he would work for next to nothing….that’s the kind of man he was. Every winter Andy would be out shoveling driveways of people he didn’t know and an elderly neighbor. He would go out to buy a paper every Sunday and would get a second and leave it by his elderly neighbor's door. This is the kind of man he was.

Andy was an outgoing person who loved to tell stories. He talked to just about everyone and always seemed to have a joke. He enjoyed his visits to New Mexico, hiking, metal detecting, and being with his family.

Andy was the loving husband of Michelle (nee Gensinger) Lueddeke; devoted father of Andrew J. Lueddeke, Jr. of Wayne, Jason K. Lueddeke and his wife Jessica of Wayne, Michael C. Lueddeke and his wife Susan of Wayne, and Jessica J. Lueddeke and her husband Chris Locascio of Dover; cherished son of Jane (nee Reiley) Lueddeke of Wayne and her late husband Francis Lueddeke (2000); devoted grandfather of Jason L. Lueddeke, Jr. and Christopher Locascio, Jr.; dear brother of Jane Masterson and her husband Joe of Somerset, Barbara Lueddeke of Wayne, Maryanne Wray of Skyland, NC, Frank Lueddeke of Albuquerque, NM, Peggy Hulit and her husband Rob of Allentown, and TJ Lueddeke of Wayne; loved uncle of many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 would be appreciated.

Mary F. Lavelle (nee Crosby), 93, a 60 year resident of Fair Lawn, NJ, died on January 9,2013. Born in Mahanoy Plane, PA, Mary was the daughter of John and Mary Crosby and sister of the late Catherine Heckman and Dolly Crosby. Mary graduated from Bloomsburg College in 1941 with a BS in history and Latin, which she taught from 1941-1949 in Gilberton High School, PA.

Mary was the beloved wife of the late James Lavelle (1964). She loved to dance with him! After her husband’s death, Mary devoted herself to raising their three children Jean Barkovitz (Bob) of Wayne, Jim (Gail) of Bloomingdale, and Claire Reveille (Bill) of Naperville, IL. She never remarried because Jimmy Lavelle was the great love of her life! To support her children after her husband’s death, she taught English at St. Philip’s School in Saddle Brook from 1964 – 1984. A lifelong reader, Mary weekly walked her children to the bookmobile passing on her love of reading to her daughters and son.

Mary was famous for saying, “My family means everything to me!” She was “Nana” to her six grandchildren Bobby (Rebecca) and Brian Barkovitz, Michael (Shannon) and Erin Lavelle (Rich McGirr), Alison and Kristine Reveille, and her great grandson Ryan McGirr. Mary was also a special aunt to Edith Blackburn and Rosemary Heckman, with whom she shared a love of sports. She was an avid tennis, baseball and Knicks fan.

A devout Catholic who prayed the rosary daily, Mary was a founding member of St. Catharine’s Church in Glen Rock. A patriotic American, she flew the American flag outside her home and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW. A 28 year member of Fair Lawn’s Happy Seniors, Mary made many friends who remained faithful to her.

Memorial donations in Mary’s honor would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or the USO, www.uso.org, P.O. Box 96322, Washington, DC, 20090-6322.

Dolores N. Baldanza, age 81 of Wayne and formerly of Passaic, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 9,2013.

She was born in Passaic, living a short time in Clifton only to return to Passaic where she grew up and graduated Passaic High School in 1949. One night, when Dolores was almost 20 she attended a dance at the Passaic YMCA . While she was there she met a young man named Liborio Baldanza. Of course no one called him his proper name, he was known as “Libby” to anyone who knew him. Libby liked Dolores right from the start and as the dance was coming to an end Libby asked if could give Dolores a ride home. Already impressed by his charming personality, she accepted his offer. As they approached his car, an early 1950’s bright red Cadillac two-door convertible , Dolores’ eyes lit up and she thought to herself, “Yes! I really like this guy!” Well, as the story goes...she got home really late that night and got in some trouble from her folks for being late, but that night began the beginning of her love story. Libby and Dolores were married 6 months later on January 24,1954 at St. Anthony’s RC Church in Passaic. The wedding was followed by a beautiful reception at the Manor in West Orange and a two week honeymoon in Florida. Dolores often oked how she gained fourteen pounds on her honeymoon, lucky she was thin enough that gaining weight was not such a bad thing.

There were four things that Dolores built her life around: family, friends, food and love. Like a chord of four strands, these qualities intertwined as one strong force that made her life special. At a young age, Dolores learned firsthand, the value of family. Every day, along with her brothers Augie, Nick and Dominick, Dolores would gather at their parents home, Mike and Kate around four PM for coffee, cake and conversation. It was an unspoken invitation and looked forward to by all! Every Sunday she and Libby would visit both their parents and join the families in a Sunday traditional pasta dinner and family camaraderie. This tradition continued for Libby and Dolores with their own children.

When you were a friend of Dolores you were considered one of her family. The consummate socialites, she and her husband joined with a group of pals they called “The Club.” Every first Friday of the month The Club gathered for dinner at a chosen home and enjoyed a night of poker with many laughs and endless conversation. The Club members became lifelong friends and were very important staples in the lives of Libby and Dolores and were still held a special place in her heart all her life.

Every New Year’s Eve, the Baldanza’s street on 34 Grace Terrace in Passaic was lined with cars! Friends and family gathered at their home to ring in the New Year. As their tradition went, after midnight the celebration turned to a birthday party for Libby who had a January 1st birthday. Sausage and pepper sandwiches at midnight ...this tradition went on for more than 25 years

As Dolores and Libby ‘s two sons were growing, the family spent all of their summers in the 70’s down the shore at Seacrest Beach. Like all other family events , extended family was always invited and came often. Dolores watched her sons Sal and Michael surf and all the while she held her breathe because she was so nervous.

She began another chapter in her life re-entering the work force in the early 2000‘s working for the Board of Education in Passaic as a secretary to Special Services. She absolutely loved going to work every day and made so many close friends there, and these friends she held dear to her heart. Soon after Libby passed away in 1997, Dolores moved to Wayne to live with Mike and his wife Maureen and their children. This again was a powerful example of how important family was to Dolores. It gave her a wonderful opportunity to take part in two of her three grandchildren’s daily lives – Nicholas and Briana. She doted over them as well as their cousin Jacob by sending cards on EVERY holiday and being there for all of their childhood memories like games and swim meets. She became Nick and Briana’s “Study Buddies” and every chance she could seize, she would drive to Vernon to hang out with Jake. Dolores truly loved her children but she ADORED her grandchildren and they adored her right back. She lived her life with her motto of ‘Always do the right thing” ...as she always did.

Dolores was predeceased by her beloved husband Liborio “Libby” in 1997 and her two brothers August “Augie” and Nicholas. She is survived by her two dear sons: Michael Baldanza and wife Maureen of Wayne and Salvatore Baldanza and wife Shelley of Highland Lakes; three much-loved grandchildren: Nicholas, Briana and Jacob; her brother Dominic of Passaic and numerous nieces and nephews.

Those inclined to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, PO box 27106, NY, NY 10087-7106.