Obituaries

Marcella Demba

Jan 17, 2024

Marcella M. Demba, 93, died peacefully on January 17, 2024.

Born in White Plains, New York to the late Joseph and Anna Marie Terpis, their family settled in Somerville where Marcella graduated from Somerville High School.

Her family owned a popular mechanic garage on 22 growing up, she worked around the...

Ann Marie Whalen

Jan 14, 2024

Ann Marie Whalen was called home to her heavenly father on January 14,2024.

She was born in New Brunswick to the late John J. Whalen of Barnesville Pa, and Mamie A. Davis of Somerville.

Ann Marie was born with Cerebral Palsy but didn’t let it hold her back from maintaining her...

Mark Stephen Wicks

Jan 13, 2024

Mark, 62, of Houston, TX died unexpectedly on January 13, 2024, from natural causes. His loss was completely unexpected and the family is shocked and deeply saddened by his passing.

Mark was born on August 26, 1961, to Virginia and Donald Wicks in Summit, New Jersey. Mark attended Deleware Valley Regional High School In New...

Jack Irey

Jan 8, 2024

John “Jack” Irey, 78, died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on January 8, 2024.

Born in Somerville to the late John-Henry and Florence Irey, he was raised in Branchburg. Jack was a graduate of Somerville High School, where he met the love of his life, Susan Connelly, at a football game. The two were...

Sandra M. Ball

Jan 8, 2024

Sandra Ball passed away surrounded by her children on January 8, 2024 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She was born on April 22, 1944, in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, to John and Dorothy Hamulla. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Jack and Sonya Hamulla.

Sandy was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School in 1962. She...

Viviana Rospigliosi

Jan 2, 2024

Viviana Rospigliosi, 56 of Bridgewater, New Jersey, died peacefully on January 2, 2024.

Born and raised in Pisco, Peru, to Manuel Rospigliosi Liendo and Gloria Advincula Mendoza, she started her family in her home town, then immigrated to the United States in 2001. She worked hard to build a life for herself here so she could provide an opportunity...

Varis "Chuck" Karlis Babris

Jan 1, 2024

Varis Karlis Babris “Chuck”, 82, died peacefully on January 1, 2024.

Born in Riga, Latvia on June 11, 1941, to the late Karlis and Gaida Babris. His mother fled Latvia after his father was killed in action in WW II. Gaida took her two small children across Europe, to Germany where they lived in multiple...

Ann "Dolly" Pizza

Dec 31, 2023

Angelina, Ann “Dolly” Pizza passed peacefully on December 31, 2023.

Born on November 2, 1925, and raised in Newark, New Jersey on North 6th and 7th streets to the late Thomas and Frances Gallucci (nee Carbone) almost one hundred years ago. Dolly lived an “old world” home life. She was the eldest of...

Gordon Jay Sherman

Dec 29, 2023

Gordon Jay Sherman, 83, died peacefully on December 29, 2023.

Born in Logan, West Virginia to the late Benjamin and Miriam Sherman, he graduated high school from Charleston High School, and went on to attend West Virginia University, where he achieved his bachelor’s degree.

Gordon met the love of his life,...

Jane Gregory

Dec 22, 2023

Jane Gregory, 61, died peacefully on December 22, 2023. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at St. Bernard Cemetery,

551 NJ-28, Bridgewater, NJ.

Ronald Anthony Werner

Dec 18, 2023

Ronald Anthony Werner, 87, died peacefully on December 18,2023.

Born in Flushing, Queens, New York to the late Henry J.V. Werner  and Marjorie Bates Werner and raised in Douglaston, he was a graduate of Bayside High School, Class of 1953. He went on to attend the U.S. Merchant Marine academy at Kings Point, graduating with...

Doreen Marie Mcgonnell

Dec 16, 2023

Doreen M. McGonnell, 69, died peacefully on December 16, 2023.

Born in Plainfield to the late Dr. James A. and Dorothy M. McGonnell (née Will), Doreen was raised in Watchung and was a 1972 graduate of Watchung Hills High School, where she was a co-captain of the drill team. As a camp counselor with Watchung Recreation she found a...

Ann Marie Frauenheim

Dec 16, 2023

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Ann Marie Frauenheim, a cherished wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, godmother, entrepreneur, and beacon of our community. “Queen Ann” peacefully left us on December 16, 2023, surrounded by her adoring family.

Born in Metuchen to the late Charles “Chic” and Alice “Lollie” Nelson (nee Madigan), she was...

Louise Grazulewicz

Dec 15, 2023

Louise Grazulewicz, 97, died peacefully on December 15, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Born in Elizabeth to the late John and Mary Prodeline, Louise attended Sacred Heart High School, before meeting her husband, the late Alexander Grazulewicz. The two were married in 1950 and settled in Elizabeth where they raised their family. She was a...

Stephanie Maxwell

Dec 14, 2023

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Stephanie (nee Wysocki) Maxwell died peacefully at the golden age of 100. She was welcomed into heaven by her beloved husband, J. Brandon (Mackie) Maxwell Jr.

She will be profoundly missed by her three loving children: daughter Helen Ribbans and husband Robert of Ringoes, NJ, son J. Brandon Maxwell III...

Brian J. Merkel, Sr.

Dec 8, 2023

Brian J. Merkel 60, of Cranford, died in a tragic car accident on December 8, 2023, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Born on April 3, 1963, in Manhattan, New York to John P. and Lorraine P. Merkel (nee Logan), he was raised in Cranford, New Jersey. He was a graduate of Cranford High...

Andrew Hood

Dec 1, 2023

Andrew Hood, age 29, of Highland Park, New Jersey, passed unexpectedly on December 1, 2023.

Andrew was born January 13, 1994 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to his loving parents Colette and Tim. In a tender moment captured on home video that summer, his older sister Amanda said that his birth was the best thing that had...

Carol L. Denero

Dec 1, 2023

Carol L. DeNero, 90, died peacefully on December 1, 2023. She was born and raised in Montclair to the late Martin and Lois Lynch (nee Copeland). Her father passed away tragically in 1940, leaving her stalwart mother to raise three children. Carol was a graduate of Montclair High School. Several years later she met the love of her life,...

Sally Runyon

Nov 28, 2023

Sally Runyon, 78, died peacefully on November 28, 2023.Born in Hackensack to the late James and Geraldine Sutphen, she was raised in Harrington Park and was a graduate of Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, where she sang in the choir and was a majorette. She went on to attend Drew University in Madison where she graduated with...

Kelwin Jones

Nov 23, 2023

Kelwin Jones, 69 of Westfield, NJ passed away suddenly on November 23, 2023.

Born in Ely, England on February 8, 1954 to the late John Trevor and Joan Alice Jones (nee Winstanley). His family proudly served in the Royal Air Force, and he loved to share stories of how he and his four siblings (Carol,...