Obituaries

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,...

Matthew Kelly

Nov 20, 2023

Matt was born January 4, 1969 to Jack and Bobbie Kelly. He was raised in Somerville, NJ and graduated from Somerville public schools.

Matt was active in Somerville youth sports and BMX racing with life-long friends.

Matt entered the University of Southern Maine and relocated to Stratham New Hampshire where he...

Barbara Bassi

Nov 19, 2023

Barbara Muriel Bassi, 91, died peacefully on November 19, 2023.

Born in Mountainside to the late Fred and Violet Camp, she was raised in Scotch Plains and was a graduate of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.

She worked for an Insurance Agency after high school and was a court stenographer for a short time....

Patricia E. Hilling

Nov 18, 2023

Patricia E. (Ionato) Hilling, age 76, of Lakeville, Pa passed away on Saturday, November 18,2023 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-Somerset in Somerville, N.J.

Pat was born in Englewood, N.J on October 21, 1947, to the late Edward and Julia (Waskiewicz) Ionato. Pat grew up in Fort Lee, N.J. and attended Fort Lee High School...

Catherine Roberta Allen

Nov 17, 2023

Catherine Roberta Allen, nee Terris, died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on November 17, 2023.

Born in Somerville to the late Metro and Catherine Terris (nee Manning), she was a graduate of Somerville High School, Class of 1977.

Catherine met the love of her life, Tim Allen in 1979 and...