Obituaries

Maria Coppola

Maria Coppola (nee Colagrosso) died on Nov. 5 in The Canterbury in Cedar Grove. She was 81. Born in Catolicca, Sicily, she lived in Harrison before moving to North Arlington in 1999.

Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass was held in St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.

Mrs. Coppola was a volunteer at West Hudson Hospital. She is wife of Louis Coppola and the late Vito Ascone; mother of Frank Ascone (the late Linda), Benjamin Ascone (Marilyn), Victoria Rapon (Howard) and Marylou Raponkus (Christopher); sister of Frances Zeolla and Anna Finelli; also surviving are nine grand and four greatgrandchildren.

 

James P. Herriron “Cherrybomb “

James P. Herriron “ Cherrybomb “, 84, died on Friday, Oct. 26, at his niece’s home in Lyndhurst.

Born in Newark, he lived in Harrison before moving to North Arlington in 1987.

He worked for Bell Atlantic in New Brunswick for many years before retiring in 1989. He served in the United States Army. He was a member of the Elk’s Lodge , the Pleasure Club and the Moose all of Harrison, the Elk’s Lodge of North Arlington and the Kearny Eagles.

He was the beloved twin brother of Patrick J., the brother of the late Mae McDonald , the loving uncle of Laura Comppen and her husband Eduardo Rodrigues, and the cherished great-uncle of Ruby and Carson Rodrigues.

The funeral was from the Parow Funeral Home 185 Ridge Rd., North Arlington on Friday, Nov. 2, with a funeral Mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington. Entombment followed Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, North Arlington.

Joseph F. Kwiecien, Jr.

Joseph F. Kwiecien Jr., 67, passed away on Nov. 1 after a short illness.

He was a lifelong resident of Harrison. He is the son of Lottie (nee Dunaj) and the late Joseph F. Kwiecien Sr. He was preceded in death by his brother Richard, and sister Patricia.

Joseph is survived by his son, Joseph E. Kwiecien and wife Michele of Kentucky; grandsons Jason and Brandon; his sisters Joanne Maier and husband Steve, Deborah Manzo and husband Bill; nephews Scott Maier and William J. Manzo; and niece Allison Manzo. Joseph served his country during the Vietnam Conflict as a Drill Sergeant, stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Private arrangements were by Peacock-Newnam and White in Southport, N.C. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to The Belgrove Acute Care Center in Kearny. You may make online memorials at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com. Arrangements were by the Peacock – Newnam and White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, N.C.

Orlando A. Melillo

Orlando A. Melillo “Mooney” died on Nov. 9 in Valley Hospital. He was 93. Born in Newark, he lived in North Arlington before moving to Mahwah 12 years ago. Visiting will be on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. Service will be conducted at 5:30 p.m. during the visiting hours, followed by a private cremation. To leave an online condolence please visit www.armitagewiggins.com

Mooney was an all-state catcher at Barringer High School in Newark and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was stationed outside of Naples, Italy where he loaded bombs onto B-17 fighters. He was proud to have given each bomb a little kiss good bye. He was a retired cement truck driver for Loizeau Concrete in Elizabeth and was a member of the Teamsters.

The last of 10 sibling he is survived by his wife Ann (nee Ross), his children Nicholas and Eloise Melillo and his grandchildren Nicholas and Suzanne. Orlando loved being the beloved Uncle Mooney to so many cherished nieces and nephews and their families.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Wounded Warriors.

Richard W. O’Connell

Richard W. O’Connell died at home on Nov. 10. He was 69. Born in Orange, he lived in Bloomfield, then Lake Hiawatha before moving to Kearny 24 years ago.

Visiting will be on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. Family and friends are also invited to gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 11:30 a.m., before leaving for Holy Cross Cemetery at noon. To leave an online condolence please visit www.armitagewiggins.com

Mr. O’Connell was a warehouse manager for Volvo Motor Car Company in East Rutherford. Husband of Georgette (nee Coons), he is the father of Richard O’Connell and the late Edward “Eddieo” O’Connell. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Murtell.

Grace M. Sellari

Grace M. Sellari (nee Lombardino) died on Nov. 8 at home. She was 77. Born in Newark, she has lived the past 50 years in Kearny.

Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass was held in St. Cecilia’s Church, followed by entombment in Holy Cross Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com

Mrs. Sellari was a cosmetic counter manager at Haines in Newark and Macy’s in Paramus.

Wife of Anthony R. Sellari, she is the mother of Sal Capardi (Valerie), Debbie Beard (Billy) and Millie Capardi; sister of Paul Lombardino and the late Rose Monetti; also surviving are six grand and three great-grandchildren.

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