Obituaries

Margaret Baratta 

Barratta_webMargaret Baratta (nee LaMagra), 97, former longtime Kearny resident, passed away peacefully on June 22 in Georgia, surrounded by her loving family.

A Mass was held at Notre Dame Church, North Caldwell, followed by the interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Arrangements were under the direction of Paul Ippolito-Dancy Memorial in Caldwell. To send the family condolences, please visit www.ippolitofuneralhomes.com.

Born and raised in Jersey City, she lived in Kearny for 45 years before moving to Woodstock, Ga., in 2007.

Mrs. Baratta was the loving wife of the late Carmine Baratta, devoted mother of Larry (Patricia) Baratta, Barbara (Eugene) Fuoco, and Joyce (A. Michael) Candido; cherished grandmother of Lawrence Baratta, Candace Underwood, Michele East, James Fuoco, Kristen Fuoco, John Fuoco, Rosalie Candido Louw, Elizabeth Candido, Jacqueline Candido, and Allison Candido; and adored great-grandmother of eight. She is also survived by her sister, Carmella Martone and brother, Vincent LaMagra. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Rosalie LaMagra, and siblings, Paula Tecchio, Angelo LaMagra, Joseph LaMagra, Antonette DeSantis and Rosemary Catuzzi.

Margaret led a very full, happy, long and blessed life. She asked that if you’d like to share your blessings with others, some of her favorite charities are the Wounded Warriors, Smile Train and EWTN.

George King 

George King, 90, a retired deputy chief with the Kearny Police Department died on June 29 at his home in Kearny.

Arrangements were by the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, followed by entombment in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.

Mr. King was born in Kearny and was a lifelong resident.

George served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II in the 3rd Army, 4th Armored Division under General Patton. He earned his B.A. in business from William Paterson College.

He was a police officer in the town of Kearny for 31 years and retired as a deputy chief on May 1, 1987.

George was a member of the Kearny PBA Local 21 and enjoyed being a member of the St. Stephen’s Seniors.

He is survived by his wife Mary (McKeown); five children Eileen Walker, Mary Ellen Cvek (Peter), Janet Moran (Jack), Judith Kommer (Michael) and George (Ruth); nine grandchildren, Heather Warren, Patrick Walker, Jack and James Moran, Michael and Brian Kommer and George, Sean and William King and three great–grandchildren Caelin and Landon Warren and Liam Walker.

George was predeceased by his sister Anne Hoppke and Isabel Kuhn and his son-in-law Mark Walker.

Jane Nellie Rogacki 

Jane Nellie Rogacki, (nee Cashill) 82, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Harrison, passed away June 30 of natural causes at Largo Medical Center, Largo, Fla.

The funeral service will be held at the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison, on Tuesday, July 7, at noon, with retired Pastor Rudolf Zubik of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church officiating. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Friends may call Tuesday, July 7, from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

For information, directions or to send condolences to her family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.

Born in Clifton, and raised in Harrison. Jane was preceded in death by her son Richard Eugene Rykowski, her first husband John Richard Rykowski, and her second husband Miroslaw (Mike) Rogacki, her siblings Eugena, (Jean) who was her identical twin, and brother Raymond.

Survivors are her sons Michael Rykowski, John Rykowski, and daughter Catherine Lees. Jane also is survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Jane will best be remembered as a mother and homemaker.

Flowers are welcome, or donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Hospice Foundation of America — hospicefoundation.org — or your local hospice provider.

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