Obituaries for Aug. 3, 2016

Mary Rosamilia

Mary Rosamilia (nee Casciano), of Harrison, died on Monday, July 26, at Alaris at Belgrove, Kearny. 

She was 93.

Funeral services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Church, Harrison. Her interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. 

To send condolences to the family, visit www.mulliganfh.com.

Born in Newark, Mary resided in Harrison for most of her life. Prior to her retirement, she was a clerk for the Harrison Senior Citizens Center for 18 years. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Rosamilia, in 1977.

Surviving are her beloved daughter, Antoinette and her husband Thomas McDonough; two loving grandchildren, Thomas McDonough and Kimberly Huaranga; and four cherished great-grandchildren, Anthony, Giuliana, Tommy and Kyla.

Eric M. Helms

Eric M. Helms, of Brick Township, formerly of Harrison, died suddenly Monday, July 25, at his brother’s home in Clifton.

He was 24.   

Arrangements were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison. A funeral service was held from the funeral home. His cremation was private.

To send condolences to his family, visit www.mulliganfh.com.

Born in Belleville, he resided in Harrison for most of his life before moving to Brick five years ago. He worked for Missing Link Fence, Brick, as an installer.

Surviving are his parents Linda Helms of Brick and Robert Helms of Florida; his brothers Timothy and Robert, both of Clifton; his paternal grandparents Irene and Russell Helms, of Kearny; and his aunts Susan Doran and Sharon Rebimbas.

He is also survived by several cousins.

Moreen Martha Hay

Moreen Martha Hay (nee Forfar), 70, of Hardwick, died Thursday, July 28, in her home surrounded by her loving family. 

Born in Kearny, Moreen attended St. Cecilia’s High School, where she excelled at girls’ basketball. Moreen worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, where she was proud to be the first unit secretary. She later worked for Dr. Joseph Moriarty as an office manager in Passaic.

She leaves behind her husband and best friend of 52 years, Robert Hay, and their two daughters and their husbands, Moreen and Eric Myers and Suzanne and Jeffrey DiNome.

She was the sister of Margaret (Wayne) Smalley of Jacksonville, Fla. She also leaves behind her beautiful grandchildren whom she adored, Allison, Dylan, Ryan, Danielle, Joseph, Nicholas and Matthew, and her cherished nieces Meaghan and Kathleen.

Moreen was predeceased by her parents Maureen Sherry Smith and William Forfar, her grandmother Martha Sherry, and grandson Norman.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton. 

Arrangements were by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny.

Lawrence T. Reidy

Lawrence T. Reidy died July 26.

He was 86.

Born in Newark, he lived most of his life in Kearny before moving to Manchester in 2002.

Visiting was Thursday, July 28, at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A service took place Friday, July 29, from the funeral home. Burial was in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny.

Lawrence was the husband of the late Doris (nee McKay), father of Laura Silva (Victor) and Keith Reidy (Annmarie), brother of Marian Desjardin, Barbara Hoyle and the late Martin, James and Donald Reidy, Shirley Stickle, Jean Napolitano and Thomas Sweet. Also surviving are his grandchildren Stephanie, Keith, Krystina, Victor and Casey and his great-grandson Cameron.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to the ASPCA.

Gilbert ‘Gil’ Vazquez 

Gilbert “Gil” Vazquez, 79, of Whiting, formerly of Kearny and North Arlington, died July 16 at home.

Arrangements were by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Mr. Vazquez lived in North Arlington and Kearny before moving to Whiting five years ago.

He was the beloved husband of 54 years of Lena Seeley Vazquez. Father of Robert (MeLane) Vazquez, Debra Simon and Richard (Marybeth) Vazquez, he was also grandfather of Robert, Tyler, Abigail, Andrea, Gabrielle, Ryan, Isabella and Michael. 

Mr. Vazquez was one of 14 children born to Felix and Angela Vazquez.

Camile ‘Bubie’ Nardone

Camille “Bubie” Nardone, 75, of Nutley, formerly of Kearny, died July 16. 

Arrangements were by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny.

Born in Newark, Camille lived in Kearny before recently moving to Nutley.

Camille was a toll collector on the Garden State Parkway for 17 years.

She was the beloved mother of Teresa Nardone and her husband Dave Cocola, Gina Marie Arena and Gerard Nardone and his wife Tammy. Sister of Donna Rullo, Anita Gesek, Angela Riley, Tony Carratura and the late Mary Lou Suppa and James Carratura, she was also grandmother of Natasha, Jessica, Dominick, Angelo, Kate, Nina, Anthony and Nicholas.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society of any of the Kearny Recreation Department programs would be appreciated.

Shane Mazol

Shane Mazol, 26, of Syracuse, N.Y., formerly of Kearny and Harrison, died July 17 at home.

Arrangements were by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny

Born in Newark, Shane lived in Kearny and Harrison before moving to Syracuse, N.Y., three years ago.

He was a cook at various restaurants in the Syracuse, N.Y., area, most recently at the Gem Diner. 

He was the beloved son of David Mazol and Elizabeth Graziano and stepson of Kathleen Mazol. He was also brother of Cynthia DeRose (James), Michael Nodarse, and Brian, Haleigh and Erin Mazol. The grandson of Joan Graziano and the late Michael Graziano and the late Judith and Dennis Mazol, he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.    

In lieu of flowers, donations will be at the funeral home.

Joao R. Batista 

Joao R. Batista died at home July 30.

He was 78.

Born in Covilha, Portugal, he lived in Newark before moving to Kearny in 1987.

Visiting is Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral, Home 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny. Entombment is in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Joao was a retired plant manager for X-L Plastics. He was a member of the Portuguese Cultural Association of Kearny and Centro Cultural “Of Serranos.”

Husband of Maria Lopes Batista for the past 56 years, he is also survived by his children Teresa Kelusak (Paul) and John Batista (Michele) and his grandsons Christopher and Paul.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Make a Wish Foundation.

John ‘Jack’ Kochell

John “Jack” Kochell, of Harrison, died at home on July 27.

He was 78.

A funeral service will be held at the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison, on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. Friends may call on Tuesday from 8:45 a.m.  His interment will follow in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny, with military honors.   

For directions or to send condolences to his family, visit www.mulliganfh.com.

Born in Jersey City, he was a lifelong resident of Harrison. He worked as a machine assembler for Acrison, Inc., in Moonachie for many years before retiring several years ago.

He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of the American Legion Post 282, Harrison. 

He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret (nee Wood) Kochell.

Surviving are his children, John and his wife Annette Kochell, and Kevin Kochell; two brothers, George Kochell and Edward “Moose” Kochell; three grandchildren, Christine and her husband Christopher Williams, Danielle Kochell and John Kochell II; three great-grandchildren, Kendra, Joseph and Christopher Jr.; and many brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Irene S. Reed

Irene S. Reed (nee Sharples), 75, of Kearny, died July 29 at the home of her daughter Debbie. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Visiting was from the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny, on Monday, Aug. 1.

Burial was private.

Born in Jersey City, Irene lived most of her life in Kearny.

She was a customer-service representative for Weight Watchers in Paramus for 30 years.

Irene was an avid reader and a volunteer at the Kearny Public Library. She was also a former member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Kearny.

She is the beloved mother of Donna MacDonald (late Hugh), Debbie Comer (Danny) and Amy Acer (Neill).  The sister of Joseph “Jody” Sharples, Laura Quegan, Susan Sharples Zito, Thomas and Jack Wright, Jane McAllister, Marilyn Bowley and the late Ann Binder, Thomas “Tim” Sharples Jr., and Ed and Jack Bowley, she was also the grandmother of Danah, Karah (Tony), Hugh (Laura), Joshua Sr. (Robyn), Connor and Abigail. She was also great-grandmother of Mikalah, William, Joshua Jr., Jack, Emmah, Harper, Mia and one on the way. 

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kearny Public Library would be appreciated.

George Mandes

George Mandes, (Mandarkas), of North Miami Beach, formerly of Harrison, died last month in Florida.

He was 83.

Born in Andros, Greece, he was the beloved husband of Anna (nee Carnegis) for 63 years.

He will be missed by his daughters Marie Prokos and husband Bill, Christine Bzdek and husband Stanley, Angie Desimone and husband Joseph and Georgia Mandes. He was the beloved grandfather to Anna and Irene Prokos, great-grandfather to Zachary, Christopher, William and Nicko Kontanis, Kayla Rashid and William McSorley.

George was a business owner of various restaurants in New Jersey and was an avid hunter. After moving to Florida 29 years ago, he continued his profession as a chef until he was diagnosed with cancer. His sense of humor, strength and love will be remembered by all who knew him.

The funeral took place at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, North Miami Beach, Fla., on July 20.

A donation in his name may be made to the church or to Catholic Hospice Services, Miami.

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