Obituaries for 12 April 2017

Thomas E. Miller

Former Kearny resident Thomas E. Miller, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, died at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was 64.

Tom was an award-winning videotape engineer who spent his career at ABC-TV. He was awarded an Emmy for outstanding individual achievement in 1981 for the ABC News Special on the negotiations to free the American hostages in Iran.

Then, in 1984, he was awarded two Emmys for his work on the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

He was also a part of the remote team that covered the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo that same year. In 2001, he was honored with a Peabody Award as part of the news team that covered the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

He was an active member of the Mountain Lakes community. Like his father before him, who was assistant chief of the Kearny Fire Department, Tom was a member of the Mountain Lakes Fire Department and served as the chief of the volunteer force.

He coached his three children’s soccer teams in Mountain Lakes and served on the league’s board.

Tom was born in Kearny, the oldest son of the late Edward and the late Mary Rose Miller in a family of six children. He was a 1970 graduate of Essex Catholic High School and, in recognition of his life-achievements, was inducted into the Essex Catholic Hall of Fame.

He graduated from William Paterson University in 1974 and began working at ABC.

He married his wife Maureen (Laugel) in 1976 and the family moved from Kearny to Mountain Lakes in 1987.

After his retirement from ABC in 2009, he stayed active in the community. He enjoyed his work for Habitat for Humanity and later as a crossing guard and a courier for the Board of Education in town. One friend and colleague remembered Tom as a man who was respected for his “thoughtful measured response to every situation” whose “intelligence, warmth, humor and decency informed” his approach to the people he interacted with.

Visiting took place at Dangler Lewis and Carey Funeral Home, Boonton. Mass was at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Mountain Lakes.

He is survived by his wife Maureen; three children, Kristen (Paul) Pisano of Plantsville, Conn.; Carolyn, of Washington, D.C. and James Thomas, of Hoboken; two grandchildren, Sophia and Paul Pisano; five siblings, Dr. Patrica Miller of Derry, N.H., Kathleen (Edward) Smith of Sea Girt; Stephen Miller of Ortley Beach; Susan Miller of Branchville and Martin (Diana) Miller of Kearny; and many nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by his nephew, Justin Miller, of Kearny.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ the King Preparatory School, 239 Woodside Ave., Newark, N.J. 07104, att: Father Sandos; or the New Jersey Firemen’s Home, 565 Lathrop Ave., Boonton, N.J. 07005.

Sarah Elizabeth Bromley

Sarah Elizabeth Bromley (“Aunt Sally”), of Kearny, died at home on April 6.

She was 98.

Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. Mass was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Sally was a teletype operator for Westinghouse in Newark and had been very active with St. Stephen’s Church. Daughter of the late James and Veronica Bromley and sister of the late Alvera Hand, James and William Bromley and Anne Fox, she is survived by loving nieces and nephews Janet McGlynn, Susan Smith, Joanne Eskola (Phil), Louise Miller (Chuck), Judy Fox, Paul Hand (Annie) and James Bromley (Kris) – along with their families – and her close friend Karl Roscoe.

Constance Cammann

Constance Cammann (nee Paskas), of Kearny, died April 3.

She was 82.

Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A service took place at the funeral home. Cremation was private.

Connie was an active member of the Woman’s Club and the Red Hats. She was the wife of the late Alfred Cammann and mother of the late Thomas and John Cammann. The road around Gunnell Oval is named Cammann in memory of her first son, who died at a very young age.

She was the sister of the late Charles and Michael Paskas.

She is survived by her beloved grandson Jesse along with many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to The Woman’s Club, Kearny.

Vernon A. Horton

Vernon A. Horton, of Belleville, formerly of Kearny, died April 5.

He was 100.

Born in Jersey City, Vernon lived in Kearny before moving to Belleville in 1943.

He was a jig & fixture maker with ITT Avionics, Clifton, for 39 years.

He was the beloved husband of the late Elsie Shaw Horton. Father of Marilyn Sapienza (Paul), Verne Prowitt (Harry) and the late Beverly Dobbs (Robert), he was also grandfather of Cheryl, Tina, Lynne and the late Deana. He was also the great-grandfather of Maxine and Lorenzo.

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

Joaquin Caballero

Joaquin Caballero died April 3.

He was 86.

Born in Spain, he lived most of his life in Harrison.

Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Harrison. Cremation was private.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Isabel (nee Martinez), and was the father of Marimar Caballero-Lopez (Antonio), Alfredo Caballero (Sonia) and the late Joaquin Angel Caballero. The brother of Flora Caballero, he is also survived by his grandchildren Eric (Jenna), Andre and Alejandro and one great-grandson Joaquin.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Doctors without Borders. www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

Eugene C. Ludlum

Eugene C. Ludlum, 92, of Bayville, died April 2.

Born in Harrison, he lived many years in Kearny and Forked River before moving to Bayville 13 years ago.

Mr. Ludlum was a dedicated fireman with the Town of Kearny for over 26 years, retiring as captain. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps, in the New Guinea Campaign, and Japan-occupied Philippines during World War II.

Mr. Ludlum was predeceased by his daughter Patricia Musante and by his grandson Christopher Maksudian. Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Georgene; his children Mary Jean Maksudian (Greg), Eugene Ludlum (Wanda), Daniel McAlister (Mary), Dawn McIntyre (Brendan), Judith Rose (Chuck) and son-in-law George Musante; grandchildren Laura, Jennifer, Carolyn, Kaitlyn, Megan, Ian, Steven and Michael; great-grandchildren Tyler, Addison, Payton, Christopher, Jared, Alex and Mason; and sister-in-law Betty Schaible.

Services were under the direction of Mastapeter Funeral Home, Bayville. To leave condolences, visit www.mastapeterfuneralhome.com.

James Lynch

James Lynch, 81, of East Newark, formerly of Greenock, Scotland, died April 4.

The beloved husband of Theresa (Holland) Lynch, he was the devoted father of Rose Anne and husband John Osterkorn, Theresa and husband James Doyle, Katherine and husband John Cassapo, and Jennifer Lynch.

Loving grandfather of Anne, Casey, James, Anthony, Nicholas, Ariana, Silas and Daisy, he was the dear brother of Sarah and husband Allan Stewart, and Ellen McGuire. He was predeceased by his brother Patrick McIlvogue and John Lynch and sisters Rose Ellis, Margaret Brady, Catherine O’Donnell, Elizabeth Marshall, and Mary Thomas.

He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.

Before retiring, Jim was a sheet metal worker for Hyatt Industries, Clark, and Maxwell House, Hoboken. Jim served in the U.S Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Korea. He was the 2014 senior citizen of the year for East Newark. He was a member of the American Legion and the Irish-American Club. He was an avid Glasgow Celtic supporter and a golf enthusiast.

Jim’s “quick wit and charm” will be sorely missed by many loved ones.

Visitation was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church, East Newark. Cremation was in East Ridgelawn Crematory, Clifton.

Martin ‘Marty’ O’Malley

On April 5, Martin “Marty” O’Malley of Kearny died peacefully at 82, surrounded by his family.

Born in Pittston, Pa., Marty moved to Kearny at the age of 10 where he resided for the next 72 years. He was a graduate of Kearny High School and started his career at PSE&G in 1957. He left to become the general manager of Vigor Beverages in Kearny for seven years and returned to PSE&G to finish out his career as a senior bookkeeper, retiring in 1996.

His passion for sports led him to become involved in the Kearny community as one of the founding members and eventual president of the Kearny Booster Club. As president, he organized many banquets for the high school football team where he brought New York Giants and Jets players as guest speakers.

Marty was also a longtime coach of the Kearny ShopRite Little League baseball team, where he eventually served as president of the league. He also volunteered his time with the St. Stephen’s CYO boys’ basketball program.

Marty was inducted into the Kearny High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 for his contributions to the high school sports programs.

He was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Anna; a brother, Larry (Margaret); a sister, Mary Ann (O’Malley) Rokosny; mother- and father-in-law George and Edith Brown; and sisters-in-law, Georgina (Brown) Hague (Allen) and Connie (Brown) Mulvanerton (Ed).

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Edith (Brown) O’Malley, daughters Kathleen Mattoon (Ronald), Joanne O’Malley and son, Robert (Mary); grandchildren Michael Gouveia, Dr. Ryan Mattoon (Brianna), Nicole Gouveia and Robbie O’Malley; and one great-grandchild on the way. He is also survived by a brother, Richard (Annette); brothers-in-law Frank Brown (Barbara) and Charles Rokosny; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Viewing was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Entombment was in Holy Cross Mausoleum, North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Stephen’s Parish Roof Repair Fund.

Maureen Fitzgerald

Maureen Fitzgerald died suddenly on Saturday, April 8, at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.

She was 55.

The funeral will be from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Wednesday, April 12, at 9:30 a.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, at 10:30 a.m. Cremation will be private.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 11, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Maureen was a lifelong resident of Kearny.

She was a registered nurse at Bergen Regional Medical Center, Paramus.

Ms. Fitzgerald is survived by one daughter, Katelynn Siegle and her fiancé Michael Sylvia; and one son, Timothy Siegle. She was the grandmother of Charlotte Mackenzie Sylvia. She also leaves behind one sister, Peggy Siegle; nieces, Nichole Scott, Linda Kozdron, Karen Pichinin; and one nephew Matthew Siegle.  Maureen was the longtime companion of Jeffrey Martin.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Marie Fitzgerald and Kathy Scott.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Humane Society (humanesociety.org).

Janet R. Howatson

Janet R. Howatson (nee Reimer), 88, died Saturday, April 8, at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains.

Born in Newark, she lived in Kearny and North Arlington before moving to Pompton Plains in 2009.

In 1950, she received her teaching degree from Adelphi University in New York and worked as a teacher for the Kearny Board of Education for over 25 years until retiring in 2009.

Earlier, she worked in the same capacity for both the Belleville and North Arlington boards of education.

She was a member of the Kearny Woman’s Club.

Janet was the beloved wife of the late William Douglas “Doug” Howatson; the devoted mother of Patricia Duarte and her husband Dennis, Peter Howatson and his wife Susan and Brian Howatson and his wife Lisa; the cherished grandmother of Jillian Rosamino and her husband Stephen, Amelia Duarte, Amanda, Emily, Jonathan and Nicholas Howatson; and the adored great-grandmother of Lydia and Charlie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at the Parow Funeral Home 185 Ridge Road, North Arlington, on Tuesday, April 11 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. until time of service. Cremation will be private.

Paul Steenback

Paul Steenback died April 7.

He was 72.

Born in Newark, he lived in Kearny before moving to Pennsylvania.

A memorial service will be scheduled in the near future at Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. Cremation was private. Please leave condolences at www.Armitagewiggins.com.

Paul was a retired Teamster truck driver and a very dedicated friend of Bill W.

In lieu of flowers, donations to your local AA group would be greatly appreciated.

Husband of Carmella (nee Cino) and father of Stephen Steenback and Cathy Zaremba, also surviving is his sister Susanne Smith, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild and his nephew and nieces Charlie, Kelly and Diane Smith.

Elizabeth M. (Steen) Siecieska

Elizabeth M. (Steen) Siecieska died Friday, April 7, surrounded by her loving family.

She was 72.

Betty was born in Glasgow, Scotland, she lived there until she was 17. Most recently, she lived in Wayne the last five years and was formerly of North Arlington and Kearny.  She retired in 2010 from the Valley National Bank, Wayne, where she was an assistant vice [resident and payment-processing manager for 27 years.

Betty loved nature, children and animals – and was a second mom to many.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 44 years, Joseph J. Jr.; her loving son, Joseph J. III and his wife Jessica; her dear sister, Irene Mills; brothers, James and Robert Steen; and her cherished grandson, Joseph Cameron.

She was predeceased by her sister, Sadie Nicol and her parents, James and Sarah (Nielson) Steen.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Wednesday, April 12, at 11 am at Moore’s Home for Funerals, 1591 Alps Road, Wayne. Visiting is Tuesday, April 11, from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.

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