Obituaries

Mary Beth Arrigo

Mary Beth Arrigo “Mimi,” 46, died on Jan. 11 at St. Michael’s Hospital. Mimi was a lifelong resident of Kearny. She was an assembler for Pathways to Independence in Kearny and was an avid Giants and Mets fan. She belonged to the organization Hands of North Arlington.

Predeceased by her parents Paul and Mary Arrigo, she is survived by her siblings Paul Arrigo (Kelly), Kevin Arrigo (Christine), and Caroline Paris (Derrick). She was the dear niece of Sis Roarty. She left behind many loving nieces, nephews and friends especially the Yakabofski and Thompson Family.

Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pathways to Independence. Condolences may be left at www.armitagewiggins.com.

William A Barrett Jr.

William A Barrett Jr. of Tucson, Ariz., died suddenly on Dec. 12, 2011. He was 67.

Born in Newark, he grew up in Kearny. He lived and worked in New Jersey, Minnesota and Alabama before moving to Arizona. His fondest Kearny memories include summers spent in Wiley Playground.

A memorial Mass will be held in St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, on Saturday, January 21st, at 10:30 a.m.

Interment of his ashes will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, in the family plot.

Bill was educated in St. Cecilia’s, St. Peter’s Prep, NJIT and Rensselear Polytech Institute before returning to NJIT where he receiving his Doctorate in electrical engineering.

Bill was predeceased by his parents William and Mary Barrett. He is the loving big brother of Mary Barrett and the late Kathleen Buchanan Jordan. He is survived by his wife Jean and his children William III, Aileen, Patrick and Sarah; also surviving are 11 grandchildren and his niece and nephews Megan, Jonathan and Brian.

Alice P. Hahn

Alice P. Hahn died at home in Safety Harbor, Fla. on Nov. 19.

She is survived by a son Dr. Wayne Appleton of West Virginia, a daughter Alyce Donnelly of Florida, a stepdaughter Colleen Kelly of New Jersey, a stepson Jacob Hahn of New Jersey, a stepdaughter Bonnie Patterson of Missouri, eight grandchildren and two great -grandchildren.

William J. Higney

William J. Higney, 47, died on Friday, Jan. 6.

Arrangements were by from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Cecilia Church, followed by private cremation. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.

William was born in Jersey City and was a lifelong resident of Kearny.

He was employed as a carpenter for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local Union 608 in New York as well as a proud member of the Irish American Club, the Scots- American Athletic Club and the Thistle F.C. all of Kearny.

William is survived by his daughters Jessica Higney and Jaiden Higney; parents Owen and Sarah (Mitchell) Higney, siblings Esther Jewart (Timothy), Mary Evanchick (Mark) and Peter Higney. He was the uncle of Ryan Jewart and Madelyn Evanchick.

Raymond J. Migatulski

Raymond J. Migatulski, 77, of Kearny, formerly of Wilkes Barre, Pa., passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Jan. 9, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

The funeral will be conducted from Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Kearny, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Ray proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a tool and die maker for Universal in Irvington.

Ray is a member of the N.R.A, the Elks of Lacey Township and C.W.V.

Ray is the beloved husband of Joan (nee Harland), devoted father of Marla and husband Robert Check, and step-son Scott Boyle. He is also survived by a large extended family.

Ray was predeceased by step-daughter Michele Boyle.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the N.R.A. or C.W.V., c/o the funeral home in memory of Ray.

Edgar Smith

Edgar Smith died on Jan. 13 at Clara Mass Hospital. He was 63. Born in Kearny he lived the past 10 years in North Arlington.

Arrangements were by Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. Cremation will be private.

Ed is survived by his wife Judith (nee DiSalvo), his children Edward (Dawn) and Lori (Mike). His sisters Barbara Currie, Edie Keating and Norma Boyle and his grandchildren Savannah, Connor, Chase, Amber and Vinny. He was predeceased by his daughter Debra.

Joseph A. Stuart

Joseph A. Stuart, age 75 of Effort, Pa., formerly of Kearny, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, Jan. 12 at the VNA Hospice House of Monroe County In East Stroudsburg, Pa.

Joe was the loving and devoted husband of Diane L. (Smith) Sniffin Stuart. They celebrated their 16th Wedding Anniversary on June 10.

He was born in Jersey City, on August 12, 1936 and the son of the late Allan and Jane (Toal) Stuart.

Joe graduated from the Kearny High School and attended Essex County Community College.

Joe spent 32 years in the demanding and courageous work of a firefighter retiring as Captain in 1992 from the Kearny Fire Department in Kearny. As a dedicated firefighter he ran numerous fire prevention programs for children. He also received many awards In 1985, he received Fireman of the Year from the Knights of Columbus, an Outstanding Fireman Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and from the Hudson County American Legion. He was a member of the Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association Local #500 all in Kearny.

Joe was an avid Boston Red Sox and Indianapolis Colts fan. Help us to keep his memory alive in the places and activities he loved in this life. He loved animals and traveling with his wife Diane to purchase antiques for their Pyramid Antiques Barn in Effort.

Joseph was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gilbert.

He served our country with dedication and courage in the United States Army in the states as a Military Police Officer.

We have been blessed with the presence of Joe in our lives and his wit and antics will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his loving wife Diane; his children: Joanne Armitage and her husband John of Effort; Stephen Stuart and his wife Debbie of Nutley; and Beverly Aprill and her husband Kevin of Brodheadsville; his stepchildren: Michael Sniffin of Effort; Russell “Rusty” Sniffin and his wife Diane of Kannapolis, N.C.; and Traci Dannenfelser and her husband Michael of Brockton. He was a loving and gentle grandfather to his grandchildren who loving called him Bup and Pa-Pa: Daniel, Andrew and Nancy Armitage, Michael Smith, Cassandra, Shane, Kaity, and Krysti Sniffin, Dylan, Jonathan and Mason Dannenfelser; his great-grandchildren: Brianna and Olivia Armitage, Jocelyn Smith and Ayden and Jaylie Sniffin. Joe is also survived by a sister: Rose Mary Myles and her husband Peter; a brother: Terry Stuart and his wife Nancy all of Forked River; and several nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his first wife: Nancy Stuart and his siblings: Sandra Rosenback and Huey Stuart.

Funeral services were held at the Donald N. Gower Funeral Home, Inc., Route 209, Gilbert, Pa., followed by private interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made In Loving Memory of Joseph A. Stuart to VNA Hospice House, 502 Independence Road, East Stroudsburg, Pa. 18301. www.gowerfuneralhome.com.

William J. Turonis

William J. Turonis, 69, died on Jan. 5 at New Grove Manor in East Orange. Before retiring, he was a truck driver for Bell Container in Newark. He was also a former usher for Queen of Peace Church.

Predeceased by his wife Roxanne and sister Jo Ann Haag, he is survived by his children Col. James, William, and Corinne Turonis; brother of Lydia Newton, Eugene Turonis, and Cheryl Manley. He is also survived by six grandchildren Kirsten, William, Dylan, Noah, Kira, and Emma.

Arrangements were by Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A memorial Mass for William and Roxanne Turonis was held at Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, followed by interment in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Queen of Peace Church. Condolences may be left for the family at www.armitagewiggins.com.

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