Obituaries

Chester W. Bielski

Chester W. Bielski, 70, of Pocono Lake, Pa., died unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 22, at home. He was the husband of Nancy (Starr) Bielski.

Born in Kearny, he was the son of Mary (Davis) Bielski and the late Chester M. Bielski. He received his masters from Rutgers University in 1978.

Chester was a police officer for the Kearny Police Department. He worked through the ranks to chief, and retired in 1995. A Navy veteran, he was a third class fire control technician and served on the U.S.S. DesMoines, U.S.S. Glacier, and the U.S.S. Denebola.

He was a member of St. Mark’s Church in Thornhurst, Pa., Benevolent Order of the Elks #754, and Moose Club in Danville, Pa. Chester was an avid hunter and fisherman.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, he is survived by two daughters, Linda Bielski of Lime, Conn., and Susan Moynihan and her husband, Timothy of Ocean Side, Calif.; two brothers, Robert Bielski and his wife, Mary Ann of Greendell and James Bielski and his wife Joan of Forked River; two grandchildren, Timothy Jacob Moynihan and Andrew Patrick Moynihan; mother-in-law, Arlene Starr; two nieces; one nephew; and a large extended family.

Arrangements were by Bolock Funeral Home in Cresco, Pa. A funeral Mass was held in St. Mark’s Church in Thornhurst, followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:Timothy Jacob and Andrew Patrick Moynihan College Education Fund, HC88, Box 655, Pocono Lake, Pa. 18347-9605.

Gregory Borkowski

Gregory Borkowski, 72, passed away at Clara Maas Hospital, in Belleville, on Jan.13.

Greg served in the U.S. Air Force with the Strategic Air Command during the Korean Conflict.

In his later years Greg drove for Harrison Cab in Harrison.

Greg was predeceased by his mother Josephine Borkowski, his father John and two brothers George and Edward Borkowski.

He leaves behind a brother Walter Borkowski and wife Catherine of Point Pleasant Beach; two aunts Stella Mikulicka and Irene Rockwell both of Spring Lake Heights; a nephew Thomas Borkowski; his wife Lori and two great nieces Taylor and Paige of Matawan, and a nephew Timothy Borkowski of Menlo Park.

A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Harrison, on Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. Greg’s final resting place will be at General William Doyle Military Cemetery, Wrightstown, on a later date.

Nelson A. Coelho

 

Nelson A. Coelho, 23, of Kearny, died on Jan. 25 from injuries sustained from an automobile accident.

Arrangements were by the Wilfred Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny.

Nelson was a graduate of Kearny High School Class of 2006 and was currently attending West Virginia University majoring in psychology.

He is the son of Arthur and Maria Isabel Almeida Coelho; brother of Anthony and Jenny Coelho; maternal grandson of Antonio Costa Almeida and the late Maria Estela Almeida; paternal grandson of the late Manuel Coelho and Virginia Pereira; nephew of Carlos Almeida and his wife Nelly. Nelson is also survived by several aunts and uncles in Portugal.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kearny High School Project Graduation Fund would be appreciated.

Nick W. Colanino

Nick W. Colanino died on Jan, 24 in St. Joseph Hospice in Wayne. He was 88.

Born in Newark, he lived in Kearny before moving to Wayne a year ago.

Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass was held in St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny with entombment in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Nick was an inspector at Walter Kidde in Belleville; prior to that he was an executive vice president at ITT in Clifton. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Henrietta Benstead Center, Kearny.

Husband of the late Mary (Roio), he is survived by his son Edward and his wife Hannah, and two grandchildren Ken and Dan. He was predeceased by his sister Ina Albasi.

Eugene “Gene” Doherty Jr.

Eugene, “Gene” Doherty Jr., 48, of Seaside Heights, formerly of Harrison, died on Monday, Jan. 23.

Arrangements were by Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was held in Holy Cross Church, Harrison.

For directions, information or to send condolences, please visit mulliganfuneralhome.org.

Gene is survived by his daughter Jill, his parents Eugene and Mary Chup; his siblings Mrs. Ann Polukord and Frank; Gerry and Pam and Mrs. Pauline Soto and Anthony; his nieces and nephews Gary and Terry, Robyn, Ryan, Anthony, Jessica, Jenna, Kevin, Christopher, Holly, Shannen, Samantha, Christian and Luke; and is also survived by Joanne Turro and many aunts, uncles, cousins, back home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Christopher Reeve Foundation, c/o the funeral home in memory of Eugene.

Barbara E. Egner

Mrs. Barbara E. Egner of Kearny died on Wednesday, Jan. 25, in the West Hudson Post Acute Care Center. She was 70 and a lifelong Kearny resident and a homemaker.

Funeral services were held privately.

Mrs. Egner was an active member of the Eagles Aerie # 2214 of Kearny for many years.

She is survived by her daughters, Valerae Pearn and Robin Vitale as well as her grandchildren, Derek Peltz, John Pearn and Hannah Vitale.

Abbie Johnson

Abbie (Mair) Johnson, 94, a long time resident of Kearny, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, Jan. 21, at The Springs at Lake Pointe Woods in Sarasota, Fla.

Arrangements were by the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, followed by interment at Arlington Cemetery, Kearny.

Abbie was born in Dumbarton, Scotland, and came to Kearny as a 9-year-old. She left Kearny two years ago, moving to Florida to be closer to her daughter Roberta.

Mrs. Johnson was a graduate of Kearny High School. She worked for Western Electric for 45 years and was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

She is survived by her daughter Roberta and Louis Bevilacqua; grandchildren Charles and Erica Bevilacqua, James Bevilacqua and Connie Bacon, Robin Bevilacqua and great-grandchildren Nora and Abbie Bevilacqua and Emma Tremblay.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a charity of your choice in her memory.

Charles F. Kishonis

Charles F. Kishonis, 92, died on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in the N.J. Veterans Memorial Home, Paramus.

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

Mr. Kishonis was born in New Philadelphia, Pa. He has lived in Kearny since 1969.

He was a Gunner’s Mate Third Class in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Charles was employed as a production mechanic for American Can Co. in Jersey City for 30 years retiring in 1975. He was a member of the Kearny Senior Citizens Club, Inc. and the St. Stephen’s Seniors.

Mr. Kishonis was the uncle of Diane (Katz) Coppola and her husband Anthony and their children Jessica and Alexa and the brother-in-law of Floyd and Ann Katz.

Baldomero Martinez

Baldomero Martinez died on Jan. 24 at the Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville. He was 66.

Born in Spain, he lived in Newark before moving to Kearny 38 years ago.

Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass was held in St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, with entombment in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Mr. Martinez was a longshoreman at Port Elizabeth in Newark and was a member of the International Longshoreman’s Association. Baldomero was a loving and dedicated family man.

Son of Rosario and the late Vicente, he is survived by his wife Maria Carmen Martinez, his daughter Christina and his sister and brother Oliva Cardona and Luis Martinez. In lieu of flowers kindly consider a donation to The Gilda Club. To leave online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com

Olaf J. McLeish

Olaf J. McLeish died on Jan. 26 in St. Michael’s Hospital. He was 86. Born in Carnostie, Scotland, he lived in Kearny since 1942.

Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral service was held at the funeral home, followed by private cremation.

Mr. McLeish was a member of the Scots Club, the Ulster Club, the Masonic Lodge in Scotland and Copestone Ophir Lodge in Kearny. He was a retired machinist.

Former husband of the late Bessie Nicol Dorney, he is survived by his children and their spouses June and Butch Marshal and Ian and Robin McLeish. Brother of Cynthia Taylor, he is also survived by his grandchildren Carrie and Elizabeth Buchanan and Chelsea and Cody McLeish.

In lieu of flowers kindly consider a donation to The American Heart association. To leave online condolence please visit www.armitagewiggins.com

Kenneth E. Russell

Kenneth E. Russell died in the home of his daughter on Jan. 26 after a courageous battle against cancer. He was 71. Ken grew up in Union City and moved to Kearny 48 years ago.

Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass was in Queen of Peace Church.

Kenny was then laid to rest alongside his two baby boys, Kevin and Jonathan in The St. Francis Church Yard Cemetery in Narrowsburg, N.Y.

Ken graduated from St. Michael’s Grammar and High in Union City and earned a degree in economics from Rutgers University. He also held a Series Seven License and Certificates in computers from the New School in New York City. He served in The United States Marine Corps.

He started his career as a runner on the floor and eventually owned a seat on The New York Stock Exchange. Ken worked for several investment firms on Wall Street, most notably becoming a partner at Loeb Rhodes and was vice president in charge of arbitrage for I.F.B. Corp. After retiring from Wall Street, he began to write bids for Johnston Communications.

Kenny, an Eagle Scout, was involved in scouting for most of his life. He was a cofounder of the Pioneer Boys of America and is the board’s current president. He loved the outdoors and ran canoe and camping trips for Operation Friendship. He recently completed the Delaware River Soujourn, having canoed from the start of the Delaware to Philadelphia. He was active with the C.Y.O. and ran the carnivals at Queen of Peace. He was past president of The West Hudson South Bergen Optimist Club and is a past State Lieutenant Governor. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was most recently in his year of preparation for the Knights of Malta. Ken was trained in emergency disaster services with the Salvation Army and sat on its advisory board. He was on the Board of Directors of The Kearny Museum and the Hudson County Community College Foundation. He was a former board member of the YMCA. He was active with the General Philip Kearny Monument Committee and with St. Francis Church in Narrowsburg N.Y.

He is survived by his devoted wife Lillian (nee Kelly), his children and their spouses Noreen and Mark Wiggins, Paul and Karen Russell and Jason and Meriah Russell. He was the brother of Richard and the late Raymond; he is also survived by his cherished grandchildren Conor, Madison, Chloe, Emily, Shannon, Colleen, Miranda and Cordelia. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Salvation Army. To leave online condolence please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.

Jean E. Durkin

Jean E. Durkin, of Beachwood, formerly of Kearny, died on Jan. 29.

Arrangements are by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A funeral Mass will be officiated on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilia’s Church, Kearny. Interment is in Arlington Cemetery.

Mrs. Durkin was a secretary with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Newark, retiring after 25 years of service. Before that she was a Kearny crossing guard with her post at the corners of Elm Street and Stuyvesant Ave. After her retirement from Blue Cross & Blue Shield, she worked as a teacher’s aide at both Garfield and Washington Schools in Kearny.

She is the wife of the late Peter F. Durkin, Sr., Mother of Peter F. Jr. and James Durkin, Lynn (Bob) Sansone and Jean M. Durkin; sister of Muriel (Herb) Zack and the late Duncan MacPhail; grandmother of Pete Durkin, Becky (John) Spear, Mandy (Carl) Madsen, Donna (Alan Jr.) Masters, Andrea (Robert Jr.) Regan, Robert Sansone, Jr., Kyle, Haley and Faith Cook; greatgrandmother of Krystal, Cody, Gavin, Jon Kyle, Reilly, Alexandra, Jordan, Lila, Daniel, Mia, Gianna, Alan and Bobby.

In lieu of flowers, donation to the Salvation Army, 443 Chestnut St., Kearny, N.J. 07032 would be appreciated.

Robert Sullivan

Mr. Robert James Sullivan, 49, died suddenly on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet for the funeral liturgy at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 10:30 a.m. Cremation will be private. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.

Robert was born in the Bronx, N.Y. He lived in New York before moving to Kearny 17 years ago.

He was employed as an I.T. manager for Verizon in New York for the last 30 years. He played darts for Marty Gras in the Arlington Dart League.

Robert is survived by his wife Carol (Lauretta); his children Meagan Kathleen, Sean Michael and Lucas James Sullivan; step-son Giovanni Francesco Lauretta, his parents Raymond and Kathryn (Ludlow) Sullivan and his siblings Barbara Malabe, Bonnie Cirrincione and William Sullivan. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Carmen Sandle

Carmen (Grassman) Sandle, 93, died on Friday, Jan. 27, in the Sunrise Assisted Living at Wall.

A funeral Mass was held in St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com

Carmen was born in North Arlington and lived in Kearny for over 40 years, before moving to Lakehurst. She lived in Wall Township for the last 15 years. Mrs. Sandle was a member of the St. Stephen’s Rosary Altar Society as well as a former volunteer in the St. Stephen’s School cafeteria.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Michael Sandle in 1988.

Frances A. Sinibaldi

Frances A. Sinibaldi, 90, died on Jan. 20 peacefully at home.

Born in San Francisco, Calif., she served in both the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army as a communication technician. While serving in the Army, she met her husband, Michael Sinbaldi, and moved to New Jersey. After living in Newark a few years, she relocated to Kearny, where she raised her four children. She worked many years for Western Union and found time to serve as a Girl Scout leader.

Frances, a Gold Star member, is preceded in death by her son Michael Sinibaldi, who lost his life in the Vietnam war. Surviving are her daughters Carolyn Doerr, Linda Lopez and Nina Burke. She also leaves behind five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Services will be held in Delaware, where she lived for the past 26 years. She will be dearly missed.

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