Obituaries for Oct. 7, 2020

John J. Fitzpatrick 

John J. Fitzpatrick, 90, of Fairfield, formerly of Kearny, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020.

The Beloved husband of Anna (nee Walsh) Fitzpatrick, he was the loving father of Mary Ellen and her husband Roger Ludwig, Sean and his wife Maryann Fitzpatrick, Patricia and her husband Edward Kennedy and the late Baby John Fitzpatrick.  The cherished grandfather of Sean S., Conor, Suzanna, Aidan, Katelyn, Colin, Logan, Ryan and the late Dylan, he was the dear brother of Patrick and his wife Cissie Fitzpatrick, Peter and his late wife Marilyn Fitzpatrick, the late Maryann Cassidy and the late Hughie Fitzpatrick.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was a member and past treasurer of the Frank McGovern Association in Newark.  He was an active parishioner of St. Cecilia Church in Kearny, and he was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Knight of Columbus Council 13357.

The funeral is Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m., from the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 7 Two Bridges Road, Fairfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10 a.m., at St. Thomas More Church. Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington

Donations may be made to The Valerie Fund, 210 Millburn Ave., #3719, Maplewood, N.J. 07040. Send condolences to www.stellatofuneralhomes.com

Joseph W. Maiore

Joseph W. Maiore, born and raised in Elizabeth, died Sept. 21, 2020.

He was 85.

He lived in Kearny for the past 58 years.

Private arrangements were by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife Barbara (nee Pettigrew) and his daughter and son Joette Landy (Mike) and Jeff Maiore. He was the loving grandfather of Michael, Nicole and Jake. Brother of Thomas Maiore (Marianne), Anthony Maiore (Patti), Christine Nichol (Wayne) and the late Robert Maiore (Pam). Joe is also survived by his sister-in-law Bonnie and brother-in-law Cos Rossi. He is survived by wonderful nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Julia and Anthony Maiore, nephew Anthony Maiore, great-nephew David Nice and his in-laws Mom and Pop Pettigrew. He was loved by all. He loved all sports and was an avid Yankee fan and soccer fan.

Joe was so proud to serve in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He was a project analyst for Prudential Insurance Company for 35 years and retired in 1992.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to any charity of your own choice.

Maria Eberwein

Maria Eberwein (née Hedman), a resident of North Arlington, died Sept. 25, 2020

She was 83.

Maria was born in Östersund, Sweden. At the age of 20, Maria studied foreign languages, becoming proficient in English, French, Spanish and Latin. She traveled to the United States when she was 26, intending to visit and return home to Sweden.

But then she met Philip in New York City, got married and set down roots in North Arlington.

After spending 10 years as a full-time wife and mother of two daughters, Anna and Cecilia, Maria returned to work as a secretary and administrative assistant. She pursued an associate degree at night at New York University.

In her late 40s, she attended a graphic arts school and became a graphic artist. She loved this career and worked at AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) until she retired.

Maria loved languages, reading, embroidery and crossword puzzles. Her voracious reading interests varied, including the Latin version of Winnie the Pooh. She could finish a New York Times crossword in under an hour and was a human dictionary, even in English, her second language.

Maria leaves behind to celebrate life, her beloved husband, Philip Eberwein, her daughters Anna Eberwein and Cecilia Lindenfelser (née Eberwein), son-in-law Charles Croat, her sister Anna-Greta Rubin and the apple of her eye, grandson, Kenny Lindenfelser. Maria took great joy in being a grandmother and even as she declined physically and mentally, Kenny always made her smile.

Maria suffered from Parkinson’s and dementia. She fought the good fight as long as she could. She is now free from the confusion, pain and indignity that these diseases bring.

In lieu of flowers, if inclined to do so, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Tills vi ses igen…

Deborah M. Hyman

Deborah M. Hyman, 67, of Millville, died surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at the Samaritan Center in Voorhees.

Deborah, was the daughter of John and Helen (Bell) Hyman, both Scottish immigrants, and she was born in Kearny.

Deborah was a telecommunications programmer for over six years, working for Fairchild in Milford, Connecticut.  She was a former member of the “Rainbow Girls,” and she enjoyed reading and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Deborah also had a love of music, and was a popular DJ. She also enjoyed the time she spent with her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchild.

She is survived by her son Arthur J. Ackerson (Sheri L.); daughter Allyson G. Hyman (Scott); brothers James Hyman (Lynne) and Robert B. Hyman; 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A graveside service will take place at a later date. Written condolences may be sent to:  rocapshannon@aol.com or by visiting www.rocapshannon.com.

Michael McCarthy

Michael McCarthy of Middletown died Friday, July 3, 2020 at home.

He was 57.

Michael was born in Kearny where he spent the majority of his life before moving to Middleton in 2004.

Michael was a heavy equipment operator with the Operating Engineers Local 825 for 14 years. He worked in assorted construction projects until landing a job with the federal government at Sandy Hook Island.

Mike, known by his family and friends as “Brutus,” the man with a big heart, was always willing to help his family and friends. He was a member of the Scots-American Club in Kearny and the Sons of the American Legion. Michael loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He will be deeply missed on the family’s annual crabbing/fishing trips in the Atlantic Highlands.

Michael was predeceased by his parents George and Edna McCarthy, and older siblings George and Daniel. He is survived by his loving companion of 18 years, Nancy MacDonald, her daughter, Melissa Teixeira (Louis), grandchildren, Harry, 3, Penelope, 5, and her son, Christopher MacDonald. Michael is also survived by his siblings, Marianne Petriello (Robert), Gene McCarthy (Pat), Kathleen Geis (Craig), Edward McCarthy, sister-in-law Elaine Silva, his many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Michael’s life will take place Oct. 17, 2020, at Sandy Hook Island at 11 a.m., followed by a repast at the American Legion Post 143, 85 Bay Ave., Highlands, N.J.

Lola Baggett

Lola Baggett (nee Antalek), 80, a longtime resident of Harrison, died peacefully on Sept. 25, 2020, at the home of her daughter in Loxahatchee, Florida.

Lola was the beloved wife of 64 years to Fay O. Baggett; devoted mother of Lora Welsh (Albert), and dear sister to Marie Antalek of Colorado. She was predeceased by her son Jonathan.

Also surviving Lola are her daughter-in-law Deborah Baggett, her cherished grandchildren Michael Baggett (Anita), Commander USN John Baggett (Nellie), Catherine Baggett, Tiffany Welsh, Albert Welsh and Brittany Welsh and great-grandchildren Turner, Julia, Elias, Sara, Deacon, Teddy and Rory.

Lola struggled with Alzheimer’s disease the past few years and is now at peace.

Cremation was private.

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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.