John M. Kolesar
John M. Kolesar of Kearny died at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.
He was 92.
Born in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, John served eight years in the Army and then the Air Force during World War II and the Korean War. He was awarded four medals for his service.
After leaving the military, John became a member of the Kearny Fire Department, where he served proudly for 30 years.
He was predeceased by his wife Bernice (Manley).
John is survived by his children Sharon Kolesar Reilly (Pete), John Nelson Kolesar (Thara) and two grandchildren Mackenzie and Mason.
Services were private and John’s ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Tunnels to Towers organization.
Margaret ‘Marge’ Schoendorf
Margaret “Marge” Schoendorf died peacefully in the beautiful Poconos on Oct. 29, 2020.
She was 82.
She had a beautiful life that sadly ended with dementia.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation for Marge at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Arlington Cemetery, Kearny, where there will be a graveside service at 11:30 a.m.
Marge was a lifelong resident of Kearny.
She is survived by Gordon Marr and her family and friends from the Grace United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Grace Methodist Church, 380 Kearny Ave., Kearny, N.J. 07032.
Thomas S. Ostroman
Always quick with a loving smile and helping hand, Tom Ostroman died suddenly on Oct. 24, 2020, in Fairfax, Virginia.
Born in 1944 in Kearny, Tom was a longtime resident and business owner of industrial metal business Arlington Surplus for 40 years. Tom and his wife MaryAnn currently resided in Morristown and Naples, Florida.
From the open roads on his Harley to the sandy beaches of Aruba, Tom brought smiles and laughter to old friends and new.
Tom is survived by his adored wife, MaryAnn of 52 years; his daughter Kimberly DellaTorre; his son Thomas V. Ostroman; and cherished grandchildren Alexander Thomas, Dylan Joseph, Jordan Elizabeth, Matthew Phillip and Dominic Thomas — who lovingly knew him as Pop-pop. He is also survived by Frances Ostroman (brother) and sisters Therese Rutan and Annette Ostroman and his brother-in-law Robert Kellinski. He was predeceased by Marie Palumbo (sister) and John Ostroman (brother).
A memorial Mass planned for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Assumption Church in Morristown.
Learn more about the writer ...
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.