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Fund Launched For Children Of Deceased Retired Washington Township Detective
As the time for final goodbyes nears, many of those who knew and loved retired Washington Township Police Officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Heather Castronova are trying to do what they can for her two children.
Toward that end, Laura Padilla has launched a GoFundMe campaign.
Castronova, 44, died unexpectedly at her home in Allendale on Feb. 8, apparently as the result of a medical condition, those who knew her said.
The Hackensack-born-and-bred Heather Cumming served in the Marines in Okinawa, Japan, as well as at Twenty Nine Palms, CA and Quantico, VA.
She began a public service car…
'Like A Superhero': Community Prepares Goodbyes For Beloved East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief
It all sadly happened so fast.
East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Phil Taormina, a man who was as kind as he was courageous, died Wednesday, just months after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer.
He was only 46.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at St. Pius X R.C. Church in Montville (24 Changebridge Rd,). Entombment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover (225 Ridgedale Ave).
Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 Monday, Aug. 1 at Kimak Funeral Home, 425 Broad Street, Carlstadt.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fund th…
Kind, Courageous East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Dies
It all happened so quickly.
East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Phil Taormina, a man who was as kind as he was courageous, died Wednesday, just months after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer.
He was only 46.
Fundraising efforts in the community and among law enforcement were accelerating at a furious pace when the news came.
East Rutherford PBA Local #275 called Phil a “great man, husband, father, deputy chief, and community superstar.”
"He was compassionate, kind, full of laughter," the department's Tammy Verdugo-Gil added. "Phil was like a super hero, soft spoke…