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Kearny's Breanna Pifano, 20, Dies Weeks After Suffering Cardiac Event
Breanna Pifano, a 20-year-old student at Montclair State University, died on Monday, Sept. 18, after suffering a cardiac event earlier this month, according to her obituary.
Breanna was born on Dec. 18, 2002 and was in her third year at MSU studying biology, with aspirations of becoming an optometrist.
A fundraiser was set up to assist the family with medical and funeral expenses. As of Friday, Sept. 22, more than $40,590 has been raised.
My heart breaks over and over, still feel like this isn’t real. I can’t express how grateful I am to Breanna for always... Posted by Rebeca Lei…
Prominent Attorney, Former Hudson County Prosecutor Harold Ruvoldt Dies, 81
Harold Ruvoldt, Jr. a prominent attorney in North Jersey, died on Sunday, Sept. 17 at the age of 81, according to his obituary.
Ruvoldt, who lived in Haworth and Jersey City, was a graduate of St. Peter's College, Seton Hall Law School and Rutgers University Business School, according to his obituary.
Ruvoldt was a trial and appellate lawyer working as a partner in private practice while also serving as a Hudson County prosecutor, Hudson County Counsel and Jersey City Counsel, his obituary reads.
"I met Harold when he...helped me with a personal legal issue," wrote one mourner …
Shelly Widder, 50-Year-Old Fanwood Resident, Dies Months After Husband
Shelly Widder, a 50-year-old Fanwood resident, died on Thursday, Sept. 7 at Overlook Hospital in Summit, according to her obituary.
Shelly was predeceased by her husband Charles, who died in in April. She is survived by her four children, Charles, 22, Hayden, 20, Colin, 17, and Claire, 15.
Shelly, who received her master's degree in data analytics from the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, was someone who was actively involved in her kids sports teams and never missed a game, her obituary reads .
A fundraiser has been set up to assist her four children with any financi…
Hundreds Turn Out For Funeral Of Former Pascack Valley HS Football Captain Devin Wolfe, 30
Joe Wolfe always knew his son was well-liked, but he didn't fully understand how loved he was until his funeral last week.
Devin Wolfe, 30, who grew up in River Vale, died in a car accident on Long Island on Saturday, Sept. 9.
His former teammates, friends from childhood, peers from college at Johnson & Wales University, coworkers, coaches, teachers, and relatives flew and drove out to Bergen County for Devin's services Thursday, Sept. 14 and Friday, Sept. 15.
Seeing the nearly one thousand of them lining up for visitation at Becker Funeral Home and spilling out of pews at the funeral …
'One Of A Kind': Trey Montalvo, Hoboken Resident, Dies At 25
Trey Montalvo, of Hoboken, died suddenly on Thursday, Sept. 7 at the age of 25.
"He was a funny, sweet young man with the most caring heart and constantly showed it through his actions towards his family, friends and loved ones," Desiray Bibber, who organized a fundraiser for Montalvo's funeral expenses said.
This really broke my heart today 💔 finding out that this young man who loss his Mother 6 yrs ago, and his Father 5 yrs... Posted by Frank Sparky Guzman on Friday, September 8, 2023
As of Thursday, Sept. 14, more than $21,000 has been raised.
Tonight our staff over here at Wha…
'The Guy Who Never Stopped Smiling' Pilot Killed In NJ Helicopter Crash Mourned
Condolences are pouring in for Josef-Ram Yitzhak, the Israeli pilot who died in a Central Jersey helicopter crash last week.
The 44-year-old pilot, whose LinkedIn page says he's from Netanya, died when his Robinson R22 copter went down in a South Brunswick canal near Princeton at 3:15 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 31, local officials said.
Since then, tributes have cropped up on social media.
Josef-Ram Yitzhak We met at work a few years ago at the airport in New York, we immediately connected, we would go out... Posted by Mor Avinoam on Saturday, September 2, 2023
Yael Rubinstein r…
Frank Pawlowski, Former Bayonne Police Chief Dies, 80
Frank Pawlowski, who served as Bayonne Police Chief from 1997 to 2004, died on Monday, Aug. 28 at the age of 80, Mayor Jimmy Davis announced.
Pawlowski was born and raised in Bayonne, helping his father run Pop's Corner, which was known for its roast beef sandwiches, according to his obituary.
After serving in the Army, Pawlowski joined the Bayonne Police Department, where he served for almost 40 years, Davis said.
"I worked under Chief Pawlowski for many years during my career with our police department and always found him to be well respected, fair, and dedicated to the people of …
Nicholas Martinez, Newark Native Dies, 29
Nicholas Martinez, a Newark native, died on Tuesday, Aug. 22, according to his obituary.
Martinez was born on Oct. 22, 1993 and worked at Phillip Jeffries in Fairfield, according to his Facebook page. He is survived by his daughter Valerie and his father, Richard, his obituary reads.
Oh man Nick where do I began papa. 14 years as friends, brothers, therapists and much more. We fought, cried, hugged,... Posted by Cristian Vega on Thursday, August 24, 2023
"I worked with Nicholas at Phillip Jeffries," wrote one mourner. "Nick was such an amazing person with a huge heart."…
Parents Of Drowned NJ Toddler See Surge Of Support
The drowning of a New Jersey toddler has prompted a wave of support for his parents.
Witten Steigerwald, 18 months, was found in a pool in Spotswood and wasn't breathing around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, officials in Middlesex County said.
Responders performed CPR, and Witten was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"No one is ever prepared for the loss of a child and as such no funeral preparations had been made," Witten's uncle, Scott Steigerwald, said on a GoFundMe page for his brother, Kevin, and Witten's mother, Renee.
"Their family is now suddenly havin…
NJ High Schooler Savanna Diana Dies, 16
Savanna Diana, a 16-year-old rising junior at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, died on Saturday, Aug. 19, her family announced.
Diana loved to draw and paint and was considering going to art school, according to her obituary.
She also was an avid animal lover and had a bunny, Nesquik, a chinchilla, Smokey, and a bearded dragon, Miso, her obituary reads. She also enjoyed attending car shows with her brother, Jack.
Diana is survived by her mother, Stephanie, her stepmother, Wendy, her three brothers, Kyle, Ryan and Jack, and other family members and friends.
Our deepest sympathi…
Pat Kramer, Longtime Paterson Mayor, Dies At 90
Lawrence Francis "Pat" Kramer, who spent almost his entire life in Paterson, the city where he served as mayor for 12 years, died on Thursday, Aug. 24. He was 90 years old.
Kramer grew up on East 42nd Street and 18th Avenue, and attended what is now John F. Kennedy High School. After graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kramer ran on the Republican ticket for mayor, and was elected in 1966.
Kramer's first term of mayor was from 1967 to 1972, before he was asked to head up the Commission of Public Affairs. Following that stint, he ran for mayor again, serving from 1975 to 1982. He…
'This Is Us' Star Ron Cephas Jones, Of Paterson, Dies At 66
Ron Cephas Jones, a Paterson native who won two Emmys for his role on "This is Us", died on Sunday, Aug. 19 at the age of 66.
Jones attended John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson and graduated from Ramapo College. He starred in movies like "He Got Game," "Sweet and Lowdown" and "Across the Universe" and guest starred on "Law and Order," "NYPD Blue" and "Mr. Robot."
"This is Us" which premiered in 2016, was Jones signature role. He played William Hill, who reconnects with his son, who was given up for adoption as a newborn. Jones was nominated for four Emmys, winning two in 2018 and 2020. …
Death Of Devoted North Jersey Dad, Longtime Volunteer James Finan At 48 Prompts Wave Of Support
North Jersey is coming together to show support following the death of a devoted father and longtime volunteer.
James (Jim) Finan died Monday, August 2, aged 48, his obituary says.
Raised in Congers, NY, Jim graduated from North High School in 1992 before attending The Catholic University of America, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting four years later.
Jim’s successful pursuit of a finance career ultimately steered him toward his “childhood dream job” at Marvel comics, and later to Mediabrands, where he worked as the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, his memorial …
Linden ShopRite Worker Who Battled Brain Cancer For 17 Years Dies: 'Always Been A Fighter'
Victor Vilela, a 42-year-old Elizabeth native, died on Monday, July 24, after a 17-year battle with brain cancer, according to his obituary.
Born in Elizabeth, Vilela was an active member of a brain tumor support group and worked at Elizabeth General Hospital, ShopRite in Linden and Wegmans in Woodbridge, his obituary reads.
He is survived by his wife, Meghan, his son, Mauricio, his parents, Maria and Acacio, his sister Sonia as well as other family members, according to his obituary.
Following his death, Vilela's tribute wall was filled with remembrances.
"Your sense of humor had everyon…
NJ Corrections Officer Dies While Working At Youth Facility, Campaign Says
A youth officer with the New Jersey Department of Corrections died over the weekend.
Senior Correctional Police Officer Emiliano Serrano, of Camden, died on Sunday, Aug 6. He worked in Burlington County.
A Marine Corps veteran, Serrano died at work, a GoFundMe page said, but the exact circumstances of his death were unclear.
Serrano began his NJDOC career in 2007. He was assigned to the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, where he served with honor, according to the department.
"He will be greatly missed," the department said on Facebook.
His mother will be looking over his two son…
North Jersey Teen Dies During Medical Episode In Waters Of Playa Del Carmen, Campaign Says
Support was surging for the family of a 17-year-old Passaic County boy who died when he suffered a medical episode during a family vacation in Playa Del Carmen.
Alexander "Alex" Schambelan, of Hewitt, was swimming at the beach in Playa Del Carmen with his parents, Josephine and Sean, on Tuesday, July 18, when Josephine noticed Alex face down in the water, according to a GoFundMe launched for the family.
"She gave him a push and called out to him; then another, and another," reads the page, launched by Josephine's coworker, Bianka Reyes. "She grabbed him by his trunks to propel him toward th…
Hudson County Math Tutor Omar Pershad, 30, Mourned As 'Old Soul, Fast Walker'
Omar Pershad, a 30-year-old Jersey City resident, died on Saturday, July 22, according to his obituary.
Pershad was a mathematics tutor at Hudson County Community College and a graduate of Hudson County Community College, New Jersey City University and New Jersey Institute of Technology, his obituary reads.
He was described as an "old soul", who enjoyed dancing, music, meeting new people and was a voracious walker, according to his obituary.
My friend. My brother. The guy who always say “I’m proud of you bro “ We had a great childhood together. From frying... Posted by Trini Chris on&n…
NJ Police Officer, Expectant Father Samuel Irvin Dies Suddenly At 23
Tributes and condolences are pouring in after the sudden death of a Central Jersey patrolman and expectant father.
Samuel Cooper Irvin, a Columbus resident and a member of the Mansfield Police Department in Burlington County, died Sunday, July 23. He was 23 years old.
Samuel attended Northern Burlington Regional High School, where he played baseball, football, and basketball before graduating in 2018, his obituary says.
He went on to earn his AAS from Mercer County Community College, as well as a BA in Criminal Justice from Wilmington University.
Most recently, he graduated from the Glouc…
Passaic Teen Killed In Motorcycle Crash: PA State Police
Luis Perez Cedeno, a Passaic, New Jersey resident, died after a motorcycle crash in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 22, according to state police. He was 19.
He was headed south on Laurel Run Road in Bear Creek Township near Wilkes-Barre when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a utility pole head-on, troopers said in a report.
Luis was rushed to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, state police said. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he was a longtime resident of Passaic, according to his obi…
