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Obituaries
Jersey Shore Marine Who Died Suddenly 'Always Led Pack,' Boy Scout Leader Says Jersey Shore Marine Who Died Suddenly 'Always Led Pack,' Boy Scout Leader Says
Jersey Shore Marine Who Died Suddenly 'Always Led Pack,' Boy Scout Leader Says An Iraq war veteran from the Jersey Shore who always led the pack as a young Boy Scout has died unexpectedly. Matthew J. Jantas of Neptune was 42 years old. The native of Perth Amboy served in the Marine Corps from 1999 to 2004, according to his obituary, and he rose to the rank of Lance Corporal. In a GoFundMe campaign, Jantas' former Boy Scout leader, Walter Mezynski of Edison, wrote, "I am trying to raise funds to help two very young girls who lost their father at a very young age." "Matt was always an inspiration to the other boys," Mezynski said. "Matthew excelled at ever…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
NJ Woman Killed In PA Flood Mourned As Generous Animal Lover, Caretaker NJ Woman Killed In PA Flood Mourned As Generous Animal Lover, Caretaker
NJ Woman Killed In PA Flood Mourned As Generous Animal Lover, Caretaker Friends are mourning the loss of a Mercer County woman who was among several people swept away by flood waters over the weekend in Pennsylvania. Susan Barnhardt, 53, of Titusville in Hopewell Township, was among five people who died — not including a baby and toddler who remain missing — in the unprecedented flash floods in Upper Makefield Township on Saturday, July 15.  Barnhart was a lover of animals who cared for her 80-year-old mother, friends said on a GoFundMe page. "We've lost our dear friend and neighbor," Sarah Orfe wrote on the GoFundMe page.  "Susan was…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
Unexpected Death Of Somerville Mom Prompts Wave Of Support: 'She Meant The Best For Everyone' Unexpected Death Of Somerville Mom Prompts Wave Of Support: 'She Meant The Best For Everyone'
Unexpected Death Of Somerville Mom Prompts Wave Of Support: 'She Meant The Best For Everyone' The unexpected death of a beloved Somerville mother of two has prompted an outpour of support from the local community. Fayth Ann Logan died Wednesday, July 5, her obituary says. She was 48. Born in Belleville, Fayth spent time in Middlesex before settling in Somerville. She worked as a server at Social with past experience at the Sunset and Time to Eat Diners. More than $2,100 had been raised on a GoFundMe launched for the family’s expenses. “We are shocked and [saddened] by this unexpected news we received yesterday and unfortunately with little funds ourselves are asking for help,” wr…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
'Forever In Our Hearts:' South Jersey Football Coach, Dad Of 2 Dies In Motorcycle Accident, 30 'Forever In Our Hearts:' South Jersey Football Coach, Dad Of 2 Dies In Motorcycle Accident, 30
'Forever In Our Hearts:' South Jersey Football Coach, Dad Of 2 Dies In Motorcycle Accident, 30 South Jersey is mourning a devoted father and football coach who died in a motorcycle accident. Jason Paul Crowder, of Winslow Township, died in the accident on Saturday, July 8, his obituary says. He was 30. Born in Vineland, Jason grew up in Hammonton, where he played basketball and football before graduating from Hammonton High School in 2011. An avid sportsman, Jason volunteered as a football coach for the Hammonton Hawks and the Hamilton Knights Organizations and played softball with the Hammonton Rec. League. He was also a member of the Wheels of Soul Nation. Above all, Jason was a …

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Burlington County Nurse, Dad Of 4 Gary Koncewicz Dies Suddenly, Prompting Outpour Of Support Burlington County Nurse, Dad Of 4 Gary Koncewicz Dies Suddenly, Prompting Outpour Of Support
Burlington County Nurse, Dad Of 4 Gary Koncewicz Dies Suddenly, Prompting Outpour Of Support Support is on the rise for the family of Gary Koncewicz, a longtime Burlington County nurse and devoted dad of four who died unexpectedly from a heart attack on Friday, June 30 at the age of 53. Described as the “definition of a good person,” Gary worked tirelessly as a nurse throughout Cooper and Virtua hospitals for more than 25 years, his obituary says. He was known for his love of sports, especially the Phillies, and his absolute mastery of the art of “dad jokes.” “53 years is too short but Gary managed to fill it with so many laughs, caring smiles and about one million dad jokes,” re…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Boy Who Died In Fall From Tractor On NJ Farm Was 'Glue To Family,' Fund Says Boy Who Died In Fall From Tractor On NJ Farm Was 'Glue To Family,' Fund Says
Boy Who Died In Fall From Tractor On NJ Farm Was 'Glue To Family,' Fund Says A 3-year-old boy from South Jersey is being remembered for being the glue to his family. Boone Sawyer Durr died after falling off a tractor on the family farm, according to a GoFundMe launched for his parents. Boone's parents are self-employed farmers, and don't have time off from work, the boy's aunt says. The middle child to Danny and Emily Durr, Boone was the "glue to their family, writes McKenzie Armstrong of Berlin. "He was his daddy’s mini and he always wanted to go everywhere with him." He was a friend to his older brother Danger and a best friend and playmate to his youn…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
Jersey Shore Mom Stephanie Kearney Dies At 39: ‘Encouraged People To Be Their Best Selves’ Jersey Shore Mom Stephanie Kearney Dies At 39: ‘Encouraged People To Be Their Best Selves’
Jersey Shore Mom Stephanie Kearney Dies At 39: ‘Encouraged People To Be Their Best Selves’ Jersey Shore native and devoted mother Stephanie Kearney died at her home in Beachwood on Tuesday, June 20. She was 39. Born in Toms River, Stephanie graduated from Toms River High School South in 2002 before earning her Bachelor’s degree from Georgian Court College, her obituary says. She was known for her compassionate spirit and sense of humor, loved ones say. RIP Stephanie Kearney From our Intermediate West days to graduating from Toms River South (Class of 2002)!!! You were... Posted by Sean Thornton on Monday, June 26, 2023 Above all, Stephanie was an incredibly caring and devo…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
NJ Pro Wrestler Who Was Paralyzed In Ring After Vomiting On Football During NFL Game Dead At 54 NJ Pro Wrestler Who Was Paralyzed In Ring After Vomiting On Football During NFL Game Dead At 54
NJ Pro Wrestler Who Was Paralyzed In Ring After Vomiting On Football During NFL Game Dead At 54 Darren Drozdov, a professional wrestler and former NFL player nicknamed "Puke" for vomiting on the ball, died on Friday, June 30. He was 54 years old. Darren, of Hamilton, NJ, grew up playing football as a quarterback in Mays Landing and was All-State in football at Oakcrest High School. He went on to play college football at the University of Maryland, graduating with a degree in criminal justice. Darren played in the NFL on the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos, and was famously nicknamed "Puke" after he threw up on he ball during a Monday night game, stopping the ce…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
South Jersey Dad Killed In Crash With 3 Trucks In His Own Driveway South Jersey Dad Killed In Crash With 3 Trucks In His Own Driveway
South Jersey Dad Killed In Crash With 3 Trucks In His Own Driveway Community support in growing for a South Jersey father of three killed in a collision with several trucks. Rafael Colin Salinas, 35, was killed while turning into his driveway in Burlington County, according to a GoFundMe page. The fatal crash occurred Monday morning, June 36 on Route 206 in Tabernacle, Burlington County, according to New Jersey State Police. After stopping to make a left turn, his pickup truck was rear-ended by one truck and hit head-on by another before being struck by a third truck, State Police said. "We are asking for funds to give Rafael the memorial he deserves, gi…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
Matawan Native, 'Brilliant Mind' Amy Saccone Dies After 2-Year Cancer Battle Matawan Native, 'Brilliant Mind' Amy Saccone Dies After 2-Year Cancer Battle
Matawan Native, 'Brilliant Mind' Amy Saccone Dies After 2-Year Cancer Battle Amy Saccone, a 43-year-old Cranford resident, died on Sunday, June 18 after a two-year battle with colon cancer, according to her obituary. Amy grew up in Matawan and attended Georgian Court University in Lakewood, having double majored in biology and chemistry, her obituary says. She worked in technical sales and product management and was an account executive for Catalent, according to her obituary. There are absolutely NO words to express the brokenness felt💔 I am not even going to try. If you know me, you know the... Posted by Susan Buccellato on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 A fundrais…

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
Michael O'Connell Of Mount Laurel, 20: 'He Made Mullets And Penny Loafers Look Good' Michael O'Connell Of Mount Laurel, 20: 'He Made Mullets And Penny Loafers Look Good'
Michael O'Connell Of Mount Laurel, 20: 'He Made Mullets And Penny Loafers Look Good' Michael Patrick "Spike" O'Connell of Mount Laurel died unexpectedly on Monday, June 19. He was 20 years old. Those who knew him were remembering him for his contagious laughter and kindness. "His passing is a profound and tremendous loss for those who knew him," his obituary said. "His smile could light up a room and his laughter was contagious. He made mullets and penny loafers look good." His friends organized a GoFundMe page to help with expenses. Michael is survived by his parents, Mike and Kim (DiFonzo); a brother, Ryan; and his grandparents, Edna and Mike O’Connell, and Sandy and J…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
Beloved NJ Wrestling Coach Curt Pakutka Dies After Cancer Battle, 55 Beloved NJ Wrestling Coach Curt Pakutka Dies After Cancer Battle, 55
Beloved NJ Wrestling Coach Curt Pakutka Dies After Cancer Battle, 55 A beloved New Jersey high school teacher and coach died after a lengthy battle to esophageal cancer. Curt D. Pakutka, 55, of Mansfield Township, died on June 7, at Hackettstown Medical Center. He was a well-loved physical education and driver's education teacher, as well as occasionally teaching health, at Newton High School in Sussex County. His love for sports followed him when he became a wrestling coach for Jefferson Township in Morris County from 2004-2015 and the head coach for the Newton High School Girls softball team from 2008-2019, according to his obituary. Curt also p…

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by Jon Craig