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Jake Mocko's Legacy: Morris County Mourns Loss Of Compassionate Young Leader
A Morris County community is mourning the loss of Jake Peter Mocko, a 20-year-old who passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 20, 2024, surrounded by family, his obituary on the Madison Memorial Home website says.
Jake, a Madison resident and digital design student, courageously battled Grade IV astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive central nervous system cancer, for three and a half years.
Jake worked at the front desk at the Madison YMCA, where he decided to start a dual language subscription so that he could learn to speak Spanish fluently, his obituary continues. Jake wanted to be able to h…
Mom, Bergen County Kindergarten Teacher Nina Gumbman Dies, 32
Antonina "Nina" Gumbman (nee Cutrona) died on Wednesday, Oct. 30. She was 32 years old.
Nina was raised in Lodi and settled down in Hawthorne, where she lived with her husband, Keith, and their son, Nicholas, 3, according to her obituary on the Aloia Funeral Home website.
Nina worked as a Kindergarten teacher for 10 years, most recently in Elmwood Park at the 16 Avenue School.
A GoFundMe for Nina's husband and son had raised more than $20,000 as of Monday, Nov. 4.
"For over 10 years, Nina dedicated her life to teaching and inspiring countless students with her kindness, patience, and pass…
Watch: Thousands Gather In Sussex County For Funeral Of Turkish Dissident Fethullah Gulen
Hundreds of people gathered at Skylands Ballpark for the funeral of Fethullah Gulen, a prominent Turkish Muslim cleric, who inspired a movement in his native country, on Thursday, Oct. 24.
The funeral in Frankford Township caused delays in the area, with Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada asking drivers to avoid the intersections of Route 15, 206, 565 and the surrounding area during the funeral.
Gulen's official X account said that an estimated 20,000 people were inside and outside of the ballpark for this funeral. The stadium has 4,200 seats, the website says.
🔶Muhterem Fethullah Gül…
Terri Breen Of West Orange Dies, 63
Terri Breen, of Essex Fells and later of West Orange, passed away on Oct. 14, 2024. She was 63 years old.
Born Mary Theresa Faleskie on Dec. 12, 1960, at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, HI, Terri graduated from Hawaii Baptist Academy and earned her BA from Pennsylvania State University, State College.
After college, Terri moved to New York City, beginning her career in advertising at Doyle Dane Bernbach and later at Women’s Day Magazine. She left her career to focus on what she considered her most important job of all — raising her beloved sons, Conor and Liam. Devoted to their growth, …
NJ School District Lays Off 90+ Teachers, Suddenly Schedules Half Day
A day after it laid off more than 90 teachers, the East Orange School District abruptly scheduled a half day for Thursday, Oct. 17.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, all schools will be on a half day schedule, today, October 17th," Superintendent Dr. Christopher Irving said. "We apologize for the late notice. Again, all students will be on a half-day schedule."
On Wednesday, at a packed meeting, filled with concerned parents, teachers and coaches, the school board approved the elimination of 93 positions. Irving, who started as superintendent in July, said the moves were necessary with the …
Clifton Mourns Losses Of Student, Principal Days Apart
Clifton is mourning the losses of a student and a school principal just days apart.
Juel Martinez, a Clifton High School student, died on Sunday, Oct. 6 after a nearly-year-long battle with cancer, a GoFundMe campaign launched for his family says. He was 15 years old.
On Monday, Oct. 7, School Two lost its dear principal Jennifer Lucas, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Her cause of death was not made public.
The campaign launched for Juel says he was "full of humor and didn't let the sudden cancer destroy his spirits, always fighting hard for his family."
As of press time, more than…
Clifton School Principal Dies: Remembering Jennifer Lucas
Jennifer Lucas, the principal of a Clifton elementary school, died on Monday, Oct. 7, school officials said.
Acting Superintendent Mark Gengaro announced Lucas' death in a letter to families.
Lucas, who helmed School Two, began working in the district as a music teacher at School 12 in 1995, where she continued to work as assistant principal. She later moved on to become principal of School Two, "where she made a lasting impact on all who knew her as a friend, colleague, and school leader," Gengaro said.
"Her ability to inspire and motivate extended across Clifton as she brought our c…
Teacher Pulls Off Epic Surprise, Introduces Students To Paul Rudd On Field Trip To NJ Mall
In 2014, "People" named Nicholas Ferroni "Sexiest Teacher Alive."
Ten years later, he may just be the coolest teacher alive, too.
The Union High School teacher surprised his students with Paul Rudd, the magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 2021, during a field trip to the NJ Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Ferroni works closely with the NJ Hall of Fame, having interviewed inductees, such as Danny DeVito. While organizing the field trip, one of the officials mentioned that Rudd was going to be there that day.
"We then kind of said it would be fun to surprise some students who were thinkin…
Alexander Tabano, Bergen County Dad, Plumber, Dies At 25
Alexander Michael Joseph Tabano, of Rutherford, died on Monday, Sept. 16. He was 25 years old.
Alexander, formerly of Garfield, attended the Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA and continued his education studying plumbing at Bergen Technical School, his obituary on the DiChiara Funeral Home website says.
Employed by Jersey Drains Unlimited, Alexander was previously a member of the Hackensack Boys Scouts and the Beth Israel Church youth group in Garfield. Alexander was preceded in death by his father, John Russell Wilson. He is survived by his mother, Mary Jane Tabano…
Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15
London Sophia DeShields, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, 15, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.
Born in Voorhees, New Jersey to David A. and Lauren A. (nee Chatzidakis), London was about to begin her sophomore year of Lenape High School. She was an excellent student who was a favorite with all of her teachers. An accomplished athlete in her own right, London started as a gymnast and finished second in the country during her last season competing. She shifted her athletic talents to the track, where she won “Newcomer of the Year” as a member of the Lenape winter and spring track t…
