After Death Of Longtime Restaurateur From NJ From Sudden Stroke, Community Rallies For Family After Death Of Longtime Restaurateur From NJ From Sudden Stroke, Community Rallies For Family
After Death Of Longtime Restaurateur From NJ From Sudden Stroke, Community Rallies For Family Community members are coming together to support the family of a New Jersey man who owned an Italian restaurant in Rockland County for decades before his death from a sudden stroke.  Bergen County resident Brett Kelly, owner of La Terrazza restaurant and catering facility in New City, died at the age of 58 on Wednesday, March 18, after suffering a stroke that led to severe bleeding on the brain.  Kelly, a resident of Saddle River, underwent emergency surgery and fought through multiple procedures before passing away 14 days later, according to those who knew him. For more than th…
NJ Teacher, Dad Dies Suddenly On Vacation, 50 NJ Teacher, Dad Dies Suddenly On Vacation, 50
NJ Teacher, Dad Dies Suddenly On Vacation, 50 Richard “Rich” J. Leighton, a New Jersey teacher and father of two, died on Saturday, March 14, while vacationing in Vermont, according to his obituary from SW Brown and Son Funeral Home. He was 50 years old. Leighton was a devoted husband to his wife, Liz, and a father to his children, Henry and Mary, his obituary says. Born in Manhasset, NY, and raised in Manhasset Hills, Leighton studied at Fairfield University and Columbia University’s Teachers College before becoming an educator, his obituary says. He worked as a language teacher with the Cliffside Park Board of Education, teachin…
Paramus HS Football Player Dies After Rare Illness, 17 Paramus HS Football Player Dies After Rare Illness, 17
Paramus HS Football Player Dies After Rare Illness, 17 A Paramus High School student and football player has died after battling a rare illness, leaving his family and teammates mourning, according to a GoFundMe for his family and online tributes. Waseh Sultani, 17, was recently diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and spent weeks in and out of the hospital, according to a GoFundMe campaign created by Jennifer O'Shea. According to the National Library of Medicine, Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and serious condition in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing severe inflammation, organ damage, an…
NJ Bride-To-Be, 27, Killed In Crash, Family Raises Funds For Fiancé NJ Bride-To-Be, 27, Killed In Crash, Family Raises Funds For Fiancé
NJ Bride-To-Be, 27, Killed In Crash, Family Raises Funds For Fiancé A 27-year-old New Jersey woman who was planning her wedding later this year died in a car crash, leaving her family devastated, according to a GoFundMe campaign. Arleen Amanda Marmol de Ortiz died on Saturday, March 14, with her family by her side, according to her obituary published by Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home. Marmol de Ortiz had recently purchased a home with her fiancé, Luis Ortiz, and the couple had been together since she was 14 years old, according to the campaign by Vanessa Bratic. “They were planning to be married in July of 2026,” her family said. “They were a family of thre…
NJ Transit Worker, Devoted Dad Christopher Peloso Dies At 40 NJ Transit Worker, Devoted Dad Christopher Peloso Dies At 40
NJ Transit Worker, Devoted Dad Christopher Peloso Dies At 40 Christopher T. Peloso, a longtime New Jersey resident and NJ Transit employee, died on Monday, March 9 at the age of 40, according to his obituary on the Bizub Parker Funeral Home website. Born in Paterson, Chris worked for more than 20 years as a railroad bridge operator for NJ Transit, where he was known for his dedication and reliability, according to his obituary.  "A lover of film, Chris eagerly awaited each new release, immersing himself in the stories that unfolded on the big screen," his obituary continues. "His enthusiasm for movies was infectious, and many will remember him f…
Support Swells For 23-Year-Old NJ Man Killed In Crash Support Swells For 23-Year-Old NJ Man Killed In Crash
Support Swells For 23-Year-Old NJ Man Killed In Crash Jaysen Young, who was killed in a car crash in Ewing on Tuesday, March 10, is being remembered as a "loyal brother, incredible son and devoted boyfriend," according to a fundraiser set up to support his family. Young, a 23-year-old Hamilton Township had built a life around hard work, loyalty and the people he loved most, Alaina Revenidis and his brother Branden Young wrote on the fundraising page. "Anyone who knew Jaysen knew he was often the strongest person in the room, with a laugh that could fill it just as easily," Revenidis and Young wrote. "He was the kind of young man who …
Union County Sheriff's Officer James Gritschke Dies Union County Sheriff's Officer James Gritschke Dies
Union County Sheriff's Officer James Gritschke Dies A Union County Sheriff’s Officer is mourning the unexpected loss of one of their own. James W. “Jim” Gritschke, 45, died at home on Monday, March 9, according to his obituary posted by Lehrer-Gibilisco Funeral Home, which noted his passing was sudden. The Union County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his death in a message shared Tuesday, March 10. “Officer Gritschke was a valued member of our Sheriff’s Office family, and his passing is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him,” the Union County Sheriff’s Office said. “His service and dedication to the people of Union Cou…
Retired Trenton Deputy Fire Chief Todd Willever Dies After Brain Cancer Battle Retired Trenton Deputy Fire Chief Todd Willever Dies After Brain Cancer Battle
Retired Trenton Deputy Fire Chief Todd Willever Dies After Brain Cancer Battle Retired Trenton Fire Deputy Chief Todd Willever, who served the city for nearly three decades, died on Monday, March 9, with his family by his side after a years-long battle with brain cancer. He was 55 years old. A graduate of McCorristin High School’s Class of 1989, Willever previously lived in Trenton and Hamilton Township before moving to Columbus, according to his obituary from Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors. He served 29 years with the Trenton Fire Department, joining in 1994 after starting his career with the Mercer County Airport Fire Department. He rose through t…
12 Guns, High-Capacity Magazines Found In Rochelle Park Home; Arrest Made At Newark Airport: PD 12 Guns, High-Capacity Magazines Found In Rochelle Park Home; Arrest Made At Newark Airport: PD
12 Guns, High-Capacity Magazines Found In Rochelle Park Home; Arrest Made At Newark Airport: PD A dozen firearms including altered assault weapons and high-capacity magazines were found inside a Rochelle Park home in January, leading to the arrest of a Staten Island man at Newark Airport, authorities said Wednesday, March 11. Rochelle Park police responded to a call from a Howard Avenue resident on Jan. 10, reporting suspicious property discovered inside the home, Rochelle Park Police Capt. James DePreta said. Officers arrived and located 12 firearms, many of which included high-capacity magazines and altered assault weapons, DePreta said. The house is located on the same street …
NJ Police Employee Carol Leigh Womack Dies At 37 After Cancer Battle NJ Police Employee Carol Leigh Womack Dies At 37 After Cancer Battle
NJ Police Employee Carol Leigh Womack Dies At 37 After Cancer Battle A New Jersey woman who worked for the Sayreville Police Department and pursued a lifelong passion for the performing arts has died after battling cancer.  Carol Leigh Womack died Wednesday, March 4, in Houston, Texas, where she was receiving treatment for head and neck cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center, according to her obituary published by Gleason Funeral Home. She was 37 years old. "Carol Leigh lived every day with unique adventurous passion, endless enthusiasm, and abounding energy so powerful that it touched and inspired all of us who were lucky enough to have known her," reads …
Young Pharmacist Who Kept Chasing Dream Through NJ Cancer Fight Dies At 32 Young Pharmacist Who Kept Chasing Dream Through NJ Cancer Fight Dies At 32
Young Pharmacist Who Kept Chasing Dream Through NJ Cancer Fight Dies At 32 A young pharmacist who completed her residency in Trenton while battling ovarian cancer has died at age 32. Dr. Latifatu Mojisola Ojo, known to friends and family as Lati, died Wednesday, Feb. 25 after fighting the disease she was diagnosed with in 2024, according to her obituary on the Givnish Funeral Home website. Ojo was completing her pharmacy residency at Capital Health in Trenton while undergoing aggressive treatment, according to a GoFundMe organized by friends. “Lati was resolute. She was determined to fight ovarian cancer with all that she had while doing her best to continue livi…
NJ Dad Of 3 Dies Suddenly Days After 45th Birthday NJ Dad Of 3 Dies Suddenly Days After 45th Birthday
NJ Dad Of 3 Dies Suddenly Days After 45th Birthday A New Jersey father of three who built a respected career in New York’s tech industry died suddenly just days after his 45th birthday, leaving his family and community in shock. Carlos Rodriguez, 45, of Flemington, passed away on Sunday, March 1, according to his obituary from Scarpa Las Rosas Funeral Home. He had turned 45 on Feb. 27. Carlos Rodriguez died suddenly in his sleep just days after his 45th birthday. Now, loved ones are raising money to help his family cover funeral costs and support his youngest child. GoFundMe photo Rodriguez died suddenly in his sleep with no war…