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Allentown Mom Who Died After Crash Was '5-Foot Woman With Giant Personality,' Daughter Says
Iris Crystal Mercado, an Allentown mother, and New Jersey native, died from injuries sustained in a car crash on Sunday, March 31, authorities said. She was 37.
Mercado, called Crystal by friends and loved ones, was hospitalized after a wreck on Route 22 in South Whitehall on Feb. 3, state police have said.
Her daughter Ciara Rodriguez said Mercado was "a 5-foot woman with the personality of a giant."
"My mother loved being around friends and family and just enjoying being outside," Rodriguez told Daily Voice.
"She was great at whatever she learned and put her mind …
George Iino, Fort Lee Baseball Coach, Dies At 55: 'Beacon Of Love'
George Iino, a Fort Lee resident who coached baseball in the community, died on Wednesday, March 27, according to a fundraiser set up to support his family.
A native of Illinois, Iino moved to New Jersey as a teenager, graduating from Mount Olive High School, his obituary reads. A graduate of Rutgers University, he had numerous passions including skiing, martial arts, DJing, tennis and was a competitive bodybuilder, according to his obituary.
Iino pursued a career in international business and trade, which saw him circle the globe, traveling to places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris,…
Producer Of Popular Nike, 'Dawn Saves Wildlife' Commercials From NJ Michael Downey Dies, 57
Michael Joseph Downey, a Norwood resident who produced the well-reviewed movie "Roadie" and popular television commercials died on Sunday, March 18 at the age of 57, according to his obituary.
Downey and his wife Christen founded Hero Content, which produced commercials for Nike and Proctor and Gamble, like the popular "Dawn Saves Wildlife" commercials.
Downey assisted with charitable campaigns for Hackensack University Health Network, the PAL Wrestling Program and Family Promise of Bergen County, his obituary reads.
In 2012, "Roadie" starring Ron Eldard and Jill Hennessy was released…
Ava Rasmussen, Former Mahwah HS Cheerleader, Dies At 18: 'Our Hearts Are Shattered'
Ava Rasmussen, who graduated Mahwah High School last year, died on Wednesday, March 13.
Ava, an active member of the school's cheerleading team and student government, died of cancer at the age of 18.
Ava Rasmussen GoFundMe photo
A truly sad day for our entire Mahwah community. Bright lights never get extinguished. They sometimes just need to fly... Posted by Jonathan N. Marcus on Thursday, March 14, 2024
"Ava has made a lasting impact on everyone who she came across," Superintendent Dr. Michael DeTuro said, noting counseling is available at the school to support students…
Morris County Teacher, Mom Cheryl Granito Dies After Breast Cancer Battle
Cheryl Granito, a teacher in Morris County, died on Sunday, March 10, after battling metastatic breast cancer, according to her obituary.
Born in Toronto, Granito moved to Chatham and grew up in Madison, graduating from Madison High School, her obituary reads.
Graduating from the University of Rhode Island in 1998, she met her husband Mark in 2002, and the two married in 2008 before settling in Denville, according to her obituary.
This is unbelievably heartbreaking 😢 💔
Cheryl was a teacher at the boys’ elementary school. She was also a Denville... Posted by Charlene Scott on&nbs…
Popular Bergen County Youth Sports Coach, Dad To Newborn Mike Burns Dies After Bicycle Ride, 37
Shock and sadness spread following the death of 37-year-old Michael Burns, a well-respected youth sports coach and father of two.
According to his obituary, Mike died unexpectedly on a bicycle ride Sunday, March 3.
A member of the Ironworkers Union, Local 11 Mike "loved the challenges of his job, especially the thrill of working on structures from very great heights," his obituary reads. He was outspoken and "always tried to push his own personal limits."
"Wrestling was his lifelong passion, and he trained his body, mind and spirit with diligence and devotion to the art and skills of…
Susan Driscoll, Teacher From Morris County, Dies At 39
Sue Driscoll, a Budd Lake resident, died on Friday, March 1 at the age of 39, according to her obituary.
A lifelong Garden Stater, Driscoll was born in Livingston, and also lived in Springfield and Chatham, before graduating from Morristown-Beard School, where she played basketball and field hockey, her obituary reads.
I wasn’t going to post anything since most people heard the news, although since friends have, I figured I should.... Posted by Andy Sabella on Saturday, March 2, 2024
She spent a year in Paterson working for Americorps helping underprivileged children before attendi…
Steve Lawrence, Crooner Who Helped Open NJ's First Casino, Dies At 88
Steve Lawrence, an iconic crooner who helped open New Jersey's first casino, has died, according to reports.
Lawrence died on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 88 years old. A family spokesperson said the singer's cause of death was complications from Alzheimer's disease, according to Variety.
Lawrence and his wife Eydie Gormé sang in the pop vocal duo called "Steve and Eydie". The couple toured together from 1954 to 2009, and Gormé died in 2013.
Lawrence was known for hits like "Go Away Little Girl", "Pretty Blue Eyes", and "Footsteps". He was also an actor, a comedian, and a Broadway p…
NJ's Theresa 'Tess' Callaghan Dies Year After Cancer Diagnosis, 29
Theresa Callaghan, a 29-year-old Mount Olive native, died on Monday, Feb. 26 after battling brain cancer, according to her obituary.
Born in Cranford, Callaghan graduated from Mount Olive High School in 2012, her obituary reads. She graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in nutrition and dietetics and later achieved her master's in nutrition from St. Elizabeth University, according to her obituary.
Callaghan was diagnosed with brain cancer in March 2023, according to a fundraiser set up to support her medical bills. As of Thursday, March 7, more than $106,000 had been raised.…
