Cause Of Death Released For Whitney Houston's NJ Mom, Cissy Houston, 91 Cause Of Death Released For Whitney Houston's NJ Mom, Cissy Houston, 91
Cause Of Death Released For Whitney Houston's NJ Mom, Cissy Houston, 91 Cissy Houston, a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, died at home in Newark on Monday, Oct. 7. She was 91 years old. Houston had been in hospice care for Alzheimer's disease, the family said in a statement posted to social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Whitney Houston (@whitneyhouston) “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” Pat Houston, her daughter-in-law, said in a statement.  “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our live…
BBQ Pitmaster From NJ Dies After Brief Illness BBQ Pitmaster From NJ Dies After Brief Illness
BBQ Pitmaster From NJ Dies After Brief Illness A Pennsylvania BBQ pitmaster and business owner with roots in New Jersey has died suddenly, according to his obituary posted by Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home. Michael "Mike" C. Wister, 58, originally of Elizabeth, NJ, but most recently of Lansdale, PA, passed away suddenly after a short illness at home on Saturday, Sept. 28, as detailed in his obituary. For 20 years, Mike ran small roadside BBQ stands, then he ran Wister’s Barbecue on Main Street for five years before moving to Broad Street in Lansdale where it's been for over two years, as explained in his obituary.  In his spa…
NJ Wrestler Alan Vera Garcia, 33, Dies Weeks After Going Into Cardiac Arrest Playing Soccer NJ Wrestler Alan Vera Garcia, 33, Dies Weeks After Going Into Cardiac Arrest Playing Soccer
NJ Wrestler Alan Vera Garcia, 33, Dies Weeks After Going Into Cardiac Arrest Playing Soccer Alan Vera Garcia, a professional New Jersey wrestler, died on Monday, Sept. 23, weeks after going into cardiac arrest while playing soccer, according to multiple news reports. He was 33 years old. Our dear friend and teammate, Alan Vera, recently suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while playing soccer. He is currently... Posted by USA Wrestling on Monday, August 5, 2024 Garcia, of Guttenberg, was born in Cuba and the first Cuban wrestler to win a national championship in the United States in Greco-Roman wrestling, his obituary on the Barquin Funeral Home site reads.  His obituar…
'Good Times' Star John Amos, Of Tewksbury, Died In August, Son Announces 'Good Times' Star John Amos, Of Tewksbury, Died In August, Son Announces
'Good Times' Star John Amos, Of Tewksbury, Died In August, Son Announces John Amos, who played the father on the 1970s sitcom "Good Times" and grew up in East Orange and lived in Tewksbury, died in August at the age of 84, his family announced Tuesday, Oct. 1. Born in Newark, Amos attended East Orange High School. His parents divorced when he was two and Amos supported his family by working as a garbage collector and street cleaner, according to the Washington Post. Amos attempted to play professional football but was cut from the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs and went into acting. He later appeared on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" before being cast as Jam…
Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32 Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32
Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32 Kevin "Kay" Escobar, a Morristown native who advocated for immigration and racial justice, died on Thursday, Sept. 26, according to their obituary posted at the Cochran Funeral Home website. Escobar enrolled at CUNY Law School where they co-founded several student groups and initiatives, scoring an internship at the New York Civil Liberties Union, according to their obituary.  They championed a statewide survey that documented immigrants' access to reproductive healthcare and worked with Black Lives Matter Morristown, leading marches throughout the state, their obituary reads. During t…
Sudden Death Of NJ High School Assistant Principal Spreads Shock, Sadness Sudden Death Of NJ High School Assistant Principal Spreads Shock, Sadness
Sudden Death Of NJ High School Assistant Principal Spreads Shock, Sadness A New Jersey community was mourning the sudden loss of a high school administrator and father of five. Andrew "AJ" Barchetto, 46, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 22, according to family members and his obituary on the Wood Funeral Home website. Barchetto was the assistant principal of Oakcrest High School, where he also served as the supervisor of special education and child study team, the school's website says. OHS Principal Michael Manning shared the following with Daily Voice: Oakcrest is coping as well as could be hoped. Mr. Barchetto was a trusted and loved administrator. He was …
Rhonda Iwanski, Pillar Of Sussex County Community, Dies Rhonda Iwanski, Pillar Of Sussex County Community, Dies
Rhonda Iwanski, Pillar Of Sussex County Community, Dies Rhonda Iwanski, a longtime Sussex County resident who was heavily involved in multiple communities, died on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Newton Medical Center after a long illness, her obituary on the Wood Funeral Home website says. She was 67 years old. Rhonda, of Sandyston, moved to New Jersey from Florida after meeting her husband, Mark, 28 years ago, her obituary says.  She served as the CFO of the House of the Good Shepherd and was a board member for the Human Services Advisory Council's Housing Committee, Rhonda's obituary continues. She was also member of the hiring committee for Susse…
College Student Raises $102K After Crash That Killed Bergen County Parents, Teen Sister College Student Raises $102K After Crash That Killed Bergen County Parents, Teen Sister
College Student Raises $102K After Crash That Killed Bergen County Parents, Teen Sister On Tuesday, Sept. 17, Max Dryerman said his final goodbyes to his parents and his younger sister. The college student from Woodcliff Lake lost his entire immediate family in a crash on the Garden State Parkway over the weekend. A joint funeral service was held for David and Michele Dryerman, both 54, and Brooke Dryerman, 17, Tuesday morning at Temple Emanuel of Pascack Valley. A burial service followed at Sharon Gardens on Lakeview Avenue, in Valhalla, NY. Max, whose LinkedIn shows he's studying engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia, launched a GoFundMe page to help put himself t…
Star NJ Ballerina Michaela DePrince Dead At 29 Star NJ Ballerina Michaela DePrince Dead At 29
Star NJ Ballerina Michaela DePrince Dead At 29 Michaela DePrince, a professional ballerina with roots in South Jersey and Philadelphia, has died at 29 years old. UPDATE: Late PA Ballerina Michaela DePrince's Mom Died Less Than 24 Hours After Her Michaela's passing was announced in a post on her Instagram on Friday, Sept. 13, and has since been confirmed by the family to Daily Voice. The family says Michaela passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 10.  A full statement from a representative of the family has been posted on Facebook.  OFFICIAL FAMILY STATEMENT UPDATE 9/14/24: Michaela DePrince Elaine DePrince Thank you to…
South Toms River Officer Killed In Parkway Crash, Treated Friends 'Like Gold': Fundraiser South Toms River Officer Killed In Parkway Crash, Treated Friends 'Like Gold': Fundraiser
South Toms River Officer Killed In Parkway Crash, Treated Friends 'Like Gold': Fundraiser A former South Toms River police officer died when his motorcycle crashed with a dirt bike on the Garden State Parkway, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page was created for 26-year-old Antonio Caprara. The Beachwood man was killed in the crash in Toms River at around 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. South Toms River Police Chief William Kosh tells Daily Voice that Caprara was terminated from the department in May 2024. Kosh did not provide further details. "Antonio was a wonderful person, known for worth ethic, kindness, and selflessness," wrote Rue. "He treated his fri…
Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding
Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding Jahnan Rahimpour was wise beyond his years. At just 14 years old, the Edgewater native was already an activist who was passionate about volunteering and did so often. His most recent volunteer work was at the Leonia Library and at the Bergen County Rowing Academy, developing skills of newcomers at Overpeck Park. Fluent in Farsi, Jahnan was proud of his Persian heritage and was thrilled to visit his parents' native country of Iran this summer for his aunt's wedding. It was during that trip, though, that joy turned to tragedy for Jahnan's family. Or as his mother, Asal, says: "The weddi…
Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15 Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15
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…
DPW Worker Killed In Motorcycle Crash While Riding With Friend On NJ Road, Police Say DPW Worker Killed In Motorcycle Crash While Riding With Friend On NJ Road, Police Say
DPW Worker Killed In Motorcycle Crash While Riding With Friend On NJ Road, Police Say A 23-year-old Morris County man died in a two-motorcycle crash in Passaic County last month, police said. Sean McClinton, of Riverdale, was heading north on a 2022 Triumph STR north on East Shore Road when he ran off the road to the right and struck the guardrail, causing him to separate from the motorcycle around 6:15 p.m. on Aug. 31, a spokesperson for the West Milford Police Department said. The other motorcycle rider, a 22-year-old Pompton Lakes man, said he was operating a 2018 Triumph STR following McClinton north on East Shore Road and after seeing the crash, he also ran of…
Star NJ Baseball Player Nick Cocchia Dies Suddenly, 25 Star NJ Baseball Player Nick Cocchia Dies Suddenly, 25
Star NJ Baseball Player Nick Cocchia Dies Suddenly, 25 Support is on the rise for the family of former New Jersey high school baseball player Nicholas "Nick" Cocchia, who died suddenly on Monday, Aug. 26, according to his obituary on the Rossi Funeral Home website. He was 25 years old. Nick was raised in Mountainside before moving to Kenilworth with his family, his obituary says. Nick played first base, outfield, and pitched for the varsity baseball team at Governor Livingston High School in Berkley Heights, his obituary says.  He helped lead the team to their victory as state champions in 2015 before playing college baseball for Mont…
Flight Crew Raises $18K For Family Of Popular Atlantic Air Nurse Jay McChesney Flight Crew Raises $18K For Family Of Popular Atlantic Air Nurse Jay McChesney
Flight Crew Raises $18K For Family Of Popular Atlantic Air Nurse Jay McChesney A fundraiser has been launched to aid the family of Jay McChesney, a New Jersey father and flight nurse who died last month at 55 years old. Jay, of Hillsborough, died on Friday, Aug. 30, leaving behind his wife, Jennette and their three children, Jordan, James, and Joe. Nicknamed an "All American Hero," Jay was a founding member of the Atlantic Air 1 medevac team and was a nurse at Robert Wood Johnson after having spent 24 years serving in the Coast Guard. As of Tuesday, Sept. 3, more than $18,000 had been raised on the GoFundMe for the McChesney family, launched by members of Jay's f…
Hillsborough Dad, Flight Nurse Jay McChesney Dies, 55: 'All American Hero' Hillsborough Dad, Flight Nurse Jay McChesney Dies, 55: 'All American Hero'
Hillsborough Dad, Flight Nurse Jay McChesney Dies, 55: 'All American Hero' Medical professionals across New Jersey are mourning the loss of Jay McChesney, a longtime nurse being remembered for his humility and genuine concern. Jay, whose birth name was James Paul, died on Friday, Aug. 30, according to his obituary on the Hillsborough Funeral Home website. He was 55 years old. A GoFundMe launched for Jay's family had raised more than $8,000 as of press time. Known affectionately by loved ones as the "All American Hero," Jay grew up in West Orange and went on to work at the Parsippany Pathmark, where he met his wife, Jenette Reilling, with whom he shared three chil…
Organs Of High School Football Player Killed In NJ Tesla Crash Will Help Others Live Organs Of High School Football Player Killed In NJ Tesla Crash Will Help Others Live
Organs Of High School Football Player Killed In NJ Tesla Crash Will Help Others Live An 18-year-old man has died nearly a week after the Tesla he was riding in was involved in a crash, police in South Jersey said. Daniel "Danny" Hass, a student at Notre Dame High School in Lawrence Township, died Saturday, Aug. 24, his family said in a post on social media. "Our happy, beautiful, warm, loving and beloved son was declared brain dead this morning," his family said. "Danny wanted to be an organ donor, and we are following his wishes! His organ donation should take place late Sunday or early Monday. NJ Sharing will have a ceremony to honor Dan’s gifts around that time." Danny…
Remembering Sophia DeTorres, NJ High Schooler Killed On First Day Of School Remembering Sophia DeTorres, NJ High Schooler Killed On First Day Of School
Remembering Sophia DeTorres, NJ High Schooler Killed On First Day Of School Life was only beginning for Sophia DeTorres. The 16-year-old North Hunterdon High School student was a competitive and award-winning dancer of 11 years and had been looking at colleges, preparing for life's next chapter, according to her obituary on the Martin Funeral Home website. Sophia, who also ran cross country and track, visited Boson College, Cornell, and Wake Forest, on her early shortlist, and was hoping to major in psychology "in keeping with her drive to help people," her obituary says. But life was cut short for Sophia on Thursday, Aug. 22, when she was killed in…
Motorcyclist, 30, Dies Days Before Birthday In NJ Crash Motorcyclist, 30, Dies Days Before Birthday In NJ Crash
Motorcyclist, 30, Dies Days Before Birthday In NJ Crash A 30-year-old motorcyclist has died following a New Jersey crash earlier this month, according to his obituary. Wilson Gonzalez Jr., of Bound Brook, died at RWJ Hospital in New Brunswick on Friday, Aug. 16, his obituary on the Hagan-Chamberlin Funeral Home website says. Happy birthday mi amor. I miss you so much and your babies do to. I promise to keep going on and raising our babies.I love you ❤️ Wilson Gonzalez Posted by Alyssa Warren on Friday, August 23, 2024 Gonzalez was identified as the motorcyclist airlifted in the Thursday, Aug. 15 crash on the Manville Causeway near …
Warren Hills HS Grad Taylor Cerza Dies Suddenly, 27, Leaving Behind 2 Daughters Warren Hills HS Grad Taylor Cerza Dies Suddenly, 27, Leaving Behind 2 Daughters
Warren Hills HS Grad Taylor Cerza Dies Suddenly, 27, Leaving Behind 2 Daughters Taylor M. Cerza, a Warren Hills High School graduate who lived in Hampton, died suddenly on Friday, Aug. 16 in Oxford, according to her obituary on the Warren Hills Memorial Home website. She was 27 years old. A Great Meadows native, Taylor worked as a direct support professional for Abilities of NW Jersey and was a loving mother to her two kids, Layla Knoop and Frankie Lee Golovko, her obituary says. A GoFundMe launched in Taylor's memory had raised more than $9,200 as of press time. "Taylor has two young beautiful daughters that will now have to grow up without their mommy so my fam…
Morris County Native Michael Brown, 23, Was Set To Begin New Job At EY, Obituary Says Morris County Native Michael Brown, 23, Was Set To Begin New Job At EY, Obituary Says
Morris County Native Michael Brown, 23, Was Set To Begin New Job At EY, Obituary Says Michael Brown, a Morris County native set to start a new career in accounting, died on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. He was 23 years old. According to his obituary on the William Leber Funeral Home website, Michael graduated from  West Morris Central High School before earning a degree from the University of Alabama. He was set to begin a new job at EY in Atlanta, GA. He had checked off an item on a summer bucket list this year, hiking across national parks along the West Coast, camping out or sleeping on a friend's couch, Michael's obituary reads.  In tributes published to socia…
Teen Boxing Champ From Bergen County Jesselyn 'Jesszilla' Silva Dies Teen Boxing Champ From Bergen County Jesselyn 'Jesszilla' Silva Dies
Teen Boxing Champ From Bergen County Jesselyn 'Jesszilla' Silva Dies Jesselyn Silva had a lot of people rooting for her. That's both in the ring as a national boxing champion, and out, as she fought cancer. The 18-year-old Bergenfield boxer lost her bout with cancer on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Known in the ring as JessZilla, was a two-time national champion who penned her own memoir, My Corner of the Ring by the time she was 15 years old. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🌻 Jesselyn "JessZilla" Silva 🦖 (@jesselyn_silva) She later starred in a feature film by Emily Sheskin called Jesszilla…
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87 Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87 Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat who served in Congress for almost 30 years and was a former Mayor of Paterson, died on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the age of 87, his family announced. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," his family wrote on social media.  "As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He i…
Kevin Waite, Jersey City Musician, Father Of Two, Dies At 46 Kevin Waite, Jersey City Musician, Father Of Two, Dies At 46
Kevin Waite, Jersey City Musician, Father Of Two, Dies At 46 Kevin Waite, a Jersey City musician who worked in mental health, died recently at the age of 46, according to a fundraiser set up to support his family. Waite is survived by his wife Nicole and his two children, Dylan and Ruby. As of Friday, Aug. 16, the fundraiser has raised more than $65,800. It’s hard to find a group that’s been together for 40 years. Through the good times and the bad we’ve been through it... Posted by Brian Skib on Monday, August 12, 2024 "Kevin's warmth, generosity, and boundless spirit touched everyone he met," wrote Melanie Kirsch, who organized the fundrai…
Gerald 'Jerry' McMinn, Owner Of NJ Ice Cream Institution, Longtime EMT Dies At 93 Gerald 'Jerry' McMinn, Owner Of NJ Ice Cream Institution, Longtime EMT Dies At 93
Gerald 'Jerry' McMinn, Owner Of NJ Ice Cream Institution, Longtime EMT Dies At 93 Gerald "Jerry" McMinn, a man credited for saving countless lives over more than 65 years volunteering as an EMT, and bringing joy to thousands of North Jersey residents through his iconic Milk Barn, has died at 93 years old. An Army Veteran widely known across North Jersey as the owner of the Old Barn Milk Bar in Wayne, died on Wednesday, Aug. 7, according to his obituary on the Scanlan Funeral Home website.  Jerry graduated from Butler High School and later served in the U.S. Army. While volunteering at the St. Joseph's Hospital emergency room in Paterson, he met his wife, "the l…
$42K Raised For Family Of NJ Man Killed In 'Tragic Accident' Vacationing In Thailand $42K Raised For Family Of NJ Man Killed In 'Tragic Accident' Vacationing In Thailand
$42K Raised For Family Of NJ Man Killed In 'Tragic Accident' Vacationing In Thailand Michael Basciano, a 34-year-old Mount Olive native, died while on vacation in Thailand on Tuesday, July 9, according to his obituary at the Dangler Funeral Home website. Basciano died in a "tragic accident," according to a fundraiser set up to support his family, though additional details have not been made available. As of Wednesday, Aug. 7, the fundraiser has raised more than $42,000. Basciano graduated Mount Olive High School in 2008 and worked in construction management before going into finance, spending the last nine years at Asset Based Lending, his obituary reads.  Last year B…
Daughters Of Pepsi-Loving Truck Driver Killed In Fiery Route 3 Crash Have Special Request Daughters Of Pepsi-Loving Truck Driver Killed In Fiery Route 3 Crash Have Special Request
Daughters Of Pepsi-Loving Truck Driver Killed In Fiery Route 3 Crash Have Special Request Next time you drink a Pepsi, think of Luis "Papo" Santiago. His daughters, in a heartfelt tribute shared to GoFundMe, are asking for just that after the 55-year-old Linden resident was killed in a fiery crash on Route 3 in Clifton on Monday morning, July 22. Santiago's truck clipped an NJ Transit bus carrying 29 passengers in the eastbound lanes then crashed into a barrier near Valley Road and Grove Street, causing the vehicle to erupt in flames, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi said. Santiago's body was found after firefight…
Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55 Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55
Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55 Eric Bernstein, the CEO of his Berkshire Furniture and a Westfield resident, died on Thursday, July 25, at the age of 55, according to his obituary by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel. Berkshire Furniture, based in Springfield, is a family business that has been passed down through four generations, Bernstein's obituary reads. Bernstein also served as president of the New Jersey/New York Furniture Association in 2017, according to his obituary. Yesterday the we lost a special friend, partner and leader. Eric Bernstein, president of Berkshire Furniture , and..…
ID Of NJ Woman Killed In Maine Plane Crash Released ID Of NJ Woman Killed In Maine Plane Crash Released
ID Of NJ Woman Killed In Maine Plane Crash Released A 57-year-old Essex County woman was one of two people killed in a plane crash in Maine on Thursday, July 25, authorities said. Christina Chung, a Livingston resident, was identified as one of the victims after a small plane that took off from Morristown Municipal Airport before crashing and bursting into flames on the approach to Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Maine around 12:25 p.m., the Maine Department of Public Safety said.  Michael Leibowitz, a 71-year-old  Charleston, South Carolina, resident was the pilot killed in the crash. Steve Heckman, Maine-based Trenton Volun…
Emily Madden, Former Valedictorian, North Jersey Nurse, Dies At 27 Emily Madden, Former Valedictorian, North Jersey Nurse, Dies At 27
Emily Madden, Former Valedictorian, North Jersey Nurse, Dies At 27 Emily Madden, a nurse and Clifton resident, died on Sunday, July 21, according to her obituary on the Ferguson Funeral Home website. She was 27 years old. Madden was the valedictorian of Wallkill Valley Regional High School's Class of 2015 before attending college and becoming a registered nurse, right before the COVID-19 pandemic, her obituary says.  "She was an incredible young woman with so much promise," David Carr, the superintendent for Wallkill Valley Regional High School said. "We are so sad to hear of her passing and our thoughts and prayers are with her family. She work…
Kutztown University Professor Found Frozen To Death On One Of Turkey's Tallest Mountains Kutztown University Professor Found Frozen To Death On One Of Turkey's Tallest Mountains
Kutztown University Professor Found Frozen To Death On One Of Turkey's Tallest Mountains An associate business professor at Kutztown University has died after he and another man's bodies were found frozen on one of the tallest mountains in Turkey last weekend, according to university administrators and local news reports.  Dr. M. Halim Dalgin a 58-year-old Adana, a Turkey native living in Mountain Top, Luzerne County, had been climbing a mountain near the country's southeastern border with Iran, multiple outlets report.  On his Facebook page, Dalgin said he was making a pilgrimage to the top of Mount Ararat (also known as Mount Ağrı or Büyük Ağrı Dağı) while travelin…