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Volunteering

Obituaries
Rita Marquez Of Washington Dies After Cancer Battle, 43: 'Beacon Of Artistic Passion' Rita Marquez Of Washington Dies After Cancer Battle, 43: 'Beacon Of Artistic Passion'
Rita Marquez Of Washington Dies After Cancer Battle, 43: 'Beacon Of Artistic Passion' Rita Marquez of Washington (Warren County) died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 25 after a courageous cancer battle, according to her obituary on the Warren Hills Memorial Home website. She was 43 years old. Born in Newark, Rita graduated from Frank H. Morrell High School and later from Kean University with a degree in graphic design. Her obituary remembers her as a "beacon of artistic passion... "Rita's creations became tokens of her affection, as she dedicated time to crafting personalized gifts, delights, and baked goods that revealed her deep care for her family and friends. Known …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
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…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Volunteer Ambulance Squad Member Killed In Route 287 Wreck Volunteer Ambulance Squad Member Killed In Route 287 Wreck
Volunteer Ambulance Squad Member Killed In Route 287 Wreck A longtime first responder from Bergen County was killed last week in an off-duty crash on Route 287, police said. John Papendick, 58, who served 11 years on the Waldwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps, died in the Wednesday, Aug. 14 crash along Route 287 in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. Papendick was heading south in a Dodge Charger when he veered off the road to the right, striking the guardrail around 9:25 a.m., Lebron said. He reentered the roadway across all lanes and struck the concrete traffic barrier. While Papendick's injuries were con…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Retired NY Knicks Star Charles Oakley Dines At NJ Restaurant During Special Trip For Friend Retired NY Knicks Star Charles Oakley Dines At NJ Restaurant During Special Trip For Friend
Retired NY Knicks Star Charles Oakley Dines At NJ Restaurant During Special Trip For Friend Akhtar Farzaie needed one more person to bring to a charity golf outing at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster last month.  Naturally, retired NY Knicks power forward Charles Oakley was the first person to come to mind. Farzaie, 41, who owns Bella Pizza in Hillsborough, met the 60-year-old NBA legend when he said he was elbowed by him during a pickup game at a local YMCA in 2002. The two were later acquainted by mutual friends, and have kept in touch ever since. Oakley agreed to make a special trip out to Somerset County for Farzie last month, and was treated to seared Bronzino, si…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Sparta's Monica Jadach Dies, 34: 'Voice Of Reason' Sparta's Monica Jadach Dies, 34: 'Voice Of Reason'
Sparta's Monica Jadach Dies, 34: 'Voice Of Reason' Monica Jadach, a Sparta resident, died on Sunday, Dec. 31, after previously battling breast cancer, according to her obituary. Jadach volunteered with the Sparta Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and was a treasurer for the Congenital Heart Defect coalition, her obituary reads.  Her brother, Christopher, said on social media that she had heart surgery when she was a toddler and recently beat breast cancer. His tribute went on to say Monica was the "voice of reason" despite being seven years his junior. I lost my best friend this Sunday evening on New Year’s Eve… Monica was al…

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
Tributes Pour In After Death Of Warren County Mom, 'Dedicated Volunteer' Johanna Garrison, 40 Tributes Pour In After Death Of Warren County Mom, 'Dedicated Volunteer' Johanna Garrison, 40
Tributes Pour In After Death Of Warren County Mom, 'Dedicated Volunteer' Johanna Garrison, 40 Tributes and donations are pouring in after the unexpected death of a beloved Warren County mother remembered as one of her town’s “most dedicated volunteers.” Johanna Kelly Garrison, of Great Meadows, died on Wednesday, June 14, her obituary says. She was 40. Raised in Ewing, Johanna was a proud Girl Scout and loved attending dance classes. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in Lawrence Township before furthering her education at Mercer County Community College, where she served as the Student Association President and earned an Associates Degree in Humanities, according to her mem…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Tewksbury Township Rescue Squad Charter Member, Devoted Mom Babette Russell Dies At 45 Tewksbury Township Rescue Squad Charter Member, Devoted Mom Babette Russell Dies At 45
Tewksbury Township Rescue Squad Charter Member, Devoted Mom Babette Russell Dies At 45 Tewksbury Township Rescue Squad charter member and devoted mother of three Babette Russell died at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on Friday, Nov. 25. She was 45. A longtime member of Tewksbury Township, Babette graduated from Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner, her obituary says. She was a charter member of the Tewksbury Township First Aid and Rescue Squad and as a child was active with the Girl Scouts, according to her memorial. Babette is remembered as a dedicated and spirited woman who “could do anything she put her mind to,” her memorial says. She was constantly keeping he…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Hunterdon County High School Track Star, Impassioned Artist Jax Carey Dies At 16 Hunterdon County High School Track Star, Impassioned Artist Jax Carey Dies At 16
Hunterdon County High School Track Star, Impassioned Artist Jax Carey Dies At 16 Hunterdon County high school track star, impassioned artist, and self-taught musician Jax Carey died on Monday, Sept. 26 at the age of 16. Born in Morristown, Jax lived in Califon and attended Voorhees High School as a Junior. Jax was a skilled member of the high school’s track team and enjoyed participating in the hurdle events. A volunteer with the Valley View Chapel in Long Valley as well as several nursing homes, Jax was known for having an incredibly giving heart and soul. A self-taught musician, Jax was endlessly creative and loved singing, playing piano, and drums. Jax also kept …

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by Valerie Musson
News
Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities
Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities Nearly two weeks after a popular 67-year-old Hawthorne widow was struck and killed by an out-of-control vehicle while walking her dog, authorities suddenly announced that they were continuing an investigation into her death. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Hawthorne Police Chief James Knepper didn’t explain why they're now officially acknowledging -- while providing some details of -- the Sept. 24 death of Bonnie Siebert in a joint release issued on Thursday, Oct. 6. A Glen Rock native, Siebert had lost her husband of 32 years, Robert “Bob” Siebert, just this past January.&n…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
Lifelong Hunterdon County Resident, Animal Rescue Volunteer Dies In Crash, 43 Lifelong Hunterdon County Resident, Animal Rescue Volunteer Dies In Crash, 43
Lifelong Hunterdon County Resident, Animal Rescue Volunteer Dies In Crash, 43 Lifelong Hunterdon County resident and animal rescue volunteer Wayne Allyn Davidson died in a car crash on Friday, March 18. He was 43. Born in Hackettstown, Davidson lived in Lebanon Township his entire life, his obituary says. Davidson graduated from Voorhees High School in 1997 and worked at Jordan Tree Service in Lebanon Township, according to his memorial. Davidson was remembered for his love of all things mechanical, especially cars. He also enjoyed farming and volunteering at Orphan Anni-mals in Glen Gardner, where he had earned a nickname as the “pig whisperer.” Davidson leaves b…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Hunterdon County High School Grad, Junior Firefighter Daniel Edelstein Dies At Age 26 Hunterdon County High School Grad, Junior Firefighter Daniel Edelstein Dies At Age 26
Hunterdon County High School Grad, Junior Firefighter Daniel Edelstein Dies At Age 26 Hunterdon County high school graduate and junior firefighter Daniel Brandon Edelstein died at his home on June 11. He was 26. Born in New Brunswick, Edelstein played lacrosse and ice hockey at Hunterdon Central High School, where he graduated in 2013, his obituary says. Edelstein went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University Business School, where he served as a member of the Rutgers Finance Consultancy Club, the Financial Engineering Club and the Little Investment Bankers of Rutgers (L.I.B.O.R). He was also a proud member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, his memorial says. Edel…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Mount Olive HS Grad, Board Of Education Member, Dog Shelter Volunteer Josh Camoia Dies, 25 Mount Olive HS Grad, Board Of Education Member, Dog Shelter Volunteer Josh Camoia Dies, 25
Mount Olive HS Grad, Board Of Education Member, Dog Shelter Volunteer Josh Camoia Dies, 25 Mount Olive High School graduate and Board of Education member Josh Camoia died Nov. 13 at the age of 25. Camoia, born in Morristown, graduated from Mount Olive High School in 2013 and had served as a member of the district’s Board of Education for the past seven years, his obituary says. Camoia, who lived in Flanders at the time of his death, had a passion for animals and volunteered for dog adoption days at the 11th Hour Rescue Shelter, his memorial says. He also loved music, playing the guitar and attending concerts. “He will be fondly remembered for his sweet smile, kindness, friendsh…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Chatham Police Launch Task Force Enforcing Social Distancing, Mask-Wearing Chatham Police Launch Task Force Enforcing Social Distancing, Mask-Wearing
Chatham Police Launch Task Force Enforcing Social Distancing, Mask-Wearing Police in Chatham are looking for volunteers to hand out free masks and encourage social distancing with the launch of the Chatham Borough Covid-19 Ambassador Program. The program sets up volunteers in highly-traveled pedestrian areas and offers a “zero-confrontational” approach to reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The volunteers will distribute free masks and “gently encourage” social distancing. “As the Covid-19 infection rate continues to raise both nationally and within our state, studies have shown that social distancing, wearing a mask, and hand washing is effective in lower…

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by Valerie Musson
Business
Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Opens At Rutgers Newark Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Opens At Rutgers Newark
Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Opens At Rutgers Newark Struggling students at Rutgers Newark won't have to live on a prayer for food much longer. Jon Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen will be opening a third location on campus in January 2020. The rocker and his wife Dorothea Hurley opened the first pay-if-you-can restaurant in Red Bank in 2011. Customers are asked to pay a suggested $12 donation to cover their meal and someone else's. If they can't, they are asked to volunteer.  Most of the labor and nearly all of the food come from donations. The couple later opened the second JBJ Kitchen in Toms River and are planning on a Jan. 23 opening date…

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by Cecilia Levine