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NJ Graphic Designer Dies After Brain Cancer Battle, 37
Lauren Hope Vigilante, of Middletown, died on Monday, June 15, after battling brain cancer, at 37 years old.
A GoFundMe set up to support her last November detailed her harrowing diagnosis.
"Two years ago, Lauren was living in New York City, working as a talented graphic designer, chasing her dreams, living life on her terms," her brother Robert wrote. "Now, she’s back home with our parents who care for her every moment. She can’t walk, talk, or move. The vibrant, independent woman we love is trapped in a body that won’t cooperate and it breaks our hearts every day."
The fundraiser was mea…
Dad, Bergen County HS Coach Bruce Laughton Dies At 54
Bruce D. Laughton, a Bergen County dad, high school coach, and longtime Ramapo College employee, died peacefully, surrounded by family on June 11, according to his obituary from Becker Funeral Home. He was 54 years old.
Laughton grew up in Park Ridge and later raised his children, Elena and Colby, in Westwood. He coached several of their youth sports teams and spent years coaching high school athletics at Park Ridge High School and Paterson Arts & Sciences Charter School, according to his obituary. He continued supporting his children throughout high school and college, attending ne…
Bereaved Family Mourns 23-Year-Old Killed By NJ Rip Current
A Forked River man who died after being caught in a rip current off Long Beach Island is being remembered for his kindness, laughter, and generous spirit.
David Maldonado-Ocelotl, 28, was swimming with friends off East 21st Street in Ship Bottom when four people were caught in a rip current at approximately 2:28 p.m. on Friday, June 5, according to the Ship Bottom Police Department. He was found in the water, unconscious and not breathing, and pronounced dead at the hospital.
A GoFundMe organized by Ruby Ramirez for the Ocelotl family had raised nearly $17,000 as of Tuesday, June 9.
"David…
Death Of Bergen County's DJ Pumma Spreads Heartbreak Through NY/NJ Music Scene
The New York and New Jersey music scene is mourning the death of Sehui Won, better known as DJ Pumma, following a battle with cancer. She was 45 years old.
Won, a Fort Lee resident originally from South Korea, died peacefully May 14 surrounded by loved ones, according to a tribute shared on her obituary page.
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“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved sister, daughter, and friend, Sehee,” her family wrote. “She was a kind and caring person who touched many lives with her warmth, strength, and ge…
'Fantastic Son': Services Set For NJ Student, Aspiring Engineer, Struck, Killed By BMW
Jackson Mueller, who was struck and killed by a BMW driven by another juvenile in Brick on Monday morning, May 19, is being remembered as a beloved son and brother, according to his obituary from the O'Brien Funeral Home website.
An honors student who was set to complete his freshman year at Brick Memorial High School, Mueller was set to attend MATES, a specialized STEM school in the fall, his obituary reads. An aspiring engineer, Mueller was an officer in the National Junior Honor Society and the treasurer for student council at Veterans Memorial Middle School, according to his obituary.
A…
Wayne Mom, Popular Hair Stylist Kelly Hannigan Dies, 57
Kelly Ann Hannigan, a Wayne hairstylist, business owner, and devoted mother, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, May 17, according to her obituary published by Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home. She was 57 years old.
Born in New York City, Hannigan moved to Elmwood Park with her family in 1970 and later raised her sons in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, her obituary reads. After graduating from Paramus Catholic High School in 1987, she pursued cosmetology and eventually worked at Hans Maxem’s Salon in Westwood before opening Hair Trendz with her sister Terry in …
NJ High School Track Runner Dies, 18
Mekkai "Kai" Fontus, a junior at High Point Regional High School in Sussex, died on Saturday, May 16 at 18 years old.
An avid gamer, weightlifter, and skateboarder, Mekkai was raised in Newton before moving to Montague in 2021, his obituary reads. As a sophomore, he ran the 100-meter dash in 11.95 seconds and had a pasion for anime, Beyblades, Pokemon and cars.
A GoFundMe launched for Mekkai's foster family had raised more than $15,000 as of press time.
"Mekkai was a young man who meant so much to so many people in our community," it reads. "His passing has left his family, friends, a…
Family Of NJ Toddler, Mother, Aunt Killed In Merritt Parkway Hit-Run Start Fundraiser
A New Jersey community is rallying around a family after a toddler, her mother, and her aunt were killed in a fiery Connecticut hit-and-run crash last week. Loved ones are now asking for help bringing the child’s body home to Guatemala while her father remains in ICE custody.
The crash happened just before 5 a.m. May 10, on the Merritt Parkway near Exit 36 South in Stratford, according to Connecticut State Police.
Police said 2-year-old Yanelet DePaz died alongside Maria E. Vasquez Chacon, 29, and Joselyn Vasquez-Chacon, 25, all of Trenton, New Jersey.
Loved ones created a&…
Legendary Bartender, Jersey Shore Nightlife Fixture Dave Quisumbing Dies
Dave Quisumbing, the Jersey Shore bartender, entrepreneur, and nightlife fixture known to thousands as “DQ,” has died.
UPDATE: Dave Quisumbing Was "Quietly Struggling" Before Losing Fight With Depression
Bar Anticipation in Lake Como announced Quisumbing’s death in a tribute shared Monday, May 18.
Quisumbing, known to many as “DQ” and the inventor of the Speed Tin, had more than 42,000 Instagram followers and worked at several well-known New Jersey hospitality venues.
His biography on the Speed Tin website says he was a first-generation Filipino American, the youngest of four siblings, an…
Woman Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash Was Hardworking Restaurant Employee: Campaign
Katherine Andrade-Portillo, a 27-year-old Long Branch woman was killed in a car crash on Sunday, May 17, when the vehicle she was riding in burst into flames on the Garden State Parkway, authorities said.
A GoFundMe fundraiser campaign has been established for the family of Portillo, who worked at Don Beto's, a Salvadorian restaurant in Long Branch.
"Katherine was a loving, hardworking, and beautiful person who always brought joy, love, and kindness to those around her," Edward Hernandez, who organized the fundraiser said. "She will be remembered for her big heart, her dedica…
