Find Your Daily Voice
New Windsor 12-Year-Old Advances To National Spelling Bee Finals
A young Hudson Valley student could soon be a national champion.
Orange County resident YY Liang, age 12, of New Windsor, is one of eight kids who made it through five rounds of the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals, advancing to the Thursday, May 30 finals, which will be shown live on iON television at 8 p.m.
Four of the Elite 8 are from California and Texas (two from each state), and the others are from California, Colorado, North Carolina, and Florida.
Liange is a nationally-ranked junior tennis player who enjoys video games and has a talent for drawing.
A seventh-grader, …
Collin Jimenez, Bartender With Linden Roots, Dies Suddenly At 27
Collin Jimenez, a Linden native, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 15, according to his obituary.
Born in New Brunswick, Jimenez lived in South River and Linden, graduating Linden High School in 2016, his obituary reads. He was manager for Bonefish Grill in East Brunswick and worked at 33's Tavern in South River as a bartender, according to his obituary.
In his free time, Jimenez enjoyed playing video games and spending time with his family and friends, especially his daughter Emily, his obituary reads.
A fundraiser has been set up to support Emily. As of Friday, May 24, more than …
John Marchuk Jr., 33, Vineland Barber
John F. Marchuk, Jr., of Vineland, died on Feb. 7, according to an obituary published by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home. He was 33 years old.
Johnny was a graduate of Vineland High School Class of 2010, his obituary said. He studied cosmetology at Cumberland County Technical Education Center and worked as a barber in various local barbershops in Vineland.
He loved fishing, video games and movies, his obit said.
Johnny is survived by his parents, Maritza and John Marchuk, Sr. and his brother, Scott I. Oldson, Jr.
Click here to read John F. Marchuk Jr.'s complete obituary.
Fredericksburg 'Cell Phone Guy' Clarence Waller Jr. Dead At 39: 'Gentle Giant'
Clarence Waller Jr. went by many names.
Jay, junior, "the cell phone guy."
But the 39-year-old Fredericksburg man who died on Thursday, Nov. 16, is being remembered in just one way: Fondly.
According to a GoFundMe campaign, Waller died due to diabetic complications and renal failure.
Affectionately referred to as a gentle giant standing at 6'3", Waller graduated from Massaponax High School and had been volunteering as an assistant football coach there in recent years, according to the campaign and his obituary.
He worked at Best Buy, T-Mobile, and Sprint, and was the go-to guy for …
Montco Dad Dustin Peterka-Rahn Dies, 28: ‘Brought A Smile To The Faces Of Those Around Him’
Dustin Peterka-Rahn, a beloved Royersford dad, son, and brother, died at home on Thursday, June 15, loved ones said in his obituary. He was 28.
Born in Pottstown to parents R. James Rahn and Veronica (Peterka) Rahn, he was a Spring-Ford High School alumnus and later graduated from the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center in 2013, his obit says.
In addition to his parents, Peterka-Rahn leaves behind two sisters, Abigail and Lucy, as well as a 7-year-old daughter, Estella Mae Wise, and her mother, Courtney Wise, loved ones wrote.
Peterka-Rahn was most recently employed at the O…
Newark Native Abigail Huckabee, 19, Remembered As Smart, Sweet, Funny
Abigail Huckabee who died on Wednesday, March 29, is being remembered by her family as someone with a zest for life who excelled at video games and overcame many challenges, according to her obituary.
Huckabee, 19, was born in Newark on April 17, 2003 and later moved to Orlando. She died in the arms of her mother, Elisa Caglioti-Rodriguez, aunt Mariana Caglioti, her grandfather, Frank Caglioti and her stuffed animal, Pinky.
"She lived every day with a determination to be her best, to surround herself with the things she loved and to fill each day with hope, laughter, humor, real talk and de…
‘Speechless And Heartbroken:’ Sean Ainsworth Of Budd Lake Dies At Age 20
Lifelong Budd Lake resident Sean Ainsworth died on Monday, Nov. 21 at the age of 20.
Born in Hackettstown, Sean was known for his passion for working with cars and bikes, his obituary says.
He had a heart that constantly yearned for speed and adventure and could never get enough.
Sean loved to skateboard, ride quads and dirt bikes, race BMX bikes, and would even street race at Island Dragway, according to his memorial.
But Sean had a softer side — he adored his cats, Tito and Kitten, and liked to relax by playing video games and spending time with his friends and longtime girlfriend, Ava,…
'Bright, Intelligent, And Kind-Hearted Young Man' Logan Israel Of Philadelphia Dies, 15
Beloved Philadelphia boy Logan Matthew Israel died unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 19. He was 15.
Described as a "bright, intelligent, and kind-hearted young man," Logan will forever be remembered for his wisdom and infinite kindness. He “had a special way of connecting with people of all ages and from all walks of life,” his obituary says.
Logan had many passions, from video games and science to rock climbing, escape rooms, and Dragon Ball Z, according to his memorial. He had a sharp sense of humor matched with incredible wit.
“It was hard not to smile around Logan,” reads his obituary. “…
James Gelcius Of Kearny Dies, 26
James Gelcius of Kearny died on Sunday, June 19. He was 26 years old.
James grew up and lived in Kearny, and was passionate about fishing, riding his ATV, video games and listening to music, his obituary says.
Services were held June 26 with interment at oly Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.
James was predeceased by his father, Richard A. Gelcius, Jr. He is survived by his mother, Kathleen Lynch, and, one sister, Jennifer Lynch (Angel Rodriguez).
Click here for James Gelcius' complete obituary.
Man Accused Of Trying To Rape Hyde Park Middle School Student
A man has been charged with allegedly traveling to attempt to rape a Hudson Valley 13-year-old girl at an area hotel.
Thomas Rivera, age 32, of Lauderhill, Florida, was arrested on Tuesday, June 7, for communicating online with the girl and persuading her to meet him in Dutchess county to engage in sex, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
According to the allegations in the complaint filed on Friday, June 3, in White Plains federal court in April the town of Poughkeepsie Police department received a report from the town of Hyde Park Police regarding …
Beloved NJ Elementary Student Dies Unexpectedly At Age 12
Beloved New Jersey elementary school student Jeremian N. Suriel died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 1. He was 12 years old.
Lovingly called “CoCo” by his friends and family members, Suriel attended Gloucester Township Elementary School in Blackwood, his obituary says.
Suriel was known for his love of music and sports, including baseball and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He also enjoyed video games and getting in front of the camera to create videos on TikTok with his cousins, Emani, Nyla, Alayla, and Cornell, according to his memorial.
Suriel is predeceased by his mother, Jahaira Suriel; Aunts…
Beloved Hamilton HS Grad Jared Dunn Dies Suddenly At Age 28
Beloved Hamilton native Jared Joseph Dunn died suddenly on Dec. 6 at the age of 28.
Dunn graduated from Hamilton East-Steinert High School and lived in Trenton at the time of his death, his obituary and social media pages say.
Dunn worked at Ruby Tuesday and was known for his love of sports, especially football and basketball, his memorial says.
Dunn also loved video games, anime and freestyle rap.
Dunn is survived by his mother Suzanne (Louis); and his loving brothers and sisters, Dawn Griffin (Peter), Kari Aloisio (Pat), Jessica, Elisa Alston (Will), Aileen Dunn, Amelia Dunn (Sheen), Ke…
Lehigh Valley Native, PA Cyber Charter School Grad Nicholas Stefano Dies, 19
Lehigh Valley native and PA Cyber Charter School graduate Nicholas Ross Stefano died at his home in Easton on May 30 at the age of 19.
Born in Bethlehem, Stefano worked as a landscaper for Phillips & Tosco in Phillipsburg, his obituary says.
Stefano loved playing video games and spending time with family and friends.
Stefano is survived by his parents, Nicholas J. Stefano and Vicki S. Rossnagle Stefano; a brother, Logan A. Stefano, maternal grandfather, Norman “Pete” Rossnagle, aunts and uncles; Denise and Jim Imboden, A.J. Stefano and Carrolyn Fiorino, Joe and Becky Stefano, as well a…