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Sudden Death Of Passaic Police Officer, Mayor's Nephew Brian Lora Stuns Community
The sudden death of a 29-year-old Passaic police officer has spread shock and sadness through multiple communities.
Brian Lora, a Passaic police officer and Belleville resident, died unexpectedly on Monday, April 29, his department said.
"Officer Lora's tenure was marked by unwavering loyalty, exemplary work ethic, fearless commitment to duty, and steadfast adherence to the highest principles of law enforcement," the Passaic Police Department said. "The entire community mourns the loss of Officer Brian Lora, a true exemplar of duty and service."
Lora served in the School Resource Division …
Paul Auster, Acclaimed Author From South Orange, Dead At 77
Paul Auster, who won numerous literary awards and published "The New York Trilogy" died on Tuesday, April 30, at the age of 77, his literary representatives announced.
Born in Newark, Auster was raised in South Orange before graduating from Columbia High School in Maplewood. He initially garnered attention after publishing his memoir "The Invention of Solitude," which discussed his father's death.
Auster's most acclaimed work came next: "The New York Trilogy," a series of three novels including "City of Glass," "Ghosts" and "The Locked Room," mixing post modernism with detective fiction. Th…
Beloved Orangeburg Firefighter, School Bus Driver Dies Suddenly
Community members, firefighters, schoolchildren, friends, and family are "heartbroken" over the sudden passing of a popular Hudson Valley firefighter and school bus driver.
Rockland County resident Matthew M. Duffy, age 57, of Orangeburg, died on Thursday, April 25.
Duffy was the Deputy Director of Plant Facilities at Rockland Psychiatric Center for 37 years before retiring in 2021. After retirement, his obituary said that he worked for Peter Brega as a school bus driver for the Nyack school district.
He was an active life member of the Orangeburg Fire Department for 42 years and a m…
Lisa Paxia, Owner Of Lillo's Tomato Pies, Saved 3 Lives With Her Organs In South Jersey, 51
Lisa R. Paxia, of Eastampton, died on April 15 surrounded by her loving family, according to an obituary published by Knotts Colonial Funeral Home. She was 51 years old.
She owned Lillo's Tomato Pies in Hainesport, which she and her husband, John, founded in 2021, her obit said.
Upon her death, she donated at least three organs saving others' lives, one of her three sons said in a Facebook post.
Born and raised in Trenton, Lisa was a resident of Eastampton for the past 20 years. She was a retired registered nurse and an entrepreneur.
In the Facebook post liked by more than 3,2…
Pedricktown's BettiJo Williams Fought Long Cancer Battle, Competed In Beauty Pageants, 41
BettiJo Leslie (Burns) Williams, of Pedricktown, died peacefully on Monday, April 22, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with cancer, according to an obituary published by Adams Funeral Home. She was 41 years old.
BettiJo, a native of Bridgeton, grew up in Millville and was a 2001 graduate of Millville High School.
In 2012, she moved to Pedricktown and, over the years, she worked for the Pennsville National Bank, starting out as a teller in Pennsville and working her way up to branch manager in Woodstown, her obituary said.
In her youth, BettiJo was a dancer, starting her …
Kevin McGrath, Ridgefield Park Resident, Dies At 62
Kevin McGrath, a Ridgefield Park resident died on Thursday, April 11, surrounded by his family, according to his obituary.
Born in The Bronx, McGrath worked for Cardella Trucking in North Bergen, his obituary reads. In his free time, McGrath enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and listening to the Grateful Dead and bluegrass music while making repairs around the house, according to his obituary.
The greatest guy," said one mourner on his tribute wall. "Kevin was always eager to help anyone. I remember him working so many hours to provide for his family. He always had a joke t…
Thousands Raised For Family Of Late Delco Fitness Trainer
Ruth (nee Kent) Vellucci, a beloved wife, mother, and instructor at Fight Shape gym in Broomall, died on Wednesday, April 17, according to her obituary. She was 42.
"Ruthie was a beacon of light in our lives, radiating warmth, love, and compassion to all who knew her," wrote Lauren McGilligan on GoFundMe.
"She was the rock that held her family AND the Fight Shape family together."
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According to her obituary, Vellucci is survived by her husband Vincent a…
Stephen Gallagher, Former Hanover Police Chief, Dies At 66
Stephen Gallagher, who served as police chief in Hanover Township, died recently at the age of 66, according to his obituary.
Born in Montclair, Gallagher spent most of his life in Morris Plains and had recently moved to Waretown, his obituary reads. After earning his degree from the College of St. Elizabeth, Gallagher became Chief of Police for the Township of Hanover, retiring in 2016 after 34 years serving the township, according to his obituary.
Gallagher also served as President of the Morris County Police Chief Association, was a member of the Morris Plains Rotary and volunteered for …
Manassas Boy, 10, Dies After Cancer Battle
Support is on the rise for the family of a 10-year-old Northern Virginia boy who died after a cancer battle.
Alejandro Jose Abarca Pena died on Tuesday, April 9, after a battle with cancer, according to a campaign launched for his family. More than $9,400 had been raised on a GoFundMe for Alejandro's family as of Tuesday, April 23.
According to his obituary, Alejandro grew up in Manassas and Front Royal and was a third grader at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School.
"Alejandro was a wonderful child, as many children, he had a fascination for monster trucks early in life. He…
Stafford High School Grad Devon Davati Dies Unexpectedly, 29
Devon Davati, a Virginia native, died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 18, his obituary says. He was 29 years old.
A King George native, Devon graduated from Stafford High School in 2012 before going on to earn his bachelors of science from the Southern New Hampshire University, his obituary says.
Devon worked for CGI Federal in Falls Church, in the legal area for the Department of Justice supporting the Bureau of Immigration Appeals, according to his obit.
Services are scheduled for Sunday, April 28 at the Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service. Click here for service information and …
