Find Your Daily Voice
Mahwah's Kathryne Badura, Fashion Attorney, Music Lover, Dies At 38
Kathryne Badura, a Bergen County native who built a career at the intersection of fashion, law, and business, died on Tuesday, June 24, according to her obituary on the Vander Plaat Funeral Home website. She was 38 years old.
Services were held Tuesday, July 8 at St. Elizabeth RC Church in Wyckoff.
Born in Paterson and raised in Fair Lawn before moving to Mahwah, Badura graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in 2004, where she was an honors student, athlete, and performer, her obituary says. She continued her academic and artistic pursuits at Villanova University, graduating magna cum laud…
Cinnaminson Grandfather Killed In Lightning Strike While Doing What He Loved
Tributes are pouring in for Robert Montgomery, a 61-year-old New Jersey resident killed on Wednesday, July 16, when he was struck by lightning while volunteering at an archery event.
Montgomery, of Cinnaminson, worked as an engineer and was passionate about his career, according to his obituary from the Givnish Funeral Home website.
An animal lover, Montgomery was devoted to his three dogs, Mia, Franco and Vedder, walking them every day, his obituary reads.
"They became his constant companions and a source of joy," according to his obituary. "Robert will be deeply missed by their thr…
Retired Police K9 Named For 9/11 Hero Mourned In Clarkstown
A Rockland County police department is mourning the loss of one of its most loyal and courageous K9s who served the community for years alongside his handler.
The death of retired Clarkstown Police K9 Remy, who served alongside his handler, retired Officer Reekie, was announced by the department on Friday, July 18.
“K9 Remy served with honor and distinction,” the department said in a statement on Friday, adding, "Throughout his years of service, K9 Remy exemplified courage, loyalty, and dedication protecting our officers and the Clarkstown community with unwavering commitment." …
Deptford Corrections Officer, Mother Jamie Randall Dies, 46
Jamie Randall, a 46-year-old South Jersey resident, mother, and corrections officer, died on Sunday, July 13, according to her obituary from the Boucher Funeral Home website. She was 46 years old.
A corrections officer for the New Jersey State Prison, Randall enjoyed running, fishing, crabbing and going to the beach, her obituary reads. She was a movie fanatic who loved sphynx cats, according to her obituary.
It is with great sadness that the New Jersey Department of Corrections shares the passing of Senior Correctional Police... Posted by New Jersey Department of Corrections on&nb…
Motorcyclists Wanted: Purple Heart Veteran’s Final Ride Planned In Gloucester County
Dennis "Andrew" Foy, who was awarded the Purple Heart while fighting the War on Terror, died on Tuesday, July 8, according to his obituary from the Boucher Funeral Home website.
A Gloucester County resident, Foy served six years in the United States Army with honor and distinction, deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq, his obituary reads. He was awarded a Purple Heart, "a reflection of the courage and sacrifice he embodied throughout his military service," according to his obituary.
After leaving the Army, Foy joined the Boilermakers Union and earned a degree in cyber security, his obituar…
Former Naval Officer Matthew Maloney, Of Berkeley Heights, Dies Month After Fall From Ladder
New Jersey dad Matthew Maloney died on Wednesday, July 16, a month after he fell from a ladder, leading to respiratory failure, according to a fundraiser set up to support his family. He died two days after his 57th birthday.
Born in Scotch Plains and a resident of Berkeley Heights, Maloney graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, where he served as captain of both the baseball and hockey teams, according to the fundraiser set up by his daughter. He attended the United States Naval Academy, where he played baseball, graduating in 1991, the fundraiser reads.
After completing hi…
Singer, Actress Connie Francis, Voice Of A Generation, Dies
Connie Francis, the beloved American pop singer and actress whose voice defined an era, has died.
She was 87, and had been hospitalized the last two weeks.
Ron Roberts, the president of Francis' label, Concetta Records, announced her death on Facebook.
"it is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that i inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," wrote early Thursday morning, July 17. "I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news."
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, Francis rose from neigh…
'Missed Beyond Measure': Motorcyclist Killed In Levittown Cherished 'Freedom Of The Open Road'
Loved ones are mourning the loss of a Long Island man whose life was cut short following a motorcycle crash in Levittown.
Gary Bertsch, 54, was critically injured Sunday, July 13, when the 2019 Aprilia motorcycle he was riding collided with an SUV on Valley Road just before 5 p.m., Nassau County Police said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but died of his injuries the following day.
The SUV driver, identified as a 20-year-old woman, remained at the scene. The crash is under investigation, police said.
Bertsch was remembered as a devoted husband, proud grandfather, and the kind of man w…
West Milford's Nick Weinzierl Dies Suddenly, 33, With Wedding Date Less Than Year Away
Nicholas "Nick" Weinzierl had just bought his first home and set a date to marry the love of his life. But earlier this week, the 33-year-old from West Milford passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, his family said.
Nick, who was born on Christmas, Dec. 25, 1991, died on Monday, July 14, according to an obituary on the D’Agostino Funeral Home website.
He was remembered as fiercely loyal, endlessly thoughtful, and full of love: "He found joy in the little things and lit up when he could make the people around him smile," his sister, Jenna, said on a GoFundMe launched to support Nick's fiancé…
Cranford's Greg Swenson, Teacher, Athlete, Husband, New Dad, Dies At 29
The death of Gregory "Greg" Swenson, a new father, educator, and lifelong athlete, is spreading shock and sadness across multiple states.
Greg, 29, of Cranford, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, July 12 following a short illness, according to his obituary on the Gray Funeral Home.
Greg's death comes six months after welcoming a baby boy, Lars, with his wife and college sweetheart, Morgan. A GoFundMe page launched for the pair had raised nearly $70,000 as of press time.
A Farmingdale, NY native, Greg later moved to East Lyme where he was a three-sport athlete at East Lyme High School, h…
Valley Cottage Marine Dies At 22: Community Rallies To Bring His Platoon To His Services
When Rockland County native and Lance Corporal Ryan James Barnard died earlier this month while serving with the US Marine Corps in Hawaii, his community he called home responded with one goal: bringing his brothers in arms to his services to say goodbye.
Barnard, a 22-year-old from Valley Cottage, died on Wednesday, July 2, while stationed at Kaneohe Bay, assigned to the Third Littoral Combat Team, Second Platoon, Ares Company. A Marine through and through, Ryan was known for his deep loyalty, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment to those around him, his obituary said.
His…
Man, 43, Drowns During Family Picnic On Housatonic River In New Milford
A 43-year-old man from Yonkers, New York, drowned while picnicking with his family on the Housatonic River in New Milford over the weekend, authorities said.
Simon Hernandez was spending time with loved ones in the Gaylordsville section of New Milford on Sunday, July 13, around 4:10 p.m., when he entered the river but did not resurface, according to police.
Emergency crews responded to the area of 781 Kent Road in an attempt to rescue him, but were unsuccessful. After a two- to three-hour search, New Milford police dive teams recovered Hernandez’s body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. …
$17K Raised For Daughters Of River Edge Dad After 'Brief But Fierce' Cancer Battle
A River Edge father of two young girls has died after a short but fierce battle with cancer, loved ones said.
Kieran Corrigan, 54, passed away peacefully on July 2, according to an obituary posted by Volk Leber Funeral Home.
Kieran, originally from Woodlands, South Douglas Road in Cork, Ireland, was remembered as a warm and creative man deeply devoted to his family. He was the beloved husband of Edel Corrigan (née Shealy) and the proud father of Keelan, 10, and Chloe, 8.
A GoFundMe organized by Kathleen Terhune said Kieran "passed away after a brief but fierce battle with cancer." The fund…
Hackettstown Lacrosse Player Tyler Carbajal Dies, 19
Friends and family are mourning the heartbreaking loss of Tyler Shea Carbajal, a 19-year-old New Jersey resident whose compassion, wit, and bright smile left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Tyler, of Great Meadows (Warren County), passed away on Sunday, July 6, according to his obituary from the Bronson & McNamara Memorial Home. In front of others, he seemed strong, but “inside he was deeply sensitive, compassionate, and respectful to everyone he met,” the obituary reads.
A 2024 graduate of Hackettstown High School, Tyler's dedication to academics and athletics was unmatched — …
Support Swells After PA Mom Of 4 Killed In Crash Injuring 9 Others While On Family Vacation
Support is swelling for a Pennsylvania family whose summer road trip ended in a devastating crash that claimed the life of a beloved wife and mother of four.
Gina Alvarez Dela Cruz, 42, of Stroudsburg, was killed on Monday, June 30, when the minivan she was riding in was struck head-on by another vehicle that crossed the median on Route 13 in Accomack County, Virginia.
The crash, which happened near Parks Road around 12:30 p.m., also left nine people injured — including Gina’s husband, four children, and in-laws, Virginia State Police said.
Gina was a passenger in the front seat when a so…
Little Ferry Nightlife Icon DJ Ammo Dies Suddenly, Shockwaves Spread Through NYC Club Scene
Friends, family, and fans are mourning the sudden loss of Mossna M. Varasteh, a Bergen County native known worldwide as DJ Ammo, whose reach spanned from New York City to Asia.
Varasteh, 42, died on Tuesday, July 8. He had gone to bed, gotten up around 5 a.m., gone back to sleep and was found unresponsive just hours later, his loved ones said. An exact cause has not yet been identified.
Ammo had recently returned from performances in Japan, Germany, Amsterdam, and Aruba, and was still DJing major New York City events just weeks before his passing.
He got his start in the summer after 8th g…