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Obituaries
Integral Part Of Sparta's Business Network Hratch Kechishian Dies Integral Part Of Sparta's Business Network Hratch Kechishian Dies
Integral Part Of Sparta's Business Network Hratch Kechishian Dies Sparta is mourning the loss of a local business owner after what loved ones call a “difficult medical battle.” Hratch Kechishian died Saturday, July 15, his obituary says. He was 63. An integral part of Sparta’s business network, Hratch was the owner of The Leather Zone in Sparta — a business “he put his whole heart and resources into,” reads a GoFundMe launched by Melissa Prestipino for his family’s support. “Hratch was a generous man who would donate the shirt off of his back,” Prestipino writes. “He gave the community and healthcare workers many of his own supplies during the pandemic…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Rutgers Nursing Student Killed In Parkway Crash Mourned As Dedicated Athlete With Bright Future Rutgers Nursing Student Killed In Parkway Crash Mourned As Dedicated Athlete With Bright Future
Rutgers Nursing Student Killed In Parkway Crash Mourned As Dedicated Athlete With Bright Future Family and friends are mourning the loss of a 19-year-old Rutgers University nursing student killed in a weekend crash. Jessica "Jessy" Molina-Colmenares, of Egg Harbor Township, is being remembered as a gentle, intelligent, and caring young woman, having just  finished her first year as a nursing student at Rutgers University her obituary says. Jessica, who had dreams of becoming a traveling nurse, was riding in a Honda Civic that veered off the Garden State Parkway and overturned at about 6:30 p.m. in Stafford Township on Saturday, July 15, Daily Voice reported. Her brother-in-law, Tyle…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
NJ Woman Killed In PA Flood Mourned As Generous Animal Lover, Caretaker NJ Woman Killed In PA Flood Mourned As Generous Animal Lover, Caretaker
NJ Woman Killed In PA Flood Mourned As Generous Animal Lover, Caretaker Friends are mourning the loss of a Mercer County woman who was among several people swept away by flood waters over the weekend in Pennsylvania. Susan Barnhardt, 53, of Titusville in Hopewell Township, was among five people who died — not including a baby and toddler who remain missing — in the unprecedented flash floods in Upper Makefield Township on Saturday, July 15.  Barnhart was a lover of animals who cared for her 80-year-old mother, friends said on a GoFundMe page. "We've lost our dear friend and neighbor," Sarah Orfe wrote on the GoFundMe page.  "Susan was…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
CBS New York Mourns Sudden Death Of Meteorologist Elise Finch, 51 CBS New York Mourns Sudden Death Of Meteorologist Elise Finch, 51
CBS New York Mourns Sudden Death Of Meteorologist Elise Finch, 51 Emmy Award-winning meteorologist at CBS New York Elise Finch died unexpectedly. Elise Finch, who was 51 years old, died over the weekend at a local hospital, the station announced. The cause of death has not been determined. Finch was an on-air fixture at WCBS for 16 years, joining the station in 2007. A Westchester County, NY native, she graduated from Mount Vernon High School and Georgetown University before obtaining a Master of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University and completing Mississippi State University's Broadcast Meteorology Program. "Elise was a…

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
Devoted North Jersey Mom Of 3 Karen Parham Dies, 50: 'Touched The Lives Of Everyone Around Her' Devoted North Jersey Mom Of 3 Karen Parham Dies, 50: 'Touched The Lives Of Everyone Around Her'
Devoted North Jersey Mom Of 3 Karen Parham Dies, 50: 'Touched The Lives Of Everyone Around Her' North Jersey is in mourning for Karen Ann "Penny" Parham, a devoted mother of three who died Monday, June 26, aged 50. Born in Brooklyn, Karen moved to Newark with her "Aunt Ruthie" and "Uncle Late” after she was adopted at age seven and attended the Alexander Street School, her obituary says. She earned multiple awards for her academic achievements before she began attending Arts High School. She later went to John F. Kennedy and Willingboro High Schools after her family moved to Willingboro in 1989. When Karen was 17, she became "severely ill" and transitioned into Sonya Redd’s care, lat…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Bergen County's Kailyn Seickel, 26, Changed Life For Women With Her Condition Bergen County's Kailyn Seickel, 26, Changed Life For Women With Her Condition
Bergen County's Kailyn Seickel, 26, Changed Life For Women With Her Condition Kailyn Seickel, a native of Montvale, died on Saturday, July 1 at the age of 26, according to her obituary.  Seickel worked as a graphic designer for Bleacher Reports and Turner Sports Digital Marketing, her obituary reads. She was an advocate for women suffering from endometriosis and chronic illness, according to her obituary. today i had a big endo win in my 13+ year journey with this disease and i’m proudly taking it. during today’s surgery my... Posted by Kailyn Seickel on Monday, March 20, 2023 She is survived by her parents, Scott and Melanie and her siblings, Rebecca, Scott and…

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
North Jersey Native, Academic Administrator Dies After Yearlong Cancer Battle, 30 North Jersey Native, Academic Administrator Dies After Yearlong Cancer Battle, 30
North Jersey Native, Academic Administrator Dies After Yearlong Cancer Battle, 30 North Jersey native and New York City academic administrator Abigail Mae Rollenhagen died on Friday, July 7 after a courageous yearlong battle with cancer. She was 30. Born in Summit, Abigail graduated from the graduate of the Oak Knoll School before earning her bachelor’s degree at High Point University with a dual Master’s Degree in Childhood and Special Education at NYU, her obituary says. She worked as an academic administrator and teacher at Promise Academy at Harlem Children’s Zone. Known for her outgoing spirit and endless positivity, Abigail “was at the center of any gathering…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Death Of Weehawken Man Killed In Newark Crash Leaves Void In Hearts Of Many Death Of Weehawken Man Killed In Newark Crash Leaves Void In Hearts Of Many
Death Of Weehawken Man Killed In Newark Crash Leaves Void In Hearts Of Many Chiekh Faye was a man who always greeted people "with a big beautiful and arms wide open." Faye, a 35-year-old Weehawken resident and a native of Senegal, was killed in a car crash on Sunday, July 9 in Newark at U.S. Route 1 and 9 North and McClellan Street.  Two other people were injured, one critically, authorities said. Since Faye's death, tributes have poured in on social media. "The world really lost a bright one," one person write. "A man who was always so authentic and greeted you with a big beautiful smile and arms wide open. Funny. Always looked FRESH!  "Always the life of the p…

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
Morris County Mourns Death Of High School Student Matthew Augustine After Long Illness Morris County Mourns Death Of High School Student Matthew Augustine After Long Illness
Morris County Mourns Death Of High School Student Matthew Augustine After Long Illness The Randolph community is mourning the loss of a beloved high school student. Matthew John Nuncio Augustine died in his family's loving embrace at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on Friday, July 7 after battling a long illness. He was 15. Born in Denville, Matthew lived in Randolph Township his entire life and was preparing to start his sophomore year at Randolph High School, his obituary says. Described as a “kind, bright, caring and gentle young man,” Matthew was a spirited member of the RHS Marching Band and St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Succasunna. He loved spending time wi…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Joseph Farnese, NJ Pilot Killed In Plane Crash 'Cared For Everyone' Joseph Farnese, NJ Pilot Killed In Plane Crash 'Cared For Everyone'
Joseph Farnese, NJ Pilot Killed In Plane Crash 'Cared For Everyone' Services have been set for the North Jersey pilot and doctor who was one of five people killed in a South Carolina plane crash last weekend. Dr. Joseph Farnese, a North Caldwell resident, was piloting when he crashed in South Carolina on Sunday, July 2. In the wake of his death, Farnese is being remembered as a devoted family man who cared for everyone. "There are very few types of men like Joe," Diana Romeo, who has known the family for 50 years, said.  Farnese decided he wanted to become a doctor after helping his brother Jackie treat his scoliosis, Romeo said.  "I can't say …

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
NJ Pro Wrestler Who Was Paralyzed In Ring After Vomiting On Football During NFL Game Dead At 54 NJ Pro Wrestler Who Was Paralyzed In Ring After Vomiting On Football During NFL Game Dead At 54
NJ Pro Wrestler Who Was Paralyzed In Ring After Vomiting On Football During NFL Game Dead At 54 Darren Drozdov, a professional wrestler and former NFL player nicknamed "Puke" for vomiting on the ball, died on Friday, June 30. He was 54 years old. Darren, of Hamilton, NJ, grew up playing football as a quarterback in Mays Landing and was All-State in football at Oakcrest High School. He went on to play college football at the University of Maryland, graduating with a degree in criminal justice. Darren played in the NFL on the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos, and was famously nicknamed "Puke" after he threw up on he ball during a Monday night game, stopping the ce…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Wayne Dad, Former EMT Ryan Burke Dies, 41 Wayne Dad, Former EMT Ryan Burke Dies, 41
Wayne Dad, Former EMT Ryan Burke Dies, 41 Wayne dad and former first responder Ryan Burke died unexpectedly on Sunday June 25, according to his obituary. He was 41 years old. Ryan was raised in Hawthorne, where he served as volunteer EMT for the Hawthorne Ambulance Corps for 15 years, once helping to deliver a baby, his obituary reads.  He was passionate about the Boy Scouts of America, volunteering with them for many years as a scoutmaster and earning several awards, according to his obituary.  We regretfully share the passing of life member Ryan Burke. Ryan joined Hawthorne Ambulance in 2000 and served the... Posted by Hawt…

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by Sam Barron