 Jim Matarazzo, Sr. IMAGE: Matarazzo Farms NORTH CALDWELL, NJ - The family of James R. Matarazzo, Sr., of North Caldwell, have announced that he passed away on Wednesday, Jul. 17, at the age of 73. As former Mayor of North Caldwell and owner of Matarazzo Farms, and through his extensive community involvement and generosity, Jim was considered beloved. His loss will be felt by the entire West Essex area. Born and raised in North Caldwell on his family's farm, Jim graduated from the first class of West Essex Regional Schools in 1964. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in both Sociology and Political Science, from Villanova University in 1968. Jim had planned on being a teacher. "Jim was a proud Villanovan, and a loyal fan to the basketball team," stated a family member. "He was able to witness three championships throughout his lifetime."  Matarazzo Farms, North Caldwell, NJ IMAGE: Matarazzo Farms As it turned out, Jim never left the family farm and he continued his family's tradition of producing fresh fruits and vegetables for the many communities around northern New Jersey. Jim even managed to combine his talent for leadership with his farming experience: after graduating from college he became the President of the Essex County Board of Agriculture and later served on the Rutgers Cook College Agricultural School Board of Regents and he would often promote the phrase: "No Local Farmers, No Local Food." While his family farm which originally boasted 128 acres and dairy cows was now down to five acres, Jim took great pride in it being one of the last surviving working farms in Northern New Jersey.  IMAGE: Matarazzo Farms "Above all, Jim's passion was the farm," commented family friend Carol Zimmermann Newlands. "Matarazzo Farms was where he worked the land and provided plants and produce to his community. He loved the earth like you love your children. One would often find him driving his tractor around the property." Like his father before him (Joe Matarazzo, who was Mayor from 1961 to 1970), Mayor Jim excelled in serving his community. Beginning in 1971 Jim served his home town on the Planning Board and Juvenile Conference Committee and by 1979 he was elected to the Council at the age of 32; a position Jim held until 1987 when he was elected North Caldwell Mayor.  Michael and Kay Slattery, of Caldwell, with Jim Matarazzo, Sr. PHOTO: Matarazzo Farms Michael Slattery of Caldwell recalled, "Jim was the patriarch of a family that has done so much for our communities, he leaves a legacy that will not be seen again. Jim's love for his family, his faith, his country , and for all of us was totally evident on that weather-worn handsome face." Jim served the town as Mayor for fifteen years and his time spent in community service was filled with many notable accomplishments:
Additionally, beginning in 1971, Jim was an active member of the North Caldwell Fire Department and for many years he was a member of UNICO. In 1998, UNICO honored Jim with their Man of the Year award and in 2003, North Caldwell honored Jim with a celebration of his legacy. "I've known Mr Matarazzo since I was 11-years-old," commented Ellen Nicolette Panza, of North Caldwell. "I already know he's taking care of all the beautiful flowers and vegetables in heaven. He was such a kind and loving man and a staple to our community. He will be deeply missed." Jim loved watching baseball games and began North Caldwell's Men’s Softball Team which he was active in for at least a decade. He also gave of his time coaching his daughter's softball team when they were in grade school. "Jim loved sports," said a family member. "He was a big Yankees fan as well as Nets, and when they were in Jersey he had season tickets for many years. He was a huge Nova fan." Jim's humanitarian efforts were constant and sincere. He employed those needing extra money, and fed those urgently in need of food. "The world lost a fine and gentle soul. Jim was the focal point of why I went to the Farmers Market almost every Saturday," reflected Marian Seid Rubin of Montclair.
Jim's Family Jim was pre-deceased by his parents Margaret “Midge” Cochrone Matarazzo and Constantino "Joe" Matarazzo, as well as his sister Dolores “Dolly” Paulison. Jim is survived by:
Memorial Arrangements The memorial arrangements for James R. Matarazzo, Sr., are as follows:
Message of Condolence Arrangements have been entrusted to the Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home. Notes of sympathy to the family may be written online here. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, donations to Toni's Soup Kitchen or Missionaries of Charity Soup Kitchen would be greatly appreciated:
Additionally, to have a Memorial Tree planted in Jim's honor go online here With Matarazzo Farms being one of the last working Farms in Northeast New Jersey, and Jim being such a voice for the continued presence of farmfresh fruits and vegetables, it's no wonder that he was interviewed in September, 2000, by the Baltimore Sun. "At 54, Matarazzo figures he has a few more seasons left in him," they wrote: "I'll probably die doing this," he says, lighting his pipe, a Panama hat shading his eyes."  Jim Matarazzo, Sr. IMAGE: Matarazzo Farms  WEST CALDWELL, NJ - The family of Linda Ann Carbone McDonnell, of West Caldwell, have announced that she passed away on Wednesday at the age of 61. Family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn her absence. Born and raised in Jersey City, Linda settled in West Caldwell 33 years ago. She was a Senior Managing Director at AON Benfield in New York City. Linda was also a longtime parishioner of St. Aloysius and she volunteered as a teacher in their religious education program for several years. Linda was an avid sailor and along with her husband Thomas, founded the not-for-profit organization S.T.E.M. Sailing. The prestigious program delivers provides educational and sailing opportunities to Jersey City youth. Linda's Family Linda was pre-deceased by her parents, Rose DeLeo Carbone and Carl Carbone. She is survived by
Memorial Arrangements
The memorial arrangements for Linda McDonnell are as follows:
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Farmer Funeral Home of Roseland. Notes of sympathy to the family may be written online here. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, donations to Villa Marie Claire would be greatly appreciated:
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 10:30am  FAIRFIELD, NJ - The family of Kathleen Saleeby have announced that she passed away at her South Jersey home on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the age of 90. Kathleen lived in Fairfield for 44 years; her family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn her absence. September 23  The daughter of William and Marie Hepp Rodenbough, Kathleen was born and raised in Passaic. She met Nick, the love of her life, at the Clifton Pool; they married in 1947 and lived first in Paterson and then moved to Fairfield in 1960. Kathleen and Nick raised their three daughters in Fairfield, where Nick was also a Councilman and Police Commissioner and together the family attended St. Thomas Moore Church. Kathleen was employed as a Wire Technician for Control Instruments in Fairfield, and eventually retired following many years service. In 2004, she and Nick moved to Pennsville, and in August, 2008, Kathleen was deeply saddened by his death. Kathleen was full of life right up to the end.  Kathleen and her daughter Laura Bielaski Kathleen's Family Kathleen was pre-deceased by her Husband, Nicholas Saleeby, her Sisters: Marie, Helen, Frances, Ethel, and Edna, and her Brothers: William and Edward. Kathleen is survived by:
Memorial Arrangements The memorial arrangements for Kathleen Saleeby are as follows:
 Message of Condolence Arrangements have been entrusted to the Laughrey Funeral Home. Notes of sympathy may be written to the family online here. Memorial Donations
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital would be deeply appreciated:
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 10:30am  ROSELAND, NJ - The family of Robert P. Miller have announced that, following a July brain aneurysm, he passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the age of 48. The former Roseland resident had resided in Basking Ridge. His family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn his absence. The son of Robert C. and Barbara Moritz Miller, Bob was born in Livingston and grew up in Roseland. He attended West Essex High School, where he was a member of the award-winning Marching Band. After graduating in 1988, Bob attended Radford University in Virginia and then returned to NJ where he worked in the restaurant business for many years, including the Bernards Inn and Ecco Qui, both in Bernardsville. In 1994, at the Bernards Inn, Bob met the love of his life, Judy Vacula. They married in November, 2001, and held their wedding reception at the Inn. Together, Judy and Bob enjoyed a life full of family, friends and their canine kids, Baxter and Bailey. For the past eight years, Bob has worked diligently at restoring the family's farmhouse in Pennsylvania, which his family said he considered his greatest achievement in life. Whether spending time at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, Bob's Family Bob was pre-deceased by Bob is survived by:
extended family and friends both on the water and at the farm. Memorial Arrangements The memorial arrangements for Robert P. Miller are as follows:
Message of Condolence Arrangements have been entrusted to the Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell. Notes of sympathy may be written to the family online here. We know that Bob met up with his Dad, Robert, Sr., Memorial Donations
In lieu of flowers, donations to Inpatient Hospice Unit at Morristown Medical Center would be deeply appreciated:
 Dr. Jan Huston-Pryor ESSEX FELLS, NJ - The family of Dr. Jan Huston-Pryor, of Essex Fells, have announced that both she and her dog Peter-Paul were killed tragically while they were walking along Devon Road in the Fells on the morning of Tuesday, Mar. 21.Peter-Paul  West Essex High School Students While her family has been deeply saddened by their loss, the surrounding community has also been greatly affected by her passing. Earlier this week, students at Essex Fells School, West Essex Middle School, and West Essex High School dressed in pink to display their solidarity with Jan's family. Essex Fells Mayor Ed Abbot also reflected on Dr. Jan Huston-Pryor's life and her relationship to the community. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to her husband, Jonathan, Born in Decatur, Illinois, Jan was raised in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and went on to earn her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Michigan State University, followed by her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Western Michigan University. Jan practiced as a nurse and then, at the age of 28, decided to greatly enhance her medical studies, again at Michigan State. A 2009 Star Ledger article quoted her as stating, "I said to myself: 'All these jerk doctors can do it? I can be a doctor." After receiving her medical degree, Dr. Huston practiced as a vascular and general surgeon at Millburn Surgical Associates. She ultimately realized her professional calling was to dedicate her life to provide diagnosis and surgical treatment of breast disease. Jan considered it a privilege to be a doctor, At the age of 49, Dr. Huston-Pryor founded Summit Breast Care in 1999 specifically to offer affordable medical attention for women suffering with the devastation of breast cancer. Patients, including those who were uninsured, were able to receive attention in several offices across Northern New Jersey. Jan Huston was my doctor for many years Beginning in 2007, Dr. Huston-Pryor also served for seven years as Medical Director of the Connie Dwyer Breast Center, located at St. Michael's Medical Center in Newark. The state-of-the-art facility had only been opened three years earlier as a designation for expert diagnosis and treatment of breast disease. There, Huston-Pryor was able to offer her patients rapid turnaround with diagnostic testing and importantly, for those who had their cancerous breast tissue removed, she was able to perform reconstructive oncoplastic surgery using plastic surgery techniques so that the full healing process could begin. Dr. Jan Huston headed our Connie Dwyer Breast Center from 2007-2014.  Photo: Adam Anik / The Montclair Times Dr. Huston-Pryor then went on to serve as Medical Director, and surgeon, at Mountainside Hospital's Breast Center where she continued her work focusing on prevention, screening, and treatment. Dr. Huston-Pryor recently became part of a national investigative medical pilot study called Breathlink. Intended as a method of detection supplemental to the mammogram procedure, Breathlink has been called a "billion times more sensitive" than the alcohol breathilizer test by its developer Dr. Michael Phillips, of Newark. Dr. Huston-Pryor utilized the study at both Mountainside's breast center and the Connie Dwyer Breast Center. With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Mountainside Medical Group Physician, Dr. Jan Huston, Medical Director of our Breast Center. Over the course of time, Jan and her husband Jonathan had twelve children, including ten adopted from Texas, Guatemala, Mexico, Russia, China, and Ethiopia. Confident in her deep Faith and strong marriage, Jan's Family Jan was pre-deceased by her parents, John and Alice Huston, and her beloved horse, Rocky Jan is survived by:
A close family friend, Garrett Jones, has encouraged friends and loved ones to bring LED candles to First Presbyterian Church that Jan's family members can bring back with them to their homes. "Many of us have LED candles in our homes, Memorial Arrangements The memorial arrangements for Dr. Jan Huston-Pryor are as follows:
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell. Notes of sympathy may be written to the family online here. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell would be greatly appreciated:
 Photo: Ann James The West Essex High School Varsity Softball Team honored Dr. Huston-Pryor by wearing matching pink wristbands during the scrimmage. "Dr. Huston was my doctor. by Edward P. Abbot / Mayor@essexfellsboro.com  I know that the entire Essex Fells community joins me in expressing our tremendous, heart-breaking sadness over the passing of one of our dear friends and residents, Dr. Jan Huston-Pryor, who died so tragically Tuesday morning, March 21.
Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to her husband, Jonathan, their twelve children, and family. Our entire community is in pain and beyond sorrow and despair over Jan’s passing. To say that Jan / Dr.Pryor / loving wife / adored mother / dear friend touched the lives of literally thousands and thousands of people is an understatement. Through her work, her vision, her and Jonathan’s definition of “family,” and her commitment to making this world a better place by actions, not words, Jan’s legacy will forever be wonderfully remarkable and pristine. We, in Essex Fells, were privileged to call her one of ours and we shall miss her very much. We are a small community - the smallest town in Essex County - and we are a tight, caring, loving community, where neighbor knows neighbor, families know families, and where we all look after each other. The Borough of Essex Fells stands arm in arm, in love and support with Jonathan and their remarkable family. As we have done when others in our small town have faced such tragic losses, we will respond to them with a tremendous outpouring of love, compassion, support, and faith. We have seen time and again our little blessed community come together in love and support for families who have tragically lost loved ones; and we have seen the inherent goodness in our little community. As a town, we will mourn and cry with Jan’s family over their loss. Our Chief of Police, William Theilacker, and I solemnly spoke together on the afternoon of her passing in his office before going to visit with the family. It was a quiet, intimate meeting of just the two of us; one being the leader of our police department and one being the leader of the governing body and the community. It was a meeting that left us both with the feeling that, despite our ability on the one hand to influence and change certain things, in this instance, we were helpless. We were only left with our best efforts to try to assuage the anguish of the Pryor family’s bereavement. This sense of helplessness hurt. And it hurt a lot. It was a meeting that this Mayor will never forget. If there is one thing that I could tell Jan’s family right now, it would be that, please know that the Borough and its people will be there with you as you cry, you mourn, you remember, you love, and with God’s grace, you heal. And I hope that they know that even in the darkest hour, they will never be alone; for Essex Fells is always with them during this most difficult time and for the time to come, with love and support and faith. God bless Jan Huston-Pryor, God bless Jonathan and their children and family, and God bless Essex Fells. Edward P. Abbot Mayor Borough of Essex Fells by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 10:04pm  Lawrence Patrick O’Hern WEST CALDWELL, NJ - The family of Lawrence Patrick O’Hern, of West Caldwell, has announced that he passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on Wednesday, March 8. Family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn his absence. Born in Morristown in 1934, Mr. O'Hern grew up in East Hanover and then lived in West Caldwell since 1959. He was also a member of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Caldwell. He was a patriarch, and he dedicated his life Lawrence was a heavy equipment operator, and a member of Operating Engineers Local 825. He began his employment with Earl Williams and Jensen & Koenner, and finished his career with Anthony Ferraiuolo & Sons of Whippany, retiring in 1999. Lawrence O’Hern's Family Lawrence was predeceased by by his parents, John O’Hern and Anna Martin O’Hern, as well as by his siblings: Frieda, John, Tommy, Anna, Raymond and Bill; and his son-in-law, Joe Pirrello. Lawrence is survived by:
Memorial Arrangements The memorial arrangements for Lawrence O’Hern are as follows:
Message of Condolence
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Par-Troy Funeral Home. Notes of sympathy may be written to the family online here. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, donations to West Caldwell Fire Department or to the West Essex First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated:
 Courtesy Shaw Family CALDWELL, NJ - The family of Ryan P. Shaw, of Caldwell, has announced that he passed away suddenly on Friday, days after turning 32-years old. Family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn his absence. Shaw served as Student Council President at Grover Cleveland Middle School, and in 2001, graduated from James Caldwell High School. He went on to study at Moravian College, where he also competed on the school's football team. After school, Ryan moved to Florida where he worked in advertising and more recently, participated in political fundraising. "We would often see Ryan out in the yard throwing a football  Courtesy Shaw Family As an active member of the Recovery Unplugged addiction treatment group in Florida, Ryan was passionate about supporting people who experienced difficult life experiences and he shared with them his own challenges and accomplishments with sobriety. "Everyone looked up to Ryan," another family member commented. Ryan Shaw's Family Ryan is survived by:
 Courtesy Shaw Family Memorial Arrangements The memorial arrangements for Ryan P. Shaw, are as follows:
Message of Condolence
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Farmer Funeral Home. Notes of sympathy may be written to the family online here. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, donations to Face the Music Foundation would be greatly appreciated:
 May 27, 2013 West Essex Memorial Day Parade: Grand Marshal Roger Jones with Dolores Jones Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley WEST CALDWELL, NJ - The family of Roger L. Jones, Sr., of West Caldwell, has announced that he passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, at 82, with family by his side. Family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn his absence. Jones was born in East Rutherford to his parents Ralph and Harriet Jones, who raised him above their family business, Jones System Cleaners, in Bloomfield. In 1950, he graduated from Bloomfield High School, and the following year he enlisted in the United States Air Force and reported to Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas for training. Jones was then deployed from San Francisco to the Korean War for a thirteen-month tour. While in Korea, Jones served in the Psychological Warfare division’s combat unit and was stationed on an island near Yeongdeungpo and Seoul.  Courtesy Jones Family In addition to dropping surrender pamphlets and broadcasting messages to enemy troops, Jones also maintained B-17 bombers and C-47 cargo planes. His unit performed nighttime raids dropping fire flares over enemy patrols to illuminate their locations for US ground troops. In recognition for his service, after the War Jones was awarded the following medals:
Jones married Dolores Schmidt in 1957; they lived in Bloomfield and Cedar Grove before moving to West Caldwell in 1960. He continued to manage the dry cleaning business until it closed in 1980, and went on to work for West Caldwell's Public Works Department until 1998. "My Dad loved spending time with family and friends,"  Vero Amici Dinner June, 2013 Dolores and Roger Jones Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley Since his retirement, Jones was also a member of the Old Guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was also an active member at the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell and volunteered for nearly twenty years, eventually as a lieutenant, with the West Caldwell Fire Department. On Monday, May 27, 2013, Jones was honored for his war efforts and many years of community service by being named Grand Marshal of the West Essex annual Memorial Day Parade. On that occasion, Jones and his family were all smiles as they made their way down the avenue to their places on the grandstand. Driven by Dorothy Handy of Caldwell, Jones said he “felt blessed” by the abundant sunshine. Roger Jones' Family Roger was predeceased by his parents, as well as by his brother, Ralph, and son-in-law Donald Herzig II. He is survived by:
Memorial Arrangements The memorial arrangements for Roger L. Jones, Sr. are as follows:
Message of Condolence
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell. Notes of sympathy may be written to the family online here. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, the West Essex First Aid Squad or to the West Caldwell Fire Department would be greatly appreciated:
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 8:20am  Credit: Jessica Ryan CALDWELL, NJ - The family of Dr. Bernard "Bud" J. Manney, of Caldwell, has announced that he passed away peacefully on Thursday, at the age of 73, with his family by his side. Family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn his absence. Manney was born in Passaic to his parents Bernard and Constance Manney. After graduating from Seton Hall Preparatory School, he joined the US Navy and served for four years. Manney ultimately received a Naval Commendation for his service as a Medical Corpsman and Honorman of his company, during the 1961 Bay of Pigs Campaign. After completing his military duty, Manney went on to receive his undergraduate degree from Susquehanna University in 1967, and his Medical Degree from the University of Rome, Italy in 1973. For 40 years, Manney was a dedicated physician with a private practice in Caldwell. He was also the Chief Resident at St. Michaels Medical Center in Newark, and the Chief of Staff/Board at Montclair Community Hospital.
 Credit: Manney Family Dr. Manney's Family Along with his partner, Maureen VanNess and her sons, James and Brian, and his office manager, Sue LaFlesh, Dr. Manney is survived by:
Memorial Arrangements The memorial arrangements for Dr. Bernard J. Manney, are as follows:
Message of Condolence Arrangements have been entrusted to the Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell. Notes of sympathy may be written to the family online here. Memorial Donations
In lieu of flowers, donations to the West Essex First Aid Squad or to the American Heart Association would be greatly appreciated:
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