Francis J. Cocola
Francis J. Cocola (Frank), 91, died on Wednesday, July 13, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Born in Newark, he was a lifelong resident of Kearny.
Mass was celebrated on Saturday, July 16, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Church.
He was an Army/Air Corps veteran, serving in World War II as a Second Lt. flight engineer on the B29 Superfortress. He was a tool, die and mold maker for 40 years, retiring in 1975. He had been employed by Joseph Davis Plastics in Kearny, Newark Die Company and Western Electric in Kearny.
He was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny. He was a member of the San Alfonso Retreat League, the Loyola Retreat League and St. Stephen’s Holy Name Society. He was also a Third Degree life member of the Knights of Columbus, Queen of Peace Council 3428, in North Arlington as well as a committee chairman for Boy Scout Troop 22 of the former Boys Orphanage at Sacred Heart, Kearny. He enjoyed watching the Yankees and taking bus trips to Atlantic City.
Son of the late Sergio and Paulina (nee Buongiovanni) Cocola, he is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Eleanor (nee Lenkiewicz); his children John (Nancy), Susan Tiedemann (Frank), Stephen, David (Terry), and Christopher (Toni) Cocola,; seven grandchildren Seth, Christopher, Matthew, Mark, Jessica, Bethany and Kate; a sister Angela Nystrom and the late Nicholas, Thomas, Jerry Cocola and Theresa Livolsi.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Stephen’s Food Pantry in his honor would be appreciated.
Peter E. DeGasper Jr.
Peter E. DeGasper Jr., 75, of Kearny, died on Sunday, July 24.
Beloved husband of Alice (nee Brace) DeGasper, he was the loving father of Lori Romaniak and her companion Kenny, Peter and his wife Carol DeGasper and the late Donna Marie DeGasper and cherished grandfather of Nicole and Charles Romaniak.
Mr. DeGasper was a supervisor at Robinowitz and Sons. He was also an avid fisherman.
Arrangements were by the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 425 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst. A funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Donations may be made to St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 95 Old Short Hills Rd., West Orange, N.J. 07052.
Send condolences to stellatofuneralhomes.com.
Fred J. “Freddie” Testa
Fred J. “Freddie” Testa, 79, a lifelong resident of Harrison, passed away following a long illness on Saturday, July 23.
The funeral was conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Church, Harrison. Interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. For information or to send condolences, please visit mulliganfuneralhome.org.
Fred was employed by Western Electric, South Kearny, and retired from Lucent Technologies 15 years ago. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Mount Baker.
He is survived by his wife Krystyna (nee Sulek); his step-daughters Katarzyna Tarrow, Sylvia Rzomca and their children Julia, David and Laura; his brother Robert “Bob” Slawek; also survived by his niece Alison Gilmore and nephews Stephen and Gregory Slawek, and his aunt Anne Laczny.
Fred was predeceased by his mother Jennie and step-father Chester Slawek. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St, Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home in memory of Fred.
