Robert Bajkowski
Robert Bajkowski died Sept. 9 at home. He was 79. Born in Eynon, Pa., he lived many years in Kearny before moving to Bloomfield 10 years ago.
Visiting will be on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 4-8 p.m. at the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Stephen’s Church, followed by entombment in Holy Cross Mausoleum.
Bob served in the Army from 1954-62 and was a retired mechanic from Leaseway in Port Newark. He was an avid fisherman and poker player.
Husband of the late Audrew (nee Lake), he is survived by his children and their spouses Robert L and Patricia Bajkowski and Richard and (Devorah) Bajkowski, his sister Ann Slowikowski and his grandchildren Christina, Robert and Joshua. His sister Loretta Renkart predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to The American Diabetes Foundation.
Dona Marie Boyle
Dona Marie Boyle, 88, of Kearny, passed away Friday, Aug. 10, at Clara Maass Hospital, Belleville.
Born in Fennville, Mich., she moved to Kearny in 1948. She was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church and The Salvation Army Home League. Dona enjoyed her cats and taking pictures.
She was pre-deceased by her husband, Alexander W., and her son, Alexander. Dona is survived by her four children: two daughters, Constance Foster and her husband, Herbert of Seattle, Wash., Joan Hodge and her husband, Douglas of Milltown; and two sons: Geoffrey of Santa Cruz, Calif., James and his wife, Michele of Kearny; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Salvation Army, 28 Beech St., Kearny, N.J. 07032 or Grace United Methodist Church, 380 Kearny Ave., Kearny, N.J., 07032. Cremation was private. A memorial service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, Kearny. The date has not yet been set.
Vera B. Cifelli
Vera B. Cifelli, (nee Bulger) entered into eternal rest on Sunday, Sept. 2, at home in Kearny. Formerly of Harrison, she was 90.
Arrangements were by the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave. Harrison. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Church, Harrison, followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. For information or to send condolences to the family please visit mulliganfuneralhome.org.
Vera was the beloved wife of the late Albert D. Cifelli (1993), proud and devoted mother of Kearny Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor Barbara Sherry and her late husband Dennis (2004) and Hudson County Freeholder Albert D. Cifelli, Esq. and his wife Joan Walsh Cifelli. She was the cherished grandmother of nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren and dear sister of the late Thomas Bulger and his wife the late Agnes Wetzel Bulger.
Born in Harrison, Vera lived there for 76 years, moving to Kearny in 1998. She owned and operated Cifelli’s Restaurant, 440 Harrison Ave., Harrison, where she was affectionately known as “Mom” to everyone. She owned the restaurant for over 50 years with her late husband Albert D. Cifelli retiring in 1996.
Vera was proud of her Irish heritage and was selected Deputy Grand Marshall of the 1999 St. Patrick’s Day parade by the United Irish Associations of West Hudson. She was also the Matriarch of the Al Cifelli Association of Harrison.
Frances A. Farrow
Frances A. Farrow, (nee Biscobel), 88, of Harrison, passed away on Monday, Sept. 3, at home. Born in Newark, she lived in Harrison for the last 49 years.
Frances worked as a secretary for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co., Newark, for 17 years, retiring in 1988. Very active in her church, she was a member of Holy Cross Church’s Rosary Society. She was also a Eucharistic Minister who often brought Communion to the sick and homebound parishioners of the church.
Predeceased by her husband, Raymond V. Farrow, Sr. (1992) and a son, Raymond V. Jr., she is survived by her beloved children Richard, Valerie and James Farrow and Sue Ellen Matonis. She was the cherished grandmother of Mrs. Lisa Fairola, Eileen, Michael, Bridget and Jane Farrow. She was an aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her siblings Mrs. Marie Stanwise, Mrs. Eileen MaGee, Stanley J. Biscobel and Dorothy Egan.
Arrangements were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Church, Harrison. Her Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. For information or to send condolences to the family please visit mulliganfuneralhome.org.
For those desiring, a donation may be made to Holy Cross Church, Harrison, in care of the funeral home, in loving memory of Frances.
Albert V. Goddard
Albert V. Goddard, formerly of Kearny, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 94.
Born in Sheffield, England, Albert served in the British Royal Army during World War II, came to the United States in 1950 and settled in Kearny. He worked as a purchasing agent for Central Uniforms in Belleville. Albert was a long time member of the Triune and Copestone Masonic Lodge F&AM of Kearny.
Devoted husband of Elizabeth (Sang), he was the loving father of Irene Breiten and husband Rich and Allyson Graeme and husband Bob, dearest grandfather of Rick, Ken and James Breiten and Miranda and Courtney Graeme and beloved greatgrandfather of five.
A memorial gathering and prayer service were held on Sept. 8 at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home in Landing. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Holy Redeemer Hospice, 1228 Route 37 West, Toms River, N.J. 08755 or to North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave., Port Washington, N.Y. 11050. For further information and to share a fond memory of Albert, please visit www.leberlakeside.com.
Viola Grusenski
Viola Grusenski died on Aug. 23 in Forest City , Pa. She was 91. Born in Eynon, Pa., she lived many years in Kearny before returning to Pennsylvania in 2006.
Private cremation and services were handled by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. Viola’s ashes will be interred with her husband at Barranacas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com
Mrs. Grusenski loved to play bingo and to bake. Viola’s true joy in life was to watch and care for her beloved grandchildren.
Wife of the late Stanley, she is survived by her son Robert and his wife Katherine and her daughter-in-law Gail. Viola’s son Stanley, Jr. predeceased her. She is also survived by the loves of her life, her grandchildren, Jason, Keith, Kyle, Ryan (Elizabeth), Kathleen and Suzanne and her great-granddaughter Sophia.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Peters Prep, 144 Grand St., Jersey City, N.J.
Kenneth G. Neer Sr.
Kenneth G. Neer Sr., of Kearny, died on Sept. 6 at home. He was 83.
Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral service was held in the funeral home, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, please visit www armitagewiggins.com.
Ken worked many years ago at Monarch Savings and retired as the credit manager at West Hudson Hospital, both in Kearny. He joined the Marine Corps at the end of World War II.
He was a member of the Kearny Optimist Club and Copestone Ophir F. and A.M. He was past president of the Kearny High School Booster Club.
Husband of the late Gloria (nee Sluzis), he is survived by his children and their spouses Karen and Andy Jones, Gregory and Rita Neer, Lori and Doug Wiedman, Scott M. and Kathleen Neer and Kenneth G. Neer Jr.; five grand and two great-grandchildren and his devoted caregiver Bobby Donelan.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Kearny High School Booster Club.
Walter Robinson
Walter “Big Dog” Robinson, 65, died on Sept. 1 in Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial funeral mass on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. in St. Cecilia Church, Kearny.
Walter was born in Jersey City and was a lifelong resident of Kearny.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968.
Mr. Robinson was a truck driver for over 40 years most recently driving for U.P.S. He retired three years ago.
He was a member of Teamsters Local 560, Union City and the Scots-American Athletic Club of Kearny. He thoroughly enjoyed fishing Raritan Bay with his son.
Walter is survived by his wife Patricia (Narbut); his children Cheryl Ann Robinson and Walter Joseph Robinson; siblings Ann Marie O’Keefe and Kevin Robinson and his nephews Steven and Kevin O’Keefe. He was predeceased by his sister Judith Robinson.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.
