Chester E. Boyarski
Chester E. Boyarski, 81, of Kearny died on March 19. Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral service was held at the funeral home, followed by entombment in Hollywood Memorial Park Union.
Mr. Boyarski was a boiler operator with Crompton & Knowles, Newark, for 15 years, retiring 14 years ago. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was an usher at St. Cecilia’s Church, Kearny.
He is the beloved wife of the late Grace Cavalier Boyarski, father of Mark (Donna J.) Boyarski and Donna Green, brother of Shirley Kielt, grandfather of Lauren, Mark and Danielle, brother-in-law of Anthony Cavalier and Larry De Marco. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donation to the humane society would be appreciated.
Joseph A. Cundari
Retired Professional Engineer and Town of Harrison Construction Official July 11, 1914, to March 19, 2013.
Joseph A. Cundari, of Harrison, entered into eternal rest on March 19. He was a resident at The Cliffs, West Orange, since 2011.
Joe was born in Harrison on July 11, 1914, the son of Anthony and Carolina (D’Amico) Cundari. He was a graduate of Holy Cross Grammar School (1928) and Seton Hall High School (1932). He earned a Bachelor’s Degree (1936) and Master’s Degree (1938) in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College. He worked in the Ford Motor Company Foreign Export Department (1936- 1939) and as a Structural Steel Designer with Hugh A. Kelly Associates, Jersey City (1939- 1941), in the design of plans for Federal Housing Projects in Harrison, Jersey City, Burlington, and Stratford Conn.
During World War II (1941- 1945) Joe was a Master Sergeant in the Army’s 341st Engineer Regiment. He was chief of engineering operations and supervised construction of the Alaska Military Highway between Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson in British Columbia (1943). He oversaw the reconstruction of railroad bridges in France, Belgium, and Germany (1944-1945). In addition to many military service medals he was also awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for his services.
Joe joined the Wigton-Abbot Corp. of Plainfield, as assistant construction manager in 1946, and in 1982 became construction manager. Also in March, 1946, he was appointed Town Engineer by Harrison Mayor Frank Rodgers. For 56 years, until his retirement in May, 2002, he supervised all major public projects, which included the Stickel Bridge, John F. Kennedy Stadium, Harrison Recreation Center, Harrison High School, the addition to Lincoln School, fire headquarters, public library, renovation of the senior citizens center, the additions of hundreds of family homes on former industrial sites, the reconstruction of the Bridge St. and Jackson St. bridges, demolition of the P.S.E.G Co. gas container, construction of recreation facilities such as playgrounds, basketball courts, mini soccer field and tennis courts. He was responsible for the plans and specifications for the construction of new water mains, sanitary and storm sewers, street paving, fire alarm and traffic signals. He served as Zoning Board Officer (1948) and Planning Board Officer (1977) to his retirement. In retrospect, during his 56 years of service, he oversaw the development of all of Harrison’s town improvements.
In 1990 Joe was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Hudson County Community College, Jersey City. In 1998 he was named Trustee Emeritus and was very involved in fundraising and establishing scholarships for students. In 1999, in recognition of his outstanding service and contributions, a newly opened wing of the college was dedicated as the “Joseph A. Cundari Center”.
Joe’s civic service also included being named a Vice President of the West Hudson Hospital Association (1958- 1962) and Vice President of the Harrison Board of Education (1991-1996). In November, 1999, The Christopher Columbus Foundation Day honored Joe as an outstanding citizen. He was also recognized in 2003 and again in 2011 by Mayor Ray McDonough as Harrison’s Outstanding Senior Citizen. On April 28, 2011, the Harrison Board of Education voted to name the tennis courts at Harrison High School “The Joseph A. Cundari Tennis Courts” to serve as a lasting reminder for everyone of the unstinting dedication of a venerable Harrisonian.
In his personal life Joe enjoyed attending theatrical productions and operas, and was an accomplished pianist. He had an avid interest in photography and oil painting. He was a member of the K of C Our Lady of Grace Council #402, the Sgt. Williams A. Sawelson V.F.W. Post #340, the Holy Cross Church Holy Name Society, and many professional engineering societies. Tennis was a major interest in his life, initially as a player and founder of the Harcy Tennis Club, and then as a lifetime member of the Arlington Players Tennis Club, serving in many capacities for over 60 years. He was also a major sponsor of the N.J. Statement for 40 years. Joe was very dedicated to his family, always being present at every major event in the lives of his family. No matter the time or distances he was always present in happy and sad occasions. He was “Uncle Joe” to one and all.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Carolina Cundari, his brother Dominic, and his sisters Catherine and Vincentine.
Survivors include his brother, James P. (Johanna) Cundari, Sandusky, Ohio, his nephews Anthony Cundari, Norwalk, Ohio, and Joseph Cundari, Sandusky, Ohio, his nieces Johanna Powers, Sandusky, Ohio, Maria Horvath, Oxford, Michigan, and Carolyn Williams Sardella, Kearny, and many grand nephews and nieces, great-grand nephews and nieces, cousins, and by his faithful companion of over 30 years, Rena Stoll.
Memorial contributions in memory of Joe may be given to Holy Cross Church, Harrison, Hudson County Community College, Jersey City, the Arlington Players Club, Kearny, or to one’s favorite charity.
The dedicated loyal citizen, soldier and family man now rests in peace in God’s Hands. What Joe accomplished in his life will live on for many years to come.
The funeral was conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison, on Monday, March 25. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Church in Harrison with the Rev. Joseph Girone, Pastor officiating. His interment took place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. For information or to send condolences to the family please visit www.mulliganfuneralhome.org.
Louise M. Fugaro
Louise M. Fugaro entered into eternal rest after a courageous battle against breast cancer. She was 65.
Born in Scranton, Pa., she lived in Kearny before moving to East Brunswick 39 years ago.
Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church, also in Kearny, followed by private cremation. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com L
ouise loved cooking, family and friends. She is the daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (nee Malara) Panunzio and daughter-in-law of Joseph and the late Lillian Fugaro. Beloved wife of Joseph Fugaro, she is the cherished mother of Natalie (Billy) Crisafulli and Keith (Kristen) Fugaro; sister of Barbara Little (Richard Ross), Joseph Panunzio (Carole) and the late Marlene Groome. She is also survived by her grandchildren Vincent and Juliette Crisafulli, her sister-in-law and brotherin- law Karen Fugaro Poirier and Larry Poirier, her nieces and nephews Josephine (Gregory), Anthony, Ruben (Breann), Jennifer (Cameron), Michael (Rebecca), Cheryl and Lauren and her great nieces and nephews RJ, Gianna, Mia, Gregory, Stephanie, Nicholas, Jonathan, Tiffany, Toni, Dominick and Nicholas.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure or Dr. Michael Nissenblatt Challah Foundation.
Ann F. Gilroy
Ann F. Gilroy entered into eternal life on March 23 at home. She was 88.
Born in New York City, she moved to Kearny in 1979.
Visiting will be on Tuesday, March 26, from 3 until 7 p.m. at the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, March 27, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, N.Y.
Ann was an actuarial for Mutual of N.Y. and held a Masters in Art and a Masters in Education from Columbia University. A very devoted parishioner of Queen of Peace she ran its RCIA program and taught CCD for many years.
Sister of the late Patrick Gilroy she leaves behind a very loving family and cherished friends.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Sloan Kettering.
Mary Halleran
Mary Halleran (nee Lynch), 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Feb. 12, after a brief illness.
Funeral arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Drive Kearny. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. To leave online condolence please visit www.armitageandwiggins.com
Mary was an administrative assistant at the Department of Public Works in Kearny. Known as everyone’s Aunt Mae, she was the beloved lynchpin of her large Irish family. Although family and her Irish heritage were top in her heart, she loved her porch plants, her bowling league, Law and Order marathons, and the N.Y. Giants, who she watched at the edge of her seat every game, win or lose. Because of every amazing piece of her, she will be greatly missed.
Wife of the late John, she is survived by her daughters and their husbands Kathy and Bob Patton, Joan and Francis Baratta and Susan and Bill Hamilton. Sister of Ann Loretta Toussaint, she is also survived by her grandchildren Colleen (Jason) Loud, Bart Carrique, Tara and James Hamilton and Francesca and Nicole Baratta and her great granddaughter Arianna Hamilton. She was predeceased by her daughter Therese C. Halleran.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to The Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Colleen D. Kelly
Colleen D. Kelly (nee: Hahn), 56, of Harrison, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 17, at home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Newark, Colleen was a lifelong resident of Harrison.
She is survived by her loving children, Daniel, Milinda and Matthew; her two cherished grandchildren, Brianne and Joshua; and her dear siblings, Bonnie Patterson, Karen Kowalski Kelly, Jacob Hahn and Alyce Donnelly. She is also an aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Donald Hahn and her parents, Jacob and Betty Hahn.
She was a secretary for the Harrison Board of Education’s Office of Special Services.
Through her work in Lincoln School, she brought smiles to the faces of countless children and teachers alike. Always eager to help those in need, for many years she helped coordinate a local food program for disadvantaged and resource limited households. She was also highly active in clothing and gift drives.
A memorial gathering was held at Mulligan Funeral Home in Harrison and was attended by many family members and friends who gathered to honor Colleen’s strength, kindness and incomparable spirit. A beautiful Memorial Mass was also held at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home in loving memory of Colleen. For information or to send condolences to the family, please visit: www.mulliganfuneralhome.com
John Alves Peso
John Alves Peso passed away on March 22 at the Post Acute Care Center in Kearny. He was 89 and was born in Couto de Ervededo, Chaves, Portugal, and came to the United States in 1966.
Married to Maria Gloria (Morais) Peso, father of Maria Jorge wife of Fernando, Roger Peso husband of Ana Maria, and Serafim Peso husband of Carmelina. He was the brother of Augusto Peso and the grandfather of Michael, Zita , and Peter Jorge, Danny and Tina Peso, and Angela and Stefan Peso, great grandfather to Matthew, Megan, Jakob, and Kaitlyn.
The viewing was held Monday, March 25 at Shaw Buyus Home for Services, 138 Davis Ave., Kearny. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 26, at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church in Kearny, following with the funeral in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.
For information on sending your condolences, please visit www. buyusfuneralhomecom.
Joann Villaronga
Joann (Cowley) Villaronga died on March 21 at home. She was 64. Born in Kearny, she lived in Harrison before moving to Staten Island in 1989.
Private arrangements are by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home.
Joann is the life companion of Edward Villaronga and the mother of Kevin Cowley. Sister of Carol Sheridan and Robert, Gary, Patrick, Michael, George and Edward Cowley, she is also survived by her grandchildren Shane, Ryan and Kevin, many nieces and nephews and her best pal Ricky.
In lieu of flowers kindly consider assisting the family financially by sending a donation to the funeral home at 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, N.J. 07032.
