Russell Cespedes
Russell Cespedes “Jose A.”, 22, of Kearny died on April 12.
Son of Jose E. Cespedes and Sandra Getler, he was the grandson of Jose and Rosa Cespedes, nephew of Will Cespedes and Ann Marie Schulte, great-nephew of Concepcion Rosales, brother of George Gonzalez, maternal grandson of Luz Alvarez and maternal nephew of Enma, Patty and Maria.
Visiting will be Tuesday, April 16, at the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny from 4 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 17, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Russell was a very accomplished young man. A lifelong Kearny resident, he graduated from Kearny High School with High Honors in 2008. He was inducted into the National Honor Society and was editor of the school newspaper. While in high school, he wrote for The Observer. Upon graduation, he went on to attend the prestigious Bowdoin College in Maine. Russell carried a double major, history and government, and minored in film. There he had many friends and was active in numerous clubs. He enjoyed co-hosting his own radio program on campus called “The Right Hour.”
Russell planned one day to attend law school. He was very passionate about politics, history and government. Shortly before his illness, Russell worked as an intern for a senatorial campaign. He embraced this opportunity with excitement, honor and pride. He felt this was his small way to give back to his country that he loved so very much. Russell was a great American. He, beloved by all, will be deeply missed by his family and friends. In the words of his father “He was an angel here on earth and now he is our angel in Heaven.”
Judith De Angelo
Judith “Judy” De Angelo, 50, died on April 11 at Hunterdon Medical Center.
Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph’s Church, Jersey City, followed by interment in Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City.
Born in Jersey City, Judy lived most of her life in Clinton.
Daughter of the late Anthony and Eleanor Conk De Angelo, she is the sister of Joan (John) Josso, Linda (Chris) Kelley and her twin brother Thomas (Shana) De Angelo. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews Melissa, Brian, Steven, Anthony, Amanda and Matthew.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hunterdon Developmental Center Cottage 10, 40 Pittstown Road Clinton, N.J. 08809 would be appreciated.
Virginia A. Evert
Virginia A. Evert (nee Aiello), of Kearny, died on April 14 in The St. Cloud Health Care Center in West Orange. She was 89.
Visiting will be on Wednesday, April 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 18, at 10 a.m. in St. Cecilia’s Church and followed by entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com
Virginia is the wife of the late Herbert D. Evert and is survived by her children and their spouses Patricia M., Daniel P. and Judy, Donald R. and Pamela, Cary R. and Stephanie and Tracey A. Evert. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kristin, Adam, Jeremy, Jamison, Alex, Harrison and Colin along with several great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Jordon.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Richard S. Pegram
Richard S. Pegram, 78, of Bracey, Va., (formerly of Kearny), husband of Joan (Tomasieski), passed away peacefully at home on April 8.
Predeceased by daughter Linda, he is survived by children Mary Jo Conley, Rick Pegram, Diane Dunn, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and brother Charles Pegram.
Richard served in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Captain from the Kearny Fire Department. He was a member of the Lake Gaston Volunteer Fire Department in Bracey, Va. He will be remembered for his love of food, fishing and for his sense of humor.
Cremation services were private. Donations in his memory may be made to the Lake Gaston Fire Department, 7609 Highway 903, Bracey, Va. 23919.
Andrew T. Smillie
Andrew T. Smillie, 87, of Budd Lake, died on Monday, April 8, at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center.
Born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, on May 18, 1925, he was the son of the late James and Fanny (Haughie) Smillie. He is survived by his wife, Josephine (Kirk) Smillie.
Andrew lived in Budd Lake for 18 years coming from Kearny. Andrew was a brick layer for Brick Layers and Allied Crafts, Local BAC # 4, Fairfield. He served with the British Royal Marines.
Andrew was of the Presbyterian faith; member of Union Local # 4; he was an avid reader, enjoyed crosswords, loved walking and being outdoors and discovering nature; he enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his wife, Josephine, Andrew is survived by a son, Robert Smillie; three daughters, Margaret and husband Robert Defuria; Frances and husband Pascal Berini and Jo-Anne and husband Tony Chudley; two sisters, Ina McClure and Stella Spence; six grandchildren, Robert and wife Alison, Nicole, Alyson, Anthony, Justin and Nicholas; three great grandchildren, Aedan, Emily, Aine; sister-in-law Jessie Smillie; predeceased by three brothers, James, Robert and William; predeceased by seven sisters, Isa, Grace, Greta, Mary, Frances, Margaret and Mae.
Arrangements were by the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High St., Hackettstown. A funeral service was held in the funeral home, followed by private interment.
Henrietta Thomson
Henrietta Thomson died on April 5 at the Elmcroft Assisted Living in Xenia, Ohio. She was 99.
Born in Johnston, Scotland, she lived in Kearny and Wayne before moving to Ohio 18 years ago.
Arrangements were by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral service was held at the funeral home, followed by burial at Arlington Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com
Henrietta and her late husband John Thomson were very involved with the Kearny Bible Chapel.
She is survived by her children Dr. Robert S. Thomson, Dr. John Thomson and Henrietta E. Henderson, eight grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
