Robert V. Connaghan
Robert V. Connaghan, 79, died on Jan. 31.
Arrangements were by the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny, followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.
Mr. Connaghan was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He had lived in Kearny for the last 50 years.
He was a maintenance mechanic for Abbott Laboratories in Whippany for 20 years, retiring in 2008.
Robert was an avid Celtic supporter and member of the Irish-American Association of Kearny. In 2001 he was named Irishman of the Year and in 2003 he was the deputy grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade of West Hudson.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years Frances (nee Lowe); his children Robert H. Connaghan, Lisa Connaghan and Angela Marie Connaghan; and one sister Rosaleen Duncan of Glasgow.
His family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at both St. Michael’s Medical Center and the Columbus Hospital LTACH for their continued support and excellent care.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a charity of your choice in Robert’s memory.
Alexandra Estelle
Alexandra Estelle passed away suddenly on Feb. 5. She was 64.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, she moved to Kearny in 1981.
Arrangements are by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilia’s Church in Kearny and burial will follow in Arlington Cemetery in Kearny.
Alexandra loved spending time with her family especially with all her grandchildren. She always looked forward to going to bingo every week with her daughter and seeing her “Wee” bingo friends.
Wife of Lawrence Estelle, she is survived by her daughters and their husbands Bonnie Flowers (Arthur), Trina Estelle (Adam) and Kristine Flagello (Anthony). Sister of Marie, Rosie, Geraldine, Walter, Kenny, Allan, Maggie and Nora, she is also survived by her grandchildren Alexandra, Anthony and Aiden and great-granddaughter Isabella.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research.
George J. Hanzimanolis
George J. Hanzimanolis, 53, of Bartonsville, Pa., died Thursday, Feb. 5.
He is survived by Kimberly, his loving wife of 31 years; son and best friend, James;, parents, James and Sharyn Hanzimanolis of Harrison; brother, Thomas Hanzimanolis and his wife Laurie Ann of Tobyhanna, Pa.; sister, Dorothy Rosa and her husband Doug of West Caldwell; nieces and nephews Dimitri Hanzimanolis, Elizabeth Rosa, Nicholas Hanzimanolis, Alexander Rosa and Alexa Hanzimanolis; and mother-in-law, Gloria Zigmund, wife of the late Ed Zigmund. He was also blessed with his closest friends, Jacqui Calicchio and her husband Anthony and Walter Scott.
George was a graduate of Harrison High School, Class of 1979, and Rutgers University, Class of 1985. A lifelong active member of the Boy Scouts of America, George was an Eagle Scout and more recently was a longtime dedicated Scoutmaster for Troop 85 of Bartonsville, Pa. George was a cancer survivor and lived every day of his life to the fullest. God, family and community were the pillars of life for George and he lived his life setting a perfect example for others.
George had a wonderful work ethic which stems from the examples set by his immigrant parents from an early age. He worked at The Spa family restaurant in Harrison before moving to Pennsylvania in the late 1980s. George built a successful business, Bankers First Mortgage, Inc. of Tannersville, Pa., and had many industry awards bestowed upon him over the years. Among them, George was named Pennsylvania Mortgage Broker of the Year, National Mortgage Broker of the Year, and past President of NAMB, National Association of Mortgage Brokers. He also was requested to speak about ethics on the floor of the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., and on CNBC. George was blessed with a great staff over the years, especially his two friends and current associates Debbie and Cathryn.
George’s greatest love was his son, James. They were best friends and spent many days together fishing, camping, attending NBA games and travelling. George will be missed by all but leaves behind a wonderful legacy.
There will be viewing hours from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main St., Stroudsburg, Pa. A Catholic prayer service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests donations be made to Boy Scout Troop 85 of Bartonsville, Pa.
Arrangements are by the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main St., Stroudsburg, Pa. (www.wmhclarkfuneralhome.com).
Mhairi Mussenden
Mhairi Mussenden (nee Macaulay) 78, died suddenly on Feb. 4 at home in Kearny.
Arrangements were by the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral service was held at the funeral home followed by a private cremation. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.
Mhairi was born in Greenock, Scotland. She immigrated to this country in 1963 and lived in Elizabeth. She had lived in Kearny since 1969. She was a member of the Rutherford Chapter No. 24, O.E.S.
Mrs. Mussenden is survived by her daughters Avril Mitchell (William) and Sandy Hyde (Michael); grandchildren Brett and Brittany Mussenden, Heather Lisk , Krystal and Dallas Mitchell, Kayla Sgro and Michael Hyde; great-grandchildren Aidyn, Cody and Isabella Lisk and Makenzie Martinez.
She was predeceased by her husband George D. Mussenden; her daughter Karen, Mussenden; her son George Mussenden, Jr. and granddaughters Krysten and Kyleen Hyde.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org.
Nicholas C. Petito
Nicholas C. Petito died Feb. 4 at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark. He was 75.
Born in Newark, he lived most of his life in Harrison. A memorial service will be held on Feb. 22 at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Former husband of the late Barbara (Yurick), he is survived by his daughter Kassandra Petito, his cherished grandson Trent, his brother Joseph Petito and sister Magee Davey.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Nick’s daughter Kassandra.
