George Dock
George Dock, 92, died on March 24 at St. Luke’s Hospice in Bethlehem, Pa.
Arrangements were by the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.
Mr. Dock was born in Paisley, Scotland. He immigrated to this country in 1952 and lived in Kearny ever since. George was a bricklayer for the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers’ Local 4 for many years.
He was a founding member of the Kearny Celtic Supporters Association of Kearny in 1963 and served as its first president. George was also a proud member of the Kearny Irish American Club of Kearny and served as secretary. In 1974, the Celtic Supporters made the Irish American Club their permanent home. Mr. Dock worked alongside his wife Margaret as they owned and operated the Kearny Health Food Center from 1969 to 2001. In 1972 he donated six months of his time as a brick layer to help build Elks Camp Moore in Haskell, a camp for handicapped children and veterans.
Mr. Dock is survived by his daughter Sharon McKeown and his grandson Edmund McKeown.
He was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Gaffney) Dock in February 2010.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny.
George F. Dreker
George F. Dreker, 88, died on March 23 in the New Jersey Firemen’s Home in Boonton.
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.
George was born in Kearny and was a lifelong resident.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 until 1947 and was a firefighter for the town of Kearny for 31 years, retiring Dec. 26, 1992.
He was member of the N.J. State Firemen’s Association, the Kearny Firemen’s Relief Association, the Hudson County Firemen’s Home Association, the N.J. State Exempt Firemen’s Association, the Hudson County League of Exempt Firemen, the Kearny Firemen’s Exempt Association and the Kearny FMBA Local 18.
St. Cecilia Church in Kearny was a huge part of George’s life where he was a member of the Holy Name Society, an usher and a bingo volunteer. The church named him its “Man of the Year” in 1998.
George is survived by his daughter Dorothy Schmieder (Richard); four grandchildren, Theresa Grassey, Roseanne Farrell, Richard J. Schmieder Jr. and Katherine McCabe; and nine great-grandchildren.
He will be missed by his cousins Cecilia Horn and Sister M. James; and his nephew Thomas Dreker. George was predeceased by his wife Dorothy R. (Forbes) Dreker; his daughter Dolores Fargano; and three brothers Frederick, James and Bernard Dreker.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the New Jersey Firemen’s Home, 565 Lathrop Ave., Boonton, N.J. 07005 or at www.njfh.org.
John Munro
John Munro, of Kearny, died March 27. He was 88.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral service was held at the funeral home followed by a private cremation. www.armitagewiggins.com
John was a devoted husband and father. Married to the late Georgina (nee Shivers) he was the father of Pauline (Thomas) Austin, John (Denise) Munro, Gerald (Gina) Munro, Gary (Tammy) Munro and the late Andrew Munro. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
John was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 14, 1927. He and his family moved to Kearny in 1963. He was a longtime member of The Scots American Club and an avid soccer fan who always supported the hometown Kearny High School Soccer, Scots American and Thistle teams. John served in the British Army Royal Engineers during World War II. He worked for Imperial Photo Graphics in Belleville for 30 years, retiring in 1993. Many would remember John tirelessly taking his daily walks up and down Kearny Ave. and warmly joke about him being the “Scottish Mayor of Kearny” until his illness.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Scots Club for roof repair.
Edward Patrick O’Neill
Edward Patrick O’Neill died quietly on March 23, during a loving caress from his wife Mary with his brother Marty holding his hand. Ed was born in Newark and raised his family in Kearny. Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church, followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. www.armitagewiggins.com
Ed was a Navy veteran who served on the USS Soley DD 707. After the Navy, he joined the Newark Police Department where he was a motorcycle officer. When he retired after 27 years, he drove a truck for Shop-Rite and then he worked as a driver for Clayton Container.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Mary Agnew, formerly of Bathgate, Scotland; his beloved children, Edward G. and Jane C. O’Neill; and his cherished siblings, MaryAnn Acceturo, Lenore Ceraso, James F., Martin A., and Thomas O. O’Neill. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and all of their families.
He had a special closeness to all of his in-laws. He had many friends, too numerous to mention, but held a special bond with his lifelong buddies Jerry Daily, Harold Hanson, and Walter Blevins. Ed and his family also want to acknowledge all of his wonderful neighbors on Beech St. in Kearny and he wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Edward Killilea and the staff at St. Michael’s.
Ed was a member of the FOP, Teamsters Locals 27 and 641, and the Belleville VFW. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Bonnie Patterson
Bonnie Patterson (nee Hahn), entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 16. She was 65.
Born on May 11, 1949, Bonnie was a lifelong resident of East Newark and Harrison, before moving to Piedmont, Mo., in 1997. She passed away at Clark’s Mountain Nursing Center, Piedmont, Mo.
Predeceased by her husband, Ronald V. Patterson Sr., she is survived by her son, Ronald V. Patterson Jr., her brother, Jake Hahn, her half-sister, Karen Kowalski Kelly, and her grandson, Victor Leroy Patterson. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was also predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Betty Hahn; her daughter, Bonnie V. Patterson; and her siblings, Donald Hahn and Colleen Hahn Kelly.
Private funeral services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A graveside service was held at Arlington Cemetery, Kearny. For information or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.
Grace Sherwen
Grace Sherwen (nee Broderick) died at home on March 23. She was 97.
Born in Hoboken, she lived most of her life in Kearny.
Arrangements were by Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church and burial followed in Arlington Cemetery in Kearny. www.armitagewiggins.com.
Grace was very involved with St. Stephen’s Church. She was the cook at the parish school, she was a member of the Rosary Society and The Seniors. She regularly volunteered at the church. Grace also loved to bowl and was an avid reader.
Wife of the late John D. Sherwen and sister of the late Julia LaForgia and Margaret Maher, she is survived by her children, Patricia and J. Douglas Sherwen Jr. (Laurie), along with many loving nieces and nephews and their families.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Stephen’s Church, specifically for the restoration of the stained glass windows.
