John E. De Stefanis
John E. De Stefanis, 69, of Westfield, passed away on July 19 at the V.A. N.J. Health Care System in Lyons.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison. John’s funeral service and wake were held at Higgins & Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, Westfield. His interment was in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield.
For information or to send condolences to his family, please visit higginsandbonner.com or mulliganfh.com.
Born in Plainfield, John lived in Cranford until he moved to Westfield. After graduating from Westfield High School in 1964, he attended Penn State University. He served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant during the Vietnam War and was a recipient of two Bronze Stars and several citations for bravery. John turned his childhood hobby of philately into a career. Until his retirement he worked as a stamp appraiser and auctioneer at William A. Fox Auctions, Inc., and at Newman & Company, Inc., where he was an owner. He was a lifelong member of the United Postal Stationery Society and the American Stamp Dealers Association.
During his free time, he loved traveling and outdoor activities.
John was predeceased by his parents Louise (nee Di Lorenzo) and Edward De Stefanis. He is survived by his loving sister and brother-inlaw Patricia and David Cilo; his adoring niece Stephanie Cilo Faragi and her husband Dean; and his beloved grandnephew Nicholas and grandnieces Elizabeth and Charlotte Lynn. He also leaves behind his loving cousins, devoted friends, and his “special” family at the Promise House at Lyons, Va.
A memorial service will be held at the V.A. Lyon’s facility at a later date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s name to the V.A. N.J. Health Care System, 151 Knollcroft Road, Lyons, N.J. 07939.
Grace M. Goffredo
Grace M. Goffredo, 94, of Lyndhurst and formerly of Kearny, died on July 25.
Arrangements are by the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, July 28, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Born in Jersey City, Mrs. Goffredo lived in Kearny before moving to Lyndhurst eight years ago. She was a self-employed seamstress and later worked at Eagan’s Restaurant, North Arlington, at the counter for 20 years. She was a member of the St. Stephen’s Church Senior Citizens Club of Kearny.
She was the beloved wife for 58 years of the late Savino “Sam” Goffredo and the mother of Mary Goffredo (Paul Kierman), Michael Goffredo (Joanne) and Susan Pappagallo (Nicholas). She was the sister of Anna Della Peruta, Dotty Jannuzzi, Mary Muso, Lee Rorro and was predeceased by 10 siblings. Grandmother of Gina, Nicholas, Christopher and Jaclyn, she was the great-grandmother of Chole and Cassie. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Stephen’s Church would be appreciated.
Anna Jackson
Anna Jackson, 69, passed away on July 24 at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.
A lifelong resident of Kearny, she was the owner of Bergen Cleaners for many years.
There will be memorial services at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Kearny, at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 1.
