John Raymond Beck
John Raymond Beck, 62, passed away peacefully on Aug. 2 in Durham, N.C., after a long illness which he faced with courage and humor.
He was born in Newark, but lived most of his life in his beloved hometown of Kearny. He attended Queen of Peace Grammar and High School and Rider College. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Yankees and Giants and loved fishing, music and all things sports. He loved to cook and prepared many wonderful holiday meals.
He is survived by his sister, Joan Hart, and his niece, Sarah Hart, and her husband, Brian Totten and their children, Elle and Audrey Totten of Durham, N.C. He will be missed by his family and his many friends.
Services will be private. Anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory, kindly make donations to Duke Home Care and Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, N.C. 27704 or to the charity of your choice.
Rose M. Fernandez
Rose M. “Dolly” Fernandez passed away at home on July 26. She was 76. Born in Harrison, she lived most of her life in Kearny.
Arrangements are by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral service was held at the funeral home, followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. www.armitagewiggins.com
Dolly was a teacher’s aide in Kearny before retiring.
She had been married for the past 45 years to Joseph Fernandez and is also survived by her children Karen Ferrara (Chris), Laura Lake (Angela), Jeffrey Fernandez (Laura), Joedy Stahl (Dan) and Mary Ellen Fernandez, her sister Diane Kelleher and her grandchildren Joey, Anthony, Jordon, Lisa, Zechariah and Emily.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider assistance to the family or a donation to your own favorite charity.
James P. Hamilton
James P. “The Skipper” Hamilton died peacefully at home on July 31. Born in Dublin, he lived in Kearny before moving to Belleville 15 years ago.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m., in St. Patrick’s Pro Cathedral in Newark and burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.
Skip is survived by his wife Mary (nee Murray). He was the father of Mary Degnan (Bob), Sarah Hamilton (Mike McGonigal), Jimmy Hamilton (Sajal), Theresa Hamilton (Mario Nardone) Michael Hamilton (Helene Hallock) and the late Kathleen.
He also leaves behind family in Ireland and six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Barnabas Hospice. To view a more detailed obituary please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Janet H. Holian
Janet H. Holian, 75, of Kearny, passed away on July 26.
Arrangements were by Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove. A funeral Mass was offered July 29 at Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, with interment following in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Memories and condolences may be shared at shookscedargrove.com.
Born in Jersey City, Janet lived in North Arlington and settled in Kearny 20 years ago. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey for almost 50 years. Predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Loretta Holian, and her longtime companion, Paul Poole, she is survived by her devoted brother, the Rev. Jack Holian.
Ruth A. Leonard
Ruth A. Leonard (nee Smeltzer) passed away July 30 in Florida. She was 71.
Born in Kearny, she was a lifelong resident.
Visiting will be on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny. To leave online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Ruth was a legal secretary for many years at the law office of Gillespie, Gillespie and Jablonski and she was an active, lifelong member of The Grace United Methodist Church, both in Kearny.
She was the beloved wife of Howard Leonard and was the cherished aunt of Suzanne, Russell and Kristie Smeltzer, Karen and William Thornborg and Susan Bevans. Her brother Russell Smelter predeceased her. Ruth also leaves behind many dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Grace Church.
Catherine M. O’Neill
Catherine M. O’Neill (nee Ennis), 67, of North Arlington, died Friday, July 31, at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston after a valiant fight against breast cancer.
Born in Newark, she lived in Lyndhurst and Wayne before moving to North Arlington in 1976. Catherine was a wonderful wife and mother. She was an avid reader who loved her morning coffee and bopping to music on her way to her cancer treatments. She especially enjoyed dining out at her favorite restaurants with family and friends.
She was the beloved wife of Donald O’Neill, the devoted mother of Donald O’Neill Jr. and his wife Esmeralda and Jennifer O’Neill-Gonzaga and her husband Mel, the cherished grandmother of Brittany E. Ryan and Aristidis S. Pavis , the dear sister-in-law of Jack and Carol O’Neill, Tom O’Neill and the late Robert O’Neill and the adored aunt of many nieces and nephews. Catherine is also survived by her grand-dogs, Rufus, Athena, Nuggett and Roxy.
Arrangements are by the Parow Funeral Home, 185 Ridge Road, North Arlington. Everyone is invited to attend the funeral Mass on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington. Private cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to the North Arlington Volunteer Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 7088, North Arlington, N.J. 07031.
