George Best George Best died Sept. 22. He was 84.
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he moved to North Arlington 48 years ago.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A service was held at the funeral home, followed by burial in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny. For more information, visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
George owned Best Way Travel in Queens and he was a union carpenter. While in Ireland, he worked at Harland and Wolff Ship Yard, the builders of the Titanic. Here in the states, he was an active member of The Ulster Club in Kearny.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Margaret (nee Johnson), his loving daughter and son in law Karen and Michael Clifford and his grandsons Michael, Colin and Ryan.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Barnabas Hospice, 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, N.J. 07052.
Nellie Brateris
Nellie Brateris (nee Simanovich) of Kearny, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, Sept. 24. She was 93-years-old.
Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Kearny, on Monday, Sept. 28. Her internment took place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. For information or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.
Born in Maple Ridge, Pa., she lived in Kearny for the last 49 years, prior to that in North Arlington for 14 years and prior to that in Beaverdale, Pa. She worked as a sealer for Hudson Lamp, Kearny, for nine years retiring in 1965. She also worked at Gibson Thompson, Kearny, for two years but she was primarily known as an excellent homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother.
Nellie enjoyed being with her family and watching her grandchildren grow up. She was truly the best mom and grandmother and will be missed by all.
Nellie is the devoted mother of Richard and his wife Nikki, Bernadette Dinan and her husband Thomas and Yvonne McGhee and her husband Michael, cherished grandmother of nine and one late grandchild, great-grandmother of 25 and great-great grandmother of three. She is also a dear aunt to many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in 2006 by her husband Vincent. They were married for 65 years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105 in loving memory of Nellie.
Jose Pereira daSilva
Jose Pereira daSilva died Sept. 25. He was 90.
Born in Portugal he lived many years in North Arlington.
Visiting is Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. at Queen of Peace Church and burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, both North Arlington.
Jose is survived by his wife Olivia (Viera), his son Manuel daSilva and daughter Maria Olivia daSilva. Brother of Augustino, Avelino, Serifin, Noe and Carolina daSilva, he is also survived by his grandchildren Ricardo, Gyselle, Andrew and Denise and six great-grandchildren.
Kenneth M. Feduniewicz
Kenneth M. Feduniewicz, 63, of Huntingdon, Pa., and formerly of New Jersey, passed away on Thursday morning, Sept. 17, at UPMC Altoona, Altoona, Pa.
Iluminada J. Guevara
Iluminada J. Guevara (Joaquin), 87, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Highland Care Center in Jamaica, Queens.
The funeral will be from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 8:30 a.m. A funeral Mass will be offered at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.
Mrs. Guevara was born in the Philippines. During the last 30 years, she lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., and then Queens, N.Y.
She is survived by her children Adorada G. Quiros, Eloisa G. Peralta and Raul J. Guevara. Iluminada also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Cesar G. Guevara and her son Reynaldo Guevara.
Lynn Italiano Kelly
Lynn Italiano Kelly, of Brick, died suddenly at home on Sept. 22.
She was 53.
Lynn lived most of her life in North Arlington before moving to Brick several years ago.
For many years, she worked as a secretary at Job & Job Consulting Engineers in Hackensack, retiring several years ago to help tend to her own health and the well-being of her elderly mother-in-law.
There were many things that brought great joy to Lynn’s life, but of them, the most important things were being with and enjoying life with her husband Duane Kelly, the former art director at The Observer, her two step-daughters, Carissa and Liana, her cats, her love for penguins, spending time with friends and family at her Jersey Shore home and tending to her garden each year.
Most days, especially in the summer months, you’d find Lynn taking some of the items she grew in her garden to make impeccable meals with Duane. She loved to share those meals with friends and family — and she often took photos of the final product to share with others on Facebook. And boy did those photos always display food fit for royalty.
Following her unexpected death, so many of the remembrances that flowed in on Facebook recalled how once you became Lynn’s friend, you had a friend for life.
“The very first time I met Lynn, she hugged me, gave me a kiss on the cheek, and said ‘You will always be welcome in our home,’” her friend and current Observer Correspondent Kevin Canessa Jr. wrote. “At that moment, I knew I had a friend for life — and someone who no matter where life took us, would always be there in my corner. Needless to say, that never changed.”
Many also recalled just how much she adored Duane — and how deeply they were in love. Unthinkably, Lynn died on what would have been her 11th wedding anniversary.
“When I was a dork 7thgrader in NA, there was this cool, hip chick who sat next to me in two classes,” one of the tributes read. “I was totally intimidated, but found over the course of the year she was an absolute sweetheart — and so kind to this dork when many were not. Years later, I wrote to her on Facebook to tell her of her kindness.
“She did not remember at all, but we still became friends. Though not always feeling great, she nonetheless posted daily of her gratitude for life — her loving husband, their daughters, her cats, her swans, her friends, her garden and the delicious meals she and her husband prepared. Last night, she was taken by a massive heart attack. Instantly gone. And I am numb and stunned. Rest in peace, Lynn Kelly. God has gained another beautiful soul.”
Lynn leaves behind her adoring husband of 11 years, Duane; two step-daughters, Liana and Carissa; her best friend, Cathy D’Alessio; and countless friends and relatives.
Weatherhead Young Funeral Home, Brick, was in charge. Cremation was private.
Margaret “Peg” McGuigan
Margaret “Peg” McGuigan (“Meggie”), of Harrison, and recently of Goshen, N.Y., died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 95 on Sept. 22. The matriarch of a large and loving family, Peg also had a legion of friends and admirers.
Funeral services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Church in Harrison. Her interment took place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. For information or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.
Born to Harry L. and Margaret Hoffman (nee Ryan), she was raised in Newark before moving to Nutley after a house fire. She graduated from Good Counsel High School where she was the captain of the cheerleaders. All her life she met regularly with her former classmates, and she always spoke about her life in Newark with great affection. In 1942 she married P. John McGuigan and made Harrison her hometown until recently. She was a homemaker until 1951 when she began working in sales at Hahnes Department Store in Newark. In 1954 she began teaching at St. Michael’s Elementary School, Newark. She taught fourth grade there until she retired in 1979. In 1978 she was appointed to the Harrison Town Council by the legendary Mayor Frank E. Rodgers to fill the unexpired term of her beloved husband when he suddenly died. In the following term Peg was elected to the Town Council and served eleven consecutive terms, 22 years, including an unprecedented seven terms as President. She was a compassionated, no-nonsense public servant, and she knew how to get things done.
In addition, her organizational memberships included The Lady’s Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, West Hudson Hospital, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, the International Municipal Signal Association, Mothers of Priests, the Harrison 125th Anniversary Committee; Holy Rosary Society. And she was a charter member of the Harrison Cancer League.
Honors over the years include Grand Marshall of the West Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade, Harrison Senior Citizen of the Year, New Jersey State League of Municipalities Elected Official Hall of Fame; and Our Lady of Good Council Alumni Hall of Fame.
No story about Peg would be complete without mentioning her enormous singing talent, and her ability to woo an audience. Belting out “Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home” or “Birth of the Blues.” Peg entertained her many fans throughout the NY/NJ metropolitan area. She often sang with Bobby Byrne while on one of his trips.
In 2013 she was predeceased by the sudden, tragic death of her son, the Rev. Patrick McGuigan, O. Carm. She is survived by her loving daughters: Margaret Guckian (James), and Maureen Myers (Joseph); and her grandchildren, Janet Sutherland (Robert), Maura Myers, Erin Lichtenstein (Colin), Tricia Ramos (Chris), and Katherine Guckian; her great-grandchildren Connor, Emily, Max and Dylan Sutherland; Jay and Brook Myers; Juan and Katelyn Ramos; and Jack Lichtenstein. She is also survived by her sisters Ann DeMartin and Jane Watters (Joseph), and her brother Harry Hoffman; and by her brother-in-law William McGuigan (Barbara), in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who all adore her.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, N.Y. 13220-3049 in loving memory of Peg.
Patricia A. McKeon
Patricia A. McKeon (nee Smith), of Cedar Grove, and formerly of Kearny, passed away at home on Sept. 24. She was 76.
Arrangements are by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, and entombment will follow in Holy Cross Mausoleum, North Arlington.
Patricia was a retired telephone operator from Prudential in Newark. She had a passion for cooking and loved feeding family and friends.
Wife of the late John “Bucky” McKeon, she is survived by her daughters and their husbands Deborah and James Mangin and Colleen and Joseph Amirr. She was the precious sister of Claire Hansen and James and Joseph Smith. She is also survived by her grandchildren Bridget (her husband Matthew), Christopher, Ashley and Kyle and her great-granddaughter Brielle.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. John Soup Kitchen, 22 Mulberry St., Newark, N.J. 07102.
Jose Morillo
Jose Morillo, of Harrison, entered into eternal rest suddenly on Friday, Sept. 25. He was 32.
The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison, on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, at 11:30 a.m. Friends may call on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 2 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. His Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. For information, directions, or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Jose lived in Harrison for the last seven years. He worked as a supervisor for Wakefern Foods Corporation, Elizabeth.
He attended Faulkner University in Alabama and played on the school’s baseball team. In his free time, Jose enjoyed coaching and mentoring young baseball players.
Jose was the beloved husband of Amy Colleen Morillo (nee Nicosia), dedicated father of Constantino Joseph and Maya Anna, loving son of Jose and Eufemia Morillo, and son-in-law of Anna and John Nicosia, dear brother of Carlos Morillo and Jessica Castillo and Evelin Castillo, caring brother-in-law of Jack and Stephanie Nicosia and beloved uncle of Maria Rose, Giangalo, Rody and Ciara. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles cousins and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Camp Fatima, in care of the funeral home in loving memory of Jose.
