Angelo Diana
Angelo Diana, 75, of Kearny, passed away peacefully in his home after a lengthy illness on Nov. 12.
Born in Jersey City to Angelo and Antoinette, he served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962 on the USS Altair. A proud patriotic navy man, Angelo recalled his years of military service fondly and enjoyed attending reunions with his shipmates throughout the years.
His impressive academic pursuits include earning an MBA in industrial management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1974; a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Jersey City State College in 1971; and an AA degree in industrial chemistry from Newark College of Engineering in 1965. He was also licensed by the State of New Jersey as a fireman in Charge High Pressure Black Seal.
Over the years, Angelo worked for a series of chemical manufacturing companies as plant supervisor and general manager. These included Diamond Shamrock Nopco Chemical Division in Harrison, Tanatex Chemical Company in Lyndhurst, Alpha Metals in Jersey City, Apex Chemical in Elizabeth, Turbo- Braze in Union, Hart Products in Jersey City and Frutarom Meer Corporation in North Bergen. He was a member of the American Chemical Society.
He landed his favorite job when he was granted the opportunity to use his advanced professional experience in public service for the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Edison. He served as a senior environmental chemist since 1999 working on a team of the EPA’s Senior Environmental Enforcement Program in the area of Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know (EPCRA) in process safety and enforcement. A master of his field, he participated in chemical safety audits and was recently awarded the highest medal of recognition from the EPA “for 16 years of extraordinary and loyal service as lead inspector-Community Right to Know Act”.
Always a giving person and a pillar of the community, Angelo’s professional expertise led to his volunteering at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City where he invested countless hours in the wonder of science for the benefit of the Center’s visitors.
From 1982 to 1988, he served the children of Kearny as a member of the Kearny Board of Education.
A lifelong devotee of New York Giants football, Angelo was especially proud of having spent 27 years coaching the youngsters in the KURC Junior Football League. He also served as the League’s secretary.
Forever enjoying the outdoors, Angelo was a life member of the National Rifle Association. A good shot, he was passionate about hunting and served as president, treasurer and certified shotgun instructor for the West Hudson Rifle and Pistol Club.
He was on the board of directors of the New Jersey Arms Collector Club, a life member of the North American Hunting Club and a Hunter Education Instructor for the Northern District of the New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife.
An insatiable reader, Angelo consumed books on a daily basis. His favorite reading material centered on every facet of history. An enormous history buff, he enjoyed visiting the residence of his favorite U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt, at Sagamore Hill in the village of Cove Neck, N.Y. He also enjoyed the intellectual challenge of the television game show “Jeopardy.” In his spare time, he liked to tend to his garden.
Angelo was predeceased by his parents and a son, Robert Diana. He is survived by his loving wife Adele (McDonald) of 52 years, a daughter Adele Mackin and her husband Joe, a son Angelo and his wife Mary Ellen, a son Rob Smullen and his wife Diane, and daughterin- law Linda Scorsone and her husband Charles. He is also survived by two sisters, Vera Rocha and Theresa Bostonian.
A great role model for many and respected by all, Angelo enjoyed much love from his family. He was proud of each and every one of his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren were especially important and held an extra special place in his heart as he faithfully attended all of their sporting events, dance recitals, school concerts and any activity in which they participated.
He is the cherished grandfather of Angelo Diana and his fiancé Jennifer Monaghan, Noelle Diana, Kara and Janie Mackin, Madison Smullen, and Matthew, Charlie and Allison Scorsone.
Angelo Diana was a person admired and an example of a truly good man who loved many, gave much and stood on the steadfast principles of love of family, loyalty to friends and patriotic duty to country.
“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a scared heritage, for your children and your children’s children.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
Arrangements are by the Wilfred Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 9:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Lyndhurst. Internment will follow in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association. For more information, visit armitagewiggins.com.
Michael L. George
Michael L. George died Nov. 8 in Orlando, Fla. He was 75.
Born in Newark, he lived in Kearny before moving to Toms River 24 years ago.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. His burial will take place in Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Va. For more information, visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Mike was a dedicated truck driver for New England Motor Freight for over 30 years. He was also a member of the Elks and the VFW.
He is survived by his wife Bobby Jean (nee Brooks) and his former wife Emmalou (nee Linfante). He was the father of Lori (William) Harrison, Kim (Tony) Malet and Michele George (Rodney) Callum. Also surviving are his grandchildren Brett, Alycea, Alexa, Zachary and Michaela.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to The Leukemia Foundation, Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital or Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Alan Loihle Sr.
Alan L. Loihle Sr., 70, died on Nov. 13.
The funeral will be from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Tuesday Nov. 17, at 9 a.m. A funeral Mass will be offered at Sacred Heart, Church, Lyndhurst, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.
Alan was born in Newark and lived in Kearny for 48 years before moving to Lyndhurst three years ago.
He was a steel worker for the Driver-Harris Company in Harrison for 30 years, retiring in 1998.
Mr. Loihle was an entertainer. He played lead guitar and sang while performing with “Bobby C & the Classics” and also the “Silhouettes.”
He is survived by his wife Gloria (Koc); two children Colleen Gude (Julio) and Wayne Loihle (Holly); siblings Linda Treanor, Jean Carol Clayton, and Charles Loihle and one beloved grandson, Jason Gude.
Alan was predeceased by his son Alan Loihle Jr.; one brother Raymond “Buzzy” Loihle; and one sister Gloria Fox.
Rose M. Milano
Rose M. Milano (nee Polo), of Newark, formerly of Kearny, died at home on Nov. 9. She was 88.
Private arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny.
Rose was the wife of the late Louis Milano and is survived by her loving cousins Mary, Frank, John and Michael Polo, along with their families.
After a Mass of Christian burial, Rose was laid to rest with her husband in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to The American Heart Association.
Regina Nolan
Regina Nolan (nee Levash), formerly of Kearny, passed away at home in Myrtle Beach on Nov. 7. She was 82.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Regina was the wife of the late Fred Nolan and is survived by her children Carrie A. Nolan and Stephen Nolan, along with his wife Kim. She is also survived by her brother Phillip Levash.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
June E. Picillo
June E. Picillo passed away peacefully on Nov. 10. She was 90.
Born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., she lived in Livingston before moving to Kearny in 1951.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. For more information, visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
June was very active at St. Stephen’s Church, having served as president of the Rosary Society and the library. She was also past president of the local chapter of Catholic Daughters of America.
Wife of the late Louis Picillo (retired K.P.D.), she is survived by her daughters and their husbands Laura and Peter Lehrman and Veronica and Tom Nee. Sister of Barbara Lahm and Josephine Frino she is also survived by her grandchildren Eliot, Amanda and Rebecca.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Celia Rivas
Celia Rivas died on Nov. 11. She was 81.
Born in Peru, she lived the past 21 years in Kearny.
Arrangements were by The Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. Her funeral Mass was held at St. Anthony’s Church in East Newark and burial followed in Arlington Cemetery in Kearny.
