John F. Cali Jr.
John F. Cali Jr., passed away after a courageous battle against lung cancer on Nov. 27. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was 64. Born in Orange, he lived many years in Kearny before moving to Florham Park 14 years ago.
His arrangements were handled by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. www.armitagewiggins.com His wake, however at John’s request, was held at the Thiele Reid Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. His funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, followed by entombment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.
John “The Man with the Can” was a huge presence in Kearny. Generous, funny, kind and loyal are only a few words to describe this incredible man. John began his employment at the young age of 14 working in the family business for his father at Kearny Esso. He briefly worked for the Operating Engineers. He was also a talented all-around contractor specializing in demolition and excavation. His skills were often called into service to moderate landfill fires. John’s career in the solid waste business began over 40 years ago when he became general manager for Allstate Carting where he managed the day-today operations. John went into business for himself as Cali Carting Inc. in 1983. His hard work and dedication, as president, has provided a strong foundation to build upon.
John has been a vital part of his community and was active in a multitude of civic and social events. In 1996, he was honored by the American Lung Association with the Emily Bissell Award. He was also active with the Lung Association’s Sir William Osler Society “Camp Superkids” leadership committee in which John initiated a personal week-long campaign that resulted in more than $12,000 in donations for the 1996 Camp Scholarship Fund. He served on the Board of Governors of the Archdiocese of Newark. He was instrumental in the purchase and reopening of the former Kearny P.A.L. building which was re-named The John F. Cali Sr. Youth Center in memory of his father. John took a hands-on interest in building the 9/11 Memorial and he was instrumental in the installation of the turf field, both at Kearny High School. He was a member of Kearny Lions Club, Unico, Pioneers Boys Club and the Hanover Park Wrestling and Football Clubs. He was also an honorary member of the SMILE organization. John was always supporting Kearny Recreation Little League Baseball, Softball, Soccer and Football. Over the years he sponsored many local, county and statewide sports teams. For John’s support of Kearny Board of Education athletics programs, he was recently nominated to the Kearny High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a contributor and will be honored posthumously at the induction ceremony in April 2016.
Son of the late Jack and Dolores (nee Kelly) Cali, he is survived by his loving wife Yvonne (nee Sarcone), Yvonne’s parents C. Robert and Jeanette Sarcone, and his cherished children John F. Cali III (Erica), Jeanine Iorio (Gerald) and Robert Cali. Dear brother of Doreen Cali, Ellen Fiore, Patricia Milford and Gary Cali, he is also survived by his precious grandchildren John IV, Nina, Jace, Lola, Dean and Presley.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the American Lung Association or SMILE (Steven Milford Independent Living Experience). www.smilefil.org
Anna T. Connor
Anna T. Connor, (nee O’Grady), died peacefully Nov. 27 at her home in North Arlington.
Born in Lung, Ballaghaderreen, Ireland, she lived in North Arlington since 1960.
She worked as a nurse for the former West Hudson Hospital, Kearny, for 22 years before retiring in 1992. She was the beloved wife of Dominick, the cherished mother of Concepta O’Connor and her husband Christian, Mary Ann Zurla and her husband Joseph, Bernadette Connor and her husband Michael, Kevin O’Connor and his wife Karen, Geraldine Connors and her husband Billy, Gerard Connor and his wife Noreen, Noel Connor and his wife Maureen, the adored grandmother of 21 surviving grandchildren, the loving sister of Philomena Clarke of Kearny, and the dear aunt of many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandson, the late Joseph Connor, and her brothers, the late John F., Josie, and Gerard O’Grady of Ireland.
The funeral will be from the Parow Funeral Home, 185 Ridge Road, North Arlington, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, at 10 a.m. The interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, N.Y., N.Y. 10163-4777.
Catherine Jennings
Catherine Jennings (née Carchidi), of Kearny, passed away with her daughters Judy and Cindy at her side, on Nov. 23. She was 86. Cathy was predeceased by her husband of 55 years Jerry Jennings and two sisters.
She is survived by three daughters: Judy (Doug) DuBose, Cindy (Bob) Pennington and Mary (Paul) Amorella. Two grandchildren survive Cathy: Cori Currier and Michael Amorella. She is survived by one sister, Terri (Alex) Fernandez and one brother-in-law, Tom Jennings.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Cecilia’s Church, Kearny, followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association 1- 800-342-2383 https://donations.diabetes.org or Salvation Army, https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org.
Michael J. McCluskey
Michael J. McCluskey passed away in the arms of his father on Nov. 27. He was 46.
Born in Belleville, he lived most of his life in Kearny before moving to Clifton six years ago.
Visiting will be on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m., at Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, and entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. To leave online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Michael was vice president and CFO of Lubriplate Lubri cants Company in Newark. He is survived by his loving parents Dick and Mary (nee Anderson) McCluskey, and his brothers and their wives Richard T. McCluskey Jr. (Monika) and Paul McCluskey (Maria). He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Ryan, Cameron, Kaitlyn, Emily, Sean and Nathan along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to The Salvation Army in Kearny for their Christmas Toy Drive.
Moravia Pena
Moravia Pena died Nov. 23. She was 68.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. Private cremation was held.
Moravia is survived by her husband Hector, her children Pedro, Niurka, Luis and Maximo. Also surviving are five sisters, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
