Helen ‘Lynn’ Caputo
Helen Caputo, of Kewaunee, Wisc., died Monday, May 9, at home.
She was 51.
Helen was born June 13, 1964, in Kearny to Frank Caputo Sr. and the late Helen Vanderham.
Survivors include a daughter, Alicia Caputo, and her fiancé Robert Fabian; a son, Mitch Bender; three grandchildren Olivia, Hannah and Seth; two brothers, Frank Caputo Jr. (Diane) and Daniel Caputo; two stepsisters, Tracy and Nealy Robinson; and one stepbrother Corey (Yvonne) Robinson.
Buchanan Funeral Home, Kewaunee, Wisc., was in charge.
Visit www.buchananfh.com to send condolences or to sign an online guest book.
Richard N. Schetlick
Richard N. Schetlick, of Butler, passed away suddenly at home on May 15.
He was 54.
Visiting was May 19 at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A service took place at the funeral home and private cremation followed.
Rick is survived by his wife Toni (nee DeStefano); his parents Susan Willis (late James Willis) and Richard Schetlick (Adele); his children Tiffanie Serritella (John Henry), Rick Schetlick and Alexandria Schetlick. Brother of Gary and Michael Schetlick, he is also survived by his grandson Aiden Henry.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the ASPCA or the NRA.
To view a complete obituary, visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Charles R. Hirst
Charles R. Hirst, of Kearny, passed away on Tuesday, May 17.
He was 93.
Mr. Hirst was born in Newark. He came to Manasquan as a young man, and graduated from Manasquan High School. He then served his country in the U.S. Merchant Marine aboard ships that delivered supplies to the military during World War II.
During these years, he traveled the world many times. Upon returning to New Jersey, he studied electrical engineering at Newark College of Engineering, and went on to a long career at Colgate-Palmolive in Jersey City, until his retirement in 1988.
Among his many duties as a skilled electrician, he proudly maintained the famous Colgate clock, a well-known landmark on the Jersey City waterfront. He lived in Harrison and then in Kearny for many years, where he raised his family.
He was an accomplished dancer and Arthur Murray instructor, and a member of the Elks.
Mr. Hirst is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Anita (Hemmer). He is also survived by his children, Mary Tkach, of Point Pleasant; Claire D’Andrea and her husband Robert, of Toms River; Charles Hirst, of Rutherford; and William Hirst and his wife Patricia, of Wall.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jennifer Cincis, Leanna and Robert D’Andrea, William, Jillian, Charles Jr., Dana Lee, Kaitlyn and Alexander Hirst; and a great-granddaughter, Delaney Rose Cincis.
Visitation was at the O’Brien Funeral Home, Brick. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Church of St. Uriel the Archangel, Sea Girt, followed by burial in St. Anne Cemetery, Wall.
For additional information or to leave condolences, visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.
Jean H. Senna
Jean H. Senna (nee Norbut) passed away at home on May 17.
She was 99.
Born in Newark, she moved to Ortley Beach in 1982 and then to Whiting three years ago.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Jean enjoyed her life at the shore and was active with the Woman’s Auxilary of the Moose in Ortley.
Wife of the late Lawrence Senna, she is survived by her daughters Joan Franco, Barbara DiNicolas and Diane Marino. She was predeceased by her daughter Lorraine Camaroto. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and one more “on the way.”
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover.
Joseph E. Bevacqua
Joseph E. Bevacqua passed away May 20.
He was 90.
Born in Jersey City, he moved to Kearny 53 years ago.
Visiting was Monday, May 23, at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, May 24, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stephens Church, Kearny, and burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Joe was a decorated, Purple Heart World War II Army veteran. He was a warehouseman for many years at Western Electric and after retirement, he continued to organize the W.E. reunions.
He coached for many years at the Paul Revere Boys Club.
A devout Catholic, he attended daily Mass at St. Stephens Church where he was a member of the Senior Club. After Mass, Joe could be found socializing at Teddy’s Bull Pen or at Sunset Deli with his pal Joe Petito.
Husband of the late Josephine (nee Lazzaro), he was the beloved father of Felicia Sharples (late Tom) and Emil Bevacqua (Caroline). Brother of Mario Bevacqua and Marie Fox, he is also survived by his grandchildren Dorian Fasciano (Richard), and Nicholas and Anthony Bevacqua.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.