Neil D. Tonner
Neil D. Tonner died May 1 surrounded by family in his home.
Neil was preceded in death by his wife Maureen Tonner, his parents Elizabeth and Ambrose Tonner,his brothers James and Brian Tonner and sister Alice. Neil is survived by his children, Gerry, Janet, Beth, Kelly and Hugh.
He leaves behind 12 grandchildren, Joseph, Emily, George, Beth, Brian, Adam, Derek, Keara, Amber, Tori, Sammy and Breanna and last but certainly not least, seven great-grandchildren, Destinie, Joseph, Kenzi, Levi, Maci, Harli and Payton.
Neil was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 19, 1942 and came to Kearny in the United States in 1953.
He served in the United States Army, where he drove a truck, and after being honorably discharged from the military, he drove a truck for 40+ more years. He had also been known to bartend on the side and was well liked by all. He was a kind and generous soul with a quick wit and a dollar if you needed it.
Neil moved to Cincinnati with his daughter Janet in 2008, where he lived with three of his grandchildren and seven of his great-grandchildren until it was time for him to leave this earth. His presence will be missed beyond words.
The family will host a small interment ceremony at the Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, on Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m. The family welcomes anyone who wishes to join them at that time.
Annie Stevely Davidson
Annie Stevely Davidson, formerly of Kearny, died Sunday, April 30, in Bridgewater.
Born in 1919 in Saltcoats, Scotland, she came to the U.S. at the age of 8 with her parents and four siblings. She worked as a bank teller and secretary at the First National Bank in Kearny. She was a member of the First Evangelical Free Church of Kearny, and later, the Northwood Community Church in Clearwater, Fla.
She leaves behind her son Glenn Davidson and daughter-in-law Carole of Centennial, Colo.; daughter Annie Reilly; and son-in-law Charles of Bridgewater; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Her husband James Mitchell Davidson predeceased her in 1987. They had been married 48 years.
Annie will be interred at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, Fla., next to her husband.
The Cusick Funeral Home, Somerville, was in charge.
George D. McNamara
George D. McNamara died Friday, May 5, at his home in Kearny.
He was 92.
The funeral will be from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Wednesday, May 10, at 9:30 a.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, at 10:30 a.m. Cremation will be private.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 9, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.
Mr. McNamara was born in Kearny and was a lifelong resident.
He left Kearny for the first time as Kearny High School junior in January 1942 to serve in the U.S. Navy. World War II was just a month old.
After being honorably discharged, George returned to Kearny and went to work for Otis Elevator Company, Harrison. He later accepted a job for the Kearny Shade Tree Department and had found his life’s work. George became a certified tree expert and was superintendent of the department before retiring after 35 years.
He was affectionately known around town as “The Tree Guy.”
George had a strong religious faith and gave back as he volunteered as a coach, mentor and role model for many kids at the Sacred Heart Orphanage and Boystown in Kearny during the 1960s and 70s. As a parishioner at St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny and a member of the West Hudson Retreat Group, he participated in many retreats at the Loyola Retreat House in Morristown.
Mr. McNamara is survived by his wife, Margaret A. (nee Greiss) McNamara; four children, Ellen Jennings, George J., Joseph P. and Michael P. McNamara.
He was the brother of Jean Flanagan and James and John McNamara and the grandfather of Jackie, Jazmin, Gabriel, Patrick and Ryan.
He was predeceased by his brother David McNamara.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Joseph’s Indian School, P.O. Box 300, Chamberlain, S.D. 57325. stjo.org/dreams.
Herbert H. Newton Jr.
Herbert H. Newton Jr., 73, died Wednesday, May 3, at the Union House in Glover, Vt. He was formerly of Rutherford and Brownington, Vt.
Herb was born Feb. 16, 1944, in Kearny. He was the son of Herbert and Dorothy (Price) Newton.
He graduated from North Arlington High School and Delhi University in upstate New York, enjoyed working on his classic Monte Carlo, and loved showing it at Bergen County car shows. He also enjoyed playing his guitar and attending family gatherings with his nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his siblings, Doug and his wife Patricia Newton of Brownington, Vt.; Glenn Newton of White House Station; and Carol Robb of New Egypt. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Richard Robb.
A private service for the family will be held in New Jersey at a later date.
Memorial contributions in Herbert’s memory may be made to the Epilepsy Association of Vermont, 92 Ethan Allen Ave., Winooski, Vt. 05404.
Online condolences may be shared at www.curtis-britch.com.
