Anna Reis Cruz
Anna Reis Cruz of Harrison died peacefully Monday, Aug. 31, 2020.
She was 91.
Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Harrison. Her entombment took place in Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, North Arlington.
Born and raised in Newark, Anna moved to Harrison shortly after she married her loving husband of 69 years John C. Cruz. She was a court clerk for the Hudson County Courts in Jersey City.
Anna was a parishioner at Holy Cross Church, Harrison, for over 60 years and was a volunteer for Holy Cross bingo every Wednesday for over 50 years. She was also a lifelong volunteer of the Harrison Cancer League and also a member of the Holy Cross Rosary Society.
Anna was known for her generosity and caring demeanor, but no one will ever forget her smile. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening and especially spending time with family.
Predeceased by her husband John (2016), Anna is survived by her children, John C. Cruz, Anna M. Cruz, Joseph A. Cruz, Linda S. Cruz (Thomas Valente), Anthony J. Cruz (Antoinette Velona) Marilyn A. Cruz (Andrew Cicalese), also survived by her grandchildren Michele A. Cepiel ( Jonathan Brody), Joseph J. Cepiel (Yvette), Anthony J. Cepiel (Jessica), Jonathan Cruz, Joseph Cruz, Joshua Cruz, Matthew Barone, Joseph Barone (Jessica), Jenna Barone, Cristina Cruz, Quinn Cruz, Jessica Cruz, Johnny Cruz and Julia Cruz and 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her granddaughter Katherine Cruz, son in-law Joseph Cepiel, her loving brother Manuel Reis and her dear sister Angelina Corsaro.
In lieu of flowers, the family request an expression of sympathy to the Harrison Cancer League P.O. Box 741, Harrison, N.J. 07029 or to the Alzheimer’s Association. 425 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 203, Roseland, N.J. 07068 in care of the funeral home, in loving memory of Anna.
Elizabeth Fields
Miss Elizabeth Fields died Aug. 28, 2020, at Parker House Nursing Home, in Monroe Twp.
Miss Fields was born in Kearny on Oct. 6, 1933, to Felix and Bridie Fields, and spent most of her life in Kearny. She graduated from St. Cecilia High School, then attended college and graduate school at St. Peter’s College, where she obtained three master’s degrees.
She worked for the US Department of Labor, New Brunswick, for many years before retiring.
She took great care of both her parents as they aged until they passed on.
She liked travelling and exploring new places with her brothers.
She is survived by her two brothers, John and William Fields, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Condon Funeral Home, Kearny, (condonfuneralhome.com.)
Mass was celebrated at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny, and burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, last week.
Marie Eckardt
Marie Eckardt, (nee Mascaro), 82, of North Arlington died peacefully at home Aug. 22, 2020, after battling ALS for three years.
Born in Emerson, she lived in North Arlington over 60 years.
Marie was predeceased by her husband, Walter, and her parents Anthony & Mary Mascaro. She is survived by her children Susan Leier (Frank), Walter Eckardt (Susan), Judith Messineo (Joseph), Diane Piscal (and late husband Stephen). Cherished grandmother of Kimberly (Blasé), Matthew (Kerry), Marissa, Vincent, Alexander, Jillian and Mark. Great-grandmother of Suelynn. She is also survived by her sister, Fay Parise. She was the beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Marie worked at Equality Savings Bank in Kearny for 17 years and at Kearny Federal Savings Bank in North Arlington for five years before retiring. Marie was a member of Schuyler Engine Co. 2 Ladies Auxiliary and the North Arlington Senior Harmony Club. Marie also was a volunteer at the Queen of Peace Food Pantry.
Services were at Parow Funeral Home, North Arlington. Interment was in George Washington Memorial Cemetery, Paramus.
Donations may be made to the Schuyler Engine Co. 2 Ladies Auxiliary or the Queen of Peace Food Pantry in her memory.
Edward P. Civinskas Jr.
Edward P. Civinskas Jr. of Kearny died Sept. 1, 2020, in Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.
He was 75.
Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. His funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Ed was a retired technical research associate for Maxwell House Division of Kraft Foods, Inc., in Hoboken. That is where he met the love of his life, Anne Marie (Schmidt).
Ed was very involved with many forms of parish life at St. Stephen’s Church. He was a Eucharistic minister, member of the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus. Ed also gave his time to Queen of Peace School as a lunchtime monitor.
He could also be seen with his camera, as he loved taking pictures for people at many different events and celebrations.
He was a member of the Omega Club, which stands for “Old men eating great appetizers.”
The husband of Anne Marie (Schmidt), Ed also had a sister Patricia. He was the loving godfather to Alex, Caitlin, Earl, James and Victoria. Also surviving are many other loving nieces and nephews along with their families.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the St. Stephen’s Food Pantry or the Sisters of Charity, P.O. Box 576, Convent Station, N.J.
Robert Steffens
Robert Steffens, son of Anna and Paul Steffens, loving husband of Marie Steffens, died peacefully in the early hours of Aug. 30, 2020, surrounded by family members.
Relatives and friends visited with the family at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny, last week. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny. Interment was Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
He was the ideal father to Maryanne, Robert, Leslie and Paul and Pop Pop to five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Bob was born and raised in Union City, and was a proud graduate of St. Michael’s High School. He spent a lifetime regaling family members and friends of his early years in the small Hudson County city.
Bob and his beloved Marie McGowan met at 16, married at 22 and spent 70 years by one another’s side.
He worked for more than 30 years for the Ford Motor Company. He started at the bottom and he eventually worked his way up the ranks to ultimately work for years in international export. After retiring, he worked several more years privately in the same field.
While Marie was his one and only love, he also had a deep and abiding affection for the New York Yankees, from Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle all the way to Derek Jeter and Aaron Judge. Bob also loved college basketball, classic movies and cats, many of which he built winter shelters for.
Bob was an exemplary family man and a loyal friend. He will be missed by all he crossed paths with and will always be in the hearts of his family and friends.
