Dominick ‘Dank‘ Connor
Dominick “Dank” Connor, 93, of North Arlington died March 3, 2021. Born December 4, 1927 in Cloonmaguane, Tibohine, Roscommon, Ireland, he was the son of the late Margaret (Peyton) and Patrick O’Connor.
In 1948, Dank immigrated to Brooklyn, and in 1950, he married Anna O’Grady from Lung, Ballaghderreen, Roscommon, Ireland. Dank and Anna were married for 65 years before her death.
Dank played on the 1949 Roscommon New York Jr. Football championship team and was the last surviving member of the team.
Dank worked for the Ballantine and Anheuser-Busch Breweries in Newark and was a 37-year member of the Teamsters Union.
Dank supported many Irish causes and organizations including the County Roscommon Society of New York (2018 Honoree), the Giblin Association and the Nutley Irish.
Dank is survived by his children Concepta O’Connor (Chris), Mary Ann Zurla (Joe), Bernadette Connor (Mike), Kevin (Karen), Geraldine Connors (late Billy), Gerard (Noreen), Noel (Maureen); 22 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren as well as his sister, Sr. Anne, R.S.M., and brother, Jerome (Mary) as well as many nieces and nephews in America and in Ireland.
Dank was predeceased by his wife Anna, his sisters Kathleen Drury and Madeline Flynn, his brother Patrick, his son-in-law William Connors and a grandson Joseph Connor.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday, March 9 at Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
The family would appreciate donations made in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 4777, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y. 10163. Arrangements were under the direction of the Parow Funeral Home, North Arlington.
Catherine Coleman
Catherine Coleman of Harrison died Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston.
She was 53.
Funeral services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Harrison.
If you would like to send a condolence message to her family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.
Born in Newark, Catherine had been a longtime resident of Harrison. She was a registered nurse for Care Advantage.
Catherine is survived by her beloved husband Anthony of 25 years, by her loving daughter Amanda “Mandy,” her mother Carol DiSanto, also by her beloved siblings, Linda (Pat) Coleman, Caroline (Jeff Trimmer) Scutt and Richard (Maria) Scutt and by many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her father, William O’Brien.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Holy Cross Church Food Pantry, 16 Church Square, Harrison, N.J. 07029 or to the Harrison Cancer League P.O. Box 741, Harrison, N.J. 07029 in loving memory of Catherine.
Michael G. Shenton
Michael G. Shenton of Kearny died Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Saint Barnabas Hospital, Livingston.
He was 62.
Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison.
If you would like to send a condolence message to his family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.
Born in the Bronx, Michael was raised in Belleville and moved to Kearny in 1991. He worked in the Department of Public Works for the Town of Kearny. Michael served his country in the Marine Corps, overseas Okinawa Japan. He became a Marine veteran stationed Parris Island, South Carolina.
He enjoyed playing video games, watching WWE and spending time with his family. He also couldn’t get enough of his Mountain Dew.
Michael is survived by his wife Elaine Shenton and step-daughters Andi Lee Erdman and Dawn Erdman. He is also survived by his siblings William Shenton Jr, Patrick Keegan and Michelle Ruggiero. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 in loving memory of Michael.
Susan Taormina
Susan Taormina died March 16, 2021.
She was 67.
Susan lived in Kearny most of her life before moving to Hillsdale four years ago.
Memorial was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny.
Susan was the dear companion of the late Howie Madurski. Beloved mother of Melissa Porcile (Robert Hyer) and sister of Russell Taormina (Kathy) and the late Linda Taormina she is also survived by her granddaughter Savannah Hyer as well as being the loving aunt of Josh Humphrey, Nicole and Steven Taormina and the late Jeff Humphrey. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or The A.S.P.C.A.
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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.