William H. Kotchkowski
William H. Kotchkowski, 65, of Whippany, formerly of North Arlington, died March 24, 2021.
Funeral services are private and in the care of the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. A memorial service will be celebrated at a later date.
Born in Newark, Billy lived in Harrison and North Arlington until moving to Whippany several years ago. He worked for the Mount Carmel Guild in Newark, and later for the West Hudson Council for the Handicapped for over 20 years.
William was a proud member of the NJ Blind Citizens Association, the Lion’s Club, and HANDS in North Arlington. What Billy lacked in sight, he made up for in personality. Beloved by everyone he met, he could strike up a conversation any place he went.
Billy enjoyed watching “The Bachelor” and playing along to Jeopardy. He also treasured time spent playing music, and caring for his vast CD collection.
The son of the late Theodore J. and Georgetta (nee Hicks) Kotchkowski, William was the dear brother of Daniel Kotchkowski, Frances Bezak, John Kotchkowski, Sharon Munker and the late Theodore Kotchkowski and Kathleen Harvey. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the NJ Blind Citizens Association, the American Kidney Fund or to the charity of your choice.
Rosa Outumuro
Rosa Outumuro (nee Rodriguez), 88, of Elizabeth died at home on March 22, 2021.
Visitation for Rosa was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington. Entombment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, also North Arlington. The funeral Mass was streamed live and may be seen at www.qpcna.org.
Born in Vilaboa, Spain, Rosa immigrated to the United States with her husband in 1968 and settled with her family in Elizabeth in 1983. She worked as a seamstress for many years until retiring. Affectionately known as the “Empanada Lady” and the “Pancake Lady,” Rosa was deeply devoted to caring for her family.
Rosa was the beloved wife to the late Abelardo Outumuro, who died just six weeks ago.
She is survived by her loving children Pilar Salgado and her husband Delmiro and Joseph Outumuro and his wife Isabel; dear grandmother of Rosemarie, Delmiro, Michael, Anthony and Matthew; and adoring great-grandmother of Destany, Julian and Briella.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Abraham F. Syphrett Sr.
Abraham F. Syphrett Sr. died March 18, 2021, in Bayonne Hospital.
He was 80.
Born and raised in Reevesville, South Carolina, he lived in Jersey City before moving to Bayonne in 2018.
Private arrangements and burial in Grove Cemetery were handled by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. Abe had been a greeter at Avis Rental Car Company in Newark Airport.
Husband of the late Doris, he was the father of Abraham F. Syphrett Jr. (his wife Rose) and Denola Lowry. He also had many brothers and sisters, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Marc Augustine Prezioso
Marc Augustine Prezioso, of Columbia, Pennsylvania, died April 7, 2020.
He was 28.
Born in Belleville, Marc lived in Kearny until moving to Pennsylvania five years ago.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated April 10, 2021 at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.
Marc leaves behind his most cherished gift, his beloved son, Oliver Ray Prezioso, age 3, who was the brightest light in his life.
Marc is also survived by his father, John Prezioso; his mother, Diane Rio; his brother, Ryan Smith (Surrayla); his grandmother, Lorraine Manfredonia; his grandfather, Raymond Rio (the late Barbara Rio); Oliver’s mother, Laura Mesher; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Marc was proud of the work he did at Blueprints for Addiction Recovery, helping others on their path to sobriety. He enjoyed skateboarding, video games and had a smile that could light up a room. He loved his family and friends, and we will miss him dearly and keep him in our hearts forever.
Roberto Arena
Roberto Arena, 81, of Kearny, died March 26, 2021.
Arrangements are by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, March 31, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Church. Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Born in Italy, Roberto lived in Kearny for the past 55 years.
Roberto was the beloved husband of Anna (nee Puzzo). He was the loving father of Joseph (Lourdes), Sonny and Roberto. Cherished grandfather of Anna, Chickie, Roberto, Antonia, Santo Jr., Joseph, Felicia, Natasha, Dominick, Angelo and Anthony and great-granddaughter Sloane. He was also the brother of Donna Stanziale (Bruno), Anthony Arena (Barbara) and the late Frank Arena (Rosemarie).
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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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.