Obituaries

May 18, 2023

Ret. Dep. Chief Leonard Swan, CFD, 79, of Clifton, passed away on May 18, 2023. Born in Passaic, he was a lifelong resident of Clifton. A parishioner of St. Paul's RC Church, Leonard proudly served his country in the US Army, 1st Cavalry Division, during the Vietnam War.

Leonard joined the Clifton Fire Department in October, 1968,...

May 18, 2023

Michael J. Drelich, Jr., 73, of Clifton, passed away on May 18, 2023. Born in Passaic, he was a lifelong resident of Clifton. Mike was a letter carrier for the Clifton Post Office for 25 years, and had been a bartender at Van Houten Lanes, Clifton, for many years.

Beloved husband of Susan (Busch). Devoted father of...

May 18, 2023

Ann Kozlowicz was born in Garfield, New Jersey on October 3, 1923.  After a brief illness, she died in Ridgewood, New Jersey on May 18, 2023. In December 1941, Ann graduated fourth in her class from Garfield High School.  Her classmates voted her prettiest girl in her class. On June 4, 1950 she married John A. Czop, who died...

May 16, 2023

Victoria (Carrazana) Valdes, 99, of Passaic, passed away on May 16, 2023. Born in Esperanza, Cuba she came to the US in 1968 and settled in Passaic. A parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua RC Church, Passaic, Victoria loved to sing, she enjoyed cooking and was faithful with her daily prayers at...

May 16, 2023

Felicidad Realista Stagg "Fely", 70, of Glen Rock, passed away on May 16, 2023. Born in Camiguin, Philippines, she came to the US in 1980 and lived in Lyndhurst and Belleville before moving to Glen Rock 10 years ago. Felicidad was a Registered Nurse at St. Mary's Hospital for 40 years, retiring 5 years ago, and enjoyed playing tennis...

May 14, 2023

Rita (Baksa) Rugel, 85, of Oak Ridge, passed away on May 14, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Garfield, she and her family lived in Clifton, then Butler, before she and her husband retired to Oak Ridge. Rita was an active parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Oak Ridge. She made many friendships through the church...

May 14, 2023

Frances Wolak, 92, of Wayne, formerly of Clifton, passed away on May 13, 2023. Born in Passaic she lived in Clifton for much of her adult life, and then in Deal, NJ before moving to Wayne in 2018. A parishioner of St. Paul's RC Church, Clifton, Fran was a teacher for the Clifton Board of Education for 45 years,...

May 11, 2023

Anne Sygiel, 97, of Pompton Plains, formerly of Clifton, passed away on May 11, 2023. Born in Passaic, she lived in Clifton for over 50 years before moving to Pompton Plains. A parishioner of St. John Kanty RC Church, Clifton, Anne was very active with their Loaves and Fishes group making pierogi, which she truly enjoyed. Anne had also belonged...

May 11, 2023

It is with the deepest sorrow that we share news of Dr. Poorvi K. Patel's passing on May 11, 2023 at age 77. Poorvi was born in Bombay to Pranlal and Sushila Rajdev. She was the beloved sister of Heena and Ashoke and his loving wife, Priti. Poorvi spent her early years in India and Burma,...

May 10, 2023

Zbigniew F. Lorenc, "Bill" 74, of East Rutherford, passed away on May 10, 2023. Born in Posada-Jasliska, Poland, he came to the US in 1960 and lived in Passaic and Wallington before moving to East Rutherford in 1988. A parishioner of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus RC Church, Wallington, Bill was a Tax Preparer and owner of  Zbigniew Lorenc Services...

May 10, 2023

Dorothy C. (Promin) Woodruff, 90, passed away on May 10, 2023. Born in Clifton, Dorothy has been a resident of Clifton all her life. She worked as a secretary for Horowitz & Son, Fairfield, for many years before retiring in 1983. A proud member of the Women's Club of Clifton, Dorothy enjoyed gardening and creating custom painted bird...

May 5, 2023

John E. Ayers, 34, of Pompton Lakes passed away on May 5, 2023. Born in Secaucus, John grew up in Clifton and later settled in Pompton Lakes. John worked as a warehouse supervisor, at AST Bearings, LLC, Parsippany.

Beloved husband of 17 years of Charlene (Lopez) Ayers. Devoted father of Julianna Ayers. Cherished son of...

May 4, 2023

Donald D. Donley, 90, of Clifton passed away on May 4, 2023. Born in Morann, PA, Donald has been a resident of Clifton for many years. A Proud Army Veteran, Donald worked in maintenance before retiring.

Beloved husband of Evelyn (Wolsko) Donley.

Visiting Friday 3 – 7 PM at the Shook Funeral...

May 3, 2023

Stephen Gerald Schwartz, 77, of Nanuet, NY, passed away on May 3, 2023. Born in the Bronx, he was a resident of Nanuet for most of his life. Before retiring, Stephen was a Math Teacher and Program Chairman at Jane Addams High School in the Bronx for over...

Apr 29, 2023

Joseph Chrobak, 88, of Mays Landing, passed away on April 29, 2023 at home. Born in Passaic, Joseph lived in Clifton most of his life before moving to Mays Landing. Before his retirement he was employed by M. Grossman & Son, Inc. of Passaic for nearly 50 years. He was a proud veteran of the US Army and a...

Apr 27, 2023

Jesus Mendez, 93, of Passaic passed away on April 27, 2023. Born in Lima, Peru, she traveled to the US 69 years ago and lived in Washington before settling in Passaic. Jesus loved gardening and spending time with her family.

Devoted mother of Jorge Gao and his wife Maria of Passaic. Loving grandmother of Jorge...

Apr 27, 2023

Frank A. Rich, 96, of Clifton passed away peacefully on April 27, 2023, with his family by his side. Born in Clifton, he was a lifelong resident. A US Navy Veteran, Frank was a parishioner of St. John Kanty R.C. Church, Clifton, where his parents were members when the church was first built. He was a member of...

Apr 27, 2023

John Langham, 75, of Clifton passed away on April 27, 2023. Born in Indiana, PA, he has been a resident of Clifton most of his life. A parishioner of St. John Kanty RC Church, Clifton, John was the owner and operator of Athenia Alterations, Clifton. John enjoyed gardening and was a big football fan.

Beloved...

Apr 26, 2023

Florence Kaminski, 94, of Clifton passed away on April 26, 2023. Born in Glen Lyon, PA, she lived in Passaic before settling in Clifton in 1956. A parishioner of St. Clare RC Church, Clifton, Florence taught CCD classes for over 30 years. She worked as a sewer for Goy Brand Bags, Passaic and later for Dumont Television, E....

Apr 24, 2023

Stanley J. Zignorski, Jr., 88, of Bloomfield, formerly of Clifton, passed away on April 24, 2023. Born in Passaic, he lived in Clifton, Bloomingdale, Butler, Whiting, Belleville, and Bloomfield, and most recently in Milford, PA.

A former parishioner of St. John Kanty RC Church, Clifton, Stanley proudly served his country in the US Marine Corp...