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Obituaries
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NORMAN RUTAN
Norman Rutan of Kearny died Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, surrounded by his family at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.
He was 86.
Mr. Rutan was born in Newark and raised in Harrison. He had lived in Kearny since 1962.
After graduating high school, he served in the United States Air Force from 1952 until 1955.
Employed with Engelhard Industries for several years, he later joined the Kearny Police Department where he served for 26 years, retiring as detective on June 1, 1994.
Norman went on to pursue his interest in genealogy. By doing so, he helped many people seeking information about their family origin.
He was a former Kearny Senior Citizen of the Year.
Mr. Rutan is survived by his wife, Therese (nee Ostroman) Rutan, two daughters, Michele Preston of North Brunswick and Veronica Baran of Laurence Harbor. He was the grandfather of Corey Joseph and Edward Gregory.
Arrangements are private. A memorial service will take place at a later date.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thielereid.com.
LILLIAN MACE
Lillian Mace (nee Whalen) died Oct. 6, 2020, at her home in East Hanover.
Lillian is survived by her three daughters, Diane, Maryann and Betty Anne, her 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son Stephen Mace and former husband Richard Mace.
Lillian was born in Harlem.
As a teenager, she moved to New Jersey and met her future husband, Richard Mace, at Kearny High School. In junior year of high school, she accepted a position at Western Electric in cost accounting. Her professional excellence continued when she and her husband opened Mace Bros. Fine Furniture, a successful furniture business in Kearny.
She was known as one of the first women in the furniture industry.
Lillian was a lifelong traveler and learner. She instilled in her family the importance of taking advantage of educational opportunities and led by example by going back to college in her 60s, attending Montclair University, to study art. In her lifetime she traveled to six continents and over 30 countries.
Lillian’s positivity, stories and sense of humor will be greatly missed.
Private arrangements were by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. A Mass was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church, Kearny.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Where Angels Play Foundation at www.whereangelsplayfoundation.org.
JAMES WRIGHT
James Wright died Oct. 6, 2020.
He was 98.
Born on Baker Street in Glasgow, Scotland, he had lived in Kearny for many years.
Private arrangements were by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny.
James is a retired mason, having worked for Brick Layers Local No. 1.
During World War II, he was with the Scottish Cameron Highlanders Regiment.
James was the husband of the late Catherine (nee) Boles. She was affectionately known as Rena. He was the father of John “Scott” Wright and the late David Wright. He is also survived by his daughter-inlaw Sharon, his grandchildren David, Douglas, Alan, Lauren, Leann, Lyn, Logan and John, along with his great-grandchildren Owen, Brody and Clara.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
JOZEFA (JOSEPHINE) ZAJKOWSKI
Jozefa (Josephine) Zajkowski died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, at her home in Harrison after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was 92.
Funeral services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison A funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Harrison. She was interred next to her beloved husband Bronislaw at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
To send a condolence message to her family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.
Jozefa was born Jan. 22,
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1928, in Targonie-Wity in rural Poland, one of a set of twins, and she married Bronislaw in 1951. They lost their first child, a daughter, at 8 months. They had two sons and another daughter while living in Poland and were able to immigrate to the United States in 1960. They settled in Harrison, where her eldest brother, Piotr, lived. They expanded their family with another son, became naturalized American Citizens in 1970 and lived in Harrison for the rest of their lives.
A devoted wife and mother, Jozefa was a masterful baker, pierogi-maker, knitter, crocheter and seamstress. She was unparalleled as a bargain hunter, compiling and sending countless care packages to the brothers and sisters she left behind in Poland.
Her kitchen was frequently perfumed with the delicious aroma of babka, paczki and chrusciki, and she loved engaging neighborhood children, and later her grandchildren, in her baking rituals. She also loved sharing her baked goods with her neighbors, whose friendships she cherished.
Once her youngest son was in school, she began a part-time job in the catering operation of the Prudential in Newark. She loved her work, and the opportunity to serve the “big shots” when working in the executive dining room. Unfortunately, her working career was ended prematurely by a disabling accident when she was struck by a car as a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
She was actively involved in her church, Our Lady of Czestochowa in Harrison, as a member of the Rosary Altar Society. She had uncanny luck at the slot machines in Atlantic City, and she enjoyed trips to Toronto to visit her
See OBITS, Page 14
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