Obituaries — June 30, 2021

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

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Obituaries

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JUDITH MILLROY

Judith Millroy (nee Thompson), 81 of Kunkletown Pennsylvania, died June 22, 2021, surrounded by her loving family in her home.

She was of the Methodist faith.

Judy worked as an administrative assistant for Hartz Mountain in Harrison prior to relocating to Naples, Florida, where she was employed by Publix.

Upon retirement, she returned to Pennsylvania to be closer and near her family.

Judy was predeceased by her childhood sweetheart and love of her life, Robert D. Millroy, her beloved son, James R. Millroy, a sister, Jean Burger and two granddaughters, Amanda Millroy and Melissa Pearl Luty.

She is survived by her children, Lynda Messerschmidt of Saylorsburg Pennsylvania, Michael Millroy of Henryville, Pennsylvania, Robert Millroy of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, Christine Hardie of Brodheadville, Pennsylvania, Patricia McCurrie of Kearny, David Millroy of Henryville, Pennsylvania and Joseph Millroy of Kunkletown, Pennsylvania.

Judy is also survived by her sisters, Thelma Thompson of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, and Sharon Hughes of Cliffwood Beach, as well as 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many beloved nieces and nephews and many friends.

She will be sorely missed by everyone who loved and

admired her.

Cremation will be private and is entrusted to William H. Kresge Funeral Home. A celebration of life will take place at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital or to a charity of your choice.

THOMAS SCHULZE

Thomas Schulze, 59, of Belford, died peacefully on June 21, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

Born and raised in Kearny, Thomas graduated from Kearny High School in 1979.

His love of the ocean and fishing led him to settle in Belford more than 28 years ago, and his home in Belford is a loving testament to his skills as an all-around handyman, carpenter and gardener.

Thomas recently retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where he had worked as a maintenance mechanic for 35 years.

Thomas was a generous, loving man, and those who knew him were recipients of his good humor, patient listening and sensible counsel. Thomas knew what he wanted in life and always worked hard to achieve it. Always most central to him was his family, not only encompassing his immediate family — his childhood sweetheart and wife of 34 years, Roseann, his three boys, Thomas, James and Mark, of whom he was extremely proud, his first grandson and latest joy Carter,

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his seven brothers and sisters, his numerous in-laws, and all of their children — but also extending the range of family broadly to include his many longtime friends, his children’s friends and his neighbors in Belford.

Thomas was a natural teacher, who was generous in sharing his knowledge and skills.

His love of fishing was legendary but equally important to him was introducing his sons, his nephews and his nieces to the pleasures of angling.

He could never resist a game of cribbage and was a fierce player, but he was always willing to take the time to initiate others into the intricacies of the game. He loved his garden and working in his garden with his sons.

Thomas was also an avid reader, an excellent problemsolver, a rational thinker (although, against all reason, he was a lifelong Mets fan) and

a longtime Deadhead.

Thomas was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Madeline Schulze.

Surviving Thomas are his beloved wife, Roseann (Pisani); his son Thomas Jr. and his wife Corinne, his son James and his fiancé Lauren, and his son Mark; his siblings Mary Torres, Linda Schulze, Kathy Schlagenhaft, Diane Schulze, Patricia Schulze, Howard J. Schulze and Joseph Schulze; and numerous loving in-laws, cousins, nephews and nieces.

Visitation was at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown.

Funeral services were at the funeral home. Burial was in Bayview Cemetery, Leonardo.

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Lorraine was the mother of two children, Barbara and Kristine.

Continued from Page 13 Lorraine was a successful businesswoman who owned Fernandez Jr., 82, of Kearny, the Lincoln Card & Gift Shop died June 22, 2021. in the 1970s and 1980s in A graveside service was North Arlington, before she celebrated in Holy Cross Cem- and Bob moved to Nutley, and etery, North Arlington, as was then Little Egg Harbor. his burial.

Lorraine and Bob moved to Born in Newark, Joe was Las Vegas in the late 1990s to raised there before becoming escape the cold winters and a longtime Kearny resident. to be closer to their daughter, He was the owner/operator of Kristine. Lorraine loved her Fernandez Distributors, and home, mystery and crime drawas well known and loved as mas, crossword puzzles, video “Joe the Bread Man.” poker, “Seinfeld” and other Joe loved cars, owning 82 of classic sitcoms. them throughout his life.

Lorraine was also a pasA devoted husband, Joe sionate lover of all animals, lovingly cared for his wife especially cats, and supported through the last seven years many organizations over the of her life. He most cherished years that worked to end the time spent with his family, and cruelty of and neglect for relaxing with a fine cigar. animals.

Joe was the beloved husShe made the best Italian band of 45 years to the late red sauce and cheeseburgDolly Fernandez; loving father ers, and always cooked up her of Karen Ferrara (Chris), family recipes for her daughJeffrey Fernandez (Laura), ter to take home.

Joedy Stahl (Dan), Mary ElLorraine is survived by her len Fernandez, and the late daughter, Kristine.

Laura Lake (Angela); adoring Her funeral will be a private grandfather of Joey, Anthony, ceremony for family members.

Jordon, Lisa, Zechariah and In lieu of flowers, donations Emily; and dear brother of may be made in her memory Leona Fernandez. to the Humane Society or the ASPCA.

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Archdiocese of Newark during his ministry. He began at St. Charles Borromeo Church in JANET A. GREER Newark. He thereafter served Janet A. at St. Boniface in Jersey City Greer, 74, born and and Immaculate Heart of raised in Mary/St. Patrick in Elizabeth.

Kearny, died In 1971, he was appointed suddenly co-pastor of Our Lady of Help on June 20, of Christians Church in West 2021.

New York, which eventually She is surbecame St. Mary’s Church, vived by her where innovative counseling brother Alex Greer Jr., nieces, and community service numerous cousins in New practices were implemented, Jersey and lifelong friends. which are still practiced today.

Janet worked as a nurse for Thereafter, he served at St. 10 years, followed by a career Michael in Jersey City and in computer programming at then returned to St. Boniface Verizon before retirement. A in 1979 as pastor. After a fivelong time animal lover of all year pastorship at St. Boniface, kinds, Janet especially was he was named pastor of Our filled with joy seeing her Lady of Good Counsel in Newbeloved “Bonnie,” a rescue dog ark for 11 years, after which he GLORIA F. ROBERTSON she had for 17 years.

Gloria F. Robertson (nee had pastorships at Our Lady Most of her summers were Gennace) of Kearny died June Queen of Peace in Maywood spent tending to her vegetable and Blessed Sacrament in 21, 2021. and flower garden plot off She was 74.

Elizabeth, followed by a return Courthouse Road in Vienna, Visitation for Gloria was at to Immaculate Heart of Mary/ Virginia. the Armitage & Wiggins FuSt. Patrick in Elizabeth as She was an avid cross word neral Home, Kearny. A funeral pastor. puzzler, soccer fan and bread service was celebrated in the On May 22, 1991, he was funeral home. Burial was in maker with a specialty in Scot- named a Monsignor by Pope Arlington Cemetery in Kearny. tish Shortbread cookies. (now Saint) John Paul II. In Born in Jersey City, Gloria There was no visitation.

1999, he returned to Our Lady was a lifelong Kearny resident. Services and interment were of Good Counsel as pastor She worked for Scheringprivate. through 2005, capping a total Plough as a clinical trials Donations may be made of 17 years of pastorship at Our coordinator for 33 years, and to an animal rescue of your Lady of Good Counsel.

LORRAINE SCHWARZ later as a consultant until her choice in Janet’s name.

He had served as monsignor Lorraine retirement. Gloria was a lifeELIZABETH MCMILLAN Arrangements were by the and a resident at Our Lady of Schwarz of long devoted and active mem- Neely Funeral Home, GlenElizabeth McMillan (nee Czestochowa Church, HarriLas Vegas ber of the Christian Apostolic Taylor) died Sunday, June 20, shaw, Pennsylvania, at www. son, since 2011. died June 8, Church in Kearny.

2021, at Jersey Shore Univerneelyfuneralhome.com.

Beginning with his first 2021, after a The daughter of the late Ansity Medical Center, Neptune. assignment, Msgr. Plunkett brief illness. thony and Jenny (nee Cervalo) She was 94.

REV. MSGR. JOSEPH J. had a pastoral life centered She was Gennace, Gloria was the beThe funeral was from the PLUNKETT almost exclusively on Hispan85. loved wife of Bruce Robertson; Thiele-Reid Family Funeral The Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. ic parishes. Not surprisingly, Born in Home, Kearny. A funeral Mass loving mother of John Greene Plunkett of Harrison died Msgr. Plunkett, a child of Irish Jersey City, and Jeanette Robertson, ador- peacefully at Peace Care St. was celebrated at St. Cecilia immigrants, embraced HisLorraine was the daughter of ing grandmother of Angelina Church, Kearny. Interment Ann’s in Jersey City on June panic culture and very quickly Polish immigrants, and the and Miabella, and dear sister was in Holy Cross Cemetery, 21, 2021. became fluent in the Spanish youngest of five daughters. of Jeann Cure.

North Arlington.

He was 87. language.

In 1956, Lorraine married Born in Harrison, Elizabeth In lieu of flowers, donaBorn and raised in Kearny, He never wavered in his Robert “Bob” Schwarz. They later lived in Kearny, then tions in her memory may be he was a cradle parishioner of affinity for and commitment were married for 50 years North Arlington before movmade to the Christian AposSt. Cecilia Church where he to that community and was afuntil Bob’s death in 2006. ing to Tinton Falls in 2019. tolic Church, 219 Laurel Ave. received and completed his fectionately called “Tío” by his sacraments. Msgr. Plunkett nephews and niece. graduated from St. Cecilia Msgr. Plunkett grew up High School in 1950. He vacationing every summer received his undergraduate at the Jersey Shore with his degree in 1954 and subsefamily. For his entire life, he NORTH ARLINGTON • NJ 07031 quently his master’s degree of shared his time at the shore divinity, both from Seton Hall with his extended family and University, South Orange. He many friends. It was truly his also later earned a doctorate. happy place.

He was ordained a priest Msgr. Plunkett is survived May 28, 1960, and celebrated by his sister Mary Cardillo of his first solemn Mass on May Tampa, Florida, sister-in-law Analysis for Purchase & Refinance!

29, 1960, in his home church, Marilyn Plunkett of Rockaway; St. Cecilia of Kearny. nephews Brian (Arlene) and ROB PEZZOLLA • NMLS# 266181 • ROB@ KEYPOINTMORTGAGE.COM Msgr. Plunkett served many Continued on the next page parishes throughout the

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Mrs. McMillan is survived by three daughters, Catherine Boyes (Ian), Elizabeth Maroldi (Jim) and Mary Starace (Anthony Calabrese), three sisters, Rose Tallent, Catherine Kennedy, and Margaret Donahue. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Meredith, Kirsten (Mike), David (Catherine), Keith, Megan, Daniel (Danielle), Sean and Susan and six great-grandchildren, Max, Logan, Luke, Lila, Charlotte and Miles.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband, David McMillan in 1999 and her son, David McMillan in 2012, three brothers, Robert Taylor, Daniel Taylor and John Taylor and one sister, Anna Murin.

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Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Continued from previous page Christopher (Candace) Plunkett, and nephews Peter (Reba), Paul (Michelle), Matthew (Stephanie), Mark (Paula), Luke (Diana), John (Seana) and David (Deirdre) Cardillo. He is also survived by his only niece Mary Jane Cardillo (Bobby), 17 grand nieces and nephews, and four great-grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Mary Plunkett, his aunt and godmother Kathryn Burke Monahan, brother Oliver Plunkett and nephew Thomas Plunkett.

An viewing will occur on Tuesday, June 29, after 9:30

DELACRUZ

Continued from Page 1 Enduring Freedom, achieving the rank of Corporal (E-4).

Following her military service, Liz joined the Harrison Police Department and served her community for the last three years. She was a member of PBA Local No. 22, Harrison.

She attended Hudson County Community College and received an associate degree in liberal arts in 2014. Following HCCC, she attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City, and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2016 — and then a master’s degree in public administration in 2020.

Liz’s favorite pastimes included traveling, dancing, working out and making memories with her daughter, Adelyn.

Word of Liz’s death spread immediately one week ago.

Universally, the reaction was

a.m. at St. Cecilia Church, 120 Kearny Ave., Kearny. Afterward, a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church. His final disposition will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 115 S. Third St., Harrison, N.J. 07029 or Peace Care St. Ann’s, 198 Old Bergen Road No. 2622, Jersey City, N.J. 07305, where Msgr.

Plunkett served as a founding member of the board of directors.

If you would like to send a condolence message to his family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.

family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.

Born in Clara Maass MediStanley A. “Stan” Shimkus of cal Center, Belleville, Stan was Hopatcong died peacefully at raised and lived in Kearny home on Friday, June 25, 2021. before he moved to HopatHe was 51. cong seven years ago. He The funeral will be congraduated from Lincoln Tech ducted from the Mulligan and the Teterboro School of Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Aeronautics after graduating Ave., Harrison, Friday, July 2, from Kearny High School. at 9:15 a.m. A funeral Mass will He worked as a maintenance be celebrated at Holy Cross mechanic for the US Postal Church, Harrison, at 10 a.m.

Service at the Dominick V. His interment will follow in Daniels Processing and DistriHillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst. bution Center for 20+ years.

Friends and relatives may In his free time, he loved to visit Thursday, July 1, from 4 work with his hands and build to 8 p.m. and Friday morning things, as he was very gifted after 8:45 a.m. at creating things. His family If you would like to send was very important to him and a condolence message to his any chance he had to spend

time with them was cherished.

Anyone who met or knew him, knew he had a heart of gold.

He is survived by his beloved parents, Stanley and Mary Shimkus Jr., a loving sister, Laura Martone and her husband, Dave, cherished nephew and niece Ryan Villalta and his fiancé Heather and Nancy Godzwon and her husband, Andrew, his dear great-nephew Ryan James Villalta and his uncle George Monahan and his wife Barbara.

He was predeceased by his nephew, Victor Alex Villalta.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association in care of the funeral home in loving memory of Stanley.

of shock and utter sadness. It began with a simple notice on social media from the Harrison Police Department.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Police Officer Elizabeth Delacruz, No. 980,” the post read. “Officer Delacruz served in the United States Marine Corp, (was) a Harrison Police Officer and a devoted mother. She served her country and her community with pride and passion. Her bright smile and contagious laugh will be deeply missed. Rest in the sweetest peace Officer Delacruz and watch over us all.”

Harrison Mayor James A. Fife says he was involved with Elizabeth’s hiring three years ago — and the decision to bring her on board is one no one regrets.

“She was a fine officer and people loved her,” Fife said.

“She always had a smile on her face. When she came on board, she fell right in with the police department. She worked

mostly at night, but whenever I saw her, she’d always go out of her way to say ‘hello.’ This is a tremendous loss for our town.

Harrison Councilman Larry Bennett says Officer Delacruz was one-of-a-kind.

“She was just beautiful on the outside and the inside,” Bennett said of the veteran police officer. “No matter where

Marisol Perez, a 16-year Harrison resident, recalled how Officer Delacruz helped her during a particularly bad patch in her life.

“I was going through so much personally,” Perez said.

“But I got to know Liz just from the neighborhood. There were

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STANLEY A. ‘STAN’ SHIMKUS

I saw her, no matter what she was doing, she would always take the time to say ‘hello’ and to chat. The thing is, she always went beyond the call of duty — and she was always helping someone, always doing something good for the people of Harrison.

“I’m in shock. Shock. I’m going to miss her … we all are.”

Story concludes on Page 19

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