e-Newspaper for Nov. 16, 2022

By Ron Leir & Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

earny Town Council candidates aligned with Mayor Alberto G. Santos won seats on the governing body; the incumbent Mayor of Harrison James A. Fife easily fended off a challenge by perennial challenger and former Councilman Anselmo Millan; and North Arlington Mayor Daniel H. Pronti and his two running mates were all easily returned to office on Election Day last week, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

KEARNY

Stathis Theodoropoulos, a first-time council candidate, overcame indepen-

dent challenger Sydney Ferreira to capture a Fourth Ward seat by a tally of 826 to 404 while Eileen Eckel, who has represented the Third Ward since 2004, knocked off her unaligned opponent David Paszkiewicz by a vote of 1,113 to 511.

Theodoropoulos ran in place of longtime Fourth Ward representative Susan McCurrie, who opted not to seek re-election. She’s served on the council since 2004.

Another new face, George Zapata, was elected to represent the First Ward. Zapata, who will step down from his seat on the Board of Education for the council, faced no opposition and takes over for Councilman Albino Cardoso, who chose not to seek another term.

Downey, who vocally fought for Keegan closure, dies at 63

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

During the Keegan Landfill ordeal in 2019, there were certain givens when the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority had its monthly meetings in Lyndhurst — many Kearny resi-

dents attended, the crowd was vocal and one voice always stood out above just about every other.

Perhaps it was because it was quite loud.

Perhaps it was because he would often speak out of turn when he got frustrated by answers he was hearing

from the commissioners. Perhaps it was exacerbated by his cough, brought on by the COPD from which he suffered.

But John Downey’s voice was instrumental — perhaps even pivotal — in the town’s successful run to get the dangerous landfill closed just a few

days before Christmas three years ago. The commissioners couldn’t forget him. Those who attended the meetings couldn’t forget him. And now we write this tribute to Mr. Downey so that we might all remem-

Machado is Kearny’s Veteran of the Year

The victors in Harrison

The victors in Kearny

ELECTION

Zapata collected 579 votes in the council balloting.

Peter Santana, Second Ward incumbent, retained his seat after running unopposed. He was credited with 513 votes.

Paszkiewicz, a longtime Kearny High School history teacher and crew coach, and local pastor, issued a statement on Facebook after the election.

“I just wanted to thank everyone who supported me during my campaign for Town Council. We did not win, but we raised issues to the attention of the town at large which may now be addressed more vigorously,” he said. “I thank you for your votes, putting up signs, canvassing your neighborhoods and praying for me personally. You guys are amazing and I love you! The issue of ‘paving roads’ was a key issue in my campaign.

“I hope that my campaign as well as Sydney Ferreira’s actually ‘paved the road’ for a flood of candidates to run in the future. Unchallenged single-party rule is unhealthy. We need checks and balances. I will continue to be a voice for you, shedding light on issues of concern.”

Ferreira, who in 2021 ran unsuccessfully for mayor and who was asked for his postelection observations, did not respond.

Theodoropoulos, meanwhile, who owns and operates a lighting distribution

company, attributed his victory “to the voters and a really big team effort by the campaign”— Santos and council members included — who were “super helpful when we knocked on hundreds of (residents’) doors.”

Theodoropoulos said people who voted for him “know my values, that I’m a good person,” but added that, ultimately, he came to the realization that “I don’t win unless I’m part of the Santos team” and that supporters “jumped on board on the basis of their track record and that record resonated with the voters.”

“Most people are very happy with the leadership we have,” he said. “They feel safe, that there’s a good community around us…. People love what (the team) is doing at Gunnell Oval and our parks and they like the fact that our taxes have been stable the last couple of years.”

During the next four years, Theodoropoulos said he plans to work with his council colleagues to oversee the continuing replacement of lead service lines delivering water to homeowners and repaving of dug-up streets; expanding 4-way stops at key intersections and/ or installation of rumble strips to slow down traffic; working with planners to reshape Midland Avenue into a more thriving business district; and “growing ‘E-government’ to allow residents easier access to paying bills, downloading applications forms and the like.

Zapata, a paralegal at a personal injury

law firm, said he felt “privileged” to have been on the campaign trail with his incumbent running mates and to have had the benefit of their knowledge of the community and, in the process, he said he “enjoyed meeting people from different walks of life.”

Asked to assess the challenges now facing the town, Zapata said: “Overwhelmingly, it’s the parking situation, particularly in the First Ward.”

There are times, Zapata said, when local merchants will allow neighbors to use their lots for overnight parking “with the understanding that (those neighbors) will be gone before (the merchants) open up for business in the morning, but now we’ve gotten to the point where everybody is using (the lot).”

Maybe, he said, the town can help broker “an actual agreement” for designated residents to park overnight in those lots “and make it work for the merchants, too.”

Such an arrangement has been worked out for the Kearny Avenue lot across the street from the Oh Calamares restaurant where residents apply for permits to park there, he said.

Eckel, a longtime middle school English teacher in Fair Lawn, said she’s “grateful to all the Kearny residents who exercised their right to be heard through their vote.”

She also welcomed the newcomers to the council and said she looked forward to

Continued on the next page

input to ensure the success of the water line replacement program.

Among other upcoming projects, Eckel said, is completion of final plans and selection of a contractor to undertake long-awaited improvements to the town’s boat launch dock area. And there’s the roller hockey rink on Passaic Avenue that’s scheduled to be refurbished in spring 2023, she said. Outside funding is in place for that job, she added.

HARRISON

In the 11th hour, things got very heated in the race for Harrison’s mayor, yet despite the rhetoric, Mayor James A. Fife easily rolled to another four-year term, his third in total since becoming mayor after the death of his predecessor Raymond McDonough.

The Observer spoke with Fife after the election (the entire interview may be seen at www.theobserver.com) and he stressed the utter importance of honesty in an election and in the politics behind them. His opponent,

Franklin School names October Students of the Month

Yvonne Cali, principal of Franklin School, Kearny, announces the school’s October 2022 Students of the Month.

Anthony Cunas, Nayeli Herrera, Marley Lizardo, Joe Yang, Mrida Vignesh, Alexandra Da Silva, Zoe Bazan, Scarlet Desarno, Valeria Vargas, Jean Delanoe, Makayla Valles Mozombite, Naomi Yang, Alivia Cruz, Rayhana Ait Brahim, Jacob Lugo, Eduardo Diaz Argueta, Alex Rosario, Jaylin Duque, Julian Castro, Luisana Ramirez, Matheus Felicci Da Silva, Shirley Rojas Ullauri, Reece Swan, Katherine Llivichuzhca Bautista, Daphne Reyes, Giancarlo Torres, Anthony Ochoa, Messiah Montalvo, Caroline Gonzalez, Alexi Lugo, Daria Kupiszewska, Marcelo Valdivia Sabalvarro, Nathan Maciel, Jacob Lugo, Leonardo Tenezaca, Mya Castillo Reyes, Rubi Canales, Mia Calva Siguenza, Lucas Verdi, Madeleine Cohetero, Dylan Marin Jimenez, Kelly Ferreira, Riley Espinal Adam Nejjar, Leslie Fuentes, Alexia Ferreira Duarte, Mars CurchmanWest, Isabelly Ribeiro De Paula, Gabbriella Acevedo, Asher Sharma, Olivia Santiago, Gabriel Esquivel Dutra, Kate Codova, Leah Calderone and Matthew Teixeira.

he said, was anything but honest in the run-up to Nov. 8. Things got so bad between the one-time allies Fife said even if his opponent had called him to congratulate him on his victory — he didn’t, by the way — he wouldn’t have accepted his phone call.

“By not stooping to the other campaign’s level with all the charges and countercharges (we won big),” Fife said. “And all the nasty names they called us, all that stuff, we stuck to the facts, talked about his suspension from his job, which he denied a few times, all over the place, and that’s how we did it — we just told the truth.”

The aforementioned suspension revolves around Millan’s job in Hudson County. A memo from his superiors in 2018 indicated he was suspended form work

for 90 days over a nine-month period for misusing county time. Millan still denies the suspension ever happened through one of his campaign advisers.

Fife, meanwhile, says he looks forward to his new term where building new, affordable housing will be among his priorities.

There were also five council races in Harrison, all unopposed. Winners were all incumbents — Jesus Huaranga in the First Ward; Ellen Mendoza in the Second Ward; Larry Bennett and Delphim Sarabando in the Third Ward (Sarabando will complete and unexpired term) and James P. Doran in the Fourth Ward.

“It was a victory that happened, not as much as is it did,” Bennett said of Fife’s victory. “We thought we were going to win but we didn’t

take anything for granted. We worked hard, the people came out and they voiced their opinion. …I said it on election night, this victory wasn’t about us — it was for the people of Harrison. They won on Election Day.”

While Millan did not make a statement on his defeat, one of his campaign workers, attorney John Pinho, did. And it appears he is looking to assess blame for the loss to anyone but the candidate.

“Yesterday, I listened to Kevin A. Canessa Jr. interview Mayor Fife and make statements about Anselmo’s negative campaign. Anselmo did not run a negative campaign. The campaign did not even mention the above, Federal Civil Rights case where Fife admits (confesses) that he locked out Anselmo

KPD: Trio fights with knife in front of 1-year-old baby

By Capt. Timothy Wagner Kearny Police Department

On Nov. 2 at 4:57 p.m., Officer Andre Fernandes responded with other officers to 425 Elm St. on a report of a knife fight. They located Francis Mejia and Brianna Kagan-Gonzalez, both 20, and of Kearny, and William Kearney, 28, of Manchester. The Kearny pair said they came to the location to retrieve a Cash App card from Kearney (the man, not the town and thus the spelling difference,) but did not get it.

It was alleged that this led to Kagan-Gonzalez taking Kearney’s cellular phone when she did not get the Cash App card. It was also alleged that a fight erupted in which Kearney swung both a wooden post and a metal bed frame at Mejia, and then dropped the bed frame and pointed a handsaw at Mejia. It was also alleged Mejia produced a knife from his back pocket and swiped at Kearney with it.

Meanwhile, all this occurred in the presence of a 1-year-old

boy.

Officers arrested all three combatants. Search incident to the arrests located a container of Percocet and a half-cut straw (commonly used to snort crushed pills) in Kagan-Gonzalez’s pocket. She was also wanted on a Kearny traffic warrant carrying $1,000 bail.

Kearney and Mejia were both charged with aggravated assault and weapon possession offenses and released with summonses. Kagan-Gonzalez was charged by summons with theft (of the cellular phone), possession of a prescription drug not lawfully prescribed, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was held at the county jail due to her outstanding traffic warrant.

On Nov. 2 at 10:21 p.m., Officer Anthony Oliveira was clearing from a call on Chestnut Street and saw a Hyundai Veloster parked illegally with a Georgia temporary registration duct taped to its rear and a New Jersey inspection sticker

POLICE BEAT

on its windshield. Officer Oliveira approached to find the car’s driver asleep. Next to him on the passenger seat was a large bag of marijuana and on the center console was a smaller bag of marijuana.

Officer Oliveira awakened driver James H. LopezHernandez, 21, of Kearny, who told him that he borrowed the car from his friend Dario. The officer found the Georgia temporary tag was registered to one person and the car’s VIN showed it was registered in New Jersey to a different person. Officer Oliveira also recognized LopezHernandez from previously pulling him over in a Jeep Cherokee with a Georgia temporary registration LopezHernandez allegedly said did not belong to him either.

A record check of LopezHernandez showed he was wanted by the Hudson County Sheriff for assault. A

further search of the vehicle uncovered a knotted sock under the front passenger seat containing a large quantity of Ziploc “dime” bags.

Officer Oliveira arrested Lopez-Hernandez on charges of intent to distribute marijuana over one ounce but less than five pounds; intent to distribute drug paraphernalia; and parking within 25 feet of a crosswalk. The defendant was later turned over to the Hudson County Jail.

On Nov. 4 at 8:44 a.m., Officer Anthony Oliveira and Lt. Jack Corbett Jr., arrested Dario H. Sanjinez-Espiche, 25, of North Arlington, in the lobby of police headquarters.

They allege Sanjinez-Espiche appeared at the police Record Bureau seeking to have the impounded Hyundai Veloster from the above case released to him.

He presented Lt. Corbett with a suspicious-looking vehicle insurance card purported to have been issued by State Farm.

Due to irregularities on the card, Lt. Corbett telephoned a State Farm representative who confirmed the insurance card was fraudulent, the owner of the car did not have a policy with State Farm and the policy number on the card was fictitious.

charged with uttering a fraudulent motor-vehicle insurance card and later released with a summons. The owner of the impounded car, Carlos A. Alivzuri-Moron, 55, of North Arlington, was mailed a summons for having no liability insurance on his car.

On Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., Sgt. Ben Wuelfing and Officers Ruben Rivera and Paul Duran arrested two defendants who were being held at the Jersey City Municipal Court. The arrests stemmed from a previously reported Oct. 7 aggravated assault near 12 Kearny Ave. that left one man with an orbital bone fracture and another man stabbed.

Officers arrested Michael Laroche, 28, and Rita Laroche, 33, both of Jersey City. Michael is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and two counts of endangering an injured victim. Rita is charged with the same offenses plus one count of criminal attempt (murder). Michael was also held on two outstanding warrants from Lakewood (traffic, $1,500 bail) and Woodbridge (traffic, $250 bail).

I would like to thank you for coming out and voting on Tuesday and putting your trust in me for another 4 years. I will work as hard as I have for the last 16 years for the people in the 3rd Ward and the residents of Harrison for also voting for Mayor James A. Fife, giving him a huge victory.

you again, Councilman Lawrence (Larry) Bennett

Sanjinez-Espiche was

Both defendants were lodged in the Hudson County jail.

STYPLE COMES HOME TO DISCUSS NEW BOOK ON GEN. KEARNY

By Ron Leir For The Observer

More than half a century ago, former Kearny resident William Styple began writing a book about his childhood hero, Civil War Gen. Philip Kearny, the man for whom the present-day town took its name.

He got a bit distracted, though, as his research led him down several paths leading to the publication of eight other works in the process — all relat ed to the famous Army com mander — and some surprising finds that have opened expert historians’ eyes.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Styple returned to his roots, visiting the Kearny Museum at the Public Library to talk about his long-awaited epic, the newly-released, million word, 813-page, illustrated tome, “General Philip Kearny, A Very God of War: The Life & Letters of General Philip Kearny.”

As a student at Roosevelt School, he said he was “mes merized” by stories about the career officer to the point where he was determined to write the definitive biography on the military figure, “warts and all.”

One blockbuster discov ery was a collection of letters written from the battlefield by Union soldiers to the New York Sunday Mercury, which offered the troops a free newspaper in return for their contributions.

It took a year for Styple to read through a collection of more than 3,000 letters from Union soldiers — including “hun dreds” written by members of Kearny’s regiment, the 1st New Jersey Brigade — collated from 225 issues of the Mercury.

Rather than evaluating “grand tactics or anything like that,” the troops described what it was like “living in the trench es, Styple said. “They didn’t know if they were going to live

or die.” But, since neither the Army nor the paper imposed “no censorship,” they “criti cized drunken, incompetent officers” and described troop movements — which Confed erate Gen. Robert E. Lee could read the day those accounts were published.

That practice, Styple said, wasn’t “fixed” until May 1864, when Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant arranged for the reports to be delayed so by the time the

enemy read them, “it was old news.”

A book on letters from Con federate soldiers to local papers naturally followed, Styple said, as did a volume on the general’s loyal bugler and orderly Gustav Schurmann.

Another significant find for Styple was a private collection of memorabilia compiled by New York illustrator James E. Kelly of the early 1900s, who recounted candid conversa

tions with former Civil War commanders all in awe of Phil Kearny.

Also deemed worthy of a separate literary investiga tion, Styple said, was a letter written by Kearny to a friend in Newark revealing the general’s suspicions a member of Gen. George McClellan’s staff — Col. Thomas Marshall Key — was secretly providing information

DEAR HARRISON RESIDENTS & VOTERS:

Paid for by Mayor Fife Campaign 2022 — Gregory Kowalski, Treasurer

Photo by Barbara B. Goldberg

After his presentation, Styple, holding book, spoke with audience members at a bust of the general at the Kearny Museum.

Opinion & Viewpoints

EDITORIAL

If it is within your means, please donate food for Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just over a week away, we at The Observer take this time to encourage all of our readers to consider donations to local food pantries and food drives.

The harsh reality is there are still many families who are in dire situations of food insufficiency. One only needs to look at the line that wraps around Laurel Avenue in Kearny from in front of the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington to know more and more families are relying on the generosity of others just to get by.

Whether it’s the Kearny Food Pantry Network, other church-based pantries, the outreach program led by Phil Stafford, or anywhere else, we have learned, in the most difficult of ways, that most of the food programs locally are in need of help — just a week away from the holiday.

These social justice agencies work so hard to put food on the tables of those who might otherwise go without.

And so if you’re in the position to donate, please do so, so that all sustenance programs may do what they do best by helping others.

It is at times like these that we realize just how generous our local communities are. So let’ s all do our part to make this Thanksgiving one we can all remember for a long time to come, despite all else going on in this world.

Four major locations where donations are being accepted include, in Kearny, police, fire and DPW headquarters and the office of The Observer (see reminder ad on page 8.)

Woman’s club awards scholarship

Lyndhurst resident Bella Banuls is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the Woman’s Club of Lyndhurst. Bella, 18, is a freshman at Ramapo College majoring in education. She is seen here receiving her award, from left Janet Ricigliano, vice president; Marge Russo, past president; and Annette Bortone, president.

Rose: If Mr. Pelosi were an average ‘Paul,’ his attacker would be free

To the Editor:

We will probably never know the truth about how David DePape got into Paul Pelosi’s home, who was described as a friend on Pelosi’s call to the police.

It seems Paul rather than own a registered handgun, which the time line shows he would have had ample time

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

to have in his possession, used the far left approach, and tried to reason with a deranged individual.

The result being he took a couple of shots to the head with a hammer.

The good news for Paul is that being one of our protected class, DePape will be looking at 50 years of jail time.

If he was just an average Paul, DePape most likely would be out roaming the streets of San Francisco.

Armand Rose North Arlington

In Memoriam Mary A. Tortoreti 1942-2016

Lisa M. Feorenzo lisa@theobserver.com Co-owner/Advertising Dir.

Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com Editor/Broadcaster

39 Seeley Avenue n Kearny, N.J. 07032 n (201) 991-1600 Fax: (201) 991-8941 n www.theobserver.com

Tina Feorenzo Co-owner/Advertising

Michelle Rybeck advertising@theobserver.com Graphic Artist/Real Estate

Deadlines (until further notice)

n Classifieds: 3 p.m., Monday

n Obituaries: 10 a.m., Monday

n Display/Real Estate: noon, Thursday

n Help Wanted: noon, Monday — all ads must be sent to classified@theobserver.com.

Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com Sports Writer

Robert P. Pezzolla gm@theobserver.com General Manager

Kimberley Pezzolla kimpezzolla@theobserver.com Sales/Classifieds

The Observer on Social Media facebook.theobserver.com twitter.theobserver.com instagram.theobserver.com youtube.theobserver.com

to the enemy.

These suspicions were never confirmed in Kearny’s lifetime and Key stayed silent until his death in Ohio in 1869.

So determined was Key to ensure his anonymity, he arranged to be buried in an unmarked grave. Still, Styple said he managed to get a copy of Key’s will, only to discover Key had instructed his attorney “to destroy all his (personal) papers.” Styple, nonetheless, said he continued to search and, at last, “found some still-surviving papers in Michigan.”

From those records, Styple said, he learned Lee “was trying to negotiate a peace deal.”

Gen. Kearny, who lost his left arm during a battle in Mexico in 1847, was killed in 1862 at the Battle of Chantilly in Virginia, but Styple’s book doesn’t end there. In four additional chapters, the author assesses the general’s impact on his contemporaries — everyone from Abraham Lincoln to his first staff officer, the then 2nd Lt. George Armstrong Custer among others.

In July 1875, the general was immortalized by poet Edmund Clarence Stedman with the publication in Scribner’s magazine of “Kearny at Seven Pines,” which youngsters commonly committed to memory in public schools nationwide.

Veterans of Kearny’s old regiment successfully petitioned the Army to remove the general’s “perfectly preserved” body from Trinity churchyard in New York City to Arlington National Cemetery in 1912 — an event that, Styple noted, was covered by newspapers coast-to-coast and was captured on film by

the Pathe news service.

An estimated 150,000 spectators lined Broadway in lower Manhattan to watch a horse-drawn carriage convey the general’s coffin to City Hall, where he was laid in state overnight before its conveyance to Washington, D.C.

Over time, the newsreel was declared lost, but Styple wouldn’t give up his search for the missing film.

Two years ago, his tenacity was rewarded when in reviewing a film archive, he came across images of a funeral procession listed for a military figure, but he said “something struck me” about the film not being accurately represented.

As he continued watching the reel, Styple said his suspicions were confirmed — it was Kearny’s funeral cortège. An excerpt from it may be viewed on his Facebook page.

In tracing the general’s life story, which takes in his soldiering in Mexico, Europe and the U.S., along with sojourns in Paris and the Kearny Castle, Styple said the general “took over my professional life for decades and I dragged my wife and kids around the planet” to do

the research. “But it never got old for me,” he said.

Styple has been writing and speaking about Kearny “since 1988” and says he’s now “on the last leg” of his travels with the general. His final segment, he said he plans to film, complete with illustrations related to his subject. Then, he wants to turn his attention to the gen-

eral’s art collection, much of which has found its way into various museums.

But if the state should rekindle a proposal to move Phil Kearny’s likeness out of Statuary Hall, you can surely expect the general’s greatest defender to come out of “retirement” to rise to the occasion and meet the enemy head-on.

The Observer’s Ron Leir shows off his newly autographed book by Bill Styple about Gen. Philip Kearny. Barbara B. Goldberg image

‘(Gen. Kearny) took over my professional life for decades and I dragged my wife and kids around the planet to do the research. But it never got old for me.’

— Bill Styple Kearny Historian Noted Author

Ceremony honors Kearny’s veterans

Machado named Vet of the Year

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

Nearly 100 residents, digni taries and, most importantly, those who serve or who have served, were on hand for Kearny’s annual Veterans Day ceremony at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

Also on hand was Michael Machado, who was named Kearny’s Veteran of the Year.

Machado served in the U.S. Navy from 1988 to 1992, stationed mostly in Newport, Rhode Island.

Machado was on board the USS Trippe in 1989, when he was just 19, when it collided with an oil tanker nearly 150 miles off the North Carolina coast. Tragedy was averted that day, but were it not for quick thinking, many lives

could have lost.

“There were a lot of 19-year-olds who became men immediately that day and who grew up very fast,” Machado said reflecting on the fateful day.

Machado estimates his ship and the one it collided with were traveling at around 15 knots.

“You don’t just turn a ship on a dime, either,” Machado said. “By the time the captain realized what was happening, it was too late, the collision alarms sounded.”

This all happened the same day a massive explosion killed 47 at sea, the largest single military casualty in peacetime to that point.

The ceremony included readings, speeches and re-en actments. Despite menacing skies, the weather cooperated.

PBA, FMBA, CS-11 & THE OBSERVER’S THANKSGIVING FOOD & TURKEY DRIVE

Kearny PBA No. 21, FMBA 18/218, CS-11 and The Observer are teaming up in 2022 to collect turkeys and all the trimmings for Thanksgiving to donate to a local food pantry. Collection is underway for thanksgiving. (excess food collected will be distributed at christmas).

Items most needed include: Stovetop stuFFING, Cranberry sauce, Canned sweet potatoes, Gravy (canned), Potatoes - instant, Dessert mixes (cake, brownies, cookie mix, icing). Tuna, Mac & cheese boxes, Pasta, Peanut butter, Cereal (kid-friendLY) cereal. WE ALREADY HAVE A SUPLUS OF CANNED SOUPS & VEGGIES.

Dropoff locations and times are listed below. And we thank each and every donor sincerely and gratefully for your generosity.

Happy thanksgiving, one and all!

Photos by Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

From the top, Kearny’s Veteran of the Year, Michael Machado, second from right, with his in-laws, Denise & Jerry FIceto and wife, Alyssa. Len Twist annually dresses as a World War I Doughboy. Here he is seen shooting off his rifle as part of the ceremony. Then, Mayor Alberto G. Santos speaks of the importance of caring for all veterans, especially in light of the care they often give by serving in the United States Armed Forces. Lastly, the ceremony begins each year with a patriotic reading.

Sports & Recreation

Harrison’s tournament run ends with PK loss to Ramsey

Barber steps down as NAHS boys’ soccer coach

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

For Kevin Barber, this isn’t a retire ment from coach ing. In fact, the veteran North Arlington coach for boys soccer and practically every other sport already knows the next time he’ll be back on the sidelines.

on the soccer field, sim ply calling him a soccer coach would only be a small part of what he’s done during 14 years at North Arlington. Bar ber had nine different coaching positions in the district, ranging from eighth grade and fresh man boys basketball, JV baseball, golf and even girls bowling.

By The Observer Staff

The sadness of Harrison’s soccer players was painted on their faces as they left the Har rison High School turf for the last time this season. But while the pain of a season coming to a sudden end in penalty kicks remained fresh in their minds as they walked out of the locker room and started to head home, they were greeted with appreciation by their head coach for bringing the program back to the level it expects to be.

This year’s Harrison team, a group heavily composed of juniors and sophomores, fin ished the season at 17-2-2.

“We look at ourselves as one of the best small programs in New Jersey. But you have to win the sectionals and get to those final two rounds to call yourself that and we haven’t done that the past few years,” head coach Mike Rusek said after his team was eliminated by Ramsey in the Group 2 semifinals last week. “So now we’re back in that situation, we want to be talked among the other great small schools.

Ramsey won the PKs by a 5-3 margin after 100 minutes of soccer, which concluded with the teams tied at 1.

While Harrison ultimate ly fell two wins short of its ultimate goal — a 26th state championship — this season represented a return to the standard of what is expected in the soccer hotbed. Harrison won its first state sectional title since 2016 when it defeat ed Voorhees in the North 2, Group 2 final Nov. 5.

In Wednesday’s Group 2 semifinal against Ramsey, luck seemed to be on the Blue Tide’s side early on. Harri son withstood an offensive onslaught by the visiting Rams and despite that, led 1-0 after a Brando Moreno shot from 30 yards out went off the hands of the goalkeeper in the ninth minute

On the other end of the field, Ismael Kone continued his brilliant playoff run with several saves on a relentless Ramsey attack.

“During the state tourna

ment, we really felt like we had the best goalie in the state of New Jersey,” said Rusek about Kone, who finished with 10 saves. “Every game, he’s gotten more confident. He’s turned into a leader back there and he’s just so big and quick and agile. And he’s a junior so we can’t wait to see what he’s capable of doing next year.”

Rather than going into a shell in hopes of escaping with a 1-0 victory, the Blue Tide instead ratcheted up the offensive pressure in the second half. The result was a much different Harrison team, which went blow-for-blow with Ramsey rather than one on its heels like it was for most of the first half.

In the 71st minute, Ramsey broke through on a restart when Lucas Chung crossed it from left to right past the defense to Luke Ernst, who slid a shot past Kone for the tying goal.

“In the second half we were trying to make it 2-0 because we felt like 2-0 would have put that game away,” said Rusek.

“The next time I coach will be her little biddy soccer league where everyone just chases the ball and some kids just pick the grass,” said Barber while looking at his sleeping two-weekold daughter Melina. “ She’ll keep me busy (in the meantime) and it will be worth it.”

Barber let the players and parents know of his impending decision to step down as North Arlington’s boys’ soccer coach during the season. The move became official during Monday’s Board of Education meeting. Barber has spent 10 years as a part of the Vikings’ soccer program, the last two as head coach. In ad dition, Barber is stepping down as the head golf coach.

“(Melina’s) sitting here next to me sleep ing. I’m looking at her and I have a smile on my face right now. But I know it’s going to hurt not seeing those kids on the field anymore, not seeing those kids on the golf course anymore,” Barber said. “I’m going to do what I can to know that they have me as a fan and if they need me, they know where to go.”

While Barber was best known for his coaching

“He’s a Viking. He might not have grown up in North Arlington, but I don’t think he’d coach anywhere else,” North Arlington athletic director Josh Aronowitz said. “He is just in it for the community and they put the kids first which is something I really, really appreciate about him.”

Barber is the first to admit he inherited a good situation when he took over as head coach for Jess Dombrowski before the 2021 season and year one produced an incred ible 18-3 record and a NJIC Meadowlands title. This past season, while it did not match the same level of regular season success, going 10-13, but the Vikings finished the season strong, making the North 2, Group 1 sem ifinals before losing to eventual champion Glen Ridge.

A week later, Barber was at Rip Collins Field collecting jerseys, an an nual reminder of a season now finished. And for Barber, it marked his own jersey return as he closes this chapter of his career.

“I’m just standing at the field staring out there knowing I’ll never

I feel like next year we pick up where we left off and we go back at it.”

Photo by Jason Bernstein

SOCCER

Continued from Page 9

“And we also felt that we were very confident with Ismael in goal.

Rather than let their heads sink after seeing it’s hourlong lead disappear, Harri son played perhaps its best stretch of the tournament after that with several strong scoring chances in overtime. Twice Harrison nearly won it on shots by Eann Vieira in the 88th minute and More no in the 91st, but each were stopped by Ramsey keeper Steven DePinto.

“I felt like we played our best soccer after it was 1-1. We really went toe-to-toe. Both teams, especially in the second half, I really thought it was a battle of two heavyweights, just slugging it out, going back and forth, back and forth,”

Rusek said. “That was some of the most enjoyable soccer that I’ve coached in my entire career with just how fun it was watching two teams just attack and defend and play all out. Both teams put everything on the line.”

There hasn’t been much enjoyment about penalty kicks for Rusek and Harrison in recent memory and for the third time in four years, the Blue Tide’s season ended in PKs. DePinto made a save in the second round of PKs and Ramsey made all five shots to punch a ticket to the state final with Jason Balbena scoring the clincher on a boot into the lower-left corner of the net.

“I feel like we did everything we could on our end. We fought a great fight,” Rusek said. “In the end, I don’t par ticularly feel like we lost this game. We went to PKs (tied) and they made all five PKs.”

BARBER

Continued from Page 9

coach on that field again,” Barber said. “I kept reliving all of the great things that I saw on that field, whether it was overtime wins, individual performances, statement wins that we had in the states this year. Just knowing how many great moments I was a part of on that field. Not being able to do that again was tough. It was hard to look out there, look at the field and know that this is it.”

One thing that helps put Barber at ease about his decision is the current state of the program. Over the past 11 seasons, the Vikings have won 10 or more games in nine of them, with one of the two they didn’t reach the mark was in the COVID -shortened 2020 season.

9911600.

WHAT ARE FLOATERS?

People with certain eye conditions may experience “floaters.” Maybe you’re wondering if you have floaters in your own vision but aren’t sure what they are. Eye float ers appear as black or grey spots in your vision. They may also appear as specks, strings, or cobwebs that drift around as you move your eyes but disappear when you look at them directly. Floaters happen when the vitreous (the jellylike substance inside the eye) becomes more liquid, causing fibers within the vitreous to clump together and cast shadows on the retina: these are called floaters. If you’re seeing floaters that are disturb ing your vision, or you see a sudden increase in floaters, it

may be the sign of a serious eye condition.

If you notice a sudden in crease in eye floaters, contact an eye specialist immediately — especially if you also see light flashes or lose your peripheral vision. These can be symptoms of an emergency that requires prompt attention. To schedule an exam, please call 201-896-0096. We are located at 20 Park Avenue, Lyndhurst. To get in touch with our optical shop, call 201-896-0007. We accept most insurance.

P.S. Existing eye floaters that suddenly increase and are coupled with flashes of light and loss of peripheral vi sion can indicate an emergen cy such as retinal detachment.

www.delucavision.com

Photo by Jason Bernstein Kevin Barber

Presented by Joseph A. DeLuca, M.D., F.A.C.S. DeLuca

The Observer’s office is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and TuesdayFriday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Until further notice, however, our office is closed to the public. Please call (201)

Lee Johnstone

Lee Johnstone, 61, died peacefully in Port Richey, Flori da, on Oct. 30, 2022.

Originally from Kearny, Lee moved to Florida where she enjoyed the company of her parents and sister’s family in Orlando. After losing her moth er (Virginia, 2017) and father (Doug Sr., 2019), Lee moved to Port Richey, where she lived life her way, sharing her love with her furred and feathered pets.

Lee faced challenges with determined independence, without complaints or excus es. Her heart grew continually larger and warmer as she shared her love with family, friends and pets.

Lee is survived by her sib lings, Doug Jr., David and Amy, and her pets who have a new family to love.

Lee is now at peace, but she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of a service or inter ment, Lee would prefer that such efforts go to support your local animal rescues on her behalf.

Ellen Watson Sarvis

Ellen Wat son Sarvis, 83, died in Copley, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2022.

Ellen was born in Jersey City NJ to James and Isabelle (MacAr

Obituaries

thur) Watson. In addition to her parents, Ellen was preceded in death by six brothers and two sisters: James, Daniel, Ray mond, John, Catherine McWil liam, William, Isabelle Jocz and Edmond.

A first-generation American, Ellen was incredibly proud of her Scottish heritage as her par ents immigrated to the United States shortly after the First World War.

Ellen is survived by Harry, her loving husband of 62 years; her four children, Harry (Barb), Kathy (Tab) Brewster, Suzanne (Paul) Horning and Raymond, and 12 grandchildren.

Ellen grew up in Kearny and was a 1957 graduate of Kearny High School, where she met her future husband. Ellen and her family moved to Akron in 1974. Ellen graduated from the University of Akron and taught in the Akron Public Schools dis trict for 27 years before retiring in 2005.

Per Ellen’s request, no service will take place. Burial will be at

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. If desired, donations may be made in Ellen’s name to the Alzheim er’s Association at www.alz.org/ eastohio.

John Downey

John Downey, 63, died Sun day, Nov. 6, 2022, at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.

Born in County Cork, Ireland, he immigrated to the United States in 1960 and lived in Kearny.

Mr. Downey was a chef at MetLife Stadium in East Ru therford for many years.

He is survived by one sister, Maureen Hickey and her hus band, Robert Bourg. John was the uncle of Jennifer Barrientos, Kelly-Anne Millner, Robert Hickey and Mark Hickey. He was the cousin of MaryEllen Downey. Mr. Downey also leaves behind several great-niec es and great-nephews.

Owen Higney

Owen Higney, 87, died Tues day, Nov. 8, 2022, at home in Kearny.

The funeral was from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, Kearny. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny. Cremation was private.

Born in Croy, Scotland, a village in North Lanarkshire, Owen left school at age 15 and began to work in the Croy Coalmines. In 1958, he immi grated to Canada and lived there for five years before moving to Kearny in 1963.

Mr. Higney was a steamfit ter for Enterprise Association of Steamfitters, Local 638 in Yonkers, New York, for over 50 years before his retirement.

Owen was a member of the Irish American Club and the Scots-American Athletic Club both of Kearny as well as one of the founding members of

All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.

the Kearny CSC — The Mother Club in 1963. Owen was a Celtic supporter through and through who played a big part in bring ing the Celtic Boys’ Football Club to Kearny to play against local teams, each summer for 10 years.

He is survived by his children, Peter Higney, Esther Jewart (Timothy), Mary Evanchick (Mark) and four grandchildren, Jessica Higney (Ryan), Ryan Jewart (Jacqueline), Madelyn Evanchick and Jaiden Higney and one great-grandchild, MacKenzie Mae Jewart. Many cousins from Croy, Scotland. Loving sister in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Owen will be missed by Marley, his beloved bull dog, who ensured “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Owen was predeceased by his wife, Sarah (Mitchell) Higney,

See OBITS, Page 13

Sarah Osterkorn

September 11, 1990 - November 17, 2010

Twelve years have passed since God called you home. For those who knew you and loved you, it seems like yesterday. Your spirit and smile are a constant presence in our lives. The people you touched and the positive energy you shared continue to be the topic of conversation.

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the ability to remember. The memories of you live on as we continue to celebrate the joy that you were and continue to be.

Happy 12th Anniversary in Heaven

WILFRED ARMITAGE & WIGGINS FUNERAL HOME

Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J. Lic. #3916

You will feel as if friends of family have taken over when you entrust funeral arrangements to the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home. The family-owned firm has been in business for 100 years, serving generations in West Hudson and South Bergen. Its beautiful facilities, in a setting reminiscent of a colonial mansion, reflect the graciousness and tact of its understanding personnel.

Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032 (201) 991-0657

Fallen officers recalled at Blue Mass

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

The Archdiocese of Newark honored the dedication and sacrifices of all active, retired and deceased New Jersey law enforcement personnel at the 29th Annual Blue Mass Nov. 3 in Newark’s CathedralBasilica of the Sacred Heart.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., archbishop of Newark, presided over the liturgy, which featured honor guard units, bagpipers and drummers.

This year, Gov. Philip D. Murphy, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and numerous other dignitaries joined hundreds of police officers from throughout the state to pray for five men who died in the line of duty: Senior Correctional Police Officer Daniel Sincavage; Port Authority Police Officer Anthony Varvaro;

the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland, who was a former Newark

resident.

Additionally, those at the Mass paid tribute to 10 officers who succumbed to COVID-19.

Cardinal Tobin also acknowledged the good work of all active-duty law

enforcement in his homily, citing the two Newark officers who were recently shot as examples of the police’s selflessness. He then

asked everyone who is not in law enforcement to reflect on what God wants from them.

“They may not wear a badge,” he said. “But they can still follow the police’s example of helping those in need. We’re called to model mutual respect in the honest search for the common good, excluding no one from that process. Saying ‘yes’ to God

is something believers are called to do each day. (They) choose good over evil, truth over lies and love for others over selfish gain.”

Premier Care TALKS

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Iron deficiency anemia, the lack of iron in red blood cells, inhibits the body from creating hemoglo bin in red blood cells, resulting in cells’ inability to carry oxygenated blood throughout the body. Iron deficiency symptoms are weakness, fatigue, opaque skin, weakened heartbeat, shortness of breath, cold extremities, brittle nails, unusual cravings, and tenderness of the tongue. Although blood loss, lack of dietary iron, and the inability to absorb iron cause deficiency, these are easily corrected with supple ments and eating foods rich in iron such as red meat, pork, poultry, seafood, legumes, spinach, peas, and iron-fortified grains. Visiting a doctor to diagnose iron deficiency is vital because overloading the

body with iron can damage the liver and cause other medical issues.

Initially, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it goes un noticed. But as the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify. Sometimes additional tests or treatments for iron defi ciency anemia are necessary. To schedule an appointment, please call PREMIER CARE ASSOCI

ATES OF WEST HUDSON at 201-998-7474, or visit us 7 days a week at 512 Kearny Ave., Suite B. We treat hypertension, arthritis, and acute and chronic injuries.

P.S. Iron deficiency anemia was discovered in 1852 by Dr. Karl Vierordt and his student H. Welcher.

Email any questions or comments to: premiercare@gmail.com

Premier Care Associates of West Hudson is available on a walk-in or appointment basis for your primary healthcare needs.

Dr. Prakash J. Doshi

Dr. Hector Aguilar

Middletown Police Detective Lieutenant Joseph Capriotti; Paterson Police Lieutenant Frank Petrelli; and Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard of

OBITS

one son, William Higney, brother Peter Higney and three sisters, Sr. Mary Higney RNDM (Sisters of Our Lady of the Mis sions), Helena and Patricia.

Gladys Dolaghan

Gladys Dolaghan (nee Pringle), a lifelong resident of Harrison, died of natural causes, on Nov. 12, 2022, at home in the presence of her loving family. Gladys would have been 100 on Nov. 20.

Visitation will be Wednes day, Nov. 16, from 3 to 7 p.m. and Thursday morning, Nov. 17, after 9 a.m. at Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave. Harrison. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Holy Cross Church in Harrison. Her entombment will follow in Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, North Arlington.

If you would like to send a condolence message to her fam ily, please visit www.mulliganfh. com.

Gladys was born, raised and lived her entire life in the town she called home, her beloved

Harrison. Not only did Gladys live her entire life in Harrison, but she also lived 92 of her 100 years on the same street, Cleve land Avenue.

For the last 67 years, 432 Cleveland Ave. has been home and it was fitting Gladys passed away in this home on the 12th of this month.

Gladys was predeceased by her loving husband John F. Dolaghan, her parents, Thomas and Ethel Pringle, as well as her siblings, Marjorie, Thomas, Herbert and Kenneth, as well as her grandsons Brendan Michael Dolaghan and Vincent John Doffont.

Gladys was the loving mother of seven children, John, and his wife Michelle (nee Cerstvik), Michael and his partner Sylvia (nee Perez), James and his wife Marianne (nee Adamczyk) Brian and his wife Karen (nee Padavano) Thomas and his wife Cindy (nee Jones), Marylynn and her husband Vincent Doffont and Mark and his wife Colleen (nee Galladay).

Gladys was the loving grandmother of 14 grandchild — Erin and her husband Jeremy, Lauren and her husband Robert, Brian

and his wife Kimberly, Sean and his wife Jennifer, Erik and his wife Meaghan, Jack, Emily and her husband Francis, Thomas, Vincent and his wife Brighid, Tara and her husband Thomas, Mark and his wife Jenna, Brendan, Nolan and James. In addition to her grandchildren, Gladys had 19 great-grandchildren with a 20th due in May 2023.

Gladys met her husband John F. Dolaghan while they attended Harrison High School in the late 1930s, where the two graduated together in the class of 1940. Gladys and John court ed throughout high school and planned a life together, but like many of the “Greatest Genera tion,” they had to put their lives on hold due to World War II.

Just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, john enlisted in the United States Navy and Gladys would have to wait five years for him to return. When John did return, the couple didn’t waste any time and mar ried on Oct. 12, 1946. Over the next 16 years, John and Gladys did their part in contributing to the baby boomer generation by bringing seven children into the world.

Gladys was born into the Protestant faith and was raised in the Episcopalian Church. However, as often was the custom at the time, Gladys converted to Roman Catholicism before marrying John in 1946. Gladys became a

committed and devout Roman Catholic. For 76 years, she was a member of her cherished Holy Cross Parish in Harrison. She deserved the honor of being called a “daily communicant,” having received Holy Commun ion at daily Mass for decades, a practice that did not stop until her mid 90s.

At Holy Cross, Gladys was a member of both the Rosary and Vincentian societies, as well as being a dedicated member of the school’s PTA. Gladys was also a proud member of the Harrison Cancer League over 40 years.

In her 100 years on this earth, Gladys saw most of the 20th century and the first two decades of the 21st. She lived through the Great Depression, an event that would have a pro found effect on her for the rest of her life. After the depres sion, came World War II, Korea, the fabulous 50s, Vietnam, the moon

landing, the bicentennial, the Iranian hostage crisis, two more wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and sadly the horror of 9/11.

When Gladys was born, Warren G. Harding was the 29th President of the United States. When she passed away Joe Biden was the 46th Presi dent. That’s 18 presidents in one lifetime.

To her countless friends, neighbors and acquaintances she was a gentle, genuinely

good and decent human being. She was a person who never had a bad word for, nor malice in her heart toward, anyone. Her empathy toward others was expressed in one of her most often spoken phrases, “There but for the grace of God go I.” However, she could also be funny without really trying to be. Recently, when one of her great-grandchildren asked her for advice on how to live life, Gladys told the child, “Always mind your own business.”

To those of us who called her mom or grandma, she was one of the bravest, strongest, most resilient, kind, giving, selfless people who you could ever hope to meet. If you were in her compa ny, it was impossible to be down or dispirited, because her warm loving smile just made you feel better.

Mom loved life and every one she met. Faith, family, country and community were everything to her.

We all love and miss you more than words could ever express. We know God will grant you eternal rest and his perpetual light will always shine upon you.

For those desiring, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Harrison Cancer League or make a donation to her belov ed Holy Cross Church, Harri son, in care of the funeral home in loving memory of Gladys.

REVERSE MORTGAGES

FHA reverse mortgages, which are tailored for homeowners age 62 and over, are increasing in popularity. They are designed for those who have equity in their homes and want to supplement their income. The only reverse mortgage insured by the U.S. Federal Government is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM. It is available through an FHA-approved lending institution. The equity amount available to withdraw from the home varies by borrower. It depends on factors such as the current interest rate and the age of the youngest borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse. There are no income or credit qualifications for

this type of loan, and the borrower must own and live on the property as the primary residence.

There are all kinds of mortgages, loans, lending programs, etc. avail able to help finance dreams, projects, and future endeavors. We may not be specialists in reverse mortgages, but we can certainly point you in the right direction to find the profession als who are. We are experts, however, in buying or selling real estate, and you can rest assured that we will be with you all the way in your next real estate adventure requiring con siderable experience. “Our success has been built one satisfied customer at a time.”

Visit out website at: www.midrealty.com

P.S. FHA reverse mortgages are permitted for approved condominiums and manufactured homes.

ber

He died Sunday, Nov. 6, at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville.

Downey was just 63.

Downey was born in County Cork, Ireland, but after his family immigrated to Kearny in his first year on this planet, he left the town only for short spurts. He moved a lot, in fact. But it turns out Downey is one of those rare people whom no

one ever has or had a bad word to say of him.

News of his untimely death struck deeply for many people in the community who knew and loved him.

In addition to being involved with the Keegan fight, he was also an annual volunteer at Project Graduation, despite never having children of his own.

“He would do anything asked of him,” Melanie Ryan said. “Anything. He was always there.”

He was also a major contrib

TOP PHOTO: Downey speaks at a podium at the NJSEA meeting chambers in Lyndhurst in 2019. He would often been seen at that podium at the authority’s meetings during the Keegan Landfill ordeal. RIGHT: Each year, Downey would man the grill at the Kearny senior citizens picnic at the Doyle Pavilion — and he loved every second of it. (Facebook images).

utor — cook, especially — to the 15-W Picnic, annually thrown at the Doyle Pavilion on Pas saic Avenue. One of Downey’s comrades with the picnic is Kearny’s Denise Pavolic, who remembered her friend the day after he died.

“What I can say? As long as I’ve known him for many, many years, he loved to cook and said he’d be invited to my functions and always wanted to make the food like a catering business,” Pavolic said. “He always made smile saying this and I would say, ‘no, John you have off, just come and party.’

“I even offered transporta tion for him when he lived in Belleville, but he always found a way to get there. The past two years living on Forest Street, he would come by on his scooter and make a U-turn to talk with me and we would talk for about an hour all the time. He loved soda more than water — it was like a treat to him.

“I can say John was one of a kind and would help anyone and always made me laugh. He is missed by me because just three days ago, I said to myself, ‘where the heck has he been?’ And then I had seen he passed. I am heartbroken.”

PJ Keim often DJ’d the pic nic and recalled his friend.

“He loved his Kearny High

roots and Kearny,” Keim said. He also was the first to step up to help organize the Kearny picnic and other get-togethers. He was very proud of his ser vice in the US Navy. He never missed a reunion and tried to get to as many KHS sporting events that he could.”

Manny Ventoso Jr. also had a special love for Downey.

“Rest In Peace John, you were one of the good guys,” he said. “I’ll miss seeing you every day at the building. We love you and Kearny will miss you tre mendously John. The Dolphins won for you today, buddy.”

The aforementioned Dol phins are the NFL ones from Miami, not the kind found in the sea, who beat the Chicago Bears, 35-32, the day he died. Downey was a rabid fan for the franchise and rarely missed a game. He also rooted for the New York Mets and was disappointed the way the 2022 season ended with a three-

game series loss to the San Diego Padres. Despite all that, he always remained positive.

“They had a great season,” Downey said to me of Mets in early October, when I was de jected. “We have to be grateful for the games they won, all of them. And they won 100+. Remember the good times, not the bad times.”

And that’s what Downey was always about. No matter how rough things got, no matter how bad his health might have been, no matter how life treat ed him, he always remained positive through it all.

Downey’s funeral was private. He leaves behind one sister, Maureen Hickey and her husband, Robert Bourg. He was the uncle of Jennifer Barrien tos, Kelly-Anne Millner, Robert Hickey and Mark Hickey. He was the cousin of MaryEllen Downey. Downey also leaves behind several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Belleville recognized for its bike safety efforts

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

elleville has been rec ognized by the New Jersey Department of Transportation to encourage safer and more accessible walking and bicycling environments for school children.

The township has been awarded bronze-level certi fication from the New Jer sey Safe Routes to School

Program, funded by the Federal Highway Adminis tration.

In order to receive the certification, municipalities must meet several criteria, ranging from participat ing in two Safe Routes to School Program events to creating an observation report on busy crossing guard locations to passing a municipal resolution of support.

Belleville has demonstrat

BELLEVILLE HAPPENINGS

ed that it remains commit ted to the ongoing mission of the New Jersey Safe Routes to School Program: Encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle by walking and biking to school, build ing a safer environment for walking and bicycling, teaching safe walking/bik

ing practices and improving behavior of all road users.

“Our children are our most precious resource,” Mayor Michael Melham said. “Nobody knows this better than Dr. Richard Tomko, the superintendent of schools. Keeping them safe as they walk and bike to school is our priority.

Participation in the Safe Routes to School Program is a natural extension.”

“If we are going to pro

mote healthy activities, such as walking or biking to school, then we all share a responsibility to make sure the paths throughout town are as safe as possible,” Mark Minichini, Belleville’s chief of police, said.

Minichini said a repre sentative of the Belleville PD will be on hand to ac cept the award at a state wide award event Dec. 7.

Observer Classifieds

Building Inspector/Building Subcode Official

BUS DRIVER

Full Time Omnibus drivers needed to transport residents on local routes.

Must possess a valid NJ driver’s license CDL class B, passenger endorsement. NJ CSC Job description https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/05594.htm

Salary Starting at $30,478

For application and instructions see https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/ The following residential preferences shall apply:

1. Residents of the Town of Kearny and the City of Newark; 2. Residents of Hudson and Essex Counties; 3. Residents of the State of New Jersey. Proof of residency is required: applicants shall provide copies of the first page (only) of the last three (3) 1040 tax returns with the financial data redacted and a Government issued photo identification card (i.e. current NJ Driver’s License.)

Application deadline is 11/30/22 26W04

Need Drivers/ Loader, pick-up passengers in van and load in helicopter.

Full/Part time position Retires welcome call (862)849-2652

Location Kearny NJ Heliport 26W03

Dynasty Insurance Agency looking for an individual to provide sales and service for commercial and personal insurance lines. Portuguese and/or Spanish is a plus. A licensed individual is preferred, but we are willing to train and assist in obtaining a license for the right candidate. Salary commensurate with experience.

Submit resume to imoreira83@yahoo.com 27W03

Business 973-268-2559 21W09

Seeking Auto Detailer to prep cars for sale as well as clean/power wash light & heavy machinery M-F 8-5 OT avail $15/hr 201-725-7060 27W03

Full time/Part Time provisional position. Under direction of the Construction Official, is responsible for administering the Building Subcode within the jurisdiction in accordance with the State Uniform Construction Code (UCC). Responsibilities will include building plan review and inspection of all con struction projects to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, and the provisions of the UCC. Ad ditional duties would include general code enforcement, property maintenance, zoning, and resale inspections as needed. Valid NJ driver’s license and HHS license required. NJ CSC title code and job description https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/05048.htm 35 hours per week. Salary Commensurate with experience with full benefit package for Full Time Status. Position is provisional and subject to the Civil Service exam process. Application Deadline is November 30, 2022. The Town reserves the right to hire a qualified candidate before the end of the advertisement period see application here: https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/ 25W04

TECHNICIAN MIS

The Town of Kearny seeks a fulltime Technician MIS. The position will be responsible to ensure the stable operation of the municipal computer networks. Duties include maintaining, configuring, installing, supporting, planning, developing, and optimizing all network hardware, software, and communication links. The Technician MIS will also analyze and resolve end user hardware and software computer problems in a timely and accurate fashion and provide end user training where required.

Salary range ($45-843-$69,146). For NJ CSC job description: https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/53099.htm

For applications and instructions: https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/.

Application deadline 11/30/2022 27W04

ROOFERS WANTED

Looking for an experienced person who can install most roof systems including torch down, EPDM and TPO roofing. A responsible person who has the knowledge to learn and move up into possible foreman and assist with project/business management. We have steady work all year round. Driver’s license is a plus! Full time position Call 973-344-2549 to schedule an interview! 27W03

Seeking motivated person with computer skills to list various auto parts for sale online. Take photos of our inventory and list on internet resale sites. choose your own hours & work remotely. pay will be commission based on sales. Perfect for student or P/T job seeker. Chris 201-991-6622 or in person at 54 Stover Ave Kearny NJ 27W03

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to build a 39-ft wood telecommunications facility in the vicinity of Crucible Drive (approximately 70 feet east of the intersection with S 5th Street), Harrison, Hudson County, NJ 07029. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Project 6122010579MB c/o EBI Consulting, 6876 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17403, mbandstra@ebiconsulting.com, or at (717) 472-3070 28W01

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

BELLEVILLE 1st Floor. Studio $1250 + 1.5 months security. Utilities included. No Pets/Smok ing Available December 1st (973)759-1086 26W03

BELLEVILLE 2nd floor. 2 BR. EIK. LR. $1300 + 1 months security. Utilities not included. Close to TRANS. Available Janu ary 1st (973)563-7479 or (973)650-9855 28W03

BELLEVILLE 1 Bedroom, LR, EIK. $1600, All utilities included. Electric, Gas, Heat & HW. Verizon cable and WIFI included. Near transportation. 1 months security. Available Now (973)759-5929 28W03

KEARNY 6 room apart ment, second floor, car peting, AC’s, ceiling fans; No W/D; No pets, no smoking, $ 1700.00 + 1.5 months security; Utili ties Separate. (201) 9989676. 27W03

Barbara Gerbasio Real Estate KEARNY 726 Elm Street

1 BR Garden apartment HW floors. H/HW supplied. Close to $1300Transportation. + 1 months security + real estate fee. Available

GARFIELD 2 bedroom apartment, Large LR, Large Kitchen, Large DR. All ceramic tile and HW floors Walk up attic, backyard, Laundry Hookup. $1,950/mth Avail able Now. (973)277-0942 28W03

LYNDHURST 1st floor. Large Studio Apt. Full bath. EIK. No Pets/Smok ing, $1250 + 1 months security. Available af ter November 15th. All utilities included. Gen tlemen preferred Good credit Call between 9am - 5pm (201)655-4663 or (201)655-4664 28W03

N.ARLINGTON

KEARNY All modern 3rd floor. 2 BR’s, 1 Bath. EIK. C/A. 1 car garage. Washer/dryer included. $2200 + 1.5 months security. Utilities sepa rate. No smoking/Pets. Available December 1st (201)407-2864 or jfial los63@gmail.com 27W03

N. ARLINGTON Studio, 1 BR, EIK, Bath. 1.5 Months security. Utilities includ ed. No Pets/No Smoking. 1 person preferred. Avail able Now (201)428-8815 26W03

N.ARLINGTON

NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR

The Town of Kearny seeks a qualified Network Administrator. The position will be responsible to ensure the stable operation of the municipal computer networks. Duties include maintaining, configuring, installing, supporting, planning, developing, and optimizing all network hardware, software, and communication links/platforms. The Network Administrator will also analyze and resolve end user hardware and software computer problems in a timely and accurate fashion and provide end user training where required.

Salary negotiable depending upon qualifications. For NJ CSC job description: https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/10107.htm.

For applications and instructions: https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/.

Application deadline 11/30/2022 27W04

Part Time Teacher’s Aid & Baby sitting inHarrsion, 3 months - 6 years old Honest, Responsible. Ref erences available. $19 per hour. 10 years experience call (347)617-4964 27W03

Certified aide seeks Position to take care of the elderly. 5-7 days, Nights also. Live in/out. Excellent references. 201-407-1903 or 973-763-1438 28W03

KEARNY Newly renovat ed. 2nd fl. 3 BR’s, LR, DR. W/D Hook-up. $2,000/ month. 1 month security. Avl. February. Call 973896-8984 27W03

KEARNY Newly reno vated. 2nd fl. 3 BR, LR, DR, Family room, Outdoor porch. Hardwood floors through out C/A, 1 Bath, EIK, Laundry hook-up, no pets. no smoking, $2,400 + 1.5 month security. Utili ties separate. Avl. Now Call (973) 474-8614 28W03

Newly renovated Garden Apartment for rent. Nice area. 1 BR.3 rooms. $1750 + 1 months security. H/HW included. No Pets/Smoking.Single or Couple preferred. 1 Parking space. Laundry on premise. Call between 10am - 7pm (201)997-2341 27W03

N.ARLINGTON

- $2,300 per

(862)571-4823 26W03

1 BR. $1400 + 1.5 months security. H/HW included. 12 month lease. 1 Parking space. No Pets Available December 1st (201)968-5052 28W03

HARRISON

BELLEVILLE

KEARNY

HARRISON 3 bedrooms apt, walk in closet, laun dry room, central A/C and heating, renovated apt all new finishes

month, deposit month and half - available NOW

KEARNY Available now room for rent for respon sible person. Laundry room. No Smoking. Pri vate entrance. (973)7044186 27W03

HARRISON 1 room for rent. $500 + 1 month security, everything in cluded cable & internet. Available now (973) 5253860 27W03

FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT

included. Manager on premises. Close to Bus stop. Street parking. posi tivley no smoking/pets. Gentlemen preferred. Good credit rating and 4 weeks security required. Hurry this wont last! $210 weekly. Call (973)8307498 27W03

from his office because he was running against him until the false statements began,” Pinho wrote in a long, terse social-media post.

“I have a lot of respect for Kevin Canessa, but yesterday’s interview, ignoring facts, saying things like ‘I showed Anselmo the document and he denied it.’ The document that Fife in an interview with Canessa before Anselmo’s interview stated was not from the county because they would not release personnel file.

“The document that he received anonymously in a white envelope he carefully opened himself. Nauseating that our local paper who I supported through the years is stooping so low. Making statements supported by anonymous letter.”

The aforementioned document, however, was obtained through an Open Public Records Act request. Also, confirmable by watching the video, Canessa never said he showed Millan the document. Instead, he said he had the document, in-hand, when Millan denied its existence, but he never pursued the matter.

NORTH ARLINGTON

And finally, in North Arlington, Mayor Daniel H. Pronti barely broke a sweat as he won his second full, 4-year term as did his two running mates, Kirk Del Russo and Lynette Cavadas, who won 3-year terms. Pronti spoke with Canessa live on

Election Night and remained positive as he did from end to end of the campaign.

“Everybody stayed the course throughout the whole town and the people spoke and and it’s pretty evident that we have more and more residents and voters that are actually paying attention and they go out and they’re voting for their heart and they’re not just voting down party lines,” Pronti said. “We don’t govern by party lines. We take care of everyone. We do the right thing by North Arlington residents. We don’t care if you’re a Republican or Democrat or a Whig — you could be any party you want. We we don’t treat anyone differently. And it shows.

“People see, they know we’re out here doing the right thing for everyone. And we’re actually out here involved. And it’s kind of frustrating when we see the people who run against us, who constantly put the same nonsense out year after year with the same rhetoric that this is a one day a month job.

“And and you know what? They’re they’re more concerned about how much money than what we’re doing here for the town and it’s evident we’re not doing this for the money because we don’t make a lot of money at all doing this.”

The mayor’s “salary” in NA is less than $13,000 a year.

Pronti, meanwhile, says he looks forward to his next term where he wants to be able to build senior/ veteran housing as a top priority.

Suarez: Female inmate from Union County found dead in Hudson jail cell

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

Afemale inmate from Union County, who was lodged in the Hudson County Jail in South Kearny as part of a shared-services agreement, was found dead in her cell Tuesday, Nov. 8, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez says.

At approximately 7:10 a.m., a Hudson County Correctional Police Officer found the lifeless body of the 38-year-old woman in her cell and officers and on-site medical personnel immediately rendered aid to the her. She was pronounced

HUDSON COUNTY

dead at approximately 7:34 a.m.

In accordance with guidelines by the New Jersey Office of the At torney General, the NJOAG was im mediately notified and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team is investigating the matter as it is an in-custody death.

Suarez says there were no visible signs of trauma on the victim and the cause and manner of death are pending the findings of the Region al Medical Examiner’s Office.

PRONTI

MILLAN