Cerbasi, Catherine (Budinich) 85, passed away April 2, 2022. Born in Jersey City, NJ to John and Marie Budinich. She lived in Clifton prior to moving to West Milford seventeen years ago. Catherine was a graduate of Dickerson High School, Jersey City. She graduated from St. Mary’s Nursing School, Brooklyn, NY and earned a B.S.N from Seton Hall University. She was a retired registered nurse and worked for The Hospital Center of Orange. Catherine was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, a member of the West Milford Seniors, and enjoyed playing cards with her friends at Bald Eagle Commons. Beloved mother of Paul Cerbasi and his wife Victoria of West Milford, Linda Birkner and her husband Steven of Wanaque. Grandmother of Steven and Amanda Birkner, Brittany Emont and Nicholas Wilson. Predeceased by her son Steven Cerbasi, and two brothers Anthony and William Budinich. Visiting hours Wednesday, April 6 from 3-7 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford. Funeral Mass Thursday 10 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Hewitt. Interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Muscular Dystrophy Association, http://www.mda.org
Scheil, Gerry beloved Patriarch, Firefighter, and friend passed away on April 1, 2022, in his hometown of West Milford, New Jersey. He was 69 years old. A powerhouse of a man, Gerry was born Gerard Michael Scheil to Anna and Joseph Scheil in Jersey City, New Jersey. Following his graduation from Xavier Military Academy in New York City, Gerry began his career as a cost estimator for several private companies, helping them secure multiple contracts for NASA and other federal entities. Gerry established many long-term friendships during his time with the company and talked about his friends constantly. Gerry and Janet met, and they married in 1983. They resided in West Milford, New Jersey where they raised their family. Gerry and Janet decided to join the West Milford Fire Department in 2013, starting out first as Fire Police but eventually attended the Passaic County Fire Academy, becoming the most senior husband and wife to ever go through the training at that location. Along with Gerry & Janet, their daughter Kat and son-in-law Keith are an integral part of Greenwood Forest Volunteer Fire Company #3. Known to all as ‘Fam 3’, this family became fierce friends with the other members of Company 3 and provided irreplaceable services to the Town of West Milford and surrounding communities. Gerry, Janet, Katy & Keith were all also members of the Clan Na Vale Pipe Band, where Gerry served as the bass drummer at first, but eventually moved on to Drum Major. Gerry is survived by his wife Janet, brothers Thomas and Ronald, children Christopher Scheil and Kathryn Weber, daughter-in-law Chanin Scheil, son-in-law Keith Weber, and grandchildren Kalani, Melia and Sawyer. While Gerry will be immensely missed, the outpouring of love and adulation we have received from all who knew him, gives us great comfort, and allows us to love the man he was and the friend he was that will truly live on and will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Greenwood Forest Volunteer Fire Department Company #3 to support the brave men and women who volunteer their time to protect their community. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 7 from 4 – 7 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford. A funeral mass will be on Friday, April 8 at 11 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 1911 Union Valley Road, Hewitt. Private disposition will follow.
Simpson, Linda, L., 77, a homemaker from West Milford on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Born in Riverdale, NJ Linda was the daughter of the late William O. and Oradell (Liefer) Wetzel and the beloved wife of the late Ernest J. Simpson. Surviving are a son, Christopher (wife, Christine) of West Milford and a sister, Marilyn Headley of PA. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Melanie and Amanda Simpson. Memorial visitation on Sunday, April 10, 2022 from 2 to 4 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 4 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ. Private disposition.