Crotta, Helen O., 96, passed away June 8, 2022. Born in the Amity section of Warwick N.Y. she resided in West Milford, NJ. Helen was a cafeteria worker for the West Milford school system before retiring. Beloved mother of Debra Woch and husband John of Stockholm, Linda Monastro and husband Robert of Pompton Lakes. Grandmother of Alyson and husband Kenneth, Christian and fiance Autum, and Marcus. Great grandmother of Eric and Gabrielle. Predeceased by her husband Harold. Private arrangements entrusted to Richards Funeral Home, Riverdale.
Hawk, Eric William, 41, passed away June 9, 2022. Born in Warwick, NY to Donald and Linda (Berry) Hawk he was a lifelong resident of West Milford. Eric was a shielding technician for Global National Shielding, Fairfield. In addition to his parents, he is also survived by a sister Carrie Robinson and niece, Kaya Robinson and nephews, David and Bradley Robinson. Visiting hours Friday June 17, 2-4 pm at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road West Milford.
Jerram, Denis J., 85, of West Milford, NJ, peacefully passed away on Tuesday June 28, 2022 at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff, NJ surrounded by family. Born in the town of Bandon, County Cork, Ireland, he was the second of four sons of William and Mary Evelyn Jerram (Hennessy). Denis and his family moved to the United States as a toddler with his parents and oldest brother Robert. They originally lived in New York City, and then eventually settled in Freeport, Long Island, NY. He grew up in Freeport with his parents, older brother, and his younger brothers, William and the youngest Brian. Denis graduated from Freeport High School in 1955. After high school, Denis worked as an auto mechanic at a local automotive shop. The same year, he also enlisted in the National Guard Reserves. Denis was introduced to his beautiful future bride, Emily Jerram (Holzwarth), in 1959 on a blind date at Jones Beach. They were married eleven months later in 1960. Denis was then drafted in November of 1961 into the Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis, by then-President John F. Kennedy. He, his wife and oldest daughter Karen S. Jerram, were required to relocate to Fort Bragg, NC. Denis served proudly and was honorably discharged in January of 1963. Denis and his family were growing and eventually settled in Wayne, NJ in 1972. Denis and Emily had five children, and eventually nine grandchildren. He was entrepreneur, owning two different businesses, and then held various jobs throughout his career. He became an executive chauffeur for American Express in 1990 and retired in 2002. Denis and Emily originally retired in Kennesaw, GA, and then eventually retired in West Milford back in 2010. Denis was always eager to help others and enjoyed making people laugh. Denis brought up his family with old-fashioned values and taught his children to be polite and considerate to others. He was stern about his values, but a loving and compassionate father and husband. Denis was outgoing and would always strike up a conversation or tell a joke to anyone he met. He was always the life of the party. Denis was very hard-working and made it a priority to provide for his family. He always put his family first. Denis loved his family, country, driving, classic cars, and ice cream. Denis is predeceased by his parents, William and Mary Evelyn, brother Robert and his wife Rosemarie, brother Brian, granddaughter Gina Luisi and daughter-in-law Monique Jerram. Denis is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Emily, his five children, Karen, Kevin and his wife Betty, Judy, Dan, Jackie, and by his grandchildren Nicole Alicia, Anthony, Chelsea and her husband Joey, Melissa, Shelby, Brandon, Nicole Catherine and Peyton. He is also survived by his brother William and his wife Carol, sister-in-law Annette, many nieces, nephews and cousins in both the U.S. and Ireland. A viewing for Denis will be held on Wednesday July 6, 2022, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Richard’s Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480. A graveside memorial service for Denis will be held on Thursday, July 7th, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at North Hardyston Cemetery, 3312 New Jersey 94, Hamburg, NJ 07419. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Denis’ memory to the Christian Health Foundation via https://www.christianhealthnj.org/foundation/donate-online/. Checks can be mailed to: Christian Health Foundation, 301 Sicomac Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481. To make a donation by phone, call (201) 848-4312.
Kitchen, Aida Luz, age 64, passed peacefully at home on June 14, 2022. She was born in Paterson, NJ and resided in West Milford, NJ for 30 years with her husband of 40 loving years of marriage. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Ramapo College and her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from William Paterson University. She held an extensive career within the Paterson school system in which she taught grades K-high school before becoming a Master Teacher. She enjoyed reading during her free time and taking vacations to the beach as well as traveling the country with her children during the summer months. She is survived by her husband, Curtis H. Kitchen Sr., her daughter and son-in-law Shane and Sarafina Clawson as well as her son and daughter-in-law Brandi and Curtis H. Kitchen Jr. Besides her immediate family, Aida is survived by her father, Manuel Feliciano, her sister and brother-in-law Carmen and Glen Lagatol, her brothers, Rubin, Oscar, and William Feliciano, her brother and sister-in-law Manuel and Jojeane, her sister-in-law Marveinia, as well as her grandchildren, Sophia, Theodore, Audrey, Jaidyn, Jovanni, Jordan, and Mikey. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Ethan and Rasmiyyah Wilcox, Phillip, Rubin, Tanya, Yvette, Melaine and Desiree. She leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories for her family, friends, and students whom she loved so much. She will be deeply missed.
Marchiafava, Jeannette “Jean”, 82, of West Milford, New Jersey passed away peacefully on June 10, 2022 in Ft. Myers, Florida after a long illness. Jean was born in Swindon, England. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Sr. and Edna (nee Hartley) Finkle. She and her family crossed the Atlantic on the S.S. America in April 1947 to start their life in New Jersey. Jean attended Central High School in Paterson, New Jersey. She moved to West Milford in 1964 and lived there until she and her husband retired to spend summers in Lavalette, NJ becoming “snowbirds” and spending winters in Ft. Myers Beach, FL and spending the holidays and a few months a year back home in West Milford. Jean was predeceased by her husband Victor L. Marchiafava in 2007, her brother, Henry “Harry” Finkle in 2013 and her son, Richard H. Christmann in 2021. She is survived by her children, Albert “Buddy” Christmann and his wife Heidi, her daughter, Wendy Christmann Bamper and her husband Dan and her son, Michael P. Marchiafava. Her seven grandchildren, Justin, Blair, Davin and Shane Byrne, Carissa Byrine Hebert, Brooke Christmann Buscio and Richard Christmann and eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters, Edna Loretta Nichols, Barbara Irene Veltri and Carole Patricia Pinto and many nieces and nephews. There will be a viewing on Saturday June 18, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM with a service at 12:30 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480 with burial immediately following at St. Josephs Cemetery on Germantown Road, West Milford, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Judes Childrens Hospital in memory of Jean.
Miller, Candice Marie, 39, passed away June 5, 2022. She was a 2001 graduate of West Milford High school, and a lifelong resident. Survived by her parents, Cynthia and Michael McNaught, and her three sons Tyler, Jacob and Adam Miller. Also, her brother Michael McNaught Jr. and Grandfather William McNaught. At the request of the family her services will be private.
O'Toole, Kevin J., 62, passed away June 27, 2022. Born in San Bernadino, CA he lived in Bloomfield, NJ prior to moving to Hewitt thirty years ago. Kevin worked for Kearny Federal Savings Bank in Fairfield and was a member of the Warwick Bowling League. Beloved father of Kyle O'Toole of Hewitt. Visiting hours Friday July 1, 5-7 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford.
Schechter, Alexander George, 18, of Hewitt, NJ on June 27, 2022. Born Alexis Antoinette Schechter to the parents, Elizabeth A. Becker of Owego, NY and Leo L. Schechter of Hewitt, NJ. He was born at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains, NJ. From a very early age, Alex displayed a deep, profound love and understanding of music, learning to play multiple instruments. As he traveled along his journey of life he discovered he was transgender. His decision to become a man started with his name change hence Alex. He chose to dive into who he was with no fear or regret. His strength in adversity was inspiring. Alex had a simper and a smirk that always possessed an innate ability to light up every room he entered. Along with his laughter, his kindness, empathy and abundant generosity was enormous and left no one he encountered along his journey untouched. Driven by his overwhelming desire to serve his community, Alex joined Boy Scout Troop 159 in 2019. From day 1, he aspired to achieve Eagle Scout. He has since worked long and hard to train, advance in rank and earn an impressive amount of merit badges in an amazingly short period of time. He has grown in our community and our community has grown from him. His love for fencing grew as he each time he entered a bout. Please join Alexander’s friends and family in celebration of his life on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 1 to 4 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480.
VanDunk, Timothy, age 55, of Franklin, NJ formerly from Ringwood, passed away on June 29, 2022. Born in Pequannock, NJ, he was the son of the late William and Gwendolyn VanDunk. He was the beloved father of Timothy and Whitney VanDunk of West Milford, NJ, Shania and Jaden VanDunk of Hamburg, NJ, Nicholas Mann of Hamburg, NJ, Dylan VanDunk of Franklin, NJ. He was a loving Grandfather to his four grandchildren, Alana VanDunk, Nova and Caleb Andre and Dante VanDunk. Timothy is also survived by his wife, Jennifer VanDunk of Franklin, NJ, his brothers Michael VanDunk of West Milford, NJ, Vito VanDunk of Montague, NJ, sisters, Susan VanDunk-Mann, Heather VanDunk of Ringwood, NJ, Robin VanDunk of West Milford, NJ. He was predeceased by his brother, Kirk VanDunk, his sister, Gwendolyn Carter, his nephew, Keyshaun VanDunk and his niece Jasmine Mann. Timothy will be laid to rest in Mount Holiness Memorial Park in Butler NJ.