Barbaro, Joseph A., 87, of West Milford, passed away September 8, 2020. Prior to retiring Joseph was a store manager for Home Liquors in Hackensack, and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church, West Milford. Beloved father of Joseph Barbaro Jr., and wife Kerri, Anthony Barbaro, Mark Barbaro and wife Maryann. Brother of Vicky Yannuzzi, grandfather of six and great-grandfather of two. Predeceased by his wife Phyllis in 2018. A funeral mass will be offered on Saturday September 12, 11 A.M. at St. Joseph's Church, West Milford. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  

Breslin, James E., 81, retired West Milford Chief of Police, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2020. Greatly loved by his family, friends and colleagues, “The Chief” will be missed beyond words. He joined the police department in 1961, rose through the ranks, was appointed chief in 1973 and held that position until he retired in 2000. During his tenure, he expanded the department, introduced new programs, and occasionally served as acting township manager. Among his many affiliations were the NJ State Assn. of Chiefs of Police, the Passaic County Police Chiefs Assn., West Milford PBA Local 162, NJ Fraternal Order of Police and the NJ State PBA. He graduated from Butler H.S. and held bachelor’s and master’s degrees from William Paterson University. He was also a graduate of the FBI Police Academy. Prior to joining the police department, he proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In his free time, Jim loved playing golf and tennis, traveling to new places, and spending time at his vacation home in Cape Cod. He also fulfilled his dream of obtaining a private pilot’s license and flying his own plane. He retired from the police department in 2000, but kept the people of West Milford in his heart. Jim is survived by his loving wife Jo Ann Dow-Breslin, brother Peter Breslin and his wife Janet, sister-in-law Laila Breslin, and brother-in-law Stafford Orong. He was a beloved uncle to Michael-James Breslin, Daniel Breslin and many other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents James and Gertrude Breslin, sisters Barbara Orong and Anita Breslin, and brother Michael Breslin. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 17, 2020, 4-8 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford. Funeral mass will be Friday, September 18, 2020, 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Church, 454 Germantown Road in West Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to West Milford PBA Local 162 or Disabled American Veterans would be appreciated. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, facial masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

DeGroat, Carelton A., 73, an Army Veteran, passed away on September 19, 2020 at The Health Center at Bloomingdale. Born in Paterson, Carelton was the son of the late Vivan and Mildred (Milligan) DeGroat. Carelton lived most of his life in Haskell, NJ where he was known for riding his bicycle around town. He was a lover of nature and playing his guitar. Carelton worked for Jack’s Hardware in Haskell and later went on to be a stable hand at Spring Brook Farms in Bloomingdale. He is predeceased by his brother, Terry DeGroat and two beloved grandchildren. Survivors include his two daughters, Niesha DeGroat Williams of North Carolina and Jessica Mae DeGroat, his sister Vanessa DeGroat, husband Michael Dwan, and son Garrett Dwan of Milford, PA, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26th from 1PM-4PM at Richards Funeral Home, 4 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ 07457. Disposition will be private.

Lenik, Vera of Wayne, NJ passed away on September 7, 2020. She was 86 years old. Born in Passaic, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Orlando) DiNicola. She is survived by her loving husband Edward Lenik and their four sons, Edward Jr. (Geraldine Miller), Douglas (Carolyn), Frank (Jennifer), and Daniel (Cristy).She was blessed with four grandchildren, Daniel (Amanda), Debra, James (Whytne) and Brian (Katlyn) and four great-grandchildren Kaylee, Jordyn, Myles and Thomas. Vera was close with her siblings and leaves behind two brothers, Albert DiNicola and Joseph DiNicola, and two sisters Mary Mistrette, and JoAnn Housos. She worked as a registered nurse for Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains and Laurie Imaging in New Brunswick. In her youth, Vera was an avid tennis player and was well known for her love of crafts including knitting, needlepoint, sewing and doll repair. Her generosity and love for family and friends had no limits. She will be missed by all. Private arrangements entrusted to Richards Funeral Home, Riverdale, NJ.

Van Dyke, Harriet, 90, died September 14, 2020. Born in Paterson, NJ. Resided in Pompton Lakes for 63 years coming from West Milford. Survived by three sons, Preston Jr., of Perkasie, Raymond of Fair Lawn, and Stanley of Pompton Lakes, two daughters, Lillian Gill of Gloucester, Va. and Trudi Simms of Staunton, Va., one sister, Ruth Herrick of Arizona, three grandchildren David, Elizabeth and Sawyer. Predeceased by her husband Preston. Private arrangements entrusted to Richards Funeral Home, Riverdale.