Brandt, Edward R., 90, passed away September 3, 2022. Born in Union City, NJ, he was an Army veteran, and resided in Hewitt for the past fifty eight years. Edward drove a delivery truck for Cott Soda Distributors, North Bergen and later worked in Lakeland High School as a custodian before retiring. Beloved father of Allen, James, Carl, Timothy Brandt and Frances Carter. Grandfather of ten, great grandfather of three. Predeceased by his son Raymond and wife Marilyn. Visiting hours Friday September 9, 2-5 pm at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford.
DeWilde, Barbara A., 70, of Wayne passed away September 8, 2022. Born in Paterson to the late Joseph and Dorothy DeWilde (Biggs), she was a former resident of Paterson and Pompton Lakes. Beloved mother of Christopher DeWilde and wife Leslie of West Milford. Grandmother of Shannon and Samantha DeWilde. Sister of Dorothy Nazzaro (DeWilde) and Joseph DeWilde. Barbara also leaves behind her aunts, cousins and nieces. Barbara enjoyed reading, art work and spending time with her granddaughters who were the light of her life. A memorial visitation will be held Thursday September 15, 4-7 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Preakness Hospital Auxiliary, 305 Oldham Road, Wayne, NJ 07470.
Fontana, Salvatore T., 71, of West Milford, NJ on Sunday, September 11, 2022. Born in the Bronx, NY to the late Anthony and Gloria (Nisco) Fontana, he was member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 6139 and a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Sal is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Patricia (Reynolds) Fontana and their 4 children, Kimberly M. Oeters and her husband, Christopher and their 3 children, Jacob, Thomas and Emily: Steven M., his wife Leia and their children Vincent and Sophia: Daniel C., his wife Ashley and their daughter Layla and Marisa L. Sal is also survived by his sister Valerie and brothers Nicholas and Anthony and 14 nieces and nephews. Visitation on Friday, September 16 at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480 from 4 – 7 PM. A memorial mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Hewitt, NJ will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016 or at www.kidney.org.
Helmstaedter, Michael, 83, of Hewitt, passed away September 18, 2022. Michael was a baker for Drakes Cakes, Wayne before retiring. He proudly served in the U.S. Army. Beloved father of Heidi Helmstaedter. Predeceased by his wife Harriet Helmstaedter. A memorial visitation will be held Tuesday September 27, 1-2 pm at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford. Prayers at 1:45 pm. Final disposition is private.
Hourihan, Marie, age 87, passed away on September 16, 2022, with loving family by her side. Marie was the eldest daughter of William and Marie Salomone. She was born in NYC and raised in Rego Park, Queens, NY. It was there that she met and married Robert J. Hourihan. Marie and Robert went to grammar school together at Resurrection Ascension School, and years later married at the very same church they grew up going to. They had six children together, who they raised in Rego Park and who also went to the same school/church as their parents before them. The family spent their summers with their grandmother (Mary “Sis” Hourihan) at her cabin on beautiful Pinecliff Lake in West Milford, NJ, and created lifelong memories there with treasured family and friends. Later in life, Marie and her son, Bobby moved to Palm Bay, Florida, where they enjoyed the wonderful warm weather and the tranquility of their new home. Marie was an incredibly kind and caring individual who will be remembered for the loving comfort she gave to all, and for her calm, sweet disposition. She was truly a beautiful soul, inside and out. Marie is survived by her family who cared for her immensely – her children: Jeanne & her husband Ron, Nancy, Kevin & his wife Vanessa, Don and Ginger, and her sister Virginia Goss. Marie (“Nana”) also leaves behind her adoring grandchildren: Mike, Jaci, Jim, Matt, Nick, Joe & Ryan. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her brother, Bill Salomone, and by her beloved son, Bobby. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 25 from 3-7 PM at Richards Funeral Home. 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480. The funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 26 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 1911 Union Valley Road, Hewitt, NJ 07421. Burial will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ . If anyone would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, consider a donation in her name to: West Milford Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 72, Lycosky Drive, West Milford, NJ 07480 or at https://westmilfordanimalshelter.org/donate or Pinecliff Lake Community Club, PO Box 246, West Milford, NJ 07480.
Knapp, Michael B. of Ringwood NJ passed on September 21,2022 at 67 years old, from a long time battle with his health. He was the owner of Knapp’s Service Center (West Milford Tire) for nearly 30 years serving the community with a kind heart and a helping hand, where he was also a resident for most of his life. He was a classic car and motorcycle enthusiast that loved anything with a motor. When he wasn’t fixing something he was reading or watching videos on how to fix something. He was a proud grandfather of 3, Abigail, Wesley and Ivy. Michael leaves behind his wife Emily of 39 years and six children, daughter Aimie Martellacci and husband Joe Martellacci, son, Michael Knapp Jr, daughter, Monica Knapp-Cahill and husband, Jay Cahill, son, Matthew Knapp and wife, Aerial Knapp, son, Robert Knapp, fiancé, Michaela Winnans and son, Albert Knapp, brother Arthur Knapp and wife, Celeste Knapp and sisters, Veronica Knapp and Louise Watson. Sister in law, Melissa Niverth and husband, Tim Niverth. He is predeceased by his parents, Wilbur and Josephine Knapp, sister, Marie Daffin and brother, Charles Knapp. At the family's request all arrangements are private.
O'Brien, Joseph C., 87, of West Milford, NJ, formerly of Paramus, NJ, passed away on September 24, 2022. He was born and raised in The Bronx, NY. He graduated top of his class from Columbus High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Baruch College. He had a successful career with Union Carbide in New York City for over 40 years. In 1959 he was married to Hanna May Duggan until her passing in 2014. Joe was also predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Mary (Ginty) O’Brien and his siblings, James (Gertrude) O’Brien, Helen O’Brien, Margaret (Richard) Booth, Neil O’Brien and Elizabeth O’Brien. Joe was a kind and generous man of integrity and will be missed many. He loved sports and was an avid fan of the Yankees, Mets & Giants. He enjoyed golf, family dinners, reading and travel. He is survived by his loving daughters, Maureen (Joe) Hooker of Quarryville, PA, Kathleen Lembo of West Milford, NJ, Eileen (Steve) Conklin of Chester, NY and Peggy O’Brien of West Milford, NJ. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jackie Brown, Danny Conklin, Kaitlin Mazzei, Michael Conklin, Joey Lembo, and Joey Mazzei. He is also survived by his great-grandson, Wesley Joseph Brown as well as countless nieces and nephews. Visitation is Sunday, October 2nd from 4-8 PM at Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480. Rite of Christian Burial Mass at St. Joseph Church, 454 Germantown Road, West Milford, NJ 07480 at 11 AM, Monday, October 3rd. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice and Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
Rhinesmith, Todd Richard, 69, passed peacefully in his home in Wanaque, NJ. He was born in Paterson, NJ, son of Russell and Jeannette Rhinesmith. Todd attended Lakeland High School and went on to work as a charter boat captain in Kingston and Oswego NY. He loved hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. Todd is survived by his daughter Jean (and son in law Frank) Schweiger; 3 grandchildren, Sienna, Frank and Jude and brother Jeff Rhinesmith. He was preceded in death by his sister Joy Dougherty; brother Brian Rhinesmith and his parents Russell and Jeannette. Family, friends and others who’s lives were touched by Todd are invited to Richards Funeral Home, 4 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ 07457 Thursday, October 6th 4-7 pm. Funeral Services Friday, October 7th 10 am. Burial will follow at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa, NJ.