Mr. Michael J. Gibson, 55, died on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 in California.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Tuesday, February 19 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m.

Born in the Bronx, Mr. Gibson moved to Verona in 1971.

He was a manager for DGR-The Source for Legal Support in Morris Plains for the past 21 years. He was also the owner and president of Michael Gibson & Associates LLC in Verona, holding a private investigators license and serving as a constable in Essex County.

He is survived by his brothers, Richard P. Gibson, William (Bill) Gibson (and his wife, Kim), his nieces Alana and Courtney and his extended family of Brian and Laura O’Toole (and their son, Jack), Frank, Danny, Margaret and Mom O’Toole and Jerry, Debbie, Diana and Dara Colasurdo.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association would be appreciated.

Former Verona resident and Verona High School graduate Carole A. Moore passed away suddenly unexpectedly last Friday in Chambersburg, Pa. There will be a wake for her at Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove, on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be at at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 21.

Arrangements are entrusted to Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center. You can read the full obituary and leave a note of condolences online here.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Liz) Hoey died on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the home of her daughter in Verona.

A funeral mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Monday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.

Born in Newtown Forbes, County Longford, Ireland, Liz came to the USA in 1947 and lived in Woodside, Queens prior to moving to Verona in 1995.

Active in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Liz served as a eucharistic minister for the homebound and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.

Liz was the wife of the late John Joe Hoey, the mother of Sean Hoey (Ann Marie Verbil), Maura Byrne ( Kevin Byrne), the sister of Mary Kate Regan and Tessie Kiernan. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ryan Hoey, Christie Fuentes, Tara Hoey, Michael Byrne and her great granddaughter, Emma Hoey.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Rescue Squad would be appreciated.

Mrs. Mildred (nee Quick) Muller died on February 20, 2013 at the Oaks Health Care Center in West Caldwell.

Services will be held in the First Presbyterian Church of Verona, 10 Fairview Avenue, Verona on Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m.

Born in Ashland, Penn. on February 27, 1913, Mrs. Muller lived in Verona for 50 years prior to moving to West Caldwell eight years ago.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg Teachers College, a master’s degree from New York University and worked as an administrative manager for Merck Pharmaceuticals in Rahway.

Mrs. Muller was a member for 31 years of the Bell Choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Verona.

She is the wife of the late H. Pearson Muller and is survived by her great nephew, James A. Neiman and her great niece Kathleen Domenick and many additional family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Verona, 10 Fairview Avenue, Verona NJ 07044 would be appreciated.

Mr. Pasquale “Pat” Mariniello, 74, died on Sunday, February 24, 2013 in Glen Ridge.

A funeral mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Thursday, February 28 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m.

Born in Newark, Mr. Mariniello was raised in New York City, returning to Newark and eventually moving to Verona in 1967.

Mr. Mariniello served in the U.S. Army, National Guard and attended Rutgers University in Newark.

He took a position in 1960 with Industrial Timer Corp. as sales manager and later became vice president of marketing.

In 1975 he was hired as vice president of sales for Aromat Corp., a subsidiary of Panasonic Corp., which took him on business trips to Japan frequently. He remained with the company until 1984 when he started Mariniello Technical Sales in Verona. He sold the business in 1994 and worked as a production manager for the West Essex Rehabilitation Center in Montclair, retiring in 2010.

He was a member of the Verona Fifth Downers and UNICO. He loved Verona Park and looked forward to daily walks with his family and friends.

He was the beloved husband for 49 years to Janice (nee DelBuono) Mariniello, the loving father of Nicholas Mariniello, Marisa Albano (and her husband, Frank), Michael Mariniello (and his wife Barbara), the dear brother of Domenica Fernicola, the adoring grandfather of Rocco Albano, Christopher Mariniello, Matthew Mariniello, Katelyn Mariniello and the fond nephew of Mary Verde. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Nicola and Anna Verde Mariniello and his brother, Anthony.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Park Conservancy, PO Box 143, Verona, NJ 07044, would be appreciated.

Mrs. Rita F. Sears died on March 9, 2013 in Cedar Grove.

Services will be held in the First Congregational Church of Verona, 19 Church Street, Verona on Tuesday, March 12 at 11 a.m.

Born in New York City, Mrs. Sears moved to Verona in 1965. She was a secretary at the American National Bank in Verona, retiring in 1979. Previously she had worked for Mitchell, Hutchins & Co. in New York City.

Mrs. Sears was a volunteer for the Montclair Community Hospital for 20 years, the Mountainside Hospital in Glen Ridge and also at the White Elephant Shop of the First Congregational Church of Verona.

She is the wife of the late Charles J. Sears and is survived by a nephew and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Congregational Church of Verona would be appreciated.

Mrs. Alice M. Fitzgerald, 92, died on March 14, 2013 at her home in Verona.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Monday, March 18 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Sunday from 1 to 4pm.

Born in Bloomfield, Mrs. Fitzgerald moved to Verona 57 years ago. She was the wife of the late William J. Fitzgerald, Sr., the mother of William J. Fitzgerald, Jr. (and his wife, Jodi), Barbara Kirby (and her husband, Blake), Richard Fitzgerald (and his wife, Kathleen), the sister of Donald Stagg, Robert Stagg, Kenneth Stagg and Ruth Hardy. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Rescue Squad would be appreciated.

Ingeborg Kraemer Sobieraj, 84, of Essex Fells passed away at the West Caldwell Care Center on Monday, March 18, 2013.

Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, March 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Ave., Verona. A service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Ingeborg was born in Pforzheim, Germany and moved to the United States and settled in Verona. She later returned to Germany and Spain to live and then back to the U.S. in 2004. She was well known by her friends and family for her warm, friendly, and generous nature.

Ingeborg was the wife of the late Gerhard Kraemer. She is survived by her daughter, Brigitte Dente and son-in-law Michael of Essex Fells, NJ, grandson Christopher Dente and great-granddaughter Mackenzie of Roseland, sister Ilse Ates of Arizona, loving niece Ingrid Braun and husband Bernd of West Orange. Niece Stephanie D’Alessio and husband Michael of Madison and their daughter Amelia. Nephew Joachim Boll and wife Brigitte and family in Germany, along with her niece Barbro Heller in Florida and dear friends Ralph and Ria Kunzmann and family in Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory would be appreciated to St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care, 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, NJ 07052.

John Joseph Dillane, 85, of Norwalk, Conn. died on Monday, March 25, 2013 at Wilton Meadows.

Born in New York, NY the son of the late William and Catherine (Lacey) Dillane, John was the husband of the late Jane (Pardee) Dillane.

A recipient of a Bronze Star medal for his service in the Korean War, John was a graduate of Fordham University and worked as a construction auditor. A proud Irishman, friend of Bill W. and rabid fan of Notre Dame and the New York Yankees, John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

John is survived by his daughter, MJ Bruno and her husband Angelo of Norwalk; four sons, John Dillane and his wife, Sharon of Chesterfield, Mo.; Brian Dillane and his wife, Adele of Pound Ridge, N.Y., Patrick Dillane of Norwalk; and Timothy Dillane and his wife, Suzanne of Verona; and eight cherished grandchildren; Jessica (Bruno) Vetter, Angelo Bruno, Mary Beth Dillane, Michael Dillane, Jennifer Dillane, Michael Dillane, Matthew Dillane and Emma Dillane. He was predeceased by his sister, Sr. Mary Dillane, RSM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, April 6 at St. Jerome Church, Norwalk, with entombment to follow at St. John Cemetery, Norwalk. Prior calling hours have been omitted. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Rd, Norwalk, CT 06851 or to a charity of one’s choice. For information or online guestbook, please go to Magnerfuneralhome.com.

John A. Schaffer (Jack), 83, of Verona, passed away peacefully at his home on April 2. He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marylou. His three children, Rob (Nancy), Sally (Rich) and John (Beth) and his grandchildren, Caitlin, Doug, Corey and Alec, survive him.

Jack grew up in Montclair, and was a graduate of Phillips Academy and Princeton University. He was a decorated veteran, serving in the Army from 1953 to 1955. After the war, Jack began working for Manufacturers Hanover Trust in New York, where he remained for 30 years before retiring as an executive vice president in 1987.

Jack always enjoyed his long-­standing membership at the Montclair Golf Club, including serving on the board of trustees. In recent years he was a member of the Verona Park Conservancy, where he helped to maintain and beautify the park he loved and lived next to for 53 years.

At Jack’s request, there will be no services. For all of those who knew him, please raise a glass to celebrate his life, as his family will do.

In lieu of flowers, the Schaffer family requests that you make donations to the Verona Park Conservancy in Jack and Marylou’s names for the “VPC Tree Fund”. One hundred percent of the donations go directly to the park and will happily be a living legacy in their names.

Please mail donations to:
Verona Park Conservancy
PO Box 143
Verona, NJ 07044
Attn: Sandra Mahoney, Membership Chair

Mr. Frank P. Kregloski, 101, died on Sunday, April 7, 2013 in Cedar Grove. Services are private.

Born in Irvington, he moved to Verona in 1952. Mr. Kregloski was a carpenter, last working for Kreg’s Kitchens in Verona. He served as an Elder in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Verona.

Mr. Kregloski is survived by his wife of 77 years, Mildred Kregloski, his children Richard Kregloski and Deborah Gray (and her husband, Donald). He is also survived by his grandchildren Kim Kregloski, Tammy Melchione, Paul Gray, Corey Gray (and his wife, Kelly), Scott Kregloski, David Kregloski, Christopher Kregloski and his great grandchildren, Michael & Alyssa Melchione, Emily & Brooke Kregloski, Ryan & Justin Gray.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Rescue Squad, 12 Church Street, Verona NJ 07044 would be appreciated.

Mrs. Stella Ann Boscaino, 78, died on Friday, April 19, 2013 in West Orange.

A funeral mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Monday, April 22 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mrs. Boscaino lived in Orange before moving to Verona in 1966. She was a secretary for the First Fidelity Bank in Newark for 20 years prior to retiring in 1996.

Mrs. Boscaino is the beloved wife for 55 years of Matthew J. Boscaino, the loving mother of Glenn Boscaino and Jennifer Dumawal (and her husband, Andrew), the dear sister of Mary Campanile and devoted grandmother of Madalaina & Andrew Dumawal. She is also survived her nieces, Denise, Roe & Lisa Helmstetter.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834-1365 would be appreciated.

Mrs. Dorothy L. Donald, 90, died on Sunday, April 21, 2013 in Newton. Services will be held in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. Visiting on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Born in Salem, NY, Mrs. Donald moved to Verona in 1927.

Mrs. Donald worked in the Cafeteria at the H.B. Whitehorne School in Verona for 20 years. Previously she had worked at Pabst in Newark. Active in the First Presbyterian Church of Verona, she served as a deacon and was a member of its bowling league.

She is the wife of the late James Carolan and the late Douglas Donald, the mother of Thomas Carolan (and his wife, Leslie Wolf), Mark Carolan (and his wife, Sharon), the sister of Evelyn McCullough and the late Maurice Henderson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer Michalski (and her husband, Ron), Lauren Carolan, Allison Barron (and her husband, John), Mark Carolan, James Carolan and 6 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Verona would be appreciated.

Mr. Joseph A. Caputo, 78, died on Friday, April 26, 2013 in Dover.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Monday, April 29  at 10 a.m.  Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m.

Born in Hoboken, Mr. Caputo moved to Verona in 1972.

He was an Operating Engineer at Seton Hall University for 23 years, retiring in 2002.

Previously he worked in the Truck Department of Ford Motor Company in Mahwah.

He was a member of the Operating Engineers, Local 68 in West Caldwell.

Mr. Caputo was the husband of the late Antoinette (Dolly) Caputo, the father of Andrew Caputo and his wife Mary, Joseph Caputo, Michael Caputo and his wife, Meg, the brother of the late Kathleen Spinella. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mary Kate, Anthony, Kellie, Marissa and Caroline.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Rescue Squad, 12 Church Street, Verona NJ 07044 would be appreciated.

Mr. Lear S. LaFetra, 90, died on Friday, April 26, 2013 in Paramus.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Tuesday, April 30 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Born in Orange, Mr. LaFetra lived in East Orange prior to moving to Verona in 1956.

Mr. LaFetra served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. He worked for the General Electric Corp. for 40 years, retiring as fleet manager of the Fairfield office. In retirement, Mr. LaFetra worked as a crossing guard on the corner of Claremont Avenue and Cumberland Avenue in Verona for 20 years.

Mr. Lafetra was the husband of the late Mary J. LaFetra and the father of Stephen LaFetra.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Carol Ann Gecz-LaFetra Scholarship Fund, c/o James Caldwell High School, 265 Westville Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 would be appreciated.

David Bruce Williams, 59, died on April 28, 2013 at his home in Verona. A funeral mass will be offered in St. Raphael Church, Livingston, on Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m.

Born in Orange, Mr. Williams grew up in West Orange and moved to Verona in 1980.

He graduated from Bloomfield College with a degree in business management and was an honorary brother of the Sigma Pi Fraternity. Mr. Williams has worked for Tyco Integrated Securities (formerly ADT) for the last 38 years. He was named the Regional Director of the Year in 2008.

Active with the Boy Scouts of America, Mr. Williams was on the Advancement Committee, assistant scoutmaster and former committee chair for Verona Troop 2, a former cubmaster for Pack 1, Verona. He was also a member of the Old Guard of Camp Glen Gray in Mahwah and served on the Advancement Committee of the Broken Arrow District.

He was former chief of the Auxiliary Police in West Orange, former president of the Verona Jaycees, and a Pit Crew chair with the Verona Band Parents. He also served as an usher at St. Raphael Church in Livingston.

Bruce Williams on a Scout clean-up day in Verona Park with his son, Eagle Scout Bryan Williams.

He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Kathleen (nee Nunn) Williams, his children, Bryan and Kirsten, his mother, Kathleen (Keen) Williams and his siblings, Carol Ann Koenigsfest and John H. Williams, Jr. He was predeceased by his father, John H. Williams, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, donations to BSA Troop 2, c/o 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona NJ 07044-2428 or to the Verona Rescue Squad, 12 Church Street, Verona NJ 07044 would be appreciated.

Mrs. Madeline R. (nee La Russo) Lanzo, 86, died on Thursday, May 2, 2013.

A funeral mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Monday, May 6 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.

Born in Newark, Mrs. Lanzo lived in Irvington prior to moving to Verona in 1970. A devoted homemaker, she was known for her great baked goods, eggplant, zepoles and grandma’s pizza. Mrs. Lanzo also took great joy in babysitting for many local families.

She was the beloved wife for 67 years of the late George Lanzo, the loving mother of Michael Lanzo (and his wife Mary), Antoinette Lanzo, George Lanzo and Dr. Anthony Lanzo (and his wife Sharon). She is also the sister of Salvatore La Russo, Anna Dente, the late Andrew La Russo, Anthony La Russo, Angelo La Russo and Marie Gaynor. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lisa Musante, Gina, Mary Kate Pretto, Kerry, Dana, Susan Madeline, Shannon, Michael George, Anthony Arturo, Madeline and her great granddaughter Madeline Musante.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Rescue Squad would be appreciated.

Richard “Rick” Ames, a former resident and longtime member of the Church of the Holy Spirit, died Friday, May 10, 2013 in Hackettstown. He was 84. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in Hackettstown. You can read the full obituary here.

Mr. Richard J. Roscher, 58, died on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Born in Glen Ridge, Mr. Roscher was a lifelong resident of Verona. He has been the owner of Richard’s Heating & Cooling in Verona since 1994.

Mr. Roscher is the husband of Lorraine Roscher, the son of Richard H. and the late Rose Graham, and the brother of Nancy Dennis and the late Kenneth Roscher. He is also survived by his nephew, Alan Dennis and his niece, Christine Sosack.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Rescue Squad would be appreciated.

Veronans with long members will remember Ivyjean Holloway Mesteller, who opened Pine Florist in Verona in 1947. Mrs. Mesteller, a long-time member of the Verona United Methodist Church, passed away in Maine on May 19. She was 96, and you can read her obituary here.

Mrs. Mesteller’s old greenhouse on Pine Street was briefly revived as a growing space last year by Sprout Food and Farms.