Reita Greenstone, Former Essex County Freeholder

Lived in Livingston, two-time board member who lobbied for women's and senior's rights, mental health issues.

Dick Clark Dead At 82: Ringing In 2013 Won't Be The Same

Clark was often called "the world's oldest teenager" because of his youthful appearance

  Dick Clark, who brought rock and roll to the masses as the longtime host of "American Bandstand," is dead after suffering a heart attack, according to several news reports. The always smiling 82-year-old TV producer and host had been at St. John's Hospital in Los Angeles after undergoing an outpatient procedure on Tuesday, according to TMZ. Clark reportedly suffered the heart attack following the procedure and died on Wednesday after failed attempts to resuscitate him. The Mount Vernon, New York-born Clark endured a long list of health troubles over the years and had a stroke in 2004 that caused him to retire as host of "New Years' Rockin' Eve," the show he created in 1972. Although Ryan Seacrest took over as host, Clark made brief …

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Obituary: Allan "Rich" McAllister, 1960-2012

The much-loved local resident and Patch blogger is mourned by many

  Allan "Rich" McAllister, 51, was a warrior.  He was strong, healthy man five years ago, when a sudden twist of fate left him fighting for his life in a hospital bed.  A victim of sepsis – a deadly form of blood poisoning -- McAllister won the fight of his life but paid a terrible price.  He lost both his legs, as well as part of both hands and his lower lip.  He also lost some use of his lower arms and his throat muscles. He did not, however, lose his humanity.  He remained a fighter, and a kind, warm-hearted and funny man.  “Rich had a wonderful sense of humor,” said close personal friend John Borgese, who was also the President of the Cedar Grove chapter of UNICO, an organization McAllister belonged to. “He never complained about his …

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OBIT: Richard “Rick” Petersen, 58

Petersen was a special education teacher for Bloomfield School District for 33 years and a member of the Bloomfield Education Association.

Whitney Houston Laid to Rest in Westfield

Procession arrived at noon Sunday for burial ceremony at Fairview Cemetery. Nearly 100 fans shouted 'We love you, Whitney' as hearse turned into the cemetery.

The vigil at Fairview Cemetery began at first light Sunday morning. There were no mourners, just reporters and photographers mingling congenially as they staked out a good spot for their reports back to the network morning shows or a position for the perfect photo of the funeral procession bringing Whitney Houston to the cemetery for her burial. Police officers arrived before daylight, at 6 a.m., to secure every possible corner of the Fairview property, from the Cranford border along Union County College to the south and E. Broad Street to the north. At the western end of the cemetery, Gallows Hill Road was closed to prevent any neighborhood street from messing up any potential route in which the procession of hearses and limos that would …

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VIDEO: Hundreds Line Streets for Cpl. Reinhard's Funeral Procession

Groups of residents and schoolchildren waving flags spanned from Wood Ave. to St. Gertrude's Cemetery in Colonia.

  In an awesome display of patriotism, hundreds of residents lined the 1.5 mile final stretch in Marine Corporal Kevin Reinhard's funeral procession from St. Agnes Church in Clark to St. Gertrude's Cemetery in Colonia. Despite the bitter 30 degree weather, schoolchildren came out from their classrooms and residents from their homes to line Inman Ave and pay respect to the fallen soldier. As the long line of cars drove past, the crowds stood still and silent, most with right hands over their hearts or in a firm salute and flags in their left. Reinhard, 25, was among six who died last week in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. He was a lifelong Colonia resident and had almost completed his second tour of duty when he was killed. "I want to …

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Colleagues Shocked By DeCroce's Death

Local, state officials react to sudden loss of Assembly minority leader.

This story will be updated throughout the day: Local officials and former colleagues expressed shock Tuesday morning after learning Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany) collapsed and died suddenly late Monday night at the Statehouse. "I was totally shocked, that was totally unexpected," Butler Mayor Robert Alviene said. "He did what he could for us while he was in power. I'm sure his heart was in the right place all the time for the county here. Im sure he'll be missed." As a result of DeCroce's death, Gov. Chris Christie will postpone his State of the State address, originally scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. He is expected to deliver a eulogy to DeCroce instead. Patch will stream Christie's remarks live at 1 p.m…

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Local Students Write Letters to Troops for Holidays (VIDEO)

Initiative was part of Gov. Christie's 'Season of Service' project

  Bloomfield elementary schools Berkeley and Demarest recently participated in the “Season of Service” initiative endorsed by the Christie Administration.  Partnering with the NJ Department of Education and the NJ Department of Military and Veteran Affairs the initiative encouraged school children to send holiday greetings to servicemen.  More than 125,000 student letters were collected at area schools last Friday. In her weekly message to the Superintendent about school news, Berkeley Elementary School Principal Heather Carr wrote, "In response to the Christie Administration’s Season of Service project, students wrote letters and made holiday cards for our US service members in appreciation for their service to our country. "There were …

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Obituary: Reverend Dr. William C. Hall

Funeral services for the Pastor is scheduled for Friday, September 30 at the New Light Baptist Church

Reverend Dr. William C. Hall, Pastor of the New Light Baptist Church (NLBC) in Bloomfield and respected church leader nationally, passed away Friday, September 23rd after a battle with cancer. He served as Pastor of the NLBC for 40 years before stepping down in 2008.  A wake is scheduled for Friday, September 30th from 8-10 AM, immediately followed by his home going service at 10 AM at the New Light Baptist Church, 89 Dewey Street in Bloomfield. Born in 1934, William Chester Hall was a star athlete in Westfield, described by some as the “Black Ted Williams” for his prowess as a left-handed slugging outfielder on the baseball diamond. He also served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army before answering his call to the ministry. “Dr. Hall came …

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