Family, Friends Celebrate Life of Deshon Johnson

The Montclair student was killed at a Bloomfield intersection last week.

  Deshon L. Johnson, the 22-year-old Essex County College student killed by a NJ Transit bus last week, aspired to be a singer, rapper, artist, and writer—all while pursuing a college degree. "He was a talented man who knew what he wanted to do with his life," said a friend, Matt Fernandez. "He was very driven and very motivated." Johnson's life was celebrated today during a church service at Christ Church in Montclair. Born March 5, 1990 in Newark, Johnson was raised in East Orange and was the only child of Naomi Johnson. As a youngster, he was so talented at art that his paintings were displayed at the Montclair Art Museum when he was in the sixth grade. Later, Johnson and his mother moved to Montclair, where he graduated from Montclair …

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Obit: Sergio Sanzari, 47

Sanzari, a 1982 graduate of Bloomfield High School, was raised in Bloomfield. More recently he lived in West Caldwell and worked in Verona.

  Sergio Sanzari, a former Bloomfield resident, died on Sunday, July 15, at age 47. Friends and family described Sanzari as always having a real connection with people.  His customers at The Mane Place II Salon in Verona, which he owned for the past 25 years, said he enjoyed chatting while cutting hair and especially enjoyed making people laugh. Born in Newark, he was raised in Bloomfield and was a 1982 graduate of Bloomfield High School. He later graduated from the Capri Institute. He was a North Caldwell resident for the past 14 years. Sanzari is survived by his wife, Lisa (nee Andriaccio) of North Caldwell; three children, Sergio Sanzari, Jr., Anthony Sanzari and Gabriella Sanzari, all of North Caldwell; his parents, Ortensio and …

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Jersey Newspaper Pioneer Dead At 99

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Obit: Bloomfield Firefighter John Orme, 23

The following message was sent to Patch by a friend of beloved Bloomfield firefighter John Orme, a lifelong Bloomfield resident who passed away over the Memorial Day weekend.

  Here is a note about the passing of 23 year old volunteer firefighter John Orme. While his passing was unrelated to firefighting, his presence as a firefighter and volunteer will be deeply felt. Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Bloomfield Fire Department and the Bloomfield Volunteer Fire-Rescue Company lost one their most dedicated brothers.  Firefighter John Orme passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening at Mountainside Hospital.  John attended Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington where he was an indispensable and leading member on their 2004 state championship football team. John continued to play football at William Paterson University and then with the semi-pro Brooklyn Mariners.  John was a life-long resident of …

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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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shirrone spivey

5:12 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

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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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