John Francis Connors - May 19, 1940 - January 21, 2010
John F. Connors of Secaucus passed away on Jan. 21, 2010. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends, some of whom included his beloved wife, Sylvia, and two loving daughters Kimberly Lanflisi (James) of Long Island, N.Y., and Jacqueline Connors Bruno (Gilbert) of Wood-Ridge, N.J.
He will also be deeply missed by his stepson, David Hanley of New York; six grandchildren; a brother, Dennis, of Maryland, and a sister, Mary Connors Parker of Virginia. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
John was born on May 19, 1940, to John and Marie Connors. He graduated from St. Peter's Prep in 1958 and later served in the United States Army. He received a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University. He served as secretary and as exalted ruler of the Secaucus-Meadowlands Elks Lodge and as vice president of the Eastern District and New Jersey State Elks Association. John received numerous awards for his enthusiasm and commitment toward furthering Elkdom's programs.
One of John's priorities was to help all children receive the opportunity for an education despite their economic means. It was to this avail that he dedicated much of his time as an Elks member.
This same priority was so apparent when he took on the role of organizer and host at numerous high school reunions from St. Peter's Prep. The class of 1958, under his direction, has contributed record amounts to the scholarship fund that, in fact, was begun by John and fellow classmates. One of many testaments he received was, For so many years, you have been the ultimate 'can do' guy for us when it came to reunions, phonathons, etc.
It was under John's direction, while working as executive director of the Hudson County Department on Aging, that the Meals on Wheels Program was created. Before becoming ill John was executive assistant in the Hudson County Sheriff's Department. John was an avid cook, mostly because of the camaraderie it created. Tailgates at the annual Secaucus DooWops grew in attendance due to his specialty dishes.
His sense of humor was second nature for John. One of his former employees noted that no matter how low she felt going to work she always ended up smiling after a visit with John. Others have commented that, although his jokes were often corny and predictable, you just couldn't help joining in the laughter that they created.
Ultimately his love for his grandchildren was what defined him the most. He taught Jimmy to crab and Natalie how to plant flowers. Cenza got to play doctor and check Grandpa's heart rate and Jeanelle proudly defended his humor. This love was mutual which became apparent when he received a poem written by Sofia and Gabby saying, Roses are red, violets are blue, you are the best and we all love you…..Your lizard impression is such a perfection.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Mack Memorial Home, 1245 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, N.J. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The family will gather with their relatives and friends for a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 120 Sussex St., Jersey City, N.J. Cremation will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Prep, Class of 1958 Scholarships/John Connors, 144 Grand St., Jersey City, N.J. 07302.
Tributes to John...
Walt McInerney
John Connors, our friend of the SPP’58 guys, to the Elks throughout New Jersey, of the hundred tailgaters that he organized and grilled for before the annual Do-Wop in the Meadowlands;
John, our great comedian; only John could handle a full or partial reunion every year; kept SPP’58 number one performance on the Prep Annual Fund; John, such an easy guy, never got annoyed on the phone with the few non-contributing guys, never negative commented off the phone.
Five years ago we lost the greatest leader and worker, and still miss our great friend.
Vince Grillo
I had not been in touch with SPP since the 25th Reunion, and one day I got a call from John during a Phone-A-Thon, and it changed everything. Although we spoke only briefly, John made me feel as if we were back at Prep, chatting in the school yard, or in the cafeteria. The donation I pledged was the first to the fund in a very long time, and it has continued every year since that call.
When John left us, I heard from Dave about subsequent Phone-A-Thons and from Walt about what was going on with the gang, and then attended the 55th Reunion. A few months later, we came up with the idea of creating a Blog for the Class of '58, and I have been enjoying every minute of my new "Prep life" since then. It's remarkable how much good can come from just one call. And when the caller is someone who loved the Prep like John did, it is very powerful indeed.
Thank you John, and rest in peace.
To leave a Memorial Tribute to John, CLICK HERE.
Ralph A. DeSevo -Jan 12, 2025
Ralph A. DeSevo, 84, of Freehold, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
He was born and raised in Jersey City and lived in Lincroft and Freehold. He was an attorney at his own law firm, DeSevo & Lombardi in Jersey City for his entire professional career. Ralph was a member of the Hudson County Bar Association.
He was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Bamm Hollow Country Club in Lincroft, Battleground Country Club in Manalapan and Grand Harbor in Vero Beach, Florida.
He is survived by his three children, his son, Alex and daughters, Elizabeth and Dianne DeSevo, his two grandchildren, Ralph and Sarah DeSevo, as well as his sister, Joan Blake.
Ralph was married to Brenda DeSevo, the mother of his 3 children, who died in December 2022.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 pm Wednesday, January 15th at the Fiore-Buckley Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.
To leave a Memorial Tribute to Ralph, CLICK HERE.
Cosmo Ferrara - Jan 7, 1942 - March 1, 2017
Cosmo Francis Ferrara, 75, of Hillsdale, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. He was born in Jersey City, NJ to Joseph and Rose Ferrara.
Beloved husband of Frances Ferrara. Devoted father of Jane Antico and her husband Frank, Joseph Ferrara, Amy Esteban and husband Chris. Dear brother of Jack and Joseph Ferrara. Loving grandfather of Cara, Joseph, Mark, Christopher, Olivia, Luke and Michael.
The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Monday, March 6 from 2-4 and 7-9PM.
The Funeral Mass celebrating Cosmo's life and faith will be held at Our Lady of Mercy RC. Church, Park Ridge, NJ on Tuesday, March 7 at 10AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Cosmo's name to the American Parkinson Disease Association.
Tributes to Cos...
From Vince Grillo
Some time ago, when I was going thru heart surgery, we got an email from Cos that read, "I remember Vinny Grillo. He was one of the good guys. I'll say a prayer for him". That rekindled a friendship, and I'm certain it was an important part of my recovery.
I remembered Cos as an easy going guy, with a big smile, who never seemed to get rattled. When I reconnected with the Prep '58 gang about 4 years ago, Cos and I spent time together talking about marketing his books, and discussing the possibility of publishing his "Growing Up In Jersey City" memories. We eventually had a copy published, and Dave Connolly and I presented it to Cos about a year ago.
Cos, Dave, Jim Barrett and I were the first group to get together at the Ridge Diner for the first meeting of the Cuppa Club. Cos joined us in subsequent Cuppa's at the Westwood and the Reo Diners whenever he could make it. At one of the Cuppa's at the All Seasons Diner, I remember Cos bumped into a cousin of his and they spent some time catching up.
Dave and I last visited Cos on Feb 23rd. We brought Cos and Fran some desserts, and he seemed to enjoy them. We didn't realize when we said goodbye, that it would be the last time we would see him.
He will always be in our hearts and prayers.
From Bob Filoramo
Pax Vobiscum!
I have been praying for Cos at daily mass for the past year. I wrote to him a while ago and sent him a Mass card. May he rest in peace.
From Bob Bennett
A memory of Cos from my dim mental cobwebs:
In freshman year (1C - Fr. Redmond), the Jebbies always got one name wrong in the roll call. When they said 'Cosmo Ferrara', Cos would raise his hand and say , "Cosimo". Either he since decided not to fight it, or I failed a memory test again.
But here's what Google says re Cosimo/Cosmo:
Cosmo is an English/Italian male surname and given name. It means order, decency, and beauty; this is the English form of Cosimo, introduced to Britain in the 18th century by the second Scottish Duke of Gordon, who named his son and successor after his friend Cosimo III de' Medici.
From Allan McCarthy
Requiescat in pacem, Cosmo.
From Bill Wittman
Our prayers and thoughts are for Fran and his family and all who hold him in their hearts...
From Fr. Mike Joyce
PEACE! Cos is in my prayers. God's blessing on him. And may the Lord comfort his wife and family.
JUSTICE, PEACE, and JOY
fr mike ofm
To leave a Memorial Tribute to Cos, CLICK HERE.
Thomas E. Garrity - September 21, 1939 - August 11, 2018
Thomas E. Garrity, 78, of River Vale, passed away peacefully on Saturday August 11, 2018.
Beloved husband of Anne (Rafferty). Devoted father of Kevin. Dear brother of Ellen Van Halem. Loving grandfather of Kevin and Amanda and caring Uncle to his many nieces and nephews.
Born in Jersey City, he lived in Hudson Co. before moving to River Vale 40 years ago. Thomas was Sr. Vice- President with Goldman-Sachs in New York City for 25 year, retiring in 2001. He was an active member of St. Andrew’s R.C. Church, Westwood.
Thomas served with the Bogota Police Reserves and Rescue Squad as well as the Westwood Parking Authority. He also enjoyed cheering on his two favorite teams, the NY Giants and NY Yankees.
The family will receive their relatives and friends on Tuesday from 4-8 pm at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood. A Mass celebrating Thomas’ life and faith will be held on THURSDAY at 10:30 am at St. Andrew’s R. C. Church, followed by entombment in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of “Thomas” to St. Andrew’s R.C. Church Human Concerns Group, 120 Washington Avenue, Westwood, NJ 07675 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org
Vince Grillo
I was very sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a great guy - a gentleman, with a great sense of humor.
Tom and I were close all thru our 4 years, but got much closer in senior year, when he would pick me up for the ride downtown to Prep, rescuing me from the terrors of the 18 Hudson bus that I rode for 3 years. He also would pick up Harold Hurley, and the three of us would crack jokes all the way down.
We sat together at the Senior Prom, and he really gave me the business later on when he found out I didn't follow up with the girl I took to the prom... "Chicken" he called me. He was right.
I was happy to see him at the Cuppa Club meetings we had in Westwood. I am thankful that we reconnected, even for just a bite to eat, and had a chance to reminisce after all these years. God have mercy on his soul.
To leave a Memorial Tribute to Tom, CLICK HERE.
ROBERT MICHAEL GOOD - January 3, 2018
Robert Good, 77, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2018. "Bob" was a CPA and owned his own accounting firm before merging with Spire Group in Clark several years ago.
He lived his life to the fullest and no kinder soul could be. He has now joined his lifelong love Barbara (nee: Shabet) in heaven who passed in 2011. He is survived by his beloved children: David and his spouse, Jonathan Merrill; Colleen Uribe and her husband, Luis; and grandchildren: Luis Jr., Anthony and Emily. He is also survived by his brother, James; and sister, Carol Harris and her husband Michael.
He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews and family friend
niel Hannon.
To leave a Memorial Tribute to Robert, CLICK HERE.
Robert M. Hanlon May 7, 1940 - December 22, 2021
Robert Michael Hanlon, Sr. of Oakhurst, New Jersey died on December 22, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was the sixth child of William Frances Hanlon and Mae McKinnon Hanlon. He was raised in Interlaken, New Jersey, where he attended Holy Spirit Elementary School. He was a 1958 graduate of St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City. From there, he attended the University of Notre Dame in an accelerated BA/Law School program, graduating law school in 1964.
Bob met his wife, Kathleen Frances Carr, when the two were thirteen years old, and they have been devoted to one another ever since. They were married on December 27, 1961. Bob and Kathie raised four children, first in Wall Township, NJ and later in West Long Branch, NJ.
Bob began his legal career in the firm started by his father, Hanlon, Argeris and Amdur in Asbury Park, NJ. He grew the practice into a successful product liability and defense boutique firm, last known as Hanlon, Boglioli and Hanlon. In 2009 the firm joined Goldberg Segalla, where Bob practiced as a partner until his retirement in 2020. Bob was an accomplished and well-respected trial attorney, continuing to try cases well into his 70’s.
He was an avid golfer, and past president of Deal Golf and Country Club in Deal, NJ. He enjoyed skiing and fishing. Later in life, he and Kathie traveled extensively.
Bob’s greatest love was for his family. When the children were young, the family took up skiing, spending nearly every winter weekend (and some school days) in Windham, New York. As the family grew, he and Kathie purchased a home in the Orlando area, where the children and grandchildren enjoyed many holidays, playing golf and visiting Disney World. The family home was always open to their children’s many friends, for sleepovers, pool parties and family celebrations. He put all four of his children through college, and two of them through law school.
Bob and Kathie attended their grandchildren’s countless ball games, swim meets, concerts, plays, recitals, track meets and scouting events, traveling all over the state and country to cheer them on. They went to every graduation, and frequently traveled to visit them at their respective colleges.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Kathleen Frances Carr Hanlon, as well as four children and their spouses: Bonnie Hanlon and her husband Richard Grossman of Asbury Park, Kerry Kennedy and her husband Norman of Manchester, Robert Hanlon and his wife Christine Giordano Hanlon of Wayside, and Bridget Cook and her husband Robert of Point Pleasant. He was an adoring PopPop to thirteen grandchildren: Norman Kennedy, Jr. and his wife, Daniella Cioffi, Edward Kennedy, Trevor and Helen Grossman, Nicholas, Grace, Holly and Kaitlyn Hanlon, and Kathryn, James, Mary and Sara Cook, and great-grandfather to Lucas Kennedy. He also leaves behind his youngest brother, Michael Hanlon, and his sister-in-law, Sally Welch, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
You may wish to see a memorial video to Bob here.
To leave a Memorial Tribute to Robert, CLICK HERE.
Rev. Michael S. Joyce, O.F.M - August 15, 2022
The Rev. Michael S. Joyce, O.F.M., age 82, a professed Franciscan Friar 61 years, and a Catholic priest 55 years, died Monday, August 15, 2022 in Beacon, NY after an extended illness.
A native of Newark, NJ, and a 1958 graduate of Saint Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, NJ, Father Michael had served in Franciscan missions in Japan and Africa following priestly ordination in 1967. He then served in various capacities in the U.S. before his retirement in 2016.
Father Michael is predeceased by parents Walter and Anna (Quinn) Joyce, his three sisters: Sr. Marianne Joyce, SC, Colleen (Carl) Kelly, Sheila and husband Patrick Priest; sister-in-law Joyce Joyce, and niece Kathleen Anderson.
He is survived by his Franciscan brothers in Holy Name Province and brothers James, Tinton Falls, NJ, Walter (Dorothy), Livingston, NJ, and Brian (Deirdre), Vancouver, WA, 24 nieces and nephews from the Joyce, Priest and Kelly families and their spouses, 55 grandnieces and grandnephews, and three great-grandnieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, August 20, 2022 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 65 Bartholdi Ave., Butler NJ, at 10:30 a.m. Viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m.
To leave a Memorial Tribute to Fr. Joyce, CLICK HERE.
Ernst Karl Just - April 12, 2016
J. Pearse Cashman, the son of Thomas and Clara Cashman, passed away on April 19, 2015 at the age of 74. He was born on June 19, 1940 in New Jersey and was a longtime resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Cashman; Funeral Mass and interment will be held Monday, May 4th at St. John Fisher (5448 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes 310-377-5571) at 11am.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Torrance SERTOMA Club..
To leave a Memorial Tribute to Ernie, CLICK HERE.