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Obituaries
After NJ Mom's Sudden Death, Young Daughter Raises $93K For Her And Her Sister After NJ Mom's Sudden Death, Young Daughter Raises $93K For Her And Her Sister
After NJ Mom's Sudden Death, Young Daughter Raises $93K For Her And Her Sister More than $90,000 has been raised for two New Jersey girls following the sudden death of their mother. Melissa Conca of Manasquan, died on Tuesday, Feb. 17, according to her obituary on the O'Brien Funeral Home website. She was 51 years old. Conca's daughter, Ava Lamonica, started a GoFundMe campaign for her and her sister, Sophie, that had raised $93,000 as of Saturday, Feb. 21. "Our lives changed forever when our mom passed away suddenly from an undiagnosed heart issue at just 51 years old. She was our beautiful best friend, and an amazing role model with a courageous soul who loved…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Wayne Paraprofessional, Mom Jaime Elyce Coon Dies, 48 Wayne Paraprofessional, Mom Jaime Elyce Coon Dies, 48
Wayne Paraprofessional, Mom Jaime Elyce Coon Dies, 48 Jaime Elyce (née Schweigert) Coon, a Wayne resident who worked with children with special needs and volunteered throughout her community, died on Sunday, Feb. 8. She was 48 years old. Jaime worked as a paraprofessional at Windsor Learning Center in Pompton Lakes, where she supported children with behavioral challenges and special needs, according to her obituary from Gaita Memorial Home. She also worked at Bogies Hoagies in Hawthorne and volunteered at the Living in Freedom Group Home in Haledon, where she regularly attended events and gatherings, her obituary reads.  Jaime was predece…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
‘Permanent Fixture’ At Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps Dies After 22 Years Of Service ‘Permanent Fixture’ At Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps Dies After 22 Years Of Service
‘Permanent Fixture’ At Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps Dies After 22 Years Of Service The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps is mourning the untimely loss of longtime member Ari Lifschitz, the organization announced Tuesday, Feb. 17 on Facebook. He was 49 years old. Lifschitz was a TVAC member for more than 22 years and served as a permanent fixture on the Sunday evening shift since 2004, according to the corps. He ran the crew as its Crew Chief for more than 10 years and supervised the training of dozens of probationary members, the statement said. Lifschitz also personally served in leadership roles as First Lieutenant and as a member of the Board of Trustees, the l…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Fair Lawn's Galina Margulis Dies After Cancer Fight, $18K Raised For Family Fair Lawn's Galina Margulis Dies After Cancer Fight, $18K Raised For Family
Fair Lawn's Galina Margulis Dies After Cancer Fight, $18K Raised For Family Nearly $19,000 has been raised on a GoFundMe for the family of a 62-year-old Fair Lawn woman who died after what loved ones described as a long and courageous battle with cancer. Galina Margulis passed away at age 62, her husband Roman Margulis announced on Facebook on Monday, Feb. 16. A GoFundMe created by Svetlana Rozovsky had raised $18,995 as of Tuesday, Feb. 17. “With heavy hearts, we share that our beloved friend, Galina Margulis, passed away after her courageous battle with cancer,” the fundraiser says. “Galya was a beloved friend, and the heart and foundation of her family. She wil…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Jersey Shore High School Athlete Anthony Kulzy Jr. Dies, 15 Jersey Shore High School Athlete Anthony Kulzy Jr. Dies, 15
Jersey Shore High School Athlete Anthony Kulzy Jr. Dies, 15 Anthony Kulzy Jr., of Seaside Park, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at his home, according to his obituary on the Ryan Funeral Home website. He was 15 years old. Born in Pequannock, Anthony was a student athlete at Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, where he played baseball, basketball, and was on the cross country team, his obituary says. An avid New York Yankees fan, Anthony loved playing sports, online gaming, watching TV with his dog, Gigi, and thought about becoming a history teacher, his obituary reads. Anthony was preceded in death by his father, Anthony …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Retired NJ Police Lt. Dies After Cancer Battle, 55 Retired NJ Police Lt. Dies After Cancer Battle, 55
Retired NJ Police Lt. Dies After Cancer Battle, 55 A Sussex County police department is mourning the loss of one of its own. Retired Newton Police Lt. Michael Monaco died after a long battle with cancer, the Newton Police Department announced Sunday, Feb. 15. Monaco died following a long and courageous battle with cancer, his department said. He was 55 years old. Monaco began his public service career as a dispatcher for Andover Township from 1990 to 1993. During that time, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Bloomfield College. He joined the Town of Newton as a Class II Special Law Enforcement Officer in 19…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Former NJ High School Wrestler Killed In Crash Months After Graduating College Former NJ High School Wrestler Killed In Crash Months After Graduating College
Former NJ High School Wrestler Killed In Crash Months After Graduating College Support is on the rise for a recent UConn graduate and former high school wrestler who was killed in a North Jersey crash earlier this month. Jamie Lynn Aughenbaugh, 22, was behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla when she was involved in a collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe on Route 206 on Tuesday, Feb. 3, just after 2:50 p.m. in Flanders, according to Meghan Knab, a spokesperson for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Both drivers and were taken to Morristown Medical Center, where Aughenbaugh died. The cause remains under investigation, Knab said. Aughenbaugh was a recent UCONN gradua…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Services Set For Garfield Native, Infant Son Who Died Days Apart Services Set For Garfield Native, Infant Son Who Died Days Apart
Services Set For Garfield Native, Infant Son Who Died Days Apart Services have been finalized for Tiana Vega and her infant son, who died days apart. Visitation for 33-year-old Vega and Baby Asani is set for Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Aloia Funeral Home in Garfield. A joint funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at St. Francis of Assisi RC Church in Hackensack, with entombment at the Hackensack Cemetery. Vega delivered Baby Asani Xavier on Feb. 2,  according to a GoFundMe launched in the wake of the tragedies. Asani was “was born sleeping," the campaign says. Following the delivery, Vega was admitted to th…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Garfield Mom, Newborn Son Die Days Apart; $16K Raised To Help Grieving Family Garfield Mom, Newborn Son Die Days Apart; $16K Raised To Help Grieving Family
Garfield Mom, Newborn Son Die Days Apart; $16K Raised To Help Grieving Family Support is on the rise for the family of a New Jersey woman who died days after her newborn son, according to a GoFundMe created for the family. Tiana Vega, whose Facebook page shows she is from Garfield, delivered Baby Asani Xavier on Feb. 2,  organizer Danielle Thomas said. Thomas said that Baby Asani “was born sleeping. Following the delivery, Tiana was admitted to the intensive care unit due to sepsis, according to the fundraiser.  “She fought with incredible strength and courage, but her body was tired,” Thomas wrote. “Surrounded by love, Tiana gained her angel…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Bergen County Pediatrician Who Fought For Later School Start Times Dies At 66 Bergen County Pediatrician Who Fought For Later School Start Times Dies At 66
Bergen County Pediatrician Who Fought For Later School Start Times Dies At 66 A Bergen County pediatrician who spent decades advocating for children’s health — including helping bring later school start times to local districts — has died. Dr. Anne Catherine Robinson (Videtti), of Ridgewood, died on Monday, Jan. 26 surrounded by her family, according to her obituary on the Feeney Funeral Home website. She was 66 years old. Born in Italy, Robinson immigrated to Bayonne with her family at age two before settling in Ridgewood, where she was raised. She attended Wesleyan University, where she met her future husband Dennis, “the love of her life,” and they married the sum…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Morristown EMT Richard Hathaway Dies Suddenly Morristown EMT Richard Hathaway Dies Suddenly
Morristown EMT Richard Hathaway Dies Suddenly Richard Hathaway, a longtime Morristown EMT and paramedic, died Monday, Jan. 26, according to his obituary published on the Doyle Funeral Home website. “He dedicated the vast majority of his life to patient care, primarily in the pre-hospital setting as a paramedic,” his obituary states. “Many coworkers, patients, and family members were very relieved when Richard could offer medical advice or respond to a call.” “A sense of calm would come over anyone that needed help when Richard was around,” the obituary states. “One of his life purposes was to help people and he did that beyond belief.”…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Elizabeth Preschooler Dies Of Leukemia: 'Unimaginable' Elizabeth Preschooler Dies Of Leukemia: 'Unimaginable'
Elizabeth Preschooler Dies Of Leukemia: 'Unimaginable' Amelia Carreiro, a student at Wesley Hall Nursery School in Westfield and an Elizabeth resident, recently died of leukemia, according to a fundraiser set up to support her family. "Amelia brought joy, curiosity, and a bright smile to everyone who knew her. She will always be a cherished part of our school family," Melissa Romelli, who organized the fundraiser said. Amelia's mother Susie is a staff member at the preschool.  "During this unimaginable time, we want to surround Susie and her family with the same care and support she has always given to the children she work…

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by Sam Barron