Former Brookfield Volunteer Fire Chief Dies Following Cancer Battle After 50 Years Of Service
A longtime former Connecticut volunteer fire chief has died following a battle with cancer. He served his community for more than 50 years, and now residents are giving back to the family he leaves behind.
Glenn Martone, who served as chief of the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company for decades, died Sunday, May 17, surrounded by family, according to his obituary. He was 70.
A Brookfield High School graduate from the Class of 1973, Martone served the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company as chief, president, and board member during his time with the department.
“His leadership, mentorship,…
Hillside High School Principal Dies: Remembering Terry Woolard
Terry Woolard, the principal of Hillside High School, died on Monday, Dec. 29, the school district said.
"This is truly heartbreaking news, and. this loss is deeply felt throughout our school community," Hillside Public Schools said in a statement. "Mr. Woolard was a dedicated leader whose commitment to students, families, staff, and colleagues made a lasting and meaningful impact. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with his family."
According to Village Green, Woolard died after a short battle with cancer.
A graduate of Ithaca College, Woolard previously worked for the South Orang…
Woman Escapes Alexandria House Fire With Her Dogs, Pajamas — Nothing Else, Friends Say
A woman who escaped a devastating house fire with little more than the clothes she was wearing is now trying to rebuild her life with the help of family and friends, officials and loved ones said.
Holly Barnes lost nearly everything when her Alexandria home burned last week, forcing her and her dogs to flee as flames tore through the residence, according to family and friends.
Barnes made it out safely with her dogs, Alexandria, last week, with only the pajamas she was wearing, according to loved ones.
Firefighters were able to recover her phone, work computer, and wallet from the first fl…
Suffern Native, Singer Grace VanderWaal Mourns Death Of Her Mother: 'Can't Yet Find Words'
New York native and singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal is mourning the death of her mother following a 17-month battle with cancer, her family announced.
VanderWaal, 21, shared an emotional tribute to her mother, Tina, on Instagram Tuesday, Oct. 21, writing, "Can’t yet find the words. I love you mommy. So much."
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According to VanderWaal's father, Dave, Tina died on Monday, Oct. 20. After her death, he posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, re…
NJ Little League Coach Dies Week After Cancer Diagnosis
A New Jersey community is mourning the loss of a father, coach, and mentor who died just days after a sudden cancer diagnosis.
Christopher (Chris) Woolis, 47, of Elmwood Park, was diagnosed with cancer on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and passed away only seven days later, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, according to Elmwood Park Little League President Steven Kochlick.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our dear friend and Vice President of Elmwood Park Little League, Chris Woolis,” Kochlick wrote in a statement to the community. “Chris served on the Board for …
Paterson Teen Abena Owusu Dies After Cancer Battle
Abena Owusu, 18, of Paterson, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, after a cancer battle, according to those who knew her and her obituary on the Festa Memorial Funeral Home.
Born in Livingston, Abena grew up in East Orange and Paterson. She graduated from Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Christian Health Association, and the Health Occupation Student Association. She also belonged to Calvary International Church in Wayne, her obituary says.
In June, at Abena's graduation ceremony, Mayor Andre Sayegh honored her resilience after she w…
Somerset Mom Joyce Nuñez Dies At 33 After Rare Cancer Battle
A New Jersey community is mourning the loss of Joyce Yvette Nuñez, who died Thursday, Sept. 11, at 33 years old, according to her obituary on the Bronson & McNamara Memorial Home website.
Joyce, of Somerset, was diagnosed last year with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that typically affects children but, in her case, was found in the uterus, according to a GoFundMe created by her husband, Dennis Nuñez.
He wrote that Joyce was believed to be the ninth adult to ever receive this diagnosis. Despite the prognosis, she “fought with everything she had for more than a year…
Syracuse Women's Basketball Star Tiana Mangakahia Dies At 30 After Cancer Battle
Tiana Mangakahia, a former star for the Syracuse Orange women's basketball team who played pro overseas, died at 30 following a lengthy battle with cancer, her family confirmed.
Mangakahia, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery before passing away on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Last week, Mangakahia said that her health had taken a negative turn, the cancer had progressed, and "it's now affecting me in ways that are hard to put into words," she wrote on Instagram.
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Death Of Millville Police Officer Spreads Sadness: Remembering Richie Ramos
A New Jersey police department is mourning the loss of one of its own.
Millville Officer Ricardo Ramos died Thursday, Sept. 11, after a years-long battle with glioblastoma, surrounded by family and friends.
Ramos, who was born and raised in Millville’s Center City, was in his 20th year of service to the department. Over his career, he worked as a patrolman, detective, and field training officer, mentoring and coaching many officers along the way, police said.
A GoFundMe for the officer's family, launched by Kenny Sharretts, had raised more than $46,000 as of press time.
Richie and L…
Rocker Rick Davies Dies, Supertramp Co-Founder
Rick Davies, the gravelly-voiced pianist, songwriter, and co-founder who powered Supertramp’s distinctive sound, has died.
The band announced the 81-year-old's death Saturday, Sept. 6, on social media, saying it came "after battling Multiple Myeloma for over 10 years.”
“His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the bands’ sound,” the group wrote, adding that his music “bears testament to the fact that great songs never die.”
They also remembered his “warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue,” his partner of more than five decades…
European Union Bans Gel Nail Polish Ingredient Linked To Cancer, Fertility Fears: Is US Next?
A chemical used in many gel nail polishes is now banned in all 27 European Union countries.
According to Newsweek, EU regulators classify trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) as a substance suspected of causing cancer, genetic mutations, or harming fertility. Under EU cosmetics law, chemicals in that category are prohibited in beauty products.
The ban applies to all cosmetics containing TPO, even those purchased before the Sept. 1 deadline. Nail salons and technicians cannot use up old stock, sell it, or give it away. Instead, they must switch to compliant formulas, Newsweek repor…
Beloved Sitcom Star Loni Anderson’s Cause Of Death Revealed
Fans of classic television are mourning anew as the cause of death for beloved sitcom star Loni Anderson has been officially released, shedding light on the final chapter of a Hollywood legend’s life.
TMZ reported on Friday, Aug. 22, that Anderson, who died on Sunday, Aug. 3, in Los Angeles, succumbed to metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
The death certificate, obtained by TMZ, confirms that the disease, which originates in the uterus and can spread to vital organs like the lungs and liver, ultimately led to her death just days before her 80…
Sparta Dad Jeffrey Krajicek Dies Months After Wife
After losing his wife Jane in March, Sparta’s Jeffrey Krajicek has died following his own battle with cancer.
Krajicek, 65, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, surrounded by his loving family, according to his obituary from Goble Funeral Home. Born at Fort Dix, Krajicek graduated from Winter Park High School in 1977 and the University of Florida in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, his obituary reads.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984, commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1985, and served in Germany before transitioning to military intelligence, according to his ob…
Retired Nysp Sergeant From Middle Grove Dies From 9/11-Related Illness
A retired New York State Police sergeant who served in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks has died from a 9/11-related illness.
Sergeant Frederick Scheidt Jr., 67, of Middle Grove, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, from an illness stemming from his assignment in and around the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, according to State Police.
Scheidt served 30 years with the New York State Police, most recently assigned to Troop G – SP Saratoga, before retiring on Oct. 14, 2009.
Superintendent Steven James called his death “a solemn reminder of the lasting t…
Danielle Spencer, ‘What’s Happening!!’ Star Who Played Dee Thomas, 60, Dies In Virginia
Actress Danielle Spencer, best known for her role as younger sister Dee Thomas on the popular show "What's Happening!!", passed away in Virginia following a lengthy battle with cancer, her loved ones confirm.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Spencer starred on the ABC program as the precocious Thomas for several years until the show was cancelled in 1979.
She died at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond on Monday, Aug. 11, at the age of 60, her family confirmed..
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Former Child Star Danielle Spencer From NY Who Became Beloved Veterinarian Dies At 60
For a generation, she was the wisecracking little sister on TV’s What’s Happening!!
But Danielle Spencer’s legacy stretched far beyond the spotlight.
Spencer, who charmed audiences as Dee Thomas on the hit late 1970s ABC-TV sitcom and later became a respected veterinarian and animal advocate, died Monday, Aug. 11 in Richmond, Virginia, at age 60 after a long battle with cancer.
The news was confirmed by her longtime friend and co-star Haywood Nelson via social media on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Born June 24, 1965, in Trenton, New Jersey, Spencer moved north to New York City with her family …
Emerson Mom, 40, Dies After 2-Year Cancer Battle, Leaves Behind 2 Young Sons
Bergen County mom Kelly McGrath Baratta died Friday, Aug. 8, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. She was 40 years old.
A devoted wife and mother, McGrath-Baratta found her greatest joy in her husband Gerard and their two sons, Leo, 7, and Luca, 2 ½, according to her obituary on the Becker Funeral Home website. A kid at heart, she loved summers in LBI, planning family activities, and recently made a dream trip to Disney World happen before her passing, her obituary reads. She worked for years as a successful event planner, known for her eye for detail and creativity.
McGrath…