Obituaries

Thomas Mark Long, loving husband, father and grandfather, died at home of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) on June 5, 2023. He was 70.

Tom was an admirable man known for his kindness, fine intellect, generous spirit and love for his family. He will be loved forever.

Tom was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University, Newark, where he met his wife, Kathleen. They were married in 1976 and enjoyed a loving and fulfilling marriage for 47 years.

After college, Tom attended New York Law School, earning a J.D., and decided to pursue a career interpreting tax law for practitioners. To deepen his knowledge, he earned an L.L.M. in Tax Law from New York University. He enjoyed a successful career as a managing tax editor for several leading tax law publishing firms, and retired from Thomson Reuters in 2019.

Stephanie W. Zitomer, 87, of Windsor, Connecticut, died on January 20, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late Fred Zitomer. Stephanie and her husband were former residents of Livingston.

Stephanie was born in Oak Park, Illinois on July 23, 1935 to William C. Fowler and Harriet M. Stahmer. Her stepfather was Paul J. Webster, Sr. She graduated from Park College in Missouri in 1957, where she had been selected homecoming queen earlier in the year. Stephanie and Fred became college sweethearts at Park and were married in the campus chapel after graduation.

RoseMarie Mentesana died on Thursday, May 25. She was 89.

Mrs. Mentesana was predeceased by her husband, Salvatore. Together, they raised two sons in Livingston. Mrs. Mentesana was a grandmother, sister, and aunt. She had a homebased childcare, and was also an active volunteer.

Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate the life of Mrs. Mentesana, today, June 1, from 9 to 11:45 a.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston.

A Funeral Mass will immediately follow the visitation at noon at St. Philomena’s Church, Livingston. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

In memory of her, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Ellen Palestine died at the age of 69 on Sunday, May 28. She was born in the Bronx to Herta and Carl Mayer. She grew up in Englewood Cliffs and graduated from Glassboro State University.

She met her husband, Robert Palestine, in 1979. They married that year, and raised two children in Livingston.

Later in life Mrs. Palestine was on the National Board of Directors of the NationalAssociation of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and headed both the membership and scholarship committees.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 43 years; her sons, Dave (Rebecca) and Daniel (Aylelet); and one grandson.

Afuneral service for Mrs. Palestine was held on Wednesday, May 31, at 11 a.m. at Cedar Park and Beth El Cemeteries, Paramus.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations to the HealthWell Foundation (healthwellfoundation. org/donate/) or Pan Foundation (panfoundation.org/).

Van Christopher Bard, 52, died on December 8, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The funeral was held on December 19, in Boca Raton, Florida; Mr. Bard’s ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean on December 22; a celebration of life was held at St. Mary’sArmenian Church on Sunday, May 21.

Mr. Bard was born on April 27, 1970, and grew up in Livingston, New Jersey. His parents, Irma Bard and George Van Bard were active in St. Mary’s Armenian Church in Livingston. Mr. Bard attended Livingston High School, Arizona State University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Mr. Bard worked at the family business, Hermes Machine Tool Co., in New Jersey before moving to California to pursue a life in music and concert promotion. He worked as a production assistant for events such as the VH1 Music Awards as well as television shows, commercials, and various music videos.

Michael Nicholas Cefolo, 82, of Livingston, died on Thursday, May 18.

Mr. Cefolo was born to Mike and Rose Cefolo on September 25, 1940 in Newark. He soon moved to Irvington and attended Irvington High School, where he played on the varsity football team.

After graduating in 1958, Mr. Cefolo began working at New Jersey Provisions Company where he became co-owner with his father and uncle, Tony. In 1963, Mr. Cefolo married his high school sweetheart, Genevieve D’Alessio, and moved to Livingston in 1965 to raise his family.

Mr. Cefolo is survived by his wife, Genevieve; his five children, Ann Marie (Kevin), Joanne (Frank), Michael (Jennifer), Lisa (Dennis), Joe (Amy); and 12 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce.

Visitation was held on Sunday, May 21, at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. The funeral Mass was offered on Monday, May 22, at St. Philomena’s Church, Livingston.

Richard H. Cowan, age 86, of Livingston, N.J. passed away at Overlook Hospital, Summit, on Friday May 19, 2023 after a nearly two-year battle with lung cancer.

Richard was bornAugust 3, 1936 in Orange, and spent his younger years there and in East Orange. He graduated from Cleveland Street Grammar School in Orange, and then from Clifford J. Scott High School in East Orange, class of 1955.

He proudly served two years of active duty in the U.S. Army at Forts Eustis and Story in Virginia and then in France from December 1955 to December 1957, followed by two years of active reserve duty.

He began working at PSEG in 1963 as a meter reader and retired as branch supervisor of the Customer Service Center in Orange after 33 years with the company. Thereafter, he spent approximately 20 years working for Northfield Pharmacy, finally fully retiring in his early 80s.

Leonard Fichtel, 91, of Livingston, died on Tuesday, May 16. He is predeceased by his wife Irma Fichtel; and his mother and father, Claire and Morris Fichtelberg.

He was born in the Bronx, lived in Monroe, New York, but resided in South Orange, Short Hills, Cedar Grove, and most recently, Livingston for over three decades.

Mr. Fichtel spent much of his career with Etna Products and E. Mishan and Sons in Manhattan.

He leaves behind his two sons, Michael and Marc Fichtel; his brother, Herbert; step-daughter, Holly Graessle; and stepsons, Alan Markman and Carl Markman.

A graveside service for Leonard will be held today, Thursday, May 18, at 11 a.m. at The Chapel at Short Hills, 451 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, New Jersey 07041.

The family suggests sharing fond memories and expressions of sympathy at www.bernheimapterkreitzman.com.

Samuel E. Battista, Jr., 78, of East Hanover, died on Tuesday, May 16, in Livingston.

Mr. Battista was born in Orange, to the late Samuel and Josephine Battista. He began his career with the Orange Police Department in the motorcycle patrol division. He worked through various departments throughout his career, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant after almost 34 years.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Barbara; his loving daughters, Natalie Nicotra (Gene) and Jackie Palmieri (Anthony); his step-daughters, Kimberly Conyers (Chris), Amanda Kopera (Josh), Lindsday Pearson (Matt). He also leaves behind many grandchildren.

Visitation will be held today, Thursday, May 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. Funeral mass will be offered on Friday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Philomena’s Church, Livingston, with entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.