Obituaries

George Martin Klein, 103, of Roseland, New Jersey, passed away peacefully onApril 6, 2023. He lived a very happy and fulfilling life. He was a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, friend, coach and mentor.

George was born in Newark, New Jersey, on February 11, 1920, and was one of ten children of Martin and Theresa (Schmidt) Klein. He graduated from West Side High School and was active in sports and in the drama club. He excelled as “Hector” in the production “Collegiate.”

After high school, he worked at the Edison Laboratories in West Orange in a quality control position and served as union representative for the company. After World War II broke out, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed on the Pacific coast as an aviation electrician. He served on several aircraft carriers. He left the Navy when the war ended as a Petty Officer 2nd class.

Frank N. Gervasio, 77, of Livingston, formerly of Montclair, died on Friday, March 31.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, April 5, at Saint Philomena’s Church in Livingston.

Mr. Gervasio received a bachelors in sociology from Bloomfield College and worked for Essex County as a social worker for many years before retiring.

He was a chain director for Livingston Little League Baseball for three years.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary (née Messina); his children, Rebecca Gervasio, Matthew Gervasio and his fiancee Amy Moss, and by his brother, Neil Gervasio and his wife Angela and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests sending memorial donations to St. Philomena’s Church in Livingston, Habitat for Humanity or Livingston Little League Baseball.

Rosemary Gaffney Bushwell, 89, of Livingston and Normandy Beach, died at her home on Sunday, April 2.

Mrs. Bushwell was the youngest of three children. Raised in the Vailsburg section of Newark, she attended Vailsburg High School. Upon graduation, she was employed at the Prudential Life Insurance Company, and later met her husband, Ronald.

Mrs. Bushwell is predeceased by her husband, Ronald; her parents, William and Catherine Gaffney; her brother, William Gaffney Jr.; and her sister, Catherine Gaffney.

Surviving are six children: Linda Engelberger; Michael Bushwell; Gregory Bushwell; Kathleen Bushwell Fordyce; Brian Bushwell; and Mary Kay Bushwell; as well as 14 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making memorial donations to the Parish of St. Philomena in Livingston, NJ.

Grace Marchese of Tinton Falls died on Wednesday, March 29, at the age of 95.

Born and raised in New York City, Mrs. Marchese graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and attended Queens College in New York.

She and her husband, Hank, resided in Valhalla, NY; Silver Spring, MD; Livingston, NJ; Toms River, NJ; finally moving to Tinton Falls, NJ, in 2019.

In Livingston, she was president of the West Essex Chapter of the New Jersey State Opera Guild. In that capacity, she raised money for the opera company and sponsored many musical programs over a 15year period.

Mrs. Marchese was predeceased by her older brother Stephen Barbera, and her sisters, Josephine Cassidente, Angelina Grippi, and Antoinette Dudley.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years. She is also survived by four children, Michael, Laura, Paula, and Eric, as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Catherine Mignone passed away on March 30, 2023. She was 88 years old. Born in Orange, New Jersey, Catherine was a long-time resident of Livingston, NJ. She was a graduate of Upsala College and received her BA and MA. She taught in Orange and Livingston, New Jersey, for many years. When she started her career as a student teacher, she met the love of her life at Lincoln Ave. School in Orange.

Cay was a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. Philomena’s Parish where she volunteered for the CCD program for over 20 years. She was a money counter and volunteered for various events. Traveling to many places including Israel and Portugal with her fellow parishioners further strengthened her already strong faith. She also served as a Eucharist minister. She was the president of the Women’s Club of Livingston while volunteering for the Eyes of the Needy and Employment Horizons, and she also tutored many children.

Mark Solove of Highland Beach, Florida, and Livingston, New Jersey, died on Monday, March 20. He was 89.

Bom in Orange, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Abe and Gussie Solove. Mr. Solove completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania andreceived his master of business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

His career in commercial real estate began with Donald Zucker in New York City and later he became a partner at Buchbinder, Silverstein and Solove in New Jersey.

Mr. Solove is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sue; his daughters and their husbands, Elyse and Ned Barrett and Amy and Ken Spielman; his grandchildren; and his sister, Judy Abrams.

Anthony Edward Schmaus died at the age of 71 on Sunday, March 5.

Mr. Schmaus, son of the late Lamar and Marguerite Schmaus, was raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Mansfield University, and taught music at the elementary and high school levels for over 40 years in New Jersey public schools. He was a longtime band and music teacher at Livingston Public Schools.

Mr. Schmaus is preceded in death by his wife, Lillian Schmaus. He is survived by his son, Anthony J. Schmaus, and his wife, Jessica; his daughter, Krista Daigle, and her husband Brandon; and several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial services were held on Friday, March 17 at Crouse Funeral Home in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, https://mhopus.org.

A long time resident of Livingston, Nichola S. Boccongelli “Nick” passed peacefully overseas in Norwich, United Kingdom. He was 69 years old.

He attended Livingston High School. “Nick” was a broadcast maintenance engineer, retired, and worked with NBC sports. He got his start at channel 13, and WOR TV. Nichola left an impression on many.

Nick lived at 40 Oakwood Avenue. The son of Equidio and Pierina Boccongelli, who arrived in the U.S. from Italy after World War II on Ellis Island.

He leaves two sisters, Lucy Knoche and “Francie” Aroneo Boccongelli. Also nieces and nephews, Nicole, Jonathan, Jordan, Elle, Rachel, David, and Victoria. His best friends were Tom Day and George Calderon.

Nick taught me this: always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you know. Con tanti baci, with many kisses.

He will be missed by many.

Elsie Monica, loving wife to her late husband Matthew and mother to Matt, Tom, Lynn, and Lisa, passed away on Tuesday, March 7. She was able to spend time with each of her children during her last days and passed peacefully in the arms of her daughters at her home.

Elsie was born in New York, New York and lived most of her life with her husband and children in Livingston, New Jersey and later in Florham Park. She then moved to Seabrook Senior Community in Tinton Falls. Elsie worked at the Livingston Public Library and West Orange Turtle Back Zoo.

Elsie was a beautiful soul. She was kind, giving, and generous. She was creative, fun, and funny. She always had a smile on her face and was loved by everyone who knew her.

Rosa Maria Villa (nee Sierra), 84 of Livingston passed away on Saturday, March 11.

Relatives and friends were invited to attend a visitation for Rosa at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 15. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny on Thursday, March 16, at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Rosa came to the United States as a little girl, and was raised by her loving aunt in the Bronx. She lived in Kearny before residing in Livingston for the past 46 years.

Rosa attended the J. Adams Cosmetology School in the Bronx, and worked as a beautician at many different salons throughout her career. Having lost her mother at a young age, Rosa grew up caring for her siblings, and became the beloved matriarch of her family. Rosa was a devoted caregiver, and most treasured time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.