Obituaries

Eleanor Virginia Werbel, of Livingston, passed away at age 105 on Saturday, March 4.

She was born and raised in Summit, worked as an executive assistant in a law firm prior to meeting and marrying Herman Werbel, and settling in Livingston.

Eleanor was very creative and artistic. She was active in community theater, enjoyed oil painting, and excelled in sewing and knitting.

Eleanor and Herman were married for 59 years. They had two children, Ernest and Toni.

Eleanor is predeceased by her husband, Herman; her son, Ernest; and brothers; Bill, Al and Ernest. She is survived by her daughter, Toni; daughter-in-law, Frimet; and grandson, Ernest Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Eleanor’s honor can be made to the charity of your choice.

Florence Leibell, of Livingston New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, at the age of 91 with her family by her side.

Florence – known as “Bubbles,” “Flo,” and “Flossie,” to name a few – was born to Herman and Lilly Brody in Beth Israel Hospital in New York City, New York. She was raised in Hoboken and Weehawken.

Upon marrying, she lived in Newark, Union, and Bergenfield for a short time. She settled with her husband, Jerry, of 65 years and her two children, Jillian and Jonathan in Livingston, New Jersey.

Sally W. Smith of Livingston passed away Friday, March 10. She was 88 years old. Smith was a registered nurse who earned her diploma at Jersey City Medical Center, Margaret Hague School of Nursing, and concentrated in pediatrics. She started as a hospital nurse at Orange Memorial Hospital before becoming a school nurse at Carteret School in West Orange. After raising her children, she went back to work at Heritage Middle School and earned her bachelor of science in nursing at Caldwell College. She was also a nurse at the ARC of Essex County. Born to Margaret (Mary) and Kenneth Wilson of Roseland, Smith married Jeffrey T. Smith, her husband of 65 years, and they lived in West Orange before moving to Livingston in 1971. Smith was active in her church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Essex Fells, and volunteered her time in the OpShop there. A prolific collector of antiques, she enjoyed finding and restoring items of historical value.

Gennaro Gencarelli of Livingston died on Friday, March 3. He was 94.

Born in Luzzi in the province of Cosenza, Italy, Mr. Gencarelli came to the U.S. in 1958 and lived in Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, and Roseland before settling in Livingston. Prior to retiring, he was a factory worker at National Starch and Chemical Co. He spent two years in the Italian military, near Lake Como, from 1949 to 1951.

He is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Assunta “Susie” Gencarelli; his siblings, Sr. Daria Gencarelli, Cristina Canova, and Giuseppina Gencarelli; children, Maria Schepis, Luigi “Lou” Gencarelli, Rosaly Apito and Frank Gencarelli; and grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was offered on Wednesday, March 8, at St. Rose of Lima Church, East Hanover. Mausoleum entombment followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Arrangements were under the direction of Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, in Roseland. Memories and condolences may be shared at shookfarmer.com.

John Anthony Nunez died on February 24 in Castle Rock, Colorado. He was 72 years old.

Mr. Nunez was born in Glen Ridge and raised in Livingston. He graduated from Livingston High School in 1969. He attended Saint Leo University, St. Leo, Florida, graduating in 1973.

Mr. Nunez was the business owner of retail wine and spirits stores in West Caldwell and Chatham.

He was a husband of 18 years to his wife Linda, who survives him. He was a father to three daughters, Jill Nunez (Dross), Lauren Nunez, and Jaclyn Nunez. He had two granddaughters and is survived by his brother, Henry J. Nunez, Jr.

A funeral service will be held at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 28 Livingston Avenue in Roseland on Saturday, March 11, at 11:15 a.m. Interment is private. Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at Wm. A. Bradley and Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street in Chatham on Friday, March 10, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Dorothea Ann Fast died at her home in Livingston on February 23 after an extended period of ill health. She was 94.

She was born on January 13, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York. Mrs. Fast and her husband, Sheldon, relocated from Ithaca, New York to East Orange, New Jersey. The two raised a family in Livingston beginning in 1954.

She is survived by her sons, Lawrence, Donald and Thomas; and many grandchildren.

Those interested in learning more information may call J.L. Apter Memorial Chapels of Roseland at 973-940-1300.

David B. Blake of Morris Plains died on Monday, February 27, at the age of 85.

Mr. Blake is survived by his wife, Jill; his daughter, Caroline Blake; his three sisters, Barbara Ann Wass, Doris Lasher and Arlene O’Connor; his grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Blake’s career began with the Livingston Board of Education in 1976 before continuing his career at Morris Hills Regional, Bogota and Elmwood Park.

Visitation was held at the Doyle Funeral Home, Morristown, on Friday, March 3. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Assumption Parish, Morristown, on March 4.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Seton Hall Prep, c/o Michael Gallo, 120 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052.

Robert (“Bob”) S. Kurz died at his home on January 28. He was 101.

Kurz was married to his wife Lorraine for 72 years before her death in 2019. Kurz leaves behind three sons Steven (Helen), Mitch (Sandy), Don (Noelle Toland), three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Born in the Bronx, Kurz served during World War II in the Army Air Forces, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant while serving in the Pacific Theater. He began his professional life as a jazz drummer.

He held a sales executive position at Ramsey’s Pezrow Corp., where he eventually rose to vice chairman, before retiring after over 30 years of work.

Kurz played tennis until the COVID-19 pandemic forced a retirement at age 98.

Robert F. Munson of Livingston passed away on Monday, February 27 at age 55.

Munson joined the Livingston Fire Department in 1988. He was a fire photographer, active in New Jersey Fire News and in many Essex County Fire Departments.

He is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Linda. Munson is survived by his life partner and loving fiancé, Maureen McNany; his sons Patrick, Ryan and Tyler; and Maureen’s children, Peter, Madison and Brendan; his sister, Laura Munson; nephew, CJ; and dog, Buster.

He is also survived by his extended family, including the Smith family and his many firefighter brothers and sisters.

A memorial visitation will be held at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mount Pleasant Ave., Livingston, on Sunday, March 5, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a prayer service to start at 5 p.m.

Danielle Lee Meeker passed away with the Lord on February 1, 2023, at Morristown Medical Center, following a long illness.

Born in Livingston on August 30, 1973, she was the loving daughter of Linda L. Meeker and Timothy W. Meeker; the sister of Timothy P. Meeker; and aunt to Frank W. Meeker. Danielle also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, and cousins, along with countless friends.

Danielle was a dedicated employee of Memorial Sloan Kettering. Her life was family, friends, volunteering, and Otter Lake Campground.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Livingston PBA 263; the Livingston Fire Department; the Livingston FirstAid Squad; or your favorite charity.

No memorial arrangements have been planned at this time.