Obituaries

Maria Del Vento, who was raised in Livingston, died on Wednesday, February 3.

Born in Newark to John Fiumara and Minette Fiumara (née Grasso), she was as a pharmacy technician for 20 years and most recently lived in East Hanover and Toms River.

She is survived by her daughter, Erika Ann Del Vento; her brother Joseph Giannetta; and her sister, Theresa Capasso. Her husband, Leonard, died a week after she did.

Funeral services were private, in the care ofthe Galante Funeral Home in Caldwell. A memorial gathering celebrating her life will be held at a later date.

Sister Barbara Jeanne Howard, SSJ, passed away on February 9, 2021, at St. Joseph Villa, Flourtown, Pennsylvania, after a lengthy illness.

Sister Barbara had been a resident at the Villa for several years after leaving her position as director of the Sharing Office at St. Philomena’s Parish, Livingston, New Jersey, where she had been for 25 years.

Born in Elizabeth to her loving parents, George and Genevieve Howard onAugust 6,1934, Barbara was big sister to her brother Ronald, who passed away in 2019. She attended St. Joseph the Carpenter School and Holy Family Academy. After graduating, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in September, 1952.

Sister Barbara taught in elementary schools in the Philadelphia area; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and New Jersey. She continued her education at Kutztown University, earning a master’s degree in math education.

Charles (Chuck) Tahaney, Jr., a third generation favorite son of Livingston, passed away quietly on February 10, 2021, with his wife by his side.

Chuck was born in 1945 in Summit, New Jersey to Helen (Falk) Tahaney and Charles Tahaney, Sr.

Educated in the Livingston public schools, he was a proud graduate of the LHS class of 1963. He graduated in 1967 from St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, with a BS in English/education. In 1972, he earned an MBA in public administration from Seton Hall University’s Paul Stillman School of Business.

Edward Vincent O’Donnell, known by most as Eddie O, passed away suddenly at his home on February 8, 2021. He was 58 years young.

Ed grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, and always shared how much he loved spending his childhood there, especially spending time with one of his biggest influences Pete Seabron. Ed then moved to Rockaway, New Jersey, where he started his family. He later moved to Livingston, New Jersey, where he continued to grow his family and spent the last 21 years.

Ed was a contractor for more than 40 years and was affiliated with Pella Windows throughout his career, otherwise known as the Pella Fella.

Ed was a third-degree member and a new officer of the Columbian Association of the Knights of Columbus in Livingston, New Jersey. He was also a member ofthe Livingston Elks and the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh in West Orange, New Jersey. Ed was a faithful member of St. Philomena’s Parish in Livingston.

Frances Nora Tooker of Livingston died Monday, February 1, at the age of 89. A private service was held at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum in East Hanover.

Born in Orange, Mrs. Tooker had resided in Livingston for over 61 years.

She was an accounting manager for Market Measures Inc., before her retirement. She was a member ofthe St. Raphael Seniors ofLivingston and the Livingston Historical Society.

Predeceased by her husband, William J. Tooker, she is survived by her children, Patricia Ann San George, James Tooker, and William J. Tooker, and two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations in Mrs. Tooker’s memory be made to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940 or to the local ASPCA.

William Joseph “Bill” Myrtle, 75, of Sparta, New Jersey, passed away peacefully in his home in the early hours of February 8, 2021. He was the husband of Tamar “Tatu” Myrtle, with whom he spent 15 happy years of marriage.

Bill was born on December 30, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey, to William Joseph Myrtle, Sr. and Grace Ursula Myrtle. He was the third of six children and spent his childhood in Irvington, New Jersey. He graduated from Irvington Vocational Technical School, where he returned to give alumni speeches.

Giovanni Cocca, age 87, of Livingston, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, February 1, 2021.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Philomena Church, Livingston, New Jersey, on Monday, February 8, followed by a private family committal at Gate of Heaven Cemetery East Hanover, New Jersey. Arrangements were by the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston, New Jersey.

Giovanni, the oldest of five children (Tommaso, Marco, Teodemo, and Pellegrino), was born in San Marco dei Cavoti (BN), Italy, to Angelantonio and Teresa (Borrillo) Cocca. He emigrated from Italy in 1963, settling first in Vauxhall, New Jersey, then in Orange and ultimately Livingston, where he and his family resided for 50 years.

John Michael Ambielli, 78, of Califon and Bar Harbor, Maine, died at his home in Califon on January 21, 2021, following a battle with cancer.

He was born in Newark, in 1942, the son of Frederick and Sylvia (Giuliano) Ambielli.

In 1959 he graduated from Livingston High School and went on to serve in the New Jersey National Guard. He joined his father and brother in the family business, eventually growing their company into CustomAlloy Corporation, a global manufacturing company specializing in pipe fittings and forgings.

He also served as an elder at First Christian Assembly in Plainfield.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara; five children, Karen Fuller (Stuart), JohnAmbielli (Celia), Laura Swisher (Paul), Lynn Rampacek (Mark), and Sharon Dubuc (Seth); 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Adam Ambielli and his sister, Lin Berg.

Vera Deter, (nee Curcione) age 90, of Livingston, died Wednesday January 20. AMass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Philomena Church, Livingston, on Saturday, January 23. Interment followed at Gate ofHeaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

Mrs. Deter had resided in Livingston for over 60 years and was a member of St. Philomena’s Parish.

She is survivedby her husband of 70 years, Ralph E. Deter Sr.; her children, Debbie Seay, Gary (Carol) Deter, Ralph Deter Jr., and Barbara (Greg) Menarguez; and nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her late daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Al Gebhardt.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Marie E. Mancino of Livingston died January 21 at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. She was 92 years old.

Visitation was held at the QuinnHopping Funeral Home ofLivingston on Wednesday, January 27. A Mass of Christian Burial was then offered at St. Philomena’s Church, Livingston, followed by interment at Gate ofHeaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

Mrs. Mancino was born October 4, 1928, in Newark, and attended Barringer High School. She lived in Newark until 1968, then relocated to Livingston, where she and her family resided permanently.

Mrs. Mancino was a singer who had performed at Carnegie Hall and participated in the Essex Opera Guild. She was employed by the city of Newark, before retiring to raise her two children. She was a long-time supporter for the Deborah Heart and Lung Association and a member ofthe Livingston Chapter of AARP.