latest news from Livingston

Nina Danchuk of Livingston New Jersey died peacefully on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at her second home in Lake Rogerene, New Jersey, at the age of 93. She was surrounded by her family members.

Services will be held Friday, August 13, at 11 a.m. at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Holy Ascension, located at 650 Irvington Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey. Burial will follow at approximately 1 p.m. at St. Andrew Ukrainian Cemetery in South Bound Brook, NJ. Because of COVID concerns, there will be no viewings, and the repast lunch will he held at the Lake Rogerene Civic Association outdoor pavilion, 14 Rogerene Way, Landing NJ 07850 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please plant a special tree or flower in her memory.

While we were deeply saddened to hear about the sudden passing of a 14-year-old resident last week, it was heartening to see how the community came out to honor Shiv Kulkarni this past Sunday during a candlelight vigil at the Oval.

According to the vigil’s organizers, Shiv’s family and friends, nearly 1,000 people were in attendance Sunday evening. Shiv’s loved ones spoke and sang in front of a community that is still mourning one of their own, someone gone far too soon. We hope that this touching tribute allowed people to grieve the loss, and we are certain that Shiv’s memory will live on within so many in Livingston.

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After a relatively pleasant couple of months (compared to the year-plus that preceded it), the COVID-19 pandemic is once again at the forefront. The delta variant is making life more difficult and dangerous for the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike. While unvaccinated individuals face significantly greater risk of hospitalization and death from the virus, breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals are becoming increasingly common, reportedly accounting for at least half of Livingston’s cases in recent weeks. Statewide, breakthroughs accounted for nearly one in every five recorded cases during the last week of July.

Ruth S. Korn, 96, of Livingston, died Saturday, July 31. A memorial gathering will be held today, Thursday, August 5, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston. The memorial service will conclude the calling hours at 6:30 p.m.

Born in Newark and raised in Maplewood, Mrs. Korn was a longtime resident of West Orange, before moving to Livingston. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper for McGraw Edison, and later founded Korn Plumbing and Heating in West Orange, with her late husband, Edward.

Mrs. Korn was predeceased by her husband, Edward Korn, Jr., as well as her three siblings. She is survived by her children, Gary Korn, and Cathy Paulsen and her husband, Roger. She is also survived by two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Some of Livingston’s planned fall events have been cancelled due to the rise in cases as a result of the delta variant of COVID-19, according to township officials.

Mayor Shawn Klein said that the township’s Physician Advisory Board cited several factors as reasons for concern, including that the current wave of cases is expected to peak in October; children under 12 years old still not being able to receive a vaccine; and vaccine immunity potentially waning in elderly individuals.

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CANOE DONATED: On Saturday, July 31, the Livingston Trails and Greenways Committee dedicated two canoes, donated by Suraist Nithkasem, for public use on the Passaic River. The committee hopes to obtain a total of six canoes for residents and Livingston organizations to use for recreational and educational activities on the Passaic River. The committee plans to offer paddles on the river to residents, as well as the opportunity for youth groups to use the canoes. The committee is still looking for four more used canoes in good condition. To help or reach out with questions, email LivGreenTrails@gmail.com. Shown here, in font, are Marie Bond, Laura Siegel, Nithkasem, Paxton Nithkasem, and Council meber Rudy Fernandez. Shown here in the back row are Council member Michael Vieira, Mayor Shawn Klein, Ray Siegel, Anne Friedman, and Rich Cornell.

Several Girl Scouts in Livingston Cadette Troop 20290 are working on their Silver Award projects, and two – Helena Drakulich and Anita Joshi – have recently completed them. The Silver Award is the second-highest award a Girl Scout can achieve, along with the Bronze and Gold. To earn a Silver Award, a Scout must develop and carry out an estimated 50-hour sustainable Take Action Project that aligns with the scout’s interests and fills a community gap or need.

Supports Education At Turtle Back Zoo

Visitors to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange this summer will find a series of new signs created by Livingston teen and Girl Scout Helena Drakulich. With a passion for animals, especially those who are endangered, she has spent the past year working with the zoo’s Education Team to craft signs for key exhibits that address frequently asked questions, or FAQs.

Joseph (Joey) R. Petillo, formerly of Livingston, died on July 10 of sudden cardiac arrest. He was 53 years old.

A memorial service will be held for Mr. Petillo on Saturday, August 14, at Orender Family Home for Funerals in Manasquan. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Future interment will be at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, Toms River.

Mr. Petillo was born at Clara Maass Hospital in Belleville and spent his early years in Livingston and West Orange, later settling in Chula Vista, California.

He was predeceased by his wife of 16 years, Lotty Petillo (née Del Valle); and his mother, Carol Ann Petillo.

He is survived by his father, John Petillo of Wall Township; his brothers, John J. Petillo II of Washington, D.C., and Christopher Petillo of West Orange; and his sister, Anna Petillo, of Lincoln Park.

GIANTS WIN: The 16U Livingston Giants defeated the Cresskill Muggeo Cardinals, 4-3, on Wednesday evening, July 28, at home on the Oval. Shown above, Livingston’s Dan Levine triples to left center field against Cardinal pitcher Ron Presta. Home plate umpire Dave Asman and Cresskill catcher Aidan Bagalino follow the flight of the ball. At right, Giants pitcher Noah Boxer delivers a fastball against the Cardinals. Don Schwartz Photos

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12U TEAM WINS CHAMPIONSHIP: Livingston’s Central Metro 12U team defeated the Morris County Expos, 7-3, on Tuesday evening, July 27, at D’Alonzo Field in Livingston to win the United States Amateur Baseball League (USABL) 12U championship. Shown at left, Stealth center fielder Aidan Gillock scores from third base on a wild pitch against the Expos. Gillock stole second and third to set up the Livingston run. Above, the champions pose for a team photo. Standing are coach John Santucci, Matthew Handler, Evan Hermann, Grady Levine, Brice Simon, Jake Bonardi, Nick Santonastaso, manager Ed Murray, Devin Santucci, Ryan Ferdinand, Noah Herskovitz, Connor Chen, Matthew Ferdinand, Aidan Gillock, and coach Jim Bonardi; lying down in front is Mack Dockx. Don Schwartz and Jen Bonardi Photos