All Obituaries

On August 31, 2023, Janice Lenehan died of cancer peacefully, with grace and dignity, surrounded by her family. Jan was born in 1951 to Ernst and Ruth Gleitsman. She lived in many places, but settled in Westfield in 1978, where she has been a dedicated member of the community for 45 years. Jan worked for Johnson & Johnson, retiring in 2012, and served as the Worldwide Director of Employee Assistance. Her work at J&J fulfilled a lifelong mission to bring mental health services to...

Josephine Rojek (nee DeStefano) passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 24th, 2023 surrounded by her loving family at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9 pm at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, NJ www.higginsandbonner.com The funeral is on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 8:30 am followed by the funeral mass at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Mount...

Norma Manzano Fernandez 90, of Springfield passed away at home on September 14th 2023. Norma was born in Pinar Del Rio Cuba on January 17th 1933. She immigrated to the United States in 1962. She worked as a seamstress in a factory to help support their family when first coming from Cuba. Once established, she enjoyed traveling throughout this country as well as the world with her friends and family. She understood the joy of being generous with the gifts that God had given her but her...

With grace and resilience, Jane Purkis Kearney, 56, peacefully departed this world on September 11th, at Overlook Medical Center, surrounded by her family and friends after living boundlessly for over 2 years with metastatic breast cancer. Jane was a living testament to the endurance of the human spirit, and she leaves behind a lasting impact on all who know her. Born in September 1966 to Raymond and Mary Ellen Purkis Jr., Jane was raised in Union, NJ, attended St....

Amanda Marie Moschitta, age 35, of Kenilworth, NJ passed away on September 10, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Amanda was born on August 31, 1988 in Toms River N.J. to Michael Moschitta and Kathleen Moschiita (nee Crilley) predeceased by her father. Amanda is survived by her loving mother and best friend, Kathleen Moschitta, Amanda was the youngest of four children and leaves behind her sisters, Shanyn De Rosa and husband John, Danielle Donnelly and husband Peter and brother Shaun...

Donald “Don” Henry Eckloff, 80, of Cranford and Long Beach Island, passed away on August 18, 2023 after battling respiratory failure and aspiration pneumonia. Don was raised in Hillside and Kenilworth, NJ and moved to Cranford over 50 years ago. Don and his wife, Ellen, were married 58 years and have two children, Mary Beth and Don as well as four wonderful grandchildren: Garrett, Daniel, Ryan and Cristina.  Don grew up loving adventure and would often talk about sailing in...

Manuel Villagarcia Villafranca, M.D. passed away on September 3, 2023 at the age of 77. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Alicia Adapon Villafranca; his daughter, Maria Isabel A Villafranca, her husband, Miles Morton, and their young children, Marcelino and Nico; his son, Raul Manuel V Villafranca, and Raul’s daughter, Elisa. Manny was warm, resilient, creative, observant, and seemingly never bored. He loved telling stories and asking people to tell their own. He wrote...

Thomas P. Stock Sr. passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023. Thomas, known as Tommy or Red by most, could usually be found down by the water or with his grandchildren. He loved going out fishing on his boat, always bringing friends and family along with him. He had an easy-going nature and wouldn't hesitate to help anyone out. When he wasn't fishing or spending time with his family and friends, Tom also enjoyed traveling and a good road trip.  Raised...

John Joseph Huss Jr., aged 59, of Mountainside, NJ, passed away on August 19,2023 surrounded by his loving family. John was born on October 23,1963 to John J Huss Sr. and Beverly (nee Meyer) predeceased by his father. John is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Francesca (nee Burns), and their three wonderful children John J. III, Ava and Patrick. John was the eldest of six children. He leaves behind his sister, Deborah Kurus and husband Nicholas, brothers Michael and wife Dolores,...