This year, our In Memoriam reflects the pain of loss we experience every year — deaths due to tragic accidents, brutal disease or even coming peacefully at the end of a long life. But 2020 has been particularly challenging to our collective grief as we grapple with the added wound of COVID-19.
Our solace lies in the lives that they lived. In the many whom they loved and who loved them in return. The gifts they left behind. The future they held in hope for us.
If you know of a community member whom we have failed to memorialize here, please contact us at villagegreennj@gmail.com.
Remembering those we lost:
Mark Blum. Courtesy CHS Hall of Fame.
Isaiah Ingram: Third & Valley Parking Account Manager Dies of Complications of COVID-19
David Hogenauer, 86, South Mountain Reservation Trailkeeper, Unofficial Historian
David Hogenauer
Athalante Debrosse, 44, Amazing Mom, Lived a Life of Love
Athalante Debrosse
South Orange Loses First Community Member to COVID-19: Roehl Cosio Empestan
Ro Empestan
John Herman Clomax, Jr., 62, of South Orange, Broke Barriers, Guided Many
John Herman Clomax, Jr.
Lee Boswell-May Passes, South Orange Mourns
Lee May with Mike Griot
Robert M. Dlugos, 85, Former Maplewood Firefighter, Volunteer ‘Township Photographer’
Robert M. Dlugos
Susan B. Joseph, 61, of Maplewood, Dedicated Community Volunteer
Paul Moise: Maplewood Family That Lost Health Care Worker Dad to COVID-19 Needs Help
Paul Moise
Holli Ross, 63, of Maplewood — Beloved Jazz Singer & Educator, Wife, Mother, Sister & Neighbor
Holli Ross
SOPAC Announces Passing of Beloved Audience Services Director Grayce Coviello
Grayce Coviello
Dr. Godwin Molokwu, Former Board of Ed Candidate, Is 25th Maplewoodian to Die of COVID-19
Dr. Godwin Molokwu, candidate for South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. Credit: Falcon Reese.
‘Jerry Ryan Gave His Heart and Soul to Maplewood and Its People’
Jerry Ryan (left) and Vic DeLuca in 1997
Albert (Tico) Shikiar, 85, Former Trustee, Unofficial ‘Mayor of South Orange’
Albert (Tico) Shikiar
Emmanuel (Mani) Arguelles, Beloved Columbia High School Math Teacher
Emmanuel (Mani) Arguelles in Kyoto, Japan (photo courtesy Lauren Hargraves)
Omar Hutchinson: Columbia High Principal Offers Support After Student Dies in Swimming Accident
South Orange Loses 5th Resident to COVID-19
Danny Ives ‘Loved the Good in All People, Lived Life to the Fullest’
Danny Ives
Dan Baum, 64, Columbia High School Class of ’74 and Former WSJ & New Yorker Reporter
Dan Baum
Joyce (Dunn) Joyce, 84, Formerly of South Orange
Joyce (Dunn) Joyce
Brian Mecca, 64, Lived for His Daughters
Brian Mecca with daughters Lily and Annabelle
PiaRocel Paras, 55, of Maplewood, Known for Her Warmth, Love and Strength
PiaRocel Paras, her husband and daughters
