Belleville honors two outgoing councilmen — whose last day on the job was June 30 – after neither sought re-election to the governing body. Story begins on page 5
At Nutley’s 11th-annual Junior Police Academy, cadets thrive as leaders
By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
It’s that time of year again — and the first local junior police academy has been put in the books.
The Nutley Police Department hosted its 11th annual academy last week at Spring Garden School. The free week-long program, led by police Lt. Michael Padilla, welcomed students from grades 5 to 8 to learn basic police fundamentals including marching, self-defense and crime-scene processing; they experienced working with the Nutley Fire Department and EMS Squad; they took time to assist the Nutley Family Service Food Bank; and they visited the USS Intrepid Museum in New York City.
“I have to be honest, every year this event takes place, it just makes me prouder and prouder,” Commissioner Alphonse Petracco, director of Public Safety, said. “To see the youth of our town come out and spend a week of their summer learning all about the inner workings of the job our great public safety department does is simply amazing to me. These kids are the treasures of our town. I want to thank and congratulate all of them, as well as their parents, for another successful year of
the Nutley Junior Police Academy. And special thanks to all the police officers, firemen, EMS and staff who volunteered their time to make this program the groundbreaking event it is.”
Padilla, who spends countless hours volunteering to help the township’s youth programs throughout the year, felt this year’s program was a little different.
“This is probably the least stressed I’ve been about this since I started,” he said. “But that’s because of all the support and help we get doing this. We’re a community that cares. We are, as Director Petracco and all of the commissioners have said, ‘One Nutley.’ So when it comes to putting something together for our kids, there’s no red tape. There’s nothing that stops us from making it work.”
As always seems to be the case, there were a number of students who stepped up to be leaders and set examples for the younger kids. This year’s class included a student who has a decorated family history of public safety in Nutley.
“It’s been a really amazing experience,” Louis DeLitta, grandson of former Nutley Police Chief Robert DeLitta, said. “The kids are great.
See ACADEMY, Page 15
Gerald Green. In the bottom photos, one of the trips the cadets took was to the USS Intrepid in New York City and here, several of the cadets can be seen on its deck in the Hudson River.
Kearny’s Wilson promoted to new US Navy rank
Lt. John O’Neill Wilson, of Kearny, a member of the United States Navy, was promoted in a ceremony in New York City.
Wilson was born in Hudson County. After completing his bachelor’s degree at St. John’s University in New York City in 2011, he moved to Philadelphia to attend Drexel University School of Law. While at Drexel Law, Wilson was the president of the criminal law society, a member of the trial team and dean’s scholar in criminal law.
Wilson worked for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting cases in the Philadelphia Municipal Court and Court of Common Pleas, ranging from misdemeanor offenses to felony cases including child abuse, drug distribution and family violence. Wilson also worked at the Philadelphia City Law Department’s Civil Rights Unit, where he defended
Philadelphia law-enforcement and government employees against §1983 actions. He earned his JD in May 2014, magna cum laude, passed bar exams and was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the District of Columbia.
Wilson joined the U.S. Navy JAGC through the direct accessions program. He was a general practitioner at a small firm in Philadelphia, with focus areas in state and federal criminal defense, plaintiff personal injury actions and civil-rights litigation. He was responsible for all criminal defense and civil rights matters. After two years as an associate, Wilson was commissioned in August 2016.
Wilson completed Naval Justice School, with honors, class standing 1 out of 52.
He was the recipient of the American Bar Association award for Professional Merit, American Association of Justice Outstanding Trial Advocacy
Wilson
Skills and the Military Officers Association of America Award for Professional Excellence. Wilson was also a finalist in both the trial advocacy and client counseling competitions.
While stationed at Regional Legal Services Office, Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia, Wilson completed his First Tour Judge Advocate (FTJA)
Program. He served as trial counsel for contested special and general courts’ martial.
Wilson served as the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) for 12 commands across eight countries, including three Navy installations and two new installations in Poland and Romania. He provided legal support on a Sixth Fleet exercise for the protection of Israel, and participated in the bilateral training initiative with the United Kingdom Royal Navy.
Wilson then served as the installation SJA for Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida. His collateral duties included the PII Officer, Claims Officer, JAG Recruitment Officer for the entire southeast region and causality assistance calls officer.
His legal counsel to the installation, as well as its 17 tenant commands, including JIATF and the Coast Guard,
See USN, Page 15
HCCC BREAKS GROUND ON JSQ STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER
By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
Hudson County Community College says it’s pioneered the urban campus concept by integrating learning environments, cultural spaces, public areas and workplaces within Jersey City’s Journal Square. In establishing the Journal Square Campus, the college became an essential part of the neighborhood that engages and serves the county’s residents and businesses where they live.
On June 18, the college hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the HCCC Center for Student Success at 2 Enos Place in Jersey City. HCCC Vice President for External Affairs, Strategic Directions and Senior Counsel to the President Nicholas Chiaravalloti served as master of ceremonies.
HCCC President Christopher Reber and trustee Pamela Gardner welcomed U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez; Hudson County Executive Craig Guy; Commissioners Anthony Romano and William O’Dea; HCCC Student Government Association President Nina Maria Resurreccion; Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council President Patrick Kelleher
and labor leaders; and HCCC trustees, students, cabinet members, faculty and staff.
Reber said growing a campus embedded in one of the nation’s most densely populated areas poses unique challenges, yet the college is keenly aware of its overarching need to serve as a good steward of the neighborhood.
“The Center for Student Success was designed to centralize and consolidate all of our student services in one convenient location and complement the architecture of the surrounding area. It is the final segment of the Hudson County Community College Facilities Master Plan,” Reber said. “The County of Hudson has partnered with us through every step of our development so that we may provide our neighbors with the very best academic experiences possible. We are thankful for the ongoing support of County Executive Craig Guy, former County Executive Thomas DeGise and the Hudson County Board of Commissioners.”
“This project will serve thousands of students here at Hudson County Community College. The HCCC Center for Student Success will be the epicenter of study, creativity, activity, and collaboration
See HCCC, Page 14
CMartinez brothers’ presentation coming to Hinchcliffe Stadium this week
alling all baseball enthusiasts.
Join organizers for a presentation on the transformative impact of the Martinez Brothers on baseball Saturday, July 13, at 1 p.m., at the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium, 186 Maple St., Paterson.
Uncover the untold stories that have shaped the game and continue to influence Major League Baseball today. This enhanced presentation builds on a successful showcase at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, featuring a new, never-before-seen trailer of the upcoming documentary.
This is a baseball story and a narrative of talent, tragedy and legacy, presented by Max Martinez Almenas and his son, Adam Martinez Almenas, grand and great-grandnephews of Horacio “Rabbit” Martinez.
“Rabbit” Martinez was a five-time All-Star shortstop for the New York Cubans (1935-1947) and a 1947 Negro League World Series champion who also played professionally in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Aruba, Panama and Venezuela. He later became a super scout for the New York and then San Fransisco Giants. He signed Juan Marichal, the first Dominican inducted into Cooperstown, the Alou Brothers (Felipe, Jesus and Mateo) and Manny Mota, arguably the most significant pinch hitter ever.
In essence, Martinez opened the original baseball talent pipeline from the Dominican Republic into Major League Baseball (MLB), creating a path for the first wave of Dominican players. His effects on baseball are still seen
Some of the highlights of the event include:
n An in-depth presentation about the four Martinez Brothers, the players they signed and their significant contributions in the Negro Leagues, Latin-American
Museum situated at one of the last remaining Negro League ballparks in the country honoring legendary players, including but not limited to Josh Gibson, Martin Dihigo, Jackie Robinson, Monte Irvin, and Larry Doby, the first Black ballplayer to play in the American League, who had his first tryout with Irvin for the Newark Eagles at Hinchliffe Stadium.
Winter Leagues and MLB, as players, coaches, managers and deluxe MLB scouts.
n An exclusive trailer of the upcoming documentary “The Martinez Brothers: The Untold Baseball Story of Talent, Tragedy and Legacy.”
n A museum tour, where you’ll get to explore the recently opened modern and interactive Charles J. Muth
The multi-sport museum also honors professional athletes and performers who made their mark at Hinchliffe Stadium in track, football, boxing, car racing, Hollywood entertainment and elsewhere. Refreshments will be served, so RSVP at Muth-museum@ montclair.edu or call (862) 385-1240.
You may also RSVP at www.facebook.com/ events/1455487735108427. For more information, contact Jessica Bush at cameronbushj@montclair.edu.
— CANESSA
1 of 3 newly ordained priests will serve in Nutley
By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
One of the three men ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart has been assigned to Nutley, while the other two will serve elsewhere in the Archdiocese of Newark.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., archbishop of Newark, ordained three men to the priesthood during a Rite of Ordination on May 25.
Amidst a sea great joy from family and friends, Matteo Matarazzo, Joseph A. Pavone and Andrew M. Rubinich were called forward by Cardinal Tobin for election to the priesthood.
They pledged their obedience, prostrated before the altar as a litany of saints was sung and kneeled as archdiocesan priests laid hands on them in prayer.
Cardinal Tobin then recited the Prayer of Consecration, officially ordaining the trio as priests in a moment of immense happiness and celebration.
Upon donning their stoles and chasubles, the new priests had their hands anointed with the sacred chrism before distributing the Holy Eucharist for the first time as priests.
Afterward, they offered inaugural blessings to many of the gathered faithful and they gave personal blessings to Cardinal Tobin, as well.
The new priests — Father Matarazzo at Holy Family Parish in Nutley, Father Pavone at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Wyckoff and Father Rubinich at St.
Aloysius Parish in Caldwell — will embark on their pastoral duties to shepherd the faithful and administer the sacraments. Through it all, they will be guided by the message of Cardinal Tobin’s homily, which emphasized service as “the foundation on which the priesthood is built.”
Flying a Fort McHenry flag over Belleville
For the July 4 holiday, the Belleville Historical Society was to fly the flag seen here over the old Dutch Reformed Church. The flag once flew high above Fort McHenry at the Baltimore Harbor in Maryland. BHS President Mike Perrone journeyed to Maryland in September to collect the flag. Francis Scott Key wrote the national anthem while he was imprisoned on a British ship in the harbor during a bombardment 200+ years ago. When the battle was
Estate
LOWERING THE ASKING PRICE
Regardless of whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market, some homes don’t sell in a timely fashion and end up sitting on the market for months and sometimes years. Sellers are not always realistic about what they can get for their homes. Also, many potential buyers may feel wary about buying a house that has sat for too long, thinking something must be wrong. If you are trying to sell at this stage, lowering the asking price may be beneficial. The general rule is that if a home is still on the market after several weeks, it’s wise to re-evaluate. The real estate agent who listed your property will let you know how
much to reduce the asking price. Sometimes we all need a dose of reality, especially when a substantial gap exists between what sellers think their property should sell for and what market conditions will bear. If you’re having trouble coming up with a price to put on your home, we suggest you put this crucial step to a successful sale in the hands of an experienced professional. We offer an expertise that can make the process easy to understand, and our insights can be extremely valuable. “Our success has been built one satisfied customer at a time.”
Photo by Michael Perrone
The new priests with Cardinal Tobin
OPINION & VIEWPOINTS
GUEST COMMENTARY
Ferreira: Juan Barroso is victim of the worst kind of politics
Ihave been watching the Juan Barroso story unfold, hoping someone in a town leadership position would acknowledge and correct the injustice done to him and his family.
Thus far, I have seen our amazing community come together to support Mr. Barroso, but have noticed pure silence from our “leaders.”
Here’s the truth:
This entire case is politically motivated.
Juan Barroso upset the political establishment in our town, and now his family is paying the price.
I will explain.
About a week before the 2023 Kearny mayoral election, I attended the annual Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA) fundraiser dinner.
To my surprise, I was the only mayoral candidate who showed up to support this important event.
Days before the event, Juan approached me and asked if I would like to address the dinner attendees. I agreed to do so, and delivered a non-political speech.
Recognizing this was an event to benefit the firefighters’ union, I stated how proud I was to have grown up in a union household, and assured the crowd I would always support the right for workers to organize and collectively bargain for fair wages and benefits.
About two weeks after this dinner, and one week
OP ED By Sydney J. Ferreira Kearny
after the election, Mr. Barroso received a “Letter of Investigation.” He was suspended without pay, while being “investigated.”
Mr. Barroso was essentially fired.
Recently, after some pressure from the community, he was given the option to come back to work with a demotion, taking a huge pay cut and giving up some vacation pay. None of us can afford a pay cut in today’s economy, especially not a family with three kids and a fourth on the way.
I should point out: There are several examples of employees in town who were caught (some on video surveillance) committing far worse mistakes, and barely receiving a slap on the wrist, usually because they know someone in the right position. Most of these people still work in their same positions, never receiving a demotion nor a pay cut.
I agree town employees should not and cannot do two jobs at the same time. But it is extremely important to note there are several town and county employees who hold two or more public jobs, standing to collect two or more pensions. Some of these employees are even scheduled the same exact hours for two different positions in two different locations.
How does that work?
Would that ever work in the private sector?
How many of us get paid to be at two different jobs at the same exact time? Well, some of our town employees and local politicians enjoy this benefit. The reason behind this is simple: they know the right people in power, while others like Juan are held to a different standard, because he upset the powers that be with a simple act of perceived “defiance.”
We should all be disgusted by these political games and schemes. We need to hire and promote people based only on their qualifications. We cannot deny a job or a promotion or fire or demote someone based on their race, gender, religion, sexual preference or political affiliation!
Lisa M. Feorenzo lisa@theobserver.com Co-owner/Advertising Dir.
Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com Editor/Broadcaster
There have been several examples of people who were forced to switch political parties to obtain a public job. This is totally unacceptable and goes against every fundamental principle of our democracy. These practices need to end, because it is the taxpayers and residents who ultimately suffer the consequences, when you hire based on
association rather than qualification.
Juan has been an exemplary pillar of our community. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, not only for his union brothers and sisters, but also for other great organizations such as Camp Fatima.
I am proud to call Juan Barroso a friend, and it’s time for our elected officials to break the silence and defend Mr. Barroso. I hope this letter encourages them to do so.
Sydney J. Ferreira is a Kearny realtor. In 2021, he ran in the Democratic primary for mayor of Kearny. In 2022, he ran as an unaffiliated candidate for Fourth Ward councilman and in 2023, he ran in the special mayoral election as a Republican.
Tina Feorenzo Co-owner/Advertising
Michelle Rybeck advertising@theobserver.com Graphic Artist/Real Estate
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Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com Sports Writer
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Kimberley Pezzolla kimpezzolla@theobserver.com Sales/Classifieds
Barroso
SPORTS & HEALTH
By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
Ask any of Anthony Pizzuti’s coaches over the years and they’re sure to have their own Anthony Pizzuti story, each one, a look back at a play, a quarter or a game where Pizzuti made the extraordinary seem ordinary.
“I think in all three sports he did something and I would sit there and go oh my God,” said Pat Auteri, Lyndhurst’s head baseball coach and the offensive coordinator during football season. “There’s times you think, oh, he can’t surprise you, but then he will with what he can do.”
Whether it was his four-touchdown game in the
state football tournament at Newton, a 44-point outburst at Hasbrouck Heights or a 5-for5 day at Rutherford, Pizzuti’s delivered several jaw-dropping performances over the course of his senior year.
Pizzuti’s incredible prowess in all three sports he played this season makes him The Jim Hague Observer Male Athlete of the Year for the 2023-2024 school season.
The annual award has been named in honor of Hague, who for 20-plus years was The Observer’s sports writer. It was during that time that Hague, a longtime Kearny resident, and the newspaper started presenting the Athlete of the Year Award to one local male and female athlete who excelled in
multiple sports.
Pizzuti’s selection continues a staggering run of Lyndhurst success with the award. He becomes the third consecutive Golden Bear to be awarded and the fourth in five years. Overall, he is the seventh Lyndhurst boy to win the award since its inception in 2003.
“Growing up, I definitely played a lot of sports and it kind of came easy to me playing all the different sports,” Pizzuti said. “I definitely prided myself on it. I also played roller hockey and lacrosse. I would play pickup tennis with my grandma and I would wrestle when I was younger.”
For Pizzuti, his own personal example of when he wowed himself came on the lacrosse
PIZZUTTI RUNS AWAY WITH 2024 TOP MALE ATHLETE HONORS
field as a youngster, when in just his second career game, he scored a hat trick after just a handful of practices.
While Pizzuti never picked back up the lacrosse stick or tennis racquet, this past fall saw him return to football for the first time in high school.
In his lone season of football, Pizzuti finished with 17 catches for 400 yards and six touchdowns.
While it took time for Pizzuti to reacclimate himself to football, the 6-foot-4 senior provided a glimpse into what he was capable of on the gridiron in the second half of Lyndhurst’s state playoff game at Newton.
With Lyndhurst trailing 3310, Pizzuti caught four Shawn Bellenger TD passes and also
recovered a pair of fumbles turning a certain defeat into a near shocking comeback.
“He did all that in 9 minutes,” head football coach Rich Tuero said. “It was unreal. It was one of the most incredible performances I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“It was probably the best experience in my life,” Pizzuti said about his year of football.
“I wish I played all four years to be honest. I kinda relied on (size and athleticism) the whole year. The plays were hard to remember, but I got the technique down later on in the season and then it kind of all came together at the end.”
It turned out to be just one of several record-breaking perfor-
See PIZZUTI, Page 9
Photo by Kevin Canessa
Anthony Pizzuti accepts the 2024 Jim Hague Observer Male Athlete of the Year award from Observer co-owner Lisa Feorenzo. His father, Richard, is also there for the presentation.
Nutley heavyweight Brandon Toranzo commits to wrestle at Rutgers
By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
For Nutley heavyweight Brandon Toranzo, the first choice turned out to be the final choice.
This spring, Toranzo, one of the finest wrestlers to ever come out of Nutley, verbally committed to continue his career at Rutgers.
With the decision, Toranzo becomes the 10th member of a Rutgers wrestling recruiting class that is ranked No. 9 in the country by Flo Wrestling. He also joins his older brother Michael, a senior, on the Rutgers roster.
“Rutgers was the first school to ever really contact me,”
Pigment dispersion syndrome is an eye condition that happens when pigment leaks from the iris and becomes trapped in the eye’s drainage system. If the pigment blocks the drain, it increases eye pressure and can lead to glaucoma. When the extra eye pressure happens over time it can affect the optic nerve and cause pigmentary glaucoma. The increased eye pressure may come and go, causing symptoms like blurry vision and rainbow halos. Untreated glaucoma causes vision loss and blindness, but pigment dispersion can be detected during a normal eye exam. Medications, laser therapy, and surgery are used to treat
Brandon Toranzo said, recalling those initial conversations as a junior. “I always wanted
to be close, I didn’t really have a feeling of wanting to go far. My brother went to Oregon State before he transferred to Rutgers so I saw how he didn’t
like (being far away). It’s better to be home, with my brother. I think it’s a cool thing that a lot of people can’t experience.”
According to Toranzo that
contact with Rutgers and head coach Scott Goodale continued even as he rehabbed from a torn ACL suffered in Feb., 2023. Toranzo recovered from the knee injury with a senior season that was arguably the greatest by an individual Nutley wrestler. The heavyweight went 46-1 to finish third overall in the state - the highest medal placement at the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships in 43 years. He was Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Essex County Tournament for a second-straight year and at the Region 3 Championships.
Following the season’s conclusion, Toranzo took his official recruiting visit to Rutgers
the condition by relieving eye pressure because the leaking pigment is very difficult to correct (although it usually slows with age).
Because there are often no symptoms, PDS is usually diagnosed during a regular eye exam. That is why it is so important to have an eye exam with your ophthalmologist. To schedule an exam, please call 201-896-0096. Our office is located at 20 Park Avenue, Lyndhurst. To reach our optical shop, call 201-896-0007. We accept most insurance.
P.S. Pigment dispersion syndrome and pigmentary glaucoma are more common in younger, Caucasian males who are nearsighted.
Photos by Frank DeBlasio
PIZZUTI
Continued from Page 7
The majority of his records came on the basketball court. Pizzuti, who already held the single-game scoring record with 52 points the year before, became Lyndhurst’s career points leader on Jan. 31 against Cresskill, breaking Scott Ryder’s 37-year record. He graduated with 1,341 points.
“It is really cool that I got to break Scott Ryder’s record,” said Pizzuti, who talked to Ryder after the accomplishment. “He was a phenomenal athlete in high school and hopefully the record stays for as long as he did.”
“I knew he had that basketball feel. He knew what was going on in the game,” head boys basket-
ball coach Perrin Mosca said. “I think when he was a sophomore, he didn’t really get that chance to do it. So when we let him go, it unleashed him in his junior year. He just took it and ran with it.”
For the season, he averaged 23.9 points and 8 rebounds per game, earning a spot in the prestigious North-South Game.
Several NJAC schools as well as SUNY-Cortland expressed heavy interest in Pizzuti for basketball. In the end, he ultimately stuck to his longtime goal of playing baseball in college when he committed to Brookdale in May.
“I think deep down, I kinda knew I was always going to play baseball, but I got a little excited as basketball and I was playing so well. In baseball, my junior year, I didn’t have a good season so I was kind of iffy about (play-
Premier Car e TALK S
CROHN’S DISEASE
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It is characterized by periods of inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal lining, leading to a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune condition, and its cause remains unclear, although it is thought to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. It usually follows a relapsing and remitting course, meaning patients experience periods of active symptoms followed by periods of relative relief. While there is no cure, treatment options such as medi-
cation, dietary changes, and surgery can help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation.
Most people with Crohn’s first see a healthcare provider because of ongoing diarrhea, belly cramping or unexplained weight loss. If you have a child who has been experiencing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, reach out to your pediatrician. To schedule an appointment, please call PREMIER CARE ASSOCIATES OF WEST HUDSON at 201-998-7474. We are located at 512 Kearny Ave., Suite B, where walk-in patients are always welcome 7 days a week.
P.S. It is estimated that half a million Americans—men, women, and children—have Crohn’s disease.
Email any questions or comments to: premiercare@gmail.com Premier Care Associates of West Hudson is available on a walk-in or appointment basis for your primary healthcare needs.
ing in college). But after this year, I realized I wanted to play baseball in college.”
This spring proved to be his most productive on the diamond. Pizzuti batted .427 (41-for-96) with five home runs, 40 runs scored, 19 RBI and 30 stolen bases. On the mound, he pitched to a 1.61 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 56.2 innings.
“In baseball, they talk about five-tool players. He’s a five tool player,” Auteri said. “He can do it all.”
While most schools recruited Pizzuti as a pitcher, Brookdale recruited him as a position player. While the door is still open for him to be a two-way player at Brookdale, the opportunity to be an everyday player was big
for him.
“I like hitting more and I really like playing in the field too,” said Pizzuti. “I like pitching too, but I think I want to play shortstop and be able to hit in college.
“I was definitely excited (about Brookdale) because a lot of the schools that reached out, they all wanted me to pitch in college, so I was happy that they didn’t mind where I played. They said I could try both (pitcher and position player).”
“I think he has the potential, if he does everything right, he’s got a shot at some D1 offers after his time at Brookdale,” Auteri said.
“I think as soon as he fine tunes his skills, he’s going to be a very good player.”
“Make your vision picture perfect... See what you’ve been missing. Visit our
Pizzuti admitted that one of the biggest adjustments will be playing and focusing on just one sport, but knows the singular focus on baseball will prove beneficial.
“That’s definitely going to be weird because I’m really used to playing a sport every single season,” Pizzuti said. “But in college, you’re playing year-round baseball so it’s going to be like I’m playing the same amount of sports.
“It’s kind of sad to think about how I’m not going to be able to see these coaches (at Lyndhurst) that I love seeing every single day, my friends and everything. I’m literally about to have a new family, but I’m excited though.”
Dr. Prakash J. Doshi
Dr. Hector Aguilar
TORANZO
Continued from Page 8
in April and later took visits to Hofstra and West Virginia before making his May commitment.
During that time, he remained patient with recruiting knowing that the injury forced him to commit later than most of his contemporaries.
“It was frustrating, but I definitely understood because you can’t really put down a bet on something that’s not there yet,” said Toranzo. “You got to see how I was able to come back and persevere and get back to training and see if I was even going to be the same. I feel like that was a big concern at first with a lot of people. But I knew as long as I stayed true to myself and my faith and just kept working hard, that there was no way I was not going to be the same.
“A lot of people knew what they were doing and I didn’t, but I stayed the track. I just kept wrestling hard.”
This summer is the first ever that Toranzo has been able to focus solely on training on wrestling. The previous two years he was rehabbing knee injuries as Toranzo suffered a torn ACL to his other knee as a sophomore at St. Joseph Regional. Prior to transferring to Nutley, Toranzo also spent most of his summers preparing for football.
In addition to making the drive down to Rutgers to train multiple days a week, Toranzo has been working with his family’s window service business.
“That’s been a big change,” Toranzo said. “This is my first ever offseason being able to wrestle, which is pretty cool. It’s a big difference. Wrestling is a hard sport to do full time, all year around. But I’ve been learning to work past that and just be able to persevere. I love the grind. I love the grit. So it hasn’t been too big of a change, but it’s definitely different. I’m not used to wrestling in the summer.”
Brandon Toranzo will be one of four Observer-area wrestlers
on the Rutgers roster this winter. In addition to his older brother Michael, who competed last year at 184 pounds, the Scarlet Knights also have brothers Damian and Dylan Weaver on the roster. Dylan, a senior, competed last year at 157 pounds and Damian, who redshirted last year, is expected to compete at 175 pounds.
“Everybody started contacting me (after I committed),” said Brandon Toranzo. “They’ve bought tickets. They tell me they’re going to get the season passes, they’re going to come down watch. They’re excited for me. I’m really glad to be in a town that supports me like that.”
Toranzo wasn’t the only local wrestler to recently make a college commitment as Belleville’s Rocco Negron signed to continue his career at Felician. Negron overcame a major shoulder injury to go 18-4 this season and earn Most Outstanding Wrestler at District 10 and qualified for the State Wrestling Championships at Atlantic City for the second time.
Guy says he’s in favor of mental-health court
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy has joined a growing chorus of politicians calling on the Hudson County Board of Commissioners to partner in support of a resolution to establish a Mental Health Court in the county.
“Since day one, my administration has been wholeheartedly focused on service and making sure all residents know about and have access to the services Hudson County provides for all communities,”, Guy said. “This resolution affirms that commitment by prioritizing mental health within our courts system through the classification of this mental health court as a special-needs, voluntary program.
Mental health court would operate in partnership with the Hudson County Prosecutors Office, the Superior Court of New Jersey, the Office of the Public Defender, the Hudson County Department of Family Services and Reintegration and Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office.
KEARNY
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
OBITUARIES
Karen Greb
Karen Greb died July 4, 2024. She was 67.
She lived in Kearny and retired from the Town of Kearny and Army National guard.
She is survived by her sister, Donna Haynes (Drew); brother Peter Greb (Lynn); niece Heather Stone (Jamey); nephews Garrett Haynes (Ashley), William Greb (Janine); great-nephew James Stone; and great-nieces Abigail Stone and Madison Elish (Haynes).
A memorial will take place later this year.
In lieu of flowers, please give to Twisted Cats.
Halina Page Krzemieniecki
Halina Page Krzemieniecki of Clifton died Wednesday, July 3, 2024. She was 75. Known for her unique style and creative passion as a seamstress and fashion designer, Halina left a lasting impression on her family, friends and customers by her talent and making their events one of a kind. She also loved to share her passion for cooking with endless courses of Polish cuisine and also made sure guest never left empty handed. She loved to boast about her children and grandchildren and
will miss them dearly.
Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Harrison. Her final disposition was private.
If you would like to send the family a condolence message or read her complete obituary, please visit www.mulliganfh. com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home or donations may be
8 tips to combat insomnia as you age
As you age, various factors can lead to sleep problems. You have a lot going on in your later years, including retirement moving, chronic pain or financial stress due to dwindling income sources. Your biological clock can also go out of sync. If you suffer from insomnia, here are eight tips to help you sleep better:
1. Maintain a routine. Always go to bed and get up at the same time, but don’t stay in bed if you’re not asleep after 20 minutes or so. It may cause your brain to associate lying in bed with being awake.
2. Reserve the bedroom for sleeping and intimate moments. It shouldn’t become a place for entertainment or work.
3. Practice relaxing activities, like reading, yoga, bathing and meditation, before going to bed.
4. Don’t have stimulating drinks like coffee, pop or alcoholic beverages in the evening and don’t drink too much before going to bed.
5. Create an environment that’s conducive to sleep by keeping the temperature cool and blocking out as many light sources as possible. If necessary, use a sleep mask.
6. Avoid naps after 3 p.m. and limit them to less than 60 minutes.
7. Exercise regularly to generate a healthy level of fatigue.
8. Eat light, easily digestible dinners. Avoid indulging in
spicy foods in the evening.
Are you still not getting a good night’s sleep? Don’t hesitate to consult a sleep specialist for personalized advice.
Miracle Prayer
Dear Sacred Heart Of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favors, this time I ask you this special one favor. Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it in your own broken heart where our Father sees it, then in his merciful eyes it will become your favor, not mine.
V.L.
Home
331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison
Arrangements may be made in Spanish, Portuguese or Polish Frank X. Mulligan III, Manager, NJ Lic. 4221 Frank X. Mulligan, Jr. Inactive Private Parking at 10 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North 973-481-4333 visit us at: www.mulliganfh.com
mailed to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105 in loving memory of Halina.
Patricia Ellen DeVivo
Patricia Ellen DeVivo of Harrison died peacefully Sunday, June 30, 2024. She was 82.
Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Harrison. Her entombment took place in Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, North Arlington.
Raised in Harrison, Patricia
All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.
was a lifelong resident. She was a parishioner of Holy Cross Church, Harrison. She was a passionate fan of both the New York Rangers and New York Yankees. She was an avid traveler and enjoyed spending quality time with her family.
If you would like to send the family a condolence message or read her complete obituary, please visit www.mulliganfh. com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Patricia’s name to “Help to Feed,” in care of the funeral home or at www.help2feed.com.
Shaw-Buyus
for Services
WILFRED ARMITAGE & WIGGINS
HOME Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J. Lic. #3916 You will feel as if friends of family have taken over when you entrust funeral arrangements to the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home. The family-owned firm has been in business for 100 years, serving
Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032 (201) 991-0657
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Harrison hires new cops, Class 1 officers & promotes several to detective
It was an especially busy day for the Harrison Police Department recently as new police officers, new Class 1 officers and as detectives got their new shields from Mayor James A. Fife, Chief David Strumolo and Councilmen Larry Bennett and James P. Doran. The detectives (not shown) who received their shields include Det. Sgt. Jamie Sackerman and Dets. Freddy Lecca, Iker Bermudez, Salvatore Maineiro, Nicole
Yamuca and Karina Morel. The new cops (top photo) include Officers Christian Vargas, Joshua Montoya, Orland Rivera, Anthony Burgo, Hector Rueda and Hansel Cruz.
And the new Class 1s include Officers Jules DePierola (seen in bottom pic), Daniel Soloist. Sean Karas, Rigoberto Rivers, Manuel Rodriguez, Salvatore D’Angelo and Thomas Dolaghan.
HARRISON/E.NEWARK First Floor, 1 BR apartment, LR, 1 Bath & Kitchen. 15 min to PATH. Front and back entrance. Access to backyard $1800 + Utilities, 1 1/2 months security. Avl. August 1st No Pets/Smoking. Call or text (973) 454-3281 09W03
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BELLEVILLE
Continued from Page 3
between students and the surrounding communities,”
Guy said. “Through this new Center for Student Success, HCCC and the county continue to work together to ensure everyone has equal
opportunities to excel in their chosen field and drive economic development in the area.”
The 11-story center, a 153,186 square-foot, mixeduse tower, is being constructed one block from the Journal Square PATH station on an existing HCCC-owned parking lot. It will replace
DIRECTORY BUSINESS
several of the college’s small, segregated and aging buildings.
The tower plans include 24 classrooms, expanded student services areas, student common spaces, a full-size NCAA gym, a fitness center, a black-box theater, health sciences labs, 85 offices, eight conference rooms, a
university center for sister colleges and partners to offer baccalaureate instruction and more.
Construction will use the newest and environmentally sustainable materials and systems. A project labor agreement assures organized labor will be well represented on site during construc-
tion. The grand opening is set for fall 2026.
Funding for the $96.3 million tower is supplied by proceeds from the sale of HCCC properties and the college’s reserve funds; the County of Hudson; and the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, among others.
course at FDU
Some 22 members successfully completed the Fairleigh Dickinson University 10-week Executive Leadership for Public Safety Personnel training course, including Kearny Police Chief Scott Macfie, seen in photo second from the left, and Det. Sgt. John Fabula, third from left. This latest cohort represented agencies from around New Jersey and New York.
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
ACADEMY
Continued from Page 1
because of all the support and help we get doing this. We’re a community that cares. We are, as Director Petracco and all of the commissioners have said, ‘One Nutley.’ So when it comes to putting something together for our kids, there’s no red tape. There’s nothing that stops us from making it work.”
As always seems to be the case, there were a number of students who stepped up to be leaders and set examples for the younger kids. This year’s class included a student who has a decorated family history of public safety in Nutley.
“It’s been a really amazing experience,” Louis DeLitta, grandson of former Nutley Police Chief Robert DeLitta, said. “The kids are great. The learning is great. We did some different things, different learning experiences, which were so informative. I really enjoyed it.”
Meanwhile, this was Matthew Loeser’s third year in the program.
USN
Continued from Page 2
supported maritime training, crisis response, post-hurricane actions, ethics and military justice. Wilson also provided limited legal assistance help to all military members and their dependents in the Key West area.
Wilson is currently serving as the SJA for Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One and Squadron Three in San Diego. The west coast LCS program is the largest surface squadron in the Navy. His duties include supporting 18 ships manned with dual crews, pre-commissioned units and approximately 3,500 sailors within the command. During his tenure, Wilson
“I really enjoyed the Junior Police Academy,” he said. “I was proud to be the grey shirt squad leader for this year. This is a great experience, from helicopter landings to self-defense demonstrations to going to help and volunteer time at the Family Services Bureau. Plus the field trip to the Intrepid Museum in New York City. That’s really a lot to do in one week. You also learn great leadership skills and discipline as a squad leader and a lot of different fun activities that happen throughout the week that will teach you many different aspects of being a police officer.”
First-year attendee Russell Ballou had a pleasantly surprising experience.
“I honestly was scared going into this,” the rising eighth-grader said. “I didn’t want to get yelled at. I was like, if it was drill sergeant stuff, that’s just not my league. But this was amazing. It was a lot better than I thought it would be. All of the guys that worked here were amazing. They came down to a personal level. I had a great time.”
From day one, however, the
executed high-visibility investigations, more than a dozen triad relief actions and supported LCS deployments to C7F, C4F and C3F AOR. During this tour, Wilson was the executive department head, leading 28 sailors across five divisions (medical, security, religious ministries, legal and public affairs.)
Wilson will be promoted to lieutenant commander July 1, 2024. He will assume duties of Officer in Charge for the Region Legal Service Office Southeast Detachment Ventura in August. He is entitled to wear the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Rifleman Medal and Expert Pistol Shot Medal.
real mover and shaker behind the program was Padilla. After thanking the many who helped it to thrive, he shared his thoughts not just about this year’s class but those that came before.
“The thing that makes me most proud is seeing our kids go and be successful,” Padilla said. “When I see a kid wearing a Junior Police Academy shirt when it’s all over, that means that they cared and took pride in what they did. So while the rest of the world’s complaining about leadership, we’re just going to keep working on building it here.”
‘I honestly was scared going into this. I didn’t want to get yelled at. I was like, if it was drill sergeant stuff, that’s just not my league. But this was amazing. It was a lot better than I thought it would be.
All of the guys that worked here were amazing. ’
— Cadet Russell Ballou Nutley JPA
