OBITUARIES

Harold J. PICKENS

Harold Joseph Pickens, 90, passed away Thursday evening, Jan. 13, 2022 at Harrogate Senior Living in Lakewood. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, he was a longtime resident of the Township of Washington before moving to Lakewood in 1997.

He served proudly in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955.

Mr. Pickens was a graduate of Thomas Edison State College. He was an aviation service manager with Atlantic Aviation in Teterboro for 30 years. He worked as a consultant as the owner of Press-Aire Consulting before his retirement.

Mr. Pickens was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucille (née Saltamach) in 2010; and five siblings. Survivors include his loving children, Jeffrey R. Pickens of Turnersville, Father David Pickens, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Church, Parsippany, and Debra J. DeAlessandro of Manahawkin; and six grandchildren.

Interment was held privately at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly.

A public memorial funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church in Parsippany in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be most grateful for memorial gifts to Parents of Autistic Children (www.poac.net).

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pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net Morris J.

BERNSTEIN

Morris Jerome (Jerry) Bernstein, 98, of Woodcliff Lake and Sarasota, Fla., passed away, peacefully surrounded by his family, on Jan. 14, 2022. Jerry was born in Brooklyn to Sam and Anna Bernstein. His grandfather Simon was a pillar of the Jewish community.

Jerry graduated from New Utrecht High School in 1941 and entered City College after graduation. He never finished college as the war started and he enlisted in the United States Navy in early 1943. He married his one and only sweetheart, Edith Prager, in 1944. They had been going steady since they first met, when she was 14, in 1939.

After being released from the Navy he started a costume jewelry manufacturing company with his brother Marvin. He left after two years to take over his fatherʼs poultry business after his father passed away, in 1947, at 52. He worked with his mother who had always been active in the business. This was the beginning of a career in the wholesale meat business that is still in existence after 61 years. Jerry retired in 1992 after over 40 years as the president of Porky Products.

His biggest passion in life was his family and he was devoted to every one of them. He loved all sports and played golf and tennis all his life and particularly enjoyed playing both with his family. Edith worked with him and played with him their entire life and was his constant companion.

Jerry always had a positive outlook on life, and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed life and tried to brighten up the life of everyone he came in contact with. He will be dearly missed and

remembered by everyone he ever met.

Survived by his beloved Edith, to whom he was married for 78 storybook years. Loving father to Cookie and Shelley; proud grandfather to Michele (Rick), Sandy (Karim) David, Alyson, and Jodi (Dave); and adoring papa to 15 great-grandchildren, Sarah, Alexandra, Zackari, Samantha, Kayla, Krista, Maya, Jacob, Ruby, Dylan, Charli, Austin, Jayden Jack, and Jagger.

Donations in memory of Jerry Bernstein can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation at myeloma.org.

Abbe

KESLINGER

Abbe Reicher Keslinger, 63, of Mahwah, and previously of Westwood and Park Ridge, passed away on Jan. 12, 2022. She was born in the Bronx, N.Y. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister, she is survived by her devoted husband, David; her children: Joshua, 21, Erica, 24, and Ericaʼs partner, Kenny Sierra; her grandson, Kenji; and her sister, Susan Winton, as well as many friends and family, who loved her.

She was a graduate of Park Ridge High School and worked for years at a variety of clerical jobs. In 1996 she left work to devote her life to raising her children.

She is buried at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus.

Donations can be made to the Scleroderma Foundation.

Agnes R.

HENGEMUHLE

Agnes Rita Hengemuhle, 87, of Westwood and the Township of Washington, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.

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Beloved wife of the late Joseph Francis. Devoted mother of Joseph (Sheila), Mark (Candie), Dan, Pat Spirko (Ed), Beth (Pat), John (Erica) and Jeanne (Deb).

Cherished grandmother of Rebecca (Scott), Erin (Mike), Leah (Christian), Siobhan, Matthew (Courtney), Valerie, Andrew, Allison, Phillip, Justin (Hannah), Julie (Jeremy), Frank (Erica), Daniel, Ian and Sean.

Loving great-grandmother of Charlie, Liam, Mason, Noah, Colton, Siena, Logan, Landon, Danica, Tyler, Nathan, Addilyne, Jack and Ellie.

Agnes retired approximately 10 years ago from her longtime job as a human resources supervisor for Macyʼs in Paramus.

Memorial Mass was held at St. Andrew R.C. Church, Westwood.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Andrewʼs Food Pantry, 120 Washington Ave., Westwood, NJ 07675.

Ernest ‘Rudy’

SWANSON

Ernest “Rudy” Swanson, 94, a much-admired leader in the United States Marine Corps, in law enforcement, and in his community, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022 at Beebe Health Care in Lewes, Del., after a brief illness. He lived in Lewes for more than 25 years, most of it on Gower Court in Pilottown Village with his wife, Pat, who predeceased him. Rudy was well known in the community, particularly for proudly displaying the Marine Corps and U.S. flags daily at his home.

He was born in NewYork City and attended public schools, first serving others by joining the local volunteer fire department when the Second World War began to strain local emergency services. After graduating from high school at age 17, he joined the Marine Corps and was deployed to the South Pacific.

He eventually participated in the occupation of Japan and then was asked to serve in China, where the Japanese troops were being repatriated to Japan and the nationalist and communist forces were also fighting for control of China. In China he also later was assigned to the United Nations Peace Committee to provide security for a cease-fire in what is now Indonesia.

After a successful cease fire was arranged, Rudy was assigned to teach at the Marine Corps School in Quantico, Va. During that time he marched in the inaugural parade for President Harry S. Truman.

As he returned to civilian life, he began to attend college, but was recalled to active duty and served in the Korean War.

As a result of his military experience, he was a life member of the 1st Marine Division Association, the 2nd Marine Division Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Marine Corps League and the Military Officers Association.

In Delaware, he also served as president of the Southern Delaware Military Officers Association and Commandant of the Diamond State Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

His career in law enforcement began when he was hired as an independent marshal for a town without an organized police department. That led to a position with an organized police department and attendance at the State Police Academy, where he graduated first in his class. He rose through the ranks quickly and became deputy chief of police and police chief, serving for 25 years in Park Ridge.

During his tenure, he organized and trained an innovative 30member police reserve unit, trained to assist the regular officers at public gatherings. The unit members awarded him life membership in their ranks in appreciation for his work.

He also founded the Pascack Valley Detective Group, another innovation designed to have investigators from all jurisdictions in the region gather and exchange criminal information and intelligence on a regular basis, greatly improving their communication and the coordination of their efforts.

He was a life member of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association, the New Jersey Police Honor Legion, and a charter member of the New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. He was also a member of the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Detectives Clinic and was honored by that group for his work.

Rudy also served as a member of the New York Metropolitan Area Committee on Organized Crime and was president of the NewYork, New Jersey and Connecticut Law Enforcement Council.

On the local level, he was a member of the volunteer Tri-Boro Ambulance Corps, serving as captain and board of governors member and president. He served on the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment and various other education and community organizations, including for more than 20 years as emergency management coordinator and 20 years as liaison for the New Jersey TV and Motion Picture Commission.

Upon retirement, he was presented by his congressman with a flag flown over the nationʼs Capitol and was recognized by the New Jersey State Senate and State Assembly.

In private life, Rudy always enjoyed antique automobiles, owning a wide variety of cars, ranging from four-to-12-cylinder vehicles. He often won awards for his cars, which also appeared in movies, most famously his 1940 Cadillac,

FROM PAGE 8

rivervalelibrary.org • In the virtual presentation “The Dogs of Chernobyl, 35

Years Later: A Story of Hope

and Resilience,” speaker Stephen Quandt offers his account of meeting the inhabitants of mostly abandoned Chernobyl City. With many personally shot photos and videos, Quandt presents a story of resilience, hope, life, and heroism. Q&A to follow. On Zoom, Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 5to 6 p.m. Open to all. Registration required. • Virtual Chair Yoga meets via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 27 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This gentle form of yoga is specially designed for seniors and people with disabilities to help them strengthen, stretch, and tone the body, and to connect body, mind and spirit. Register for Zoom access. • Stop by the library Saturday, Jan. 29 to pick up the Tween & Teen Craft-to-Go for your child in fourth grade or older to complete at home. Includes the supplies to make a snowflake tassel keychain. One per person, while supplies last.

T TO OW WN NS SH HI IP P O OF F

W WA AS SH HI IN NG GT TO ON N 144 Woodfield Road (201) 664-4586 twpofwashingtonpl.org • Virtual Preschool Story Time is every Tuesday at 10 a.m. on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and the libraryʼs website. No registration needed. • Visit the libraryʼs website to sign up for Januaryʼs Teen Craft: a penguin key chain. Learn how to use cord and beads to weave a keychain by following a pattern. Kit pickup startsJan. 24 and instructional video goes online Jan. 27 at noon via the libraryʼs website, social media, and YouTube. • Tales and Mocktails Bookclub meets the last Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. This monthʼs meeting is virtual, via Zoom, on Jan. 31. Members will chat about the book “All You Can Ever Know” by Nicole Chung. Sign up via the libraryʼs website.

W WE ES ST TW WO OO OD D 49 Park Ave. (201) 664-0583 westwoodpubliclibrary.org • PJ Story Time, up to age 5, is on Google Meet Monday, Jan. 24 from 4to 4:30 p.m. Wear your favorite PJs and enjoy listening to a few stories. Pick up a milk and cookie treat from the library to kick off the evening. Register online. • Peek-A-Book Story Time (to age 5) Wednesdays in January, 10:30–11 a.m., at the library. Children will listen to stories, sing, dance, do fingerplays, review numbers, colors, animals and more. Register online. • Think you know your stuff? The library goes virtual with Trivia and Bingo Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This program geared toward adults includes two reading/library trivia games and a restaurant-themed bingo game (bingo winner gets a gift card to a Westwood restaurant!). Register online to get bingo cards; you can pick up or have them emailed to you. The trivia games require a PC or phone to play. • “Motivate the Unmotivated Student” is an action-specific and interactive webinar that teaches parents tips, tools, and strategies to motivate, inspire, and support their student. Geared toward parents of kids grades 4–12. Via Zoom, Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 7to 7:30 p.m. Registration link on libraryʼs website.

• The Junior Library Council presents “Friday Night Folk Tales” on Instagram, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. This winter, kids can enjoy a new themed story read to them each week by a volunteer member of the JLC. Themes vary each month: January (Nordic), February (African), and March (Celtic/Irish). Best for ages 4–10. Readings are posted Friday evenings on Instagram.

River Vale: Hearing on 14 units set for Jan. 26

FROM PAGE 7

tion as it involves both use and bulk variances.

Statile notes that each of the 14 townhomes contains three bedrooms.

Two three-unit townhome buildings are proposed along Rivervale Road and two fourtownhome buildings are proposed toward the back of the site.

Statile writes, “It appears that the 14 units will all be market-rate units; no affordable units are proposed,” and says a payment into the borough affordable housing fund is alternately required.

He adds, “All existing site improvements (i.e. structures) are proposed for removal. Several trees are also proposed for removal, however, a tree removal/restitution or landscape plan is not provided.”

Statile reports the applicant would be required to replace removed trees at a 2:1 ratio, meaning 54 indigenous trees are required for re-planting.

He noted six visitor parking spots are shown in the siteʼs northeast corner, meeting state Residential Site Improvement Standards. These RSIS standards supersede local code.

Statileʼs review notes additional concerns regarding fire protection, landscaping, pedestrian circulation, stormwater management, and miscellaneous items including potential height issues of buildings facing Collignon Way.

“Pod D units (in back) will be 43 ft. above street grade of Collingnon Way with only a 17.5 ft. front yard setback. Although the plans call for only a 38.36 ft. building height (variance required), the surrounding topography is being raised and supported by retaining walls. This will be visually one of the tallest buildings in the neighborhood,” writes Statile.

He adds, “Corner Pod B unit (off Rivervale Road) will be 35.5 ft. above the street grade of Collignon Way with a 25 ft. front yard setback. Similarly, it will be visually one of the tallest buildings in the neighborhood.”

The applicant requests additional bulk variance relief on the maximum number of stories, maximum building height as to two pods, minimum setback on parking, and minimum front and rear yard setbacks.

Other variances requested include minimum driveway aisle width, disturbance of slopes, and and maximum number of monument signs.

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PASCACK VALLEY

Gottheimer presses Biden on Covid-19

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) has asked President Joe Biden to take new critical steps to address the impacts of the current Covid-19 omicron surge.

Gottheimerʼs office told us Jan. 11 he is asking the president to:

• Increase rapid testing supplies — by continuing to partner with private sector leaders and using the full power of the federal government, including the Defense Production Act; • Further utilize the National Guard to expand Covid-19 testing — by working with state leaders to further deploy the National Guard to staff temporary testing sites in locations with the highest demand;

•Mobilize FEMA strike teams to staff healthcare facilities — to counter the shortages of staff in hospitals and long-term care facilities; and, • Ensure the widespread availability of cutting-edge COVID-19 treatments effective against the new variant — by expanding the availability of monoclonal antibody treatments, such as GlaxoSmithKlineʼs Sotrovimab, and supplying new antiviral drugs like Pfizerʼs Paxlovid to hospitals, rather than retail pharmacies alone.

“I commend you for your administrationʼs prompt response, including your further promotion of immunization, boosters, and efforts to protect our children while keeping schools open,” Gottheimer wrote Biden last week. H e added, “Additional action is needed to best equip our communities to handle this variant.”

He said, “By taking the additional steps outlined here, we can lessen the impact of the omicron variant and minimize the disruptions it will cause in the coming weeks.”

Last week, Gottheimer requested Gov. Phil Murphy take critical steps to help the state combat the omicron surge and its impacts on communities, and asked HHS and CMS to address conditions at the Andover Subacute/Woodlawn long-term care facility — the site of the worst omicron outbreak in New Jersey.

Obituaries:

FROM PAGE 30

which appeared prominently in “The Godfather” (1972).

Since moving to Delaware, he had been recognized for his support of the Cape Henlopen High School junior ROTC program, which named him honorary colonel. The Cape Henlopen School District and City of Lewes also have cited him for his remarkable service.

He was married to the former Patricia Malley, whom he called “the perfect wife for a man in a dangerous occupation.” They were blessed with two children, Gaiana, a daughter who preceded him in death, and a son, Eric.

Rudy was buried at St. Peterʼs Cemetery, Haverstraw, New York. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713.

Robert G. BOFFA Sr.

Robert Gary Boffa Sr., 76, of Montvale, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.

Born in Jersey City to Eugene and F. Marie Boffa. After receiving his college degree he owned his own business in Elmwood Park.

He is predeceased by his adoring daughter-in-law, Brenda.

Robert is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; his children, Robert Jr. (Stephanie), Brian (Brandy), Jon, and Daniel (Andrea); stepchildren, Ross Mistretta (Christina) and Toni Mistretta-Clark (Edward); and a brother, Eugene Boffa Jr. (Patricia).

A funeral Mass was held at Church of the Presentation, Upper Saddle River, followed by entombment at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Childrenʼs Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children. Milos

MARINKOVIC

Milos Marinkovic, 86, of Emerson, passed away peacefully on Jan.13, 2022.

Devoted husband of Danica. Loving father of Branko, Mark, and Mimi, and adoring grandfather of Justine. Brother to Svetko, Jovo, Senka and the late Mirko.

He devoted his life to his family and to helping others. His loved ones will always remember how quick he was to help one of his kids or relatives in need at a momentʼs notice.

Above all, Milos will be remembered for how devoted he was to his granddaughter Justine, who was the joy of his life in his later years.

Milos was a man who had the courage to leave his home country of Croatia with his wife and small children to begin a new life here in the United States. He was a father who never faltered when he faced struggles and hardships of his life.

He bequeathed to his children and granddaughter his lifelong love and devotion and taught them the meaning of commitment to family.

Milos is buried at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.