Obituaries

Monica Claire Fitzgerald Lawrence, 86, passed away peacefully after an extended illness on March 6  at Parker at McCarrick Care Center in Somerset, with family at her side. Monica was born August 12, 1930 in Long Branch, the daughter of John and Katharine (Flanagan) Fitzgerald, and was the youngest of five children. She married Norman M. Lawrence at Holy Spirit …

Arlene Smith (nee Goldman) Somerset and Boyton Beach, Fl., passed away March 6 at Bethesda Hospital East in Boynton Beach with Bud, her husband of 60 years, by her side. Arlene was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 12, 1935 and attended Lincoln High School. She resided in Brooklyn until 1969 when she and Bud moved to Livingston. While …

Michael Marinaro passed away suddenly on Feb. 11 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He was 69 years old. Michael was born in Manhattan and lived in Hoboken and Bradley Gardens before moving to Somerset 35 years ago. He was a graduate of Bridgewater Raritan High school. Michael was co-owner of La Biga Restaurant in South Amboy …

Anna Piwtoratsky, 91, passed away on Feb. 20 at her home in Somerset surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Piwtoratsky was born June 25, 1925 in Kiev, Ukraine to the late Octap and Vekla Kozlenko. In 1951, Anna immigrated to America and settled in New York City with her husband Wasil and five children; she was truly proud to be …

Mrs. Beatrice R. Spulick passed away Feb. 17 in Cranbury. She was 82 years old. Born in Cumberland Center, Maine to Ernest and Hazel Frye, Beatrice lived for a time in Piscataway before settling in Somerset in 1960. Mrs. Spulick worked as a switchboard operator at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick for more than 34 years, …

Aurelia Sterbenz (nee Brandi) passed away Feb. 10 at St Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick. She was a resident of Parker at Stonegate in Highland Park. She was 93 years old. Mrs. Sterbenz was born in Middletown, N.Y. and moved to New York City after high school where she attended St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center School of Nursing. She …

Marvin Lee Blaustein of South Plainfield, a former Franklin High School principal, quietly passed away on February 10, 2017 . Lee was raised in Brooklyn NY , the son of Michael and Jennie Blaustein. He attended the City College of NY an earned his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Science as well as attended NYU graduate school of Education earning …

John Paul Bednar, 88, passed away on January 31 at his home in Somerset with his wife at his side. John was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and moved to Somerset in 1966. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and a Master’s Degree …

Mrs. Charlotte Wylie passed away on Jan. 26 at her home in Somerset. She was 78 years old. Mrs. Wylie was born in Perth Amboy and lived in North Brunswick before moving to Somerset in 2000. She was a graduate of Perth Amboy High School and attended Rutgers University. She worked as a waitress for many years at Snuffy’s in Scotch …

Mr. James Kahora passed away on Jan. 25 at the Parker Home in Monroe. He was 74 years old. Mr. Kahora was born in Carteret, and lived in South Plainfield before moving to Somerset. He graduated from South Plainfield High School, where he excelled in athletics. He went on to Westchester University, where he played baseball and football, and earned his …