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Parents Of Drowned NJ Toddler See Surge Of Support
The drowning of a New Jersey toddler has prompted a wave of support for his parents.
Witten Steigerwald, 18 months, was found in a pool in Spotswood and wasn't breathing around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, officials in Middlesex County said.
Responders performed CPR, and Witten was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"No one is ever prepared for the loss of a child and as such no funeral preparations had been made," Witten's uncle, Scott Steigerwald, said on a GoFundMe page for his brother, Kevin, and Witten's mother, Renee.
"Their family is now suddenly havin…
NJ High Schooler Savanna Diana Dies, 16
Savanna Diana, a 16-year-old rising junior at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, died on Saturday, Aug. 19, her family announced.
Diana loved to draw and paint and was considering going to art school, according to her obituary.
She also was an avid animal lover and had a bunny, Nesquik, a chinchilla, Smokey, and a bearded dragon, Miso, her obituary reads. She also enjoyed attending car shows with her brother, Jack.
Diana is survived by her mother, Stephanie, her stepmother, Wendy, her three brothers, Kyle, Ryan and Jack, and other family members and friends.
Our deepest sympathies t…
Pat Kramer, Longtime Paterson Mayor, Dies At 90
Lawrence Francis "Pat" Kramer, who spent almost his entire life in Paterson, the city where he served as mayor for 12 years, died on Thursday, Aug. 24. He was 90 years old.
Kramer grew up on East 42nd Street and 18th Avenue, and attended what is now John F. Kennedy High School. After graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kramer ran on the Republican ticket for mayor, and was elected in 1966.
Kramer's first term of mayor was from 1967 to 1972, before he was asked to head up the Commission of Public Affairs. Following that stint, he ran for mayor again, serving from 1975 to 1982. H…
'This Is Us' Star Ron Cephas Jones, Of Paterson, Dies At 66
Ron Cephas Jones, a Paterson native who won two Emmys for his role on "This is Us", died on Sunday, Aug. 19 at the age of 66.
Jones attended John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson and graduated from Ramapo College. He starred in movies like "He Got Game," "Sweet and Lowdown" and "Across the Universe" and guest starred on "Law and Order," "NYPD Blue" and "Mr. Robot."
"This is Us" which premiered in 2016, was Jones signature role. He played William Hill, who reconnects with his son, who was given up for adoption as a newborn. Jones was nominated for four Emmys, winning two in 2018 and 2020.…
Longtime Passaic County Pre-K Teacher Jeanine Jerahian Dies, 55
Jeanine Jerahian, a 55-year-old Woodland Park resident, died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 27, her son, Michael Lovecchio announced.
Jerahian spent 25 years at the Head Start in Paterson teaching pre-K, where she was beloved by both her students and co-workers.
It is with heavy heart 💔 that I share the passing of our beautiful friend Jeanine Marie Jerahian an Angel received her... Posted by Tina Belleza on Thursday, July 27, 2023
"She was extremely kind, generous, and loving to everyone she met in her life," Lovecchio said. "She poured her heart and soul into her family, friends, and…
Death Of Devoted North Jersey Dad, Longtime Volunteer James Finan At 48 Prompts Wave Of Support
North Jersey is coming together to show support following the death of a devoted father and longtime volunteer.
James (Jim) Finan died Monday, August 2, aged 48, his obituary says.
Raised in Congers, NY, Jim graduated from North High School in 1992 before attending The Catholic University of America, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting four years later.
Jim’s successful pursuit of a finance career ultimately steered him toward his “childhood dream job” at Marvel comics, and later to Mediabrands, where he worked as the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, his memorial…
NJ Corrections Officer Dies While Working At Youth Facility, Campaign Says
A youth officer with the New Jersey Department of Corrections died over the weekend.
Senior Correctional Police Officer Emiliano Serrano, of Camden, died on Sunday, Aug 6. He worked in Burlington County.
A Marine Corps veteran, Serrano died at work, a GoFundMe page said, but the exact circumstances of his death were unclear.
Serrano began his NJDOC career in 2007. He was assigned to the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, where he served with honor, according to the department.
"He will be greatly missed," the department said on Facebook.
His mother will be looking over his two son…
North Jersey Teen Dies During Medical Episode In Waters Of Playa Del Carmen, Campaign Says
Support was surging for the family of a 17-year-old Passaic County boy who died when he suffered a medical episode during a family vacation in Playa Del Carmen.
Alexander "Alex" Schambelan, of Hewitt, was swimming at the beach in Playa Del Carmen with his parents, Josephine and Sean, on Tuesday, July 18, when Josephine noticed Alex face down in the water, according to a GoFundMe launched for the family.
"She gave him a push and called out to him; then another, and another," reads the page, launched by Josephine's coworker, Bianka Reyes. "She grabbed him by his trunks to propel him toward t…