NPR Reporter Pens Tribute To 'Remarkable' Mom Killed By Pickup In North Jersey Town NPR Reporter Pens Tribute To 'Remarkable' Mom Killed By Pickup In North Jersey Town
NPR Reporter Pens Tribute To 'Remarkable' Mom Killed By Pickup In North Jersey Town Remarkable. Scholarly. Deeply caring. This is how Vivian Folkenflik is being remembered. The 83-year-old grandmother was in the crosswalk of a Montclair intersection when she was fatally struck by a pickup truck in broad daylight on Saturday, Oct. 28. Folkenflik's death leaves a hole in the heart of several different communities. Her son and NPR correspondent David Folkenflik, paid tribute to his mother on Facebook. "What made Vivian remarkable was not her shocking death but her life. She was marked by her incisive intellect, her profound caring for others, her drive to connect and her c…
‘Enormous, Kind Heart:’ Hunterdon County Native, Devoted Dad TJ Bill Dies, 38 ‘Enormous, Kind Heart:’ Hunterdon County Native, Devoted Dad TJ Bill Dies, 38
‘Enormous, Kind Heart:’ Hunterdon County Native, Devoted Dad TJ Bill Dies, 38 Hunterdon County native and devoted dad Theodore Joseph “TJ” Bill died at his Phillipsburg home on Wednesday, Oct. 25 aged 38. Born and raised at his family’s home in High Bridge, TJ attended Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner before enrolling at the Mechanics program at North Hunterdon Vo-Tech School in Annandale, his obituary says. After graduating, he moved to Phoenix, AZ, where he “felt called” to serve in the military. TJ joined the Echo Company 1/285th “Rogues” division and completed overseas tours in Afghanistan before his honorable discharge in 2010. TJ then worked several posit…
Sussex County Native Claire Fendt Dies, 34 Sussex County Native Claire Fendt Dies, 34
Sussex County Native Claire Fendt Dies, 34 Sussex County native Claire Marie Fendt died Tuesday, Oct. 10 at the age of 34, prompting an outpour of condolences and support. Born in Newton, Claire was raised in Sparta, her obituary says. She attended Sparta Middle School before graduating from Sparta High School and attending Sussex County College. Claire was known as a skilled and creative artist with a fierce love of animals. She had adopted several shelter cats throughout the years and had dreams of opening a cat sanctuary. Claire spent time in Bayonne, and lived in Brighton, England for a year before settling in Philadelphia, whe…
‘Sweet, Kind Soul:’ Erik Eckert Of Phillipsburg Dies, 34 ‘Sweet, Kind Soul:’ Erik Eckert Of Phillipsburg Dies, 34
‘Sweet, Kind Soul:’ Erik Eckert Of Phillipsburg Dies, 34 Tributes are pouring in for Phillipsburg native Erik W. Eckert, who died Monday, Oct. 23 at the age of 34. Born in Livingston, Erik graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 2006 and had worked in sales at a travel company, his obituary says. Erik loved football, especially rooting for the Green Bay Packers. He channeled his creativity by attending concerts, most recently, Pantera and Metallica, his memorial says. He also had a softer side that gave him a passion for animals and children. Above all, Erik leaves a legacy as a “sweet, kind soul who was willing to help anyone.” Erik is s…
‘Bright Spot In A Dark World:’ Beloved Hunterdon County HS Grad Dies After Cancer Battle, 19 ‘Bright Spot In A Dark World:’ Beloved Hunterdon County HS Grad Dies After Cancer Battle, 19
‘Bright Spot In A Dark World:’ Beloved Hunterdon County HS Grad Dies After Cancer Battle, 19 Hunterdon County is mourning the loss of a recent high school graduate following a valiant battle with cancer. Jacob Ryan Wassel died at his Raritan Township home in the loving embrace of his family on Wednesday, Oct. 11, his obituary says. He was 19. Born in Royal Oak, MI, Jacob was known for launching the Esports gaming club at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, where he graduated in 2022. He loved playing video games online with both local friends and others all over the country. Jacob was also incredibly patriotic and hoped to use his vast knowledge of military history to enlist a…
Former Long Branch Cheerleader, Youth Counselor Kayla Clayton Dies, 31 Former Long Branch Cheerleader, Youth Counselor Kayla Clayton Dies, 31
Former Long Branch Cheerleader, Youth Counselor Kayla Clayton Dies, 31 Kayla Clayton, a New Jersey native who relocated to the Washington DC area, died on Oct. 10 at 31 years old. A cause of death was not listed, however, her obituary on the Lawson Funeral Home website notes that Kayla "fought a good fight." Kayla Felice Clayton, who was raised in Long Branch where she was a high school cheerleader, went on to attend Virginia State University, where she graduated with her bachelor's in psychology, according to her LinkedIn profile.  Kayla's obituary says she received a full scholarship to a study abroad program in Boswana, Africa, where she performed res…
Fire Kills Elizabeth Dad Weeks After Discovering Wife's Pregnancy With 2nd Child Fire Kills Elizabeth Dad Weeks After Discovering Wife's Pregnancy With 2nd Child
Fire Kills Elizabeth Dad Weeks After Discovering Wife's Pregnancy With 2nd Child Bruno Littig, a 40-year-old Elizabeth resident died in a house fire on Sunday, Oct. 1.  Just two weeks ago, Littig found out his wife Stephanie was expecting their second child, joining their 4-year-old son Michael.  A fundraiser has been set up to assist his family in the wake of his death. As of Thursday, Oct. 19, almost $41,000 has been raised. Bruno was taken from us in a terrible tragedy. Life will not be the same without you, my friend. Bruno leaves behind... Posted by Nuno Cunha on Thursday, October 5, 2023 "Bruno was an incredible father, a loving husband, a wonderful son …
Joshua Lowe Of Central Jersey Dies At Age 29: 'Made A Lasting Impression On Everyone He Met' Joshua Lowe Of Central Jersey Dies At Age 29: 'Made A Lasting Impression On Everyone He Met'
Joshua Lowe Of Central Jersey Dies At Age 29: 'Made A Lasting Impression On Everyone He Met' Friends and loved ones are mourning the unexpected loss of Joshua Carlton Lowe of Central Jersey from seizure disorder complications on Friday, Sept. 29. He was 29. Joshua went to Sayreville War Memorial High School and studied at Rutgers in New Brunswick, his social media page says.  He is described by his family — who launched a fundraiser on Epilepsy.com following his passing — as having an “easy going nature, irrepressible charm, and genuine friendliness” that “made a lasting impression on everyone he met.” The fundraiser had garnered more than $600 in donations as of Monday, Oct. 16 …
Longtime NJ Transit Train Conductor, Devoted Dad Kenneth Leissler Jr. Dies Unexpectedly, 43 Longtime NJ Transit Train Conductor, Devoted Dad Kenneth Leissler Jr. Dies Unexpectedly, 43
Longtime NJ Transit Train Conductor, Devoted Dad Kenneth Leissler Jr. Dies Unexpectedly, 43 Longtime NJ Transit train conductor and devoted dad of two Kenneth Burke Leissler Jr. died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Oct. 3, aged 43. Born in Livingston, Kenneth graduated from High Point Regional High School in 1999 before moving to Dingmans Ferry, PA, his obituary says. He had worked as a train conductor with NJ Transit for the past 23 years. Kenneth is remembered as a dirt bike and motorcycle enthusiast who loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his cherished wife, Kathryn (nee Bathgate) Leissler and their two sons Kenneth III (17) and William Leissler (13); his sisters a…
Allie Pasquale Of Rockaway Dies, 32: 'Stylish, Resilient' Allie Pasquale Of Rockaway Dies, 32: 'Stylish, Resilient'
Allie Pasquale Of Rockaway Dies, 32: 'Stylish, Resilient' Allison “Allie” Pasquale died at Morristown Medical Center on Oct 6, 2023, after a long illness, her obituary says. She was 32 years old. A Rockaway native, Allie traveled across Europe after graduating Cum Laude from Marist College with a fashion merchandising degree, according to her obituary. She worked for major fashion brands including Lacoste and Anthropologie. Allie was a devout Swiftie, and met Taylor Swift after attending 15 concerts at a T Party, her obituary says. A GoFundMe for Allie said she had been battling colon cancer. The campaign raised more than $4,000 as of Saturday, …
Red Bulls Staffer Davauni Brown Dies At 31: 'Amazing Individual' Red Bulls Staffer Davauni Brown Dies At 31: 'Amazing Individual'
Red Bulls Staffer Davauni Brown Dies At 31: 'Amazing Individual' Davauni Brown, who worked as an operation manager for the New York Red Bulls and lived in Newark, died on Thursday, Oct. 5 at the age of 31 after a long battle with a serious illness, the team announced. Brown was born in Kingston and migrated the United States as a teenager, according to his obituary. He earned his master's degree at New Jersey City University in June 2021 and said working for the Red Bulls as his dream job, his obituary reads. In honor of Brown, the Red Bulls wore black armbands for their match against Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 7. We're wearing black armbands tonigh…
NJ Prom Queen Delivering Newspapers Killed By Dump Truck Running Stop Sign: Campaign NJ Prom Queen Delivering Newspapers Killed By Dump Truck Running Stop Sign: Campaign
NJ Prom Queen Delivering Newspapers Killed By Dump Truck Running Stop Sign: Campaign A high school prom queen was killed in a crash while delivering newspapers with a friend in Salem County. Kayla Rose Dowling of Blackwood died after the car she was riding in was broadsided by a dump truck that ran a stop sign on Wednesday, Oct. 11, according to a GoFundMe "Nobody expects to lose their child and Jill and Jose are not prepared to pay for a funeral," the GoFundMe says. Kayla, who leaves behind a young daughter, Elliana, was "a vibrant soul who brought joy and love to everyone around her," her obituary says. "The impact she had on those who knew her will forever be impri…