Page 2 • Wednesday , March 8 , 2023 • The Hammonton Gazette
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Hammonton Gazette
OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 NOTICIAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 OUR TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 FAITH FOCUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 CIVIC NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 HAMMONTON ’ S HISTORY . . . . . . 41
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . 47 WHAT ’ S HOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 MIND GAMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 REAL ESTATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 SCORECARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 www . hammontongazette . com
The Hammonton Gazette ( USPS 018984 ) is published weekly by Gabriel J . Donio ( Publisher ), Hammonton Gazette Publishing LLC , 14 Tilton St ., Hammonton , NJ 08037 . Periodicals Postage Paid at Hammonton , NJ . Subscriptions are available for $ 25.00 per year for New Jersey addresses & $ 30.00 per year for residents for out-of-state addresses . POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Hammonton Gazette , 14 Tilton St ., P . O . Box 1228 Hammonton , NJ 08037 . Call ( 609 ) 704-1940 for more information .
OBITUARIES
Gladys Mendez , 92 , of Mays Landing , N . J . passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday March 1 , 2023 . She was born in Lares , Puerto Rico and then later migrating to New York City , where she raised her children and spent 59 years of her life . She was the daughter of Curio and Maria Torres . Gladys was a loving homemaker , wife , and a mother . She enjoyed planting and growing flowers , cooking , and family gatherings . She was a loving mother to five children Nedy , Norman , Maggie , Rachel and Robert ; a grandmother , and a great grandmother . She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her .
She will be lovingly remembered and survived by her 3 daughters , Rachel Olexa , Nedy Mendez , Maggie Baker ; her six grandchildren , Melissa , Krystal , Roxanne , Philip , Christopher and Joseph ; and one great grandchild , EllaRowe Gladys Spiegler .
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation Wednesday March 8 , 2023 from 10 a . m . - 10:30 a . m . A Celebration of Life will begin at 10:30 a . m . at the Marinella Funeral Home 102 N . Third St . Hammonton , NJ 08037 . Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery 124 S . First Rd . Hammonton , NJ 08037 . To share a condolence , please visit marinellafuneralhome . com
Arrangements made by Marinella Funeral Home Inc .
Jersey Shore
DON MASCIOLI ( 609 ) 685-9371 ( cell )
Lois J . Mazza
Lois J . Mazza , 89 , passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday February 25th , 2023 . She was a current resident of Hammonton , New Jersey - formerly a long-term resident of Cologne , New Jersey . Born July 31st , 1933 , she grew up in Egg Harbor City . Lois was a kind and caring person who was loved by many . She was a dedicated lifelong member of the St . John ’ s United Church of Christ in Egg Harbor City , where she helped organize different events like the church ’ s pancake breakfasts and communion . She also enjoyed singing in the church choir and participating in Bible studies . Lois graduated high school and went on to have a long and fulfilling career working as a secretary and stenographer for the New Jersey State Police . She was a lifelong bowler and enjoyed participating in her weekly league at DiDonato ’ s Bowling Center . She enjoyed traveling to different places locally or going on bus trips throughout the country . She especially enjoyed going out to eat and trying new restaurants with friends and family . Lois was very sociable and a great friend who maintained a close-knit group of friends – many of whom she had known since high school through her club that continued to regularly meet up until recently . Most of all , Lois loved her son Jimmy and daughter Linda . She loved them dearly and was happy to see the people they had become and families they went on to have .
Lois was predeceased by her parents , Henrietta and Arthur “ Buck ” Thoms ; Siblings , Margaret Spurlock ( Ray ), Fred Thoms ( Dottie ), and baby John Mazza . She is survived by her sister , Marlene Vignali ( Jim ); son , Jimmy Mazza ; daughter , Linda Sgambati ( Ray ); grandchildren , Jimmy , Joanne ( Joseph ), Raymond , Jared , Krista , Dante ; great-grandchildren , Piper and Wesley ; as well as her cousins , nieces and nephews .
Services were held Thursday , March 2nd at St . John ’ s United Church of Christ 307 London Avenue , Egg Harbor City NJ 08215 . A burial followed at the Egg Harbor City Cemetery . Any donations are welcome to be made in her memory to St . Johns United Church of Christ , Egg Harbor City NJ . For condolences please visit , Wimbergfuneralhome . com
Arrangements made by Wimberg Funeral Home
Katherine N . Geroni
Katherine N . Geroni , 91 , formerly of Riegelsville died February 26 , 2023 in Saucon Valley Manor Hellertown , Pa . She was the wife of the late Gerry Geroni . Born in Hammonton , New Jersey she was the daughter of the late William & Christine ( Murse ) Pinto . She retired from the family business Mar-Van Industries in Dublin after 40 years of service . She was also a member of the Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Citizens , where she enjoyed playing pinochle with other members . She was a member of the Dublin Lions and the Dublin Lioness where she served as past president . She was a charter member and past president of the Ottsville Lions Club . Katherine also served on the board of directors of Camp Kirby .
Katherine enjoyed crocheting and reading . She was a member of St . John the Baptist Catholic Parish in Ottsville where she was on the Church Altar Society .
She was predeceased by a brother and two sisters . She is survived by her five children , Jerry , Jr . ( Denise ), William J ., Ralph ( Patricia ), Cynthia K . Hari , & Petra Ann Kohler ( Ronald ); three brothers ; three sisters ; ten grandchildren ; and nine great-grandchildren .
A Mass was held on Tuesday , March 7 , 2023 at 11 a . m . at St . John the Baptist Catholic Parish 4050 Durham Road Ottsville , PA 18942 . Arrangements are in the care of the C . R . Strunk Funeral Home , Inc . ( www . crstrunk . com ) Quakertown . In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the church at the above address . Arrangements made by C . R . Strunk Funeral Home , Inc .
Gladys Mendez
Heating • Air Conditioning • Refrigeration • Solar www . jerseyshoreinc . com
Office ~ 10 N . White Horse Pike ( 609 ) 561-7385 ( t ) • ( 609 ) 561-7386 ( fax )
CALL TODAY FOR SPECIALS ON HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS EQUIPMENT !
INC
WHY WAIT ? Schedule your heater service now !
JOHN CONNAHAN ( 609 ) 602-8111 ( cell )
Master HVACR Licenses 19HC00196900 , 19HC00487200
HAMMONTON FAMILY EYECARE
Complete Eye Care For All Ages
www . hammontonfamilyeyecare . com 80 S . White Horse Pike • Hammonton • Tel : ( 609 ) 567-7479
THG / Mohammed Fuad . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .
The Iannetta brothers with trash they collected during the Hammonton Community Cleanup . Saturday , March 4 , 10:42 a . m .
Joyce Ann Firmani
Joyce Ann Firmani , 71 , of Hammonton , N . J . passed away Saturday , March 4 , 2023 . Joyce was born in Camden , N . J . and was a graduate of Overbrook High School . Joyce always had a smiling face for all who visited Mannino ’ s Cannoli Express . She loved the casinos in Atlantic City , Frank Sinatra , Motown music , dancing and rooting for Philadelphia sports teams . Her greatest love was spending time with family , especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren .
She is predeceased by her parents Peter and Constance ( nee Bottino ) Marandolo . Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 53 years , Sandy Russel “ Zeke ” Firmani ; and her daughters , Tara Firmani ( Al ) and Dana Carver ( James ). She is the loving grandmother of Gabriella Tomasello ( Albert ), Marissa Massarelli ( Mario ), Aidan Carver and Lily Carver . Loving great grandmother of Ava , Amelia , Milo , and Madison . Joyce is also survived by many loving cousins , nieces , and nephews . Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation Saturday , March 11 , 2023 from 10 a . m . – 11 a . m . at St . Mary of Mt . Carmel Parish-St . Anthony Church 285 Rt . 206 Hammonton , N . J . 08037 with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a . m . Cremation is being held prior to services . Floral arrangements by Passions Florist https :// passionsflorist . com / To share a condolence , please visit marinellafuneralhome . com
Arrangements made by Marinella Funeral Home Inc .
Marie T . Pitale
Marie T . Pitale ( nee Domenico ), 98 , of Hammonton passed away on Friday , March 3 , 2023 , with her loving family by her side in Virtua Hospital in Voorhees . Born and raised in Hammonton she was a lifelong resident there . She was a former seamstress for National Garment Co . in Hammonton . Marie loved cooking , baking and entertaining her family and friends . Her door was always open and she made you feel welcome sitting around the kitchen table drinking coffee and enjoying one of her homemade baked goods . She was one of the most kindhearted people around . She would do without if it meant someone else enjoying her home cooked meals or fresh baked goodies . Marie dedicated her life to her family and friends . It was nothing to her hosting Christmas dinner for over 40 people .
She was predeceased by her husband , Anthony D . Pitale , Sr . and her granddaughter , Lauren Pitale . Marie is survived by her three sons , Charles Pitale ( Karin ) of Folsom , Robert Pitale of Alvarado , TX ; Anthony D . Pitale ( Anne ) of Wall Township ; 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren .
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday , March 9 , 2023 in St . Mary of Mt . Carmel Parish , Church of St . Joseph ’ s 226 French St ., Hammonton , N . J . where a viewing will be held from 9:30 a . m . until 11 a . m . Burial will follow in Greenmount Cemetery . In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made in Marie ’ s name to St . Jude Children ’ s Hospital 501 St . Jude Pl Memphis , TN 38105-9959 .
Arrangements made by Carnesale Funeral Home .
Marjorie P . McGuigan
Marjorie P . McGuigan , 95 , of Pomona , N . J . passed away at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point , N . J . on Monday February 27 , 2023 . She was born in Hammonton and resided in South Jersey her entire life . Marjorie graduated from Hammonton High School and worked in the office at Suburban Propane for over 40 years . She was a member of Absecon Presbyterian Church , Absecon , N . J . Marjorie also enjoyed traveling , dancing , singing , playing the piano and spending time with family and friends .
She is predeceased by her parents , George and Helen Patton ; her sister , Laura DiDonato ; and brother , Earle Patton ; also , her husbands , Louis Filling , John McGuigan and companion Norman Johnson . Marjorie is survived by her sisters in law , Dorothy Moose and Sue Filling ; many cousins , nieces , nephews and friends .
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation Thursday March 9 , 2023 from 10 a . m . -11 a . m . at the Marinella Funeral Home 102 N . Third St . Hammonton , NJ 08037 where a service will follow at 11 a . m . Burial will be held at Greenmount Cemetery 10 S . First Rd . Hammonton , NJ 08037 . Donations may be made in Marjorie ’ s memory to Absecon Presbyterian Church , 208 New Jersey Ave , Absecon , NJ 08201 . To share a condolence , please visit marinellafuneralhome . com Arrangements made by Marinella Funeral Home Inc .
GAZETTE MASCOT FENWAY SAYS “ STAY IN THE KNOW !” by READING
The Hammonton Gazette hammontongazette . com / subscribe
Judith “ Judy ” Watson
Judith “ Judy ” Rosemae ( nee Sacco ) Watson , 78 , of Delray Beach , Fla ., and formerly of Hammonton , N . J . died after a sudden illness on Saturday , March 4 at Delray Medical Center surrounded by her loving family .
Born on July 18,1944 in Vineland , N . J ., she was a 1962 graduate of St . Joseph ’ s High School in Hammonton . She earned a BA from Glassboro State College in 1966 . With her creative mind and focus on discipline , Judy was an art teacher for 34 years , retiring from the Winslow Elementary School District in 2000 . She enjoyed coming up with new and innovative lesson plans inspired by famed artists throughout the world for her students . Throughout her entire life , Judy was a dedicated community activist . She was President of the Hammonton Woman ’ s Civic Club , recording and corresponding secretary for the Regular Republican Club of Hammonton , a Hammonton Swim Club board member , an HHS Band Booster volunteer and HHS Sports Booster volunteer .
But her proudest civic accomplishment was founding the Hammonton Arts Center in 1996 with her colleagues and friends Betty Domenico , Cathy DeMarco and Sam Moffa . Judy ’ s grant writing and public relations work helped propel the arts center into the great success it is today . She enjoyed teaching classes there and participating in the center ’ s many events and workshops . After retirement and throughout her later years , Judy returned to creating artwork , focusing on clay and pottery . Her works filled with her love and pride have been on exhibit at the Atlantic City Arts Center , Bank of America in Hammonton and Atlantic County Library West . Her unique works have been sold at the Hammonton Arts Center , the Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square in Delray and the Flamingo Clay Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth , FL . While residing in Delray , she enjoyed her Bible study group , book club and golfing . She also served in the Country Manors Women ’ s Group . She was an avid gardener and loved to stay up-to-date on politics and current events , always sharing her opinion . Judy loved traveling , cruising and going out on the town with the love of her life and best friend Mark , her husband of 56 years .
Judy is survived by her loving husband , M . Mark Watson ; daughters , Michele Donio , Susan ( Mark ) Leiser and Monica Kemp , all of Hammonton ; sister , Lorraine ( Frank ) Olivo of Hammonton and Delray Beach ; grandchildren , Chiara , Sophia , Mia , Lucia , Evan , Jackson , Austin and Siena ; sisters-in-law , Karen Watson , Patricia Wagner and Rosalie Watson . She was predeceased by her parents , Marian ( nee Ciocco ) Sacco and Charles “ Chubby ” Sacco and son-in-law , Jason Kemp .
Friends will be received from 6 p . m . to 8 p . m . on Friday , March 10 , 2023 and again from 10 a . m . to 11 a . m . on Saturday , March 11 , 2023 at the Carnesale Funeral Home , 202 S . Third St ., Hammonton . Funeral service to follow at 11 a . m . on Saturday at the funeral home . Donations in Judy ’ s memory may be made to the Hammonton Arts Center by visiting hammontonarts . center . org / donation .
Please recycle this
paper .