The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

– Obituaries –

Dooley Funeral Service, Inc.

Caring & Courteous Service to the Cranford/Westfield Area Since 1913

Westfield

556 Westfield Avenue 233-0255

John L. Dooley Manager

Cranford

218 North Avenue 276-0255

Charles V. Dooley Manager

Funeral planning makes it easier for those you love.

Forethought ® funeral planning...

– Since 1897 –

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Together,

not alone.

Do it today, not tomorrow.

WESTFIELD: 318 East Broad St., Fred H. Gray, Jr. Mgr. • 233-0143

CRANFORD: 12 Springfield Ave., Dale R. Schoustra, Mgr. • 276-0092

Executive Administrator – William A. Doyle

• FRED H. GRAY, JR. •WILLIAM A. DOYLE • PAULETTE CRABIEL WAHLER • DALE SCHOUSTRA • DAVID J. CRABIEL

MASTER MEMORIALS

1171 E. Broad St. Westfield, NJ

2332350 ALSO: 300 Rt. 37 East Toms River, N. J. 3492350

MONUMENTS MARKERS MAUSOLEUMS

DESIGNER • BUILDERS OF FINE LETTERED • CLEANED Bruce Bauer, Prop. (Established 1938)

Doris Latimer, 75

Doris Palmquist Latimer, 75, of Fairfax, Va., formerly of Westfield, died on Monday, November 8, in the Fairfax Nursing Center in Fairfax.

Born in Stanton, Iowa on November 13, 1923, she had lived in Plainfield for more than 25 years before moving to Westfield in 1998. She relocated to Virginia three months ago.

Mrs. Latimer had taught elementary school in Iowa in the 1940s.

She was a volunteer with many organizations and served as a Deacon and Elder at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church in Plainfield.

She was predeceased in 1989 by her husband, Robert Edmond Latimer, whom she married in June of 1946.

Surviving are two sons, Douglas Latimer and Bruce Latimer; a daughter, Jeanne; a brother, Raymond Palmquist, and five grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at the Crescent Avenue Church on Saturday, November 13.

Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity — Greater Plainfield, 315 West Seventh Street, Plainfield, 07060.

November 18, 1999

Vincent J. Perla, 68, Retired Police Officer; Parishioner of St. Bartholomew Church

Vincent J. Perla, 68, of Fanwood died on Monday, November 8, at home.

Born in Brooklyn, he had lived in Brentwood, LongIslandbeforemoving to Fanwood 18 years ago.

Mr. Perla had been a police officer for the Village of Asharoken in Asharoken, N.Y, receiving numerous citations during his career. He retired in 1989 after 21 years of service.

He was a member and Past President of the Asharoken Policemen’s Benevolent Association.

Mr. Perla was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953.

He was a parishioner of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Scotch Plains.

Surviving are his wife, Frances M.

Virginia Berzenskis, 90, Had Owned Echo Lodge in Mountainside

Virginia J. Berzenskis, 90, of Stroudsburg, Pa. died on Thursday, November 4, in the Laurel Manor Nursing Home in Stroudsburg.

Born in Kenosha, Wis., she had lived in Mountainside before moving to Stroudsburg many years ago.

Mrs. Berzenskis and her husband, thelate KlevisBerzenskis,hadowned

Lydia K. Gecha, 75

Lydia K. Moravetsky Gecha, 75, of North Plainfield died on Tuesday, November 9,atMuhlenbergRegional Medical Center in Plainfield.

Born in the Ukraine, she had lived in Plainfield before moving to North Plainfield 35 years ago.

Mrs. Gecha was a homemaker. She was a member of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Brunswick and was a member of its Krylos choir and the church’s Sisterhood. She was also a member of the Society of Ukrainian Women of America.

Surviving are her husband, Damian Gecha; a son, Dr. Steven R. Gecha; three daughters, Mary Gerus of Scotch Plains, Julia D. Porkaro of Dedham, Mass. and Oksana M. Gechaof Pennington,andfivegrandchildren.

A Mass was offered on Saturday, November 13, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, following the funeral from the Boylon Funeral Home in New Brunswick. Intermentwas atSt.Andrew’sUkrainian Catholic Cemetery in South Bound Brook.

November 18, 1999

Robert Cooke, 83, Chemical Engineer For 44 Years at PSE&G Company

Robert T. Cooke, 83, of Fanwood died on Wednesday, November 10, at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center in Plainfield.

Born in Millington, he lived in Fanwood for the past 48 years.

Mr. Cooke graduated in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark.

He had been a chemical engineer with Public Service Electric & Gas Company in Maplewood for 44 years before retiring in 1981.

Mr. Cooke was a member of the All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Scotch Plains and of the Old Guard of the Plainfields.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Sarah B. Rountree Cooke; a son,

John Bremer, 82, World War II Veteran; Truck Driver for Teamsters Local 641

John Bremer, 82, of Bridgewater died on Thursday, November 11, at his home.

Born in Scotch Plains, he had lived in Dunellen before moving to Bridgewater 10 years ago.

Mr. Bremer had been a truck driver for Teamster Union Local No. 641 for 50 years prior to retiring in 1997.

A United States Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5479 in Dunellen, the American Legion Post No. 0327 in Bradley Gardens and the Teamsters Retiree Club.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Violet Bremer Strohmeyer; a brother, Edward Bremer, and a sister, Jean Dame.

Surviving are his wife, Carmella Vitelli Bremer; two sons, William Strohmeyer of Bridgewater and William Bori of Far Hills; three brothers, Elmer Bremer of Middlesex, Percy Bremer of Franklin Township and Donald Bremer of Scotch Plains; three sisters, Gertrude Hurley of Middlesex, MildredJamiesonofNew York State and Claire Bremer of Union, and two grandchildren.

A funeral service was held on Saturday,November 13,attheMiddlesex Funeral Home in Middlesex.

Memorial donations may be made Licata Perla; two daughters, Susan

E. Perla of New York City and Lisa M. Perla of San Francisco; a son, Vincent F. Perla of Union, and a sister, Frances Ceculapo of Brooklyn.

A Mass was offered on Friday, November 12, at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, following the funeral from the Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Avenue in Fanwood. Interment took place at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fanwood Rescue Squad, care of Robert Kruthers, Treasurer, 218 Forest Road, Fanwood, 07023 or to the Fanwood Policeman’s Benevolent Association Local No. 123, 75 North Martine Avenue, Fanwood, 07023.

November 18, 1999

the Echo Lodge in Mountainside for many years before retiring 27 years ago.

Surviving is her brother, Alan J. Zimmer.

Private services were arranged by the Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home, Inc. in East Stroudsburg.

November 18, 1999

Thomas Fred Cooke of Woodbridge; a daughter, June Cooke Mahon of Holmdel, and four grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield on Friday, November 12.

Arrangements were handled by the Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Avenue in Fanwood.

November 18, 1999

to the Somerset Medical Center Hospice, 110 Rehill Avenue, Somerville, 08876 or to Lyons Veterans Hospital, Lyons Avenue, Lyons.

November 18, 1999

Lois C. Clark Hood, 71

LoisC.Clark Hood,71,ofWestfield died on Saturday, November 13, at the Father Hudson House in Elizabeth.

Born in Kenilworth, she lived in Westfield for 60 years.

Mrs. Hood worked at McEwen Florist in Westfield for 11 years as a salesperson.

Surviving are her husband, Al S. Hood, and a brother, William Linden.

AFuneralMass wasofferedonTuesday, November 16, at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church in Westfield. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.

Arrangements were handled by the Dooley ColonialHome,556Westfield Avenue in Westfield.

November 18, 1999

Henry W. Kopp, 94, Founder Of Westfield Press Printing Business

Henry W. Kopp, 94, of Westfield died on Wednesday, November 10, at the Westfield Center, Genesis ElderCare Network in Westfield.

Born on May 8, 1905 in Elizabeth, thesonofCarl andDoraFrickeKopp, he moved to Westfield in the late 1920s.

Mr. Kopp had been the founder and owner of the The Westfield Press in Westfield, which he began in the 1920s. The company printed local newspapers, bulletins, newsletters and other materials for churches,

Julia Lee Williamson, 68, Secretary At Prudential Insurance Company

Julia Lee Williamson, 68, of Westfield died on Friday, November 12, in Overlook Hospital in Summit.

Born in Elizabeth, she lived in Westfield for 44 years.

Mrs. Williamson had been a secretaryat thePrudentialInsuranceCompany in Woodbridge for 12 years before retiring in 1989.

She was a member of the Credit Union Board, the Missionary Board and the Activities Committee at the

Jean Miserentino, 90

Jean Miserentino, 90, of Westfield died on Saturday, November 13, at the Westfield Center, Genesis ElderCare Network in Westfield.

Born in Newark, she had lived in Springfield, Irvington and Hillside beforemoving toWestfieldfiveyears ago.

Miss Miserentino had been a cashier at the S. Klein & Company department store in Newark before retiring in 1979.

She was a volunteer at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn and at Columbus Hospital in Newark and was a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the New Jersey Education Association.

Surviving is a brother, Frank Miserentino.

Arrangements werehandledbythe McCracken Funeral Home in Union.

November 18, 1999

Audrey Stepner, 73, Abstract Artist In Local Area for Many Years

Audrey Carol Stepner, 73, of Scotch Plains died on Friday, November 12.

Born in Newark she had lived in Union and Colonia before moving to Scotch Plains about 35 years ago.

Ms. Stepner was an abstract artist for many years and had won many painting awards. She was a student at the Arts Students League of New York and the Summit Arts Center in Summit from 1978 to 1982.

Surviving are two sons, Barry Stepner of Lambertville and Richard Stepner of Apopka, Fla.; a sister,

Bart Bracuto, 82, Member of Elks; Had Owned Solid Waste Business

Bart Bracuto, 82, of Green Brook died on Sunday, November 14, at the Glenside Nursing Center in New Providence.

BorninWestfield, helivedinGreen Brook since 1950.

Mr. Bracuto had been the owner of Bart Bracuto Solid Waste Contractor, which operated in the central New Jersey area for many years. He retired in 1985.

He was a charter member of Watchung HillsElksLodge,Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 2252, in Warren.

Surviving are his wife, Gloria Lengyel Bracuto; three brothers, Dr. Peter Cranford of Georgia, Daniel Bracutoof BrickandMichaelBracuto

First Baptist Church in Cranford, where she was also a Sunday School teacher.

Surviving are a daughter, Judith Williamson; a sister, Joan Hailey Davis, and a grandchild.

Funeralservices wereheldonTuesday, November 16, at the First Baptist Church.

Arrangements were handled by the G. G. Woody Funeral Home in Roselle.

November 18, 1999

of California; five sisters, Ann Bracuto and Teresa Bracuto, both of Westfield; Catherine Khouri of Woodcliff Lake, Olympia Bracuto of Rahway and Margherita DeGregorio of Tinton Falls, and two stepsons.

Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, November 18, at 8:45 p.m. at the Higgins Home for Funerals in Watchung. Entombment will be at Serenity Gardens Mausoleum in Largo, Fla.

Visiting hours will be today from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sturgeon Memorial Rose Garden in Serenity Gardens, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, Fla. 33744.

November 18, 1999

municipalities, organizations and businesses. He retired in 1985.

Earlier, he had been a printer’s apprentice in New York City and later worked for Colby and McGowan, a printing company in Roselle.

Surviving are his wife, Freda S. Kopp, and a niece, Grace Nickles of Toms River.

Arrangements were handled by the Gray Funeral Home, 318 East Broad Street in Westfield.

November 18, 1999

Leatrice Minzter of Westfield, and three grandchildren.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday, November 16, at B’nai Abraham Memorial Park in Union.

Arrangements were handled by the Bernheim-Apter-Goldsticker Suburban Funeral Chapel of Maplewood.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

November 18, 1999

Louis Buono, Sr., 73

Louis Francis Buono, Sr., 73, of Middlesex diedonSunday,November 14, at St. Peter’s Medical Center in New Brunswick.

Born in Bound Brook, he had lived there before moving to Middlesex in 1954.

Mr. Buono had been employed as a supervisor of the supply department forthe VeteransAdministrationinBelle Mead for 35 years, retiring in 1981.

He was a United States Army veteran, having served in the 33rd Cavalry during World War II. Mr. Buono wasstationedonthe islandofLuzonin the Philippine Islands.

Hewasa communicantofOurLady of Mount Virgin Roman Catholic Church in Middlesex and a Past President of the Holy Name Society, and was a member of Middlesex Elks Lodge No. 2301, where he was Elk of the Year from 1982 to 1983. He was also a member of Middlesex Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6988 and of Middlesex AmericanLegionPostNo. 306.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Ann Pirone Buono; four sons, Louis F. Buono, Jr. of Scotch Plains and John Buono, Kenneth Buono and Joseph Buono,all ofMiddlesex;threedaughters, Karen D’Eredita of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., Marylu DiLorenzo of Windham, N.H. and Jill Buono of Fremont, Calif.; a sister, Teresa Ortepioof Bridgewater,and11grandchildren.

Afuneralservice willbeheldtoday, Thursday, November 18, at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church in Middlesex.Friends areinvitedtogather at the funeral home at 8 a.m.

Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Bridgewater.

Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 425 East 67th Street, New York, 10021.

November 18, 1999

Westfield Foundation Awards Grants to Area Organizations

WESTFIELD– TheBoardofTrustees of the Westfield Foundation approved $78,837 in grants for the arts, education and health and human services during its third quarterly meeting.

Scholarship funds in the amount of $30,000, generated by the Wallace Trust and administered by the Rotary Club, will be awarded to deserving high school students.

Union County College received $6,000 to sponsor three college level academicLIFE (LearningIsForEver) courses, which will be held at the WestfieldSeniorHousingComplex.

A grant of $4,000 to the Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey will fund two Union County LIFE courses at its facility in Scotch Plains. Courses at both facilities are available to all senior citizens.

Westfield High School seniors will benefit from a $1,500 grant awarded totheOptimist ClubofWestfield.The fundswill assistintheimplementation ofthe NeonDrunkDrivingSimulation project, wherebystudentswillexperience, firsthand, the dangers of drinking and driving.

Agrantinthe amountof$5,000was made to Women for Women of Union Countytoassist intheestablishmentof an educational resource center at the organization’scounselingcenter.

TheWestfieldNeighborhoodCouncilwasawarded $837forthepurchase of a new copy machine and fax machine to facilitate its educational programs and services.

The Trustees voted to assist the Cerebral Palsy League with renovations andequipment forthefacilityhousing vocational programs by approving a grant of $5,000.

Fundsinthe amountof$5,000were granted to Lifetime Support Inc. This organization assists individuals with developmental disabilities who are in need of guardianship and advocacy services.

Arefugee familyfromKosovoseekingtoresettlein theUnitedStateswill benefitfroma grantof$2,500awarded totheUnitedFund ontheirbehalf.The requestwasmade byaWestfieldcommitteeof ConcernedCitizensforRefugee Families from Kosovo and the UnitedFund.

The ArborChamberMusicSociety received a grant of $4,000 to support thecontinuation oftheMentoringProgram in Westfield High School and to startthe Humanities-MusicLinkinthe Westfield middle schools through chamber music performances and informativediscussions.

Fundsinthe amountof$2,500were grantedtothe NewJerseyStateOpera Education/OutreachProgramtocover the cost of two performances of

Papagano in the Westfield High School. A workshop in Careers in Opera/Theatre will be offered to juniors and seniors.

TheTrustees votedtoprovideadditional funds, in the amount of $2,000, to theWestfieldSymphonyOrchestra in order to cover the increased cost of musicians for the First Night millenniumcelebration.

In addition, the grant will provide for a stipend to critically acclaimed young composer Genevieve Manion of Westfield, who will compose the “Westfield Overture for the 21st Century.”

The Westfield Glee Club will use a grant of $500 to commission a local composer to arrange a special commemorative musical score for the group’s 1999 Winter Golden Jubilee performance.

The United Fund of Westfield was awarded a $10,000 grant to be used as matching funds in the 1999 annual campaign.

For further information regarding the WestfieldFoundation,pleasecontact the office at P.O. Box 2259, Westfield, 07091 or call (908) 2339787.

CUDDLY DONATIONS…Each of the girls in Brownie Troop No. 289 in Scotch Plains donated one of their own Beanie Babies to two girls in the township that lost everything in the flood from Hurricane Floyd. This was one of their service projects for the year. Pictured, left to right, are: first row, Marissa Mastrocola, Jessie Hibel, Ellesse Bartosik, Julia Babis, Megan Huxford, Emily Skaar; second row, Gabrielle Vacca, Stefanie DeVizio, Rebecca Kreyer, Lindsay Laguna, Brittany D’Annunzio, Ryann Morrison.

Magnet High School to Hold Information Program Nov. 30

SCOTCH PLAINS – The Union County Magnet High School for Science, Mathematics and Technology will host its second information session for interested applicants to next September’s freshmanclassandtheir parents.

The program will take place on Tuesday, November 30, at 7 p.m. in Mancuso Hall. The Magnet School is located on the campus of the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools,1776 RaritanRoadinScotch Plains.

According to Corinne Wnek, Student Services Counselor and Admissions Officer for the school, the information session will help families determine if a magnet high school is a viable alternative to traditional education for their child. It will also

provide information on the nature of a magnet school, the curriculum and how a student gains admittance.

The Union County Magnet High School offers an intensive engineering and design technologybased curriculum, which prepares students for entry into a baccalaureate degree program, according to Ms. Wnek.

The school, in collaboration with Union County College, provides the opportunity for students to earn up to a year of college credits prior to high school graduation, she added.

For further information about the Magnet High School or to make reservations for the November 30 information session, please call Ms. Wnek at (908) 889-3800, Extension No. 201.