HENZY – John M. Henzy Jr. age 70 of Mullica Hill passed away on March 25 at his home.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a long time resident of Mullica Hill.
During his lifetime, John lived in Germany, Brazil, Japan, Korea, and Laos, attending 17 different schools before college. He holds a B.S. Ed. Degree from Western Carolina University and a M.Ed. degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. He launched his 50 year teaching career in Hendersonville, NC before joining Deptford High School faculty and finally Gloucester County College. His academic accomplishments include a 1970 Fulbright scholar honor and Emeriti status of Provost and Vice President, as well as Professor of Sociology and Education, the latter of which gave him the most joy.
During his 45 year career at Gloucester County College, John taught approximately 30,000 students. He was also the Academic Dean of three divisions, Vice President of Academic Services, and the founding administrator of the T2K Education Program and the GCC Police Academy. Upon his retirement on July 1, 2013 he held the first and only title of Provost of Gloucester County College.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, a cherished father and a proud grandfather as well as a beloved impact figure and the most versatile administrator ever.
Surviving are his wife, Carol Henzy (nee Pfau) of Mullica Hill, a daughter, Carolynne Sandy (Walter) of Woolwich Township grandchildren Ryan and Sean, and a brother, Robert C. Henzy of Seaville, NJ.
John is also survived by Carol’s children, daughter Michelle (Kebles) Lakatosh (Ron), son John Kebles Jr. and grandchildren Sarah Molloy and Ryan McCarty.
Memorial donations may be made to the John M. Henzy Jr. Scholarship Fund, c/o Elizabeth Hall, Gloucester County College, 1400 Tanyard Rd., Sewell, NJ 08080.
For condolences visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.
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HOFFMAN – Angelina Hoffman, age 80, of Swedesboro, passed away March 27 at Shady Lane Nursing Home, Clarksboro surrounded by family and friends. A life resident of Gloucester county, she was the wife of the late James Hoffman. Angie enjoyed gardening, growing tomatoes and other vegetables at her home. She was a seamstress at the former sewing factory in Swedesboro. Angie loved to cook and homemade spaghetti was her specialty. Besides playing bingo at the VFW in Deptford, she loved to crochet, making blankets and scarves for the staff and other residents of Shady Lane. She loved to laugh and was always joking around. Angie is survived by her daughter, Angelina P. Michener and her husband Keith, also Corey and longtime friends Jimmy and Glowy Frank. She was predeceased by her siblings, Sylvia, Jennie, Pater, Earl, and Frank Scerati.
Services were held at the Cheega Funeral Home, Swedesboro. Interment Lake Park Cemetery, Swedesboro. Contributions in her memory to Shady Lane Nursing Home, 256 County House Rd., Clarksboro, NJ 08020 Attn: Recreation Dept. would be appreciated. Share memories at www.cheegafuneralhome.com.
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JONES – Thressa S. Jones, age 93, went home to be with the Lord and her loving husband, Bud, on March 29, at Cardinal Village where she had lived since October 2013. She was originally born and raised in Sewell, but after marrying Bud, they lived in Mullica Hill, Mantua and 15 years ago moved to Bridlewood Retirement Community in Deptford. For many years she was very active in the United Methodist Church of Mantua. She was a very busy homemaker caring and loving her family but seemed to always have time to visit friends and shut-ins with homemade soup. Everyone she met just loved her because of her amazing sense of humor. They always said she was such a “funny lady”. Her favorite thing to do was when she and Bud would just jump in a car and go, especially to Lancaster on the back roads in the snow. She was predeceased by her husband Edward (Bud). Surviving are her children: Ginny Strang (Dick) of Ocean City, Edward Jones (Arabelle) of Mantua, Donald Jones (Agnes) of Williamstown, Carol Hogan of Williamstown, “adopted daughter”, Linda Taylor of Wenonah, her cat Mikey, 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one new great-great-grandson.
She had been blessed with the compassionate and loving care of the nurses and aides from Cardinal Village and Compassionate Care Hospice while living at Cardinal Village.
Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. The family asks that contributions be made in her memory to the United Methodist Church of Mantua, 201 Mantua Blvd., Mantua, NJ 08051. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.
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DRIVER – Ruth E. Driver, 89, of Mullica Hill, passed away on March 29. Born in Ferrell, NJ to the late George and Emma (nee Schmidt) Hammel, Ruth was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who absolutely lived for her family. She was a self-taught musician who shared her talents with the Ewan United Methodist Church where she played piano and organ as a member for over 50 years. Ruth was a die-hard NASCAR fan, her favorite driver being Dale Earnhardt Jr. But, most importantly, Ruth’s sun rose and set with her husband, George E. Driver Jr., whom she lost in 1998 after 53 years of marriage. George and Ruth were inseparable during their time together whether it was the time they spent on their farm or while they were camping all over the country.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Marlyn Wright (William) of Monroeville and Joann Bundens (Robert) of Beach City, TX; her son, George E. Driver III of Mullica Hill; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, George E. Driver Jr. and many siblings.
Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. The family has suggested that donations be made in memory of Ruth Driver to Ewan United Methodist Church, 325 Ewan Rd., Mullica Hill, NJ 08062. www.adamsfuneralhome.org.
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NICOLOSI – Samuel J. Nicolosi Jr., 74, of Mannington Township, passed away peacefully March 29, at Seasons Hospice Unit, Christiana Hospital, Newark, Delaware, surrounded by his loving family. Son of the late Samuel and Anna (Catalano) Nicolosi, Sicilian immigrants who taught their children to love the land and to value honest hard work, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Jean (nee Ware); his children, Samuel J. III (Pan), Annette, and John C. Nicolosi; two granddaughters, Jennifer and Lyndsey; his siblings Jean Maccarone, Sadie McCart, Mary Sorbello, Michael, Alfred and Freda Earnest; and dozens of nieces and nephews from whom he was a family icon.
Sam (“Grizz”) was a man of the soil who enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing and a variety of outdoor sports with his sons and hunting buddies. An admirer of the daredevil crop dusters who exhibited their skills over the farm in breathtaking stunts on warm summer evenings, one of Sam’s dreams – piloting his own plane – remained unfulfilled when life intervened with more urgent concerns.
Noted for his rugged good looks, strength and endurance, Sam was blessed with a keen intelligence and a devilish sense of humor. He was always ready with a quick retort to inspire laughter in a light hearted manner. He was exceptionally compassionate when others needed help, loaning his farm equipment to neighbors and relatives and generously sharing his resources with his many friends.
Sam’s nickname derived from his legendary hunting trip to Alaska in 1990 where he received recognition for bagging the largest grizzly on Boone and Crockett records taken with a muzzle loader. In the years that followed, Sam regaled his spellbound listeners with stories of this adventure and many others in Maine, Colorado and Canada. If a movie had been made of Sam’s life, he would have been portrayed by a young Robert Redford whom Sam admired in his favorite film, “Jeremiah Johnson”.
One of the first farmers in New Jersey to perfect the technique of harvesting tomatoes by machine, Sam was chosen by the machine’s inventor, John Porter, to become the sole distributor of Porter-Way harvester parts during the heyday of tomato farming in the late 1970s and early 1980’s. Their warm friendship endured until death separated them.
Like many outdoorsmen, Sam was a strong supporter of animal conservation. Faced with difficult economic times as fresh produce markets changed, he turned the 300 acre family farm on a secluded portion of the Salem Creek into a state-owned wildlife preserve so that future generations might enjoy seeing white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkeys, pheasants, quail, fox, heron, egrets, hawks, owls, rabbits and squirrels in their natural habitat.
Devoted to his family and loyal to his friends, Sam coped heroically with the challenges presented by declining health over more than a decade following a severe stroke in 2001.
Like a proud buck in the forest whose survival skills allow it to reign as king of its realm for a number of years until it must yield to a younger competition, Sam resigned himself to his fate with an admirable stoicism which inspired those who loved him to confront challenges in their own lives with similar courage and fortitude. As a hunter, he learned a life lesson suited to his sense of Irony; Time is the greatest hunter of all because he always gets his prey in the end.
Sam will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His laughter has been silenced for now, but we know that somewhere in this mysterious universe he is telling again the story of that noble grizzly near in the wilds of Alaska and planning his next great adventure.
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JOHNSON – Kate Sylestine Johnson, 81, departed this life on April 1 at her home.
Mrs. Johnson was born in King and Queen County, VA and moved to Swedesboro as a young child. She was formerly employed by Ancora State Hospital and a member of First Baptist Church, Swedesboro.
She leaves to cherish her memory her husband Robert L. Johnson; son Eric J. Johnson; brother-in-law William I. Johnson; other relatives and friends.
Predeceased by mother Mollie (Paige) Holmes and step father Oride Holmes.
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IACOVELLI – Michael Richard Iacovelli, age 25 of Mickleton died on April 9 after suffering a debilitating seizure that took him home to God.
He is survived by his parents Joseph Iacovelli and Judith (nee McMahon), loving sister, Julie, his grandparents, Michael Iacovelli and Fran (nee DiMona) of Mickleton, Aunt Frances (Fred) Schuchman of New York City, Uncle Rich (Kathy) McMahon of Mickleton, Aunt Linda (Trevor) Lacy of Sewell, Aunt Dianne (Tom) Sliwowski of Sewell, Friend and Great Aunt Rosemarie Schick of Boca Raton, FL, and loving cousins and many, many friends.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.
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VIRNELSON – Lee A. Virnelson of Mount Royal, died on April 10. Age 66.
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LAMB – Lois Jean Lamb (nee Broadley) of Mullica Hill went to be with the Lord on April 13 with her family by her side. Survived by her husband William; mother Dorothy; a daughter Melissa (David) Wagner; 2 grandchildren Sharon and David; 2 brothers Von and Zeke.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ancscremation.info/loislamb.htm.
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HITCHNER – Ann V. Hitchner passed away on April 14 at home in Pilesgrove. Born in Swedesboro, Mrs. Hitchner was the daughter of Martin and Dora (Crispin) Van Buren. Raised in Swedesboro, Ann worked for DuPont’s as a secretary and as a tour guide for Thompson Tours. Ann enjoyed both graveling and roller skating. In fact, she meets the love of her life and her husband of 47 years while the two of them were roller skating.
Her husband Bruce as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives survive her.
Interment in Lake Park Cemetery in Swedesboro. Mr. Hitchner has suggested that donations can be sent in Ann’s memory to The First Presbyterian Church in Swedesboro, 1526 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ 08085. www.adamsfuneralhome.org.
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RAMOS – Michael J. Ramos Jr. of Mullica Hill, formerly of Woodstown. Mikey earned his wings when our angel was called home on April 15 in “Mikey’s House.” He graced our lives for 15 ½ years.
Mikey was a gift to his family and all that had the opportunity of knowing him. Although his life was met with challenges, his determination coupled with nurturing care and unconditional love, helped Mikey beat the odds. Mikey loved to help bake, mixing the batter with his hands. He was fortunate enough to be able to travel with his family to Discovery Cove in Florida where he swam with the dolphins. Mikey was a member of Top Sport Baseball Team, Harrison Township and participated in the Trick or Trot Costume Walk.
He is the beloved son of his caregivers, Kristin (nee Kennedy) and Michael J., Sr.; loving brother of Amanda Ramos; dear grandson of Carol and the late William Kennedy and Elizabeth Herskovitz and her husband Sy and the late John Ramos; special nephew of Kelli New, Beth Scioli, Kim Moffatt (Peter), Bill Kennedy, Jr., Bryan Herskovitz and Wendy Pero; best friend of John D’Amico and his parents, Missy and Mike; master and friend of Kiki, Mikey’s guardian. A special and heartfelt thank you for the kind and caring member of Mikey’s Team, which included Jodee, Linda, Chris, Jenn, Kathy, Tim, Danielle, Kim, Lani, Amy and Debbie.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Hunter’s Hope Foundation, PO Box 643, 6368 West Quaker Street, Orchard Park, NY 14127 or online at www.huntershope.org. Tributes and memories may be shared at www.mcgfuneral.com.
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HESS – Mary M. Hess, age 95 passed away on April 15 at her home in Mickleton. Born in Philadelphia, she retired from working at Conrail in Philadelphia. Her passion was working in her yard where she could be found any day of the week. She also enjoyed a weekly jaunt to the casino. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her family and friends around the pool.
Wife of the late Nicholas Hess, she is survived by her daughter Joyce Hunt (Kenneth) of Mullica Hill, grandchildren, Kenneth Hunt (Libby), Gregory Hunt (Rachelle), and Kim Potorti, great grandchildren Aaron, Mackenzie, Peyton, Olivia, and Julia Hunt, and Mario and Francesca Potorti. Mary was also predeceased by her sister Anna and brother Steve.
Entombment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.
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POWERS – John J. “Jack” Powers, age 79 years, of Mickleton, formerly of Cape May, died April 19 in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Camden. Mr. Powers was born and raised in Philadelphia and graduated from St. Thomas More High School. After his marriage he moved to Yeadon where he raised his family before moving to Cape May in 1971. He retired in 2004 from Cape Regional Medical Center after 24 years of service as a boiler operator. Mr. Powers loved photography, fishing and playing golf.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Frances Powers (nee Devlin) of Mickleton; his daughter, France and Mark Gilmour of Mickleton; his daughter-in-law Rita Powers of Cape May Court House; his grandchildren, Joshua Gilmore, Jack Powers and Melissa Guth; his great grandchildren, Emerson Gilmour and Finn Guth and his sister, Mary Powers of Maple Shade. Mr. Powers was predeceased by his son, John J. Powers III and several brothers and sisters.
Inurnment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. Arrangements by McBride-Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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PLATT – Ella M. Platt (nee McMahon) age 93 years, of Mickleton died April 19 in Wilmington, DE. Mrs. Platt was born in Philadelphia, raised in Bridgeport and graduated from Paulsboro High school in 1938. She was also a graduate of Glassboro State College and then she taught in Bridgeport School. Later she went to East Greenwich where she taught her daughter in fourth grade, also becoming the school Principal. After her retirement, Mrs. Platt continued to serve on the school board. She was a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church, Swedesboro; Order of the Eastern Star Swedesboro Chapter #115; Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Fraternity and a lifetime member of the Gloucester County Historical Society. Mrs. Platt enjoyed crocheting, was an avid reader but treasured visits from her grandchildren the most.
She is survived by her children, Gweneth Jane Platt of Wilmington, DE, Kay Marie Platt and Allan Goldenberg of Mickleton, Karen Platt and Michael Wilson of Springfield, VA; her grandchildren, Elyse Willard, Jennifer Childress, Laura Platt and Wesley Platt; her great grandchildren, Tarney and Brody Willard and her sister, Gweneth Fell of Savannah, GA. Mrs. Platt was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard W. Platt Sr. and her son, Richard W. Platt Jr.
Services were held at the McBride-Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro.
Contributions can be made in her memory to the General Fund of Bethesda U.M. Church, 1433 Kings Hwy., Swedesboro, NJ 08085 or the Continuing Studies Fund at Widener University, 1 University Place, Chester, PA 19013 or the Rowan University Foundation, 201 Mullica Hill Rd., Glassboro, NJ 08028. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
