JOHNS – Edward S. Johns, first born to Barbara L. Johns and the late Edward K. Johns, affectionately called “Bammie”, he was born Nov. 24, 1967 in Swedesboro. He departed this life at the age of 52 on Nov. 16 at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was educated in the Swedesboro Public School System and graduated from Kingsway Regional High school in 1986 and received a mechanical engineering degree from Lincoln Technical. Ed was known as a track and football star. He received the 1986 Dragon Award, which is the highest honor a person could receive. He also was inducted into the Wall of Fame. He went on to help coach the S. J. Rising Track Team.
Ed accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at an early age at First Baptist Church, Swedesboro.
Ed married Regina and from that union, Ashley was born. Later, he married Tomika and from the union Anyae’, Arianna and Ajia were born.
Ed was employed by several companies during his lifetime, including B.F. Goodrich (Allied Maintenance), VWR and Five Below. He also owned and operated his own barbeque business, The Smoke Shack Roadside Grill.
He leaves to cherish the memories: his mother, Barbara, daughters Ashley, Anyae’, Arianna, and Ajia and devoted brother Gershon (Tenita) of Swedesboro. He was predeceased by his father, Edward Kenneth earlier this year. He also leaves three uncles and aunts (James and Diana Johns, Daniel and Ronnie Morris and William and Susian Johns), three nephews (Damir, Dalvin and Darin Johns), numerous cousins and many loving friends.
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MACCARONE — Anthony A. “Tony” Maccarone, Sr., on Nov. 20, 2020, of Washington Twp. Age 73. Beloved husband of Joan (nee Arcari). Devoted father of Anthony, Jr. (Angelique Cerulli), Gregory (Diane) and Mark. Loving grandfather of Valentina, Dominic, Gregory, Nicholas, and Francesca. Dear brother of Joseph, Joanne Saia, and the late Rosemarie, Marie String, and Samuel.
Born and raised on a farm in Swedesboro, he learned the value of hard work at a young age. After graduating Kingsway High School, he went on to Rutgers University to continue his education and athletics. After graduating, he made his way into the business world and became a highly successful salesman. He was recognized multiple times throughout his career with sales awards that he proudly displayed in his home office and finally retired in 2015.
With a demanding career that often found him traveling, he was still a devoted family man. In 1970, he married his true love, Joan and for the next 50 years they built a wonderful life and family together, raising three sons. His devotion for his family was very evident and he took pride in seeing his sons become successes in their own right. Raising his family was top priority and he made sure to never miss a game, a school event, or family function.
Knowing the importance of service to the community and a teacher at heart, he readily volunteered his time to youth athletics. For the better part of 20 years, he coached soccer, basketball, track, and baseball at St Jude’s Regional School and Washington Township. He was a founding member of the St. Jude’s Athletic Association, where he held various positions including president and started expanding the sports programs offered.
As he grew older and grandchildren began to fill his time, he delighted in the new role of “Pop-Pop or Pops”. He adored his grandchildren and made every effort to spend as much time with them as he could. Whether sports, school performances, or religious events, he rarely missed anything his grandchildren were involved in and was always beaming with joy when they were around.
Additional to his family, his other great passion was his shore house. In 1988, he and his wife purchased a small dilapidated bungalow and, with the help of his father-in-law, rebuilt it. For the rest of his life, he enjoyed the memories that were made and the great times spent in his shore house.
He was a man of simple pleasures in life. His love of history, politics, and sports was imparted onto his children and grandchildren. His was a life of great joy and filled with lots of laughter. A larger than life individual that personified what a devoted husband, a great father, doting grandfather, and good friend was.
Donations may be made in Tony’s memory St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Veterans Helping Veterans, Veteran’s Advisory Council, P.O. Box 337, Woodbury, NJ 08096.
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REGINA — Dolores B. Regina (nee Brown) age 73 years of Mickleton died Nov. 20, 2020 in Samaritan Hospice, Voorhees.
Dolores was born and raised in Philadelphia and was a graduate of St. Joseph’s University. While attending college, she taught elementary school in several Catholic schools in a program she instrumented where she received a stipend to teach while getting her degree. After her children were born, she continued to work as a substitute teacher for 25 years in the Gloucester Township School System. Dolores enjoyed sewing and tending to her garden.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Joe Regina of Mickleton; her children, Jennifer and Samuel Lombardo of Sicklerville, Christopher and Maria Regina of Burbank, California; her grandchildren, Nicholas, Julia, Sammy, Sonny, Liam and Grace.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date when the pandemic has cleared. Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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SORBELLO — Thomas A. Sorbello, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 84, surrounded by his wife and children. (“Tom”) was born on Oct. 5, 1936, in Swedesboro, son of Alfio and Grace Sorbello. A lifelong resident of Swedesboro, Thomas graduated from Swedesboro High School, class of 1954.
Tom grew up on the family farm that his father, Alfio, founded a generation before. He knew from an early age that farming was his calling and built the farm into a thriving business. As much as Tom loved farming, he loved to spend his free time at the bowling alley, which is where he would meet the love of his life, Marie Parente. They would soon marry and settle on the family farm, raising three children, daughters Lisa and Lori, and son Alfio (“Fred”). Tom and Marie celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary together on Nov. 16, 2020.
Tom enjoyed many leisure activities, such as deer hunting and watching football as well as spending time at the Raccoon Club. However, Tom’s favorite “hobby” was farming. The family farm would eventually grow to be one of the largest and successful vegetable farms in South Jersey. He would also serve on many organizations associated with farming, including serving as President of the Vineland Produce Auction, Vice President of the NJ Tomato Council, Director of the Gloucester County Board of Agriculture, Alternate Director of the Vegetable Growers Association.
Although farming was Tom’s livelihood, he loved spending time with his family at social outings with his wife, family gatherings for birthdays and holidays, or time with his children, even acting as assistant coach for many of their youth sports teams. Tom was a gentle and compassionate man with a light-hearted spirit and great sense of humor. Despite his reserved personality, Tom could spend hours talking to you about farming, family, hunting, or sports. More importantly, Tom was universally respected among family, friends, and the community of farmers as a good man, who was fair and always of the highest moral standard.
Thomas is survived by wife, Marie, three children, Lisa (Joe) Justice, Lori (Andy) Grenier, and Fred (Kim) Sorbello, his sister, Agnes (Fred) Musumeci, and brother, Frank (Jennie) Sorbello, seven granddaughters, and a great-granddaughter. In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by his sister, Alfina Sorbello.
Services were held at the Cheega Funeral Home, Swedesboro. Donations in his memory to the Woodstown Future Farmers of America, 140 East Ave. Woodstown, NJ 08098 or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org would be appreciated.
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FLORES — Maria L. Flores, 85, passed away at home on Nov. 26, 2020. She lived in Swedesboro for the past 9 years. Maria was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. She married Hilario Flores in 1953 and had seven children that she raised in Camden and Cedarbrook, NJ. She worked for Mrs. Paul’s in Hammonton, NJ before she retired and moved back to Puerto Rico until 2001 when she returned to New Jersey.
She was a member of the Fatima/Mt. Carmel church in Camden, NJ until 1975. She loved spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing dominoes. She was the best mom, grandmom “abuela”, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, godmother and friend.
Maria is survived by her children, Theodore “Papo” Flores, Carmen Flores, Luz M. Ruiz “Lucy”, Lidia Flores “Lily” and David Flores. Sister-In-Law, Paula Vazquez, Daughter and Son-In-Laws, Mildred Flores, Mike Ruiz, Margie Flores, Annie Flores, Jackie Flores, Dawn Flores, Mario Figueroa. 17 Grandchildren Ted Jr, Militza, Ricardo, Javier, Jordan, Victor “kiko”, Alexis, Erika, Tony Jr., Daisy, Yadiel, Monique, Arielle, James, Adrianna, Papito and Kassy, 20 Great-Grandchildren, 4 Great-Great Grandchildren (Tata nietos). Maria was predeceased by her sons, Antonio and Victor Flores. She has many nephews and nieces that she loved dearly. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
Donations in her memory to help with funeral expenses may be hand delivered or mailed directly to the Cheega Funeral Home, 1329 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ 08085, donations by credit cards can be made by phone (845-467-0030) and would be greatly appreciated.
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GRAY — Anne H. Gray age 85 years of Mickleton died Nov. 27, 2020 in her home.
Mrs. Gray was born in Woodbury and raised in Swedesboro where she graduated from Swedesboro High School. For several years she worked as a secretary at Mobil Oil and later sold Avon. Mrs. Gray was an active member of Clonmell United Methodist Church, Gibbstown, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school and running V.B.S. She was an avid Phillies fan and enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with family and friends.
She is survived by her children, Marianne Frederick of Ft. Myers, FL, Steven and Carolyn Gray of Clarksboro, Richard Gray of Dillsburg, PA; her grandchildren, John, Steven, Jeffrey, Lauren and Danny and her great grandson, John. Mrs. Gray was predeceased by her husband Daniel Gray.
The Funeral Service were held in the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in her memory to the General Fund of Clonmell Church, 516 W. Broad St., Gibbstown, NJ 08027. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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FORD — Robert “Bob” Abraham Ford, Jr., 78, of Mullica Hill, went home to be with our Lord on December 2, 2020, after a brave, two-year battle with stage 4 glioblastoma cancer of the spinal cord. His loving wife of 52 years, children, and grandchildren were by his side.
Born on Aug. 17, 1942 in East Stroudsburg, PA, Bob was the adoring husband of Janice Elaine (Schiebel) Ford, and the son of the late Robert Abraham Ford, Sr., and Esther Rebecca (Lambert) Ford. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Carol Melissa Ford of Wenonah, NJ, and Barbara Lyn Reim and her husband Jeffrey L. Reim of Sewell, NJ; two grandsons, Benjamin Nathan Reim and his wife Ashley (Krebs) Reim of Berlin, NJ, and Adam Michael Reim of Sewell, NJ; one brother, Karl W. Ford of Parrish, FL; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by one brother, Lawrence “Larry” L. Ford.
Bob was a member of the Sewell Community Baptist Church in Sewell, NJ. Bob was deeply spiritual and held a strong faith in God.
During the 1960s, Bob volunteered with the Stroudsburg Fire Department in Stroudsburg, PA. After graduating from Stroudsburg High School in Stroudsburg, PA, in 1960, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 14, 1960, and he proudly served in active duty during the Cold War era until he was honorably discharged on Oct. 10, 1966. Following his service in the Air Force, Bob attended Parks University in St. Louis, MO, where he graduated with certification in aircraft maintenance.
Bob was employed as an aircraft mechanic for nearly four decades, first with Eastern Airlines beginning on January 7, 1968, in Boston, MA, where he worked for two years before transferring to Philadelphia, PA. Bob was employed with Eastern Airlines until March 4, 1989, after which he was employed with American Airlines, also in Philadelphia, until his retirement on Jan. 29, 2005. Bob was a highly respected member of the airline industry, and he received numerous letters of commendation for his dedication to aircraft safety and maintenance.
Bob was an active member of the Pitman Masonic Lodge #197, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1988 and 2014. Also in 2016, Bob served as Grand Chaplain of the Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of New Jersey. In addition, he was a member of the Royal Arch, Joshua Chapter #51 and the Knights Templar, Cyrene Commandery #7.
Bob and Jan were married on Feb. 24, 1968, and throughout their lives together, they were inseparable. Together, Bob and Jan enjoyed caring for their pets (two cats, Sophie and Sabrina, and their little dog, RJ), taking bus trips, biking, going for walks, spending their lunchtimes at the Gloucester County Senior Center, and volunteering at the Pitman Masonic Lodge (particularly the monthly breakfast and summer chicken barbeque) and other local Masonic lodges. Above all, Bob enjoyed being with his family.
On Dec. 18, 1994, Bob went into liver failure, which nearly took his life. He was evaluated for a liver transplant, which he received on Feb. 12, 1996. From then on, he became known as a “Miracle Man,” having been diagnosed with many serious health conditions, including prostate cancer and bladder cancer, all of which he battled and overcame. In April 2018, Bob was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma of the spinal cord, to which he eventually succumbed.
The family asks for a donation made in Bob’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.
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HILDEBRAND — Elinor Emma Hildebrand, age 81 of Richwood, died Dec. 10, 2020 in her home with her family by her side.
Born to Joseph E. & Minnie E. (Layton) Huff, she lived in Penns Grove at her birth and was raised in Clarksboro, graduating in 1957 from Swedesboro High School. She had worked for the Woodbury Times before staying home to raise her family. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and cross stitch, enjoyed camping and the beach, and enjoyed her time at the Spring Gulch Campground in New Holland. She loved taking care of her grandkids.
Elinor is survived by her husband of 60 years, Pete Hildebrand; her daughters and sons-in-law, Susan Seery & Mike Carney and Sandra & Edward Stivetts; her son and daughter-in-law, William & Jennifer Hildebrand; and four grandchildren, Sean Kelly, and Kaitlyn, Madison, and Ryan Hildebrand.
Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to her family.
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