TROCH — Lawrence P. Troch, 73, of Woolwich Twp., passed away on April 22, 2023 at Jefferson Hospital, Washington Twp., NJ. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he has lived in Woolwich Twp. for the past 14 years. He had previously lived in Valley Stream, NY, Hackettstown, NJ, and Kenosha, WI.
Lawrence was the Director of Compounding at Wedgewood Pharmacy in Swedesboro. He was a graduate of Columbia University. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda (nee Sandmeier), his children, Christopher and his wife Margaret, Jennifer and her husband Brian Hobby, and Jason Troch, his grandchildren, Paige, Taylor, and Connor Hobby and Philip and Emmalynn Troch, his sister, Diane and her husband Bill Holland, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the Cheega Funeral Home, Swedesboro. Contributions in his memory to the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, 914 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 (www.Jefferson.edu/giveskcc) would be appreciated.
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STEFKA — Victoria Stefka (nee Nelli) age 63 years of Mickleton died Sunday April 23, 2023 in her home. Mrs. Stefka was born and raised in Woodbury and lived in Mickleton for many years. She worked as an Educational Support Person at Samuel Mickle School in Mickleton and was recently named ESP Professional of the year for 2023. Mrs. Stefka enjoyed crocheting, doing puzzles and caring for her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Robert Stefka Sr. of Mickleton; her sons, Rob Stefka II and his girlfriend, Katie Lomonaco of West Deptford, Zach Stefka of Mickleton and her sister, Mary Nelli Casias of Port Charlotte, Florida. Mrs. Stefka was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Mary Nelli and her brothers, Ernie, Raymond Jr. and Charlie.
Service were held in the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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FALLON — Edward J. Fallon Sr. age 77, of Mullica Hill passed April 26, 2023, surrounded by those he loved.
Edward retired as a Carpenter with L.U.8. He enjoyed family gatherings at The Ranch, maintaining his yard, and taking drives in his ’50 Ford. He had a great sense of humor, was quick witted with one liners that were often copied, getting together monthly for breakfast with his high school friends. He was an expert in knowledge of history and old westerns and was known as a Horseman who took wonderful care of his Blue Roan horse “Lady”.
Edward is survived by his wife and love of his life, Lauren (nee Wagner), his children Leigh Fallon and husband Vince Doyle, Edward Jr. and fiancée Nicole Alessi, and Amy Velykis and husband Zachary. Along with grandchildren Tommy and Ashleigh Tansey, Shayne Fallon, Tobey and Morgan Velykis and his treasured great grandchildren Brayden and Kayleigh Cospito, Talia, and Tyler Tansey. Also, by his siblings, Joseph, Cathy Palamone, and Cecilia Bond.
Donations can be made to Friends of New Bolton Center, the equine hospital that helped save Lady. 382 West Street Road Kenneth Square, PA 19348.
Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.
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GINYARD — Philip J. Ginyard, 62, of Mullica Hill, former senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Swedesboro, chaplain for the Woolwich Township Police Department, theologian, program director at Missio Seminary, and inspirational blogger, died Friday, May 5, 2023 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at his home.
Pastor Ginyard, called Pastor Phil by many, was the son of Joseph Ginyard, another prominent Philadelphia pastor. So, it seemed only natural that, after being inspired by the fellowship and sense of purpose he felt when he joined First Baptist in 2000, Pastor Ginyard obtained his credentials and became the church’s seventh pastor in 2015.
Since then, says his staff biography for Missio, Pastor Ginyard has been on the forefront of an awakening missional movement to advance the Kingdom of God in tangible ways.
Indeed, Pastor Ginyard’s missional disciple program at First Baptist focused on specific community outreach plans and personal interaction with those he found in need. He taught religious classes at church, built coalitions with organizations and church members of other denominations in Swedesboro, Woolwich Township, and Logan Township, and created his blog, the Disabled Disciple, to keep his messaging current and vibrant even after he fell ill.
He retired from First Baptist in 2021 due to his debilitating illness but continued to update his blog through eye gaze computer technology. His last blog post was April 15, and more he had written are set to be published.
He was a fighter,” said his wife, Donna Brown Ginyard. “He did not let that [illness] stop him. And he never complained.”
As police chaplain for Woolwich Township, Pastor Ginyard counseled young offenders in New Jersey’s Stationhouse Adjustment Program that offers alternatives to criminal charges or incarceration. In 2019, to assist others in qualifying for advanced religious education, he helped create and was the first director of Missio’s Diploma in Biblical and Missional Theology program.
He was passionate about making seminary education readily accessible, his biography says.
The program launched in 2021, and the first class is to graduate in June. In a tribute, Missio officials noted Pastor Ginyard’s “vision and leadership” and said he “left a lasting influence on the goals and structure and curriculum of the program.”
Pastor Ginyard received his diploma in biblical and theological studies at Palmer Theological Seminary in Wayne in 2007, and his master of divinity in 2011 and doctor of ministry in 2016 from Missio. He was on the board of directors for Wise Choice Ministries and active with the Word of Life Fellowship.
“Heaven is celebrating,” a friend said in a Facebook tribute. “I’m a better person for knowing him.”
The youngest of four children, Philip Jerome Ginyard was born Jan. 17, 1961. He grew up in Wynnefield, attended Calvary Gospel Chapel in West Philadelphia, and graduated from Overbrook High School.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and became area director of the Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
He met Donna Brown at a fraternity function in the late 1980s, and they married in 1997. They lived in Logan Township at first and moved to Mullica Hill in 2010.
Pastor Ginyard never lost his interest in political science and read everything he could, especially newspapers. He wrote on his own often and said in a 1997 op-ed in The Inquirer, “Despite the growing pains and the changing faces of the residents, Wynnefield has a special place in the mosaic of neighborhoods that is Philadelphia. It was truly a privilege to grow into adulthood in Dr. Wynne’s ‘hood.”
He watched football games and munched on pizza after church on Sundays or wandered through museums with his wife before brunch. He felt at peace near the ocean, so they visited many islands.
He liked old movies, saw all 10 of August Wilson’s plays on Broadway, and knew all the best restaurants in Philadelphia. He enjoyed summers at Word of Life Camp in New York as a boy, and he and his wife later served as camp counselors.
In a Facebook tribute, a friend said, “Phil will leave a legacy of strength, loyalty, and righteousness for us all.”
In addition to his wife and son, Pastor Ginyard is survived by two sisters and other relatives. A brother died earlier.
Donations in his name may be made to the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia, Suite 260, 321 Norristown Rd., Ambler, Pa. 19002.
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SORBELLO — Marie P. Sorbello, 81, of Swedesboro passed away on May 10, 2023.
Born in Salem, NJ, Marie was the daughter of William and Hilda (DiGregorio) Parente. Marie grew up in Penns Grove, attended and graduated from PGHS in 1959. After high school she worked for a number of years at Bell Telephone, where she got to spend part of that time in Ocean City, one of her favorite places.
During that time, she met, then later married Thomas Sorbello in 1963. Once married, she quickly adapted to the farmer’s life and after having her first child, Lisa, focused her attention on helping with the family business and being a committed mother and homemaker.
Marie enjoyed social events among friends and family. She especially loved entertaining, whether it was cookouts, card club outings, or other family gatherings at either their home in Swedesboro or the beach house in Ocean City. She always made a point of having a well-kept home, which included activities such as planting flowers and decorating.
Marie also had an interest in learning new things, having taken classes in flower arrangement, ceramics, and cake decorating, among others. Marie was also active in the community, having been a parishioner at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Swedesboro, a member of the St. Joseph’s PTA, and a member of the St. James Mothers Club.
Marie is survived by her children, Lisa Sorbello Justice and her husband Joe, Lori Sorbello Grenier and her husband Andy and Fred Sorbello and his wife Kim; siblings, William (Marianne) Parente and Theresa Parente Wilson; grandchildren, Jordan Yates (Jacob), Jodie Mercogliano (Patrick), Julianne Langston (Michael), Kristen Lee, Michele Lee, Gabrielle Grenier and Ashlyn Grenier as well as four great grandchildren, Laurel Yates, Nora Yates, Thea Yates and Lincoln Langston. In addition to her parents, her husband Thomas predeceased her in 2020.
Donations can be made to: Penn Memory Center, https://www.pennmemorycenter.org/gifts/donate or Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, www.chop.edu click on “Make a Gift” in Marie’s memory. www.adamsfuneralhome.org
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SHARP — Nancy K. Sharp, of Swedesboro, passed away suddenly on May 12, 2023 at her home. She was 66. Born in Woodbury, NJ; the daughter of Joan (McDermott) and the late Floyd Sharp.
Nancy worked for many years as a truck driver for numerous companies. She was very passionate about driving, and also passionate about life. She was a social butterfly who often took trips to visit animals at the local animal shelter. She loved cars and enjoyed watching NASCAR on Sundays to cheer on her favorite driver, Jeff Gordon. You could always find Nancy smiling and laughing somewhere with an ice cold Pepsi in her hand. Nancy’s legacy will be carried on by her only son Jared Sharp.
She is survived by her son, Jared Sharp and his fiancé Chrystal Rios; a grandson, Romeo Sharp; mom, Joan Sharp; sisters, Linda Stackhouse and Jody Green; numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held at McBride-Foley Funeral Home, 228 W. Broad St., Paulsboro. Memorial donations can be made in Nancy’s memory to the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, 1200 N. Delsea Dr., Clayton, NJ 08312.
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LUCAS — Josephine R. Lucas (nee: Musumeci), 95, of Egg Harbor Township NJ, and formerly of Swedesboro, passed away at her daughter’s home on May 18, 2023.
Born and raised in the Swedesboro area, she lived with her daughter for the past seven years, coming from Rio Grande, NJ. She was a graduate of Swedesboro High School, Class of ’44 and a homemaker.
She was a member of the former St. Joseph’s Church in Swedesboro and was an active member of the Altar-Rosary Society, working the spaghetti dinners, helping to make the ‘gravy’, working the Bar-B-Que Dinners and whatever else was needed. She loved bowling and was devoted to her family.
Josephine is survived by her children, John (Angel), Cindy Briglin, Cheryl Kandt, Chris, Teresa Camilli and son-in-law Stephen Owen Sr. Her grandchildren, Tracy VanEtten, Stephen Owen, Jr., Michele Mason, John Lucas, Michael Lucas, Chuckie Locantura, Rochelle Kandt, Scott Briglin, Michael Briglin, Brian Briglin, Jeanette Morrison, Jessica Lucas, Gabrielle Lucas, Elizabeth Lucas, Amy-Lynn Camilli, Jamie Camilli and Patrick Camilli also 22 great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her husband Emanuel John Lucas, her daughters, RoseMarie Locantura and Linda Owen, her parents, Philip and Alfina Musumeci and her brother Sam Musumeci, son-in-laws, Mike Briglin, Rocky Kandt and Nick Locantura.
Services were held at the Cheega Funeral Home, 1329 Kings Highway, Swedesboro. Contributions in her memory to St. Judes Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis Tn. 38105 or on line at stjude.org. would be appreciated.
