FLANAGAN — Beverly “Sue” Flanagan, 77, of Woolwich Township passed away peacefully on July 16, surrounded by her devoted family.
Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Sue was the oldest daughter of the late Rose and Riley Johnson. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Michael James Flanagan, and her brother, George. She was preceded in death by her sister, Vicki and brother, Leslie.
Sue was the proud mother of 10 children: Holly, Michael, Jessica, Melissa, Kristin, Rebecca, Vanessa, Timothy, Jeffrey, and Elizabeth. She was also blessed with 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom were cherished beyond measure.
A beloved wife and mother, Sue’s greatest joy was found in her family. She was known for her warmth, sharp wit, and generous spirit. Whether offering words of wisdom, a listening ear, or a bit of humor to lighten a heavy moment, Sue never hesitated to pick up the phone for anyone who needed her.
She had a deep love for Christian study and children, and her quiet strength, intelligence, and compassion touched everyone she met. Her faith was her foundation, and she carried it with quiet grace throughout her life.
Donations may be made in Sue’s memory to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, two causes close to the family’s heart. She will be remembered always for her love, her laughter, and the legacy she leaves behind in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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LaSCALA – Phillip LaScala, 82. Phil loved the simple life, but if he had one vice, it was filling his garages. He had many an antique car and truck and tractors galore. He’d acquire them as rust buckets and restore them to their former beauty.
Once restored he loved to show them off, especially in parades. His favorite of recent were the buggies that he had fabricated.
The outdoors refreshed his soul, especially quiet times spent in his garden where over the years he’d grown just about everything conceivable. And as he wandered the property, he’d most likely be admiring his trees; blasphemy to even discuss cutting one down. He could survey most of the yard while he sat on his swing, glass of his homemade wine (dandelion, strawberry and mulberry) in his hand.
He was a master behind the stove, a million pasta dishes and always prepping a soup. The stainless pot would come off the stove and find its way into the fridge and then back and forth a few times until it was empty. There was never a reason to dirty more dishes and bowls.
He was proud to be of Italian descent; second generation, he spoke the language. As a dad, he had the respect of his kids. It seldom took more than his look to get his point across.
He worked as a machinist for U.S. Drop Forge but found his real calling late in life as a grandfather, letting the grands loose in his basement playroom, enjoying the matchbox cars and the occasional cheeseball and chocolate.
Through friends he’d meet a pretty girl, the late Loretta. They shared a 39-year marriage. He is survived by his children, Darlene Monaco (Tom), Tammy Lee (Whitey), Bobby Chew (Julie), Michael LaScala (Lauren) and Amanda LaScala (Ian); grandchildren, Kyle, Kristen, Stephanie, Danielle, Shawn, Cooper, Breanna and Henry; great grandchildren, Teddy, Piper, Audrianna, Gino, Max, Scarlett, Adrian and Blaise; and his sidekick, Nina.
His life was celebrated at Daley Life Celebration Studio. Interment, Lake Park Cemetery, Woolwich.
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DiAMICIS — John L. “Jack” DiAmicis Jr. ,73, of Logan Township, passed away peacefully at home on July 20 surrounded by his family. Born in Pennsylvania, he relocated with his wife, Mary, to Logan Township 36 years ago and quickly became a beloved member of the community.
Jack served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He built a successful career as a Project Manager for Sunoco, working at their facilities in Philadelphia, PA, Marcus Hook, PA and Westville, NJ.
He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Swedesboro and was deeply involved in local life as a soccer coach, field trip chaperone, golf enthusiast and board member at Peachwood Pool.
Jack was known for his deep love for his family and his easy going, glass half full outlook on life. He was a proud “girl dad,” a beloved Poppop, and friend to all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Mary (nee: Barlow), his three daughters Mary Garozzo (Buddy), Jackie Eckhoff (Bill) and Jill Lehman (Keith) along with his four grandchildren: Adam, Lauren, Lucy and Walter. Jack is also survived by his brother Tom (Barbara) and two sisters, Sandy Fry (Jim) and Joyce Price (Lindsey) and sister in law Jeanne DiAmicis. Jack was predeceased by his parents, John L. DiAmicis, Sr. and Alberta (nee: Davis) as well as a brother Joe.
Arrangements by the Cheega Funeral Home, Swedesboro. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gift of Life Donor Program at www.donors1.org/give or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate/memorial-giving.html.
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BELLACE — Philip Charles Bellace passed away on July 21 at the age of 53 years old from cardiac arrest he suffered on the job site. He was employed as a Concrete Foreman at Precision Concrete Company in Sioux Falls, SD.
Philip graduated from Kingsway Regional High School. He was the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies number one fan, and rarely missed watching their games. Phil enjoyed playing darts and was on several teams over the years.
He made several good friends during his time in South Dakota, who he went to many concerts with, as well as had lots of laughs with at their favorite watering hole, “Detour”.
Philip is survived by his loving mother, Nancy Jo Higgins-Krusinski. He was predeceased by his devoted father, Phil Bellace, his paternal grandmother, Santina Bellace, and his maternal grandparents, Joe and Nancy Higgins. He is also survived by his caring Aunt Rosemarie Bellace, Uncle Charles Bellace, Uncle Joey Higgins, sister Christa Moss and her husband Brian, brother Roman Bellace, sister Sondramarie Wyckoff (Dan) and his mentor and boss, Scott Bissell.
Services were held at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro.
In the spirit of his love for his teams, the family requested that Eagles and/or Phillies attire be worn in honor of his memory.
Please be sure to sign the on-line guest book and share a story you have about Philip.
The family asks if you would like to make a donation, please donate through Paypal or mail a check payable to Kingsway Education Foundation, In Memory of Philip Charles Bellace at 213 Kings Highway, Woolwich Twp., NJ 08085. Once a Dragon, always a Dragon!
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CONNORS — Dennis “Denny” Connors, 78. Denny always greeted you with a smile and his most recent story. A born conversationalist, he could talk to anyone and remembered vivid details and names from events that occurred eons ago.
He was detail oriented in raising his kids, maintaining his home and in his work life. He was that rare guy who followed the manufacturers’ advice and switched air filters every three weeks. Of course, he may have taken it a step further by vacuuming the ducts and lubricating the bearings.
And not just at his house. Left alone at his kids’ places, he’d do the same. Most likely the habit was forged in his youth.
He was one of eight kids and knew how to care for his things. It’s also the time when he learned his work ethic. Denny had jobs his whole life through. As a V.P. for Energy Products, he knew as much as the engineers that he worked alongside, though his degree was in business management.
Of course, he found his real career late in life: a grandfather who loved passing his knowledge onto the next generation. He was probably most relaxed during his trips to Big Timber Lake Campground (winner of the Mr. Big Timberlake pageant) and anytime he had a fishing rod in hand. He fished the waters as far away as Florida and Texas.
Denny could dance with the best of them, loved boxing and MMA, and cheered the hardest for his beloved Flyers. When the Broad Street Bullies played in the 80’s, he had a big bowl of popcorn for himself and a small one for Brion.
He made a mean cheesesteak and breakfast sandwich, and it’s rumored that the secret ingredient in his pancakes was butter. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 and served our nation for four years.
The handsome boy would meet a pretty girl named Dolores while he was working the concession stand at Darby Swim Club. They’d share a 57 and a half year marriage blessed by three children, Kelly (Bruce) Rosen, Brion (Kristine) and Sheron (Kyle) Messick; and later by grandchildren, Audrey, Reid, Colin and Ashley. He is survived by his siblings, Kathy (Paul) Gula, Chris (Sue), Regina (Bob) Reilly, Linda (Doug) Murray and Kevin (Debbi) Connors. He was pre-deceased by siblings, Anne Kane and James Connors.
His life celebration was held at Daley Life Celebration Studio.
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MUHLBAIER — Patricia (Pat) Muhlbaier, 85 of Logan Township passed away on her birthday at Inspira Medical Center, Harrison Township.
Born in Camden, she graduated from Camden Catholic, Class of ’57 and resided in Logan Township since 1958. Pat retired from Thomas Scientific where she worked as a member of the kitchen staff. Pat was very active with the Logan Township schools, baking donuts for the kids in school and was given the name ‘the donut lady’ by the kids.
She was very strong in her faith, compassionate and always there to help someone in need. Very active at St. Joseph’s Church, she was a member and Past-President of the St. Josephs Altar-Rosary Society and could be found working at the Spaghetti Dinners, sponsored by the Society. Pat also assisted the Knights of Columbus, Queen of Heaven Council for their monthly breakfast held at the former St. Johns RC Church in Paulsboro, baking pastries, or making the pancakes and waffles.
She was past president of the Logan Township Seniors, and with her husband, the late Charles Sr. started and headed the “Compassionate Friends” in Clarksboro, a group formed to assist families who have lost children.
Pat is survived by her children, Chris (Lisa), Frank (Christina), Brian (Celia), Danny (Sara), Linda (Bill) Neithamer, Michele Muhlbaier and Nicole (Coty) Karnes, 15 grandchildren, close cousins and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Sr., her sons, Charles Jr., Stephen and Timothy, her sister, Nancy Powell and her brothers, William and Edward.
Burial will be 12 noon on Monday, Sept. 8 at St. Joseph’s Church, 140 Broad St., Swedesboro where a viewing will be held at the Church from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Josephs Cemetery, Woolwich Township. Contributions in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at St. Jude.org/donate or by mail to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 would be appreciated.
