Hundreds Mourn Death of Budd Lake Teen

Family and community members pay final respects to Nicholas Michael Cianciotto III, who was ice fishing when he and his friend fell into the frigid waters of Budd Lake last week.

Funeral Arrangements Set For Teen Lost in Budd Lake

Nick Cianciotto's wake held at St. Jude R.C. Parish in Budd Lake Friday, funeral mass on Saturday.

What a few days ago was unthinkable, friends and family are now faced with the reality of saying goodbye to Nicholas Michael Cianciotto, III, 15, of Mt. Olive, one of two teenagers who died after falling into Budd Lake Monday night.  According to the release from the Leber Funeral Home in Chester, the family received visitors Friday at St. Jude Parish in Budd Lake. A funeral mass for Cianciotto is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Jude. Interment is scheduled to take place at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes. A post on the Mt. Olive Bus Drivers public facebook page said that overflow parking will be available at Turkey Brook Park from 5 p.m. on and that bus drivers are donating their time to shuttle people back and forth. …

• Photos (1)

Former Sparta Employee Was Veteran, Coin Collector

Cremation services for man killed by garbage truck will be held privately.

The following obituary for James Friedberg was submitted by the Ferguson Funeral Home in Sussex. James Friedberg, 71, died unexpectedly on Dec. 7 in Sparta.  Born to Gustav and Maria Friedberg in Germany, he had lived in Sparta for many years.   Friedberg served with the United States Navy during peacetime and then worked as the Animal Control Officer for Sparta Township for 37 years before retiring. He was a member of the Sparta Senior Citizens and the Sparta Evangelical Free Church and enjoyed collecting coins, bugs and butterflies and had many large collections. Friedberg was predeceased by his wife, Marie Friedberg (2012) and his mother, Maria Friedberg (2012) and was the devoted father of James W. Friedberg of Hartford, CT, Regina M. …

• Photos (1)

Ex-Councilman Remembered for His Service to Others

Friends and family attend Mass for Vito Castoro, the man behind the borough's Winter Wonderland and other civic events.

Nearly 150 friends and family gathered Saturday to pay their respects to Vito Castoro, a local man known for his dedication and service to the lakeside borough. Castoro died Thursday at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover. He was 79. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he lived in Hopatcong for 46 years. He served on the Hopatcong Town Council  from 1998 to 2000 and was an active member of the Hopatcong Business League (HBL). He was the owner and operator of Sign Art Graphics in Hopatcong. In a simple Catholic Mass at St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Parish, Castoro was remembered by Rev. George Gothie as a man who served his community, following the example set by Jesus Christ. “He was a servant in the fullest sense of the word,” Gothie said. “We should reflect …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

Hopatcong Mourns Passing of Business, Civic Leader

Officials recall Vito Castoro's drive, love of town and family, and the legacy of good deeds he left behind

The smiles of children at Christmas as they toured the elaborate Winter Wonderland holiday displays are one of the legacies left behind by Vito Castoro. So, too, are his devotion to his family, the Hopatcong Business Association, a record of public and private service to the lakeside borough, and the drive and confident spirit the Castoro brought to everything he did. Castoro, 79, died Thursday at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover. He was born in Brooklyn and lived in Hopatcong for 46 years. He served on the Hopatcong Town Council  from 1998 to 2000 and was an active member of the Hopatcong Business League. He was the owner and operator of Sign Art Graphics in Hopatcong. “He wanted to build community spirit in a small town," said Mayor Sylvia …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

Obituary: Kevin M. Allen, 35

Hopatcong resident loved fishing and computers.

Name: Kevin M. Allen Date: November 15th, 1976 - July 24th, 2012 Obituary: Kevin Michael Allen died Tuesday July 24 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover. He was 35 years old. Born in Edison, Kevin resided in Hopatcong, West Amwell and Lambertville. He loved fishing and computers and was a passionate Miami Dolphins fan. Kevin was employed as an educational technology specialist at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton. Beloved son of Virginia and the late Michael Allen. Dear nephew and cousin of many. Memorials: American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 Visitations: 2:00PM to 4:00PM on Friday, July 27th, 2012 at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home (map/driving directions) 7:00PM to 9:00PM on Friday, July 27th, 2012 at Leber-…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Obituary: Robert DeKline, 74

Little League coach enjoyed traveling the world.

Name: Robert J. DeKleine Date: February 25th, 1938 - July 11th, 2012 Obituary: Robert J. DeKleine of Hopatcong passed away Wednesday July 11, 2012 at St. Clare’s Hospital, Dover. He was 74. Born in Brooklyn NY, he lived in Linden before moving to Hopatcong 51 years ago. Robert was a federal employee for 41 years. He worked for Hercules Powder, developing ammunition, 1964 began his career at Picatinny Arsenal. His achievements are numerous. In 1990 Bob moved to the Paladin Program Management Office where he was the Chief of International Programs and Production. Bob worked in PM Paladin until 1996 when he became first, Deputy Program Manager for lightweight 155mm Howitzer, a joint USMC/Army program. During his time at Picatinny Arsenal and …

• Photos (1)

Why Are You Excited for Hopatcong Days?

Is it the food? The music? Or how about the idea of celebrating the borough with your neighbors?

It's almost here. The biggest celebration in the borough in 2012 is just a day away. Hopatcong Days start Friday with the Miss Hopatcong contest and end Sunday with a bevy of activity. But Saturday will be the real draw as more than a thousand could filter through Modick Park, coming together as a community. If you're reading Hopatcong Patch, there's a good chance you'll want to attend at least part of Hopatcong Days. And if you're on the fence, you might want to check out the PDF on the right featuring a list of the events. So, what's got you most excited? Is it the all-day fun expected Saturday? What about the music or the family movie night? Or maybe it's the idea of hanging out with neighbors, celebrating the community you love. Tell …

•  15 Comments
• Photos (6)
• Documents (1)

Jersey Newspaper Pioneer Dead At 99

.

Obituary: Dorothy Stella DiRoma, 80

46-year Hopatcong resident enjoyed knitting hats for newborns at hospitals.

Name: Dorothy Stella DiRoma Date: March 6th, 1932 - July 9th, 2012 Obituary: Dorothy Stella DiRoma of the Heights section of Hopatcong died Monday July 9, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 80. Born in Newark, Dorothy resided in Hopatcong for 46 years. She was a homemaker and avid gardener. She enjoyed sewing and crafts, and much of her charity work included knitting hats for the newborn babies at local hospitals. Most of all, Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend whose greatest joy was the time she spent with her family and friends. Loving wife of Antonio Peter, beloved mother of Tony & wife Jill, Kathy Schuld and husband Fred, Fran Soranno and husband Bill and Christine McAvoy and husband Chuck…

• Photos (1)