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Memorial Fundraising

Organs Of Williamstown 19-Year-Old Killed In Dirt Bike Crash Will Help Others Live Organs Of Williamstown 19-Year-Old Killed In Dirt Bike Crash Will Help Others Live
Organs Of Williamstown 19-Year-Old Killed In Dirt Bike Crash Will Help Others Live Charles Robert Bigwood, of Williamstown, died on Wednesday, March 13 of injuries from a dirt bike crash, according to a GoFundMe campaign. He was 19 years old. "Buddy," as he was known to friends and family, donated his heart, according to an obituary published by Farnelli Funeral Home. "Buddy gave in death as he did in life and was a heart donor," his obituary said. "Through this selfless act, his heart will continue to beat and give life to another."      A GoFundMe campaign launched by his girlfriend Gianna's mother said Buddy was "full of life" and loved animals and the …
Friends Collecting Donations For Gravestone To Honor Beloved Teen Killed In Maryland Crash Friends Collecting Donations For Gravestone To Honor Beloved Teen Killed In Maryland Crash
Friends Collecting Donations For Gravestone To Honor Beloved Teen Killed In Maryland Crash The friends of a beloved teen killed in a Maryland crash toward the end of February are coming together to collect donations for a gravestone in his honor. Erson Cruz, 17, of Riverdale, was pronounced dead when his vehicle veered off the road and into a patch of woods near the 7900 block of Kenilworth Avenue in Greenbelt on Friday, Feb. 23. Meanwhile, nearly $1,400 has been raised on a GoFundMe launched by several of Cruz’s friends just two days ago. “Good day everyone, my friends and I are opening this fundraiser in loving memory of our good friend Erson Cruz who sadly lost his life …
Thousands Raised For 'Devoted Parents,' Three Kids Killed In East Lansdowne Thousands Raised For 'Devoted Parents,' Three Kids Killed In East Lansdowne
Thousands Raised For 'Devoted Parents,' Three Kids Killed In East Lansdowne Neighbors and friends have contributed nearly $20,000 to memorialize the family of five killed in a house fire and shooting in East Lansdowne last Wednesday, Feb. 7.  Xuong, Britni, Natalya, Nakayla, and Xavier Le were "truly an amazing and loving family in every way," loved ones said on GoFundMe.  The remains of all five were recovered from their burnt-out home at 58 Lewis Avenue by Friday, Feb. 9, authorities have said. Also recovered were the remains of Canh Le, who investigators believe set the deadly fire and shot at first responders who arrived at the scene.  Scene…
Late Delco Dad Leaves Behind Infant, Pregnant Wife Late Delco Dad Leaves Behind Infant, Pregnant Wife
Late Delco Dad Leaves Behind Infant, Pregnant Wife Ryan P. McKnight of Springfield, a devoted husband and father, died suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 29, loved ones said in his obituary. He was 30.  A Delaware County native, McKnight attended both St. Francis of Assisi School and Springfield High School before continuing his studies at Pennsylvania State University, relatives said in his obit. It was during his time as a Nittany Lion that Ryan met his future wife, Colleen "Bean" Lake, according to loved ones.  "Ryan found his perfect match and his greatest love when he met 'Bean,'" said Molly Stefanski on GoFundMe. "Ryan’s devotion to Bean was…
Tabernacle Dad Killed In Crash With 3 Trucks In His Own Driveway Tabernacle Dad Killed In Crash With 3 Trucks In His Own Driveway
Tabernacle Dad Killed In Crash With 3 Trucks In His Own Driveway Community support in growing for a South Jersey father of three killed in a collision with several trucks. Rafael Colin Salinas, 35, was killed while turning into his driveway in Burlington County, according to a GoFundMe page. The fatal crash occurred Monday morning, June 36 on Route 206 in Tabernacle, Burlington County, according to New Jersey State Police. After stopping to make a left turn, his pickup truck was rear-ended by one truck and hit head-on by another before being struck by a third truck, State Police said. "We are asking for funds to give Rafael the memorial he deserves, gi…
Tributes Pour In For Beloved East Hanover Native Carlie Peterson After Sudden Death At 18 Tributes Pour In For Beloved East Hanover Native Carlie Peterson After Sudden Death At 18
Tributes Pour In For Beloved East Hanover Native Carlie Peterson After Sudden Death At 18 Tributes and condolences are pouring in for beloved Morris County native Carlie Annelise Peterson, who died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 4 at the age of 18. A longtime resident of East Hanover, New Jersey, Carlie moved to Brodheadsville about three years ago and attended Pleasant Valley High School, her obituary says. Remembered as a “true Jersey girl,” Carlie loved spending summers on the beach and on the boardwalk. She also embraced her artistic side in the form of fashion, makeup, and drawing, her memorial says. “Carlie’s adventurous nature and free, spontaneous spirit was a hallmark …
Ronkonkoma Swim School Manager Suffers Cardiac Arrest In Pool, Dies 'Doing What He Loved' Ronkonkoma Swim School Manager Suffers Cardiac Arrest In Pool, Dies 'Doing What He Loved'
Ronkonkoma Swim School Manager Suffers Cardiac Arrest In Pool, Dies 'Doing What He Loved' Friends and family are mourning the loss of a young Long Island swim school manager who died after suffering cardiac arrest while swimming. Stephen Petrillo, of Ronkonkoma, died Saturday, March 18, a week after he was hospitalized following the incident, according to a GoFundMe campaign to help his family with memorial expenses. Petrillo’s death came just months after he started working as a general manager at Saf-T-Swim, according to his Facebook profile. The swimming school has more than a dozen locations across Long Island. “Last Saturday, March 11th, he suffered a sudden cardiac arres…
Support Pours In For Family Of 17-Year-Old West Babylon Boy Killed In Southern State Crash Support Pours In For Family Of 17-Year-Old West Babylon Boy Killed In Southern State Crash
Support Pours In For Family Of 17-Year-Old West Babylon Boy Killed In Southern State Crash Support is rising for the family of a 17-year-old boy killed in a single-car crash on Long Island. Osmar Vasquez, of West Babylon, died early Saturday, March 18, from injuries suffered in the crash, which happened on the westbound Southern State Parkway in Babylon, according to New York State Police. Earlier Report: ID Released For 17-Year-Old Killed In Southern State Parkway Crash In Babylon Troopers said it was around 1:30 a.m. when a 2009 Nissan Altima driven by a 16-year-old went off the roadway between exits 36 and 37. The vehicle struck trees and brush on the north shoulder, kil…
'Heavy Heart': Father Of Newborn Twins ID'd As Victim In Deadly Police Car Crash In Troy 'Heavy Heart': Father Of Newborn Twins ID'd As Victim In Deadly Police Car Crash In Troy
'Heavy Heart': Father Of Newborn Twins ID'd As Victim In Deadly Police Car Crash In Troy Friends and loved ones are mourning the loss of a husband and father from the region after the man died in a crash involving a police vehicle. The Rensselaer County crash happened shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, in Troy near Hoosick and 15th streets, according to Troy Police. Original Report: Crash Involving Police Officer Leaves 1 Dead In Troy Sabeh Alalkawi, age 30, was identified as the victim killed in a GoFundMe campaign created to help the family with memorial expenses. “I am reaching out to you today with a heavy heart to ask for your help in raising funds for my bes…
25-Year-Old Northern Sterling Crash Victim Remembered As 'Kind, Young Soul' 25-Year-Old Northern Sterling Crash Victim Remembered As 'Kind, Young Soul'
25-Year-Old Northern Sterling Crash Victim Remembered As 'Kind, Young Soul' A Northern Virginia community is in mourning after a 25-year-old man with a “unique sense of humor” and “kind, young soul” unexpectedly died in an early-morning crash in Loudoun County. Sterling resident Jason A. Recinos-Funes was killed early on Monday, Dec. 12 in his hometown, when he lost control and crashed his 2013 Dodge Charger into two parked cars on East Staunton Avenue, leaving a hole in his family and friends’ hearts. “Jason's sudden death has left his family and friends heartbroken,” Isabel Flores, a family friend who organized a GoFundMe campaign on his behalf, wrote. “He was a …
Driver Charged In Suspected DWI Crash That Killed Mother Of 5 From Cairo Driver Charged In Suspected DWI Crash That Killed Mother Of 5 From Cairo
Driver Charged In Suspected DWI Crash That Killed Mother Of 5 From Cairo The man suspected of causing a head-on crash that killed a mother of five from the region is facing criminal charges. Greene County resident John Peterson, age 35, of Coxsackie, was arrested on multiple charges, including vehicular homicide, in the death of 41-year-old Danielle McKenna, of Cairo, the sheriff’s office said. Earlier Report: Cairo Woman Killed In Head-On Athens Crash The crash happened on Route 9W at around 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 in the town of Athens. Investigators said Peterson’s 2015 Nissan sedan crossed over into the southbound lane before hitting McKenna’s 2004 …
Support Surges For Family After Death Of Devoted Dad, Phillipsburg Public Works Employee, 44 Support Surges For Family After Death Of Devoted Dad, Phillipsburg Public Works Employee, 44
Support Surges For Family After Death Of Devoted Dad, Phillipsburg Public Works Employee, 44 Support is on the rise for the family of devoted father and Phillipsburg Public Works employee Kevin Johnson, who died at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at the age of 44. Born in Hackettstown, Kevin had been employed with the Department of Public Works with the Town of Phillipsburg, his obituary says. Kevin was known for his love of youth sports and had spent time as a coach with Steele Hill and Firthtown, according to his memorial. He also loved the Philadelphia Eagles. Above all, Kevin was a dedicated family man who embraced his role as a loving father to his wife, Sta…
Support Surges For Family Of 21-Year-Old PA Drowning Victim Support Surges For Family Of 21-Year-Old PA Drowning Victim
Support Surges For Family Of 21-Year-Old PA Drowning Victim Support is on the rise for the heartbroken family of Pennsylvania basketball player Rene Figueroa, who was found drowned in Lake Hauto on Sunday, July 10 at the age of 21. Rene, of Lansford, had gone boating with a group of friends near the border of Schuylkill and Carbon counties on Friday, July 8 before his body was pulled from the water two days later, WNEP and other news outlets reported. Rene was described as a loved and well-respected athlete with a kind spirit and a sweet smile, according to a GoFundMe launched for his memorial expenses. He had played basketball at Panther Valley Hi…
Support Surges For Family Of Beloved Sussex County Dad, Air Force Vet Killed Crossing Route 23 Support Surges For Family Of Beloved Sussex County Dad, Air Force Vet Killed Crossing Route 23
Support Surges For Family Of Beloved Sussex County Dad, Air Force Vet Killed Crossing Route 23 Support is skyrocketing for the family of a beloved Sussex County father and Air Force veteran who was hit and killed by a car while crossing Route 23 on Monday. Robert Lee “Bobby” Baker, 57, was fatally struck while crossing the road in front of Granny's Pancake House & Grill in Hamburg around 6:15 a.m., NJHerald reports citing Police Lt. Jason Tangorra. Baker, a lifelong Sussex County resident and beloved father, brother and uncle, graduated from Sussex Tech in 1982 before enlisting in the United States Air Force, according to a GoFundMe started for his memorial expenses. Baker was r…
Colleagues Remember 'Selfless' Carlstadt Motorcyclist Killed In Parkway Crash Colleagues Remember 'Selfless' Carlstadt Motorcyclist Killed In Parkway Crash
Colleagues Remember 'Selfless' Carlstadt Motorcyclist Killed In Parkway Crash Colleagues and friends remembered a 38-year-old motorcyclist from Carlstadt killed in a crash on the Garden State Parkway as selfless and warm-hearted. Devin Flores was headed northbound in the local lanes when he struck the back of a Subaru Legacy and overturned at milepost 116 around 12:40 p.m. Sunday, New Jersey State Police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. More than $3,100 had been raised in memory of Flores on a GoFundMe launched by a coworker at the Devoe Group, a Montclair-based real estate company, as of Monday. "Devin Flores touched the lives of everyone he came in conta…
Belleville Man On Heroin Who Killed Pregnant Mom Gets Decade Behind Bars Belleville Man On Heroin Who Killed Pregnant Mom Gets Decade Behind Bars
Belleville Man On Heroin Who Killed Pregnant Mom Gets Decade Behind Bars A Belleville man who was high on heroin when he fatally struck a 34-year-old pregnant Verona mom with his car will be spending 10 years behind bars. Anthony Casale Jr., 27, was sentenced Friday in Essex County Superior Court, NorthJersey.com reports. Casale was behind the wheel of his white Mitsubishi when he struck Megan Longo Villanella -- who was seven months pregnant -- and her brother Derek Longo on a Lakeside Avenue sidewalk in March 2017. Megan and her husband of nine years, Jim Villanella, were two months away from welcoming their second daughter into the world. The couple moved t…
Thousands Pour In For Family Of Bergen County DPW Worker Killed In Tree Removal Accident Thousands Pour In For Family Of Bergen County DPW Worker Killed In Tree Removal Accident
Thousands Pour In For Family Of Bergen County DPW Worker Killed In Tree Removal Accident A hard worker, a loving father and a loyal friend. This is how Hackensack's Thomas "Tommy" Epper was remembered. The 48-year-old was killed removing a tree for the Bergen County DPW in Saddle River on July 26, leaving behind his wife, two kids, beloved colleagues and countless friends. More than $2,100 had been raised for him as of Wednesday morning on a GoFundMe -- just as he was being laid to rest. Funds will go toward helping his wife  Kathryn R. Epper (nee Hodge), and children Jared Hodge and Thomas Epper of Hackensack. "Tommy was a great presence in our parks," his…