Essex High School Alumni Obituaries

Michael “Big Mike” Merola, 86, passed away peacefully on December 30th at his home, surrounded by his loving family.Born in Newark, New Jersey, to Alfonso and Rose (Federico) Merola, Mike’s childhood was a classic American story. He grew up speaking Italian before he learned English, worked as a sho...

Olympia "Babe" Bianchi, 91, of Newark, passed away Monday January 5, 2026.Olympia was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was married to her high school sweetheart and true love John “Jack” Bianchi (deceased) and raised four children John, Cindy, Kevin, ...

Andrew passed away on November 27, 2025 at the age of 97 in Land O’Lakes, FL. Andrew was born to Andrew F Pecora, Sr and Angelina Pecora (nee Restaino) on October 3, 1928. He attended Barringer High School where he lettered in baseball and track. After high school, he enlisted in the United Sta...

Sophia Mastakas Caprio passed away the night of December 23rd in St. Joseph’s Hospital.Sophie was born on April 30th, 1952 in Newark to Michael and Rose Mastakas.Sophie attended Elliot Street Elementary School and Broadway Junior High School. She then moved to Nutley, NJ to finish Junior High and Hi...

Nancy Lee PalumboIt is with profound sorrow we announce that Nancy Lee Palumbo, a resident of Milford, PA, passed away in her sleep on November 20, 2025. The daughter of the late Hermine Concevitch and George Roland Huntley, Nancy was born on September 25, 1950 in Linz, Austria.After immigrating to...

Angela DeGennaro Lucas, lovingly known as “Ange”, passed away peacefully in her sleep, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the age of 92.A former professionally trained secretary for Rutgers University, she moved on to work at various brokerage firms later in life. However, she started her favorite caree...

Matthew A. Pica, 89, born in Newark, NJ, long time resident of Belleville and Manahawkin, NJ, son of Samuel and Irene Pica (Pettinari), brother to Samuel H. Pica was proud to serve his country and his community. A graduate of Belleville High School, class of 1955, and Fairleigh Dickinson University...

James was born on December 17 1936 in Jersey City NJ. After the passing of his mother Margeret Masker he was raised in Kearny NJ by his aunt Lilian Murphy and his uncle George Murphy where he attended both primary and high school at St. Cecelia. James served proudly in the N.J. Air National Guard an...

Roberta Marie Galik Moran wife of Richard Charles Moran who predeceased her passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 26 2025 at her home in Essex County. Roberta and her husband Richard lived and raised their family in Clifton NJ for decades. Roberta is survived by her brother Albert Galik of...