Melanie, NJ Folk Singer, Woodstock Performer, Dies At 76 Melanie, NJ Folk Singer, Woodstock Performer, Dies At 76
Melanie, NJ Folk Singer, Woodstock Performer, Dies At 76 Melanie, a folk singer-songwriter whose music took her from the Jersey Shore to international success in the 70's, has died at 76 years old. Melanie Safka died on Tuesday, Jan. 23, according to a Facebook post by her family. A cause of death was not given. The Long Branch native was born on Monday, Feb. 3, 1947, her IMDb page said. Her children called her a powerful performer and loving parent. "She was one of the most talented, strong, and passionate women of the era and every word she wrote, every note she sang reflected that," Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred said.  "Our world is …
Point Pleasant HS Grad Tyler 'Skipper' Rusinko Dies, 30 Point Pleasant HS Grad Tyler 'Skipper' Rusinko Dies, 30
Point Pleasant HS Grad Tyler 'Skipper' Rusinko Dies, 30 Tyler Rusinko of Point Pleasant died on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 30 years old, according to his obituary on the O'Brien Funeral Home website. Rusinko was born on Sunday, Mar. 21, 1993, in Manalapan and moved to Point Pleasant with his parents Paul and Dawn in 1998, his obit reads. As a child, Rusinko loved karate, collecting Pokemon cards and coins, watching SpongeBob SquarePants, and playing video games on his Game Boy. He graduated from Point Pleasant High School and was nicknamed "Skipper," and went on to graduate from a police academy in Colorado in 2016. From there, Rusinko went…
Keith Johnson, 38, Father Of Six 'Adored All His Children' In Dunellen Keith Johnson, 38, Father Of Six 'Adored All His Children' In Dunellen
Keith Johnson, 38, Father Of Six 'Adored All His Children' In Dunellen Keith Johnson, a father of six from Dunellen, died on Friday, Jan. 19, according to an obituary published by Sheehan Funeral Home. He was 38 years old. Keith grew up in Dunellen graduating from Dunellen High School, his obituary said. He was a foreman with Atlas Demolition. "At a young age, he became a father and this has been his greatest role. Keith loved being a Dad!" his obit said. "He adored all of his children." He is survived by his wife, Laura Martinez Johnson; their children, Kaylee, Angel, Giselle, Jason, Jazzlyn and Richard; his mother, Kathy Johnson; brother and sister-in-law, …
Joseph Luistro, Edison's First Asian American Police Officer, Dies At 55 Joseph Luistro, Edison's First Asian American Police Officer, Dies At 55
Joseph Luistro, Edison's First Asian American Police Officer, Dies At 55 Retired Edison Police Sergeant Joseph Vincent Luistro died on Thursday, Jan. 18 of Lou Gehrig's disease, according to Edison Township police. He was 55 years old. Luistro was a 27-year veteran of the police force and was the first Asian American to serve in the Edison Police Department. Luistro started his law enforcement career in 1993 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick Police Department. He transferred to the Edison Police Department in 1999. Joe served as president of the New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Association in 2008, "actively fostering inclusivity in law enforcement c…
Emil Savia II, Of Sayreville, Dies At 37 Emil Savia II, Of Sayreville, Dies At 37
Emil Savia II, Of Sayreville, Dies At 37 Emil Savia, 37-year-old Sayreville resident died on Saturday, Jan. 13, according to his obituary. A former Wood-Ridge resident, Savia graduated from Rowan University with a degree in business, his obituary reads. He oversaw 34 Saker Shoprites and was COO of Nicolosi Meat purveyors in Union City, according to his obituary. "Working for Emil at Nicolosi was one of the most wonderful experiences in my career." wrote one mourner. "Emil was one of the best supervisors that I ever had the pleasure of knowing. He made the work environment a joy to be there. I'll miss him a lot." An avid fish…
NJ Athlete Katelyn Morales, 14, Dies After Cancer Battle NJ Athlete Katelyn Morales, 14, Dies After Cancer Battle
NJ Athlete Katelyn Morales, 14, Dies After Cancer Battle A Monmouth County community is mourning the loss of a 14-year-old girl after a valiant cancer battle. An obituary said 14-year-old Katelyn Morales of Howell died on Wednesday, Jan. 10. She was in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with lymphoma. A GoFundMe page for Morales said she received several rounds of radiation, chemotherapy treatments, and blood transfusions. "At 14 years old, Kate was recently diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma that has quickly spread to multiple parts of her body," the cancer treatment fundraiser said. "Doctors say her form of cancer is rare, which took months t…
Popular Actor Who Lived In NJ Dies At Age 50 Popular Actor Who Lived In NJ Dies At Age 50
Popular Actor Who Lived In NJ Dies At Age 50 A popular actor who was born and grew up in the region has died. Alec Musser was 50 years old.  Click here for a new, updated story: Cause Of Death Released For Popular Actor, 50, Who Grew Up In Region He died Friday night, Jan. 12 at his home in Del Mar, California, north of San Diego.  A cause of death has not been released. His death was announced Saturday, Jan. 13 on Instagram by his fiancée Paige Press. Musser appeared on the ABC-TV soap opera "All My Children," playing the role of Del Henry after joining the cast in the summer of 2005, following a first-place f…
'We Lost Our Internet Grandma:' Whimsical NJ TikTok Star Lynja Yamada Davis Dies At 67 'We Lost Our Internet Grandma:' Whimsical NJ TikTok Star Lynja Yamada Davis Dies At 67
'We Lost Our Internet Grandma:' Whimsical NJ TikTok Star Lynja Yamada Davis Dies At 67 Lynn "Lynja" Yamada Davis, 67-year-old TikToker and New Jersey resident who thrilled millions with her cooking and humor, has died. Davis, of Holmdel, died of esophageal cancer at Riverview Medical Center on Jan. 1, the New York Times reports. Her death was announced by her children on Instagram on Friday, Jan. 12. "Our mom, Lynn Yamada Davis (aka Lynja, the goat, the best to ever do it, small in stature but massive in might, Marge Simpson, Snow White, the bus driver, the queen that was never not slaying, Fort Lee’s finest, the grilling grandma, the internet’s grandma, mini lynnie, little …
Man Struck, Killed By Bus Near GWB Was Brother Of Actor Jason Patric Man Struck, Killed By Bus Near GWB Was Brother Of Actor Jason Patric
Man Struck, Killed By Bus Near GWB Was Brother Of Actor Jason Patric A man who was struck and killed by a commuter bus near the George Washington Bridge earlier this week was the brother of actor Jason Patric. Jordan Miller, 56, lived in Fort Lee and was one of the customer service "red caps" who assist people moving through the Port Authority bus terminal just across the Hudson in midtown Manhattan. "Jordan literally died on his way to work," said Kevin O'Toole, the former New Jersey state senator who's now the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The left-turning driver of the NJ Transit bus never saw him as Miller crossed Bruce Reyn…
NJ Exec Dies Walking His Dog, Obit Says: 'Treated Clients Like Family' NJ Exec Dies Walking His Dog, Obit Says: 'Treated Clients Like Family'
NJ Exec Dies Walking His Dog, Obit Says: 'Treated Clients Like Family' John McTague, a financial executive from the Jersey Shore, had died at 51 years old, according to his obituary. The online memorial said McTague died while walking his dog on Wednesday, Jan. 10. He was born in Jersey City and grew up on the Jersey Shore in Spring Lake Heights. McTague's LinkedIn page said he was a senior vice president and certified financial planner at Buckman, Buckman & Reid, a brokerage firm in Little Silver. "He treated his clients like family," McTague's obituary said. "Many of whom received daily phone calls from John, not just about finances and invest…
'RIP To The Queen:' Condolences Pour In For Toms River Icon Sondra Fortunato, 'Miss Liberty' 'RIP To The Queen:' Condolences Pour In For Toms River Icon Sondra Fortunato, 'Miss Liberty'
'RIP To The Queen:' Condolences Pour In For Toms River Icon Sondra Fortunato, 'Miss Liberty' Sondra Fortunato, an iconic New Jersey entertainer and model known to many as "Miss Liberty USA," has died. Condolences were widely posted online on Thursday, Jan. 11 for the well-known local celebrity from Toms River, including the town's Republican party organization. "Dear sweet Sondra, I first met you when I was about 12 years old. I'm now 66. We girls would see you in Seaside buying the latest fashion's," one mourner wrote. "We were all fascinated by your stunning appearance. You truly were the first Barbie doll!  "As the years went by it was a delight to see you in Toms River wh…
Iconic Atlantic City Pizzeria Mourns Loss Of Former Owner: 'True Character' Iconic Atlantic City Pizzeria Mourns Loss Of Former Owner: 'True Character'
Iconic Atlantic City Pizzeria Mourns Loss Of Former Owner: 'True Character' Michael Tarsitano, a former co-owner of the restaurant claiming to be "Atlantic City's oldest pizza joint," has died, the pizzeria said. Tarsitano died on Monday, Jan. 8 at 67 years old, according to a Facebook post by Tony's Baltimore Grill.  "There is an incredibly high chance that if you ate a pizza at Tony’s, it was under the direction of Michael and his family," the Atlantic Avenue restaurant said on Facebook. "We send love and light and healing from all of us at the Baltimore Grill." It is with profound sadness that we announce the following. On Monday, January 8th, Mic…