Walter "Bear" Sobczuk
Mr. Sobczuk, 73, of Middletown, died April 14 at home. Born in Woodbridge, he resided in Staten Island, N.Y., and Jersey City prior to moving to Middletown in 1976. Mr. Sobczuk was a diesel mechanic at Carolina Freight Corp., retiring in 1992. He was a member of Teamsters locals No. 560 and 641. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was an instructor at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 324, Edison. He enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling, spending his summers in the mountains. Mr. Sobczuk is survived by his wife, Candy; a sister, Mary Pyzowski; a daughter, Laraine Tew of North Carolina; a son and daughter-in-law, Jon Michael and Holly Sobczuk of Middletown; three stepdaughters; a stepson; and 10 grandchildren. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. The John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements.
Olga Osofsky
Mrs. Osofsky, 93, formerly of Plainfield, died April 9 in Care One, East Brunswick. Her husband, Stanley Osofsky, died in 1976, and a son, Stanley Osofsky Jr., died in 1992. Surviving are a daughter-in-law, Stella Chibbaro Osofsky Shamy of Milltown; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Interment was in Holy Cross Burial Park, East Brunswick. Arrangements were under the direction of Crabiel Home for Funerals, Milltown.
Richard Montenero
Mr. Montenero, 67, of Old Bridge died April 7 in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy division. His wife, Elizabeth Montenero, died in 1973. Surviving are three daughters, Debbie Paulson of Sayreville, Tina Wilkowski of East Brunswick and Elizabeth Bowers of North Brunswick. Services were held at Rezem Funeral Home, East Brunswick. Interment was in Washington Monumental Cemetery, South River.
Rosie L. Krupka Miller
Mrs. Miller, 64, of East Brunswick died March 31 in St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick. Surviving are her husband, Barry; two daughters, Linda Miller and Lori Brown, both of East Brunswick; and a granddaughter, Maia. Services were held at Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Interment was in Mount Sinai Cemetery, Marlboro. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Leonard A. LaPetina
Mr. LaPetina, 74, of Metuchen died April 15 at the JFK Medical Center, Edison. Born and raised in Long Island City, N.Y., he and his family moved to Metuchen 55 years ago, when he entered Rutgers University. Mr. LaPetina received his bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry from Rutgers, and through his career as a chemist, had worked with the Mobil Oil Company, Edison, for 38 years and later with the Valspar Corp., Baltimore, Md., for five years before he retired 14 years ago. A parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, South Plainfield, Mr. La Petina was an active member of the St. Francis Knights of Columbus Council 3272 of Metuchen, and during the 1980’s served as the council’s Grand Knight. He was a member of the Holy Innocents Fourth Degree Assembly Knights of Columbus, Edison, where he served as the assembly’s faithful navigator. Mr. LaPetina was also a member of the assembly’s Color Corps. He was predeceased by his granddaughter. Mr. LaPetina is survived by his wife of 25 years, Margaret (Sandoval) LaPetina; a daughter, Jacqueline Sandoval of Metuchen; two sons, Kenneth H. Parada of South Plainfield, and Leonard A. LaPetina Jr. of Fairfax, Va.; and a grandson. Arrangements were made by the McCriskin Home for Funerals, South Plainfield. A funeral Mass was offered at Sacred Heart Church, South Plainfield, followed by interment at Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains.