Patricia Ann Criss Romagna
Mrs. Romagna, 61, of the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, died Feb. 13 at St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in New Brunswick, she resided in the area for several years. She was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband, John Romagna in 2002; a daughter, Diane Romagna in 2000; and a brother, William Criss in 2004. She is survived by a son, James Romagna of Monmouth Junction; her father, Willard Criss of Spring Hill, Fla.; three brothers, James Criss and John Criss, both of Edison, Kevin Criss of Spring Hill; three sisters, Marguerite Criss of Spring Hill, Mary Criss of Whitehouse Station, and Kathleen Criss-Deak of Washington. Arrangements were by Rezem Funeral Home, East Brunswick. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Milltown. Burial was at Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway.
Francis J. Yurkovic
Mr. Yurkovic, 71, of North Brunswick, died Feb. 1 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in Pottsville, Pa., he resided in Edison prior to moving to North Brunswick in 1977. He was a salesman at Sears, New Brunswick, for 20 years, retiring in 1990. He served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church, North Brunswick. He was a former paramedic with the Edison Rescue Squad, and member of the North Brunswick Senior Citizens Club, and AARP Chapter No. 3885. He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Bielsky Yurkovic; two sons, Bill Johnson of North Brunswick, and Robert Johnson of Dublin, Ga.; five sisters, Sr. Marcelline Yurkovic of Bolivia, South America; Margaret Davidson of Bridgewater, Va.; Dolores Yurkovic of Chester; Rosemary Ryan of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and Regina Sergeant of Washington, Utah; three brothers, Michael Yurkovic of North Brunswick, Leonard Yurkovic of St. Michael’s, Md., and John Yurkovic of Allentown, Pa.; and three grandsons. Entombment was at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia section of Woodbridge. Arrangements were by Selover Funeral Home, North Brunswick.
John J. “Butch” Stasienko
Mr. Stasienko, 63, of South River, died Feb. 17 at Atlantic City Memorial Hospital. Born in New Brunswick, he resided in South River several years. He was employed in the maintenance department at Concordia, Monroe, for four years, retiring in 1998. Prior to that, he was a machine operator at Kaiser Aluminum/Continental Can, Edison, for 20 years, and at National Lead, Sayreville. He served with the U.S. Navy on the USS Donner. He was a communicant of St. Mary of Ostrabrama Roman Catholic Church, South River. He was a member of and past chaplain at American Legion Post No. 214, South River. He coached South River Pop Warner football, and East Brunswick soccer, and was a fan of the South River Rams. He also enjoyed fishing. He was predeceased by a daughter, Cynthia. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rosemarie Nowicki Stasienko; a son and daughter, John and Michelle, both at home; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Jeanine Stasienko of the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick; a sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Stephen Tartza of Bayville; a sister-in-law and her husband; his father-in-law; two grandchildren; four nieces; and one nephew. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery, East Brunswick. Arrangements were by Maliszewski Funeral Home, South River.
Edna M. Bailey
Mrs. Bailey, 77, of North Brunswick, died Feb. 18 at JFK Medical Center, Edison. Born in New Brunswick, she resided in the Avenel section of Woodbridge prior to moving to North Brunswick three years ago. She was a retired bookkeeper at Avenel Hobbies, Colonia section of Woodbridge. Prior to that, she was a legal secretary at Kirzenbaum and Gabowitz, New Brunswick. She is survived by a son, Randall Farhy of North Brunswick; a daughter, Brenda Erb of Chestertown, Md.; a sister, Linda Colon of Grand Prairie, Texas; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Burial was at Van Liew Cemetery, North Brunswick. Arrangements were by Selover Funeral Home, North Brunswick.
Vivian M. Koye
Mrs. Koye, 74, of North Brunswick, died Feb. 18 at home following a lengthy illness. Born in Bonhamtown, she resided there prior to moving to North Brunswick in 1953. She was a retired parking dispatcher at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, where she was employed for more than 10 years. She was a member of Magyar Reformed Church, New Brunswick. She was a member of the Ladies’ Guild of the High Street Baptist Church, New Brunswick. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, James R. Koye in 1998; and a brother, Frank Dobos in 1997. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Richard Roberts of North Brunswick; two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Linda Koye of Metuchen, and Jeffrey and Bonnie Koye of New Egypt; and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held at Magyar Reformed Church. Interment was at Franklin Memorial Park, North Brunswick. Arrangements were by Selover Funeral Home, North Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey Hospice Program, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank 07701.
Josephine Cosentino Catalano
Mrs. Catalano, 83, of North Brunswick, died Feb. 20 at home. Born in Trenton, she resided in North Brunswick most of her life. She was a communicant of St. Mary of Mount Virgin Roman Catholic Church, New Brunswick, and a member of its Golden Age Club. She was also a member of the North Brunswick Senior Citizens Club. She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony Catalano in 1986. She is survived by a daughter, Antoinette Hensperger of North Brunswick; two sons, Frank Catalano of Lawrenceville, and Anthony Catalano Jr. of North Brunswick; a sister, Rita Lisi of East Brunswick; a brother, Anthony Cosentino of Banning, Calif.; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church. Entombment was at St. Peter’s Cemetery, New Brunswick. Arrangements were by Selover Funeral Home, North Brunswick.
Enrique Santamarina, Ph.D., D.V.M.
Dr. Santamarina, 94, of East Brunswick, professor emeritus at Cook College of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, died Feb. 11 in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. During his career, he conducted research on the pineal gland and found that it has a role in the production of melanin and in the regulation of the diurnal clock. He also did research on horses, developing a pregnancy test for mares that was commonly used for many years. His studies on poultry and pigeons led him to develop a histologic stain to study avian blood. He taught at Cook College for 25 years, where he was a student adviser and developed and taught courses for premedical, predental and preveterinary students. Surviving are his wife, Phyllis; two sons, Dr. Leo of Pennsylvania and Gil of New York City; and four grandchildren. Arrangements were under the direction of Gleason Funeral Home, Somerset section of Franklin.