Andre Braugher

Carlo Porcaro, M.D.

Jun 04, 1928 - Apr 26, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Carlo Porcaro, M.D., 95, of South Orange, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends on April 26, 2024. He was born in Pietrastornina, (province of Avellino) Italy, and attended the University of Naples Medical School. After graduating, he immigrated to the United States in 1953 to pursue a career in medicine. Following his internal medicine residency at City Hospital in Newark, he joined the medical staff at Columbus Hospital in Newark. During his more than fifty years at Columbus Hospital, he served as the Director of Medicine and President of the Medical Staff, as well as chairperson of various committees. Dr. Porcaro also was an active member of the medical staff at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville for many years. In addition, Dr. Porcaro was in private practice in internal medicine for 63 years, 30 of which were with his daughter and partner, Dr. Sabina Porcaro. He was also fortunate enough to have his son, Dr. Carlo Joseph Porcaro start his dental practice in their same office. In his 63 years of practice, he cared for multiple generations of families and was one of the last private practice physicians to make house calls. During his professional career, he was a member of the American Medical Association, the New Jersey Medical Society, Essex County Physicians Club, and was a board member of Axiom and Qualcare. A recipient of many awards for his service, he was honored by the John I. Crecco Foundation, the Columbus Foundation, the St. Michael’s Foundation and the Commission on Cancer. After a fulfilling and distinguished career, Dr. Porcaro retired in 2020. The most important part of his life was his family. He was committed and deeply devoted to his cherished wife, Anne, of 70 years, and his children. All of his grandchildren were his pride and joy, and during his retirement years, he was blessed to have extra time to spend with his youngest grandson. He was immensely proud of his Italian heritage and when he and his family moved to Rome, Italy, he provided them with the opportunity to embrace his culture and his family in Italy. Dr. Porcaro’s two greatest hobbies were cooking and gardening. He loved bringing people together by cooking for his family for Sunday dinner and holidays, and by cooking pasta for his colleagues on Wednesdays at the hospital. He was also the founder of the New Jersey Delegation of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina. He took pride in his garden, which he often said was a labor of love, and shared many fig trees with his family and friends. He leaves behind a legacy with family, friends, colleagues, and patients of celebrating life and one another. Pre-deceased by his parents, Mario and Sabatina Porcaro and his siblings, Angela Porcaro Golia and Fausto Porcaro. Surviving is his beloved wife, Anne G. Porcaro (nee Politano); devoted children, Sabina Porcaro and her husband, John Petillo, Annamaria Porcaro, and Carlo Joseph Porcaro and his wife Elizabeth Laterza; cherished grandchildren, Arianna Petillo, Michael Porcaro, Rachel Porcaro, and Carlo G. Porcaro; dear sisters-in-law, Raffaela Muscarella and Maria Fontanella. Also surviving are many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Clara Maass Medical Center Foundation or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Carlo Porcaro, M.D.

Jun 04, 1928 - Apr 26, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Carlo Porcaro, M.D., 95, of South Orange, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends on April 26, 2024. He was born in Pietrastornina, (province of Avellino) Italy, and attended the University of Naples Medical School. After graduating, he immigrated to the United States in 1953 to pursue a career in medicine. Following his internal medicine residency at City Hospital in Newark, he joined the medical staff at Columbus Hospital in Newark. During his more than fifty years at Columbus Hospital, he served as the Director of Medicine and President of the Medical Staff, as well as chairperson of various committees. Dr. Porcaro also was an active member of the medical staff at Clara Mass Medical Center in Belleville for many years. In addition, Dr. Porcaro was in private practice in internal medicine for 63 years, 30 of which were with his daughter and partner, Dr. Sabina Porcaro. He was also fortunate enough to have his son, Dr. Carlo Joseph Porcaro start his dental practice in their same office. In his 63 years of practice, he cared for multiple generations of families and was one of the last private practice physicians to make house calls. During his professional career, he was a member of the American Medical Association, the New Jersey Medical Society, Essex County Physicians Club, and was a board member of Axiom and Qualcare. A recipient of many awards for his service, he was honored by the John I. Crecco Foundation, the Columbus Foundation, the St. Michael’s Foundation and the Commission on Cancer. After a fulfilling and distinguished career, Dr. Porcaro retired in 2020. The most important part of his life was his family. He was committed and deeply devoted to his cherished wife, Anne, of 70 years, and his children. All of his grandchildren were his pride and joy, and during his retirement years, he was blessed to have extra time to spend with his youngest grandson. He was immensely proud of his Italian heritage and when he and his family moved to Rome, Italy, he provided them with the opportunity to embrace his culture and his family in Italy. Dr. Porcaro’s two greatest hobbies were cooking and gardening. He loved bringing people together by cooking for his family for Sunday dinner and holidays, and by cooking pasta for his colleagues on Wednesdays at the hospital. He was also the founder of the New Jersey Delegation of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina. He took pride in his garden, which he often said was a labor of love, and shared many fig trees with his family and friends. He leaves behind a legacy with family, friends, colleagues, and patients of celebrating life and one another. Pre-deceased by his parents, Mario and Sabatina Porcaro and his siblings, Angela Porcaro Golia and Fausto Porcaro. Surviving is his beloved wife, Anne G. Porcaro (nee Politano); devoted children, Sabina Porcaro and her husband, John Petillo, Annamaria Porcaro, and Carlo Joseph Porcaro and his wife Elizabeth Laterza; cherished grandchildren, Arianna Petillo, Michael Porcaro, Rachel Porcaro, and Carlo G. Porcaro; dear sisters-in-law, Raffaela Muscarella and Maria Fontanella. Also surviving are many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Clara Maass Medical Center Foundation or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Alan Marcos Martinez

Apr 25, 1947 - Apr 08, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Alan Marcos Martinez, age 76, of South Orange, New Jersey passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024. A visitation for Alan will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Leber Funeral Home, 2000 Kennedy Blvd, Union City, NJ 07087.

Peter Shapiro

Apr 18, 1952 - Mar 29, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Peter Shapiro, age 71, of South Orange, New Jersey passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024. Peter was born in Newark, New Jersey.

David A. Belasco

Oct 24, 1942 - Mar 27, 2024

South Orange, NJ

David A. Belasco of South Orange, New Jersey passed away on March 27, 2024 from complications of treatment for lymphoma. Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1942, the first child of Martin Belasco and Gertrude Gorfman, the family moved to Hillside and then Bradley Beach where David grew up alongside younger brothers Elliot and Ken.David was a graduate of Asbury Park High School, where he graduate at the top of his class and ran track. The first in his family to attend college, he received a scholarship to attend Princeton University from where he graduated with a B.A. in Mathematics. He was also a graduate of University of Pennsylvania Law School, and New York University Law School with a L.L.M. in taxation.David had a number of friends from the Jersey shore who he kept in touch with, some for over fifty years. While David was attending NYU Law he visited the office of one such friend who, in turn, introduced him to a coworker named Barbara Friedman. David and Barbara were married in 1968, first residing in Elizabeth, New Jersey before moving to a house in South Orange not long after their son, Mark, was born. They continued to reside in South Orange at the time of David’s death.David worked for ten years as an estate planning specialist and department manager at Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Newark and another decade at Epstein, Epstein, Brown, Bosek and Turndorff in Elizabeth and Springfield, again specializing in estate planning. A taxation expert, he served on the American Bar Association Gift and Estate Tax Committee. The balance of David’s career was in private practice doing estate planning as a sole practitioner as well as pro bono work for family and friends and organizations he supported.David had a passion for politics and history. He read multiple newspapers each day, watched the TV news religiously, especially the News Hour on PBS and the Sunday morning public affairs programs. He had a talent for absorbing information, synthesizing it and devising clear, well reasoned arguments. While he could have a strong point of view, he delivered his opinions in a non-confrontational way that encouraged dialogue rather than conflict. He ran unsuccessfully for South Orange Village Trustee. Recruited by two rival tickets he demurred, feeling strongly he should remain an independent voice.David had a love for and a way with animals. As example, he nursed a sick pigeon fledgling back to health. He named her Budgie and when it was found Budgie could not fly she became a permanent resident of the Belasco household. In the summer David could be found sitting outside on a folding chair reading newspapers while Budgie bounded about the yard. David also served on the board of the Zoological Society of New Jersey, the advisory board to Turtle Back Zoo.David’s other civic-minded activities included serving on the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education Citizens' Review Committee and the Village of South Orange Dugout Design Advisory Committee. He also provided pro bono legal advice to the League of Women Voters of Maplewood and South Orange and, with wife Barbara, volunteered as part of the League’s condominium election administration team.David claimed to have learned to read through comic books which, in turn, sparked a lifetime love of art, an avocation he revisited multiple times throughout his life including graduating from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts with a Certificate in Illustration. More recently he focused on painting until his health no longer allowed. He was also a skilled pumpkin carver, carving one annually which he’d use as a jack o’lantern placed in the window on Halloween.An avid sports fan, David followed all the Metropolitan area teams but especially the Mets in baseball—though later in life shifted focus to the Yankees to engage with Yankee-fan friends—and the Giants in football. A Giants starting quarterback was even briefly a client but, as David bemusedly told it, the player’s agent—perhaps concerned about poaching—called not long after to say David’s services would no longer be needed. In hockey he liked the Devils, especially after they moved to his old hometown Newark making it easy to attend games.David had many diverse interests and knew a lot about a lot of things. He was generous with that knowledge and always willing to assist friends in need of guidance or sage advice.David was determined and tough as nails. He lived fifty years with two herniated disks, survived a small stroke and two forms of lymphoma and more recently almost survived two others. He had many setbacks over the last year and a half but, as he described it, like the Energizer bunny he kept going, determined to get back up to speed as he repeatedly and inevitably did.David is survived by his wife of 55 years Barbara, son Mark, daughter-in-law Grace and brother Ken.He will be greatly missed.Donations in David’s memory can be made to Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter, Post Office Box 269, Garwood, NJ 07027-0269 (checks payable to New Jersey Chapter Sierra Club) or online at https://www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey (following the DONATE link).

Janyce Elizabeth Jones

Died : Feb 26, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Janyce Elizabeth Jones was granted her angel wings on Monday, February 26, 2024. Janyce was formerly from Richmond, Virginia before making her residence in South Orange, New Jersey. Janyce was an active member of the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and Holy Communion. Her parents, Peter and Lillian Trent Jones preceded her in death. Several cousins, her church family and other close friends who adored and loved Janyce dearly survive her. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 20 , 2024 at 10am at the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and Holy Communion, 160 W. South Orange., NJ.

Joanne D. Fisher

Oct 06, 1966 - Mar 16, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Joanne D. Fisher, age 57, of South Orange, New Jersey passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Predeceased by her father James Serling and her mother Renee Liebschutz, Joanne is survived by her husband of 25 years, Stephen Fisher, and their two children Max Fisher and Ben Fisher, her brother Craig E. Serling, and her sister Elizabeth Serling. Joanne was born in Syracuse, New York and grew up in Rochester, New York where she attended Brighton High School. Getting good grades and having fun were the twin preoccupations of her high school years and many of the friends she made in Brighton and at nearby Camp Seneca Lake became her best friends for life. Joanne studied Human Development and Family Studies while an undergrad at Cornell but also had a deep and abiding passion for literature and hoped to someday write a novel of her own. After deciding not to pursue a masters in psychology, Joanne instead traveled to Spain for a year post graduation where she became a proficient Spanish speaker and English teacher. Upon her return, she settled in Manhattan with many of her college and high school friends and began a career as a writer and editor. Her early articles appeared in Bridal Guide, New Woman, and Woman’s Day and she wrote a regular column with Doctor Ruth Westheimer. Disappointed with the low salary and few opportunities for advancement, Joanne eventually switched from publishing to public relations, working for various tech companies during the mid-90s tech boom and eventually joining American Express as Director of Public Affairs. After the birth of her second son, and with the encouragement of her husband Stephen, Joanne eventually left American Express to pursue her dream of becoming a fiction writer, attending writing workshops and craft classes at The Writers Studio in the West Village of New York. Nearly eight years later, she published her first novel, Good Neighbors. She was hard at work on a second novel when she passed. Joanne worked hard to build a literary community of writers both among the students she met at the Writers Studio and in her home in Maplewood South Orange. She belonged to several writing groups, both fiction and nonfiction, and was valued for her sharp critical thinking, insight, and generosity as a reader. She often said these relationships were as an important part of her writing career as getting published. In recent years, Joanne also helped to develop and run a pro-bono college essay program at her local high school. Grateful for the scholarships that enabled her to attend Cornell, Joanne was passionate about helping students reach their highest potential through access to higher education; she consistently said it was the best job she ever had. Through it all, Joanne was a dedicated and involved mother who loved her boys deeply. She liked nothing more than to organize ping pong tournaments, monopoly and card games, and shuffleboard tournaments on their annual Florida vacation. During their high school years, the boys always knew where to find mom—in the bleachers at a basketball or robotics tournament or in the car driving to far off locations to pursue these activities. In later years, she was often found in the kitchen making delicious dinners or whipping up her famous apple crumble. Eating well, travelling and enjoying one another’s company was central to Joanne’s idea of family life. She was often the family’s travel agent, soliciting ideas and then organizing complex itineraries that incorporated the family’s divergent interests. Favorite vacations included skiing in Whistler, racing go-karts in the Arizona desert, exploring Seattle via Segway, and a family reunion to Costa Brava, Spain. When Max and Ben left for college, Joanne could often be found on the back of Stephen’s motorcycle exploring the many wonders of the American landscape, including Joshua Tree and Northern California, Texas Hill Country and a “cross country” trip that morphed into a three-week jaunt through the Southeastern US and across the Florida panhandle. At home, Joanne was happiest with Stephen hanging out on their boat at Lake Hopatcong —either solo or with friends. She loved to entertain in her backyard and enjoyed walking in the woods that backed up to her neighborhood. Known for her endless book recommendations, Joanne was an avid reader and never went anywhere without her Kindle. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Clearity Foundation, an organization that helps women with ovarian cancer evaluate cutting-edge, treatment opportunities, including nationwide trials https://www.clearityfoundation.org/donate/ or The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund, which provides access to higher education for students who attend Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey https://chssf.org/

Irene Piccinini

Jan 01, 1937 - Mar 14, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Irene Piccinini, (nee Guida) 87 of South Orange passed away peacefully at home on March 14, 2024. Visitation will be held at Preston Funeral Home 153 South Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ on Monday, March 18 from 3-7 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect Street, South Orange on Tuesday, March 19 at 10:30 AM. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Irene was born in Orange, and has lived in South Orange for over 60 years and was a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows Church. She was an avid reader, she loved to garden, enjoyed Broadway theatre and taking her daily walks. She worked as a Medical Transcriptionist for St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston for over 20 years. Irene took pleasure in cooking for her family on holidays and celebrations. Her Sunday gravy and Friday night homemade pizza parties with hello dollies were a family favorite. She enjoyed bowling, softball and paddle tennis with her dear sister Theresa. Her home was always filled with her children, their friends and many neighbors. Irene was a mother to all. She was adored by her grandchildren and loved being a part of their lives. She was truly a lovely person who was devoted to her family. Irene is survived by her children Garry Piccinini (Elizabeth), Lauren Evans (Frank), Karen Cifello, Mario Piccinini, Maureen Marcketta (Michael) and grandchildren Ellyssa, Raquel, Bianca, Frankie, Giancarlo, Michael Jr., Valerie, Andrea, Emily, Oliva and Emma. Irene is the beloved daughter of the late Beatrice and Jerome Guida, she was predeceased by her loving son Albert and her dearest sister Theresa DeTorrice. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who were dear to her heart. For more information or to send condolences please visit prestonfuneralhome.net

Samuel Moses Convissor

Sep 29, 1930 - Mar 13, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Samuel Moses ConvissorSeptember 29, 1930 – March 13, 20247 Tishrei 5691 – 3 Adar II 5784On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Samuel M. Convissor, 93, of South Orange, New Jersey. Predeceased by his wife Carole (nee Milston). Survived by his children Rena (Howard Milchberg) of Potomac, MD, Daniel (Jennifer) of Sleepy Hollow, NY, and Sarah of Bethesda, MD; grandchildren Josh, Moses, Mollie, Leah, Max, Galayna, and Reed, and 10 nieces and nephews. He was a mega-mensch, a wonderful friend and a champion of community. Sam dedicated his life to family, Jewish values and civic engagement.Samuel Convissor was a doer. Born on September 29, 1930, in Newark, New Jersey, the youngest of 4 children, Sam was raised by a single mother. He graduated Central High School where he was named an All-City Basketball player and was a member of the 1947 team that won the State Title, a first for any Newark city school. After graduation he went to work and a year later, began his college education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford. He continued to excel in athletics and was captain of the basketball team that competed nationally in the Small College tournament in Kansas City. After his 1953 graduation from Fairleigh Dickinson he entered the US Marine Corps Platoon Leadership Program and served as a First Lt. with the Marine Air Wing. He was an instructor in close air support. After his service in the Marine Corps ended, he attended Boston University and earned a Master’s Degree in Communications while also studying in the Public Administration Program. Sam joined the Greater Newark Development Council in 1960 and was subsequently invited by newly elected Mayor Hugh Addonizio to join his staff as Executive Assistant. Another opportunity arose and Sam left the Mayor’s staff in 1963 to serve as a consultant to the Mayor's educational TV station Channel 13 and the New York State Department of Education on a joint program on the uses of media in manpower development and training.In 1964, he joined a select group of community experts created by the Community Relations Service of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Commerce to assist communities in response to the disturbances in many cities. In 1965 Sam, his wife and daughter, moved to Rochester, New York for a short period following that community's racial unrest. He served in the same capacity in the major cities of Cleveland and Boston. Sam continued with the Community Relations Service as a consultant and returned to Newark. In August 1966, he joined RCA Corporation as Director of Community Relations. In 1992 Sam retired as Vice President of Corporate Affairs. He joined Mutual Benefit Life in Newark, as Vice President of Government Relations and served until 1995. In the final phase of his professional career, he was Vice President of the National Executive Service Corps, a group of retired executives providing consulting services to not-for-profit organizations.Sam was deeply involved in the non-profit and volunteer community. He served for forty years on the Board of Trustees and as Vice Chair of the Children's Aid Society of New York City. He served as Chairman of the Board of the National Office of Social Responsibility and was an active member of various committees of the National Urban League and the United Negro College Fund. He served on the Board of Trustees of Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Board of Friends of Florham; an Organization in support of the FDU campus in Florham Park, New Jersey, where he and three other board members wrote a book on the historic campus. He is the recipient of the FDU Alumni Trustees Award and a member of the Pinnacle Society of the University.A resident of South Orange since 1966, Sam served with distinction with several community groups and was President of Main Street South Orange in 1997-1999. As a long-time supporter of the South Orange Performing Arts Center, Sam helped to underwrite a series of concerts featuring students from The Juilliard School. In 2003, Sam completed the program for The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners Program and served on the Board of the Greater Newark Conservancy.Sam was an integral member of Congregation Beth El in South Orange where he was an active member of the daily morning minyan and oversaw the minyan’s charitable giving, ensuring support for local, national and international organizations. He also enjoyed leading tours of Jewish Newark to young and old alike.He was a founding member of the Jewish Historical Society and was a long-time trustee and most recently president of Beth El Memorial Park Foundation (an affiliate of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ) which maintains and preserves the approximately 60,000 graves in the old Jewish cemeteries of Newark. During Sam’s tenure as president, significant funds were secured to lift hundreds of fallen headstones; the work continues to this day.During the pandemic Sam wrote his memoir, “Sunny Side of the Street;” his accounting of a life well-lived, full of purpose and meaning. He leaves behind a towering legacy of charity and good deeds, devoted friends and a loving family.Funeral service will be on Sunday, March 17, at NOON, at Menorah Chapels, 2950 Vauxhall Road, Vauxhall (Union), NJ 07088. Interment to follow at B’nai Abraham Memorial Park, 2600 US-22 STE E, Union, NJ 07083. Shiva minyan on Sunday evening at 6PM, at Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Avenue, South Orange and on Monday at 7PM at Mr. Convissor’s residence in South Orange. Visitors are welcome in South Orange on Monday afternoon between 1 and 3. Shiva will continue in the home communities of Sam’s children.Donations in Sam’s memory may be made to Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Avenue, South Orange, NJ, 07079, or at this link.

Barbara Jordan

Apr 11, 1942 - Mar 08, 2024

South Orange, NJ

Barbara Jordan, a beloved mother, passed away peacefully on March 8th. Born on April 11, 1942 in Guyana, S.A., Barbara leaves a legacy of love, compassion, and unwavering strength that will forever be etched in the hearts of those fortunate enough to know her. She was a great woman by any standard and was commonly referred to as Baby J, Babsy, or simply Barbara. Growing up, my siblings and I thought the name “Babsy” was whimsical and endearing, so it stuck. Babsy was a great mother, sister, friend and colleague. She was the eldest of the four “Sirene” girls, a name referencing my grandmother. Babsy led our family's next generation of strong women to demonstrate what it meant to be resilient and a giver. Babsy dedicated her life to nurturing and supporting her family. She was a pillar of strength, a source of comfort, and a guiding light to her children, Sigmund, Louie, Beverley, Andre and Shaun (deceased). Her warm and caring nature created a home filled with love and laughter, where family and friends always felt welcome. Babsy had dreams, BIG DREAMS. Barbara was a very dynamic woman who loved traveling and sewing. Upon marrying at the tender age of 21 and having five children, Babsy immigrated to the United States in 1969. Babsy worked to lay the foundation for her children to join her in America, along with seven siblings and her niece. Babsy was very dutiful, and she stuck to the plan. She was relentless in her pursuits, and nine years later, we joined her in our new home in Queens, NY. That moment was etched in my memory as one of her happiest. Once settled in New York, Babsy continued on her academic journey. She graduated from the City University of NY – Baruch College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Additionally, she went on to pursue a Masters in Divinity at New York University, yet was unable to complete her studies due to illness. In addition to her role as a mother, Babsy was a cherished friend and confidante to many. Her empathy, wisdom, and genuine kindness endeared her to those fortunate enough to know her. Her impact extended beyond the family circle, reaching friends, colleagues, and community members. Her memory will be forever cherished by her surviving family members: Sigmund, Louie, Beverley & Andre; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren. Siblings: Philip, Henrick, John, Linda, Joan, Ann, Colin and other extended family and friends As we say our goodbyes, let us remember Barbara Jordan for the love she shared, the strength she embodied, and the indelible mark she left on the hearts of those fortunate enough to know her. May she find eternal peace, and may her memory continue to inspire love and compassion in those she touched. The family invites friends and well-wishers to join them in a celebration of Barbara Jordan's life on March 16th, 2024, in South Orange, NJ.