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Lewis born on October 29, 1947 died on June 16, 2017. Lewis Sotardi, friend, father, accomplished realtor, artist, and craftsman passed away after a long protracted illness. A longtime resident of Montclair, he leaves behind his beloved son Beau, and Donna, his ex-wife and good friend, and many colleagues and friends. Born in Manhattan to John and Olga Sotardi, they moved to Montclair when he was five. He attended The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan studying sculpture and photography with a degree in Art. Lewis was creative, informed, well-read, and talented. He was also a colorful and delightful character. He was an expert on homes, selling them, and appreciating them for their fine qualities. He bought and enhanced a number of homes in the Essex County area. His knowledge of what makes an aesthetic home along with his artistic and craftsman skills made him an excellent realtor, working at Schweppe and ReMax Realtors for many years. More recently he used his creativity and handiness to start creating a line of imaginative accessories such as head boards and curtain pulls for decorating homes, but illness sidelined his efforts. He was a writer and a thinker and one could learn a lot about history, politics, and just life in general in conversation with him. He had extraordinary sense of humor and a sharp wit that made it exciting and exhilarating to be around him. We will miss him dearly. Arrangements were entrusted with Gaita Memorial Home, Little Falls.
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Joseph A., 40, of Paterson, passed away from his battle with addiction on June 14, 2017. Loving father of Joseph Generoso, Gioia Ann, and Generosa Anna Gaita. Caring son of the late Joyce Gaita (2015) and John Dellindia. Adored brother of John Vincent Gaita. Beloved companion and mother of his three children, Jessie Johnston. Joseph was in the Electrical Union 102 of Parsippany. His family will receive their friends for a memorial gathering on June 20th from 5-8 pm at Gaita Memorial Home, 154 Newark Pompton Tpke., Little Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gaita Children's College Fund, 146 Greene Ave., Totowa, NJ 07512.
Ronald A., 76, of Little Falls, passed away June 13, 2017. Loving husband of Eileen Peterson-Baskinger. Caring father of Lorraine Ludwig and husband Glenn, Edward Baskinger, and the late Ronald Baskinger, Jr. (2011). Cherished step-father of John Peterson. Adored grandfather of several grandsons and granddaughters. He is survived by cousins Alan and Anthony. Before his retirement, Ronald was a building laborer with the union and at one point owned Munchy's in Little Falls for many years. He lived in Little Falls for over 50 years. Services are private.
Marion E. (nee Deininger), 92, of Crane’s Mill, West Caldwell, died peacefully in her sleep on June 11. Marion was born on July 24, 1924, in Newark, NJ. She graduated from West Orange High School in 1942 and received her Bachelor of Music degree at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Ohio, in 1946, after giving both solo piano and organ recitals her senior year. She was elected to the honorary musical society Pi Kappa Lambda upon graduation and completed her graduate work at Eastman School of Music. Marion taught piano and music theory at Ashland College in Ohio, and taught piano at Bloomfield College. Continuing her choral experiences after Oberlin, Marion sang with the Robert Shaw Collegiate Chorale in New York City for two years, and the Oratorio Society of NJ for five years. For close to forty years she held the positions of organist/choral director at numerous churches in northern NJ, most notably Trinity Covenant Church in Livingston, West Caldwell Presbyterian Church, Calvary Lutheran Church in Verona, and Wyoming Presbyterian Church in Millburn. She also held the position of director of Madrigal Singers with the Upper Montclair Women’s Club from 1970-72, and was a member of the Metropolitan NJ chapter of the American Guild of Organists during her professional career. Piano was her passion, whether it was accompanying orchestral conducting classes at Oberlin, vocal students at a nearby high school, or choral workshops at Drew University for 9 years. She was an active member of Rehearsal Club from 1959 to 2010, and part of a 2-piano team, Pedersen & Platt, for 15 years. Marion also taught private piano lessons for 25 years. It was during her first organist/choir director job at Trinity Covenant Church, originally located in East Orange, that she met Martin Pedersen, to whom she was married for 61 years. She is survived by three daughters: Alice Hamilton (Michael), Beth Rogers (John), and Karen Frank (Joe); six grandchildren: Tracy Pedersen, Brian Pedersen, Katherine Bucciarelli (Gary), Elizabeth Rogers, Christopher Frank, Allison Rogers; two step-grandchildren: Thomas Knutsen and Lynn Olson (Jeff); and two great-grandchildren. She is survived by a brother Herbert Deininger (Pat). Preceding her in death were her husband Martin, her sister Alice Kreider, and her step-son Gary Pedersen. A celebration of her life will be held on July 29th at Crane’s Mill (Towne Square), 459 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell. Visitation with the family will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the service at 11:30 a.m. At the family’s request, donations in Marion’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., New York, NY, 10001. Arrangements were entrusted with Gaita Memorial Home, Little Falls.
Ronime, 72, of Lincoln Park, passed away on June 8, 2017. Loving father of Irakli Shurgaia. Caring ex-husband of Megi Shurgaia. Before his retirement, Ronime was a maintenance worker at Shop Rite in Lincoln Park. A Memorial Service will be held at Gaita Memorial Home, 154 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Little Falls on Saturday, June 10th at 12 pm - disposition will be private.
On June 7, 2017, Steven Adam Safary, beloved husband of 61 years to Agnes Judith Safary, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He was the loving father of Anna Safary Sexton and husband Andrew of New City, NY and Christopher Adam Safary of Montclair and grandfather to Maxwell Sexton of New York City, NY, Zachary Sexton and wife Paty of Calverton, NY. Loving brother of Clara Hirschberg of Budapest, Hungary and four nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his sister Katalin Kollar of Budapest, Hungary. A memorial service that will celebrate the life of Steven Safary will be held at Gaita Memorial Home, 154 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Little Falls, on August 5th at 11 am - 12 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Philanthropic Partner, Architects Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships and other aid to architecture students, at www.architectsfoundation.org .
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