Memorials R-Z

Kevin L. Riker, age 55, formerly of Wayne, died on Tuesday October 7, 2008 in Sarasota, Florida after a courageous battle of nearly 8 years with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Kevin graduated from Wayne Valley High School where he left his mark in athletics. He is a member of the Wayne Valley Football Hall of Fame and he was a star pole-vaulter on the track team. There’s little doubt that his athletic success must have been a result of the excellent coaching he received from his coach and big brother, Ray Riker. He was also an avid skier and absolutely loved to golf. He was a natural at golf and continued playing well into his adult life, until the disease limited him.
Kevin moved to Key West, Florida in the 1970’s and opened a restaurant called “Poncho & Lefties” on Olivia St. He was passionate about cooking and this was a dream come true for him. His brother Ray recalls Kevin grilling on the sidewalk out in front of the restaurant. He operated the restaurant there for over thirteen years before he and his wife moved to Sarasota, Florida in the late 1980’s. Kevin continued to cook, both occupationally and as a hobby. He simply loved being a chef and he was very good at it.
For the past few years, during the height of Kevin’s illness, his niece and nephew have made regular visits to Florida, often twice a year, to spend time with their ailing uncle. Kevin truly enjoyed and looked forward to their visits. They were very close and will miss him dearly. Kevin has no children of his own and his nephew, Ray “Dee” Riker, recently named his own son in his uncle’s honor.
Kevin is survived by his wife of thirty years, Donna (nee Delsea) of Sarasota, Fl, his mother; Jane Riker, one brother; Ray Riker.

   
Matthew M. Shumeyko age 51 of Wayne died Friday at the Morristown memorial Hospital, Morristown.

A memorial service took place on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at the Pequannock Reformed Church, 530 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Wayne.

Robert Sisti, father
September, 2002

Daniel Suchoff, 60, of Phoenix, died May 19, 2015. Born in Mineola, New York, he was an entrepreneur and financial adviser.
Survivors include his wife, Diana; daughter, Tess of Boston; son, Noah of Phoenix; and sisters, Marla Mendelsohn of Hoboken, New Jersey, and Ronnie Klein of Chicago.
Services were held at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, with Rabbi Mari Chernow officiating. Arrangements were made by Sinai Mortuary.
Contributions are suggested to Deutsch Family Shalom Center at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix 85032; or C.O. Greenfield Elementary School, Principal Stuart Starky’s Discretionary Fund, 7009 S. 10th St., Phoenix 85042.

   Frank was born in March 1954, the son of Frank and Adele Symon, Sr.,
and the brother of Laurie. He died in a car accident in December
1973. In the spring of 1974, Frank’s ashes were scattered over the surf
of Seaside Park, New Jersey, a place he loved and where he had spent
many happy days with his friends.
    Frank is remembered by his family as happy, energetic and friendly
young man, who loved athletics – a memory shared by the class of 1972.
When we also recall that Frank won the “Coaches Award” in 1972 for
his sportsmanship and commitment to his team on the basketball court, we
also know that Frank was a person committed to school, community,
and others – a dedication that would have certainly continued had he
not passed from this life too early.

Notes from Frank’s Mom
December, 2003

A Mass for Mrs. Patricia Ann Odierno, 47, of Medford, a native of New Jersey, will be here at 10 a.m. today in St. Joseph the Worker Church. Arrangements are by the Robertaccio Funeral Home, Patchogue. Mrs. Odierno, who died Saturday at home, was born in Orange, N.J., and lived in Wayne, N.J., before moving to Medford. Surviving are her husband, Vinnie; a daughter, Lisa Ann; her parents, Claire and Fred Tonkin; a sister, Madeline Neitz,

Published on Tuesday, January 15, 2002
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ) –

Carol earned her BA in Psychology and M.Ed in Counselor Education/ School Counseling and Guidance Services from William Paterson University and her M.Div in Theology focusing on Pastoral Theology from Drew University. She was a high school guidance counselor for over 25 years, most recently at Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon. Previously, she was employed at DePaul High School and the former Neumann Prep, both in Wayne.

Carol also worked for ten years as a career counselor for adults returning to the work force. In college, she was the coordinator and lead trainer for a telephone crisis intervention service. These experiences led her to develop a wealth of knowledge about personal, career and guidance counseling.

Obituary

In Loving Memory of Frederic Charles Willer who died suddenly of a massive stroke on November 20, 1991. Fred was a devoted father to his two daughters, Ashley and Megen who were the light of his life.
Fred was a very compassionate sole who’s main objective in life was to help those in need at trying times. Fred was a former member of the Wayne memorial First Aid Squad and the San Juan County, NM Search and Recovery Team. After his stroke in 1987 Fred went back to school and became a funeral director. He had many friends who looked to him in times of trouble due to his caring nature.
As his brother said at his funeral
“Grieve not for those who lost a friend and loved one, but grieve for those who had not yet met him.”

Elizabeth (Beth) Willer, wife
September, 2002

James Richardson Wright, 59, of Stockholm, passed away suddenly May 9, 2013, in his home, which he designed and built with his own hands.
Born in Glen Ridge and raised in Wayne, he graduated from Wayne Valley in 1972. As a child, he enjoyed spending time at his grandparents’ property. He was an artistic carpenter. He was a kind and loving husband, father and gramps. Everyone he met loved him.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Unity Church of Sussex County, 25 Mudcut Road, Lafayette, NJ 07848. Following the service, a gathering of family and friends will be at the family residence. In lieu of cut flowers, you may bring a perennial, shrub or tree from your garden to the service or residence.
Mr. Wright is survived by his loving wife, Cindy; mother, Shirley; sisters, Marti, Stacy, Laurie; son, Randall; daughters, Renee and Katie; grandsons, Wyatt, Aiden, Elias and Marcus.
Arrangements by the Megaro Memorial Home, 503 Union Ave., Belleville