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'Selfless' Former Brick HS Football Coach, Teacher Battling Rare Cancer: Fundraiser
A beloved Freehold football coach and history teacher is battling an aggressive form of cancer, according to a fundraising campaign.
A GoFundMe page said Brian McNamara first thought he was dealing with a sinus infection. After undergoing multiple tests, scans, and biopsies, the 44-year-old was recently diagnosed with a rare head and neck cancer known for rapidly spreading.
More than $35,800 has been raised from at least 480 donations as of Monday, Dec. 9.
"Brian is a selfless, caring individual who would do anything for others," wrote Diana Petriello, the fundraiser's organizer.
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Corrections Officer From Bergen County Dies Months After Cancer Diagnosis, 51
The New Jersey Department of Corrections is mourning the loss of Senior Correctional Police Officer Ryan Robert Stemple, who died on Monday, Dec. 2.
Ryan, 51, of Park Ridge (Bergen County), was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer that metastasized to a small area of his lung earlier this year, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched for his daughter.
"He was a very proud father, great son, brother, cousin and friend to many," writes Jen Van Cleef in an update on the campaign.
"Ryan expressed he was not afraid to the unknown but more sad. He said he is going to miss …
'Glue That Kept Friend Group Together,' Jersey City Dad Justin Chang Dies Suddenly, 42
A Jersey City family is grieving the loss of their patriarch, Justin M. Chang, who died unexpectedly in his sleep on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched for his loved ones. He was 42 years old.
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Justin is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Joshie (3) and Kylie (1).
Known for his unwavering faith and generosity, Justin touched the lives of many, always putting others first. Despite his recent battle with cancer, he faced every challenge with optimism and strength, reads the GoFundMe, launched by a group of lo…
Jake Mocko's Legacy: Compassionate Madison YMCA Employee Dies After Cancer Battle, 20
A Morris County community is mourning the loss of Jake Peter Mocko, a 20-year-old who passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 20, 2024, surrounded by family, his obituary on the Madison Memorial Home website says.
Jake, a Madison resident and digital design student, courageously battled Grade IV astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive central nervous system cancer, for three and a half years.
Jake worked at the front desk at the Madison YMCA, where he decided to start a dual language subscription so that he could learn to speak Spanish fluently, his obituary continues. Jake wanted to be able to h…
CT's Second Female Governor Jodi Rell Dies At 78
Connecticut is mourning the loss of its second female governor, Jodi Rell, who died following a brief illness.
Rell, who served as the state's 87th governor from 2004 to 2011, died on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the age of 78 at a hospital in Florida following a short illness, CBS News reported.
Rell took office following the resignation of her predecessor, John G. Rowland, who pleaded guilty to corruption charges in 2004. She is the most recent Republican to serve as Connecticut's governor and spent her two terms expanding healthcare and childcare, strengthening ethics laws, and brin…
Here's How Baltimore Librarian Fared In Memorable Jeopardy Showdown
A librarian from Maryland is moving on after coming out on top in a memorable Jeopardy! episode.
Mikey McCullough, a librarian from Baltimore, was the big winner on Tuesday's episode with $18,200, but it was Texas teacher Chris Burge ($3,000) who made headlines, revealing an ongoing cancer battle live on the show.
McCullough, a data curator at the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, topped Burge and Paul Clauson ($2,000), a tax analyst from Michigan.
She moves on to test her knowledge on Wednesday, Nov. 20 against a Los Angeles writer and software engineer from Seattle.
It …
Rockville's 'Golden Bachelorette' Is Engaged! Meet Her New Fiancé
Joan Vassos is off the market.
The 61-year-old school administrator, widow, and proud grandmother from Rockville, MD got engaged on the thrilling season finale of "The Golden Bachelorette," which aired Wednesday evening, Nov. 13. Joan lost her husband to cancer after 32 years of marriage.
Joan, who made history as ABC's first-ever senior Bachelorette, captured hearts across the nation with her warmth, wisdom, and willingness to take a second chance on love.
Audiences watched her journey unfold, and in a moment that fans won’t soon forget, she said “yes” to her final rose pick in a he…
Gabriela Ayala-Cortes, Verona Mom, Dies At 45
Gabriela Ayala-Cortes, a mom and Verona resident, died on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the age of 45 of cancer, according to her obituary on the Shooks Cedar Grove Funeral Home.
Born in Ecuador, Ayala-Cortes emigrated to the United States in 2003, her obituary reads. She worked as the director of regulatory affairs operations for Organon and Company in Jersey City, according to her obituary.
She is survived her husband, Carlos, her children, Camila and Isabella, her parents Rodrigo and Marcia, and numerous other family members and friends, her obituary reads.
A fundraiser has been created to suppo…
Clifton Mourns Losses Of Student, Principal Days Apart
Clifton is mourning the losses of a student and a school principal just days apart.
Juel Martinez, a Clifton High School student, died on Sunday, Oct. 6 after a nearly-year-long battle with cancer, a GoFundMe campaign launched for his family says. He was 15 years old.
On Monday, Oct. 7, School Two lost its dear principal Jennifer Lucas, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Her cause of death was not made public.
The campaign launched for Juel says he was "full of humor and didn't let the sudden cancer destroy his spirits, always fighting hard for his family."
As of press time, more than…
Basketball Hall Of Famer, Former NJ Net Dikembe Mutombo Dies At 58
Basketball legend Dikembe Mutombo, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks as part of a Hall of Fame career, died of brain cancer at the age of 58, the NBA announced on Monday, Sept. 30.
We share our condolences with his wife, Rose, the entire Mutombo family, and their loved ones. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3j7M1ONqxJ — Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) September 30, 2024
Mutombo, who also played for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets, was known for his signature shot block, which he would follow up by wagging his finger and yelling, "No No No!…
