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Eagle Scout

Jersey Shore Marine Who Died Suddenly 'Always Led Pack,' Boy Scout Leader Says Jersey Shore Marine Who Died Suddenly 'Always Led Pack,' Boy Scout Leader Says
Jersey Shore Marine Who Died Suddenly 'Always Led Pack,' Boy Scout Leader Says An Iraq war veteran from the Jersey Shore who always led the pack as a young Boy Scout has died unexpectedly. Matthew J. Jantas of Neptune was 42 years old. The native of Perth Amboy served in the Marine Corps from 1999 to 2004, according to his obituary, and he rose to the rank of Lance Corporal. In a GoFundMe campaign, Jantas' former Boy Scout leader, Walter Mezynski of Edison, wrote, "I am trying to raise funds to help two very young girls who lost their father at a very young age." "Matt was always an inspiration to the other boys," Mezynski said. "Matthew excelled at ever…
Fearless Cancer Battle Claims Life Of Devoted 12-Year Pequannock EMT Days After Wedding, 33 Fearless Cancer Battle Claims Life Of Devoted 12-Year Pequannock EMT Days After Wedding, 33
Fearless Cancer Battle Claims Life Of Devoted 12-Year Pequannock EMT Days After Wedding, 33 Twelve-year Pequannock rescue squad member Matthew J. Mudd died after a fearless battle with cancer on Thursday, Sept. 29, just six days after his wedding. He was 33. Born in Bloomingdale, Matthew grew up in Kinnelon, where he graduated from Kinnelon High School, his obituary says. Matthew went on to attend Hudson County Community College and William Paterson University and had worked as a Territory Sales Manager for Makita USA, according to his memorial. Matthew was known for his endless passion and ability to help others. He fostered seven dogs during the pandemic with his wife, Katie, …
Harrison's John J. Plunkett, 91, Was The Last American Chief Engineer At The Panama Canal Harrison's John J. Plunkett, 91, Was The Last American Chief Engineer At The Panama Canal
Harrison's John J. Plunkett, 91, Was The Last American Chief Engineer At The Panama Canal John J. (Jack) Plunkett, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Project Engineer, died on his 91st birthday, July 16, 2022 at his home in Niceville, FL. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The son of Frank and Ellen Hackman Plunkett, Jack was born on July 16, 1931 in Harrison,  In his youth, he had a magazine delivery route, a newspaper route, raised pigeons, caddied often, and set pins in a bowling alley. He graduated Harrison High School at age 16 because of the Great Depression when his father lost his home. He was an Eagle Scout with three Palms and was awarded the Order of the…
Beloved Ridgewood Native, 26, Dies In PA Crash Beloved Ridgewood Native, 26, Dies In PA Crash
Beloved Ridgewood Native, 26, Dies In PA Crash Sensei, astronomer, photographer and more, Michael Capurso was a man of many talents, gifts and pursuits. A memorial service is scheduled next weekend for the popular Ridgewood native, who was killed in a crash last week in Pennsylvania. Capurso, 26, was behind the wheel of a Subaru SUV that slid off the road into a tree and burst into flames near his Shohola, PA home around 11 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, friends said. Capurso had taught class that night at the Ridgewood Karate Academy, where he was a head instructor, friends said. "Michael was an incredible teacher and mentor to hundreds of ki…
Binghamton University Student From Long Island Dies In Hiking Accident Binghamton University Student From Long Island Dies In Hiking Accident
Binghamton University Student From Long Island Dies In Hiking Accident A Binghamton University student who was a volunteer firefighter on Long Island has died. Andrew Desiderio, a senior from Mineola in Nassau County, was 21 years old, majoring in mechanical engineering, with a minor in economics, and was due to graduate next month. Desiderio died Monday, April 12, as the result of a hiking accident, the university said in a statement, adding, "No additional details are available at this time." Desiderio became a junior lieutenant in the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department in 2016, three years after joining the department. "Andrew’s dedication t…
Growing Wellness In The Time Of COVID Growing Wellness In The Time Of COVID
Growing Wellness In The Time Of COVID Zachary Couzens’ parents were among the first COVID-19 cases in Putnam County in the harrowing weeks of March 2020. Zachary was only 16, and his brother 15, when his parents were admitted to Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) with COVID-19 complications. After a frightening week, his mother returned home, but his father was put on a ventilator. It would be three more weeks of recovery before his father came home to continue his healing. The experience left Zack grateful…and wanting to give back. Read more about how Northern Westchester Hospital helped Zack’s family through COVID-19. “Fort…
Eagle Scout Project Honors Northern Westchester Hospital’s Courageous Healthcare Workers Eagle Scout Project Honors Northern Westchester Hospital’s Courageous Healthcare Workers
Eagle Scout Project Honors Northern Westchester Hospital’s Courageous Healthcare Workers It’s quite an achievement to become an Eagle Scout. Only five percent of all Boy Scouts ever reach that pinnacle. Undaunted, Zack Couzens of Mahopac is hoping to earn the title with a very personal project. Zack is creating a COVID-19 Memorial Garden for Northern Westchester Hospital healthcare workers. According to the Hackley School student, the goal is to build and fill 27 six-feet-by-three-feet raised garden beds to grow produce in the spring. The crops will provide food for patients in need and for those in the surrounding area who face food insecurity—especially in times of COVID-19. …
Larry Burdett, Ex-Chief And Longtime Member Of The Verona FD, Dies Larry Burdett, Ex-Chief And Longtime Member Of The Verona FD, Dies
Larry Burdett, Ex-Chief And Longtime Member Of The Verona FD, Dies Larry Burdett, who followed in his father’s footsteps and served as a firefighter in Verona for decades, has died, the township’s fire department said Thursday. Burdett, who celebrated a birthday Thursday, failed to show up for work, first responders told Daily Voice. He was found at home by police sent on a welfare check. A lifelong Verona resident, Burdett attended F.N. Brown and H.B. Whitehorne schools before graduating from Verona High School in 1969, according to his bio on the Old Verona web page. He was also an Eagle Scout with Troop 5. Burdett joined the Verona Auxiliary Fire De…
Record-Breaking Mendham Athlete Is Gatorade's NJ 'Runner Of The Year' Record-Breaking Mendham Athlete Is Gatorade's NJ 'Runner Of The Year'
Record-Breaking Mendham Athlete Is Gatorade's NJ 'Runner Of The Year' Gatorade has named West Morris Mendham High School senior Jack Stanley as its 2018-19 New Jersey Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. The award puts Stanley as a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year award, to be announced later this month. “Jack is extremely talented and courageous, and the best runner I’ve ever coached,” Mendham coach Roy Hamblen said. “He’s also the most un…
Saddle Brook Boy Scout Renovating Field For Kids With Special Needs Saddle Brook Boy Scout Renovating Field For Kids With Special Needs
Saddle Brook Boy Scout Renovating Field For Kids With Special Needs A 16-year-old Saddle Brook boy scout is hoping to renovate a local field used for special needs athletics programs. Michael Maniscalco, on the path to becoming an eagle scout, chose to renovate the playground at Avon Park -- home to the Saddle Brook Angels. Maniscalco's parents Monica and James launched the Angels program for his sister, Samantha, and other youth with special needs or delays. "We've been using the park for five years and we intend to keep on using it," the teen said. "But it needs a lot of work." Maniscalco will be holding several fundraisers so he ca…
New Rockland Eagle Scout Brian Smith Cited For Building Bocce Court New Rockland Eagle Scout Brian Smith Cited For Building Bocce Court
New Rockland Eagle Scout Brian Smith Cited For Building Bocce Court Rockland County Executive Ed Day congratulated Brian Smith of Sloatsburg Troop 31 at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony.  Brian's community service project was to construct a new bocce ball court on the property of the Sloatsburg Senior Center as well as two benches and cedar planting boxes.  Brian is a freshman at Sacred Heart University.  "We are proud of his efforts and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors," Day said.
Navy Veteran Charles J. 'Corky' Kelly Of Orange County DIes At 47 Navy Veteran Charles J. 'Corky' Kelly Of Orange County DIes At 47
Navy Veteran Charles J. 'Corky' Kelly Of Orange County DIes At 47 Lifelong Orange County resident Charles J. ”Corky” Kelly died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh. He was 47.  The son of the late Charles E. Kelly and Kathy Rigney Kelly, he was born on July 13 in Middletown.  A veteran of the United States Navy, Corky served his country from 1988-1992. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1308, Catholic War Veterans and The Church of the Infant Saviour Church. He also gained the rank of Eagle Scout. Corky was an avid walker and exercise was his No. 1 priority. On any given day, rain or shine, you would see him walkin…