Obituary: John M. Coyle
John M. Coyle, age 81, of Merchantville, passed away peacefully at home on September 19, 2024.
He was the loving husband of 60 years to Mary Ellen (nee McDermott); devoted father of Patty (Paul Hoffman), Loretta (Tom Huslin), Jay (Pam Colozzi) and Joe (Chanin McDowell); proud grandfather of Christian, Jessica (Wade Kennedy), Kristen (Brandon Traino), Olivia, Joseph, Cora and Kathleen and great-grandfather of Lilly Felicity; beloved brother of Linda (Peter Moller); brother-in-law of Doris Matlack; and cherished cousin of many. John is pre-deceased by parents Marie (nee Muldowney) and Colonel John J. Coyle of the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, where John was born and raised.
John was a graduate of Merchantville High School and long-time active parishioner of Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church in Merchantville, NJ. He was a Fourth Degree Knight with St. Peter’s Knights of Columbus Council #6735. John had a very successful 40-year sales career in Fleet Management with Holman Enterprises’ ARI branch. He served seven years in the U.S. Army Reserves 915 MASH unit at Fort Dix as a Medic and Platoon Leader, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.
John had a strong work ethic which he is proud to have passed down to his children and grandchildren. His fierce love for his country and devotion to his Catholic faith were always evident in his generosity of time and talent.
Blessed to travel often with his wife and children, John and Mary’s favorite repeat destinations included Hawaii and Ireland. A decades-long resident of Merchantville, John was a proud homeowner for many years in The Gardens neighborhood of Ocean City, NJ, which he generously shared with his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and classic war movies, and “furrvently” devoted to lap cat, Princess, and porch cat, Tux.
Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and Friday, September 27, 2024, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Falco/Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home, 6600 N. Browning Rd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church, 43 W. Maple Ave in Merchantville, NJ 08109. Interment will follow at New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr, NJ 08031.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St Peter Church at the above address.
Pennsauken Fall Clean-Up Day On September 28
Pennsauken Township’s Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a fall clean-up day on Saturday, Sept. 28. Held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., volunteers will work at the park along 38th St. and Chestnut Ave.
“Every year, volunteers from our community step up to keep Pennsauken’s amazing outdoor spaces clean and free from litter,” said Pennsauken Mayor Marco DiBattista. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for community groups and young people looking to fulfill service hours. We invite you to be a part of this effort!”
Each person, family, or team will be provided with trash bags, a bucket, gloves (one size fits all), and trash pickers. It is suggested that volunteers wear boots, along with old clothes (long-sleeved shirts and pants), as individuals can get muddy and dirty. These clean ups may be canceled/postponed due to weather 24 hours prior to the event.
Registration for the fall clean-up is required. To register, please email the following information to jvazquez@pennsauken.gov:
- Your full name
- The number of people coming with you, if any
- A good phone number and email address to contact you with updates, cancellations, etc.
Pennsauken Native Returns To “Halloween Wars”
Pennsauken native Al DiBartolo returns to Food Network to compete in season 14 of “Halloween Wars,” the show where “teams of pumpkin carvers, cake bakers and sugar artists, captained for the first time ever by former champions, will showcase their ghoulish talents for a chance to win a sweet cash prize.”
“Very excited to be back on Halloween Wars Season 14 on food network starting September 22nd!!,” posted DiBartolo on social media. “The talent is incredible and I’m honored to be among the best in cake, sugar, and pumpkin once again!!”
DiBartolo, known locally as the talented baker who helped run his family’s business that was a Collingswood landmark for decades before closing in 2023, will be part of “Death by Deco” team, joining pumpkin carver Matt Thorup and sugar artist Rebecca Wortman.
Al is a veteran of the Food Network show, having won season 6 as part of the “Sugar Psychos” team. He has also competed in “Holiday Wars” and “Food Network Challenge” on Food Network, “Next Great Baker” on TLC, and “Stab That Cake” on Cooking Channel, among others. Season 14 of “Halloween Wars” debuts on Food Network on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 9:00 p.m.
Toy And Collectible Street Fair Held On September 14
Play With This Toys & Collectibles presents its annual Toy and Collectible Street Fair on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Held along West Park Ave. in Merchantville, the event showcases a variety of new and vintage toys, games, and collectibles for sale.
For more information, visit “Play With This Toys & Collectibles” on Facebook.
Pennsauken Transit Center Focus Of NJ TRANSIT Study
When the Pennsauken Transit Center first opened along Derousse Ave. in October of 2013, public officials from all levels of government lauded the facility as a gateway for the area residents to have more access to jobs, education, and health care, as the facility offered new travel options via a direct link between River LINE light rail service and Atlantic City Rail Line. Over a decade later, advocates supported by NJ TRANSIT are reaching out to the public, looking at ways to take the Pennsauken Transit Center to the next level as a community hub, exploring options for retail, housing, and more.
Pennsauken School District Seeks Community Feedback For Superintendent Search
By the Pennsauken Township Board of Education
The Pennsauken Board of Education is gearing up for a search for a new superintendent to lead the Pennsauken School District. The timeline includes target dates for posting the job, deadline for receipt of applications, and review of submitted applications and interviews. An important part of the process, which is included in our timeline, is the opportunity for community input.
Though the hiring of a superintendent is the sole responsibility of the Board of Education, our members believe that the Pennsauken community has a huge stake in the outcome of this process. Whether or not you have children attending the schools, every resident of Pennsauken Township has ownership of this school district, since a significant portion of our budget is funded by tax dollars and a strong school district benefits everyone. Therefore, we welcome input from community members, as well as staff and students.
Obituary: Danny Rodgers
Daniel Joseph “Danny” Rodgers, age 46 of Pennsauken, passed away suddenly at his home on Sept. 6. He was born in Willingboro, N.J., on September 20, 1977.
Danny is the beloved son of Daniel F. and Agnes (nee Schlindwein) Rodgers; dear brother of Colleen, Timothy, Michael (Lisa), and Katie Rodgers; cherished uncle of Makayla, Daymon, Ethan, Patrick, Kacey, and Allie Rodgers. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members and friends.
Danny was a huge Notre Dame football, Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. He also enjoyed fishing and spending time in Ocean City, N.J.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation and Funeral on Thursday, September 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Falco/Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home, 6600 N. Browning Rd., where a Funeral Service will be held at 8:00 p.m.
Governor Murphy Launches Garden State Community Outreach Campaign
Governor Phil Murphy launched Garden State Community Outreach, a new statewide campaign designed to ensure eligible New Jerseyans and their families are aware of the vast state resources available to help them thrive, many of which are relatively new, and provide assistance in applying for or accessing them.
Earlier Start Time For Pennsauken’s Annual 9/11 Flag Placement Ceremony
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Each year, American flags are placed throughout Pennsauken’s 9/11 Memorial, located at the corner of Merchantville Ave. and Rt. 130, across the street from the Township’s Municipal Building and the Pennsauken Free Public Library. This year’s ceremony will be held earlier in the evening, so that more members of the community can participate.
“By starting Pennsauken’s flag placement a little earlier, more families will be able to participate,” explained Pennsauken Mayor Marco DiBattista. “Our annual tradition brings our residents and first responders coming together to remember the terror attacks 23 years ago, honoring the memory of those who lost their lives on that tragic day.”
Volunteers are needed to help distribute the flags on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9:30 p.m. and remove them on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 11:30 p.m. Those wishing to participate on either day are asked to arrive 15 minutes early.
Pennsauken’s monument was first dedicated on September 11, 2003, as a tribute to the heroes of 9/11 and the dedicated direct responders — police, fire, and EMS — who serve every day to protect residents and businesses in the communities where they live. In remembrance of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a steel beam from the World Trade Center North Tower was dedicated as a permanent part of the memorial.
Obituary: Mabel Henry
Mabel I. Henry, of Pennsauken, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 29, at her home. She was 79. A longtime Pennsauken resident of over 50 years, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Mabel was the wife of the late James Henry and daughter of the late Charles and Elizabeth Mavers; she is survived by her loving children, James Henry Jr, Susan Helsel (John); four cherished grandchildren, John, Elias, James, and Rachel; and a caring sister, Betsy Nickerson.
Mabel’s funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Gaskill Brown Funeral Home, 33 West Maple Ave., Merchantville. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society.
