Bronx Town Crier

04/25/2026

With regret, I inform you of the passimg of Gerry Ward.

(Family written obituary) Gerry Ward, age 84, a 50-year resident of Ridgefield, beloved husband of Diana E. Ward, died peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2026, with his loving family by his side. Born in the Bronx on September 26, 1941, he was the son of the late Florence and James Ward, and brother to James (Winnie), Robert (Bobby), William (Billy), Jane, Donald, Patricia (Pat) and Virginia (Ginny).

After graduating from Cardinal Hayes High School (Bronx, NY) in 1959, Gerry attended Boston College on a basketball scholarship to study mathematics, where he won the Student-Athlete Award in 1963, was the first athlete inducted into the Boston College Hall of Fame in 1970 and had his basketball jersey retired in 2007. Following graduation from Boston College in 1963, Gerry was drafted 5th overall to the NBA by the St. Louis Hawks. He played 4 years overall for the Hawks, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls, winning a championship in 1965, and playing alongside legends such as Wilt Chamberlain and Billy Cunningham.

Gerry and Diana eventually settled in Ridgefield, CT, where Gerry founded three family businesses (WAI, GWA and WTC), combining his passion for wildlife conservation and entrepreneurial spirit with his retail experience, and founded the Ridgefield Basketball Association, where he coached his children and a generation of players. In his free time, Gerry could be found spending time with his cherished family and friends, behind a camera lens in Africa, traveling with Diana, and giving his time generously to underserved youth.

In addition to his beloved wife of 59 years, Diana, Gerry is survived by his children who loved him dearly: Caroline, James and his wife Hollie, and Gary and his wife Tricia; and his seven grandchildren who adored their “Paparino”: Camryn, McLain, Collin, Payton, Ryan, Reagan and Brennan.

With his Bronx humor, Gerry had a gift for making people laugh and feel at ease, and for making those around him feel seen and valued. He had a way of being there for others in meaningful and lasting ways, often when it mattered most, which will be his truest legacy and why he was so dearly cared for by family and friends.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, May 26th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 27th at 10:00 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church; 520 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield, CT. Reception to follow. Interment will take place privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America and/or The Painted Wolf Foundation.

My deepest condolences to the family. May Gerry Rest in Peace.

04/24/2026

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Martin O’Malley, R.I.P
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Martin O’Malley
Martin was a valued volunteer with the Aisling Irish Community Center, giving his time and compassion through our homeless outreach program. His generosity of spirit, kindness, and quiet commitment to helping others left a lasting impact on our community.
Martin’s life and experiences were also shared through While Memory Brings Us Back, ensuring that his story, voice, and legacy will continue to be remembered and cherished.
We are grateful for all that Martin gave to Aisling Center and to those he helped along the way. He will be fondly remembered by staff, volunteers, and friends.
Martin Gerald O’Malley passed away on April 22, 2026 at his home in Woodlawn, NY. He was born on October 16, 1933 in Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, Ireland. He will be dearly missed by his six children: Ann Marie (Patrick) Brennan, Eileen (Bill) Hart, Patrick, Martin (Simone), Theresa O’Malley, Una (Vincent) Andrews and his 19 cherished grandchildren (Kieran, Christopher, Michael, Rachel, Julia, Brendan, Madeleine, Hannah, Paul, Isabel, Caroline, Sarah, Shane, Molly, Kyle, Martin, Ava, Eva, and Patrick), 7 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by his siblings: Anthony O’Malley and Rita Langan, and his siblings-in-law: Julia Coen, Sister Patrice (Betty) Coen, Anthony and Mary Coen. He is pre-deceased by his wife of 54 years, Annie (Coen) O’Malley, as well as his father Patrick, mother Margaret (Burke), brother Patrick, sister Mary McNiff, and his twin sister who died at birth.
Martin immigrated to England in 1950 and then to the US in 1957. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960, stationed in Germany. This was something he was always very proud of. He worked at the A&P and the telephone company before becoming a Bus Operator with the New York City Transit Authority where he worked for 20 years. After retiring from the Transit Authority at age 50, he worked at Manhattan College as a maintenance technician for 10 years. In his full retirement years, he enjoyed spending time with Annie and extended family, and volunteering at the Aisling Center.
Martin took pride in his family and all their accomplishments. He was an excellent husband, father, dancer, storyteller, barber (for his sons and all his friends). and gardener. He could fix anything, even if you didn’t want it “fixed”. He loved people, developing friendships with people of all ages throughout the years. It was communicating with these friends and family that gave him such joy, especially during his recent illness. A common comment was “when you were with Martin he always made you feel special”. We can all strive to be that person. Viewing will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026 from 3:00-8:00 P.M. in Hodder Farenga Funeral Home, 899 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 10:45 A.M. in St. Barnabas Church, Bronx, NY 10470. To live stream the Mass Click here. https://www.facebook.com/stbarnabascatholicchurch/
Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Martin’s memory to Aisling Irish Community and Cultural Center, 990 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704 (www.aislingcenter.org) would be greatly appreciated by his family.
To Watch an interview with Martin from the Aisling Center Click Here https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ryox6p36pa04m3q0ifwrw/Papa-Memory-Brings-Us-Back.mp4?rlkey=dzk5yax1awrx1npznshoc2q10&st=xifcbyxh&dl=0

04/23/2026

With regret, I inform you of the passing of Stephen Marengo.

The funeral arrangements are as follows: the Wake will be held on Friday (4/24) at Castle Hill Funeral Home from 4-8pm; and the Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday (4/29) at St. Benedict's Church at 10:30am.

My deepest condolences to the family. May Stephen Rest in Peace.

Stephen Joseph Marengo

1951 -

04/22/2026

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We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Terry Connaughton, a true pioneer of New York Ladies GAA.

In 1991, after travelling to the North American Championships and seeing a ladies football game, Terry asked a simple but powerful question: if other cities in the U.S. had it, why not New York?

That vision became reality in November 1991, when he called the inaugural meeting - held in his own restaurant, the Riverdale Steakhouse, which would go on to become the official headquarters of New York Ladies GAA. Just 12 people attended that first meeting, but from it, 9 clubs were born. Monthly meetings continued there for years as the foundations of something extraordinary were laid.

Terry served as the first President of New York Ladies GAA and led the organization through its formative years, dedicating enormous time and effort to its growth. Under his leadership, the association thrived before he handed the reins to Eamonn Duffy after four years. In 1999, he was fittingly elevated to Lifetime President, and later named Honorary President of the New York Ladies Board.

He understood the importance of strong ties between New York and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association in Ireland, helping secure affiliation with the LGFA. Following a successful All-Star tour, Terry was instrumental in New York entering the Junior All-Ireland series, where they went on to reach three All-Ireland finals.

Today, ladies football in New York is thriving - arguably more popular than in many counties at home in Ireland - a testament to the foundation he built. Terry was a great ambassador for the game, and took immense pride in its continued growth, especially at underage level, even having the joy of watching his own granddaughters play, something few could have imagined at that first meeting in 1991.

Simply put, New York GAA would not be the same without him - and Ladies GAA here would not exist at all.

We extend our sympathies to his wife, children, extended family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

04/22/2026

Pelham Bay Park-Rodman's Neck Cleanup Event on May 9. Reserve your spot! See attached link for more details. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rodmans-neck-cleanup-tickets-1985935761322?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true&fbclid=IwdGRjcARVGZ9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4jViyYc_JrzWfX6JMFwaGC_qt1JOIrOw99znG1tZSyeQkydtsFTCKEOLTNlg_aem_se6KBFTPlbEK0pAwqDbcaA

Join us for the Riverkeeper Sweep and HRRP's Rodman's Neck Cleanup

04/15/2026

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It is with a heavy heart I Inform you of the passing of Ms.Lillian Rodriguez. Ms.Rodriguez a beloved teacher at St.Theresa School from 1996-2015. A Memorial Mass is currently being planned once details are confirmed they will be shared.

04/11/2026

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Eliot Engel's family announced announced his death in a statement on Friday, saying the 79-year-old former congressman died "surrounded by family and loved ones" in the Bronx.

04/04/2026

With regret, I inform you of the passing of Donald Lyver.

Don Served this City as a well-respected NYC Transit Officer. Even as a Supervisor, Don will long be remembered as a "cop's cop." Don's kind eyes and warm smile gave advance notice of how kind and pleasant he always was.

Donny is survived by his beautiful daughters Kellie and Courtney.

The funeral arrangements are as follows: the Wake will be held on Tuesday (4/7) from 3-7pm at Schuyler Hill Funeral Home; and the Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday (4/8) at 11am at St. Frances de Chantal.

My deepest condolences to the family. May Don Rest in Peace. Thank you for Service to our City, Sir.

04/03/2026

With regret, I inform you of the premature passing of Joyce-Marie Arline Nelson, formerly of Dean Avenue in the Bronx.

(Family written post, abbreviated) our sweet, sweet sister Joyce-Marie Arline Nelson passed away peacefully on March 31st after a seven-year battle with primary progressive aphasia and early onset dementia.

During her 57 years, Joyce handled life with grace, calmness, caring and love. A graduate of Hunter College HS and Princeton University, she spent most of her career working at TIAA and I know she enjoyed her friendships there.

Joyce will not be defined by how she died but how she lived. She deeply loved her husband James and their son Matthew and their wonderful life together.
Dementia can be cruel. It takes the whole family on a wild, bumpy ride, where there are no rules, direction or clear signals ahead. You can’t even expect the unexpected.

Life is beautiful and hard and tender and tough, and you have to learn to live out loud. You just have to - you have no other choice.

A Memorial Service in Honor of Joyce's Life will ultimately be sch3edule in the summer.

My very deepest condolences to the O'Connor-Nelson Family. May Joyce Rest in Peace.

04/03/2026

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It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that I share the untimely passing of my cousin and Community Board 10 member Louis Popovic, a father, husband, grandfather, brother, cousin, friend and community leader, who leaves behind a legacy of good deeds, love and cherished memories among so many, family, friends and the people community.

May Louis rest in peace and may his memory be eternal!

Visitation
Monday, April 6, 2026
2:00PM - 9:00PM
Farenga Brothers ​Funeral Home
920 Allerton Ave.
Bronx, NY 10469

Mass of Burial
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Our Lady of Shkodra Church
361 W Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Interment
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
12:30PM - 1:30PM
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
10 W. stevens Ave
Hawthorne, NY 10532

04/03/2026

(Delayed post) With regret, I inform you of the passing of Kevin Kelly, Legend of the FDNY and the Throggs Neck Community.

Kevin was a beloved character to all that knew him notwithstanding his omnipotently intimidating appearance and, often attitude. Kevin was that literal or figurative large bear hug till it hurt kind of guy that left you wondering if the embrace was aggression or affection until he gave you his trademark grin. Beyond that tough, rebel-rouser appearance was the biggest-hearted friend that you could ever have, and that is precisely what made Kevin such a great character and friend who will be missed dearly by his friends and family. No one who knows Kevin will ever forget him or the unique way that he had about himself.

My very deepest condolences to his family. May Kevin Rest in Peace. Thank you for your Service to our City.