Family Of Beloved Westfield Principal Suing Hospital Over His Death Family Of Beloved Westfield Principal Suing Hospital Over His Death
Family Of Beloved Westfield Principal Suing Hospital Over His Death Family of the Westfield High School principal who died following an attempt to harvest his bone marrow for donation are suing Hackensack University Medical Center.  Derrick Nelson, a 20-year veteran of the Army reserves,  was planning on making the donation to a French teenager. But the magnanimous gesture turned tragic when Nelson, 44, fell into a coma early this year. He died in April.  His fiance is now suing HUMC and a physician, attorney David Mazie of Roseland said. She and Nelson also have a six-year-old daughter.  "When they started the procedure and induced int…
Thomas Dazzo, 22, Westfield Native And Animal Lover Thomas Dazzo, 22, Westfield Native And Animal Lover
Thomas Dazzo, 22, Westfield Native And Animal Lover Services were held Saturday at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield for Thomas Declan Dazzo, who died suddenly July 9 at the age of 22.  Born in Summit, he grew up in Westfield before moving to Plainfield.  Remembered as a kindhearted person with a lively sense of humor, he discovered his calling when he was 8 years old and received a dachshund, "Cookie," now 14 years old, as a gift.   He would pursue his interest in animals as a maintenance worker at Barker Lounge, a pet-boarding and grooming business in Cranford.  He also loved classic rock, fishing and spending tim…
Forbes Says This Millburn Resident Is NJ's Wealthiest Person Forbes Says This Millburn Resident Is NJ's Wealthiest Person
Forbes Says This Millburn Resident Is NJ's Wealthiest Person Forbes magazine has recently published its list of the wealthiest residents in each of the 50 states, and once again a Millburn resident with family ties to Westfield is on it.  John Overdeck, 49, a mathematical prodigy as a teen who went on to help found Two Sigma Investments -- one of the world's most successful hedge funds -- has a net worth of about $6.2 billion, according to Forbes. That's enough to make him the state's richest person.  Overdeck shares a place on the list with New York's Michael Bloomberg, founder of the eponymous media company, Facebook founder and Californi…
Man Impersonating Fire Inspector Attempts Scam In Westfield: Police Man Impersonating Fire Inspector Attempts Scam In Westfield: Police
Man Impersonating Fire Inspector Attempts Scam In Westfield: Police Police in Westfield say a man (pictured) tried to scam two businesses out of cash supposedly in exchange for inspecting their fire extinguishers.  The man, who says he is an inspector who represents the fictitious "Metro Fire Prevention" company, entered the businesses Sunday and tried to charge them for inspecting and servicing the fire extinguishers, even preparing detailed receipts.  He didn't perform any work, police said.  He is believed to be a former fire official based on his knowledge of firefighting equipment.  He is described as white, about 40 years old and…
Union County May Soon Boast The World’s Biggest Hot Dog -- AND Pizza Union County May Soon Boast The World’s Biggest Hot Dog -- AND Pizza
Union County May Soon Boast The World’s Biggest Hot Dog -- AND Pizza Two food businesses in Union County are going for Guinness gold right now. Union Pork Store, an institution in its namesake community for generations, is where a candidate for the top dog is being prepared in time for display Wednesday in New York. It plans to set the record for world’s largest frank -- a record not yet held by anyone, The Takeout reports. Store owner Leszek “Jabi” Jablonski has prepared a 44.3-lb. beast (with a 31-lb. bun) that will be displayed at Ulysses restaurant in the city’s Financial District. Slices will be handed out for a suggested donation of $10, which will …
Westfield Couple Weds Seconds Before Their Son’s Birth Westfield Couple Weds Seconds Before Their Son’s Birth
Westfield Couple Weds Seconds Before Their Son’s Birth The delivery room at Morristown Medical Center performed another function for a Westfield couple recently: wedding chapel. Michael Gallardo and Marie Margaritondo has been planning to marry before the birth of their son, but Margaritondo went into labor on Memorial Day, weeks before her due date, News 4 New York reports. At Morristown Medical Center, the couple asked staff if there was a way for them to wed before the arrival of their baby. The couple already had their marriage license. Gallardo said the staff was “incredible,” with one nurse even attempting to get ordained online before…
Man Accused Of Bringing Gun To Westfield School Meant No Harm: Brother Man Accused Of Bringing Gun To Westfield School Meant No Harm: Brother
Man Accused Of Bringing Gun To Westfield School Meant No Harm: Brother The Delaware man who police said was armed with a loaded gun and who had several more rounds of ammo in the trunk of his vehicle when he was arrested at a grade school in Westfield last week made his first court appearance Thursday. Thomas Wilkie, 46, was arrested after police in Westfield received a call from law enforcement in New Castle, Del., notifying them that Wilkie was armed and headed to Tamaques Elementary, police said.  School was out of session but a number of students were in the building for an after-school program when Wilkie was taken into custody without incident aroun…
Man Who Brought Gun To Westfield School Was Involved With Teacher: Report Man Who Brought Gun To Westfield School Was Involved With Teacher: Report
Man Who Brought Gun To Westfield School Was Involved With Teacher: Report A 46-year-old Delaware man who authorities said brought a gun loaded with hollow point bullets to a grade school in Westfield last week had been romantically involved with a teacher at the school, News 12 New Jersey reported. Thomas Wilkie, 46, of Bear, was arrested Thursday afternoon in the parking lot of Tamaques Elementary School after Westfield police were notified by police in Delaware that Wilkie may be heading therel. Authorities said that Wilkie was found sitting in an SUV in the parking lot with the gun and with additional clips of ammunition. Another 130 rounds of ammunition were…
Man Arrested At Westfield School Had Gun, Large Cache Of Ammo: Prosecutor Man Arrested At Westfield School Had Gun, Large Cache Of Ammo: Prosecutor
Man Arrested At Westfield School Had Gun, Large Cache Of Ammo: Prosecutor The man arrested while in possession of a gun and ammunition at a Westfield grade school is a 46-year-old Delaware resident, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday. Thomas J. Wilkie, of Bear, was arrested by Westfield police shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot of Tamaques Elementary School. Westfield police received a tip from police in New Castle County in Delaware that Wilkie might be armed and headed to the school, authorities said. Students were in the building taking part in an after-school program when police apprehended Wilkie, who was found sitting in the fr…
UPDATE: Man Brought 'Numerous' Rounds Of Ammo To Westfield School: Pros. UPDATE: Man Brought 'Numerous' Rounds Of Ammo To Westfield School: Pros.
Update: Man Brought 'Numerous' Rounds Of Ammo To Westfield School: Pros. UPDATE, Friday, June 14: The Union County Prosecutor's Office identified the man arrested at a Westfield grade school Thursday. Click here for more. The original story is below.  Tamaques School in Westfield was on a brief lockdown Thursday afternoon when an armed man was found in the parking lot of the school, Chief of Police Christopher Battiloro said.  Westfield police were notified by the state police in Delaware shortly before 4 p.m. that the man, whose identity was not immediately released, might be on the grounds of the school.  Responding officers located the man in …
Maria Sullivan Formerly Of Westfield, 35, Remembered As Warm Teacher, Doting Mom Maria Sullivan Formerly Of Westfield, 35, Remembered As Warm Teacher, Doting Mom
Maria Sullivan Formerly Of Westfield, 35, Remembered As Warm Teacher, Doting Mom Maria Sullivan of River Edge is being remembered for her kindness in and out of the classroom. The 35-year-old mom and teacher formerly of Westfield died after a battle with breast cancer on May 21. More than $17,400 had been raised on a GoFundMe as of Wednesday for her children, Molly (5), Keeva (3), and husband Michael. Maria worked as a Kindergarten and first grade teacher at the Orchard School in Ridgewood where she "stressed not only academics to her students, but also the importance of treating one another with kindness and respect," her obituary says.  "A champion o…
Community Rallying For Young Westfield Woman Hurt In Hit And Run Community Rallying For Young Westfield Woman Hurt In Hit And Run
Community Rallying For Young Westfield Woman Hurt In Hit And Run A woman from Westfield suffered serious injuries when she was struck by a hit and run driver in Belmar Saturday. Now, a GoFundMe campaign has been started to help her defray medical costs for the lower-body fractures and other injuries she sustained.  "We are asking Carly's friends and family for support as she gets back on her feet. The funds will be used to cover any medical, lodging, or extraneous expenses that may incur in her upcoming months of rehabilitation and to recuperate Carly's share in summer activities she had planned prior to the accident," the organizers wrote.  Th…