Michael Bowler, State Champion Long Island HS Lacrosse Coach, Dies Michael Bowler, State Champion Long Island HS Lacrosse Coach, Dies
Michael Bowler, State Champion Long Island HS Lacrosse Coach, Dies A state champion high school lacrosse coach on Long Island is dead at 72. Michael P. Bowler, who has lived in Port Jefferson Station for nearly five decades and coached the Rocky Point High School varsity lacrosse team for 47 years, died at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan following a battle with leukemia on Sunday, Dec. 1, his family announced. After starting the Rocky Point lacrosse team, Bowler made it to the top of the mountain when the team won the 2008 state championship with the Eagles. Off the field, Bowler taught social studies for 12 years before being promote…
Morris County Girl Dies After Cancer Battle Morris County Girl Dies After Cancer Battle
Morris County Girl Dies After Cancer Battle Anna Catherine McFarland of Long Valley died surrounded by her family on Nov. 24 after a valiant 16-month battle with leukemia. She was 14 years old. The West Morris Central High School freshman was remembered in her obituary for her creative mind, joyous spirit -- being an April Fool's baby -- and love for animals. "There was never a moment where her personality seemed beat down by her cancer," Becca Bartiromo wrote on her obituary. "She was such a ray of sunshine and I am so honored and blessed to have known her for the brief time that I did." "The spirit of that beautiful girl will rem…
Morris County Family Finds Good In Dad's Cancer Battle Morris County Family Finds Good In Dad's Cancer Battle
Morris County Family Finds Good In Dad's Cancer Battle Jason Kosco of Montville starts his day the same way. He showers. Brushes his teeth. Puts on his clothes -- a flat-brimmed hat and high top sneakers -- and goes to work. The only difference lately, though, is that it's all done in Morristown Medical Center -- where Jason's wife, Nicole, has brought his computer monitors so he can continue to work. Despite the Paramus native's recent cancer diagnosis (a form of leukemia), he is trying his hardest to keep things as normal as possible and show his children that things aren't always as they seem -- even the "bad" stuff. "We want to turn this…
Zachary Schwartz Of Brewster, Passionate Baseball Player, Dies At 14 Zachary Schwartz Of Brewster, Passionate Baseball Player, Dies At 14
Zachary Schwartz Of Brewster, Passionate Baseball Player, Dies At 14 Zachary Harrison Schwartz, of Brewster, who loved the game of baseball as well as other sports, died Sunday, Sept. 1 at age 14. Zachary who was known as "Z" to his family and friends, fought a "courageous battle against leukemia," according to his obituary. He was born May 28, 2005, in Danbury, the son of Marc and Joelle (West) Schwartz. He attended Brewster Schools. Zach was athletic and loved school, the obituary noted, adding that "he was a great teammate to have, playing basketball, football and baseball on the local teams. He truly loved the game of baseball and his Brewster Bombers t…
Morris County Dad, Dumont Native Greg Gibson Dies After Battle With Leukemia Morris County Dad, Dumont Native Greg Gibson Dies After Battle With Leukemia
Morris County Dad, Dumont Native Greg Gibson Dies After Battle With Leukemia Gregory Gibson of Morris Plains died Tuesday, June 25 after a year-long battle with leukemia. He was 53 years old. A Dumont native, Gibson leaves behind his wife, Melissa, and three children, Jeremy, Kyle and Kelly. More than $11,700 had been raised for the family on a GoFundMe as of Saturday morning. "We will all miss Greg's kindness, generosity, and his amazing sense of humor," campaign founder Jeff Axelrad wrote on the page.  Greg worked as a managing director at BNY Mellon, and previously as the director of business solutions at Pershing LLC. He was with Lockheed Martin Spa…
Closter School Principal Dies Of Heart Attack: 'He Succeeded Immensely As Educator' Closter School Principal Dies Of Heart Attack: 'He Succeeded Immensely As Educator'
Closter School Principal Dies Of Heart Attack: 'He Succeeded Immensely As Educator' Closter's Hillside School principal Alfred F. Baffa died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. He was 61 years old. The Hillside and Tenakill schools will be closed Monday in his memory. Colleagues, students and loved ones remember Baffa for his "gentle soul" and "kind heart." Dozens of stories recalling acts of kindness -- both in and out of the schools -- poured in. "I worked with Mr. Baffa as a paraprofessional and a substitute teacher," Mariana Marinich wrote. "He was the best boss I have ever had. My kids and I remember his kindness, his soft tone of voice, his wit, h…
When Tragedy Strikes, Montvale Family Unites: This Time, Cancer When Tragedy Strikes, Montvale Family Unites: This Time, Cancer
When Tragedy Strikes, Montvale Family Unites: This Time, Cancer A Montvale family still coming to terms with the sudden and tragic death of their father and husband is now facing even more adversity: Cancer. Eight years after 56-year-old Michael Murphy was killed by his business partner, his son, Justin Wilson, was diagnosed with leukemia. More than $39,000 had been raised as of Thursday morning on a GoFundMe for Wilson, launched by his sister, Caitlin Murphy. "Through all of our losses, we try to maintain a positive attitude," said Murphy, a math teacher at Pascack Valley High School. "My dad would want to be here with Justin, but we know he is there…
NJ Devils Surprise Young Englewood Cancer Survivor NJ Devils Surprise Young Englewood Cancer Survivor
NJ Devils Surprise Young Englewood Cancer Survivor Longtime New Jersey Devils fan and leukemia survivor Bennett Burgida, 11, was getting ready to drop the ceremonial first puck at Friday night's game against the New York Islanders when his hero skated up next to him.  Instead of Captain Andy Greene, Brian Boyle came over. Boyle is also a cancer survivor, having fought a 13-month battle with leukemia and announced last month the cancer was in remission. Bennett Burgida meets NJ Devil Brian Boyle on the ice.NJ Devils Burgida served as the team's honorary assistant coach, joining John Hynes for the pregame press briefing. Burgida also…
HERO: Mahwah Police Officer's Bone Marrow Donation Saves Life Of Woman With Leukemia HERO: Mahwah Police Officer's Bone Marrow Donation Saves Life Of Woman With Leukemia
Hero: Mahwah Police Officer's Bone Marrow Donation Saves Life Of Woman With Leukemia Talk about public service: The side effects were rough, but new Mahwah Police Officer Michael Dombroski eagerly donated bone marrow for a transplant that saved the life of a woman with leukemia. Dombroski, who transferred to the department from Carlstadt earlier this year, was donating blood while attending the Bergen County Police Academy when he decided in December 2016 to submit a buccal swab for DNA testing for possible entrance into the blood donor program at Hackensack University Medical Center, Police Chief James N. Batelli said. “A short while ago he was contacted by medical profess…
Northern Westchester Native Dies At Age 16 After Battling Leukemia Northern Westchester Native Dies At Age 16 After Battling Leukemia
Northern Westchester Native Dies At Age 16 After Battling Leukemia A Mahopac teenager has died after a fierce and brave eight-year battle with Leukemia.Jacob "Jake" Alfonso Santoriella was 16 years old. Jake, who died on Tuesday, June 26, was born on Dec. 7, 2001 in Mount. Kisco, the son of Robert Santoriella and Cristina Rodriguez Santoriella. Jake was a sophomore at Mahopac High School and enjoyed ice hockey, cheering for the New York Rangers, and re-watching "Star Wars" in his spare time. He was an avid collector of many things, especially Pokémon cards. One of his favorite pastimes was playing video games and going to the movies wi…
This Oakland Police Officer, Motorcyclist Beat Cancer - Twice This Oakland Police Officer, Motorcyclist Beat Cancer - Twice
This Oakland Police Officer, Motorcyclist Beat Cancer - Twice Oakland Police Officer Mark Piercy gets on his Harley and suddenly is free. Riding alongside his brothers in Maywood's Untouchables Motorcycle Club with his wife, Tara, holding him from behind, Piercy's problems seem to disappear. All he sees is the road ahead. In that moment, nothing else matters. This is how the 44-year-old officer assigned to the detective bureau has cleared his head and coped with stress for the better part of his life. But from August 2010 to January 2012 as he battled two forms of aggressive cancer, Piercy didn't have the motorcycle handles to lean on. Just friends…
Dutchess, Orange Communities Turn On Lights For Girl Battling Leukemia Dutchess, Orange Communities Turn On Lights For Girl Battling Leukemia
Dutchess, Orange Communities Turn On Lights For Girl Battling Leukemia Sometimes it takes a village, or several entire towns, to send good vibes and wishes to a 5-year-old girl giving it her all as she battles a rare form of Leukemia.  That's what's happening in Wappingers, Wappingers Falls, Monroe, Woodbury, where hundreds have all rallied behind the kindergartener, Kelsey Berger who attends Sheaf Road Elementary School in Wappingers Falls. The outpouring of love and support all started in Monroe, where Kelsey's father, Chris Berger, is the principal at Smith Clove Elementary School in the Monroe Woodbury school district.  When word got out that Kelsey was s…