PARSIPPANY — William ‘Bill’ J. Riley, Jr., 54, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at his home in High Point, NC.

Bill was born in Denville and grew up in Lake Parsippany.

He graduated from Parsippany Hills High School in 1983. For many years he was a volunteer for the Parsippany Ambulance Squad where he was an EMT, as well as a volunteer for the District 3 Fire Department in Lake Parsippany.

Bill proudly served in the United States Navy from 1986 – 1990.

Upon moving to North Carolina in 2008, he worked for Caring Services as a Facilities Manager until 2017. He was a member of the Triad Softball League for the last several years where they played every Sunday, spring through fall. He also helped coordinate the bi-annual Lake Jordan Retreat with a vast group of friends. For the last two years, Bill worked for himself as an independent contractor.

Survivors include his three sisters: Kathleen Accinni, Karen Powers and her husband, Nicholas, and Colleen Riley-Fontanella; his three nieces: Allison Katz and her husband, Kevin, Katie Accinni and her fiancée, Daniel Breese and Shannon Powers; his three nephews: Andrew Powers, Brandon and Christopher Fontanella, and his two great nephews, Logan and Ethan Katz.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to Veterans Affairs, 385 Tremont Ave., East Orange, New Jersey 07018.

PARSIPPANY — John Robert “Bob” Keller, 67, a longtime Parsippany Democratic leader, died on Saturday, December 21 at Saint Clare’s Hospital, Denville, from lung failure.

Bob grew up in the little town of Turtle Creek, Pa, just outside of Pittsburgh. He received a BA from California State University also in PA.

Bob retired from his professional job as an Executive Editor for Standard and Poors/McGraw-Hill 22 years ago, where he was heavily involved in reporting news and pricing used in the oil industry in the northern hemisphere. After his retirement he devoted his time to volunteering and giving back to the community. Keller served as a member of the Parsippany Planning Board and as treasurer of the Morris County Democratic Committee. He is also a former president of the Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a Lay Leader at the Parsippany United Methodist Church

“I am saddest over the death of my dear friend Bob Keller, Bob was a mentor to me. He was a kind and caring man who will be missed at the Parsippany United Methodist Church, The Lake Parsippany Fire Department, The Township of Parsippany Planning Board, The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, and the Parsippany Democratic Committee. My thoughts and prayers are with Connie, Jon and Mike.” said Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano.

Gordon Meth, New Jersey Kiwanis District Governor said “I knew Bob for nearly 20 years, both as a Planning Board member and as a Kiwanian. He was a man of ultimate integrity and candor. Time and time again I saw him do the right thing, even when it wasn’t the popular thing to do. He was never afraid to speak his mind either. I will miss him dearly.”

“Bob will surely be missed at Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. Although at times, we butt heads, we always respected each other and I always valued Bob’s opinions and knowledge. Bob was a big asset to our club, as I had the honor of working with him during my terms as Club President and Foundation President,” said Frank Cahill, President Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.

Morris County Democratic Committee Chairman Chip Robinson said “Bob was a man who led when others wouldn’t, and was always willing to stand up for what he believed in. Bob was involved in the Democratic Party throughout his life and ran for council in Parsippany multiple times. He was also a strong advocate for organ donations.”

He sought election to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2013.

Bob married his best friend, Connie, on March 23, 1974 and they have two sons: Jonathan, 31 and Michael, 26. Bob and Connie were high school sweethearts that met over a pair of red mittens 50 years ago.

In 2002, Bob’s kidneys failed due to complications from diabetes. He received a new kidney that year donated by his best friend and wife, Connie on August 13. As his health failed from other complications the kidney kept working. It was a match meant to be.

The Kellers moved to New Jersey from their hometown, Turtle Creek, PA, and lived in Rockaway for three years before deciding that Parsippany would be the place to settle and buy their first home. The Kellers have lived in Lake Parsippany for 40 years

Bob served on the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board since 1996 and served as Vice Chairman of the Board as well as Chairman of the minor Site Plan Committee of the Planning Board. He was appointed Chairman in January 2018.

He was a member of the Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. for 37 years. Served as its president for 13 years and has held the offices of vice president, secretary, financial secretary and trustee.

Bob was very active member of New Jersey Sharing Network, and acted as ambassador educating people on organ donation.

Bob was very active member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, a past president of the Club and a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation. He joined Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany on May 18, 1998. He was named Kiwanian of the Year in 2000 and a George F. Hixson Fellowship recipient. He was also honored with a Tablet of Honor, the highest award that can be presented to an active Kiwanis member. Bob fulfilled the dream of late Alan Gordon, and was instrumental in making one of Kiwanis Club of Parsippany greatest service project, “The Touch-A-Truck.” Along with Touch-A-Truck Chairman Nicolas Limanov, “Touch-A-Truck” was named the Number One Service Project in the New Jersey District Kiwanis Club for 2018 and again at the New Jersey District Convention in 2019, as voted by other New Jersey Kiwanis Clubs.

There will be a Memorial Service for Bob on Saturday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Parsippany United Methodist Church, 903 South Beverwyck Road, Parsippany. Following the service the celebration of Bob’s life will continue at the Lake Parsippany Fire House, 255 Halsey Road, where Bob was a long time member.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the United Methodist Church Memorial Fund 903 South Beverwyck Road, Parsippany or New Jersey Sharing Network Foundation 691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974.

His obituary can be found on the Par-Troy Funeral Home website by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY — Santa makes a surprise visit at IHOP, 792 Route 46, Arlington Plaza, on Saturday, December 21. Children had the opportunity to take photos with Santa and tell Santa their wish list.

PARSIPPANY — Thousands of 32BJ SEIU janitors voted to ratify a four-year contract that covers 7,000 workers who clean and maintain 500 commercial office buildings, schools, malls and transit centers in the state of New Jersey.

The new four-year contract includes up to $3.80 in wage increases that will have some workers in the state starting at $18 by 2023. The contract maintains quality family health insurance, legal and career training benefits. It also improves retirement benefits for many workers, expands paid sick leave, creates notable protections against sexual harassment and creates a statewide labor management committee to discuss the physically demanding conditions of working as a janitor.

For the first time, the contract also includes comprehensive protections against sexual harassment, requiring employers to provide and post a sexual harassment policy in the workplace, protecting workers against harassment by third parties and laying out a process for complaint follow up and discipline of perpetrators.

Mary Francis Cuadrado, a member of 32BJ SEIU’s bargaining committee and cleaner at Celgene and Merck, who was present at the vote said, “we just voted to ratify this contract, which means absolutely everything to us and our families. For me, as a single mom raising kids, I can count on a raise every year, to keep up with inflation and quality health insurance that we can afford. This is more than a contract; it is an opportunity. This is the best gift for the holidays.”

“This contract will help New Jersey communities everywhere benefit from prosperity of the booming real estate market. Seven thousand New Jerseyans just took a giant step towards joining the middle class,” said Kevin Brown, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and New Jersey State Director.

The 32BJ SEIU bargaining committee and employers tentatively settled the contract late in the evening on December 18, a day after thousands of NJ cleaners held a massive march and strike authorization vote. The settlement and today’s ratification averts the strike.

The workers began contract negations with the cleaning contracting companies on October 17. Over the last three months, workers have waged an aggressive campaign that included a massive rally and march on Labor Day, a strike vote and march through Newark and countless building actions. The cleaners saw immense support from numerous elected officials and allies including Governor Murphy, Mayor Baraka, Mayor Fulop, members of Newark and Jersey City Councils, Senator Cryan, Assemblywoman Quijano, Sue Altman of the Working Families Alliance, Make the Road New Jersey, faith leaders throughout the state and the general public.

Elected officials who stood with 32BJ janitors continue to show their support. “Today is a great day for New Jersey and the 7,000 commercial cleaners at SEIU 32BJ who just settled a new four-year contract,” said New Jersey Governor Murphy. “This contract is much bigger than the office cleaners who will make the wages and benefits it ensures. This is about the strength of New Jersey’s economy. Today, 32BJ ensured that communities across our state will have what they need, not only to survive, but to thrive.”

“I am thrilled to see that custodial workers throughout our state have settled on a strong, fair contract that offers needed raises and essential healthcare protections. The ability to strike and collectively bargain is the bedrock of the American labor movement, and I would like to praise the hardworking men and women of SEIU and the participating contractors for strengthening that process with this agreement,” said the Mayor of Parsippany Michael Soriano.

PARSIPPANY — Crunch Fitness held two group fitness classes at Parsippany High School to benefit the Elvin family.

The fitness classes were held on Saturday, December 21 and were kid friendly. They charged a $5 admission at the door and all the admission was donated to the family. Some of the other little activities like Tic Tac Toe, Jenga and a few more.

Crunch Fitness will be opening in Arlington Plaza during the first quarter of 2020. Their new address is 790 Route 46. They have a temporary enrollment center set up in the former Modell’s, 780 Route 46, Arlington Plaza. For more information call (973) 794-3652.

The Elvin’s home was destroyed when a structure fire was reported at a single-family home
located at 125 Allentown Road at approximately 5:38 p.m. on Thursday, December 5.

The family is currently living at a local hotel.

Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills
Special Meeting Notice
December 26, 2019

Please be advised, the Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 10:30 a.m., in the Municipal Building located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard for a review and discussion of the following:

1)   Litigation – Carifi Matter; and
2)   Contract Negotiations – KemperSports, Inc.

Formal action may or not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Italian American Police Society of NJ recently concluded its Holiday Season with a party for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of NJ. The Society purchased and collected toys for hundreds of at risk children from North Jersey.

The party was held at the American Legion Post 155 in Whippany and had face painting, pizza and lots of bugs and smiles from police officers. “We are excited to give back to the community and brighten the holidays for those less fortunate in our communities,” said Society President William Schievella.

The Society is comprised of more than 5,000 local, county, state and federal law enforcement officers of Italian American ancestry.