West Orange Mourns Deaths Of 2 Long-Serving Town Workers

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Two of the longest-serving town employees in West Orange are being mourned after recently passing away: Theresa DeNova and Joe Pelose.

West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney is among those mourning the deaths of DeNova and Pelose. She issued a statement about each of the late township workers on Sunday.

“Through my 20-year term as council member and now as mayor, I had the privilege of knowing both of them and learning to trust and rely on their judgment for the best interests of our town,” McCartney wrote.

The mayor offered some background about DeNova and Pelose’s contributions to the town:

TOUCHED THE LIVES OF MANY – “Theresa’s work in the Health Department for over 40 years, literally touched the lives of many with the department’s many programs and outreach services for so many individuals in our community, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.”

GO THE EXTRA MILE – “Joe’s resume is still right here on my desk, starting as a truck driver in January 1984. In January 2024, Joe was appointed to serve as the Director of Public Works, after working in various positions in DPW. In his own words in his resume, Joe takes pride in being a lifelong resident of West Orange and ‘Takes pride of my department’s job performance and the quality of service we provide to our residents. I make sure we always go the extra mile with every job, and I can proudly say we did that.’ I know we can all attest to Joe’s claim.”

“As we grieve this profound loss, let us take solace in the memories we shared,” the mayor said. “Let us remember the moments of laughter, the shared frustrations, and shared successes, that formed the bonds of friendship where we can find comfort.”

“During this difficult time, let us offer support to one another, offering comfort and strength to those who need it most to honor and preserve their memory,” McCartney continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the DeNova family and the Pelose family during this challenging time. Hoping for peace and solace during this time of sorrow for us all.”

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