Obituaries

MARIA POTE, 100, of North Brunswick, died March 31 at Franklin Convalescent Center. Born in Bogota, Colombia, she resided in Cleveland, North Brunswick and Lakewood before returning to North Brunswick. She was a baby-sitter for various friends and family, retiring in 1969. She was predeceased by her husband, Moses Rincon. She is survived by two daughters, Helen Cross of North Brunswick and Teresa Pote of Bogota, Colombia; a son, Alvaro Gamboa of Bogota; several grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, South Brunswick.

STEPHEN MOJICA, 39, of Owego, N.Y., died April 5 at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Binghamton, N.Y. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided in Aberdeen prior to moving to Owego eight years ago. Mr. Mojica was a manager in the seafood department at Giant Markets, Vestal, N.Y., for the past seven years. He was a past member of Faith Fellowship, Sayreville, and Calvary Chapel, Old Bridge. He was predeceased by his father, Louis Marshall, in 1998. He is survived by his mother, Anita Civiletti-Marshall of Aberdeen; his fiancee, Susan Graves of Owega; his daughter and son, Stephenie and Christopher MacDonald, at home; two brothers, Christopher Mojica of Philadelphia and Daniel Mojica of Howell; and two sisters, Leslie Mojica of Aberdeen and Dina Marshall of Avon. Interment was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Keyport.

JOHN JOSEPH RAK, 33, of East Brunswick, died March 18 at home. Surviving are a daughter, Zoe Rak of Pennsylvania; his parents, Rachael Dimino of Howell and Joseph Rak of East Brunswick; a brother, Robert Rak of North Brunswick; a sister, Christina Rak of East Brunswick; his grandparents, Robert and Antoinette "Nettie" Martin of Florida and Stanley Rak of Edison; and several aunts and uncles. A Mass was offered at St. Bartholomew’s Church, East Brunswick. Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Hillsborough.

JULIA M. McCARREN COVENEY, 76, of Old Bridge, died March 19 in Brick Hospital. She was predeceased by a son, Richard Korn. Surviving are her husband, Barry Coveney; three sons, R. Daniel McCarren of Columbus, James Korn of Old Bridge and Donald Korn of Jackson; two daughters, Gail Blanchard of Surf City and June Golly of Old Bridge; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A Mass was offered at St. Ambrose Church, Old Bridge. Entombment was in Holy Cross Burial Park Mausoleum, South Brunswick.

MARY ZARZYSKI KRAMAROFF, 82, of Freehold, died April 1 at Bartley Manor, Jackson. Born in Iselin, she had lived in Freehold for the past 62 years. She was a waitress at the former Paradise Restaurant, Freehold, and at the Freehold Raceway. She and her husband operated a concession stand at the Freehold Pond. She was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4272, Freehold. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Zarzyski, in 1967. She is survived by a son, John Zarzyski, Brick; two daughters and a son-in-law, Diana and Robert Morris of Howell, and Elaine Zarr Zarzyski of Freehold; two brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Myrtle Marko of Metuchen, and Samuel and Mary Doktor of Plainfield; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Sophie and Cy Szwed of Port Reading, Vera Fedorke of Fords, and Anne Doctor of Metuchen; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Rose of Lima Church, followed by interment in Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold Township.

ANDREJ BALSIROW, 70, of Howell, died March 26 at home. He was born in Russia and was a member of the Rashi Lhunpo Temple in Howell. He worked as a dry wall contractor for Miesnick-Steger in Edison and also at Brockway Glass, Freehold, until his retirement in 1975. He is survived by his wife Galina Balsirow of Howell; four sons, Bemba and Naran Balsirow, both of Howell, Sergej Balsirow of Jackson and George Balsirow of Quakertown, Pa.; a daughter, Emily Elumdja Balsirow of Howell; one brother, Budma Amarhanow; four sisters, Lydia Buruschkin, Zandan Urosow, Ilma Arbakow and Ida Fleck; and 12 grandchildren. Interment was in St. Vladimir’s Cemetery in Jackson.