Maguire Memorial Home & Cremation Services

05/03/2026

James Thomas Taylor

James Thomas Taylor, 86, of Hackettstown, NJ passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026 at Hackettstown Medical Center surrounded by family.

James was born on December 23, 1939 in Paterson, NJ to the late James Robert Taylor and Beulah Mabel (nee; Titus).

He was a graduate of Stephens Institute of Technology. James proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Sharpshooter. He was employed as a mortgage banker and realtor for many years prior to his retirement in 2024. James was an avid NY Giants and NY Mets fan, he enjoyed boating and playing golf. He loved music, piano, dancing and Broadway shows. Above all he loved his family. He will be greatly missed.

James is survived by his loving children; Sharon Dalton and her husband Sean, James T. Taylor Jr., and his wife Melissa, his grandchildren; Justin Byron, Alexa Reed and her husband Patrick, Ricki Taylor, Sean M. Dalton, and his and great-grandchild; Marcus Reed. He also leaves behind his close companion Margaret Fichter, 4 nieces, a nephew and several cousins.

A Memorial service celebrating James's life will be held on May 30, 2026 at The Market Tavern in Flanders, NJ at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in James's name.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Maguire Memorial Home and Cremation Services, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.

View James Thomas Taylor's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/27/2026

Dennis J Roberts

Dennis J. Roberts, 52, of Port Murray, NJ passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2026 in Hackettstown, NJ.

Dennis was born on October 10, 1973 to the late William and Nancy Roberts.

He was a graduate of Warren Hills High School Class of 1992. Dennis was employed as a mechanic at Rock Ridge Golf Course. He was a very skilled carpenter and painter, so knowledgeable about the craft and passionate for his work. He loved nature and being outdoors. He loved animals and tended to many chickens, horses, cows, goats, dogs and alpacas throughout his life. His favorite color was bright orange. He loved 80's movies, especially horror. He loved music and he loved to dance. Dennis was a caring and giving person, always willing to lend a helping hand. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Dennis is survived by many cousins and dear friends and also Haley Rose whom he considered his daughter. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brother Donald Roberts who passed away in 2021.

A Memorial service celebrating Dennis' life will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026 from 11 am - 1 pm at the Quality Inn, 1925 NJ-57, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Funeral services have been entrusted to Maguire Memorial Home and Cremation Services, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.

View Dennis J Roberts's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/27/2026

One of the most common concerns families have is feeling like they need to have everything figured out right away.

In reality, you don’t have to navigate this process alone.

From explaining options to helping with logistics and paperwork, our role is to guide families step by step and make things feel more manageable during a difficult time.

04/27/2026

You may not have seen this before, but it plays an important role in many services.

This memorial stand, sometimes called an arc, is one of the ways families can create a meaningful focal point during a service, even if they choose creamation.

It can be personalized with photos, flowers, or other details that reflect the life of the person being honored. It can also be used in a variety of settings, including within a church or memorial service.

Like many elements of a service, it’s designed to be flexible, allowing families to create something that feels personal and meaningful.

04/24/2026

Matthew Elijah Cruz

Matthew Elijah Cruz, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, passed away on April 23, 2026. He was 19 years old.

Born on September 22, 2006, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Matthew was a young man of curiosity, creativity, and deep devotion to his family. Whether he was diving into a new book, getting lost in his favorite video games, or spending time with his beloved dog, Thor, Matthew lived life with a gently and engaged spirit.

Matthew found great joy in working with his hands and mind. He took immense pride in building custom computers alongside his stepfather, David, a shared passion that highlighted his technical talent and their close bond.

Above all, Matthew was defined by the love he had for his family. He ws a devoted son who cherished his time with his mother, Danielle, and he was a constant, loving presence in the lives of his siblings. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Matthew is survived by his loving mother, Danielle Raymond Sierra; his stepfather, David Sr., and his cherished siblings, Bella, Briella, David Jr., and Brittany.

View Matthew Elijah Cruz's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/24/2026

There’s no single “right time” to start thinking about pre-planning.

For many families, it begins simply as a way to understand options and have conversations ahead of time without pressure or urgency.

Some people find comfort in making decisions early, while others just want more information about what’s available.

Whenever the time feels right to ask questions, we’re here to help guide the conversation.

04/22/2026

As the seasons change, it can sometimes feel like the world is moving forward in a way that doesn’t match how you feel.

Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some days may feel a little lighter, while others may feel just as heavy.

Wherever you are in that process, you’re not alone.

04/21/2026

Memorial services look different for every family, but they all share a common purpose: to gather, reflect, and honor the life of a loved one.

Some services include music, readings, or shared memories. Others may incorporate personal touches that reflect hobbies, values, or meaningful moments. There is no single way a service should look.

Our role is to help guide families through these choices and create something that feels thoughtful, meaningful, and true to the person being remembered.

04/20/2026

Willard Craig Borden

Willard Craig Borden, 94, of Hackettstown, NJ passed away peacefully at the Willows of Heath Village in Washington Township, NJ on April 18, 2026.

Willard was born on July 28, 1931 in Newark, NJ to the late Willard and Lucille Borden.

He was a graduate of Central High School in Newark, NJ. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Willard was honorably discharged in May of 1954 with the rank of Corporal. Upon returning from his tour of duty, he married the love of his life Louise (nee; Erny) in 1951. Together they celebrated 73 years of marriage prior to Louise's passing in 2024. He was employed at NJ Bell for 30 years prior to his retirement in 1984. Willard enjoyed woodworking, and making furniture. He also enjoyed the beach, gardening and was an avid reader. Above all he loved his family. He will be greatly missed.

Willard is survived by his loving daughter; Sherry Bilheimer and her husband John, grandchildren; Alison Rao and her husband Rich, Scott Bilheimer and his wife Cathleen, Brian Bilheimer and his wife Christine and Matthew Bilheimer. He also leaves behind 5 great-grandchildren Grace, Will, Natalie, Michelle and Evelyn.

Willard will be laid to rest with his wife at Rosedale Cemetery in a private ceremony.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Maguire Memorial Home and Cremation Services, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.

View Willard Craig Borden's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/20/2026

Lynda Ann Winters

Lynda Ann Winters, 78, of Budd Lake, NJ, died peacefully at her home on April 18, 2026, with her daughter by her side after a long battle with breast cancer.

She was born in Taylor, Pa, on September 16, 1947, and was the daughter of the late James and June Winters, both formerly of Taylor.

Lynda was a 1965 graduate of Memorial High School in West New York and a graduate of Clara Maass Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1968. She worked at Clara Maass from 1968 to 1974 as charge nurse in the ICU until she left to raise her family. In 1987, she returned to nursing where she started as a floor nurse and quickly moved to a thriving and rewarding career as hospital liaison for Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation until her retirement in 2021. Lynda was first and foremost a daughter and a mother. She will be remembered for being a passionate nurse, and a thoughtful and generous friend, colleague, and neighbor with bright eyes and who possessed a warm smile that lit up every room she entered. She was an animal lover, a Christian, and previously a volunteer for many organizations including Meals on Wheels. Those who knew her, knew she loved to dance at a party, send Hallmark cards, was always beautifully presented in her appearance and home, and took much pride and joy in decorating and making holidays and special occasions memorable for those around her.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Heather Petruzelli of Jackson Heights, NY, and therapy kitty, Jameson. Her extended family includes: Kim and Carlie Coolbaugh of Taylor, David Coolbaugh of Scranton, Marian Shambe of Dupont, Joel Shambe of Kingston, Sally and Jim Greenfield of Taylor, Deborah Muha of Taylor, Chris Strein of South Abington Twp and Henry Butcher of Taylor. She was preceded in death by her parents, her aunt, Nancy Butcher, her cousin Paul Strein, and grandmother, Adena Shield.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 3-7 PM at the Maguire Memorial Home, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Burial will be at the Milwaukee Cemetery in Milwaukee, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Maguire Memorial Home and Cremation Services, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.

View Lynda Ann Winters's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/19/2026

Soon our gardens will look like this again! As the seasons begin to change, we’re reminded how important it is to have spaces that feel familiar and supportive.

Here in Hackettstown, we’re honored to be part of this community in every season.

04/17/2026

Susan Elizabeth Vernacchia

Susan Elizabeth Vernacchia, 57, of Port Jervis, NY passed away suddenly on April 11, 2026 at her home.

Susan was born on July 23, 1968 in Niagra Falls, NY to the late Joseph McNeill and Judith Cooper

Susan previously resided in Bloomfield, NJ, where she built a life filled with simple joys and meaningful moments. She found happiness in the outdoors, whether skiing, fishing, camping, or playing softball, and felt most at peace near the ocean, soaking in the beauty of the beach.

She had a special way of making the holiday's feel magical, always decorating with care and intention. She loved to cook, and one of her favorite things to make was her "Sunday gravy." The kitchen was one of her favorite places to be.

Susan's smile and laugh were truly infectious. She was almost always smiling and had a great sense of humor that brought lightness to those around her.

A devoted fan of the New York Yankees, she rarely missed a chance to cheer them on. Her compassion extended beyond people, as she had a deep love for animals and a soft spot for strays, often opening her home and heart to those in need.

Above all, Susan cherished being a grandmother. That role brought her the greatest joy and pride, and her love will continue to live on through the memories she created. She will be deeply and dearly missed.

Susan is survived by her children; Eddie Vernacchia, Christina Vernacchia, grandson Wes Youssef, siblings; Dawn Gallo, Jennifer Schottler, Joseph McNeill and Michael McNeill and her companion Al Nish.

Honoring Susan's wishes there will be no service.

Donations may be made in Susan's name to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Maguire Memorial Home and Cremation Services, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.

View Susan Elizabeth Vernacchia's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.