William Hardie Wright, 79, of West Windsor died on Oct 8. Born in New York City, he was raised in Montclair and graduated from Montclair High School.
Wright served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1960 and then worked as a stationary engineer at Montclair State College, Oakanite and Irvington General Hospital. After his retirement he stayed active as a crossing guard and umpire.
He was an usher at Saint Cassian’s Church in Upper Montclair, a Montclair little league coach and a CYO basketball coach. Wright is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patty (nee Schmidt) Wright; his children: Theresa Fitzpatrick, Kate Wright and Pat Wright and six grandchildren.
Jim McKenzie, 44, died on Oct. 8. Born in Ann Arbor, MI, he grew up in West Windsor, and was a graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South.
He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in business administration, both from the University of California, Irvine. McKenzie worked at UCI for over 22 years and at the time of his death was the assistant dean for the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences.
McKenzie is survived by his wife, Mayu; sons, Jack and Jamie; his father, Dan; his brothers, Mike, David, and Mark; and sisters-in-law, Kim, Karri, and Kathy. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lou (Dorr).
Memorial contributions may be made to the Crystal Cove Alliance at No. 5 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92651.
Donald George Higdon, 80, of West Windsor died on Oct. 15. A resident of Rutherford and Ridgewood, Higdon moved to West Windsor three years ago.
Higdon was co-owner of Higdon Elevator Company in Hackensack for more than 40 years, retiring five years ago. He was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Ridgewood and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a board chair of the Board of Directors of Youth Consultation Services in Hackensack, a member of the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, and an instructor of the Alexander Technique.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary Martin Higdon; a son, Andrew D. Higdon of Quincy, Mass.; and a daughter, Laura J. Higdon, Ph.D., of Chicago, Ill.
George W. O’Connell, 81, of Franklin Lakes died on Oct. 9. Survivors include his daughter, Suzanne Pool of Princeton Junction.
Francis S. Oleskiewicz, age 88, of Framingham, died on Oct. 17. Survivors include his son, Francis Oleskiewicz of Plainsboro.
Priscilla Carey, 67, of Springville died on Sunday, Oct. 9. Survivors include brother Robert and wife, Claire Carey of Princeton Junction.
John Montagne, 57, of Lacey Township died on Oct. 21. Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Andrew Kulley, of Princeton Junction.
