R.I.P. Kathleen Gibbs Erickson

From Gerry Burns' Facebook newsfeed, I learned the sad news that Kathleen Biggs Erickson died on June 9. She was a graduate of the NPHS Class of 1968. Here's the obit from the Courier News.


KATHLEEN H.
ERICKSON
AGE: 60 MANVILLE
Kathleen H. "Kathy" (Gibbs) Erickson, 60, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville surrounded by her loving and supportive family, after a long courageous struggle with cancer. Born in Mt. Vernon, NY, she grew up in North Plainfield and moved to Manville with her children in 1992. Kathy was a Certified and Registered Dental Assistant where she worked for many local dental offices over the years as well as teaching dental instruction at Somerset County Technical Institute in Bridgewater. Raising her children alone as a single mother, Kathy worked additional jobs to make ends meet; she was a crossing guard for Manville and a cashier at the Manville Rag Shop and Hillsborough Shop Rite. Kathy was a faithful communicant of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Manville where she volunteered at many of the church events, especially the summer festivals where she sold 50/50's. Kathy was a former President for the Manville First Aid & Rescue Squad Auxiliary and a member of Thomas J. Kavanaugh, VFW Post #2290 Ladies Auxiliary. Kathy loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed trips to Atlantic City, going to the movies as well as reading books, knitting, crocheting and planting flowers. Kathy will always be remembered for her friendly and beautiful smile.
Kathy is predeceased by her brother-in-law Dennis Carovillano, Sr. who passed away on January 10, 2010. Kathy leaves behind her children: Karin Erickson of Bridgewater, Donald Erickson of New Hampshire, Darryl and his wife Rikki Erickson, Brian Erickson and his long time girlfriend Diana Weaver all of Manville and Danny Erickson and his fiancée Becky Borawski formerly of Manville. She also leaves behind her grandchildren; Elizabeth, Anesa and DJ Erickson; her parents William and Eileen (Jankowski) Gibbs of Raritan and her siblings: Linda Carovillano of Raritan, Michael and his wife Georgette Gibbs of Bridgewater, Bill and Theresa Gibbs of Lincoln Park and Dawn and Wayne Barry of Raritan. Kathy will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends all whose lives she has touched.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 14, 2010 beginning 11:00 am at Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 South Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835 followed by a 12:00 pm funeral liturgy at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Manville. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery located in Hillsborough. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at the funeral home on Sunday, June 13, 2010 from 12-3 pm and 6-9 pm and on Monday from 9:00 am until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the family would be greatly appreciated. To send condolences to the family or to sign an online guest book, please visit www.FucilloandWarrenFuneralHome.com.

Music Video Shot in Downtown Plainfield

Front Street sure has changed. Check out this great music video from Plainfield's original Doughboys. Lots of scenes from Front Street (hey....who removed the Surprise Store? Where's Park Gentry? And whaddabout Teppers?) One thing hasn't changed though. The Doughboys still make great music. This is a top notch rock 'n' roll song....sounds a bit like J. Geils Band. Only better. Thanks to John Cregar for passing this along to me.

More on Paul Auerbach's Efforts in Haiti

Here's an image of Dr. Paul Auerbach (NPHS class of 1969) who had collapsed in exhaustion after helping scores of Haitians in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. He's generated a lot of content about his efforts and when you read and hear his accounts (there's a particularly good podcast) you can't help but deeply admire his commitment to helping those in need....and his life-saving skills that are so necessary in a medical crisis. Here's his brief account of why he fainted: "Just after noon, when the meeting ended, my body finally told me to stop. I was exhausted and queasy, and so went to our headquarters and lay down on the ground. The nurses started an IV in my arm, and it took 9 full liters of IV fluid before I was able to sit up and have the lights go back on. As my wrestling coach in high school used to say, 'Paul, you don’t need to win, just don’t get pinned.' I lifted by right shoulder up and chuckled. My coach would have been proud of me." You can read the full story here. If you're interested in drilling deeper, just google "Paul Auerbach Haiti." There's a lot there.

Paul Auerbach Aids Haitain Relief Effort (1/30/10)

I'm just receiving word that Paul Auerbach used his considerable emergency medicine skills to aid in the Haitain relief effort. I'll try to get more details and post in the next few days. Here's some video from a local San Francisco TV station that interviewed Paul.