Mulligan Funeral Home

06/20/2026

Francis J. Herd, Sr. of Edison, NJ, formerly of East Newark, peacefully
entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Freehold. He was 97 years old.

A Graveside service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 11:45am. For those attending, friends and family will meet at the cemetery office at 11:30am.

Born and raised in East Newark, NJ, Francis later moved to Edison in
1962, where he made his home with his family.

He worked as a Machinist for Lockheed, Watchung and Valcor
Engineering, Springfield for over 50 years.

He was a longtime parishioner of Cathedral of St. Francis in Metuchen.

Francis proudly served his country in The United States Army during the Korean War.

His one hobby was anything to do with soccer. He would’ve been glued to the TV right now routing on the United States in the World Cup.

Predeceased by his wife, Alice in 1997 and his son, Francis Jr in 2025, Francis is survived by his loving Son, Thomas Herd and his companion, Holly Wood, his daughter-in-law, Sarah Bourassa and his dear brothers, Edward Herd and Tom Herd.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at

Dealing with the death of a loved one is difficult. At Mulligan Funeral Home, we aim to help the living remember and celebrate the lives of their deceased loved ones through professional and compassionate expertise in funeral planning and services. Our fully-licensed Directors work diligently to ens...

06/08/2026

February 15, 1958 – June 7, 2026
Catherine B. Fixter, age [68], passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family. Born on February 15, 1958, Catherine spent most of her life in Harrison, New Jersey, before retiring and fulfilling her dream of moving to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.

Catherine worked for Passaic Valley for many years before her retirement. Following retirement, she embraced life at the Jersey Shore, where she found joy and peace in the simple pleasures she loved most. She could often be found at the beach, sitting by the inlet, watching the boats pass and enjoying the beauty of the ocean.

Family was Catherine's greatest treasure. She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to those she loved and took immense pride in being a devoted sister, aunt, and great-aunt. Her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews brought her endless happiness, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love will be remembered by all who knew her.
Catherine was predeceased by her beloved parents, Elizabeth Fixter (née Kennelly) and John Fixter. She is survived by her loving siblings: Mary and her husband, John Barnett; Anne and her husband, Butch Connors; Robert and his wife, Diane Fixter; and John Fixter.
She is also survived by her cherished nieces, Beth and Lauren; nephews John Daly, Jamie, Jeffrey, Bobby, Mathew, John, Andrew, and Colin; great-nieces Kayla, Ava, Katie, and Emma; and great-nephews Owen, Liam, and Wescott, along with many extended family members and dear friends.

Catherine's warmth, devotion to family, and love of the shore will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her family finds comfort in the countless memories she created and the lasting impact she made on their lives.

The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Avenue Harrison, NJ 07029 on Friday June 12, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Harrison at 10:30. Friends and relatives of Catherine and her family may visit on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 2:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. and Friday morning after 9:00 a.m. Her final disposition will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Phoenix Center Foundation, Inc. Nutley, NJ in care of the funeral home or you may mail your donation to: 16 Monsignor Owens Place, Nutley NJ 07110 (thephoenixcenternj.org) in loving memory of Catherine.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

06/05/2026

Jorge Samuel Kelly Bremmer of Newark, NJ peacefully entered into eternal rest at home on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. He was 96 years old.

Jorge's viewing will be held at The Mount Pleasant Spanish Baptist Church, 27 Lincoln Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104 on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The funeral service will be held at The Mount Pleasant Spanish Baptist Church from 10:00am to 11:00am, Monday, June 8, 2026. His Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ 07031.

Jorge was born and raised in Camaguey, Cuba. Jorge moved to Newark, New Jersey, in 1983 where he made his home with his beloved wife Hortensia Kelly and their daughter and son, Hortensia and Jorge Kelly. He spent many years working as a dedicated Mechanic and Welder in his shop, Full Moon Auto Mechanic, where he was known for his strong work ethic. Jorge left his strong legacy for his children and grandchildren.

If you would like to express your sympathy to the family or share a fond memory of Jorge, please visit www.mulliganfh.com

Jorge was a friend and supporter of The Mount Pleasant Spanish Baptist Church.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Hortensia Kelly, who passed away in 2021.

Jorge is survived by his loving children, Hortensia Kelly and Jorge R. Kelly and also his cherished 6 grandchildren: Connor Sweeney, Sarah Sweeney, Nataniel Sweeney, Christopher Kelly, Samantha Kelly and Julian Kelly. He also leaves behind many extended family members in the U.S and Cuba.

05/18/2026

Marianne Siwek Mulligan, R.N., 72, of Marco Island, Florida, formerly of Harrison and Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

Marianne “went home by the waterside to rest her bones, listening to the river sing sweet songs, to rock her soul” on May 16, 2026.

The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home on Thursday, May 21, at 9:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be offered at Holy Cross Church at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum. Friends and relatives of Marianne and her family may visit the funeral home on Wednesday, May 20, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and on Thursday morning after 9:00 a.m.

She was the loving daughter of the late Stanley J. Siwek, M.D., and Catherine Siwek, R.N. (Caprio). She is survived by her devoted husband, Frank X. Mulligan Jr.; her loving children, Frank X. Mulligan III and Michelle Haney; her cherished grandchildren, Reece Xavier, Bridget, Abigail, and Lucy; her beloved siblings, Kathryn Landau, R.N., and her husband, Irwin, M.D.; Jay Siwek, M.D., and his wife, Linda, R.N.; Patricia Jack and her husband, Jesse; and her late brother, Robert Damien Siwek. She is also survived by her adored nieces and nephews, Jaime, Amy, Erin, Lauren, Kathryn, Mary, Jennifer, David, and the late Mark; and by her grandnieces and grandnephews, Macy, Hadley, Colton, Cole, Henry, Tessa, and Athena.

Marianne graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SUNY College at Stony Brook, N.Y.

She began her nursing career at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. She later worked at Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii, though the majority of her distinguished nursing career was spent as a critical care nurse in the Open Heart Surgery Unit at Passaic General Hospital in Passaic, New Jersey. Toward the end of her career, she served as a public health nurse for the Town of Harrison.

Marianne was a proud member of the Marco Bay Yacht Club and cherished every moment spent boating with Frank. She loved Mahjong, Canasta, traveling, live music, and, above all, time spent with family and friends. Brilliant, spirited, and endlessly compassionate, Marianne possessed a magnetic personality that drew people to her instantly. She had a remarkable way of making others feel seen, valued, and deeply loved, and her laughter and light filled every room she entered. Her presence made life richer for all who knew her. Selfless and gracious, the world was truly a better place because of Marianne’s presence. Her life was a beautiful example of love, kindness, and generosity lived through action every single day.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Harrison Cancer League, the Cancer Research Institute, or VITAS Healthcare Hospice, in care of the funeral home, in loving memory of Marianne.

05/17/2026

Marianne Siwek Mulligan, R.N. 72, of Marco Island, Florida, formerly of Harrison and Point Pleasant, NJ entered into eternal rest on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Avenue Harrison, NJ 07029 on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 9:30am. A funeral mass will be offered at Holy Cross Church, Harrison at 10:30am. Her Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, North Arlington. Friends and relatives of Marianne and her family may visit the funeral home on Wednesday, May 20th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm and Thursday morning after 9:00am.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Frank X. Mulligan, Jr. loving children, Frank X. Mulligan, III and Michelle Haney, and her cherished grandchildren, Reece Xavier, and Bridget, Abigail and Lucy.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mulliganfh.com

For those desiring, donations may be made to The Harrison Cancer League, The Cancer Research Institute of N.Y.C. or Vitas Hospice Care of Collier County in care of the funeral home in loving memory of Marianne.

Her Obituary will be posted upon its completion.

05/14/2026

William M. Doran of Panther Vally, Hackettstown, New Jersey, formerly of Harrison, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026. He was 63 years old.

The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison, NJ 07029 on Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 9:45am. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 18th at 10:30am at Holy Cross Church. Friends and relatives of William and his family are invited to attend his visitation on Sunday, May 17th, 2026 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm and Monday morning after 9:00am. His final disposition will be held privately.

Born in Newark and raised in Harrison, New Jersey, William later made his home in Hackettstown, Panther Valley, NJ. He was a devoted parishioner of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Hackettstown.

William proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1981 to 1984. During his time in service, he was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, for two years, and in Germany for two years as a combat medic.

William was top sales manager at Rockland Bakery for 25+ years. William most enjoyed spending time with his wife, family and friends. In addition, he loved being the grill master during his tenure as Mayor of Funtown at Panther Valley. He found peace at the beach and in diligently preserving cooler maintenance; he also enjoyed fishing and dart tournaments in his mancave.

William is survived by his beloved wife, Denise Dalton Doran, his loving children, Love Elizabeth Anne (Ben), William Jr., Nicholas Doran, and Thomas Campbell. His 3 cherished grandchildren, Ryan Forero, Onaleaha Forero, and Josephine Gold; his dear siblings, John Doran (Vilma) and James Doran (Ricky), sister in laws, Laura VanDorsten (Ricky), Donna Yost (Don) and a brother in law, George Stilwell. He is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was also predeceased by his parents, Robert and Sandra Doran, and his brothers, Robert and Kenneth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harrison Education Foundation, 501 Hamilton St., Harrison, NJ, in loving memory of William. If you would like to send the family a condolence message or share a fond memory of William, please visit: www.mulliganfh.com.

05/12/2026

Denise A. Delgado of Newark, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 7th, 2026 in Savannah, Georgia. She was 53 years old.

The funeral service will be held at the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Avenue Harrison, NJ 07029 on Friday, May 15, 2026 during the visitation hours. Friends and relatives of Denise and her family may visit on Friday, May 15th from 3:00pm to 8:00pm.

Born and raised in Manhattan, New York, she eventually moved to Newark, where she made her home for the past 30 years.

If you would like to send the family a condolence message or share a fond memory of Denise, please visit at www.mulliganfh.com.

Denise worked for Interport in Newark as a Customer Service Supervisor and also at MetLife Stadium, where she served as a Manager and Bartender for the last 12 years.

In her free time, Denise enjoyed music and dancing. It filled her soul and made her happy. She loved traveling for her work and getting to experience new places and meet new people. Her bright personality would often break a shy person out of their shell. She loved her Children and family, but most especially loved being able to watch her grandchildren grow. She was the light of any room she walked through. She never frowned and smiled at the world even through her pain.

Denise is survived by her beloved children Natalie Carreno, Marcos Carreno, Valerie Oyola, Joshua Oyola and Amalie Oyola. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Matthew Carreno and Brielle Roca, as well as her dear siblings Alexandra Rios and Robert Delgado.

The family kindly requests that all who attend her viewing to wear her favorite color, pastel yellow, instead of the traditional black attire, in honor of the bright and colorful person she was throughout her life.

If you would like to send the family a condolence message or share a fond memory of Denise, please visit www.mulliganfh.com

04/24/2026

Maria D. Venegas Chavez entered into eternal rest peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, April 23 rd , 2026.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison, NJ 07029.

Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Maria later made her home in Harrison, where she lived for the past 10 years. From a young age, she worked to support herself and her family, later holding administrative roles and working as a salesperson in the Gamarra district. She pursued studies in Business Administration and earned an associate level education, reflecting her determination, resilience, and commitment to building a better life.

Maria was the eldest daughter and, from a young age, took on a nurturing role in helping care for her younger siblings alongside her mother. She carried this responsibility with quiet strength and deep love. At just nine years old, Maria began working to help her mother make ends meet, a reflection of her selflessness and resilience that would define her entire life.

Throughout her life, Maria devoted herself to others, first to her family growing up, and later to her daughters, Karla and Alessandra, whom she loved unconditionally. She always put their needs before her own, finding purpose in caring for those around her.

She found joy in the simple but meaningful moments of everyday life, waking up early to prepare breakfast, packing lunches, and making sure everything was in place for her family. Maria had a passion for cooking, especially traditional Peruvian dishes, and took pride in preparing meals for the people she loved.

She enjoyed her cleaning days, often playing music by Ricky Martin as she filled her home with warmth and energy. She was also a fan of action films and loved rewatching her favorites, including Star Wars, Taken, and Kill Bill. She especially loved Master Yoda, admiring his wisdom and quiet strength. She also loved watching soccer and could often be heard passionately cheering, and sometimes yelling, at the TV during games.

Maria also had a deep love for learning. She enjoyed watching National Geographic and had a remarkable memory for history, often able to recall details with ease. She loved reading and could always be found with a book in hand, building a collection that felt like thousands over the years. She also enjoyed coloring, finding quiet moments of peace and creativity in it. She was incredibly smart, sharp, and observant.

Though Maria lived a quiet life, her love was constant and could be feltin everything she did. Her kindness extended far beyond her home. She had a deeply generous heart and gave whenever she could. Even when she had very little, she made sure to set aside money each month to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, always thinking of others before herself.

She is survived by her beloved children, Karla and her husband, Nicolas and Alessandra Nolli. She is also survived by her dear 13 siblings, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She will also be missed by her sweet cat, Toffee.

She was predeceased by her mother, Carmen Chavez.

If you would like to send the family a condolence message or share a fond memory of Maria, please visit at www.mulliganfh.com

04/19/2026

Thomas P. Dougher, 76, of Harrison, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 16, 2026. A lifelong resident of Harrison, Tom was a “helper”—a veteran, a firefighter, a 9/11 first responder, a devoted husband and father who made all the difference in his community and the lives of those who loved him.

Tom enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at HQ. Co. US Army Garrison, Long Binh, Republic of South Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. After active duty, Tom served in the New Jersey National Guard at the Armory in Jersey City. He worked for Owens-Illinois Glass Company in North Bergen, NJ. Tom went on to become a career firefighter with the Harrison Fire Department, retiring in 2011 after 27 years of service. In 2001, Tom was awarded the Hometown Hero Award for performing CPR on a Catholic priest who was visiting from Poland. In 2017, Tom was named the Hudson County Veteran of the Year, and was also recognized as an Outstanding Veteran by the NJ Statewide Multicultural Association. In 2018, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Harrison Lions Club. Tom was a recipient of the American Legion Community Service Award. He was Commander of the William Sawelson VFW Post 340, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 402, and a member of the American Legion Post 282, all of Harrison.

Tom’s extraordinary service to his community and country was only surpassed by his dedication to his family. Tom was the cherished son of the late Thomas and Helen (Trypuc) Dougher. He enjoyed 36 years of marriage to his beloved wife Elaine (Michaelson). Tom was a loving father to Thomas, Amy Solorzano (Aleck), and the late Daniel. He was a proud grandfather to Marcelo Solorzano. He was the dear brother of Helen (Arlene), Joseph (Diane) and the late John. He was the brother-in-law of Nancy and Nicholas Tworischuk, and Joan Michaelson. He was “Uncle Tommy” to Andrew Tworischuk, John Dougher, and Michelle Dougher.
Tom was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and kayaking. He was a past member of the Lower Longwood Lake Cabin Owners Association. He loved spending summers down the shore with his family in Wildwood Crest. Tom enjoyed playing the NJ Lottery and took many trips to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and various racetracks. He loved sitting outside on “The Edge”—his driveway—to enjoy the sunshine and greet his neighbors. Tom courageously fought a 9-year battle with Parkinson’s disease and will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and quiet strength. He was a hero in every sense of the word.

Tom’s family is forever grateful for all the assistance they received from the Harrison Fire Department and the NJ State Firemen’s Association. They are also deeply grateful for the care Tom received from Visiting Angels (Bayonne, NJ) and Firefighters First, LLC Home Health Care.

The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home 331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison, NJ 07029 on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Church, Harrison on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. His Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 21st from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday morning, April 22nd after 9:00 a.m.

If you would like to send the family a condolence message or share a fond memory of Thomas, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.

Memorial contributions honoring Tom may be made to the Harrison FMBA Local No. 22 (634 Sussex Street, Harrison, NJ 07029). Please also consider making a donation to the Daniel Jude Dougher Memorial Scholarship Fund, which benefits students at High Tech High School. Contributions can be made to the HCST Foundation (Frank J. Gargiulo Campus, One High Tech Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094—kindly list Daniel Jude Dougher Memorial Scholarship on the check memo line.)

04/17/2026

Hector Velarde Tasa of Harrison, New Jersey peacefully entered into eternal rest at home on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. He was 93 years old.

Private funeral services are under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Avenue Harrison, NJ.

Hector was born and raised in Lima, Peru before immigrating to the United States in the 1970s.He settled in Harrison, where he built a life and a home for his family.

Hector was a dedicated baker at Pechter’s in Harrison, where he worked for 38 years until his retirement. The comforting aroma of fresh bread he brought home from work remains a cherished memory for his family. Though Harrison was his home, Hector remained deeply connected to his roots, traveling often to Peru to visit loved ones and enjoy his favorite traditional foods. A true trailblazer, he and his wife worked tirelessly to provide a better life for their children. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his grandchildren and found immense joy in their many achievements.

Hector was a huge soccer fan who spent his time watching matches or reading sports articles on his iPad. He also loved to unwind with classic movies, often sharing these moments with his grandkids.

He is survived by his loving children, Lucia, Florencio, Patricia, Omar Velarde, and Clarisa Claeyssen; his cherished 19 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear siblings, Edgardo, Maruja, and Victor Velarde, along with many nieces and nephews.

Hector was predeceased by his beloved wife, Adriana Velarde, in 2013, and by his two children, Adriana and Hector Velarde.

To send a condolence message or share a fond memory of Hector, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.

As per request of the family, since the services will be private, please OMIT flowers.