West Orange Obituaries

March 11, 2010

Howard Methesius
Howard Methesius, 83, died Feb. 21 in Hendersonville, Tenn. Mr. Mathesius was born in West Orange. He served in the Air Force and was a veteran of World War II. Mr. Mathesius earned a B.A. from Panzer college, and an M.A. from Seton Hall University. He taught physical education at Roosevelt Jr. High School, West Orange, for 38 years until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the West Orange Mountain Club and had been inducted into the West Orange Hall of Fame. Mr. Mathesius is survived by his wife, Kay; two children, Jim Mathesius and Jil Coffey, and three grandchildren.

Althea Giles
Althea Giles, 83, of West Orange died Feb. 26. Born in Orange, she was educated in the East Orange school system, and earned a degree from New Jersey State Teachers College. She was a second grade teacher in the East Orange school system. Mrs. Giles was active in fundraising for the United Negro College Fund and was on the boards of Kean University Foundation and the Newark Art Museum, as well as a member of Essex County Links. Mrs. Giles is survived by her husband, William R; three children, William, Sharon and Kevin; two sisters, Winifred Wilson and Lena East, and seven grandchildren.

William Strachan Jr.
William T. Strachan Jr., 74, of West Orange, formerly of Bloomfield, died March 2 at Foothills Acres Rehab & Nursing Center, Hillsborough Township. Born in Mobile, Ala., Mr. Strachan lived in Bloomfield before moving to West Orange 10 years ago. He served in the Army from 1957 to 1963 and was a quality control manager for E.W.C., Manalapan from 1997 until his retirement in 2002. He was a past member of the Bloomfield Elks. Mr. Strachan is survived by his children, William and Ann; and one grandson.

Harry DeMarco
Harry DeMarco of West Orange died March 2. Mr. DeMarco is survived by his wife, Ann; children, Harry Jr., Tom and Doreen; and one grandchild.

Archibald Hoatson
Archibald “Archie” McLaren Hoatson, 85, of West Orange died March 3 at home. Mr. Hoatson was born in Montclair. At Montclair High School, he was a standout athlete in football and basketball, receiving several college scholarship offers. During World War II, he served with the H Company, 29th Marines, 6th Marine Division in the Pacific, including the invasion of Okinawa.

Archibald Hoatson
Archibald “Archie” McLaren Hoatson, 85, of West Orange died March 3 at home. Mr. Hoatson was born in Montclair. At Montclair High School, he was a standout athlete in football and basketball, receiving several college scholarship offers. During World War II, he served with the H Company, 29th Marines, 6th Marine Division in the Pacific, including the invasion of Okinawa.

Archibald Hoatson
Archibald “Archie” McLaren Hoatson, 85, of West Orange died March 3 at home. Mr. Hoatson was born in Montclair. At Montclair High School, he was a standout athlete in football and basketball, receiving several college scholarship offers. During World War II, he served with the H Company, 29th Marines, 6th Marine Division in the Pacific, including the invasion of Okinawa.Following the war, He spent more than 40 years working for the National Cash Register Company and National Unlimited Business Systems. Mr. Hoatson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, nee O’Connor; four sons, William Richard, Rev. Robert Martin, Richard Alan and Thomas; a daughter, Patricia Mary McCormick, and seven grandchildren

Hyman Max Hait
Hyman Max “Hy” Hait, 85, of Wellington, Fla., formerly of West Orange, died Feb. 26. Mr. Hait was born in Newark and, while in high school, won the New Jersey State singles tennis championship. He graduated from Upsala College in East Orange and served in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He worked at M&M Bag and Suitcase Company, Jersey City, taking over and serving as its president until his retirement in 1980. A year later, he entered the securities industry, where he worked until the age of 83. He was an officer of the Luggage and Leather Manufacturing Association of America. Mr. Hait was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara Ann Wolk. He is survived by his wife, Madeline Frost Hait; a son, William Hait; two step-children, Steven Adler and Susan Frost, and three grandchildren.