Cranford's Greg Swenson, Teacher, Athlete, Husband, New Dad, Dies At 29
The death of Gregory "Greg" Swenson, a new father, educator, and lifelong athlete, is spreading shock and sadness across multiple states.
Greg, 29, of Cranford, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, July 12 following a short illness, according to his obituary on the Gray Funeral Home.
Greg's death comes six months after welcoming a baby boy, Lars, with his wife and college sweetheart, Morgan. A GoFundMe page launched for the pair had raised nearly $70,000 as of press time.
A Farmingdale, NY native, Greg later moved to East Lyme where he was a three-sport athlete at East Lyme High School, h…
‘I Want A Turkey Leg!’: Fans Fume As State Fair Meadowlands Pauses For FIFA World Cup
The State Fair Meadowlands, one of New Jersey’s biggest summer events, is taking a two-year hiatus to make way for soccer.
The fair, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, will not return until Summer 2027, organizers announced.
The decision comes at the request of MetLife Stadium, which is hosting nine FIFA Club World Cup matches this summer, including the semifinals and final, and eight FIFA World Cup games in 2026, including the World Cup final.
“We will be reimagining our fair to make it bigger, better, and more family-friendly than ever,” fair officials said.
But longtime …
Plainfield Teacher, Soccer Coach Joseph Colodne Dies Suddenly, 46
Multiple New Jersey school and soccer communities are mourning the sudden loss of Joseph “Joe” Colodne, a longtime educator and coach known for his passion, mentorship, and heart.
Colodne, of Fanwood, died unexpectedly Wednesday, June 18, loved ones announced. He was a history teacher at Plainfield High School and an assistant women’s soccer coach at Kean University.
“Joe was so many things,” said Kean women’s soccer head coach Brian Doherty. “A great coach, great mentor, great friend and more than that, just a great person.”
“He was more than just a coach in our program. He was an educato…
Park Planned In Coopersburg To Honor Memory Of Ayden Scharper, 19, Mom Says
A local park honoring Southern Lehigh graduate and standout athlete Ayden Scharper is being planned in Coopersburg, his mother announced in a fundraiser launched just days after his death.
Ayden J. Scharper, 19, died by suicide in Allentown on Friday, June 6, and now his family is working to preserve his memory by building a recreational space that reflects his love for sports and the outdoors.
His mother, Jessica Scharper, launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $30,000 for a park in Coopersburg. In the first four days, it has brought in more than $22,000 from over 200 donors.
“New homes an…
Promising College Athlete, Photographer, 19, Found Dead On Allentown Sidewalk: Coroner
A 19-year-old standout athlete from Upper Saucon Township was found dead on a sidewalk in Allentown late Friday night, officials announced on Tuesday, June 10.
Ayden J. Scharper, a 2023 Southern Lehigh High School graduate, was pronounced dead at 11:49 p.m. on Friday, June 6, on the 800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
Scharper was discovered on the sidewalk at the scene. An autopsy determined the manner of death was suicide, the coroner said, adding that no foul play was suspected, the coroner’s office noted.
He had been a standout ki…
