Dennis Eugene Ezekiel of Collings Lakes, who sold advertising for the Catholic Star Herald for 22 years, died in the comfort of his home in the early morning hours of Good Friday, March 30.
“His God and his family were always his top priority. The gentleness, compassion and patience he gave to Kathy, his wife, let us know what true love can be. It is a lesson that I am blessed to have witnessed,” said Paul Worthington, who worked most closely with him at the newspaper. “The same goes for his love for his kids and grandchildren. His face would light up when talking about them, and his world stopped for them when he was needed there.”
He added that Mr. Ezekiel never complained about his failing health over the past years. “Always happy, always a kind word or a joke, always that smile,” he added. “He always let you know that you were special to him.”
Born in 1944 in Camden, Mr. Ezekiel was a 1962 graduate of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken, and served in the Air Force from 1963-67 in Scotland and Germany. He married Kathleen Smith in 1971, and participated as a Cub Scout leader and little league coach.
He worked for Dennison Manufacturing for 15 years before working for the Catholic Star Herald.
He is predeceased by his parents John Ezekiel and Ethel Mayer, and by his brothers John, George, Jack, Eddie, and Albert Ezekiel. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, and his four children Sheri, Erik, Joseph Sr. (Ruthann Weyandt), and Holly (Frank Carlamere Jr.), and 12 grandchildren, his brother Bill (Arlene Roth), and sister Regina (Bill Orth), and several nieces and nephews.
His longtime pastor, Father John A. Cavagnaro celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial April 4 at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, Collings Lakes. Msgr. Roger E. McGrath, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Turnersville, who knew Mr. Ezekiel since childhood, was the homilist.
Interment was at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown. Donations to be made to www.cancertutor.com/donate/ or to Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Collings Lakes, NJ.