Two victims in their 30s included in latest COVID-19 deaths announced by Gov. Murphy
Gov. Phil Murphy announced 69 additional deaths from COVID-19 during Tuesday’s briefing, bringing the statewide death toll to 267, with two of the latest victims being in their 30s.
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Israel Tolentino, 33, was living his dream as a Passaic firefighter, and now the fire department, and his loved ones, are mourning his death.
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Police, EMTs, and other first responders stood at attention as his body was taken from the hospital to the funeral home.
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Tolentino leaves behind a wife and two children. He's being remembered for his dedication to the community.
"He just became a firefighter in 2018, about a year and a half,” says Passaic Mayor Hector Lora. “He was an EMT prior to that and just an amazing member of our community. It was his lifelong dream to be a firefighter."
Ben Luderer was only 30 years old. He was a Cliffside Park teacher and baseball coach.
Ben Luderer was only 30 years old. He was a Cliffside Park teacher and baseball coach.
The school remembers him as a "great coach, teacher, friend and always a mentor and role model for students…. Whose love of baseball pushed his players to new heights.”
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