Gloucester Firefighter Shines in HYROX Contest

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (June 20, 2026)–Gloucester City Firefighter Jack Driscoll participated in a HYROX contest held recently in Stockholm, Sweden. Jack is a Gloucester City native who graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School. He placed second in the World Wide contest in the Overall and Age Group.

Afterwards, Driscoll said, “I went all in on the sport this year and had some big goals written down before the season started. I wanted to win a pro race and won five. I wanted to make it to the start line of an Elite 15 race and made it to two, one in solo and one in doubles. I wanted to podium at Worlds, and pulled a hard-fought 2nd out of the best of the best.

“Thank you to my family and friends for all the support this year, especially my girlfriend Erika Tvedten I couldn’t do it without you all. And thank you to all the people who have cheered me on at races and online all year! Time to build better for next year.”

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CNBNEWS MEMORIES: The Original Gloucester City Breakfast Club

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

THE ORGANIZERS OF THE BREAKFAST CLUB: In 2006, Charlie Pitzo had an idea about getting together once a month with his friends for breakfast at a local restaurant in Gloucester City. The 16 gentlemen above were invited to the first meeting held at the former Jim’s Pizzeria Restaurant, Broadway and Mercer Streets, Gloucester City, to discuss the idea. Charlie’s idea took off, and over the next couple of years, the group grew. At one meeting, they had over 40 people in attendance.

First row: from left to right, Skip Grandizio, Charlie Tourtual, Jack Perscheitti, Howard “Butch” Shaffer, Charlie Pitzo, George Cleary Jr.

Second row: Lonnie Letgus, Ron Raube, Harry Walker, Sam Chew, Harry Blymer.

Back row: Bill Cleary Sr., Ron Raube, Joe Miller, Joe “JukeBox” DiGiacomo, Al DiGiacomo, Stu Rechard.

All of the men were born and raised in either Gloucester City or Brooklawn. The majority graduated from Gloucester High and the others from Gloucester Catholic.

Out of those 16 men, we know for sure that the following have moved on to Gabriel’s Cafe in the sky. They include: Grandizio, Tourtual, Pitzo, George Cleary, Raube, Miller, Walker, Chew, Blymer, Joe and Al DiGiacomo.

Even though Vincie Boy had passed some time ago we could still feel his spirit walking among us that day.

GC Phillies Tailgate Party!

Community Activist Bruce Darrow Charged With Alleged Theft of over $6,000

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (MAY 20, 2026)(CNBNews)—The Gloucester City Police Department has charged longtime community activist Bruce Darrow of Brooklawn with the alleged theft of over $6,000 from the Carmen Paliero Basketball League. According to the press release, Darrow supposedly took the money between September 2016 and March 2026 during the time he was serving as president of the organization. The charge was placed on a summons pending a Central Judicial Processing Court Hearing.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING CENTRAL JUDICIAL PROCESSING?

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John “Rocky” Gianvito, One of Rutgers ‘ Greatest Baseball Players; formerly of Brooklawn

John Gianvito, age 86, passed away on May 1, surrounded by his family at home. He was born on October 24, 1939 in Punxsutawney, PA, and later moved with his family to West Philadelphia, before settling in Brooklawn, NJ. He proudly served his country in the United States military, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to duty and service. Following his military service, he built a long and successful career in administration with the Haddon Township School District,

A graduate of Gloucester High School, he attended Rutgers University–Camden and was later inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame, an honor that reflected his talent, dedication, and athletic achievement.

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CNBNews Digital Archives: Gloucester City Officials Meet With Developers

William E. Cleary Sr.| CNBNews

Gloucester Catholic opened in 1926. (Photo courtesy of the Gloucester City Historical Society)

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNewsnet)(September 13, 2022)–Throughout the next several weeks, officials in Gloucester City will meet with several builders. One wishes to develop the former Gloucester Catholic Boys building into apartments. Developer number two is interested in the Southport acreage, which, for the most part, has been nothing but a barren plot of ground for over 30 years.

(CNBNews photo credit)The historic Saint Mary’s High School, aka the Gloucester Catholic Boys Annex, Monmouth, and Burlington Streets, opened in the late 1920s. (Photo above)

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Joan Gianvito, of Medford, formerly of Brooklawn

CNBNEWS DIGITAL ARCHIVES:

(CNBNews)(May 4, 2026)–Joan G. Gianvito (nee Lane) passed away peacefully on Monday, January 10, 2022. Born at Cooper Hospital to John A. and Grace M. Lane, Joan was 79 years old. She was a resident of Medford for the past 47 years and a former resident of Brooklawn, NJ

Beloved wife of 58 years to John R. Gianvito. Loving mother of Todd (Nicole) Gianvito, Lori Coffey and Brian (Donna) Gianvito. Cherished grandmother of Nolan Coffey, Ty Gianvito, Brynn Coffey, Ryan Gianvito, Austin Gianvito and Addison Gianvito.

Joan enjoyed trips to the beach, traveling the country and the world with her husband John, spending time with friends, especially spending time with her grandchildren and of course Johnny Mathis.

A gathering of family and friends will be held this Friday, January 14, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Givnish of Marlton Funeral Home, 398 East Main St., Marlton.
Her funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m.

Entombment was at Park View Cemetery at Kirby’s Mill, 25 Fostertown Rd., Medford.

Memorial donations may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

To share your fondest memories of Joan, please visit www.givnish.com.

Gloucester Catholic Fr. Sullivan Alumni Golf Tournament June 15th

This year’s tournament will be held at the Pitman Golf Club on Monday June 15th. Registration will begin at 12 noon. A putting contest will precede the 1:30 shotgun start.

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Remembering Al Carelli: A GCHS Alumnus Lost in the 1970 Marshall University Plane Crash

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (April 25, 2026)(CNBNews)—In 2007, Gus Danks—Gloucester Catholic Class of 1963 and a classmate of mine—reached out to tell me about a film he had just seen, We Are Marshall. The movie recounts the devastating 1970 plane crash that claimed the lives of 75 people connected to the Marshall University football program. Among those lost was Al Carelli, (photo) Gloucester Catholic Class of 1961.

According to Wikipedia, We Are Marshall (2006), directed by McG, dramatizes the aftermath of the crash of Southern Airways Flight 932, which killed 37 Marshall football players, five coaches, two athletic trainers, the athletic director, 25 boosters, and the five‑member flight crew.

On the night of November 14, 1970, the chartered DC‑9 was returning the team to Huntington, West Virginia, after a 17–14 loss to East Carolina University. Just one mile short of the Tri-State Airport runway, the aircraft clipped trees on a ridge and crashed into a gully, killing everyone on board.

A South Jersey Native on the Rise

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Gloucester City Little League to Induct Inagural Wall of Fame Class April 24

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ(CNBNews)(April 23, 2026)–The Gloucester City Little League (GCLL) will celebrate a major milestone on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., when it inducts the inaugural class into its newly created Wall of Fame. The ceremony will take place at the Johnson Boulevard and Nicholson Road complex and will honor five longtime contributors whose dedication shaped the league and the community it serves.