Catherine S. Onuska October 5, 1921- March 28, 2020
Catherine S. Onuska (nee Micari) a long-time resident of Perth Amboy, NJ, passed peacefully on March 30, 2020. She was 98 years old and lived in Perth Amboy for 74 of those years. Catherine was born in Bellport, New York and raised in Southampton, New York where she met her husband Michael J. Onuska while he was serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. They married in 1943 and moved to Perth Amboy four and a half years later in 1946, where they raised their family of seven children.
She was a founding member of the League of Women Voters in Perth Amboy and became more active in community politics during the 1970’s and was appointed to the Board of Education by Mayor Jankowski in 1976. She later played a critical role in converting the Board of Education from being appointed by the mayor to an elected Board of Education, reflecting the needs of a changing community. She was a member of the Board for 17 years, serving as vice president. She was further active in the community serving with the Housing Development and other appointed boards, remaining active in local politics until her later years. She was employed by Chevron, Inc., Perth Amboy as a telephone operator, bookkeeper, and administrative assistant for 40 years, until she retired in 1982. She was a parishioner and member of the Rosarians of Holy Trinity Church which later became The Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish at Holy Trinity Church.
She is preceded in death by her devoted husband Michael J. Onuska, Sr.; son Michael J. Jr. She was the daughter of Frank P. and Frances (nee Trimboli ) Micari; and sister of James & Steven Micari.
She is survived by her beloved children Frances and her husband Thomas Smith, Mary Anne and her husband Jack Pace, Catherine Pisarchik, Theresa and her husband John Cosmas, Rosemarie and her husband Ken Berman and Barbara Ann Orfini; dear sister Sara Cunliffe; grandmother of 18 and great-grandmother of 33; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
My mother, Catherine Onuska of Keene Street in Perth Amboy, passed away on March 28th at the age of 98 years. She was a community activist beginning in the 70’s, at a time when it was quite unusual for women to take an active role in local Perth Amboy politics. As one of her seven children, I can speak as to how challenging it was for a woman to be taken seriously during those years. As you can see by the write-up, she was on the Perth Amboy Board of Education for 17 years, as well as participated in numerous city review boards.
She was an avid reader of the Amboy Guardian and kept up on all the local news and happenings. When she was no longer able to leave the home, she would have one of us bring it to her as soon as it became available. The photo was taken in 1984 when she was on the Board of Education and heavily involved in community work.
Thank you,
Rosemarie O. Berman, Ph.D., RN
Associate Professor of Nursing (Retired)
