Community Corner

Community Remembers Abelino Mazariego at Funeral

Son Abelino Mazariego gives tearful eulogy for his father.

You didn't need to speak Spanish to feel the pain and despair in the voices of the family and friends who spoke at the funeral mass of Abelino Mazariego Monday at St. Teresa of Avila Church.

The mass, done entirely in Mazariego's native language, was attended by roughly 200 community members, both a mix of family and friends and town leaders, such as Superintendent Dr. Nathan Parker, Board of Education President Jack Lyness, Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, Mayor Jordan Glatt, Police Chief Robert Lucid, Fire Chief Joseph Houck, City Administrator Chris Cotter and Councilmembers Ellen Dickson, Tom Getzendanner and President Dave Bomgaars.

"Today we join them in prayer for healing, for understanding and for acceptance," Rev. Brian Plate said. "Tomorrow we join them in solidarity for justice."

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Three teenagers, two from Summit and one from Morristown, have been charged with manslaughter in connection with Mazariego's death. The victim was allegedly beaten to death by at least these three teens July 17 and died a few days later as a result of his injuries.

Rev. Marco Celis remembered Mazariego as a hardworking man with a big smile. Celis also said that he understands if the family desires vengeance over justice and reminded them that Jesus was also a victim of violence.

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The victim's son, also named Abelino, remembered his father as both hardworking and "a good man," he said during a tearful eulogy.

"Fear and violence will not have the last word," Plate said. "But love will. And peace. And justice."

Kathy O'Leary, coordinator for the NJ Region of Pax Christi said the organization is committed to eliminating the structures of inequality and injustice in the community. 

"The members of Pax Christi in Summit are heartbroken over the assault and subsequent death of Abelino Mazariego," she said in a statement. "It is difficult to comprehend how members of the same community could dismiss the humanity of a fellow citizen to the point of being responsible for his death."

The Interfaith Council will also host a community memorial service Wednesday night. The community will convene in the parking lot outside city hall and will then proceed to walk down Springfield Avenue to lay flowers on a makeshift memorial that has sprung up at the Promenade where Mazariego was attacked. The memorial will conclude with a short service on the Village Green.


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