Mullica gathers in prayer, holds vigil for couple hospitalized after March 4 crash

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Posted: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 1:15 am | Updated: 6:28 am, Wed Mar 14, 2012.

By CAITLIN DINEEN Staff WriterpressofAtlanticCity.com

MULLICA TOWNSHIP — As family and friends wiped away tears Tuesday night outside the Mullica Township School, they prayed that Judy and Joe Calderone would recover from injuries they sustained in a car crash.

“It’s important for us to be here,” Justin LaBor, of Mullica Township, said before the vigil began. “They’ve always been behind us.”

The Calderones, of the Sweetwater section of the township, sustained life-threatening injuries March 4 when.....Continue Reading

the car they were traveling in was struck head-on by a minivan.

The driver of the other vehicle — Christine Mazer, 37, of Sicklerville, Camden County — died at the Nesco Road accident site.

Mazer’s daughters, Allyah and Sonia Mazer, as well as Miguel Santiago, of Hammonton, were passengers in the van.

The children and Santiago remain hospitalized.

Judy, 64, and Joe, 71, Calderone were both transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, city campus in Atlantic City, for their injuries.

They have been there since the crash, family members said.

“Joe is doing better than Judy,” said Judy’s brother Bob Hagaman, adding that his brother-in-law is out of intensive care. “But they still have to do work on him.”

Hagaman — who said Judy went through a round of surgery Monday to help repair the many broken bones and internal injuries she sustained — spoke to the crowd of about 120 people through silent tears.

“We’re all neighbors, and we all love each other,” he said during the 45-minute prayer service. “And we’re all there to lift each other up.”

People gathered outside the school because Judy was a teacher’s aide there for more than three decades.

LaBor, who uses a wheelchair, said Judy was his personal aide more than 20 years ago. Her warmth and smile was something he could never forget and not attending the vigil wasn’t an option.

“Her presence is felt with all the students,” the 28-year-old said. “I still remember everything she did to gear me toward a life of independence.”

Although those gathered Tuesday prayed Judy and Joe would recover, they also acknowledge it is simply “a miracle” they survived the crash at all.

Many said they would never forget images of two crumpled vehicles — one overturned — that have been circulated within the community.

Their faith keeps them praying for continued blessings, attendees said.

“Out of tragedy, we see the community coming together as a family,” said Pastor Bob Surace, of Weekstown Community Church. “Joe and Judy are doing favorably, which is only the grace of God.”

The Calderones are active members of the Weekstown Community Church.

Contact Caitlin Dineen: 609-272-7247 CDineen@pressofac.com