Tag Archives: Rumson DPW

Local Life, Obituaries

Rumson Says Goodbye, Thank You to Joe Sorrentino

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Joe Sorrentino (left) in Rumson DPW retirement photo in 2003 Photo/Rumson newsletter
Joe Sorrentino (left) in Rumson DPW retirement photo in 2003
Photo/Rumson newsletter

By Elaine Van Develde

He was a community pillar. He was the go-to Rumson Department of Public Works (DPW) guy for decades. He was a volunteer fireman, first aid squad member. He helped out many in need through church and many a charitable cause. He was a mentor. He was king of the zeppole-makers. He was a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was a warm hometown embrace with a lot of heart, no pretense. He was Joe Sorrentino and his hometown of Rumson said goodbye to him today as he was laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Keyport.

Joe was 81 years old. He passed away on April 2 surrounded by his loving family at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

Continue reading Rumson Says Goodbye, Thank You to Joe Sorrentino →

News

How Rumson Weathered the Storm

Rumson officials called it one of the worst storms to weather in three decades in the borough.

Continue reading How Rumson Weathered the Storm →

Local Life

Tradition: Rumson’s 16th Toy Drive

Santa Claus is coming to … the Rumson Department of Public Works Annual Toy Drive.

That’s right. Once again, it’s that time of the year, on Friday and Saturday, when Rumson tradition takes hold and Santa, in the form of countless charitable elves, brings new, unwrapped toys to the Public Works garage on East River Road to bring a better Christmas to children in need.

But it’s not just a toy drive. It’s an annual Rumson community tradition. It’s hosted by the DPW employees and the community as a whole, replete with holiday-appropriate hot chocolate, candy canes and yuletide company.

“It’s definitely turned into a big community event,” DPW organizer Mark Wellner told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect last year. “A lot of people stop down, bring the kids and socialize. We give the kids the candy canes and hot chocolate and there’s coffee for the adults. It’s really nice.”

This is the 16th year of the drive for which organizers usually set a goal of gathering at least 1,000 toys that will get funneled to the kids via Family & Children’s Services, Long Branch, and The Salvation Army, Red Bank.

And they’re always setting higher goals, trying to reach more kids and top each year’s number of toys collected and distributed.

Organizers ask that anyone wishing to donate bring a new, unwrapped gift to the Rumson Public Works Garage, behind Borough Hall on West River Road, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday and/or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

— Elaine Van Develde