Longtime Rumsonite and former Rumson Beauty Salon hairdresser, Carmela “Camille” Mastria, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, April 25. She was 99.
I could still see him. I believe everyone could. He was standing right up front in the far corner of the packed room. He could see it all from there. And, boy, was he smiling. Head tilted back a bit, to take it all in as best he could, his iconic smile spoke a thousand “How lucky we were” words. The rapturous sigh that emanated from his grin filled the room with his legacy of home-grown love.
I could see him add a wink this time as he read the room. The room, in a still-the-same Columbus Club corner nook on the street where we kids biked down the hill to school, was packed with those kids from his Fair Haven childhood.
“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even although we should regret it.” ~ John Adams in a letter to his wife Abigail, July 3, 1776.
They planted themselves at Fair Haven Fields on Sunday for the sake of a symbolic dedication of the rooting of 250 years of strength and independence in one tree dubbed The Liberty Tree.
Longtime Fair Havenite and 32-year Fair Haven Fire Department social member, William F. “Bill” Mieth Jr., passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 16. He was 83.
Rumson-raised longtime Locust resident and Sea Bright Beach Club, and Rumson Country Club member, Alexander “Sandy” Van Rensselaer Halsey passed away peacefully on March 5 in Bluffton, SC, surrounded by his children and devoted caregiver, Lisa. He was 95.
Sometimes, being benched is a good thing. It’s springtime and the livin’ is downright summery these days. So, being benched with a Navesink River view at the Fair Haven Dock is just what the winter-weary doctor ordered for perennial river-time seekers.
Former Fair Haven Sunoco gas station owner, Richard “Rick” Duckworth, passed away peacefully on March 31 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, surrounded by his family. He was 74.
OK, so this may have been summer. The shorts tell all — sort of. But the beautiful simplicity of a plain ol’ spring swing just suits a summery hot spring day like today perfectly.
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