Category Archives: Obituaries

A Final Birthday Tribute to Charles Cady

Charles Cady’s Porsche parade
Photo/Cady family

Longtime former Fair Havenite Charles Cady is remembered for many things: his service in the U.S. Air Force, his engineering expertise, his love of good music and storytelling, his fondness for friends not yet met, his keen memory and wit, and, his passion for the Porsche and a good life’s ride.

Continue reading A Final Birthday Tribute to Charles Cady

In Memorium: Fair Haven’s Sondra M. Krueger, 87

Sondra M. Krueger

Native Fair Havenite Sondra M. Krueger passed away at her home on April 6. She was 87.

Born in Fair Haven to the late William and Rekealth (Martin) Meyer, Sondra had lived in Middletown before returning to and settling in Fair Haven.

She loved to cook, cheer on her Mets, visit Disney World as much as she could, and spend every second spent with her ever-growing family.  

Continue reading In Memorium: Fair Haven’s Sondra M. Krueger, 87

In Memorium: Lifetime Rumsonite, Vet, Former Police Chief, Robert B. Zerr Jr.

The following obituary was prepared by Bob Zerr himself and dictated to his friend of 53 years, David C. Foster, also known as UD. It was published on the Thompson Memorial Home website.

Robert B. Zerr Jr., a lifelong resident of Rumson, passed away on March 29 at home. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Sharon. He is survived by: his daughter Terri Jo Zerr; his sister Linda Feeny and her husband Vinny; niece Susan and husband Frank Leslie; nephew John Feeny and wife Dianne; sister-in-law Susan Herman and her husband Ronzel; granddaughters Haleigh, Jackie, Lacee, Brandee; and great-granddaughters Macie, Zelda, Emrys, Guinevere.

Bob was known best by his friends as “Bee Zee.” He served with the U.S. Army from 1956-1962, serving 16 months in Korea. He was a life member of PBA Local 345, exempt member of Rumson First Aid Squad, Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association and a member of the Rumson Police Department from 1960-1988, serving the last three years as Chief of Police. 

Those who knew him well would agree that he was a humanitarian, a staunch defender of the right and a consummate American patriot. He also played softball for many years at Piping Rock in Rumson. He will be missed.

There will be no viewing or services. Burial will be private in the veteran’s section of Fair View Cemetery along with Sharon in Middletown, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warriors Assoc., PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to any other disabled Veterans organization. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank was entrusted with his care. 


Memorial Set for Longtime Rumsonite, Surfer, Musician, RFH Grad, Greg Weber, 66

He was a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a surfer, a rocker, a warrior, a friend. He was a longtime Rumsonite and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) graduate. He was Gregory S. Weber and he passed away on March 1 at his Long Branch home. He was 66.

Known to many as someone who loved and lived life to the fullest, Greg was born in Newark, NJ. A graduate of RFH and the University of Colorado, he traveled the world, but was always happiest at the Jersey Shore, family said in his obituary.

Continue reading Memorial Set for Longtime Rumsonite, Surfer, Musician, RFH Grad, Greg Weber, 66

Remembrance: Longtime Rumson-Fair Havenite, RFH Grad, Daryl Cooper Ley, 58

“There are places I remember … all my life, though some have changed. Some forever not for better. Some have gone and some remained. All these places have their moments, with lovers and friends I still can recall … In my life, I’ve loved them all.”

In My Life ~ The Beatles

And those who knew her, loved her right back …
She was Daryl Cooper Ley.

She grew up in Fair Haven, an adventurous girl who could sport scuffed knees, pigtails, snap some Double Bubble Bubble Gum bubbles and vroom a moped like no other. She was a Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) grad with many a prank to pull, paper airplane to fly and hearty hyena laughs to share. She was a supportive, fun Rumson mom and wife with a brazen love of all babies, children, adolescents and teens. She was a compassionate philanthropist. She was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend.

Continue reading Remembrance: Longtime Rumson-Fair Havenite, RFH Grad, Daryl Cooper Ley, 58

Memorial Set for Fair Haven Fire Department 30-Year Member, Chris Bertell, 88

You didn’t have to know lifetime Rumson and Fair Havenite Chris Bertell for him to have touched your life and put a smile on your face, if only for a moment, especially at holiday time. That’s because he was the guy who, year after year, set a festive, antique Santa-driven Ford Model T on his River Road lawn. It was a traffic stopper. It was also a heart warmer.

And when people think back on holiday time in Fair Haven, most remember that guy, Chris Bertell, who set out to spread a little joy with a car, some lights and good ol’ Saint Nick. They also remember him as the guy in town who loved antique cars and dalmatians and shared that love with many.

Bertell also saw many through emergencies as a 30-year life member of the Fair Haven Fire Department many-time president and ex-captain of the department’s Fire Police. He was also that go-to guy in the community for electrical repairs with his longtime business, Chris’ Electric.  

Bertell, also a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and member of the Masons, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 15, at Riverview Medical Center. He was 88.

A memorial is set for Bertell from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec.22. There will be a fire company service at 11. And The avid volunteer and lover of antique cars and dalmatians 

Chris is survived by: his wife of 60 years Frieda “Ruth” (Dudley); and his cousin, Vincent Domidion, of Morganville. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Chris’ name to the ASPCA, 260 Wall Street, PO Box 93, Eatontown, NJ 07724.

RIP, Chris Bertell. You are remembered.


Memorial Set for Rumson’s Oceanic Marina Owner, Peter Pawlikowski

Peter Pawlikowski, owner of Rumson’s Oceanic Marina, passed away on Dec. 8 Raritan Bay Medical Center with his wife and daughter Kristi by his side. He was 72. Services are set for 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson. 

Continue reading Memorial Set for Rumson’s Oceanic Marina Owner, Peter Pawlikowski