Saying goodbye is always tough. It’s especially tough when you didn’t expect the person to go anywhere anytime soon. It’s what happened when 32-year-old Fair Haven native Will Jakubecy died suddenly. An especially tough goodbye had to be said.
Continue reading Saying Goodbye to Fair Haven’s Will Jakubecy
“In a perfect world we would all get the chance to say goodbye to each other before leaving. Unfortunately like we’ve experienced with many other friends and loved ones that just isn’t the case.” ~ AJ Fox ~ excerpt of a Facebook post to Will Jakubecy
The Fair Haven community and beyond has been blanketed with sadness, shock and a lot of love since hearing of the sudden death of 32-year-old Will Jakubecy on July 20.
Messages and photos in remembrance of the Fair Haven native flooded social media, honing in on a vibrant life well-lived, shared and taken too soon.
And on July 26, from 4 to 8 p.m., the remembrance will continue with first a visitation at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. It will be followed by a “Big Ass Repast,” according to Will’s obituary, at the Fair Haven Firehouse on Saturday at 2 p.m. for which all who loved Will are invited to come equipped with their favorite stories and photos of him.
As for any other details … the family, in his tribute, asks that “in lieu of flowers, please hold your loved ones close and call your mother. She worries.”
Will’s obituary/tribute from John E. Day Funeral Home, put together by his loved ones, paints the picture of his life … and it’s a giant canvas filled with bright color and unabashed detail.
Here it is … RIP, Will Jakubecy. You are remembered.
“On July 20, 2017 our hearts were forever broken when Will was taken home on a country road. Will passed away due to unknown heart disease and stubbornness.
Will grew up in Fair Haven and attended Knollwood School. There he terrorized his teachers and made lifelong friendships with many. He put in his four years at Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School where he had a notorious football career as a stud fullback with the Bulldogs. Number 33 was known as “The Tank.” A man of tradition, he painted himself green and streaked through the halls of RFH on St. Patrick’s Day.
Will graduated from West Virginia University and was a proud Mountaineer. He rarely missed a football game and was a die-hard fan of Blue & Gold. “BZ” or “Be Easy” was a familiar face at Mario’s Fishbowl and all the local pubs of Morgantown. He never missed a chance to toss ‘em back and chase some girls.
After college, Will packed up his ski gear and moved to Bend, Oregon where he perfected his big mountain powder style. He upped his game on various back country trails with great friends and family. He was always prepared with a lifter in the pocket of his jacket.
Will came home and picked up a trowel to work alongside his dad and best friend, Bill. He became an accomplished mason, and they enjoyed many lunch breaks at Val’s Tavern. He eventually moved on to work with his cousin Jake and the dockbuilders of Local 1556.
Will travelled the world in search of the best powder with the West Long Branch Ski Club. He was a proud member of the esteemed club within the club, The Bushwackers. There he was named “Soaring Eagle” for the obvious reasons.
An all-American boy, Will enjoyed many sports including softball, hunting and fishing. He swung his bat for The Machine in the Rumson Townie Softball League with his dad and longtime buddies. The whitetail population of Monmouth County can sleep a little easier knowing Will has finally hung up his bow. His presence will be sorely missed at the Muzzy Stump Shoot this year and every year to come.
Will was the proud godfather of three: Johnny, Cole and Timmy. Not especially religious, he shared few bible verses, but he taught them loyalty, kindness and strength. He loved them hard and taught them how to properly have a good time. He made sure they would become aces in the snow and knew how to hold a rod & reel.
Will’s beloved dogs, Tanner & Clay, will never be the same. When you see them running through Fair Haven Fields, please send them home.
Will is predeceased by his grandparents Carl & Margaret Jakubecy and Jack Costello and his Aunt Jackie Lake. He also is giving Heaven some Hell with his cousin Mike Sharkey.
Will is survived by countless heartbroken friends and family members, most importantly his parents Joy (Costello) & Bill Jakubecy, his sister and brother-in-law Alison & Kevin Countryman and his beloved nephew & niece Timmy & Maggie. He is not survived by any children of his own (as far as we know).”
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) graduate and former Rumson resident Jordan Anthony Iarussi passed away on Sunday, July 2. He was 25. Continue reading Memorial Services Set for RFH Grad Jordan Iarussi, 25
Longtime Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) teacher and coach, Thomas J. Bain, passed away at his Ocean Township home on Friday, June 2. He was 89.
Born in Columbus, OH, Mr. Bain served in as a U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant in the Korean War, according to his obituary information from Wooley-Boglioli Funeral Home. He graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics. He received his master’s degree from Montclair State College.
Mr. Bain taught math and coached track and football for many years at RFH, retiring in 1985. Many former students considered him a favorite with an easy going manner and a bright smile.
He was also a member of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, West Long Branch, where he sang in their choir for many years.
Mr. Bain was pre-deceased by his wife, Marilyn, in 2003.
Surviving are: his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas J. and Colleen Bain, of Hillsborough; his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy B. and Thomas Ehlert, of Wall; and five grandchildren, Colin, Heather, Bryan, Shannon and Sean.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 992 Broadway, West Long Branch.
Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch.
The marquee at the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company’s Firehouse is once again imparting the sad news of the passing of another of its longtime members — Philip Bianco.
Continue reading Services Set for Longtime Fair Havenite, Fire Company Member Phil Binaco
Memorial services have been set for Saturday and next Monday for longtime Fair Haven resident and World War II veteran, Kenneth Hayden Curchin, who passed away peacefully on April 29 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, at the age of 100.
Continue reading Memorial Services Set for Fair Haven Centenarian Ken Curchin
Longtime Fair Haven resident Magnolia “Midge” Edwards Jetter passed away on April 24 at the Atrium in Red Bank. She was 102.
Continue reading Service Set for Fair Haven’s Magnolia ‘Midge’ Edwards Jetter, 102
Former longtime Rumson resident John P. Kennedy passed away peacefully on April 27 after a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 81.
Born in Brooklyn, John moved to Rumson at the age of 5. In his later years, until his death, he lived in Oceanport. John graduated from Holy Cross Grammar School and Red Bank Catholic (RBC) High School.
A basketball player at RBC, he had many fond memories of his experiences on the hard court, which ultimately led to his volunteer coaching roles at Holy Cross and various other youth basketball leagues, his obituary said.
John was a 25-year volunteer and past president of the Oceanic Hook & Ladder Fire Company. He was also in the Army Reserve.
Before retiring from Henderson Brothers on the New York Stock Exchange in 2000, John worked for JCP&L for many years.
In his retirement years, he enjoyed “playing golf, walking the boardwalk, and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events,” his obituary added.
John was predeceased by: his parents, John and Mary Kennedy, of Rumson; his twin brother, Eugene, of Rumson and Middletown; and his brother, Edward, Red Bank.
John is survived by: his wife of 58 years, Patricia Gerrity Kennedy; sons, JP Kennedy, of Sea Bright, Kevin E. Kennedy, of Red Bank, Gregg J. Kennedy (and his wife, Amanda), of Rumson, son Kyle L. Kennedy (and wife Lori Valvano, of Hoboken; daughter, Kerry Kennedy Kroll (and husband Kevin), of Michigan/South Carolina; and grandchildren, Karleigh Kroll House (and husband Nicholas), Brendan Kroll, Jimmy Kennedy, Wesley Kennedy, Maren Kennedy, and Mason Kennedy.
He is also survived by: Frances Kennedy, the wife of his late brother Eugene; and Patricia Kennedy, the wife of his late brother Edward; and nieces/nephews, friends, and former NYSE colleagues.
A mass celebrating John’s life will be scheduled for the future. The family gratefully acknowledges The Bayside Manor Nursing Home Staff and the Hospice Staff for the care, comfort, and assistance provided during his illness. The Thompson Memorial Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
— Obituary provided by Thompson Memorial Home
Continue reading Former Longtime Rumsonite John P. Kennedy Passes Away at 81
Rumson resident and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) graduate Edwin Austin Pomphrey passed away on April 21 in Long Branch. He was 29.
Born at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, Austin grew up in Rumson, graduated from RFH in 2006 and University of South Carolina in 2010 with a business degree in Risk Management & Insurance. He partnered with his father in business at E.L. Pomphrey, LLC, a local painting and construction company, his obituary said.
Known as “a kind, compassionate and generous person throughout his life to anyone who knew him,” Austin “had a good heart and cared deeply for his family and friends,” his family said in his obituary.
Austin was an avid and enthusiastic NY Jets and SC Gamecock fan. He prided himself in his accomplishments, “the biggest of all being a sincere and adoring loving son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. He will be so unbearably missed by us all.”
Austin is predeceased by: his maternal grandfather Carl L. Higgins; his paternal grandparents, Edwin and Mina Pomphrey; and his uncle, Stephen Higgins.
He is survived by: his loving parents Edwin L. Pomphrey Jr. and Sarah (Higgins), of Rumson; his sister, Lindsay Pomphrey and her fiancée Phil Shaheen Jr., of Fair Haven; his nephew Tradd; his maternal grandmother, Flora Higgins, of Colts Neck; a great aunt Lyndl Marshall, of NYC; his aunts and uncles, Ted Higgins, of Neptune, Allen and Marie Gallagher, of Rumson, Rich and Sheri Runne, of Rumson; and his first cousins, Kelli Pomphrey, of Eatontown, Darren Gallagher, of Rumson, Matt Gallagher, of Fair Haven and Dylan Runne, of Rumson; and many cousins and extended family members.
Visitation will be held at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, on Tuesday, April 25, from 4 to 8 p.m..
The funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, 4 East River Road, Rumson, on Wednesday, April 26, at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Middletown.
— Obituary, courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home
The sun had just set. Darkness fell on Sea Bright beach Sunday night as hundreds of friends, family, loved ones of 19-year-old Maddy Massabni made their way to a spot on the beach where they quietly brought light … candlelight and memories of the light that was known to embody the recent Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) graduate’s spirit.
Maddy passed away on March 30 “following an unexpected and rare bout with septic shock,” her obituary prepared by family said, adding that Maddy was “given her angel wings.”
The soft sound of the surf seemed to cradle those who loved the Rumson girl with the gift of an infectious dimpled grin as they huddled somberly in her memory. They spoke of her with sniffles and smiles. They bowed their heads. They reminisced.
They remembered a gentle, sweet soul … a girl they knew as someone whose “beautiful smile melted the hearts of those who knew and loved her” … whose “sense of humor could always make people laugh,” her obituary said.
They remembered a twinkly-eyed teenager who “lived life to the fullest,” loved basking in the sun at that beach with her buddies, cheerleading, and managing the track team.
“The sunshine of her parent’s eyes,” as her loved ones called her in her obituary, “Madalyn’s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives.
“With Madalyn’s passing we remind others that her life is one to be celebrated,” it added. “Although we will miss her dearly every day she will forever remain in our hearts. Throughout her life we were able to create wonderful memories and it has been an honor and a privilege to be the parents and brother of this beautiful, loving, amazing and caring young woman.”
Notes of sympathy flooded Facebook in the days following Maddy’s death.
Val’s, where she worked, posted this: “We are heartbroken at Vals. One of the kids that worked for us passed away today at 19. Suddenly tragically unbelievable. She was just starting her life. We will miss her beautiful smile and generous spirit. ‘My tears don’t flow like rivers just a mist that comes and goes and I feel a coldness start to grow deep within my soul’ … Hug your kids a little tighter tonight.”
The Fair Haven Fire Department sent out a note of condolence.
Classmates of Maddy’s mother, Dawn Tilton Massabni, an RFH graduate, hold her in their hearts, hundreds of notes expressed.
Her Uncle Harvey (Tilton), also a Rumson resident, started a gofundme page.
Maddy will be sorely missed, no doubt. Not forgotten.
In addition to her many friends, Maddy is survived by: her loving mom and dad, Dawn and George Massabni III; brother, George Massabni IV; paternal grandparent, Nan Massabni; and maternal grandparents Geraldine and Harvey Tilton; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Her service will take place on Tuesday, April 4, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St. Red Bank, NJ. There will be a funeral service on Wednesday, April 5 at 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 94 Tindall Rd. Middletown, NJ followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 100 Chapel Hill Rd., Red Bank.
For the complete obituary, click here.
To Maddy’s loved ones: Mom, Dawn, who we know, dad, George, and all …
We, at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, offer our heartfelt condolences. We cannot express adequately how deeply sorry we are for your loss. Thank you for bringing her into this world to brighten so many lives in such a short time. We see and hear what a gift Maddy was to so many.
Rest in peace, Maddy. You are remembered.
May the candles keep burning … May her light shine on …
— Elaine Van Develde
It wasn’t all that long ago when Lucille Suggs was still living in the Fair Haven neighborhood that she loved.
Tucked away contentedly in her modest home, neighbors, friends, family were known to stop by for a visit. Then there were the police officers who had grown up knowing her as a loving, welcoming presence in the borough who would pop in to make sure that she was safe and cared for during a storm, bout of bad weather, or “just because.”
Mrs. Suggs not too long ago, after more than half a century there, left the Fair Haven home and community she loved in her 90s to be closer to her son and cared for in a nursing home where he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
She hit 100 in August of 2016 with a big smile on her face, surrounded by loved ones and missed dearly by Fair Havenites who had grown so accustomed to her warm grin, embracing, graceful manner and soulful sense of humor.
Lucille Brooks Suggs passed away on March 23. And she is coming home to Fair Haven tomorrow, Saturday, to be bid farewell at her church, Fisk Chapel AME Church, 38 Fisk St., with a viewing beginning at 9a.m. and funeral services to follow at 11. Interment will be at the Shoreland Memorial Gardens, Hazlet.
Her son, Dennis, posted the following tribute to his mother the day after her death …
“Last night at 11:30, the inimitable Lucille Brooks Suggs decided enough was enough and peacefully took her one woman show ‘to loftier climes.’
“After 100 years and 6 months of being a constant protector, inspiration, non-stop joke machine (I could never figure out where she learned all those, let alone remembered them) as well as an endless source of real POSITIVITY (You should have seen the aides guard her like she was the Queen of England as she declined this week at twin towers), I believe it’s safe to say she felt her time here was well spent, but alas, it was time to go.
“She will be well-remembered and sorely missed. I know if you asked her what to think she wouldn’t want mourning or solemnity, she’d want you to laugh(alot), love people, do kind things and live to the fullest.
“We will be bringing her home next weekend so that she can rest in final peace next to her partner of nearly 50 years, so they can get back to playing pinochle, something I’m guessing is already taking place. Enjoy the day, your friends and loved ones. Cheers!!!”
Click here for Mrs. Suggs’ obituary.
RIP, Mrs. Suggs. You, a forever Fair Haven friend and neighbor to many, will always be remembered as an embodiment of what this small town is all about.
“Life is too short my friend …. you are now soaring with the angels, Debbie. Kind , soft spoken and the patience of a saint, we will miss you my friend.” It’s what one friend said in a Facebook post upon hearing of the news of longtime Monmouth Beach resident Debrah (Debbie) Hollen’s death.
Continue reading Memorial Slated for Debrah Hollen, 51, Monmouth Beach
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