Category Archives: Obituaries

Obituaries

Memorial Service Set for Rumson’s AJ Heagney

Rumson resident Alexander Joseph “AJ” Heagney, a Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) alumni, passed away on Aug. 6. He was 23.

A memorial service to celebrate AJ’s life is set for Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at Tower Hill Presbyterian Church, Harding Road, Red Bank.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation in AJ’s memory be donate to a charity of your choice.

AJ Heagney Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home
AJ Heagney
Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

From his obituary …

“AJ will be forever remembered for his infectious smile, contagious laugh, and the ability to touch the lives of everyone around him.

“AJ had a passion for nature, snowboarding, photography, music and he loved to dance. He cared deeply for his family and friends and shared a level of kindness, compassion, and empathy for others that makes the world a better place.

“Funny, athletic, tender-hearted, energetic, and original was AJ. His sweet yet brave and strong spirit will carry-on through all who loved him.”

AJ is survived by: his mother, Leigh Roberto Heagney; his twin sister, Kailee Ann Heaney; his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

 

Obituaries

Services Set for Former RFH Athletic Director Walter Reiser, 55

Walter Reiser Photo/courtesy of Fiore Funeral Home
Walter Reiser
Photo/courtesy of Fiore Funeral Home

The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) community is mourning the death of former Athletic Director Walter Reiser.

Reiser died on Saturday at his West Long Branch home surrounded by loved ones, according to his obituary. He was 55.

Services will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, at Fiore Funeral Home, Long Branch.

“Huge loss for the RFH community,” said Mary Beth Tukis Coleman on the Fair Haven Facebook page.

Walter Reiser became one of the first full-time athletic trainers in the state when he started at RFH and was named the high school’s athletic director in 1987, his obituary added. A member of Monmouth County Director Athletics Association (MCDAA), he was president for two terms and treasurer over the years. In 2000, he was named  Athletic Director of the Year by the by MCDAA. He retired in 2014.

He was an active member of the Monmouth County Director of Athletics Association, where he served two terms as president and was treasurer for many years. He was recognized by that association as Athletic Director of the Year in 2000.

Known as a dedicated husband, dad and champion of good will and community causes, Reiser was a graduate of Springfield College where he earned a master’s degree in sports medicine.

He is predeceased by: his parents, Anne and Edward Reiser.

He is survived by: his wife of 28 years, Kathy; his two daughters, Emily and Allie; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed and Terry, Rob and Kathy, Jim and Bea and their families, of Long Island, NY; his sisters-in-law and their families, Debbie and Jeff Bevino, Donna and Mike Melisi and Lisa Urbanowicz and George Salanto, of Connecticut; many cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; and many friends.

‘An avid runner all of his life, Walt is lovingly sent home to God by those who love him with the words of St. Paul, ‘having run with endurance he has finished the good race,'” his obituary said.

Following Tuesday’s visitation at Fiore, a funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Fiore Funeral Home with a burial following at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

News, Obituaries, Opinion

Remembering RFH’s Mr. Botti

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Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) graduates going back several decades are honoring the memory of former RFH math teacher and basketball and baseball coach, Thomas Botti.

Botti passed away in July 6 at what had become his Royal Palm Beach, Florida home in 1999 after retirement, according to his obituary on legacy.com. He was 87 and was laid to rest today at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.

Botti taught math for more than four decades and was chairman of the Math Department at RFH until the end of his tenure there in addition to coaching freshman baseball and varsity basketball.

“RIP Coach,” said RFH grad Troy Brandon on the Fair Haven Facebook page.

“He was a super teacher and class advisor to the graduationing class of 1963,” said Jacqui Foster Reynoso on the Facebook page.

“I had Mr. Botti for Algebra I in freshman year,”  RFH grad Susan Mapes Zimmermann said. “My only A in mathematics, and I never did much good after that. I liked him very much.”

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the day honor the math teacher and coach with the above shots of Mr. Botti in action coaching and being a department head in the RFH yearbooks of the mid-1970s. Anyone remember who that is in the featured photo with the coach?

RIP, Mr. Botti. Coach. You are remembered.

Some things you may or may not know about Mr. Botti from his obituary …

Botti had a master’s degree in Education from New York University. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for a year, from 1950 to 1951.

He worked summers at Monmouth Park in Oceanport while teaching and became a mutual clerk after retirement. He enjoyed golf and ceramic painting.

Mr. Botti is survived by: his wife, Vivian; daughter, Liz Newsome and son-in-law John Newsome, of Wellington, Fl.; and daughter Cindy Morgan, of Hackensack; grandson, Spencer Morgan, of Montclair; and granddaughters Emily and Katherine Newsome, of Wellington, FL.

 

Obituaries

Rumson Mourns Loss of Kenneth Swain, 51

The Rumson community is mourning the loss of 51-year-old Kenneth Robert Swain, Jr., who died suddenly at his Rumson home on June 12, according to bloomberg.com.

Kenneth Swain Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home
Kenneth Swain
Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

Swain, a U.S. Army veteran and managing director the Red Bank office of BTIG, LLC, a hedge and mutual fund equity trading services company, was known as a “larger than life man with the biggest of hearts, who was often the first to volunteer his time and support to the community,” his obituary from Thompson Memorial Home said. “He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and an amazing friend …”

Swain, a football and basketball coach, was on the board of the RFH Touchdown Club and AYF. He was a graduate of Radford University, his obituary said.

Kenny is survived by: his wife of 16 years, Kim; his seven children, Meghan, Kenny, Tommy, John, Julia, Paige and Colin; his sister, Diane Swain Korsh, of Encinitas, CA; his brother, Clifford Swain, of Moneta, VA; his parents, Kenneth and Carol Swain, of Moneta, VA; his in-laws; and beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation is set for Wednesday, June 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank.

A Mass of christian burial will be held on Friday, June 17 at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, 30 Ward Avenue, Rumson. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people consider a memorial donation in Kenny’s name to the Rumson Education Foundation, P.O. Box 395, Rumson, NJ 07760.

News, Obituaries

Services Set for Former Rumson Roulette Owner, Community Leader Peggy Werber

The following is an edited obituary of Margaret “Peggy” Werber from Thompson Memorial Home:

Former Rumson resident, business owner and community leader Margaret “Peggy” Werber passed away suddenly on Friday, June 3.

Margaret "Peggy" Werber Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home
Margaret “Peggy” Werber
Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

A lineal descendant of Thomas Hinckley, governor of Plymouth Colony and first governor of Massachusetts, Mrs. Werber was a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who was known to epitomize grace, intelligence and kind heartedness, her obituary from Thompson Memorial said.

Continue reading Services Set for Former Rumson Roulette Owner, Community Leader Peggy Werber →

Obituaries

RFH Grad, Longtime Fair Havenite Regina Lamberson Allison Dies at 56

Regina Lamberson Allison Photo/courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home
Regina Lamberson Allison
Photo/courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home

It wasn’t too long ago that Brian Allison, son of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School alumni and longtime Fair Havenite Regina Lamberson Allison was asking for help for his ailing mom via a GoFundMe page.

On Friday, after succumbing to what her son told R-FH Retro in a previous interview was a battle with health issues that began in 2013 and culminated in stage four kidney cancer, Regina passed away at Jersey Shore University Medical Center on May 6. She was 56. A service will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11 at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank.

“Regina and I were best friends in high school,” Mary McCuen said in a message on the John E. Day Funeral Home website. “She had a heart of gold and she made people laugh. She was kind, considerate and loved life. When meeting up again with her 2 years ago, she spoke of her sons and how much she missed her mother … ”

Regina’s mother was a crossing guard in Fair Haven years ago, where she grew up. She raised her son, Brian, who lives elsewhere but still volunteers at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair annually, there.

“She was a loving daughter, mother and cousin,” said Terri Drapczuk on the funeral home site. “… May she rest in peace without pain and sickness.”

From Regina’s obituary, courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home … 

Born in Long Branch, Regina lived in Fair Haven before moving to Ocean Township twelve years ago. She was a medical billing clerk at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Previously, she was a carrier for the Asbury Park Press/PCF.

Regina was predeceased by her Mother Arminda Lamberson in 2007. She is survived by: two sons, Brian L. and Justin V. Allison, both of Ocean Township; one sister, Michele Lumberton, of Laurence Harbor; and her father, Leon Lamberson, of Oakhurst.

Interment is private.

The family asks that memorial donations be made in Regina’s name to the Associated Humane Societies, 2960 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724.

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 →

Obituaries

Memorial Service for Longtime Rumson Resident Bill Berry Set

Bill Berry Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

Longtime Rumson resident Myron “Bill” Berry passed away peacefully on March 10 after a long battle with cancer.

He was surrounded surrounded by his family and devoted friend, Nancy Kochanski.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Suzanne “Sue” Lucking Berry, who he met while attending Ramsey High School. After graduation, he went on to graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology. Upon finishing college, Bill and his wife moved to Amberg, Germany during Bill’s two years of service in the United States Army.

Continue reading Memorial Service for Longtime Rumson Resident Bill Berry Set →

Obituaries

Former Rumsonite Michael Gabriel, 56, Passes Away Suddenly

The following is Michael Gabriel’s obituary, courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home:

Michael Gabriel Photo/courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home
Michael Gabriel
Photo/courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home

Michael F. Gabriel, 56, passed away suddenly on Friday March 25, 2016.

Born in Red Bank to Frank Gabriel and Barbara Demcoe, he grew up in Rumson before moving to Monmouth Beach in 1994.

At the age of 13 he received the rank of Eagle Scout and was a junior champion skeet shooter. Mike was a 1981 graduate of the University of Miami and received his Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration. He was a passionate sports fan.

During football season, Saturdays were saved for cheering on his son who plays for his beloved Miami Hurricanes, and Sundays were devoted to the the New York Giants. From a young age, he spent his summers at Monmouth Park Racetrack, parking cars and most recently as a successful thoroughbred horse owner.

An avid golfer, he was a member of Deal Country Club and was proud to be part of The Shrimpers; and most recently he joined the Dye Preserve Golf Club in Jupiter, FL.

Mike was the Executive Director of Arcadia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hamilton Square, NJ.

He is survived by: a son and two daughters, Frank S. Gabriel, Kristin N. Gabriel and Caroline L. Gabriel, of Monmouth Beach and their mother, Amie Gabriel, of Long Branch.

Mike is also survived by: his mother, Barbara A. Gabriel, of Monmouth Beach; brother Frank Gabriel Jr., of Tarpon Springs, FL; two sisters, Lori Gabriel Petschauer, of Long Branch, and Gloria Vaccarella of Daytona Beach, FL; two nieces, Caitlin Dziedzic and Kendall Petschauer; two nephews, Gary and Michael Vaccarella.

He also leaves behind his girlfriend Kathryn Bateman of Monmouth Beach, and his beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog, Alice.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, at the Church of the Precious Blood, 72 Riverdale Ave., Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at www.thoroughbredaftercare.org.

Please visit Mike’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.

Obituaries, Opinion

In Memory: Services set for Former Fair Haven Dr. Jack Powers

It seems that everyone who knew him or even knew of him has an image of Dr. Jack Powers etched in their minds.

That image, from one longtime Fair Havenite’s mind to the next, has very similar traits — all that put a healing smile on their faces when looking back and speaking of him.

He was the Dr. Steven Kiely of Fair Haven. You know, that mod, sharp looking younger doc who practiced with Marcus Welby, MD on TV. He drove a sporty convertible (just as cool or cooler than the Kiely motorcycle), had good looks, a very hip, caring nature, platinum blonde hair and made house calls.

And, yes, he cared. Anyone who knew him felt that. He was the cool doc who knew everyone’s name, ailments and personalities. He made it his business. And it was just that for many years.

So, there was a wave of icon days-gone-by sadness peppered with gratitude that engulfed Fair Haven when residents past and present heard of his passing on Saturday.

Comments flooded the Fair Haven Facebook page, starting with the announcement of Powers’ death and photo collage and memorial tribute by Jeffrey White:

“Fair Haven lost a great man this weekend,” White said. “Dr. John ‘Jack’ Dennis Powers epitomized what a small town family doctor was. An expert diagnostician, he was like a second father and grandfather to so many of us. He and his wife Arny were best friends of my grandparents Molly and Jack. These pictures were taken in happier times. Jack was the last of the old gang, but now they are reunited once again. Let the parties resume! Rest In Peace Dr. Powers.”

The page’s administrator, Doug Newman, a family friend of Powers’, followed with his own tribute: “Now THERE was a pillar of the community. A family friend, a good and humble man.”

Nancy Lee Benedict called the day of Powers’ death a “a sad day for Fair Haven’s ‘Camelot.’ Some of us were very fortunate to know these people growing up. I know as I was one of them. The days when Fair Haven garage sales saw Jack & Jack walking among the neighbors. I also knew the Dr., who was my first crush. I would fake being sick so he would make a HOUSE CALL. Yes, he came to the house. Remember his white or red convertible?”

People remembered it as actually a powder blue mustang convertible with some sort of MD plates. The memories of him driving through town in that convertible are so iconic and strong that some said no matter the season, they don’t seem to ever remember seeing the top up.

Seeing Dr. Powers around town, at the office, making a house call or just plain driving through town was yet another comforting, knowing you’re home piece of growing up in Fair Haven.

“When I think of Fair Haven, I think of your Dad,” longtime former Fair Havenite Robin Drake Fitch said to Powers’ son on the Fair Haven page. “I always have and I always will … and he wasn’t even our doctor! (…although I secretly wished he was!)”

Yes. You are remembered, doc. You were appreciated. Thank you for, knowingly or not, being a part of our Fair Haven childhood. Rest in peace.

The following is Dr. Powers’ obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home:

Dr. John D. Powers (Jack) passed away on March 19 after a full and wonderful life. He was 92.

Born in Red Bank, he attended Red Bank public schools and later graduated from Colgate University where he studied pre-med. This was interrupted by three years of duty in the U.S. Navy.

After graduating from Midshipman School at Northwestern University in Chicago and sub-chaser school in Miami, he was deployed to the Pacific theater during the latter part of World War II just after the Iwo Jima invasion aboard the USS LSM 141.

After discharge from the Navy and completing college, he went to Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, followed by an internship in Lansing, Michigan. He returned to Fair Haven with his wife, Eleanor (Clayton) “Arny” Powers, whom he had married during junior year of medical school.

Dr. Powers was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and for fifty years conducted his practice with an ever present sense of joy and compassion. He was dedicated to his patients both during office visits and regular house calls.

Upon retirement in 1993, he became medical director of the Riverview Medical Center Outpatient Clinic, where he served for four years.

Dr. Powers was devoted to his wife and family of five children and their many activities including camping, sailboat cruising and extended family reunions. He was an active competitor in squash, tennis, sailboat racing and golf (the last being the most humbling). He also enjoyed sailboat cruising with friends and family.

He logged many memorable sailing voyages including regular family vacations to Block Island aboard his several sloops named ‘Spray’ and most notable, a trip with several friends on a 65-foot sloop to Florida where they narrowly escaped disaster sailing through a rogue hurricane off the Carolinas.

Jack was a member of the Tower Hill Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years, which had a profound and positive influence on him and a long-time member of Monmouth Boat Club.

Left behind are: his four sons, Jack (and Jan), Tom (and Sally), Jim (and Megan), Stephen and daughter Bonnie Banahan (Jim), his Laotian son, Thowpaou ‘Bruce’ Bliatout; 13 grandchildren (Brittany, Andrew, Kelly, Robert, Buddy, Johnny, Kitty, Joseph, Stephen, Michael, Nikki, Sean and Jane) and many loving nieces and nephews.

Jack was predeceased by: his wife Eleanor Powers; parents Ellwood and Christine Powers; his sisters Marjorie and Jane; his daughter-in-law Terry; and three grandchildren, Joshua, Grace and Kathleen.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, March 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 29 at 11 a.m. at the Tower Hill Presbyterian Church, 255 Harding Rd, Red Bank. Charitable donations can be made to Hospice-VNA or the Parker Family Health Clinic.

Obituaries, Opinion

Remembering Fair Haven’s Patrolman Robert J. Henne

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It was a year ago today that Fair Haven lost Patrolman Robert Henne. The loss of the friendly, compassionate cop was a devastating one.

We, at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, again offer our profound condolences to his loving family and many colleagues and friends. 

In memory of Robert, we are re-running our tribute to him that was originally published after his funeral and final call on March 31, 2015. 

RIP, Robert. You are remembered … 

By Elaine Van Develde

There was something about his face.

Always a content smile emanating from underneath his police hat, Fair Haven Police Patrolman Robert J. Henne seemed to wear his pristine, proud heart on its brim. And it seemed as if St. Michael, patron saint of police officers, was perched right next to it, guarding it. Always.

Whether or not you knew the officer well, it didn’t matter. Just one glance of his bright doe eyes and beam from under the brim of that officer’s cap that seemed to embrace him, and you knew you were home, cared for and protected.

And so was he.

“He was emblematic of everything that’s good in this town,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said with crestfallen pride as he reflected on the untimely March 23 death of the 23-year-old third-generation policeman and fireman. “He represented what small-town community life should be.”

The mayor knew him. He knew him well. He knew how he always wanted to be a police officer. He knew that Robert embraced his calling and the people in his community who he served.

The mayor also knew that it gave him much joy to sign off on the promotion of Henne to a Special Class II officer in 2012. He had seen Henne rise through the ranks from police explorer. He remembered. Many others remembered, too.

They remembered every nuance of what they knew to be a modest, fun and compassionate public servant, son, brother and friend.

But you didn’t have to know him well to know the same thing that the mayor and the people closest to him knew — that Robert Henne was a strong, gentle, protective presence in the lives of every citizen with whom he came in contact.

I knew of his impact and pride of being on the job. And I knew there was something special about him.

I could see it in his smile. Many could.

It seems uncanny sometimes how people pass through our lives, in anything from a fleeting moment, to a few casual encounters and even longstanding relationships.

Yet, however long they are a presence, some seem to etch an indelible mark in our hearts.

As a journalist, this happens to us frequently. And, while the always unique fingerprint of some lives imprinted onto ours can inflict searing pain or a dull ache, it can also leave an impression of tremendous joy. But both teach us. We are grateful for both.

Some stay. Some go. But there’s always an impact in one way or another. And we are fortunate to have had a glimpse into their lives — if only for a moment. And we reflect. Sometimes aloud. Sometimes  unwittingly through our actions.

Reflection enriches us all. Having known such an incredible cross-section of people makes us see how one moment with one person, even just passing through, can make a difference. The difference it makes can be celebrated. It can change us forever — for the better.

There are people with whom we’ve grown up whose deaths we must sadly report on. We grapple with how to best honor them. There tragic accidents involving people we do not know, but to whom we can relate because we have a child, a brother, a sister or a friend whom it could have been.

There are people who have just once shared with us an unforgettable gut laugh over a silly outtake moment in an interview. There are centenarians whose amazing lives we are privileged to look back on with them and write about.

There are people who face adversity and share their experience with us. There are people  with whom we chat and come to know when visiting municipal offices or just being out and about in towns we cover. There are villains. There are heroes.

And there are young men like Patrolman Robert J. Henne whose smile I think we will always see when we round a corner, go to an event, or see a uniform, a fire truck or a patrol car in our Fair Haven.

Thank you, Robert Henne for protecting and serving us and for giving us another reason to be grateful for having known someone like you — if only for a moment.

— Slideshow by Elaine Van Develde … Photo credits: Elaine Van Develde, Fair Haven Fire Department, screenshots from Facebook, courtesy of Tom Kirman and other friends and family of Robert J. Henne.