Category Archives: Obituaries

Obituaries, Opinion

Remembrance by Surf, Candlelight: RFH’s Maddy Massabni, 19

Madalyn Elizabeth Massabni
Photo/RFH yearbook

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

Obituaries, Opinion

Saying Goodbye to Fair Haven’s Lucille Suggs, 100

Lucille Brooks Suggs

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. 

 

Obituaries

Memorial Slated for Debrah Hollen, 51, Monmouth Beach

“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 →

Obituaries

Memorial Set for former Rumsonite Marty Stevens Kaufmann

Martha “Marty” Stevens Kaufmann
Photo/courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

Former longtime Rumson resident Marty Stevens Kaufmann passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18, at her Sunrise of Lincroft residence. She was 80.

Born and raised in the coal-mining town of Glen Lyon, PA, Marty moved to New York City after graduating from Newport High School. She worked there for a couple of years before marrying and relocating to the River Plaza section of Middletown and then to Rumson, where she continued to raise her family.

In retirement, Marty spent her winters in Stuart, FL and summers in Long Branch.

A member of the Rumson Newcomers’ Club, Marty was also an office manager at Biddle Sawyer Corp., Keyport, for more than 20 years,

In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, long walks, traveling and boating with her beloved late husband, Don. “She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and is already missed dearly,” her family said in her obituary from Thompson Memorial Home.

Marty was predeceased by her husband Daniel “Don” Kaufmann “Don” few months ago with whom she shared “35 happy years.”  She was also predeceased by her parents, Theodore and Martha Honabach, and her sister Marie Castelli, of Nanicoke, Pa.

Marty is survived by: her sons, Edward Stevens and his wife Robin, of Paoli, Pa., and their boys Bryce and Cassidy, James Stevens and his wife Noreen, of Atlantic Highlands, and their children Trevor and Samantha, Mark Stevens and his wife Donna, of Middletown, and their children Kelly, Amy and A.J.; and daughter Linda Stevens Olshan, of Long Branch, and her children Nicole and Robert.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 26, from 2 to 5 pm, at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, March 27, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Precious Blood, 72 Riverdale Ave., Monmouth Beach.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Martha to the Alzhiemers Association at www.alz.org.

— Edited obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

Local Life, Obituaries

Remembering Fair Haven Police Patrolman Robert J. Henne

Image

Today marks two years since the untimely death of 23-year-old Fair Haven Police Patrolman Robert J. Henne.

Henne, also a Fair Haven fireman, was loved dearly by his community, colleagues, friends and family.

Take a look back and remember. Thank you for your service, Robert. Rest in peace … You are remembered.

Obituaries

Rumson Memorial Set for Former River Rats Purser, Warner White

Former longtime Fair Haven resident and purser of the River Rats, Elijah Warner White, died on March 14 at Riverview Medical Center. He was 91 and living in Red Bank prior to his death.

A memorial service for White is slated for March 25 at 2 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, 4 East River Rd., Rumson.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925 to the former Florence Gage and Percy Warner White, he earned degrees from Oberlin College and the University of Michigan. He relocated to New Jersey to work as an electronics engineer at Bell Labs, Holmdel.

Warner was a skilled photographer and a member of the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury.

He served with the US Army 94th Infantry in combat 1944-45.

He was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, long-time resident of Fair Haven, and past purser of the River Rats Sailing Club.

Warner was predeceased by his son Christopher in 1997.

He is survived by: his wife of 65 years, the former Janet Brown; his son Philip; daughter Margaret (Peggy) Milliken; grandchildren Kathryn LeTrent and Robin Milliken; and great-granddaughter Margaret LeTrent.

 

The Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, is entrusted with the arrangements.

— Edited obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home.

Obituaries

Memorial Set for Former Fair Haven Mayor

Former Fair Haven Mayor Joseph Szostak passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 22. He was 81.

The former longtime music professor and creator of the music program at Brookdale Community College,music director and conductor of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, conductor of the Monmouth Conservatory Youth Chorus and music critic for the Red Bank Register made Fair Haven his home for 35 years before relocating to Caldwell seven years ago. It is there, at at Paul Ippolito-Dancy Memorial, 9 Smull Ave., where there will be a service to honor Szosktak on Sunday, Feb. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Szostak served as Fair Haven mayor for one four-year term, from 2002 to 2006. As a resident of Fair Haven, he was also a social member of the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company.

He was known as a man who treasured his family, good food, traveling, outdoors and Fair Haven. Szostak, his family said in his obituary, was “a generous, kind, gregarious, sensitive man whose door was always open to whoever needed his help. He made the world a brighter place with his humor, warmth, and love.”

Surviving are: his loving children, Martin and his wife, Gayle McCarthy, Phillip, and David and his wife, Jennifer; cherished grandchildren, Grace and Leo, and former wife, Barbara Armbruster.

He was predeceased by: his siblings, Anna, Florence, Helen, Mildred, Frank and John Szostak.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect is preparing a memorial tribute to Szostak. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] with comments and/or photos. Thank you! RIP, Mayor Szostak. You are remembered.

Obituaries

Memorial Set for Rumson’s Addy Bennett

Many people in the Rumson area have fond memories of the talent, warm smile and demeanor of one of the borough’s most longtime residents — Adelaide Bennett.

Adelaide, known as Addy to friends and family, passed away at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, surrounded by her loving family, on Feb. 7. She was 95.

Continue reading Memorial Set for Rumson’s Addy Bennett →

Obituaries

Memorial Service Set for Sea Bright’s Kerry Ann Hon, 48

Kerry Ann Hon, of Sea Bright, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 14. She was 48.

Born in Stamford, CT, Kerry Ann moved to Sea Bright with her two sons and loved the area and going to the beach. She was a representative with Servepro in Middletown.

Surviving are: her sons, Eric and Nicholas Elfstrom; her parents Jack and Laurel Anderson Hon; and her brothers, Michael Hon and Bruce Benway.

A celebration of Kerry’s life will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. at Ron’s West End Pub, 103 West End Avenue, Long Branch.

To share a favorite memory or messages of condolence, please visit Kerry’s Book of Memories at www.woolleyboglioli.com.

— Obituary, courtesy of Wooley Boglioli Funeral Home, 

Obituaries, Opinion

A Homecoming, Farewell for Fair Haven’s Evelyn Murphy

She’s coming home. Longtime Fair Havenite Evelyn Halliday Murphy will be honored and bid farewell on Friday and Saturday in her hometown community where she lived most of her life, raised a family, volunteered and was a bright, kind comforting everyday presence — a gentle, beaming reminder around every corner of what hometown really means.

Evelyn passed away at 97 on Sept. 3 at the home of her son, David, in Florida, where she had been living. The family is reuniting with the community to say goodbye in the town she loved surrounded by people and places she loved.

Many remember her bright red hair, warm smile and kind no-nonsense words. A volunteer at Knollwood School, the Fair Haven Election Board  and Church of the Nativity, where her funeral service is set for Saturday,  Evelyn also participated in local theater and worked at Steinbach’s Department Store in Red Bank for 35 years, retiring at 83.

Evelyn eventually came to Fair Haven from Tarrytown, NY, where she was born. She had spent her summers in Rockaway Beach where her parents ran a restaurant on the boardwalk.

Shortly after World War II, Evelyn met her husband, John. In 1950, they moved to Fair Haven, where they raised their seven children. After John’s death in 1980, Evelyn continued to live on Hunting Lane until moving to Jensen Beach, Florida, where she lived with her son David and daughter-in-law, Dorothy and eventually passed away peacefully.

In addition to her husband, Evelyn was predeceased by her brother, Herbert Halliday. She is survived by: her children, Christopher, Kenneth, Timothy (Karen), Thomas, David (Dorothy), Eileen Pedersen (Jeffrey), Jeanne Wnorowski (Mark), ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

For all those in the community who would like to say goodbye and honor Evelyn Murphy’s memory, visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 28 at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Rd., Fair Haven at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. The interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.

You may visit Evelyn’s memorial website at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.

Obituaries

Services Set for RFH Alum Doug Sidun, 59

From John E. Day Funeral Home (edited) … 

Douglas Sidun Photo/John E. Day Funeral Home
Douglas Sidun
Photo/John E. Day Funeral Home

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) alumnus and former longtime Fair Havenite Douglas Day Sidun, most recently of Little Silver, passed away peacefully on Sunday. He was 59.

Born in Red Bank to his parents, Cyril and the late Eleanor (Day) Sidun, Doug graduated from the University of Denver, CO, with a bachelor’s degree after graduating from RFH.

He continued school at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services in New York City and began his career working as a funeral director at the John E. Day Funeral Home, which was established by his grandfather, John E. Day in 1932.

Doug was a member and past president of the Red Bank Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fair Haven Council, the Monmouth and Ocean County Funeral Directors Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Red Bank.

He also enjoyed snow skiing and water skiing.

Doug strongly believed that each and every family he served in the community reminded him how individual we all are in what we need as we grieve for a loved one. His commitment to each family was to learn more about them and their loved one. He firmly believed the end result should always be a meaningful and memorable final tribute.

He is survived by: his three loving daughters, Victoria, Kristen, and Natalie Sidun; his father, Cy Sidun and his wife Carol; his five siblings and their spouses, David and his wife Linda, Charles and his wife Virginia, Andrew, Jeanne Sidun-Wark and Theodore and his wife Jennifer, and his ten nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m..

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua RC Church in Red Bank on Friday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m.. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Doug’s memory to The Kiwanis Club of Greater Red Bank, P.O. Box 8221, Red Bank, NJ 07701-8221. Please visit Doug’s memorial website available at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.