Category Archives: Obituaries

Services for Fair Haven’s Molly Ann Richards, 3, Wednesday

July 7, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Losing her battle with DIPG, a progressive brain cancer, Molly Ann Richards, of Fair Haven, passed away on July 6. She was 3 years old.

Born on July 23, 2011, Molly was diagnosed with DIPG on August 23, 2013. She is survived by: her parents Ann and Tyler Richards; and her big sister Emily, of Fair Haven.

“Molly, although not here with us long, touched the hearts of many,” family said in her obituary. “She never once complained or cried during her dance. Let her life be a true example of courage, strength and fortitude until the last breath. We will LOVE you forever, Daddy and Mommy.”

A Mass of christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Rd., Fair Haven.

— Obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

Local Life, Obituaries

Services for Sea Bright’s Lester Johnson Monday

June 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Lifelong Sea Bright resident, fireman and first aid volunteer Lester Johnson is being mourned Monday morning.

Services for the well-known and liked 87-year-old, who died on June 19 at Care One at King James in Middletown, will start at 10 a.m. at Flock Funeral Home, 243 Broadway, Long Branch. The firemen’s service is set for noon.

In addition to being a 67-year member of both the Sea Bright Fire Department and First Aid, Lester was longtime stock manager for the Acme stores in both Fair Haven and the Lincroft section of Middletown, according to his obituary on legacy.com. He also worked at Gardella’s in Sea Bright.

Valedictorian of the Long Branch High School Class of 1946, Lester was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War, it added.

He loved trains and the stock market.

Lester was predeceased by: his parents, Lester and Marion Johnson; his grandparents, Stephen and Elizabeth Johnson; a sister, Jackie Timmons; his aunt and uncle, Alice and Jack Weir.

Surviving are: his brother, Kenneth “Tom” Johnson and his wife Lize; sister, Barbara Waters and her husband John; nieces, Sharon, Nancy, Terri, Khristi, and Leslie; nephews, Jay, Tom, Robert, Thomas and Kenny.

Donations may be made to the Sea Bright First Aid.

Obituaries

Longtime Rumson Resident Joan Sanders Dies at 88

June 19, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Longtime Rumson resident Joan Sanders died on Tuesday, June 17, surrounded by family at home. She was 88 years old.

Joan grew up in Windsor Locks, CT. She graduated Cum Laude from the College of New Rochelle in 1948 with a degree in Social Studies and English. She received a masters of arts degree in Sociology from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1950.

Following graduate school, Joan worked as research assistant to the Chief Economist of the American Bankers Association in New York.

She was married for 61 years to her beloved husband, Robert James Sanders Jr. who predeceased her in 2012.

Joan is survived by: her six children, Mary and husband David Jones, Omaha, NE; Joanie Sanders, Rumson; Robert J. Sanders III and wife Joan Throckmorton Sanders, Oceanport; Michael Sanders, Worthington, MA; Catherine and husband Daniel Hibbert of Woodbine; and Maura Sanders, Metuchen; her sister, Mary Hammond, Wolfeboro, NH; her brother, Daniel Kervick, Vero Beach, FL; six grandchildren, Colleen, Mary Catherine, Caitrin, Norah, Ryan and Margaret; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 21 at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 22 at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road, Fair Haven.

Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Embrace Kids Foundation (www.embracekids.org), 121 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

— Obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

Obituaries

Services for Fair Haven Centenarian Start Tuesday

June 15, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Havenite John Somerville passed away peacefully at his home on June 12. He was 100 years old.

Born in Evanston, IL to John and Corinne Patton Somerville, John divided his time between Chicago and Sarasota, FL. He graduated Asheville High School, Asheville, NC in 1934 and earned his undergraduate degree in engineering from Cornell University in 1938.

Continue reading Services for Fair Haven Centenarian Start Tuesday →

Obituaries

Memorial Service Set for RFH Alum John Burdy

June 1, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

A memorial service will be held on Saturday for longtime Rumson resident John Burdy, who passed away at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank on May 19. He was 64.

A graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven High School and Montclair State University, John was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson.

“His love of music was reflected through his participation in the Choir of the First Presbyterian Church, as a longtime member of the Shrewsbury Chorale Society and his work with the Brookdale Concordia Chorale,” according to his obituary on the John E. Day Funeral Home website.

John was predeceased by: his parents, William and Gertrude Burdy, of Rumson.

He is survived by: his brother, John Frandsen, and wife Kate, of Morganville; his aunt, Grace Hartie, of Pompton Plains; and two cousins, Maureen Berardo and Patrick Hartie.

There will be a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, 4 East River Road, Rumson.

Memorial donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson and The Shrewsbury Chorale Society or The Brookdale Concordia Chorale.

— John E. Day Funeral Home

Obituaries

Services Set for Former Rumsonite, Fair Haven Dell’s Pharmacy Owner, Pauline Dell’Omo

May 18, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Former Rumsonite and Fair Haven Dell’s Pharmacy owner Pauline Graff Dell’Omo passed away at her Long Branch home on May 14 after a brief battle with cancer. She was 84.

Born in Long Branch, Pauline lived in Red Bank and Rumson before moving to Long Branch. A graduate of Red Bank High School and Monmouth College, Pauline and her husband Louis owned and operated Dell’s Pharmacy at 598 River Rd. in Fair Haven from 1953 to 1979.

After the pharmacy, she worked at United Counties Bank in Tinton Falls and Red Bank. She was also a badge checker during the summers at Spring Lake Beach.

Pauline is survived by: her daughter, Barbara Ann Dell’Omo of Wall Township, RN; and her son, Gregory G. Dell’Omo, of Pittsburgh, PA, Ph. D, president of Robert Morris University to assume presidency of Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ in August, and his wife Polly Evans Dell’Omo; five grandchildren, Lara B. Brooks, of Oakton, VA, Nicholas E. Dell’Omo, of Washington, DC, Vincent B. Dell’Omo, of Pittsburgh, PA, Jeffrey M. Dell’Omo, of Atlantic Highlands, and Robert H. Dell’Omo, of Atlantic Highlands; and two great-grandchildren, Amelia (Mila) C. Brooks and Vivienne D. Brooks.

She was predeceased by: her husband, Louis M. Dell’Omo; and son Michael L. Dell’Omo.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. , with a service being held during the visitation hours at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank.

The family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Rd., 2nd Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814.

— Obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

Obituaries

Friday, Saturday Services Set for Fair Haven’s Ray Miller

May 13, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Longtime Fair Havenite and 60-year Exxon station owner/operator Raymond J. Miller passed away at his Middletown home on May 10. He was 92.

Born and raised in Bound Brook, Ray graduated from Bound Brook High school in 1940. After high school, he worked at Calco Chemical as a mill right then as a pipefitter.

Continue reading Friday, Saturday Services Set for Fair Haven’s Ray Miller →

Local Life, Obituaries, Opinion

Retro Fair Haven Exxon Icon Ray Miller

Image May 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Ray Miller at his Exxon station at the corner of River Road and Smith Street Photo/courtesy of Peggy Miller — Ray Miller at his Exxon station at the corner of River Road and Smith Street
Photo/courtesy of Peggy Miller

By Elaine Van Develde

Another Fair Haven icon has passed.

Ray Miller, a pioneer of Fair Haven small business and longtime community friend, died at 92 on Sunday.

So, we honor him today in our Retro Pic of the Day, courtesy of his daughter Peggy.

This day-in-a-life shot gives a focused picture of the Ray Miller so many knew back in the day. Gravelly voice curmudgeon-like manner always at a “high test” premium, there were countless memorable visits made by many a youngster and their parents to Ray Miller’s Exxon at the corner of River Road and Smith Street — even if you knew you might get a scolding.

Continue reading Retro Fair Haven Exxon Icon Ray Miller →

Obituaries

Former Rumson Beauty Salon Owner, Ella Gaynor, Dies at 87

May 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Longtime Rumsonite and part owner of the Rumson Beauty Salon, Ella D. Gaynor, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 4.

Having lived most of her life in Rumson, Ella was born in Oakhurst. here mom, Dorothy, owned the Sugar Bowl, a “soda pop shop” in Rumson, where Ella worked while at RFH, according to her obituary by Thompson Memorial Home.

In addition to her business connection to Rumson, Ella was a member of what was known as the Carton Town Gang, a townie group. She loved boating and bowling and earned an associate’s degree, her obituary said.

Ella was predeceased by: her parents, Roderick and Dorothy (Gebien) Dangler; her husband, William H. Gaynor Jr., in 2003; and her son, William H. Gaynor III, in 2015.

She is survived by: her daughter, Judy Cuje and her husband Doug of Rumson; her son, Robert W. Gaynor, of Rumson; her sister, Joan Shea, of Tinton Falls; her daughter-in-law, Rosemary Gaynor; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

There will be no services, as Ella wished.

— Obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home.

Obituaries, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Police Chief: Loss of Class II Officer Henne a ‘Tragedy’

March 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert Henne Photo/courtesy of Fair Haven Police Department — Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert Henne
Photo/courtesy of Fair Haven Police Department

With the news of the untimely death on Monday of 23-year-old Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert Henne, the community continues to mourn.

Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge issued the following statement on Tuesday:

The Fair Haven Police Department deeply regrets to announce the untimely death of Class II Officer Robert Henne.

Officer Henne served the Borough since 2011. He was a graduate of the 39th Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers of Monmouth County.

Officer Henne was a squad leader while attending the Monmouth County Police Academy and he graduated in the top of his class.

Officer Henne received a life saving award from both the Borough of Fair Haven and the 200 club. He also had received letters of commendation while serving the Borough.

Officer Henne was 23 years old. He served our community with great pride and dedication, both as a Class II Officer and a volunteer firefighter.

The loss of Officer Henne is a tragedy to his family, the residents of Fair Haven, and to the entire Law Enforcement community.

Officer Henne will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Wake will be held at the Church of Nativity (340 Hance R.d Fair Haven) on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Police service will be held 6:30 p.m.

Funeral will be held at the Church of Nativity on Saturday March 28th at 10 a.m. in Fair Haven.

Obituaries, Opinion

Services for Fair Haven’s Jeanetter Crowell Set

March 20, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

“Fair Haven has lost one of it’s pillars,” Fair Havenite Chris Brenner said on the borough’s Facebook page when the March 14 death of Jeanetter Crowell was announced.

Remembered as a top-notch seamstress, designer, gracious lady, friend, neighbor, wife and mom, comments flooded the page in remembrance of the 60-year Fair Haven resident who will be honored at a 10 a.m. Saturday viewing at Child’s Funeral Home in Red Bank followed by a noon service at the Fisk Chapel A.M.E. Church, 38 Fisk St., Fair Haven.

“She was the first friendly face to welcome us to Fair Haven many years ago, and I can’t imagine our neighborhood without her,” said Jeanetter Crowell’s neighbor Kevin Ryan in a memorial post of his own. “When I started working as the NJ child advocate, she came to my swearing-in, gave me a big hug and whispered in my ear, ‘stay close to Jesus.’ I’d like to think that’s her walk now, and one so richly deserved. Rest in peace sweet lady — we will miss you.”

And there were many more posts recounting her kindness and gentle, welcoming nature.

“Another piece of Fair Haven history gone,” John Olexa Sr. said. “RIP.”

“… So loved her, she was always so sweet when she came in to pay her taxes, borough tax collector Dale A Connor said. “She will missed.”

“She always opened her home to me whenever I came to town,” Nerphrita Norris said. “Had many good conversations with her. She was a part of my village.”

“Another passing of a good soul,” Carolynn Bruce Sickerman said.

Jeanetter Crowell was born on April 9, 1924 in Sumter, SC. The child of Reverend Jake Glisson and Lila Samuels Glisson, she graduated from St. Michael’s High School and attended Morris College in South Carolina.

Retired from Standard Awning Company, she “worked tirelessly on behalf of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union,” her obituary said.

Always seen around town ready to lend a hand wherever she could, Jeanetter is remembered as an avid volunteer in the church as a Sunday school teacher and as a pastor’s steward for the Steward board of Asbury Park’s Allen Chapel and Fisk A.M.E. Church Chapel.

In the community, she was involved in the PTA, Eastern Star, Democratic Party and was founder of the Ventures Club, a group that offered mentor and scholarship programs.

Once married to Powell Robinson, she was the mother of deceased Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School teacher Powell D. Robinson III, known as Dewey Robinson. She is survived by her daughter Rochelle Robinson Hendricks, according to her obituary on legacy.com.

Other than her son, Jeanetter was also predeceased by: her parents; her brothers, Abe, Luther, Jake, Jessie, Cliff, Joseph, Frank, James and Thomas; husbands, Powell Robinson and Curtis Crowell.

Besides her daughter, she is survived by: her sister, Leola Martin; daughter-in-law, Erika Robinson; grandchildren, Gioia and Matt Hermann, Talia and Sean Coles, Samson Hearn, Nygia Hearn, and Kiana Robinson; great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Josephine Hermann, Landon and Ronan Coles; special sister-in-law, Evelyn Cruz, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jeanetter Crowell will be laid to rest at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.

Obituaries

Rumson’s Paul Shea Passes Away at 90

March 18, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following is the edited obituary of Paul J. Shea, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home:

Lifetime Rumson resident Paul J. Shea Sr. passed away on March 13 at the NJ Fireman’s Home, Boonton. He was 90.

A member of the Rumson Fire Company for 69 years, Paul was a communicant of Holy Cross Church in Rumson, and, for 25 years, was the sexton for St. Georges-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson.

He proudly served his country in World War II as a gunner in the U.S. Navy in all three theaters of war.

Paul was predeceased by: his wife Carole D. Lennen, who died in 2003; his twin brother, Thomas; and his brother Daniel.

He is survived by: his son, Paul J. Shea, Jr. and wife Elaine, of Lincroft; and his sister, Lillian Briskey, of Oceanport.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 21 at 9 a.m. at St. James RC Church, Red Bank.

Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall Street, P.O. Box 93, Eatontown, NJ 07724, or online at www.monmouthcountyspca.org.

Anyone who would like to contribute memories/comments for a memorial tribute to Paul is welcome to send them to [email protected].