Tag Archives: feature

News, Police and Fire

Scene Around: Former Fair Haven Police Chief Sworn in as County Undersheriff

There’s a new undersheriff in the county and it wasn’t that long ago when he was the Fair Haven police chief.

Darryl Breckenridge, a near-lifetime Fair Havenite, was sworn in by Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden as the officer who runs the law enforcement division of the Sheriff’s Office, the largest agency of its kind in the county.

Most recently, Breckenridge served as the director of the Monmouth County Police Academy. He held the position for three years following his retirement from the Fair Haven Police Department, where he served for decades.

As director of the Police Academy, Sheriff Golden said in a post that “under his leadership and the hard work of staff attained national accreditation in police training.”

With the new position, Golden said that “Breckenridge is proud to lead the largest law enforcement agency in Monmouth County and eager to maintain and enhance public safety initiatives.”

Local Life

Retro RFH Egg Hunting

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Easter egg hunt with RFH grads from Class of 2006
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Well, it’s that classic Easter egg hunt time of the year. There have been many over the years and this past weekend in the R-FH area.

In Fair Haven, officials call it the quickest event of the year, usually lasting a mad rush few minutes, if not seconds. In Rumson, the hunts have lasted a bit longer, with age groups and the Victory Park scenario. Yet, there’s usually always a few stumbles and tears when grasping for that prized egg. In Sea Bright, kids are beached with a hunt.

And there are bound to be more egg hunts over the Easter weekend in many a back yard or living room, depending on family tradition. The home hunt offers a bit more time and less competition for those eggs — or whatever.

Continue reading Retro RFH Egg Hunting →
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 →
Obituaries

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 →
Obituaries

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. 


Local Life

Focus: Maddy Massabni’s Birthday Gifting

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It was a milestone birthday meant to embrace and roll softly away with the tide, the color, the sunshine, the love, the reminder of her …

Twenty-one pink roses in hand, they walked from Maddy Massabni’s home to her favorite spot on the beach at Anchorage in Sea Bright. They were the loved ones of the Rumson teen who passed away suddenly two years ago on March 30, just three days after her 19th birthday, from toxic shock syndrome.

Maddy would have turned 21 on March 27. That’s why there were 21 pink roses, her favorite. For those who could get to the beach, there was a poem read by Maddy’s mom, Dawn, and a little celebration with hugs, tears, gratitude and a tossing of the roses into the surf Maddy so loved. Out with the tide.

Those who couldn’t be at the beach, celebrated Maddy’s 21st by creating their own home memorials, gravitating to a body of water to signify the Sea Bright spot or just displaying a single pink rose, even giving one to someone to brighten their day unknowingly with Maddy’s love.

In Maddy’s memory, a non-profit foundation dubbed Don’t Shock Me has been created to raise awareness of toxic shock and pay Maddy’s kind spirit forward. Stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, Happy Birthday, Maddy Massabni! You are remembered.

Take a look at snippets of the celebration in photos from friends and remember … (Don’t forget to click on each to enlarge!)