Mellaci — Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect

They’re pretty famous as Rumson parenting and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School history goes. Add a few banner birthdays and community connections to that and you have some celebrities who are still celebrating and going strong.

They are Tony and Sharon Mellaci, their buddy Diane Dey and kids, also RFH grads. Tony celebrated his 100th birthday in May. Sharon just celebrated her birthday (as the lead photo shows) and Dey, 92, turned 90 in 2020. The three got together recently for Sharon’s festive 90s celebration. The trio, who raised their kids in Rumson, were joined by those kids, Merrall Dey Freund and Jim Mellaci, RFH Class of ’78 grads. And there are a few more Rumson connections sprinkled in the company. Know them? Cake, anyone?

Here’s the glorious RFH couple’s scoop. Sharon graduated from RFH in 1947. Tony, a celebrity centenarian in his own right, graduated in ’41. And he did so after making RFH football history. “Dad scored first touchdowns at the new Borden field in the fall of ’40 when it opened,” Jim said. “His senior year was the first winning season Rumson (RFH) had.”

Now, that’s some history and longevity worth toasting to for the weekend! Cheers, Mellaci and Dey folks, kids and friends!

R-FH Retro will be chatting with all three in the future.