Tag Archives: obituary

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.

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, 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

Former Fair Haven Police Chief, 65-Year Fireman George Chandler Dies

George Chandler Photo/courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home
George Chandler
Photo/courtesy of John E. Day Funeral Home

The marquee on the Fair Haven firehouse is once again a sign of sad news. Another Fair Haven community pillar has passed — former Police Chief and 65-year fire company member, George Chandler.

His death comes just about a year after that of his brother Chum.

Continue reading Former Fair Haven Police Chief, 65-Year Fireman George Chandler Dies →

Obituaries

Services Set for Fair Haven’s Ben Hamilton

A memorial service has been set for Saturday, Nov. 28, to honor the memory of forever Fair Havenite Benjamin “Ben” Barry Hamilton, who passed away this past Saturday at his home in the borough.

While “words of remembrance,” according to the obituary, will be shared at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Thompson Memorial Home in Red Bank, the service will span from 1 to 4 p.m.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect is in the process of putting together a memorial tribute and slideshow to honor Ben.

In the meantime, here is his edited obituary from Thompson …

Benjamin Barry Hamilton,”Ben” 56, of Fair Haven, died at home on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

Born in Jersey City to George and Joan (nee, Shook) Hamilton, he was a longtime Fair Haven resident. Ben was a retired investment professional. His professional career spanned three decades trading securities in the United States and Asia.

Ben will be remembered for his love of the Jersey Shore, his passion for surfing and his forever search for the perfect wave. He always began each day in New Jersey or Nantucket reading the local surf report or driving to check out the waves.

A Rumon-Fair Haven Regional High School Class of 1977 alumni,  Ben went on to graduate from Hobart William Smith College in  1981, where he was a proud member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity and participated in Hobart Lacrosse. He then received his master’s degree in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

He was a past family member of the Sea Bright Beach Club and an active member of the Clean Ocean Action.

Ben was also a founding partner of the Navesink River Paddle Excursions.

Ben was predeceased by his parents George and Joan Hamilton. He is survived by: his brother, George L. Hamilton Jr., of Ocean Grove, ; his sisters, Jeanmarie Drucker of NY, NY, and Kate Hamilton Pardee, of Nantucket, MA; his nephews and niece, Richard Drucker Jr. and Hamilton Drucker, George L. Hamilton III, and Katelynn Hamilton; his aunt, Jean Prial; close friend, Wendy Ostrov Delehanty; and many loving friends.

There will be a memorial gathering to celebrate Ben’s life on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank, from 1 to 4 p.m. with “words of remembrance” at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Benjamin B. Hamilton Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 8097, Red Bank, NJ 07701 or to the Fair Haven Fire & First Aid, River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704.

News

Farewell to Fair Haven’s Thomas Vetterl

Fair Haven Fire Department mourns Thomas Vetterl. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Fair Haven Fire Department mourns Thomas Vetterl.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

The marquee on the Fair Haven Firehouse is once again blanketed in memorial buntings. Borough firemen and longtime residents are in mourning.

Sixty-year fire company member and deep-rooted resident Thomas Vetterl “passed away peacefully” on Oct. 19 in Florida where he had relocated in his retirement years, according to his obituary in the Palm Beach Post. He was 93.

Born in Paterson, he spent most of his life in Red Bank and Fair Haven, where he was a member of the Church of the Nativity.

A graduate of Red Bank High School in 1941, Thomas was a star athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball.

A U.S. Army World War II veteran, Thomas Vetterl served as a staff sergeant in the 112th Field Artillery Division of the New Jersey National Guard, according to his obituary.

After being honorably discharged, he became a civil service employee — a motor vehicle foreman in the HISA, CECOM section of Fort Monmouth, retiring in 1985 after a 35-year career.

He was an exempt member of the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 until his death.

Formerly, he was an active member of B.P.O.E. Lodge #233 in Red Bank, and the American Legion in Tequesta, FL.

He was known to love softball and was a member of Val’s Pal Softball Club in Rumson, and in Florida was a member of Jupiter Men’s Softball Association and Staying Alive Fitness Club, Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

He was predeceased by his wife, the late Doris G. Vetterl, in 1987.

He is survived by:  two sons, Thomas J., of Gilbert, AZ, and Robert D., of Wakefield, RI; and six grandchildren, Alison, Thomas, Robert, Kristen, Victoria and Justin.

A memorial celebration will be held Nov. 7 at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Fund.

Obituaries

In Memoriam: Rumson’s Thomas Daly

Longtime Rumson resident and area lawyer Thomas F. Daly died on Sept. 8.

A graduate of Lower Merion High School, Lafayette College and the Georgetown University Law School, he served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. While attending law school, he was the Georgetown Lacrosse Team’s Head Coach.

A longtime partner of the McCarter & English law firm, Tom was a communicant of Holy Cross Church in Rumson, a member and former governor of the Seabright Beach Club and a member of the Rumson First Aid Squad and member of its Board of Trustees.

He was also a commissioner and former president of the New Jersey Maritime and Docking Pilots Commission, a trustee of the National Maritime Historical Society and the Sandy Hook Foundation.

He was an adjunct professor of maritime law at Rutgers University Law School, as well as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Association of Barristers. He was a member of the International Association of Defense Council, the Maritime Law Society and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Tom lectured extensively on aviation, maritime law and trial procedures.  He was a passionate athlete who loved lacrosse and football. Later in life he became an avid skier. He was always drawn to the water, whether it be fishing, sailing, lifeguarding or relaxing at the beach with his family.

He is survived by: his wife Nancy; their children Charles Bartlett (Trish), of Ocean, Julia Oliphant (David) of Royal Oaks, MI, Emily Mee (Daniel), of Rumson and Morgan Zimmerer (Hans), of Fair Haven; ten grandchildren Tyler, Andrew, Morgan, Ben, Kelly, Ellie, Annie, Grant, Riley & Cate and his brother, Rev. Jerome R. Daly of Fort Belvoir, VA.

He was predeceased by: his parents, John and Dorothy Daly; and his brother, John Daly.

Visitation was on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank.

A Mass of christian burial was celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Rd., Fair Haven.

Interment followed at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Rumson First Aid Squad, 1 Wilson Circle, Rumson, NJ 07760 or the National Maritime Historical Society, PO Box 68, Peeksville, NY 10566 or online at www.seahistory.org

— Edited obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

Obituaries, Opinion

Remembrance: RFH Grad Debra Clarke Crowell Dies at 55

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Debra Clarke Crowell Photo/RFH Yearbook 1978
Debra Clarke Crowell
Photo/RFH Yearbook 1978

There’s nothing quite as wonderful as an old friend who’s known you since you were a kid. And there’s also nothing worse than losing that friend at a young age.

The worst of it happened a couple of days ago to friends in the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School alumni community.

A wave of shock and sadness engulfed the Class of ’78 with the announcement of the death of 55-year-old classmate Debra “Debbie” Clarke Crowell on Sept. 8.

There have been some losses of the all-too-young in the class already. This was the latest.

Continue reading Remembrance: RFH Grad Debra Clarke Crowell Dies at 55 →

Local Life, Opinion

Retro RIP to Rumson’s Don Blesse

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By Elaine Van Develde

Don Blesse lived in Rumson for nearly half a century.

The U.S. Navy World War II and Korean War veteran raised his family in Rumson. And every Memorial and Veterans Day service you’d see the tall, gentleman front-and-center at Victory Park paying ode to fallen fellow vets, hat to his heart.

In fact, it was not too long ago, in May, when we last saw Blesse in his usual spot at the Rumson Memorial Day service.

Now we know that he will be missing at the Veterans Day service in November. That’s because he passed away at 89 on Aug. 12.

We remember Mr. Blesse. We knew his kids. We went to RFH with them. And while we did not know their dad well, we knew he was a vet. We knew he was a father of three. We knew he was excited a couple of years ago, when we chatted with him after a Veteran’s Day service, to soon be on his way to a visit with them.

Sporting his signature veteran’s hat, he modestly talked about how he was an aviation electrician who worked on aircraft carriers in the Atlantic Ocean during the war.

He was proud, yet soft-spoken and modest. You could see his love of country and hometown. He wore it in his smile and demeanor, his bride, the mother of his children still by his side, also smiling contentedly.

He said nothing about working tirelessly to bring that veteran’s memorial to Victory Park that day. We read that in his obituary.

Don Blesse died on Aug. 12 at his relatively new home in Red Bank. He won’t be at the next memorial service in town. His simple legacy will.

We missed his own memorial service. But, we haven’t forgotten him.

People like him shouldn’t be forgotten — people living their lives, cognizant of and considerate of the people in them, serving their country and community in modest, meaningful ways, doing the right thing.

It was nice to have that brief chat with that dad and man behind the kids we knew that one day, a couple of years ago. It was good to get that glimpse — however fleeting — of yet another person who had passed through our lives, in an unobtrusive way, through his children, through his sometimes everyday, sometimes grander contributions to the community.

“Speak to people.” It’s what Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge told us was his mother’s best advice to him in life.

She was right. One hello, one day, brought a little insight into a life and a nice surprise. And every time we saw Don Blesse after that, we remembered a little something about him.

Now we say goodbye, never forgetting the hello.

RIP Mr. Blesse. Condolences to Carol, Paul, Donald and Ken — and your  many friends and extended family.

Don Blesse’s obituary from Thompson Memorial Home …

Donald Edwin Blesse, 89, of Red Bank died at home on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015.

He was born in Weehawken and lived in Rumson and Little Silver before moving to Red Bank three years ago.

He was a tall, friendly and kind man who willingly served for many years in the communities in which he lived and his church. After earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University, he worked for Bell Laboratories for 38 years before retiring in 1987.

He honorably served in the US Navy as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate aboard aircraft carriers during WWII and the Korean War.

Continually steadfast in his faith as a member of St. George’s by the River Episcopal Church for 53 years, he served as church school Superintendent for 28 years, Canterbury Fair treasurer, sang in the choir and was on the Vestry.

In Rumson, he was on the school board, active as a leader in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and in later years worked tirelessly to create a new veterans’ memorial in Victory Park.

He is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Carol Einbeck Blesse; three sons, Donald A. Blesse, of Lakewood, OH; Ken Blesse, of Fairview Park, OH; Paul Blesse, of Johns Creek, GA; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name would be welcome to the St. George’s Outreach or Memorial funds, 7 Lincoln Avenue, Rumson, NJ 07760; www.stgeorgesrumson.org. In the notes section, please identify which fund.