Tag Archives: Rumson

Local Life

Scene Around: RFH Class of ’83 Reuniting

RFH Class of ’83 39th reunion pose
Photo/courtesy of Sandi Burns

They didn’t wait for that banner even numbered 40th reunion. They just couldn’t wait.

No, The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Class of ’83 went ahead and had a pretty untraditional, unprecedented (at least in formal reunion style) 39th reunion over the weekend.

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Local Life

Retro Sandy Hook Lifeguarding Muscle

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Sandy Hook lifeguards circa 1984
Photo/courtesy of Joanne Distefano Garelli via Miguel Mejia, Facebook screenshot

Well, it’s been a sizzling summer and everyone’s been diving in … to the ocean for refreshment and, of course, in the name of locals’ tradition. And while everyone’s diving in and swimming with the summer tide, lifeguards are making sure that all make it back to shore.

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Obituaries

In Memoriam: Longtime Rumsonite, Former Deane Porter School Lunch Aide, Ellen Stirnweiss Pittman, 65

Longtime Rumsonite and former Deane-Porter School lunch aide, Ellen Mary Stirnweiss Pittman passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on July 19. She was 65.

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News

Scene Around: Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Replacement & Advisory

Yes, you can cross that Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge when you get to it. But there will be some intrusions through Thursday.

The long-planned new bridge is being constructed, as planned, parallel to the old, still standing bridge. However, the activity surrounding the bridge replacement may cause some disruptions in traffic flow to and from Rumson and Sea Bright for those few days, so Monmouth County officials have released a summary of what’s going on and where through Thursday between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., weather permitting. Take a look at the gallery above for a glimpse into the project (CLICK on one photo to enlarge and scroll.)

They have advised that people should be aware of the following travel disruptions:

Rumson Road, Rumson

  • The eastbound shoulder will be closed and both travel lanes shifted through Thursday.
  • Flaggers may be present to facilitate delivery of construction materials Monday through Thursday

Ocean Avenue (Route 36), Sea Bright

  • Flaggers may be present to facilitate delivery of construction materials through Thursday

Shrewsbury River

  • Construction of the temporary trestles will continue in the water south of the bridge.
Obituaries

In Memoriam: Former Rumsonite Jack Kraft, 86

Dad, you were a great father, husband , brother, and friend. You have touched countless numbers of people in your 86 years here with us. You have always put others first before yourself. You will be missed by many. P.S.: I don’t plan on putting my elbows on the table when I eat, or chewing with my mouth open, or saying the word “Eww.”

Robert Kraft, Jack’s son

“Please also honor him by reminiscing about the time you were able to spend with him, have a laugh and raise a glass!” ~ family of Jack Kraft

Former Rumsonite Jack Kraft passed away peacefully on June 28. He was 87.

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Obituaries

In Memoriam: Rumson-Raised RFH Class of ’81 Grad, Lillian ‘Lily’ Ross, 59

“Lillian’s Hebrew name was Leah Malka, or Queen Leah, which seems poetic to those who knew her well.” ~ Rossi, Lillian’s sister

Lillian Margaret Ross was born on Dec. 13, 1962. She passed away unexpectedly on June 25, 2022. She was 59 years old.

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Obituaries

In Memoriam: Forever Rumsonite, Rumson High Football Star, Fireman, Tony Mellaci, 100

“To my dad who accomplished so many things in life and experience more than we could imagine. The depression, WW2, starting life when there was still horse & carriages, to seeing a man walk on the moon. My dad loved life and lived it to its fullest. RIP dad. Until we meet up again. Love you … He reached his goal to live to 100.”

That he did. Iconic longtime Rumsonite Anthony J. “Tony” Mellaci passed away peacefully from natural causes at home, surrounded by loved ones, on June 17. He had just recently reached the age of 100.

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Schools Scene

Scene Around: Rumson River Rats & Oyster Lessons Learned

Gulp? They say that oysters come in their own little spoons, ready to serve up their own nuggets of goodness from their deep water beds. But, as far as some Rumson kids are concerned, the looks on their faces while slurping what some call raw culinary delights tells a horror story that needs to be chased with a spoon full of sugar to make that river medicine go down.

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Local Life

Scene Around: Rumson’s RFH Senior Celebs & Fetes

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.

Investment Process
Local Life

Focus: An Eco Rally for the Rivers

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They rallied for the rivers in Rumson.

The 4th Annual Rally for the Two Rivers Eco-Fest, hosted by Clean Ocean Action (COA) on Saturday at Victory Park was a success, organizers said. Hosted by Clean Ocean Action (COA) and the Rumson Environmental Commission (Rumson EC), the event designed to raise awareness of waterway mindfulness for a healthy environment had about 200 attendees.

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