Tag Archives: Sea Bright

Obituaries

In Memorium: Longtime Fair Havenite, Sea Bright Resident, Maryana Robertson

An obituary isn’t long enough to relay all of the cool things a person got to accomplish in their lifetime. My mom got to travel all over the world … Had homes in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Dragged her four girls all over the country and Canada (sometimes kicking and screaming, because we didn’t know we were gonna do and see something cool). One time she asked us if we wanted to go see Chicago? We started moaning, so she went by herself. Turns out that she meant THE BAND CHICAGO! Which I loved … I had to listen from out side the stadium … but I learned to pay attention when plans where being made … Rest in Peace Mom!

Suzanne Robertson Tranfaglia ~ Remembering Mom Maryana

Longtime Fair Haven and Sea Bright resident Maryana Sheahan Robertson passed away on June 11 after a long illness. She was 80.

Maryana Robertson in the 1960s
Photo/courtesy of the Robertson family

Known as a spirited adventurer and traveler with a passion for cultural immersion, Maryana was born in Cambridge MA. She graduated from Hopkinton High School there, where she played on the girls basketball team and was in glee club, in 1956. She then met her late husband James Robertson and they moved to Fair Haven and raised four daughters there. The Robertson couple lived in Fair Haven until 2000. Maryana then lived in Sea Bright until 2019.

To the Stokes trip students of the 1970s era, the Robertson parents may be remembered as the birding couple, leading kids through the woods with binoculars and teaching them about various species, their sounds and distinguishing characteristics.

At home, James was president of the Mommouth Wine Society and for years the two hosted wine tastings at their Fair Haven home. “They loved being close enough to NYC to go into the city every chance they could for dinner and a play or musical,” daughter Suzanne Robertson Tranfaglia said.

Maryana had a nursing degree from Brookdale Community College. In addition to her zest for adventure, travel and cultural immersion, she was known as a passionate animal lover who rescued many cats, dogs and even a duck. She loved spending home and travel time with family.

Predeceased by her husband, Maryana is survived by: her brother Paul Sheahan and wife Lydia, of Brooksville FL; her daughters and their spouses, Suzanne and George Tranfaglia, of Orlando, FL, Kathleen and Mike Grady, of Long Branch, Sheila and Joseph Eskridge, of Sea Bright, and Bonnie and John Travers, of PA.; and her grandchildren, Maria Tranfaglia, Ryan Eskridge, and Patrick and Christopher Travers.

A private memorial is being planned.

Local Life

A Time to Run: Remembering RFH’s Keith McHeffey

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The following was originally posted in 2017 in remembrance of Keith McHeffey. It is being posted again as a reminder that the annual race to honor his memory and help others, The KDM 3-Mile Run, is set for Saturday.

Keith McHeffey and friends
Photo/courtesy of Gregg Kennedy

He was raised in both Rumson and Fair Haven. He was an RFH graduate. He was a friend to many. He had a gift for making people laugh and love life. Then he lost his life in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was Keith McHeffey.

Continue reading A Time to Run: Remembering RFH’s Keith McHeffey →
Local Life

Retro Peninsula House Swim Teaming

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Peninsula House Swim Team of the mid-1970s
Photo/Facebook collection via Joanne DeStephano Garelli

It was teaming today — rain.

And in some parts of the Rumson-Fair Haven area, like Sea Bright, the precipitation and high tides were forecasted to bring the usual coastal flooding to Sea Bright — or pools of water taken to the street, at least.

So, in keeping with wishes for voluntary swimming (rather than doggie paddling across the street) and sunnier days, the Retro Pic of the Day takes us back to the mid-1970s a different kind of team — not teaming rain, but swim team(ing).

This is the old Peninsula House Swim Team. Check out those freestyle tans, toothy grins and suits. Remember Peninsula House, commonly dubbed P-House? It was a popular, affordable beach club to team up with RFH buds and join back in the day. Recognize any of the RFHers win this pic?

They’re all about the swim and sunny daze.

— Elaine Van Develde

Local Life, News

Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Openings Set to Change

This is a test. A trial measure is in place to abate seasonally high traffic volume between Rumson and Sea Bright.

The Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge, the drawbridge which spans over the Shrewsbury River, will open less frequently, on the hour only rather than every half hour, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays this summer season. The trial begins on Friday, May 25, and will be in effect through Sept. 3.

Continue reading Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Openings Set to Change →

Local Life

Retro RFH Keith McHeffey & BFFs

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These Retro Pics of the Day (contributed by Gregg Kennedy) were originally run on March 11, 2016, honoring RFH grad Keith McHeffey shortly before the fundraiser run dedicated to his memory. Here they are again, the day before the run, which is slated for Saturday at 11 a.m. in Sea Bright. RIP, Keith McHeffey. You are remembered …

The KDM Fun Run & Walk, honoring RFH grad Keith McHeffey, is set for Saturday.

Keith, an avid athlete and good friend to many in the area, was a victim of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11.

His friends created the KDM Foundation in 2002 to keep the former Rumson and Fair Haven resident’s memory alive and fund several charitable causes in his name.

Since then, the Fun Run has been known as the annual living memorial tribute to Keith in a setting truest to his nature.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day take a look back at Keith McHeffey in his RFH heyday hanging out with his best buds.

RIP, Keith. Run on …

Local Life

Scene Around: Misty Shrewsbury River

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It was quite the hauntingly comforting scene on Tuesday — mist rising from the Shrewsbury River from the Sea Bright side to Rumson and all the way to Highlands.

Then the sun poked through the clouds, the mist evaporated and it was time for a little reflection … of the crystalline riverfront view onto the water and life in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Fair Havenite Sandi Richards-von Pier captured the moments.

Take a look … (and don’t forget to click to enlarge!)

Local Life

Focus: Sandy, Five Years Ago

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It was the year that Halloween wasn’t. It was 2012 and Superstorm Sandy had pummeled the Jersey Shore. It decimated Sea Bright and destroyed low lying parts of Rumson. Fair Haven was a bit war torn and powerless.

Beach cabanas landed like Dorothy’s house to the Witch of the East on West Park lawns. Boats were hoisted by surging water onto dock tops and back yards. Gunning Island, in the Shrewsbury River, was loaded with the moored belongings of Sea Bright and Rumson people. Trees were downed. Transformers exploded.

Sea Bright residents were homeless. The beach was in the road. Sea Bright Rising began with some good-hearted burger flipping by Woody’s owner Chris Wood and chef Onofrio Moscato. The U.S. Army National Guard was parked in the Sea Bright municipal lot. There was no electricity.

There was a curfew. At nightfall, people scurried back into their homes, if there was anything left to go home to, like moles burrowing into cold, still night. Things were awfully dark. And Halloween was cancelled. There was no treat in Sandy’s trickery, just in the kindness of those who were good neighbors.

Take a look back … (and click to enlarge).

— Elaine Van Develde

Photos/Elaine Van Develde