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June 24, 2022
June Faye Maurer Scavone, age 95 of Long Branch, formerly of Ocean Grove and Scotch Plains, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022 at Complete Care at Monmouth in Long Branch. June was born to the late Howard Maurer and Jennie Welker on May 31, 1927 in Girardville, PA. She resided most of her life in Scotch Plains where she worked as a law office administrator for the firms of Dughi and Johnstone and Hooley, Butler, DeFrancesco and Kelly for many decades. She was a devoted and respected employee.
June attended the First United Methodist Church in Westfield for many years. She enjoyed walking, reading, travel, attending the theatre, and was an avid exercise enthusiast. As well, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Crane’s Ford Chapter in Cranford.
June was predeceased by her brother Warren Maurer and her sister Ida Cole. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend and is survived by her two sons and daughters in law, Gregory and Peggy Scavone of Long Branch and Michael and Deborah Scavone of Virginia; four grandchildren, Andrew and his wife Bianca, Meredith, Matthew and Spencer; her great granddaughter, Emilia; her sister in law, Dorothy Maurer; one niece, two nephews; two grandnieces and one grandnephew.
A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2022 from 12 pm until the time of the service at 1 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue in Long Branch. Burial of cremains will be in the family plot at Christ Church Cemetery in Ashland, PA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the Tribute/Guestbook link above.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of June Maurer Scavone, please visit our floral store.
Anthony J. (Tony) Mellaci, age 100, passed away peacefully of natural causes at home surrounded by his loved ones.
Tony was born in Red Bank in 1922 and was the son of Frank and Barbara Marra Mellaci. Both of his parents, while American citizens, came to this country from Amaroni, in the province of Catanzaro, in the Calabria region of southern Italy.
Tony grew up with his brother, Louis, on an estate on Tyson Lane in Rumson, where his father worked as a caretaker. With the demise of prohibition, Tony’s father acquired one of the first liquor licenses in Rumson and in 1935 moved his family to 128 East River Road where he opened up Frank’s Bar.
Tony attended Rumson High School during its inaugural year. Although only 5’ 7” and 155 lbs., he starred on the football field as a halfback and earned All Shore and All State recognition. He was inducted into the first class and is a member of the Rumson Fair Haven Regional Sports Hall of Fame for Football.
After graduation, he received a scholarship to play football at Admiral Farragut Academy in Pine Beach, New Jersey. He went on to play in the 1941 Little Army-Navy Football game against the New York Military Academy. He subsequently obtained a scholarship to play football at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
He was drafted into military service less than a month before his first game and entered the U.S. Army in August 1942. He proudly served in WWII as a Combat Medic in the 94th Infantry Division in Patton’s 3rd Army. He served in Northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was honorably discharged having obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Medical Corps. He was presented with the Bronze Star for bravery as well as other medals and commendations.
Feeling he was too old to continue his collegiate career, he returned home after the war and went to work for his father helping to manage Frank’s Tavern. He also played semi-pro football for the Rumson Veterans for three years. In 1948, he and his father moved the tavern to its present location in Rumson and continued to run it until 1962. During the 1950’s, he and his Dad also owned the Swedish Hop in Sea Bright and leased and managed the Bamboo Room on the Sandy Hook Bay at Sandless Beach Club. During this time, he played and sponsored several teams in many bowling leagues and in the 1950’s, the Franks Tavern team won first place in a tournament in Detroit, Michigan.
Tony was a proud member of the Oceanic Fire Department in his hometown. He celebrated fifty years of service with his friend, Russ McCue, several years ago at the Memorial Day Parade in Rumson. He always remained ready to respond regardless of weather, safety, or personal inconvenience to save lives and protect property.
After selling the tavern, Tony joined Dorchester, Inc. and sold wine and whiskey products to restaurants and taverns throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. He raised his family of two sons and a daughter in Rumson, first at a home on Avenue of Two Rivers that his father built for him, and later, again a home he and his father built on Blossom Road.
Tony retired in 1982 and moved with his wife, Sharon, to Stuart, Florida. While there, he was a Starter at the Martin County Country Club and played hundreds of rounds of golf. He and his wife Sharon, traveled throughout the United States and Europe, primarily to conventions with the 94th Infantry Division. He particularly loved traveling to Hawaii, San Diego, Las Vegas, and, of course, Italy. They later returned to New Jersey in 2011 and lived in Eatontown with their son, Jim.
In October of 2021, he and the love of his life, Sharon, celebrated 72 years of marriage with family and friends. The two have been inseparable since their marriage on October 30, 1949.
Everyone who met Tony was immediately drawn to his smiling face and cheerfulness. He instilled in his children a keen sense of responsibility and the importance of family. He loved his New York Yankees and New York Football Giants. Although he was a season ticket holder for the Giants for only 47 years, he attended at least one game for every decade between 1938 and 2018.
Tony is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Barbara Mellaci; his brother, Louis Mellaci and wife Marie; his grandson, Daniel Mellaci; and his son-in-law, Mark Waldron.
Tony is survived by his wife, Sharon (Hower) Mellaci and his children: Tony Mellaci and his wife Beth, of Daytona Beach, Florida; Donna Mellaci Waldron of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and Jimmy Mellaci of Eatontown, New Jersey and his partner Denise Kelleher. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Matt Mellaci and wife Colleen; Tom Mellaci and his partner Leslie; Taylor Mellaci; granddaughter-in-law Megan McGowan Mellaci; Luke Waldron; and Preston James (P.J.) Mellaci and his partner Megan. In addition, he is survived by his three great grandchildren, who he adored, Mason, Danny and Bennett.
Services will be private at the Damiano Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of his grandson, Danny, who predeceased him, to The Joan Dancy and PALS (People with ALS) Foundation, P.O. Box 8157, Red Bank NJ 07701 or http://joandancyandpals.org.
Thomas E. Borgia, age 57 of Long Branch, died on Thursday, June 15th, 2022 at Complete Care at Monmouth. Tom was born in Greenwich Village, NY, where he lived surrounded by his extended family before relocating to New Jersey in 1977 with his parents, Ed and Annette, and younger brother Bill. Tom attended St. Jerome’s grammar school in West Long Branch and Long Branch High School, remaining in the Long Branch area for most of his life.
Tom held several jobs throughout his life, including as a fiber-optics technician for 3M in Eatontown and a taxi driver in Long Branch. He had a passion for classic rock music and was an avid Beatles fan, amassing an impressive collection of records and memorabilia. He loved playing pinball and owned several machines throughout his life. SilverBall Arcade in Asbury Park was one of his favorite places to frequent. Tom was fortunate to have had many great friends throughout his life who supported him through his ups and downs.
Tom had a heart of gold, which many of the people around him came to love. His compassion and selflessness, in one instance, led him to raise his son with the help of his own parents so he would have a bright future. In his days at Monmouth Care Center, he touched the hearts of many of the staff there. Despite his discomfort, he always tried to be polite, and even when he lost his cool, he would apologize shortly after. Tom and his son made many beautiful memories together in the last few months of his life and they will be cherished. Tom’s son, Thomas, is very proud to call him dad.
Tom was predeceased by his mother Annette in 2017 and father Edwin in 2018. Surviving him are his son Thomas, daughter-in-law Ellie, younger brother Bill, nephews Nicholas, Jacob, and Luke, girlfriend Collene Crisi, and his many good friends.
Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to Mental Health America in memory of Thomas E. Borgia at https://www.mhanational.org/donate-now. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the Tribute/Guestbook link above.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas E. Borgia, please visit our floral store.
Emily Dowd Tomaine peacefully passed away on Friday, June 17 at her home surrounded by her family. She was 80.
Known to her grandchildren as Mom-Mom, Emily grew up in Long Branch, NJ; the daughter of the late Hector B. Dowd and Bridget F. Darby, both Irish immigrants. Emily helped raise her 2 younger brothers, Charlie and Billy, while her older brothers, James and Hector continued with their schooling after the sudden passing of their beloved father. Emily adored her brothers and was so proud of all their accomplishments. Emily’s mother, Bridget opened her home to boarders to help support the family. Salvatore Olivia, one of the boarders, remained with the family for the rest of his life and served as a father figure, mentor and lifelong friend to Emily and her brothers. It was these early experiences that shaped Emily into the strong, loving, caring, nurturing, giving woman she became.
Emily graduated from Red Bank Catholic and soon after met Andrew Tomaine of Long Branch. They married and had three daughters, Marybridget, Kathleen, and Jennifer. Emily was a devoted wife and mother and step-mother to Andrew’s three daughters, Andrea, Joanne, and Carol. She loved nothing more than to spend time with family and neighbors in their Oceanport home, hosting all the holiday gatherings for 25 or more with all the trimmings, no details spared. Somehow she made it seem easy. Emily and Andrew remained married and in love until Andrew’s death in 2012. She missed him terribly when he passed.
Emily’s love for family reached epic heights when her three daughters and her brothers had their children. To say she loved her nieces and nephews and grandchildren would be an understatement. She became the caregiver for all of her grandchildren when their mothers returned to work after maternity leave. She would arrive at 7:30a.m. and make each day a loving adventure for the kids. When her daughters would return at the end of the work day the laundry would be done and folded, the dishes cleaned and put away, and there would be a delicious meal cooking on the stove. All of her grandchildren have precious memories of those days that will stay with them forever.
Emily was a devout Catholic. When not focused on her family, she was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Long Branch. Emily worked at the Dallas Apparel Mart, supporting her brothers’ clothing markets a few times a year; this was a labor of love. She also helped make ends meet by working as a real estate agent for many years, building a successful career through loyal clientele, word of mouth and repeat customers. She developed a reputation for being scrupulously honest, steering clients away from a house even if it might have meant a larger commission for her.
When Emily became ill, she was cared for in her home for several years by live-in aides. All of the aides and nurses who came in contact with her commented on how peaceful she was, how pleasant, calm, loving, and pure of heart. She would say, “I am blessed.” or, “We are so lucky.” In her last days while her daughters, grandchildren, brother Charlie and his wife, Susan, took over that care, the strong love and bonds she had fostered over her lifetime remained.
She is predeceased by her parents; her husband, Andrew “Andy” Tomaine; her infant son, Andrew; and her brothers, James, Hector and William Dowd. Surviving are her children, Marybridget Marra of Oceanport, Kathleen and her husband, T.J. Foderaro, of Fair Haven, and Jennifer Leuin of West Long Branch, and their sisters, Andrea Whitesell, Joanne Valance, and Carol Tomaine; her brother, Charlie Dowd, and his wife, Susan; grandchildren Lauren, Alex, and Brian Marra, Erin and Sarah Bayer, Emma and Griffin Leuin, and Julian, Francis and Faith Foderaro; nieces, Dr. Bridget Dowd Kiernan, daughter Darby and Lady Noelle Dowd Leitch, children, Kathleen, Alexander, and Hector, and nephew Hector Andre Dowd, children Annie and Ava; her loving husband Andy’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sons-in-law Harvey Leuin, Richard Bayer and Ralph Marra; sister-in-law Hedda Dowd; her loving neighbors and her large beloved family in Ireland.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, June 23 at 10 am at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 101 Chelsea Avenue, Long Branch. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, West Long Branch. In lieu of traditional remembrances, the family asks with gratitude that donations in Emily’s name be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Emily, please visit her page of tribute at www.woolleyboglioli.com.
Howard Bernard Haftel, 87 of Lincroft, died on Wednesday, June 15.
He was born, and raised in The Bronx, NY on April 1, 1935 to the late Augusta and Herman Haftel.
Howard graduated from Samuel Gompers High School, and then served his country honorably in the Army during the Korean War. He met the love of his life, Alma, they married in 1959, and moved to Aberdeen in 1963 where they raised their family. He worked for IBM for many years before opening his own business, HH Computers.
Howard enjoyed spending time tending to his vegetable garden, where he grew various vegetables from tomatoes to corn and everything in between. He was known for his good humor and dad jokes, and ability to fix and build all kinds of things. Everyone enjoyed his company, especially when he was cooking. Howard was very caring and always wanted to give a helping hand where it was needed. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with friends and family.
He is predeceased by his parents, and his brother Alfred Haftel.
Surviving are his loving wife of 63 years, Alma Haftel, his children, Dennis Haftel and partner Kathy Hurley Connolly of Shrewsbury, Susan Haftel of Rahway, and Valerie Haftel and her wife, Jennie Soria of Atlanta, his brother, Robert Haftel, his sister, Carol Haftel, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation Tuesday, June 21 from 4pm – 8pm with a Celebration of Life offered at 7:30pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, June 22 at 11am at Holmdel Cemetery, 900 Holmdel Road, Holmdel.
In lieu of traditional remembrances, the family asks with gratitude that donations in Howard’s name be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)
For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Howard, please visit his page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com.
Barbara Rose Josselyn, born in Long Branch, on August 19, 1936 died peacefully in her beloved Oceanport home on June 17.
Barbara loved her family and friends with all her heart. She was vital and independent right up to her 84th birthday. She was President of The Oceanport Senior Citizens Club, active in the Oceanport Garden Club and the Monmouth and Ocean Counties Tax Collectors and Treasurers Association. She would drive her dear friends from the Oceanport Seniors, or the famed “Red Bank Catholic” girls to dinner, concerts, parties, or shopping. She loved to laugh and be with people. Her grandchildren were the light in her eyes.
Barbara had a great work ethic, and within a few months of retiring from the job she loved as the tax collector in Eatontown, NJ, she was back to work running the office for her friend Terry Gribben’s busy court transcription service, work she did into her 80’s.
Barbara loved the New York Yankees and could tell you who pitched, got a big hit or blew the game on any given day. She loved to cook and she loved dogs. She enjoyed movies and watching the news. Engelbert Humperdinck was her favorite singer, and she saw him in concert many, many times. She loved to travel and her favorite trips included visiting family in Cape Cod, California, and Italy, and taking her grandkids to Hawaii.
Barbara is predeceased by her loving husband Charles Josselyn, beloved daughter Barbara Lee Karaba, her parents – Theresa and Dominick Olivadoti and her sister Anne Pruitt.
Barbara is survived by her son James Josselyn, his partner Katie Madalone, her grandchildren Andrew and Samantha Josselyn, Jeffrey Karaba, her cousin Marie Dahrouge and countless friends and relatives.
We would like to thank Towne Home Care caregivers Vicky Nelson, Folakemi Abimbola and Cindy and the staff at Embracing Hospicecare for their tireless help keeping Barbara comfortable in her final days.
In lieu of flowers please send donations in her memory to the Oceanport First Aid Squad, 2 Pemberton Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757 or to the GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com/f/barbara-josselyn) to help defray some of the medical expenses.
To send flowers to the family of Barbara R Josselyn, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Angelo “Chubby” Puzino, 95, of Oakhurst, Ocean Township passed away at home on Saturday, June 11,
2022, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Garfield and moved to Oakhurst in 1959. He was an active member of his community
and served as the president of Ocean Township Pop Warner in the early years. He was a skilled master plumber and builder for sixty years. He was a communicant of St. Mary of Assumption Roman Catholic
Church of Deal. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved visiting
with his family and friends, telling stories, and watching the Yankees.
He is predeceased by his wife, Lucille (Gangi) Puzino, parents, Anthony, and Mary (Garrone) Puzino, and
six brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his son, Anthony, and his wife Susan Puzino of Oakhurst,
two granddaughters Kristen Puzino of Swansboro, North Carolina, Joy Puzino of Oakhurst, and two
great-grandchildren, Ava, and Angelo. He is also survived by his devoted friends, Charlie and Gloria
Wagner. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
To send flowers to the family of Angelo Puzino, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Alberto Godinez, 65 of Long Branch passed away on Sunday, June 12 at home, surrounded by his wife Naomi.
He was born on April 8, 1957 in Guatemala City, Guatemala Central America to his parents Balbina and Manuel Godinez. Alberto grew up in humble conditions and had to work as a young man to help his family. He migrated to the United States where opportunity to work as a mason (bricklayer) allowed him to support his family and have a fulfilling life.
Alberto was a good man who helped around the house by cooking, cleaning and supporting his beloved wife of 34 years Naomi.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 34 years Naomi; 1 son Nicholas Godinez; 2 sisters Maria and Sophia and his beloved friend Joanne Hester.
Rest in Peace Alberto we love you!
Jennie Rose Barberio, 98, of Shrewsbury passed away in her home early in the morning of June 17, 2022, born May 29, 1924. Raised in Red Bank, NJ, she spent her early married life in Red Bank before moving to Shrewsbury in 1955. As a Shrewsbury resident, she was active in the community, and until recent health issues, she led a happily vibrant and independent life. She was an active congregant of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church of Padua in Red Bank, where she was baptized and married.
The daughter of Peter and Theresa DePonte, Italian immigrants who made their lives in and raised their family in Red Bank, NJ, Jennie was the last remaining child of Peter DePonte.
Jennie was predeceased by her husband Samuel Barberio, a U.S. navy veteran of the campaigns in the Pacific theater during WWII, who died in 1983. Additionally, Jennie was preceded in death by her sisters Josie and Rachel and her brother Tony.
A loving mother, she is survived by her son, Stephen Barberio (Suzanne) residing in Naples, FL and her daughter, Linda Hammell (Herb) residing in Brick, NJ. Jennie was also blessed with 6 wonderful grandchildren (Jesse, Kevin, Lisa, Michael, Luke and Jason) along with 7 great grandchildren, soon to be 8.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.
