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August 30, 2024
Emil William Tvrdik Jr., aged 91, passed away on August 26, 2024, in Oceanport, NJ. Born on January 20, 1933, in Mineola, New York, Emil was a respected Self-employed Carpenter and Home Builder since 1958 renowned for his craftsmanship and dedication to quality.
Emil graduated from St. Petersburg High School in Florida, which laid the foundation for his successful career in carpentry and home building. Known for his outgoing personality, Emil was always ready to lend a hand in building projects for family and friends, most notably volunteering with neighbors constructing the Oceanport Volunteer First Aid Squad. His hobbies included bowling, where he achieved two perfect “300” games, archery, and trap/target shooting. Beyond his hobbies, Emil was a constant tinkerer, always found perfecting a project in his workshop. He cherished the time spent with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and family at his home.
Emil is survived by his loving wife, Helen (West) Tvrdik; children, James Tvrdik and partner Cheryl Sedaker, Gary Tvrdik and wife Carolyn, Sherry Smith and husband Merv and Edward Tvrdik and wife Ellen; and sibling Kathleen Siegel and husband Tice. He was a proud grandfather to Gary Jr. and wife Jenel, Thomas and wife Felicia, Jamie and husband Ed, Edward Jr., Jennifer, Joseph, Nicole, Emily, and Andrew Tvrdik; and great grandfather to Cibella, Luca, Kylie, Eddie, Cecelia, Zoey, Thomas, Brody and Connor. Emil was preceded in death by his parents, Emil William Tvrdik Sr. and Margaret Tvrdik, and siblings Peggy Bowker, Barbara Malloy, and Janet Benedetti.
A Mass to honor Emil’s life will be held at St. Michaels Roman Catholic Church, 800 Ocean Ave., Long Branch, NJ, on September 20, 2024, at 10:30 am. Entombment will follow in Woodbine Mausoleum. The Damiano Funeral Home in Long Branch, NJ, is assisting the family during this time.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 Web: http://www.stjude.org/ in memory of Emil. Emil’s legacy of kindness, skill, and companionship will be deeply missed by all who knew him. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link .
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emil W. Tvrdik, Jr., please visit our floral store
Richard J. Doherty, “Rich”, 71, of Colts Neck, went home to the Lord, peacefully surrounded by his family at home on Wednesday evening.
Rich was born and raised, just outside of Philadelphia, in Hatboro, PA, where he attended William Penn Charter School, and was a valued member of the football team. Rich continued his football career at Bethany College where he also became a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. Upon graduation from Bethany, he went on to obtain his Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Business School. Rich enjoyed a successful 43 year long career in the equipment finance industry. He cultivated life-long working friendships at numerous companies, including CIT Group, Bank of America, and finally, serving as the President of Equipment Leasing at PNC Bank. Rich was passionate about his work, and was beloved by all his colleagues.
It was during his storied career where he would meet the love of his life and wife of thirty years, Kiera. After spending a few years in Boston, Rich and his wife raised their children in Colts Neck, where he was an active member of the community. You could always find Rich on the sidelines of his children’s sports games, passionately watching each game. He served on the Colts Neck Sports Foundation Board, and in his later years, continued his passion of youth sports by coaching local basketball teams, and attending high school sports games, even after his own children had graduated.
Golf was a cornerstone of Rich’s life. Rain or shine, you could find him on the golf course, with his wife, children or friends. He was a tough competitor, a teacher and someone who made you want to play the game. Rich and his wife spent many summer nights with a Guinness at the bar of their golf club, Trump National among a community of friends.
Although a resident of New Jersey, Rich’s true love in life was Philadelphia sports. Rich loved his Birds, and never missed a game, whether watching at home, joining fellow fans in the stands, or pacing the neighborhood during the Super Bowl. If you asked Rich, he’d tell you the best steak in town is a Dalessandro’s cheesesteak, but you need to arrive 3 hours before kick-off. He would say, like a true Eagles fan, “No one likes us we don’t care”, and he sure did not care.
Rich loved a good thriller novel. He was known to read through all his Christmas gifts by New Years, always with his beloved dog Alfred at his feet. He loved black coffee with an old fashioned donut, a dirty martini (with blue cheese stuffed olives, by hand preferred), and any warm chocolate dessert with vanilla ice cream. While not the best at it, he loved to dance. If he had his choice of tune to tear up the carpet it would have been one from his 6 CD changer consisting of the greatest hits from Jackson Browne, Mario Lanza, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Bruno Mars, and Jordan Sparks. Rich was fiercely funny, incredibly kind, devoted to his faith, and deeply loyal to his friends and family.
Rich was predeceased by his parents, Richard A. Doherty and Theresa G. Doherty. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Kiera; his children Drew, and his wife Elizabeth, Annie, Jack, and Patrick; his siblings Pat and her husband Mike, and Jeff and his wife Dee.; his grandson Miles, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Monday, September 2nd from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733. A mass of Christian burial will be offered Tuesday, September 3rdat 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck. Burial will follow at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Marlboro.
Dorothy “Dotty” Connolly, aged 91, passed away on August 27, 2024, in Galloway, NJ. Born on July 19, 1933, in Long Branch, NJ, she was a beloved figure in her community, known for her vibrant personality and diverse interests.
Dotty attended Long Branch High School and pursued a career that reflected the outgoing nature and love for social interaction. She worked as a telephone operator at NJ Bell in Newark, Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, and Bamberger’s/Macy’s in Eatontown. She also shared her passion for dance as a ballroom dance instructor for Arthur Murray in Red Bank. In her later years, she served as an election poll worker, further demonstrating her commitment to her community.
She was a parishioner of the First Presbyterian Church in Asbury Park. Her creative spirit & talent for needlework led her to operate a home crafting business. She was also an avid admirer of antique cars & airplanes, and attended many shows throughout the years. In addition to being a regular attendee at the Brick Senior Center, Dotty loved social dances, tending to her flower garden, homemade baking & thrift store shopping. She played tennis in her younger years and enjoyed watching matches on TV when she could no longer play. She always had soft classical music playing while she was at home relaxing. She researched health & nutrition information with a passion & shared it freely. Dotty will be fondly remembered for her love of fashion and dressing up.
Dotty is survived by her daughters, Catherine DeSantis and her husband Thomas Johnson of Brick, and Kelli DeSantis of Galloway; her brother Arthur Connolly and sister-in-law Peggy of Barnegat; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Catherine Connolly, and her sister, Shirley Santanelli.
A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd from 4 pm until the time of the service at 6:30 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Ave in Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dotty’s memory can be made to the Monmouth County SPCA via mail to 260 Wall St, Eatontown, NJ 07724, or through the web by visiting Monmouth County SPCA Online Donations, a cause close to her heart due to her love for animals. Dotty’s legacy of joy, creativity, and community involvement will be cherished and remembered by all who knew her.
The family invites you to leave a letter of condolences by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Connolly, please visit our floral store.
Rosemarie “Rosie” Squires (née Grandinetti), born on January 16, 1950, in Long Branch, New Jersey, passed away on August 25, 2024, at the age of 74 in Brick, New Jersey. Rosie, known for her kindness, caring nature, and fiercely independent spirit, lived a life marked by deep personal connections and a dedicated career.
Rosie graduated from Neptune High School in 1969 and built a notable career in banking, working at PNC Bank, Commerce Bank, and TD Bank in loan administration, where she retired after 30 years of service. She then joined HMH Ocean Medical Center as a unit secretary on the 4 West Oncology unit, a role she cherished deeply, especially for the bonds formed with the Oncology team.
Aside from her professional life, Rosie enjoyed day trips and visits to Atlantic City, embracing every moment of adventure and relaxation these experiences offered.
She is survived by her daughter, Felicia Marie Ridgeway, and grandson, Andrew John Ridgeway of Toms River, NJ; sister, Bernadette Ruiz and her husband, Charles, of Tennessee; brother, Edward Grandinetti and his wife, Pam, of Jackson, NJ; sister, Gail Grandinetti Bryan of Tinton Falls, NJ; sister-in-law, Dee Grandinetti of Point Pleasant, NJ; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Rosie was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Rosemary Grandinetti (née Vincelli), her brother, Phil Grandinetti Jr., and brother-in-law, Thomas Bryan.
A memorial Mass to celebrate Rosie’s life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at The Church of St. Anselm, 1028 Wayside Road in Tinton Falls at 12:30 PM. Her life, marked by generosity and a robust spirit, will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above
John Westbrook Middleton Sr., proudly known as “Johnny” was a native resident of Long Branch, NJ. Born on October 16, 1953, to Reverend William Middleton and Roberta L. Westbrook Carter. He was 70 years young when he passed away on the morning of Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Johnny was a strong, hardworking, easygoing, simple, and generous man who loved all his family, yet his two children were always dear to his heart. Over the years he encountered and captured the hearts of many through his work and leisure activities which included 20 plus years with the Matawan Sanitation Department and 15 joyous and memorable years for two bus companies before retiring. The students brought much joy to his heart, and he adored all children, not only his own but also those that he watched over.
He had a love for cars, and he enjoyed working on them as well. He visited Raceway Park in the summer months and many car shows throughout the year. He also found delight in attending the Collingswood Auction in Farmingdale, NJ, where he would sell used and new items. He would also use this to spend time with many caring and compassionate friends that he had made there. He always looked forward to seeing them!
Johnny was predeceased by his father, the Reverend William Middleton, his mother, Roberta L. Westbrook Carter “Nana,” two sisters Brenda Matthews and Roberta Carter “Berta,” a niece, and a great nephew.
He will be missed dearly by his family that he leaves behind, including his wife, Claudia Middleton; his precious children Regina Washington and John W. Middleton Jr.; his two sisters Frances Brewer “Pooh” and Ruth Pittman; He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews such as Derrell King, Ashley Anderson, Kenneth Matthews, Jonathan Matthews, Emmitt Matthews “Mann,” Tamar Matthews, Denise Tejada, Clark Middleton, Carl Pittman, and Kyle Pittman just to name a few.
Johnny may no longer be with us; however, his smile, generosity and love will be cherished in our hearts forever. Rest in peace Johnny, we love you!
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rosemarie Squires, please visit Damiano floral store.
John Edward Truex, 87, of Holmdel, passed away Tuesday surrounded by his family.
John (Jack) was born and raised in Keyport, NJ where he met his wife, Helen (Marie) and graduated from Keyport High School. They moved to Holmdel to build their house and start a family.
Jack began his career at JCP & L as a heavy equipment operator, a job he would keep till his retirement. Jack was a lifetime member of the Hazlet Fire Company, he enjoyed walking the Keyport Waterfront, was a member of the Masons, and donated a lot of his time to the Shriner’s Children Hospital helping children get to and from the facility.
John is survived by his loving wife Helen; his 5 children; his brother Harvey and his wife Judy; his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 3rd from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733. A Service will be held Wednesday, September 4th at 10:00 AM at Holmdel Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Shorelands Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Marlboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en in John’s name.
Margaret Dunigan, 80, of Greenacres, FL, passed away Sunday, August 25th.
Born and raised in Bensonhurst Brooklyn NY, Margaret moved to Edison where she raised her family and started her career as an Executive Secretary at JFK Medical Center where she worked until she retired.
Whether it was cooking Italian food, hosting holiday parties or enjoying a good martini with friends, Margie loved life and laughter. She enjoyed cruises, comedy, theater and being the life of the party. She brightened every room she was in and loved people. Family time was most important and the center of her heart. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were her favorite. She loved her Christmas trees and giving gifts. The biggest gift she gave was joy.
Surviving is her husband Dennis, her son John Roberts; her daughter & son-in-law Michele & Thomas Herrington; her brother Joseph Prendamano and her grandchildren Cody Mignella, Steven Young, Alyssa Herrington and Alexander Herrington.
Visitation was Wednesday, August 28th at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, Morrell Street, Long Branch. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 12:30 pm at St. Michael’s RC Church, 800 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org. For messages of condolence, please visit Margaret’s page of tributes at www.woolleyboglioli.com.
Florence Ruth Noschese (née McElmon), affectionately known as “Flo,” passed away on August 28, 2024, in Manahawkin, NJ, at the age of 80. Born on September 24, 1943, in New Rochelle, NY, she moved through life with a spirit of love and service, defined by her unwavering faith in God and her enduring love for her family.
Florence attended Long Branch High School and furthered her education at Northeast Bible Institute, which shaped her lifelong commitment to her community and church, the Shrewsbury Assembly of God, where she also worked as a secretary. Her career was marked by the same kindness and generosity she showed in every aspect of her life.
Known for her loving and giving spirit, Florence always prioritized the needs of others, embodying the virtues of a devoted wife to her late husband, Vito “Victor” Noschese, with whom she shared 42 wonderful years of marriage, and a cherished mother to her children, Jonathan Noschese and his wife Ashley, Sherry Florenza and her husband Michael, and Elizabeth Noschese. Her joy was multiplied through her grandchildren: Emma Yoder and her husband Jason, Mark Noschese; and Nicholas and Matthew Forlenza and her great grand son Dean Yoder
Florence’s hobbies included photography, playing the trumpet, and cooking for friends and family. She cherished time spent at her campsite and traveling with her husband Vic and never missed an opportunity to attend her children and grandchildren’s activities, always with a camera in hand and a ready smile.
She was preceded in death by her parents Laura and Byron McElmon and siblings Olga, Byron, Albert, Jack, and Betty McElmon. Florence’s life was a testament to her faith and love, qualities that endeared her to all who knew her.
The Noschese and Forlenza families extend an invitation to friends and loved ones to attend a service in memory of Florence, to be held at Damiano Funeral Home, located at 191 Franklin Avenue, Long Branch, New Jersey on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the Glenwood Cemetery in West Long Branch, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Florence may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 910, New Brunswick NJ 08903. The Damiano Funeral Home is honored to be of service to the Noschese family. Florence’s loving spirit and legacy of faith will continue to inspire and live on through those whose lives she touched.
The family invites you to leave a letter of condolences by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Florence Ruth (McElmon) Noschese, please visit Damiano floral store.
Gail Ford, 73, of Oakhurst passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23rd, 2024, surrounded by her daughters. Born in Brooklyn, she graduated from Monmouth College with a degree in Education. Gail went on to teach K-8 in the Hazlet School District for 30 years. Gail loved spending time at the beach, gardening, flower arranging, and spending time with her family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Gail is finally reunited with the love of her life, James “Jimmy” Ford of Oakhurst, who passed away in 2014, and her sister, Harriet Hartl, of Del Mar, California, who passed away in 2018.
Gail is survived by her two daughters, Jessica Ford and her boyfriend, Bill Warner of Freehold, Megan Ford and her husband, Jeff Angert, and granddaughter, Kayley Angert of Manalapan. Gail is also survived by her cousin, Marc Rosenfeld and wife Pam of Arizona, brothers-in-law, Robert Ford and his wife Carole, Jack Ford and his wife Kathy, sister-in-law Gina Delonardo Ford, nephews Brett Hartl, John Ford, and Robert Ford, niece Erin Ford, and many grandnieces and nephews.
Services and interment are private. A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 7th from 4 pm – 8 pm at her residence at 719 Talmadge Avenue, Oakhurst NJ 07755 and all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Huntington’s Disease Society of America 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902 New York, NY 10018 or hdsa.org. Gail Ford, 73, of Oakhurst passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23rd, 2024, surrounded by her daughters. Born in Brooklyn, she graduated from Monmouth College with a degree in Education. Gail went on to teach K-8 in the Hazlet School District for 30 years. Gail loved spending time at the beach, gardening, flower arranging, and spending time with her family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Gail is finally reunited with the love of her life, James “Jimmy” Ford of Oakhurst, who passed away in 2014, and her sister, Harriet Hartl, of Del Mar, California, who passed away in 2018.
Gail is survived by her two daughters, Jessica Ford and her boyfriend, Bill Warner of Freehold, Megan Ford and her husband, Jeff Angert, and granddaughter, Kayley Angert of Manalapan. Gail is also survived by her cousin, Marc Rosenfeld and wife Pam of Arizona, brothers-in-law, Robert Ford and his wife Carole, Jack Ford and his wife Kathy, sister-in-law Gina Delonardo Ford, nephews Brett Hartl, John Ford, and Robert Ford, niece Erin Ford, and many grandnieces and nephews.
Services and interment are private. A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 7th from 4 pm – 8 pm at her residence at 719 Talmadge Avenue, Oakhurst NJ 07755 and all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Huntington’s Disease Society of America 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902 New York, NY 10018 or hdsa.org.
Merlin Elizabeth Miller, was born on February 17, 1937, in Westmoreland, Jamaica to Fred Wilmot and Naomi Dyer. In early life, Merlin moved to May Pen, Jamaica. It is here where she met Clifford Miller at the Love Lane Church of God. They married in 1956.
Even at a young age, she was always motivated by the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, which is befitting that she would serve for years as a private duty nurse. Always giving of herself, Merlin’s life exemplified the purity and value of servanthood.
Years later, Merlin journeyed to the United States in 1968. Residing in Long Branch and Asbury Park, she was an active member of First Pentecostal Church in Neptune, under the leadership of Pastor Geneva Crudup. In 1987, she joined Living Word Christian Fellowship as a founding member. Then in 1989, Merlin relocated to Florida where she continued to work as a private duty nurse. There, she was an active member of Gateway Church under the leadership of Dr. Noel Hyatt.
Dedicated to servanthood, Merlin passed down this gift of selflessness through her bloodline. Her lifelong role of prioritizing the wellbeing of others made it easy for her loved ones to take care of her in her later days. A beloved mother and grandmother, she peacefully went home to be with the Lord on August 15, 2024, in Neptune, New Jersey.
She is predeceased by her husband, Bishop Clifford A. Miller; sons, Barrington and Earl; daughter, Hopedale Miller; and stepsons, Trevor and Philber Miller.
She leaves to cherish her memory: sons, Howard of Sunrise, FL and Cedric (Kim) of Holmdel, NJ; stepsons whom she loved dearly, Rupert (Pendora) of Coral Springs, FL, Neville (Donna) of Orlando, FL, Wycliff of Clearwater, FL; one sister, Vinnett Madge Peck and Granville Davis; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great great-granddaughter; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Merlin touched the lives of everyone she crossed paths, and will be remembered for her generosity, her love for God and people. A true mother to many, depicting the embodiment of unconditional love, selflessness, and sacrifice, she will truly be missed.
Nancy Lou Baskin, age 82, of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Nancy was born in Brooklyn, New York to Abe and Bea Cohen. Nancy spent many years as a teacher in the New York City School System and earned her master’s degree in elementary education from Brooklyn College.
Nancy is survived and will be sorely missed by her daughter Caryn Berman and her husband Brian Thompson; brother Richard Cohen and his wife, Angela Cohen; her grandsons Zachary Berman, and Matthew Berman, her nieces Beth Cohen, Rachel Lee and Alanna Cohen. Nancy is also survived by her former husband, Michael Schecter and his wife Sharon, and many 1st, 2nd and 3rd cousins from the Rabinowitz/Elkind family clan.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Angela ” Angie” Figaro, passed away Saturday August 24, 2024, in Red Bank, NJ, at the age of 89, with her loving nieces and nephew at her bedside.
Angela, a lifelong communicant of St Anthonys of Padua Church was born in Long Branch, NJ and raised in Red Bank where she attended RiverStreet School, then graduated from Red Bank High School with the class of 1952.
Upon graduation, ” Angie” was employed as an Assistant Analyst at Electronic Associates, Incorporated, West long Branch, for 43 years. During her tenure at EAI, Aunt Angela took advantage of the company’s bus trips to bring her nephew and nieces to visit Amish Country, Broadway Shows, The Circus, The Ice Capades, Cruises up the Hudson, Atlantic City and so many more. Angela prioritized offering her nieces and nephew exposure to as many new experiences as she could.
After her retirement from EAI, Angie, took a “relaxing part- time” job at Professional Pharmacy in Red Bank where the position evolved into a full time adventure of Retail Buyer and Department Manager of the adjoining gift shop. The owner affectionally named the shop ” Angie’s Hallmark”, in her honor.
Angela loved collecting dolls, baking, traveling and capturing time with her friends and family with photographs. Mostly, Angela loved time with her precious family and dear friends as evident in her home which is covered with photographs and albums of amazing memories of her best friends, Marie and Nick Tarricone, their daughters, Jean- Marie and Denise, her loving mother, Josie, her brother, his wife and children and their granddaughters, all of whom she spoiled. Angela never forgot a special occasion and just about all of them she captured with photographs.
Angela will be remembered for her beautiful smile, unconditional love, kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, hard work, attention to detail and will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved her.
Angela is survived by her nephew John C.Figaro, nieces Dominique Ravaschiere, Nicolle Figaro, great nieces Christina Rogers and Shannon Ravaschiere and her sister-in-law, Martha Figaro. Angela is also survived by her Aunt Angie Guarino of Toms River, and a seemingly endless list of loving Renzella and Figaro cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dominic Figaro and Josephine O’Brien, step-father George O’Brien, step-sister Joanne Mcnally and of course, her beloved brother, John R Figaro.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday August 28, 2024 from 4-7pm at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave, Red Bank, NJ. A mass of Christan Burial will be celebrated on Thursday August 29, 2024 at 11:00am St Anthonys RC Church 124 Chestnut Street, Red Bank, NJ. Interment to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving in Angela’s name to St Judes at : https://www.stjude.org
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.
