Obituaries

Anthony Joseph Cavallaro, lovingly known as Tony, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025, at the age of 89. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Tony was cherished by all who knew him for his warmth, humor, and generous spirit.

Born on March 27, 1936, in Newark, New Jersey, Tony spent the majority of his life in his beloved home state. He later moved to Bonita Springs, Florida, where he enjoyed retirement and community life, before returning to New Jersey in 2015 to be closer to family and lifelong friends.

Tony is survived by his daughter, Lisa Cavallaro (Thomas White); his stepchildren, Eric Peduto (Stephanie), Michael Peduto (Alison), and Stephanie Peduto; and his adored grandchildren: Ava Rose, Massimo, Emily, August, Joseph, and Andrew. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Rita, with whom he shared many happy years.

Thomas Edward Ekleberry, lovingly known as Tommy, passed away on April 11, 2025, at the age of 73. Born on November 6, 1951, in Newark, NJ, he was the beloved son of the late Robert Gene Ekleberry and Dorothy Gibson.

Tommy spent his early years in Red Bank before his family moved to Fair Haven in 1960—the town he called home for the next 45 years. He attended St. James Elementary School and graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. His passion for food led him to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, where he honed the skills that would become the foundation of a life dedicated to bringing people together through his cooking.

Dr. Hendrik Jan Zweerink, 86, known to most as Hans and to the lucky few as “Opa,” passed away peacefully on April 13 at home under hospice care due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Hilversum, the Netherlands, Hans’ early life was shaped by the hardships of World War II and the German occupation of his country. After completing his education including college in Holland, he applied to Cornell University’s graduate food science program on a whim, and was accepted. That same year, he left Holland by boat, arriving in New York with a suitcase, a thick Dutch accent, and a tenacious spirit.

Charlotte A. Brodfuhrer of Little Silver, NJ, and most recently from Tinton Falls, NJ  moved on to Heaven April 9, 2025, through her faith and confession of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. 

Charlotte was born in East Norwalk, CT to Alfred L. and Willa C. Jackson in August, 1932. She grew up and attended schools in Norwalk where she was active in scouting and boating. After graduating from Norwalk High School, she completed her Nursing degree from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, NYC, in 1953. She practiced nursing in CT, NYC,  and Red Bank, NJ. 

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Dr. Robert C. Conklin

Robert C. Conklin, age 73, passed away April 10, 2025 at home with his family after undergoing a year of treatment for cholangiocarcinoma.

Dr. Conklin was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Trenton, St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Rutgers Graduate School of Management.

Dr. Conklin practiced pathology and nuclear medicine before working in the reinsurance field. He was a vice president and medical director at CNA before becoming a medical director for Fasano Associates for 20 years.

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Pauline Rouvalis Schlim

Pauline Rouvalis Schlim, 89, a loving and generous soul, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025 in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. She was born in Newport News, Virginia on May 8, 1935 to the late Efthemia and Alexander Rouvalis. Pauline spent most of her life in this city that she loved so much, and it was there that she raised her own family with her beloved husband, Albert William Schlim who predeceased her on March 2, 2007.

Pauline was a 1953 graduate of Newport News High School and attended the University of Richmond and the Smithdeal-Massey Business College. As a young secretary working at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, she met a handsome Army captain named Al Schlim. They wed in 1957 and together, they travelled the world, raised a family, and enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage and friendship.

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Susan (Sue) Hartman

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Susan (Sue) Hartman on April 1, 2025.

 

Susan was an only child, born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. She cherished the memories of summers spent with her cousins at Diamond Lake and with her father’s family at Lake Michigan. A proud graduate of St. Joseph’s High School, Susan went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Indiana University. She made history as the first woman in her family to achieve a college degree. Susan’s passion for nursing began with her work in Labor and Delivery, later transitioning to school nursing after having children of her own.

After moving to New Jersey, Sue worked as a school nurse at Harbor School, where she formed lifelong friendships with five incredible women—Trish, Eileen, Suzanne, Susie, and Christine. The group began an annual girls’ trip tradition, starting with rustic camping but evolving into relaxing beach house stays, wine, and Twizzlers. The group established another tradition with a  “priceless” dolphin statue.  The dolphin was part of many of their adventures, traveling to Vegas, award dinners, gift auctions, and birthday parties as a symbol of their bond and important moments in each other’s lives with a touch of humor.

 

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Jose Perez

Jose Perez of Red Bank, NJ passed away on April 1, 2025. He was an amazing man.  Anyone that knew Jose, absolutely loved him. He was a kind man who always had a smile on his face. He never spoke much but when he did you listened. The little GIANT of our family is an enormous loss for us all.

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John Patrick Watts

John Patrick Watts, 65, of West Long Branch, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home under hospice care on Friday, March 28, 2025 after a long illness. 

John was born on July 13, 1959, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Thomas Cantwell Watts and Ann Marie Nowicky Watts. John moved to Bayonne, NJ, with his family when he was two years old. Upon graduation, John moved to Monmouth County where he met his wife, Mary Angela. They married on Saturday, June 24, 1989, and together they raised their four children in West Long Branch, NJ.

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Corrine Bonomi

Corrine Bonomi, 87, passed away peacefully on March 26^th at the King Manor Nursing Home in Neptune NJ after a long battle with Alzheimer disease. Corrine was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Marco. She is survived by her three children Adam Bonomi and wife Lou Ann, Anita Esser and husband John, Carl Bonomi and her seven grandchildren Stephen, Melissa, Emma, Vincent, Victor, Ashley and Holly.

Corrine was a long-time resident of Fair Haven where she raised her family on Spruce Drive for 54 years.  She was a Board member for the Fair Haven Community Appeal and a member of the Riverview Hospital Evening Auxiliary, where she spent many hours volunteering at the Hospital Gift Shop. Corrine was also a parishioner at the Church of the Nativity where she spearheaded the Christmas donation program and the Help a Family in Need Program, often chaperoning families overnight at the Rectory. Corrine retired as the office manager of the Seabright Beach Club in 2010, a position which brought her much pride and joy.

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