Obituaries

Dr. Joseph M. Kyrillos, of Red Bank, NJ, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 3, 2018 at The Atrium at Navesink Harbor.

Devoted to his wife and children, he was a widely respected pediatrician, beloved by his family, friends, patients and all who knew him.  During his lifetime he was a global traveler, remaining close with his family in Lebanon, an avid gardener, a skilled bridge player and most recently, an accomplished painter.

Born in Byblos, Lebanon on December 11, 1929, he was graduated from College de la Sagesse in Beirut.  He went on to obtain his medical degree at Saint Joseph’s University, French Faculty of Medicine, and came to the United States to complete his residency in pediatrics at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, NJ.

Dr. Kyrillos was married to Marguerite Kyrillos (nee Shlala) for more than 60 years.  They were married May 11, 1958.

A practicing pediatrician in Middletown for more than 50 years—first in private practice and later with the Medical Health Center of Middletown—he saw his last patients at age 85.

Juliet Procaccini Obsteins, 62, died peacefully at home on Monday, December 3^rd, overcome by her long battle with FTD (Frontaltemporal Degeneration).

Juliet leaves her husband of 32 years, Egils ‘Ed’ Obsteins, and her cherished son, Erik; her brother Charles Procaccini, sister-in law Elizabeth and niece, Christina; her mother-in-law Alida Obsteins.  Her loving caregiver of 3 years, Patti Travis; her devoted friend Kathy Alter, and the caring and kind staff of Meridian at Home Hospice Care who will all miss her; and her loving dog, Rosie, always at her side.   Juliet was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Rose Guilino Procaccini of West New York, NJ.

She and her brother, Charles, grew up in a very Italian neighborhood, in a 2-family house that her family shared with her paternal grandparents living upstairs. There was the traditional family dinner gathering of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins every Sunday at 2:00.

Lee A. Heinsius, age 62, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2018 at Riverview Medical Center after a long, courageous battle with lung disease. Lee was born in Neptune, New Jersey in 1956 and was the daughter of Howard A. Heinsius and the late Marilyn S. Heinsius.

Lee grew up in Rumson New Jersey and was a graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. She received her bachelor's degree in Hotel Administration from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. Lee then went on to have a very successful career as an Advertising Marketing Director for many world class hotels and travel destinations including RockResorts, Marriott International, Cunard Cruise Line, and the New York Palace Hotel. Her greatest joy though was working with her father at his advertising agency, Needham and Grohmann, in New York City.

Richard Sorrell, age 74, passed away on November 24, 2018 at Riverview Medical Center. Richard was born in Massena, NY in 1944 to the late Sherman Sorrell and Mary Margaret Ladd. He was predeceased by his cousin, Susan Andrew Sweet who grew up in the same house and was like a sister to him, and her parents, Russell Andrew and Elisabeth Andrew Schoeffel.

Richard was a wonderfully loving husband, father, and friend. Everyone who encountered Richard was touched by his kind and gentle manner; he would go out of his way to do anything and everything for both family and friends. Richard often remarked on how lucky he was.

Richard was the devoted husband of Sally Sorrell since 1968. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Peter Sorrell and Melanie Holm, and John Sorrell and Elaine Driscoll. Richard is also survived by his two adoring grandchildren, Willow and Heath.

Lynn M. Gonnello, born in 1945 in Staten Island, NY, passed away at home in Rumson, NJ, on Monday, November 19, 2018, after a long illness.  Lynn graduated from St. Peter’s Girl’s High School in Staten Island, received her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nursing and earned her Master’s Degree of Nursing from Monmouth University.  She was the Clinical Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at Monmouth Medical Center until her retirement in 2010.  She made many friends while working at MMC and was appreciated for her many years of dedicated service and contributions to the success of the Cardiac Cath Lab.

Lynn is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Lawrence Gonnello, her devoted son, Lawrence Gonnello and his wife, Cara, of Jupiter, FL, along with her loving grandchildren, Julia, Matthew & Owen Gonnello.  Also surviving is her loving sister, Gail Hollywood, her adoring niece, Dana Lynn Hollywood, six caring nephews, Stephen, Joseph, William & Kevin Harding and Billy and Robert Hollywood, as well as her four-month old grandnephew, Jordan Thomas Hollywood, grandnephew Liam Harding and grandniece Elizabeth Harding.  Lynn was predeceased by her parents, William and Helen Harding, and her brother, Joseph Harding, of Staten Island.

Dr. J. Putnam “Put” Brodsky - Doctor, Sailor, Husband, Father, Friend

Dr. J. Putnam “Put” Brodsky, 88, recently of Shrewsbury passed away peacefully on November 20th following a short bout with lung cancer.  Born in Brooklyn, NY, Put was raised in Summit, NJ and attended the New York Military Academy. His family summered at the Jersey shore and ultimately moved to Rumson in 1952, the year he graduated from Princeton University. In 1953, he married the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” Morse, with whom he raised three children.  Dr. Brodsky attended medical school at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, and completed his training at NYC’s Bellevue Hospital and at Yale-New Haven Hospital. 

Li-Chieh “Li” Szema, 88 years, died on November 16^th at Millennium Memory Care in Holmdel, NJ.

Born on January 3, 1930, in Hunan, China, to the late Hsiang‐Shin Szema and C.Y. Lee, he was the youngest of five children and was predeceased by his 3 brothers Li-Wan “Yung Pien”, Li-Wu, Li-Gin, and sister, Li-Chen.

Li fled to Taiwan in 1948 on a ship with his oldest brother’s family during the Communist Revolution and served in the Taiwanese Air Force before graduating from Taiwan Provincial Cheng Kung University. He came to the United States and earned master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University and Applied Mechanics from Drexel University and attended Columbia University.  In NYC, he met and married his wife of 54 years, Alice Hsiu-Yun Liu, a doctoral student at NYU, on June 6, 1964.

Milton Badt, Jr., 90, passed away peacefully on November 2, with his beloved wife Lucia by his side.

Milton was born in Elko, Nevada, where he excelled in science, languages and music as a young student, passions that stayed with him throughout his life.  He won the prestigious Westinghouse Science Award, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and spent memorable summers working as a cowhand at his beloved Uncle Selby’s ranch. He attended Harvard University and Stanford University, where he studied engineering and languages and then went on to serve in the United States Navy during the Korean War as an officer aboard the USS Helena. His knowledge of radar, electrical systems, gift for teaching and ability to speak fluent French, German, Spanish and Italian led him to a 32-year career with AT&T Bell Labs, Western Electric and Lucent Technology, including a stint at the 1980 Summer Olympics where he was a technical translator for the international press corps.   It was his fluency in Italian that brought him to Udine, Italy as part of the NATO Alliance, where - while on a lunch break from teaching NIKE radar systems at the Aviano Air Force Base -  he met the love of his life, Lucia Margarita Giacomini.

Phyllis A. D'Alessandro, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 9, 2018, just days short of her 91st birthday.  Born the middle child to Edith and Orazio D'Alesssando in Newark, New Jersey, she spent most of her life living in Manasquan. She graduated from St. Elizabeth's College, Convent Station, New Jersey and worked in civil service. 

She was lovingly known by her family as "Auntie" and was a talented artist and lover of cats. Her genuine kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her sister, Carmel DeFabio, and brother, Edward D'Alessandro, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families too. She will be missed and always remembered as a very special, one-of-a kind Auntie.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 14 at the Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange immediately following the Mass.  

Matthew Callahan, 23, of Little Silver, NJ, succumbed to his heroic battle with ALS on Thursday, November 8, 2018. He was born in Long Branch, NJ, and was a graduate of the Ranney School in Tinton Falls in 2013. He attended Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University studying music technology. By trade, Matthew was an audio engineer working as an independent contractor for various sound design and production companies. Most recently, he was also employed at Pulse Stage Lighting in Union, NJ.

Matthew was an accomplished musician, with a passion for writing, playing, and recording music. His great love of the ocean was reflected in all of his favorite activities. Matthew’s beautiful and inspired saltwater fish tanks were reflections of his love for aquatic life. Matthew traveled extensively to places such as the Galápagos Islands, Fiji, and the Mediterranean, and in each location, his vigor and enthusiasm for being on and in the water was exhibited through activities such as scuba diving, jet skiing, and swimming. His great creativity was most evident in his train displays. Matthew found joy in model railroads and designing intricate towns and communities surrounding both garden and indoor train sets.