Obituaries

Gloria Ann Doughty (Hoffman) passed away peacefully at Christiana Hospital, Delaware on October 26, 2024. She was 93. She died quickly and peacefully after a very brief illness. She was born and raised in Rahway, NJ on August 19, 1931. She graduated from Rahway High School and worked as an executive secretary for Merck for many years. She met her husband Richard “Dick” Doughty on the beaches of Seabright NJ where he was a lifeguard. They were married for 64 years at the time of his passing in 2020 at the age of 93.

Connor Richard Smith, 29, of St. Paul, Minnesota, formerly of Red Bank, New Jersey, passed away peacefully from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on October 18th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family and closest friends. Connor was born on October 18th, 1995 in Red Bank, New Jersey to Sean and Elaine Smith.

Edward Joseph Harrington passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at Monmouth Medical Center. He was surrounded by his loving wife and two daughters after a brief illness.  Ed was born on May 13, 1941 in Throggs Neck, NY to Edward R. and Margaret (Woulfe) Harringtion. He was the youngest of three children and he always spoke fondly of growing up in the Bronx. His father worked for the developing NY Railroad as an engineer while his mother, who came to the US from County Kerry, Ireland at the age of 17 was a nurse. His mother was a pioneer as one of the few “working moms” at the time.  

William "Billy" R. Ryan of Red Bank, 77, passed away on October 19, 2024, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, surrounded by his family.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Susan Ryan, his son and daughter-in-law Christopher and Erica Ryan of Little Silver, his daughter and son-in-law Abbie and Michael Loughran of Shrewsbury, his grandson Ryan and granddaughters Jordan and Samantha. 

Louis Bernard Hughes, Jr., age 86, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2024 in Little Silver, NJ. Born on August 29, 1938 to Louis and Sara Hughes in Elmira, NY, Lou was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Carol, with whom he shared nearly seventy years of marriage. Together, Lou and Carol defied the odds and overcame all obstacles to build their lasting legacy: a family of five children, eighteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Lou faced tragedy early in life when his father passed away, leaving him as the 14-year-old eldest of his three siblings. This loss set Lou on a path of resiliency and grit that would define him until his last days. With Carol by his side, Lou grew into a man of strength, both in body and spirit, never shying away from life's toughest challenges.

Mary Elisabeth Dean, Ph.D., 90, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2024, in Red Bank, NJ.

She was born in Englewood, NJ in 1933, to Jesse P. and Marguerite A. (Jossier) Dean. She attended the Academy of the Holy Angels and The College of Saint Elizabeth (AB 1955). She was awarded a fellowship to attend Purdue University (MS 1957), where she met her first husband, Earle W. Orr, Jr., Ph.D. Their first daughter, Mary Siobhan Orr, died in infancy. They later had two more children together. Earle, a professor of economics and a transportation specialist, took a job in Dacca, East Pakistan (now Dhaka, Bangladesh). The family lived in Bangladesh for two years, during which time Mary Elisabeth worked as the Director of Counseling at the Dacca American Society School.

Mary Elisabeth returned to Middletown, NJ with her children in 1964. She got a job as a teacher and then a guidance counselor at Lloyd Road Middle School in Matawan, NJ. She was promoted to Guidance Counselor, Director of Guidance, and finally Director of Career Development for the Matawan-Aberdeen School District (1968-1980). She was also an instructor in the Graduate School of Education at Seton Hall University in West Orange, NJ from 1968-1970.

Carmen S. Garduno passed away on October 10, 2024 after suffering many years from Alzheimer’s.  Carmen was born in Taos, New Mexico on April 19, 1929, the second of the seven children of Ralph and Anita Garduno.  Shortly after her birth, Carmen’s family moved to Akron, Ohio, the state where Carmen spent most of her life.  

Carmen was matriculated at Springfield High School and after attending beauty school, she  began her long working life as a hairstylist.  The profession suited Carmen who enjoyed interacting with clients and coworkers. Later, Carmen moved on to become a switchboard operator at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio.  Carmen spent decades working at the hospital where she loved her work and colleagues.  Once retired, she joined the employment agency of her sister, Adela (Della) Delgado, as an assistant for a few years.  

Paul V. McLean, 72, of Oceanport, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2024 at Complete Care in Shrewsbury.  He was born in Long Branch to Harry and Leah (Coudrier) McLean and lived most of his life in Red Bank before settling in Oceanport in 2010. 

Paul graduated from Red Bank High School in 1970 and started his career with the United States Postal Service. He was community-minded and volunteered for the Red Bank Hook and Ladder.  

Jack Ponti (Giacomo Pontoriero), an influential American musician, songwriter, producer, and manager, passed away on October 7, 2024. While widely recognized for his musical genius, it was his boundless love for his family, generosity of spirit, and fierce loyalty that truly defined him.

Born in Newark, NJ, Jack grew up with an ear for music and a heart full of compassion. His early passion for the guitar led him into a remarkable career, where his talent and vision helped shape the sounds of iconic rock bands like Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, Nelson, and Skid Row. Jack’s greatest pride, however, was not found in the music industry but in the love he had for his family. Jack’s family was his true legacy, and his love for them was palpable in every conversation, every meal he cooked, and every smile he shared. 

James G. Giannell of Red Bank, NJ, passed away on the evening of Friday, September 27th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Born Demitrios George Giannell on November 15th, 1951 in Long Branch, NJ, was a life-long Monmouth County resident.

Jim was a proud Red Banker who graduated from Red Bank High School in the class of 1969 and spent the majority of his life in the borough.  A 1973 graduate of Trenton State College, Jim originally planned a career in education before committing to his career in real estate which he excelled in for fifty years. As president of New Markets Realty LLC, Jim was extremely knowledgeable and helpful to many, especially in the area of commercial and residential real estate.