Obituaries

John P. Kennedy, 81, Oceanport, NJ, formerly of Rumson, passed away, peacefully, on April 27, 2017, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Born in Brooklyn, John moved to Rumson at the age of 5 years old, and graduated from Holy Cross Grammar School, and Red Bank Catholic.  John was a Basketball player at RBC, and had many fond memories of his experiences on the hard court, which ultimately led to his volunteer coaching roles at Holy Cross and various other youth basketball leagues.  John was in the Army Reserve and was a proud 25-year Volunteer Member (and past President) of the Oceanic Hook and Ladder Fire Department.  Career-wise, John worked for JCP&L for many years, and thereafter, he worked for Henderson Brothers, on the New York Stock Exchange.  He retired from the Stock Exchange in 2000.  John enjoyed his post-retirement years by playing golf, walking the boardwalk, and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Magnolia “Midge” Edwards Jetter passed away on April 24, 2017 at the age of 102 at the Atrium in Red Bank, NJ.   She was born on October 23, 1914 in Smithfield, VA where she graduated from local schools.  At 18 she came to live with an older sister in Sea Bright, NJ where she met her husband, Jesse S. Jetter, an electronics engineer who later retired from Fort Monmouth.  They lived in Woodbury, NJ and Long Branch, NJ before building a home in Fair Haven where she lived for over 62 years.  In 2011, at the age of 97, she moved to the Atrium in Red Bank.

A few of Midge’s many lifetime joys included spending time with family and friends, serving on numerous boards and committees at Fisk Chapel A.M.E. Church in Fair Haven, gardening, sewing (especially her designer African-American, child-size dolls), knitting and crocheting, feeding the numerous birds that frequented her yard (especially in winter), and being a kind caretaker to family, friends and perfect strangers.   She loved people and all were welcomed to her home and were often greeted with a slice of warm pound cake and a cup of coffee or tea.  She was especially proud of attending the March on Washington in 1963 and hearing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have A Dream” speech in person, having lived through 18 U.S. Presidents, and having campaigned and voted for President Barack Obama as well as receiving a birthday card from him when she turned 97.

Herbert T. Lawrence, 79 of Middletown, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2017.  He is predeceased by his wife Dorothy and is survived by his daughter Karen Bemis and her husband Mark of Bridgewater and his granddaughter Kaitlyn Bemis.

Ghislaine Steven of Lansdale, Pennsylvania passed away on April 20, 2017, after complications from a stroke.  Ghislaine is survived by her loving husband Alain Steven, her two loving children, Murielle Steven Walsh of Rumson, New Jersey and husband Sean Walsh, and son Didier Steven of Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  She was the “Bobonne” to her adoring grandchildren, Peyton Grace Walsh, Jackson Steven and Clay Steven, golden retriever Jennabee Walsh, and her sweet cat, Duchess.

Ruth Spencer died peacefully Sunday night, April 16, 2017, with her loving husband Don at her side.  Ruth was a true Jersey girl.  Born and raised in South Amboy. She lived in Edison after marrying Don.  They then moved to Holmdel where they raised their son Douglas.  Ruth and Don have lived in Atlantic Highlands for the last twenty years.

Ruth was a beautiful person.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.  She was an active member of the Little Silver Garden Club, serving as Treasurer for many years.  Ruth was known to her grandchildren and family as “Jersey”.  She was a wonderful grandmother who never missed a game and was always ready to play, read, cook with the kids, and just be with her grandchildren.

Carmen M. Kuntz, 81 of Lincroft, NJ, passed away on April 17, 2017.  She was born in Elizabeth, NJ, to Rogelio and Fidela Martinez.  Carmen graduated from Port Richmond High School and Wagner College in Staten Island.  She worked as an Executive and Head of Municipal Bond Trading at Banco Popular in NYC before her retirement.  She and her husband William moved to Lincroft, NJ in 2006.  She was a communicant of St. Leo the Great in Lincroft.   She and her husband Bill loved to travel and entertain and spend time with their family especially their children and grandchildren.

Thomas A. “Tom” Flaherty, Jr., passed away peacefully at home in Tinton Falls, NJ on April 10, 2017 at the age of 98.   He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary.  Born in Jersey City on March 30, 1919, he is survived by his son, Tom Flaherty (and Joy Wodziak) of Morristown, NJ, his daughters Maureen (and Richard) Fox of Columbia, SC, Joanne Dean of Red Bank, NJ, Barbara (and Stephen) O’Rourke of New Fairfield, CT and Susan (and Leo) Kinslow of Red Bank, NJ, as well as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Tom was one of six siblings.  He is survived by his sister, Sheila McPherson of Rutherford, NJ and was predeceased by his sisters, Eileen Sheridan, Helen Kelly, Regina O’Brien, and Rosemary McAndrew.

Tom graduated from St.  Aloysius High School in Jersey City in 1937 and from St. Peters College in 1941 with a BS in chemistry.

Margaret Deforest Wenzel, 87, passed away peacefully at home, after a long illness on April 15, 2017. She was an extraordinary mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  Margaret truly lived a full life and will be missed by all. Her unending spirit, smile, kindness and love were with her until the end.   She was born on Staten Island, New York on October 25, 1929 to Elsie (Blaine) and Warren Deforest and was the oldest of 3 children. Her sister Patricia Demyan and brother Warren DeForest predeceased her. She attended Curtis High School and went to work for New York Telephone Co. where she retired after 40 years of service. Margaret met and married the love of her life Ronald L. Wenzel and together raised 2 children. She could always be seen at football games, swim meets and dance recitals proudly cheering them on. Holiday and Sunday dinners were always a special time and created many incredible memories for our family. Her family was her life. After her husband’s death in 1989, she moved to Long Beach Island, New Jersey where she was an active parishioner and volunteer at St. Francis Church in Brant Beach. She enjoyed dancing, spending time on the boat,  walking on the beach, spoiling her grandsons and going out with friends and family. Margaret loved to travel and did whenever she could.  She always gave of her time volunteering at the church, scouts and schools. She was very generous giving to many charities and was a trustee of The Walter Blaine Foundation. The world is a better place because of her.

Arthur G. Fitzpatrick, 91, of Shrewsbury NJ, passed away at home on April 10, 2017.

He was born in Plainfield, NJ on February 14, 1926.  He lived in Patchogue, N.Y. through the 7^th Grade and returned to Plainfield for 8^th Grade and High School.

He served in the U. S. Army during the occupation of Japan in the city of Hakodate on the northern island of Hokaido.  Initially in the 77^th Division, he was a platoon leader in the anti-tank company. Later, in the 11^th Airborne, he was the battalion supply officer. He jumped five times to qualify as paratrooper, then one more time after that.

Under sponsorship of the Federal Communications Commission in 1948, he was assigned the amateur radio call of W2YBS.

He graduated from Rutgers University as an electrical engineer in 1950 and was a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.

Eileen F. Moore, Age 86, of Manchester, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2017.  Eileen was born in Brooklyn, NY to Gerald and Mary (Maloney) Walsh. She was an Administrator at Crown Nursing Home in Brooklyn, NY.

Eileen was a long time parishioner of the Good Shepherd RC Church in Brooklyn, NY and St. John’s RC Church in Lakehurst and was very active at both churches.  She taught pre-cana and was a Eucharistic minister.  Eileen was a Columbette in the Knights of Columbus.  She was also a volunteer at Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood.  Eileen was a member of the Knoll Aires Singing Group.