Obituaries

Susan Smith, 69, of Manasquan, NJ, passed away on February 6, 2018. She was born and raised in Freehold, NJ and then lived the latter part of her life in Rumson, Shrewsbury and then Manasquan. She had a passion for Irish dancing, she loved being with her friends, but most of all she loved spending time with her 4 grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Surviving are her brothers, James Tela and William Tela, her daughter Lauren Shields, son-in-law, Greg Shields, her four beloved grandchildren, Will, Jack, Braeden, and Camryn Shields and many loving cousins and friends.

William David Rogers passed away on February 5th, 2018 at the age of 60 peacefully in his home from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. 

Bill is preceded by his wife of 28 years, Tracy. He leaves his wife with their three sons; Taylor, Cole, and Dylan; and daughter, Dana.

William was born in New York City, son of Donald and Margaret Rogers. He grew up in a full house with two brothers; Bruce and Steven; and sister Debbie. As a young man, Bill graduated at the top of his high school class earning a full scholarship to John Jay College. He continued his academic excellence at John Jay, graduating summa com laude, to earn a scholarship to New York Law School. After graduating from law school with honors, Bill worked as an attorney for Thatcher & Associates and K2 Intelligence in Manhattan.

Frank W. Seibert, Sr., Age 93, of Palm Beach Shores, Florida, passed away January 27 at home with his family. 

Born in Long Branch, New Jersey in 1924, he lived most of his life in Little Silver and Middletown, New Jersey. He moved to Palm Beach Shores, Florida in 1983 after his retirement as credit manager for GMAC Finance in West Orange, New Jersey. 

Anne Kelly Hemphill, a beloved Rumson-area matriarch for the past seven decades, died Friday, February 2nd, at her Little Silver home, two months after surviving surgery for a broken hip. She was 96 years old.

She was a city girl who moved to Rumson in her mid-20s and, with her husband Julian, raised six children in a merry household on Rumson Road, which, under the couple's gentle rein, became the site of various competitions and adventures. In the process, she became a second mom to many of her children's friends as well.

After a long and happy life, Robert Slavin, age 85, of Rumson, NJ, passed away at home on January 30, 2018.  He was born in Elizabeth on October 7, 1932, and graduated from Seton Hall University.  He proudly served his country by four years of naval service during the Korean conflict.  He founded Bob Slavin Enterprises after graduation and became a manufacturers’ agent in the hotel and restaurant industry.  Sixteen years later he founded the Clean Air Company solving industrial indoor air pollution problems.  Rob loved to travel and enjoyed numerous trips to Europe with his wife, Lori, and vacationing each winter for a month in Cabo, Mexico.  He also enjoyed playing golf for the competition and camaraderie with his many friends.

Robert J. Cashion passed away January 23, 2018. Last year Bob fought off and won a war over 2 cancer monsters but lost a mighty battle to respiratory complications. He was 87. He leaves his wife Betty, their adored pet, Muie, and many nieces and nephews. He was a man of wry wit and deadpan humor. Although a Yankee, he had impeccable Southern gentleman manners. 

Bob graduated from Colgate and joined the Army during the Korean War. As he awaited assignment after boot camp, as if in a movie, someone opened the door and asked “Anybody here know how to type?” When Bob raised his hand, that set off adventures working for Stars and Stripes. After discharge in Europe he remained to travel many countries to enjoy different cultures and settled in Paris to take classes at the Sorbonne before returning home. 

Rory Matthews passed away on January 28, 2018 .  He grew up in Middletown, NJ where he graduated from MTHS South in 1978.   He was a lifelong resident of Monmouth County.  Rory was a very loving person who enjoyed his friends and family.  He grew up with a large, extended family.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. 

Growing up Rory participated in ARC activities and played basketball in the Special Olympics.  He liked to collect watches, listen to rock and roll, play games on his ipad and dine out on cheeseburgers.  His greatest passion, however, was cars.  Red was his favorite color – you may like to wear some small red item in Rory’s honor.

Audrey Johnson of Middletown, NJ passed away on Jan. 28, 2018. She was predeceased by loving husband, William C. Johnson, Jr. and devoted son Lars Wikman, stepsons Kirk Johnson and William C. Johnson III, and sister, Shirley Kluin. She is survived by sisters Dottie Ralph, Beverly French, Pat Newman, brother Fred Brink, and her children Lisa Woodfield, A. Christopher Wikman and wife Jane, Eric Corser Wikman and wife Jennifer, daughter-in-law, Julie Wikman, step daughter-in-law, Kathy Johnson, stepson, Chris Johnson. Audrey adored her grandchildren, Bill, Grete, Emily, Andrew, Max, Sarah, David, Sean, Will, and Colin and seven great- grandchildren.

Judith Mandell passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2018, after a long battle with MS. She was 65 years young.  Judith fought long and hard for 20 years with the love and support of her family by her side. Her spunky spirit and awe inspiring strength will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Howard, daughters, Michele and Samantha, and son, Keith, her grandchildren, Mayah, Malachi, Malina and Milo and her siblings, Robert and Mary Ann.

Leonard T. Friscia passed away at his home in Tinton Falls on January 24, 2018 at the age of 85. Len was born and raised in Rumson where he attended Holy Cross School and Rumson High School and raised his family with his wife Eva of fifty-nine years.

As a young man he served his country as a Sergeant with the 82nd Airborne in the United States Army. He worked for the Rumson Post Office for thirty-two years and then the Garden State Parkway, retiring in 2002. He was well respected in his community where he served as a fireman with the Oceanic Hook & Ladder Company, as Chief in 1981, and for the Rumson First Aid where he also served as Captain. In 1986, he moved his family to Tinton Falls.