Obituaries

Harry W.  Lockwood, 71 of Oceanport died Friday Oct 7,2016 at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees NJ. Born in Staten Island  NY, Harry was a long time resident of Oceanport. He was an operator for the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority in Monmouth  Beach . Harry was a communicant of Church of The Precious Blood Monmouth  Beach . Harry had many  friends, but had a special bond with his friends from "Harry’s Hide Away".

Harry is survived by his brothers, Jim and his wife Karen Lockwood of Corolla NC, and David and his wife Jessica Lockwood of Leonardo (Middletown Twp), sisters Sue Ellen and her husband Fred Tisot of Medford NJ, Marlene Bjorklund of Staten Island, and his sister in law Theresa Lockwood of Middletown. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who fondly referred to him as "Uncle Buck".

Donna M. (Bezyack) Paynton, 56 of Wall Township, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2016, surrounded by family. She showed hope and courage in her tenacious fight against pancreatic cancer.

Donna is survived by her cherished husband and dedicated caregiver Bud, her beloved and loving sons Matthew and Ryan, a devoted sister Lori, a supportive brother Michael, as well as numerous family and friends.

Donna was kind, compassionate and loving.  Her radiant smile could light up any room. Donna was a stay at home mother who decided to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse. She began working as an EMT at Monoc Medical Services. After graduating as an RN from Brookdale Nursing School, she went to work at Bay Shore Hospital in the ER.  Most recently she worked for The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey in The Keansburg Community Health Center. Donna has positively impacted many people on a personal and professional level throughout her entire life. Her selflessness and dedication to helping others will never be forgotten.

Jane Hill of Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls, formerly of Colts Neck, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 15. Born September 19, 1924, she lived in Trenton and was a 1943 graduate of Linden Hall School for Girls in Lititz, PA. She then became a flight attendant for Eastern Air Lines where she met her husband of 62 years, William Edward Hill, who was a pilot for Eastern. She was a devoted wife and mother who took great pride in her family and her love of cooking.

She was predeceased by her husband, her father Edgar N. Bernhardt, and her beloved brother Edgar Norman Bernhardt, Jr., and a dear friend Pat Wilcox. She is survived by a daughter Nancy of Greensboro, GA, a daughter Leslie (Harry) of Cream Ridge, NJ and a son David of Harwich, MA. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandsons, and many friends and neighbors.

Edward “Skip” C. Varian, age 51 of Tinton Falls, passed away at his home on Tuesday, September 20th.  Ed had formerly been employed as a service technician for Sears Roebuck in Middletown.  He was a parishioner of St. Anselm’s Church. Tinton Falls.  Ed will always be remembered as a very friendly man.  He will be missed by everyone he touched.  All the kids called him Dad!

Edward is survived by his son Edward Scott Varian and daughter Jessica Lynn Varian and their mother Lisa Varian; his mother Geri Ulm and step-father Robert Ulm of Tinton Falls; sister Karen Marie Blanchard of Tinton Falls; niece Kathryn Nicole Blanchard; step-brothers Robert Ulm of White House Station and James Ulm of Great Meadows; step-sister Lori Sadler of Flemington; aunts Sister Grace Hogan and Rosemary Lundberg along with many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Harry C. Mahler died peacefully at his home in Farmingdale on Saturday, September 17th, 2016. Harry was born in Long Branch, and was educated at Mater Dei High School, Belmont Abbey College, and Monmouth College. He enjoyed employment for several years at Club Comanche on Saint Croix, one of his beloved Caribbean islands, and then spent his working life with H.R. Mahler and Sons, Painters and Decorators, a firm founded by his grandfather in 1923. Since retiring he enjoyed being a part of the VNA Health Group’s Stately Homes by the Sea Designer Show House.

He is survived by his loving family, his life partner of 30 years, Keith Koenig, his mother Helen Mahler of Highlands, sister Linda Mahler and her husband Edward Champlin of Stockton, sister Dawn Stout of Rumson, brother Peter Mahler of Highlands, niece Katie Loughran Ujj and her husband Joseph Ujj of New Hope PA, nephew Michael Loughran of Philadelphia, niece Sarah Stout of New York City, and great-niece and nephew Mimi and Eero Ujj.

Donald V. Manning passed away on September 20th after a long illness. He was born in Jersey City, but spent most of his life in between Sea Bright and Rumson. Donald joined the Navy at an early age. After he completed his tour, he went to work for the Dock Builders and Carpenters Union Local 1456 out of NY. During that time he joined the Eatontown Police Department, where he spent five good years, leaving there to go on to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Freehold, NJ. Donald retired as a Lt. after 26 years. Donald loved his job and won many awards and accommodations as well as the respect of his Brother in Blue. He would stand by anyone who wore the badge. Two very proud moments in his life were to see his son Thomas and his daughter Teresa also wear the Sea Bright Police uniform side by side. He would come home beaming with pride. He was an avid ?tness buff into his 80's. He will be missed by his faithful companion "Jensen" his Jack Russell. A special appreciation to the hospice nurses

Donald was pre-deceased by his two sons Terrance Manning and Thomas Manning; his mother Cecil Manning and a brother Andrew Manning. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Patchell Manning; his son Donald V. Manning, Jr. and wife Kim of Long Branch; two daughters Patricia Caplan and husband Randy of MA and Teresa Herschenfeld and husband Greg of Monmouth Beach; daughter-in-law Heidi Manning of Fair Haven; thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his three step-children Joan Stringfellow of TX, Christian Slocum and Lori of Atlantic Highlands, Allison DeFrancesco of Atlantic Highlands and their children.

On Sept. 11, 2016, Barrett Brokaw, Age 43, passed away due to complications from a previous brain injury.  Barry suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2014 but upon recovery, was able to return to work at Search Day School where he helped autistic students.

Barry was born in Red Bank.  He received a degree in creative writing from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island and received a second degree in music education from Rhode Island College.

Barry is survived by his mother Chloe Brokaw, his father Peter Brokaw, his stepmother Laura Brokaw, his brother Bradford Brokaw and his wife Kitty, his brother David Brokaw and his beloved niece and nephew ShaiAnne and Brayden Brokaw.  

Brian Patrick Meehan, 54, of Colts Neck NJ, unexpectedly passed away on September 9th, 2016 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center surrounded by his loving family and friends.
He was born in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Bishop Ford High School and St. Francis College there. He met his wife through a college friend and they have enjoyed a full and happy, though too short, life together since then. He worked as a trader in Manhattan for 35 years in the Government Bond Repo Market where he was a respected colleague as well as a trusted friend.   

Brian lived in Colts Neck for 21 years, where he cherished the open spaces and quiet. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. He was a member of the Colts Neck Sports Foundation for many years coaching different sports for all three of his children. When they were students at Red Bank Catholic High School, he became their staunchest supporter in the stands, attending every game and meet, always with an encouraging smile. He was an amazing role model to his family and a thoughtful, loving friend to all who knew him. He loved Sinatra and Springsteen, was a master griller, and was a welcoming host who enjoyed nothing more than having his children’s friends over to swim in the pool.

Brian loved to travel the world with his family and friends, especially relishing all kinds of various cuisines. Food was a great passion of his and over the years he had become a good cook. He was a bundle of energy who didn’t stop moving until he retired for the night. He took immense pride in his home and spent countless hours mowing, pruning, and cultivating his yard. Brian loved the shore and to be at our home on Long Beach Island where he could relax surrounded by those he loved and eat great seafood.

Brian was predeceased by his mother Barbara McManus. He is survived by his wife Domenica, his adoring children James, Alicia, and Patrick, his sister Carolyn and his brother-in-law Kevin McCartney, in-laws Louisa and Giuseppe Mazzocchi and brother-in-law Tom Mazzocchi, nieces and nephews Ryan, Kevin, Kelsey, Christian, and Cara McCartney and Matthew Mazzocchi. He was beloved by many cousins and friends.

Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation in celebration of his life on Tuesday, September 13th, 2016 at Thompson Memorial Home- 310 Broad St., Red Bank NJ from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday September 14th at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Phalanx Rd. in Colts Neck at 10:30am. A private cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brian’s memory to the Barn for the Poorest of the Poor- P.O Box 4270, Middletown, NJ 07748 or to Red Bank Catholic High School- 112 Broad St., Red Bank NJ 07701 would be sincerely appreciated.

Barbara Parks, of Palm City, FL (a former resident of Monmouth County, NJ and Canton, GA), went home to be with the Lord on her 82nd birthday, September 7, 2016. She was surrounded by her adoring family. She was born on September 7, 1934, in Jersey City, NJ, where she attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School, St. Michael’s High School, and St. Francis School of Nursing. She married her beloved husband, Richard “Dick” Parks, in 1954. She was a woman of devout Catholic faith. As the matriarch of her family, Barbara served as a loving, supportive, confidant to her husband, children, and many, many friends. Her selfless attitude and witty personality brightened every room she entered. Barbara handled all obstacles in life with dignity and grace, even during her final days.  

Throughout their early marriage, Barbara and Dick raised their 6 children in many locations in the US, before transferring to London, England in 1970. As her husband’s job required much travel, Barbara served as the pillar of the family through her strength and guidance. One year later, she expertly spearheaded the family’s next move to the Netherlands. During her time in Europe, she was an active member of the American Women’s Club in London & The Hague.

Theresa J. Soldati, age 52, fought the good fight and finished her race at her home in Rumson on September 6, 2016, surrounded by those whom she loved. She had courageously battled Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma since 2013.

Terry was born in Summit and had lived in Bridgewater and Brooklyn, NY prior to moving to Rumson in 1994, summering most of her life in Manasquan, where she served as the town’s first female lifeguard in 1980.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Foreign Language (Spanish) and Speech Communication from East Stroudsburg University, PA having studied abroad in Spain for one year.