Obituaries - Thompson Memorial Home

Robert W. Adler, Sr.

Robert W. Adler, Sr., age 80, of Colts Neck, went to be with his loving lord on Tuesday August 2nd 2016 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, with his beloved granddaughter Ashley at his side. Bob was pre-deceased by his parents Mildred Turner Adler and Frederick Horst Adler, and his beloved wife Helen Herndon Adler. Bob is survived by his son Robert W. Adler Jr, granddaughter Ashley Victoria Adler, daughter-in-law Sherri Murray Adler, all of Rumson; son Richard Turner Adler and daughter-in-law Jennifer Embler of Belford; sister Linda Williams-Lambert and her husband James Lambert of FL; and brother-in-law Jesse M. “Bud” Herndon III and his wife Debbie Herndon of MD. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as many loyal friends.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury where he served as an Elder and Deacon. He also served on many Presbytery committees at the regional level and was instrumental in bring the Cents-Ability program to the church. Bob served as an officer in the Army from 1961 to 1963 with posts at Fort Benning and Fort Dix. He spent most of his professional years in the construction insurance industry, ultimately in his own agency Riley Walker Agency, Inc. which he co-owned with his beloved wife. His most recent career involved real estate developing with his cherished sister Linda.

Ann A. Lopushansky

Ann A. Lopushansky, 93 of Red Bank, passed away peacefully at home on August 2, 2016. Born in Latrobe, PA, she was one of nine children to John and Mary Kulha Rudy.

Ann was predeceased by Michael, her husband of 51 years. She is survived by her daughter Monica Boscarino of Red Bank, many nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law Irene Rudy of Latrobe, PA.

As a young woman Ann worked at American Cynamid in Latrobe, PA. After her marriage, she and her husband owned and operated Artcraft Printers until their retirement. In 1982 they moved to Shark River Hills in Neptune, NJ. They enjoyed a social life with members of the Holy Innocents Senior Club. Ann was the club Historian. As avid golfers, they traveled to golf courses along the East Coast. In 1997 Ann moved to Red Bank and resided with her daughter. She formed wonderful friendships with members of the St. James Senior Club and the Catholic Daughters of America. The ladies met for meetings, lunch outings and card playing at the Red Bank Senior Center. Nearly every day Ann and her daughter had lunch at her favorite restaurant, Mumford’s. At age 93 Ann was “full of life”, generous and kind. When asked what kept her going she replied “dark chocolate”.

Josephine (Granny) Martinez

On Sunday, July 31st, Josephine (Granny) Martinez, age 91, was called home by God, surrounded by her loving family . Josephine was born to Alex Sandor and Catherine (Pavlik) Yaczko. Granny worked as a draftsperson for Standard Oil Company (now Exxon Mobil) until she married Joseph Martinez at Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. Together they had four children. For years, Granny worked at Ludwig’s Restaurant on Wallace Street in Red Bank as a cashier. She was very active in her community and was recently recognized for over fifty years of service in the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Red Bank Fire Department. She also served on the Advisory Board of the Red Bank Senior Center, volunteered at the Church of the Nativity and was a long-time member of the Shrewsbury Homesteaders. Granny and Pop enjoyed traveling together as well as spending time with family and friends.

Granny was predeceased by her husband Joe; her brother Stephen Yaczko; sisters, Francis Wickersty, Ann Flynn and Kathryn Leck; and her grandson Stephen LaCosta. She is survived by her sister Dorothy Fekety, son, Alex Martinez and daughters, Diane Zalewski, Nancy Martinez and Susan Lydakis; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Samuel Thomas Howard III

Samuel Thomas Howard III, 85, passed away July 7th 2016 in Palm Beach, Florida. Sam, known to his family and friends as “Bud”, was a lifelong resident of Eatontown, NJ. He was the son of the late Samuel and Elsie O’dell-Howard. A graduate of Long Branch High School and the first four-year class of Monmouth College, he was a loyal supporter of both schools. Bud was a proud veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Tarawa for two world tours. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. Bud worked for several years in NYC. He was a Controller at Cowles Communication, Look Magazine and Family Circle. Later he was a VP of Finance at the NY Times. Prior to retirement, Bud worked in the Accounting office at the Communications Electronics Command Fort Monmouth. In 2001, always up for a new experience, Bud opened Lavish Lighting in Shrewsbury where he worked until his stroke in December 2015. He was truly a “fixture” at the store and was happy to serve his local community. During his life he was involved in service to his community as a volunteer firefighter in Eatontown, and as a lifeguard in Long Branch. He also was an exceptional bowler, winning several trophies for perfect scores in the EAI league.

Joseph George Zetkulic

Joseph George Zetkulic, 91, of Brant Beach and Colts Neck, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 in his home with his family. He is survived by his wife, Marion Zetkulic, his four children, Joseph, Jr., Jack, Tom, and Anne Benoit and their spouses as well as his twelve grandchildren.

Mr. Zetkulic was born in 1925 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He married Marion Mink in 1955. Mr. Zetkulic had four siblings who predeceased him, including his brother, Michael, who died in World World II in the Philippines and his three sisters, Marguerite Procanik, Dorothy Pollak, and Florence Gardella.

He attended Perth Amboy High School before serving as a quartermaster on a PT Boat in the South Pacific in World War II seeing action in New Guinea and the Philippines. Mr. Zetkulic received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Columbia University in New York. Mr. Zetkulic then worked for over thirty years as a chemist with American Home Products in Cranford, New Jersey.

Gennaro R. DiPrisco

Gennaro R. DiPrisco passed away on July 25, 2016, surrounded by his family. Gennaro was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. Prior to living in Lakewood, he resided at Shoal Harbor Court in Port Monmouth. He was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the US Marine Corp.

Gennaro was a depot manager for Taystee Bread in Port Chester, NY and retired at the age of 50.

He is predeceased by his wife Mary; his parents Helen and Gennaro; and siblings Caroline, Bobby and Pat. He is survived by his daughters Carol, Joanne and Cindy; his grandchildren Jeremy, Gina, Gianna, James, Christopher and Joseph; and two great-grandchildren Gavin and Ashley.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 27th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, July 28th at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.

Eva Joyce Friscia

Eva Joyce Friscia passed away on July 24, 2016 at the age of 77. She leaves behind her husband Leonard T. Friscia, mother Mable Fowler, brother Richard April, sister Anna Russo and children Thomas Friscia, Karen Friscia Zoback, Jeanne Friscia, Michael Friscia, grandchildren Mitchell Snyder, Michele Barrie, and Kyle Mosher, and great-grandchildren Kara and Julie Snyder, Elias and Fraya Barrie.

Born in 1938, Eva was raised on a farm in Jackson Mills, New Jersey until her family moved to Rumson when she was ten. There she attended Rumson High School, married, and raised four children until 1986 when they moved to Tinton Falls.

Eva was a creative and award-winning quilter and inspiration to her family, friends, and community. She taught ceramics and quilting for years. She was an active member of the CPC Quilting Group and the Knitwits Knitting Group. She received numerous awards locally and nationally for her quilts, embroidery, and needlepoint. She enjoyed her family, numerous friends, laughing, and beautiful day at the beach.

Barbara Knapp Cokelet

Barbara Knapp Cokelet passed away peacefully on July 7, 2016. Barbara was born in Red Bank, New Jersey in 1925 to Morgan and Mildred Knapp, grew up in Shrewsbury, and spent her entire adult life in Monmouth County. Barbara graduated from Wilson College and from Rutgers University with a Masters degree in social work. She served the community as a social worker for Monmouth County until her retirement.

Barbara never met a stranger – her warm smile, cheery disposition, and positive outlook on life endeared her to her many friends, co-workers and acquaintances. She had a passion for living a natural healthy life, and always led a very active lifestyle, seeming much younger than her 91 years!

She enjoyed the arts, being outdoors, ballroom dancing, and especially being around people. Barbara also loved traveling and enjoyed many adventures in retirement including trips to Paris and Russia as well as visits to upstate New York, the Pacific Northwest, and Texas to see family and friends. She was always up for an outing, and loved going to New York City, attending events at the Count Basie Theater, or just being with friends.

Gillian Courtney-Pratt

Age 83 of Little Silver

The celebration of life will be on Wednesday, August 10th at 4 p.m. at the Rumson Country Club.

Gillian Courtney-Pratt of Little Silver, passed away peacefully at home on July 14, 2016 at the age of 83. She was born to Gladys and Leslie Grundy in London, England. Educated locally but later at Ashford School for Girls in Kent. She went on to Guildford School of Art at which she excelled. She then became a highly competent secretary working amongst others for Adlai Stephenson.

When he was in the U.K., she met Jeofry Courtney-Pratt in Cambridge Where he was a Physics Professor at Gonville and Cavis College. They married in 1957 and shortly after moved to the U.S. When Jeofry joined Bell Labs at Murray Hill, they lived in Springfield, NJ.

Enid M. Billerbeck

Enid M. Billerbeck passed away peacefully on June 28 at the Atrium in Red Bank.
The only child of Francis E. and Frances D. Mackle, Enid was born in Roselle, New Jersey. She graduated from Roselle High School and went on to earn a degree in English from Beaver College.

After college, Enid pursued a career in the advertising industry, working as a research analyst for Young and Rubicam in New York City. She left the company after six years and moved to Monmouth County with her husband Harry A. Billerbeck, to raise their two daughters.

Enid was an engaged and outgoing member of the community. She cherished the many friendships she established as a long-standing member of the Sands Beach Club, the Rumson Country Club, the Junior League of Monmouth County, and as an auxiliary member of the Family & Children’s Service. Her Christian faith was important to Enid and she was an active communicant at the Christ Episcopal Church in Middletown.

Francis J. O’Donnell, Jr.

Francis J. O’Donnell, Jr., Age 89, of West Long Branch, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2016, joining his mother, Delia Clark O’Donnell; his father, Francis J. O’Donnell; his sister, Eileen Murphy; and his brother, James O’Donnell in eternal life.

Frank was born and raised in Bayonne, NJ and served with the US Navy during WWII achieving the rank of coxswain mate. He was also a past commander of the Bayonne American Legion Post 19. He graduated from George Washington University School of Government in 1950 and then joined his father’s real estate and insurance firm, the O’Donnell Agency, in Bayonne. He was a licensed real estate and insurance broker and a certified real estate appraiser. He married Florence L. Domenico and they lived in Bayonne before moving to Allenhurst, NJ.

Frank was a long-time member of the Spring Lake Golf Club and the New Jersey Board of Appraisers. He served on the Board of Trustees for Pamrapo Savings Bank in Bayonne as well as the Bayonne Board of Realtors.