Obituaries

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 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.

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 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., 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.  

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lawrence D. Kerrigan, Jr. of Belford, N.J. on July 4, 2016.  He was the son of Lawrence D. Kerrigan, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Ann Kerrigan.  Larry was a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School and the University of Notre Dame.  He received his master’s degree in business administration from Monmouth University.  Larry was involved with the Boy Scouts of America and he achieved the ranking of Eagle Scout.  He successfully owned and operated his own business for over 20 years. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.

Josephine Caprioni Howe, age 91, passed away peacefully on July 3. Born in Red Bank to Maria and Alessandro Caprioni, she was a life-long communicant of St. Anthony of Padua RC Church. A 1943 graduate of Red Bank High School, she worked at Fort Monmouth where she met Sgt. Edward K. Howe from Massachusetts, who had served in the South Pacific in World War II. Together they raised a family of six children in a loving home, a happy gathering place for friends and relatives.

She owned and operated Josephine’s Beauty Salon in Red Bank for over 25 years. She was a past member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Red Bank Elks. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, positive attitude and energy and her love of dancing and big band music.

She was predeceased by her husband of 42 years, Edward K. Howe, Sr.; second husband, Edward Sommers; brothers, Tony and John Caprioni; and sister, Anna Summonte. Surviving are her sister, Mary Caprioni; daughters, Marcia Howe and Sarah Howe Theiss; four sons, Edward and his wife Patrice, Doug and his wife Debby, Alex and his wife Pam Peseux, Tim and his wife Beth; as well as 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Age 59 - New York City, Formerly of Rumson, NJ

Marion Baker (Muffit) Sloan, of New York City, formerly of Rumson, NJ, passed away on June 17, 2016. Marion was the daughter of Samuel Sloan III and Marion Dryden Baker Sloan. She graduated from Rumson Country Day School, Choate-Rosemary Hall and Syracuse University. She is the sister of Cynthia Titus Powers of So. Royalton, VT, Dorothy Titus McFeeters of Boston, MA, and Ellen Sloan Nicholson of Savannah, GA. She is also survived by nephews Samuel Colt Sloan, Richard, Kenneth and Patrick McFeeters, grandnephews Samuel Colton Sloan, Chase McFeeters and grandniece Katie McFeeters. She is predeceased by her parents and her brothers Jay deWitt Titus and Samuel Sloan Jr. 

 

Red Bank

Thomas J Bond Jr., Red Bank, passed away on June 27th peacefully at home with family after fighting a yearlong battle with ALS. He was just shy of his 87th birthday. Tom was the owner of Bond's Electric which serviced customers in the Rumson and throughout the Monmouth County area. For many years he had the job of putting up the holiday decorations in Red Bank and Freehold. Tom began his business by wiring his first house at age 17. He continued working until his 70's when he turned the business over to his son, Tommy Bond.

Tom Bond, as most knew him, was very active in the community. He served on the Rumson Zoning Board, as a Toastmaster, Illuminating Engineer Society, Bayshore Electric Association, and the Rumson-Fair Haven Lions Club; serving as a President of the Club several times. Tom also served in the National Guard for 8 years. He also attended both Rutgers and Monmouth College taking engineering classes.

69 – Shrewsbury

Harry "Sprat" Clark, 69 of Shrewsbury died at home on June 29.

He was predeceased by his parents Tom and Betty Clark, his brother Tommy, and his niece Stefanie. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Charlotte. Also by his two brothers Frank Clark and his wife Doreen, John Clark, and his wife Mary and his favorite sister Ella Clark. He is also survived by nieces and nephews; Kenny, Tara, Scott, Bob, Russell, Jessica, Thomas, and Beth. Also, by a host of relatives from his wife's family in Ireland.

He graduated from Red Bank High School in 1966, where he was an outstanding football and baseball player. Sprat was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he received the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism in the Republic of Vietnam in March 1971. He was a life member and ex-president of the Shrewsbury Hose Company and life member of The N.J. State Fireman's Relief Association. He was a hall of fame player on the Fire company softball team and a member of their bowling team. Sprat loved all sports especially watching NASCAR and playing golf with the Clark Foursome.