Obituaries

Thomas William Wuensch, Sr., 73, of Middletown, NJ, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025. Tom was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on July 26, 1951, to his parents, Joseph and Marion Wuensch. He is survived by his wife, Melanie Paggioli; his son, Thomas Jr., and his wife, Jacqueline; his daughter, Jessica Strange and her husband, Casey; his sister, Patricia, his step-son, Sean McSwegan, and his six grandchildren, Sofia, Thomas III, Ian, Stellina, Benjamin, and Colette. Tom was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Carolyn Pylilo and Joseph P. Wuensch Sr.

Virginia “Ginnie” Goff Frohnert passed away on May 31, 2025, in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.  She was born Estelle Virginia Goff on February 25, 1924, in Elgin, Illinois, the youngest daughter of Dean S. Goff and Maria Estanislao Hernandez. She married George P. Frohnert in South Gate, California on January 2, 1946. 

Ginnie was preceded in death by her husband George Frohnert, her parents and her six siblings: Margaret “Lillian” Collins (Winn), Carlos Dean Goff, Beatriz “Geri” Anton (Steve), Consuelo “Connie” Meyer (Paul), Dorotea “Dora” Vance (Arden), and Frederico “Freddie” Goff (Janelle).  She is survived by one daughter, Kathryn Cummings (Mark) and two granddaughters, Laurel and Nicole Cummings. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as her very dear friend Kathy Maher.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Walter K. Maurer. Walter passed peacefully on May 31, 2025 with his loving family by his side. Walter was born on May 3, 1949 in Red Bank, a town he called home for many years until he eventually settled in Shrewsbury where he raised his family for 40 years. More recently, he was a resident of Tinton Falls where he resided for the past six years.

Gerald F. Murphy, 80, known as Jerry, and “Murf” to some, passed away on May 22, 2025, in Naples, Florida. Originally from Middletown, New Jersey, Jerry spent the majority of his life in the Two-River area before moving to Naples in 2009 with his beloved wife, Marie, who predeceased him in 2012.

Jerry was proud to be part of the first graduating class of Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) in Lincroft, NJ, in 1963. He started his working life as a bank teller and went on to have a successful career in commercial banking beginning with the Keansburg Middletown National Bank. He participated in the opening of the Shrewsbury State Bank serving as Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. He went on to serve as the Senior Vice President of the V.S. Hovnanian Group and President of Hovnanian Realty.  Jerry was an organizing founder of Tinton Falls State Bank, having served as Chairman and Director prior to its sale to Commerce Bank. He also served as Vice Chairman and Director of Commerce Bank Shore until its merger with TD Bank.

Jean Louise McConnell Kelly, 98, passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2025.  She was born on May 5, 1927, in New Castle, PA. As an adventurous young woman, she left New Castle following her high school graduation for the University of Minnesota to train as an engineering aide in support of World War II. Following VE Day, she moved to NJ where she was employed at Fort Monmouth. Soon after moving, she met a young veteran and the love of her life, William J. “Bill” Kelly, who had recently returned from active duty in Europe. Jean and Bill were married on August 2, 1947.

Robert (Bob) Aufderhar of Fair Haven, NJ, died suddenly on May 19, 2025 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ, after a short illness. 

Bob was born in Orange, NJ on Easter Sunday in 1931. He grew up in South Orange and Maplewood and attended local schools, graduating from Columbia High School, before joining the United States Air Force where he spent four years. 

With heavy hearts we announce that our precious 23 year old daughter Eliza Judd passed away on April 21st in Livingston NJ. A longtime resident of Rumson NJ, she is survived by her parents Amy & Michael, brother William and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is predeceased by her loving grandparents, Tom & Dit Eadon and Michael & Ann Judd.

Eliza will be remembered as the young lady whose smile could light up a room. She was sweet, funny, and at times could be a little sassy! Despite the many challenges she faced in life, she was always happy and brought much joy to those around her. Her biggest loves were water and music.  Eliza LOVED any kind of water, though her favorite was going in the pool - especially with her Dad. From the moment her feet hit the water the joy she conveyed was immeasurable! Will would always add an additional element of fun to the equation. Eliza also loved to “dance” to almost any music and had one of the widest tastes in music - from popular music like Adele & Taylor Swift to heavy metal & cajun, she was always tapping her feet and sometimes even “singing” along.

David Mernick, a loving, generous husband and father, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025 leaving his family and friends forever missing his joy of life and kindness to all who knew him.

Born on December 11, 1952 in Elizabeth, NJ, he was the son of William and Edith Mernick of Cranford. In the spring of his sophomore year of high school, the family moved to Fair Haven where he graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in 1970. He attended Boston College and Brookdale Community College.

Carpentry was his life’s work. Inspired by his grandfather Andrew Reid, a skilled woodworker of Warwick, RI, the two became close roommates when Andrew’s wife, Hettie, died in 1985 and moved to Fair Haven. They spent countless hours together building toy boats, sailing them in the bathtub and watching Gunsmoke on the TV.

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved brother and uncle, Franklin Joseph Clifford, Jr. of Red Bank, NJ on May 3, 2025, at the age of seventy.

Frank, commonly known as F.J., was born May 31,1954 in Glen Ridge, NJ, grew up in Rumson, where he graduated from Rumson Fairhaven Regional High School and later graduated from Regis University in Denver, Co. He resided in Red Bank for over 40 years where he had a close network of friends and neighbors. He was the son of the late Ruth Reiss Barrett and Franklin Joseph Clifford.

Kathleen Marie Maida, the most cherished, treasured, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, grandmother and friend to have graced our lives, passed away on May 3, 2025 at her home in Oceanport surrounded by faithful family and devoted friends.

In these past few months, as she faced her illness, Kathy was surrounded by the people who loved her—family, friends, and neighbors whose presence reminded her every day how deeply she was loved. Her beloved husband Ralph—her steady rock, her caretaker, and the great love of her life—was by her side every step of the way, as were her devoted children, Jennifer and Chris, and son-in-law Michael, who lovingly cared for her, as well as her adoring grandchildren and friends.