Obituaries - Thompson Memorial Home

William Perry Sumas

William Perry Sumas (“Tiger Boy”), 77, of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, lost his nearly four-year battle with cancer on July 11, 2024. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.

Born on March 23, 1947, in South Orange, NJ, Billy was the proud son of Greek immigrants who came to this country for a better life and embodied the American Dream. Following in his father's footsteps, Billy joined Village Supermarkets in 1960 and served as Chairman of the Board since 2017, an achievement that culminated his life’s work. He was also the longest-serving Chairman of the Board for the New Jersey Food Council from 2000-2007.

James "Jimmy" P. Sanford

James “Jimmy” P. Sanford of Oceanport, NJ passed away on July 11, 2024 at home at the age of 81. Jimmy was born on September 22, 1942 at Riverview Hospital, Red Bank, NJ to John and Evelyn Sanford. A graduate of Red Bank High School, class of 1960, he was voted “best dancer”, “class cut-up”, and “best personality”. Jimmy went on to study at Monmouth College and Murray State in Kentucky.

In his early twenties, Jimmy joined the family business, Sanford Auto Body Service, Inc. that his grandfather and father established in 1941. His oldest daughter, Stephanie, later joined the business making it to four generations. Jimmy retired in 2019 bringing to a close a well-respected, family owned Red Bank business.

Russell William Binns Sr.

Russell William Binns Sr., a treasured husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on July 9, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born on March 22, 1948, Russell recently celebrated his 56th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife, Marilyn Kupper Binns, whom he began dating when they were teenagers.

He was a devoted father to Russell Jr. and his wife, Pia and Susan and her husband, Stephen Mann. He was a doting grandfather to Isabella and Tyler. He adored his golden retriever, Grady White. He is also survived by his brother, Edward Binns. His family was his pride and joy, and he cherished every moment spent with them.

George Venable Curchin

George Venable Curchin, Tinton Falls, died on July 8 after a short illness, just a week before his 97th birthday. George was born on July 15, 1927 to Anna (Venable) and George Washington Curchin of Fair Haven. George graduated from Rumson/Fair Haven in 1945, though he proudly says he never attended the graduation because he had left to join the Navy. Following a short stint in the Navy George attended University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1950. George was a lifelong proud alum. He wore a sweater with a huge maroon P emblazoned on the front until it disintegrated, Penn neckties, Penn polo shirts and Penn button downs. He drank from Penn coffee mugs, used Penn key chains, and bet his grandchildren (from rival schools) on Penn football games. He served for several years as his class reunion gift chair.

Dr. Arthur S. Loebel

Dr. Arthur S. Loebel, age 91, of Monmouth Beach, NJ, died Saturday July 6, 2024 at his home.

Arthur Loebel was born on April 27, 1933, in Newark, NJ, to Charles and Alice (Strauch) Loebel. He graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark, and was an honors graduate of Tufts University and Medical School in Boston. Arthur interned at Jersey City Medical Center, with his residency training for Internal Medicine at Montefiore Hospital, and Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Hospital. He was Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Margaret Ann Schlogl

Margaret Ann Schlogl (nee: Hagel), age 77 of Lincroft, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024 at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank, NJ.

Margaret was born August 21, 1946 in Newark, NJ to the late Fred and Eleanor Hagel. She spent her early years in Cranford, NJ. She attended St. Mary’s High School in Elizabeth, NJ and went on to study Elementary Education at Kean University.

Prior to teaching, Margaret worked as support personnel at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Newark where she met her loving husband of 46 years, John Schlogl. After residing in Virginia for three years, they relocated to Lincroft, NJ where they raised their family and have continued to make wonderful memories for the past 43 years.

Dr. Michael J. Arnone

Dr. Michael J. Arnone, age 91, of Red Bank, New Jersey, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, July 1, 2024.

Michael was born and raised in Red Bank, NJ, where he met the love of his life, Barbara, while attending Red Bank Catholic High School in 1950. He attended St. Francis College, Loretto, PA., and Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, and graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, PA. in 1958. Michael then served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1961, attaining the rank of Captain. In 1956, Michael and Barbara, high school sweethearts, married and settled in Red Bank. In 1961, he opened his dental practice and was dedicated to his patients for over 60 years.

Jane F. Johnson

Long time Staten Island resident, nurse, teacher, and artist Jane Johnson, 93, died on June 22 in Middletown, NJ. Jane grew up in New Rochelle, NY with her parents Elsie and Kenneth Marsden and brothers George and Carl. Jane married Philip Johnson (d. 1965) with whom she had 2 children.

Jane lived most of life on Staten Island starting work as a nurse at Seaview TB Hospital, then St. Vincent’s and Staten Island Hospitals and as a nursing educator at Curtis High School for 28 years and then at the College of Staten Island.

Graduating as an RN from Wagner College, Jane’s passion for learning and teaching led her to earning an MS in Surgical Nursing (Hunter); an M.A. in Educational Media (NYU) and MS in Education Administration (Pace); all while working full time and raising her two children!

Sarah Gillick Khatri

Sarah Gillick Khatri passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Sarah was a devoted mother, a passionate professional, and loving wife. Sarah is survived by her son Andrew (Rumson, New Jersey), her daughter-in-law Sheila, and their two children, Smith (8) and Avery (6).

A proud, working mother, Sarah made her own way to achieve her dream career as an executive recruiter, a career in which she eventually ran her own practice. A native of Liverpool, England, Sarah moved to the United States at a young age, where she found her new home in New York City. She spent her life as a New Yorker, boasting about walking to and from Bloomingdales until the end. In the city she loved, she eventually met her husband Saleem. They married in New York in September 1976 and resided in Manhattan until Saleem’s passing in May 2023. Together, with their son Andrew, they spent weekends in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, exploring the coastline and delighting in the beach. Sarah spent her final year living just 10 minutes from her two grandchildren, whom she adored.

Roberta (Bobby) Platz Keenan

Roberta Platz Keenan (Bobby), age 90, of Little Silver, NJ passed away at home on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Bobby was born and raised in Newark, NJ and was a graduate of St. Vincent Academy. After high school she briefly worked for Hardware Mutual Insurance before taking a job in the drafting department of the Newark headquarters of New Jersey Bell. She became a department supervisor and stayed at the Telephone Company for over fifteen years, working part time after having her first child. After working part time in the local schools when her children were young, Bobby eventually returned to graphic design working for a textbook printing firm.

Richard A. Wien

Richard Arthur Wien of Lincroft, NJ died on June 16, 2024 after a courageous six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born November 10, 1942 in Sussex, NJ to Arthur and Natalie (Beemer) Wien, Richard graduated from Sussex High School and then went on to study Electronics Circuitry at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He received his A.S. degree in 1962.

Richard was recruited by Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, NJ where he worked in the speakerphone circuitry division. One memorable project involved creating a system of multiple speakerphones which allowed President Lyndon Johnson to conduct business from anywhere in the Oval Office. His division would also install specialized speakerphones for the 1964 World’s Fair.