Obituaries

Robert Carl Vaughan died on May 10, 2023 at the Jersey Shore Medical Center. He was born in August 1941 in Long Branch, NJ and lived in Little Silver for a total of 66 years. Robin was a 1959 graduate of Red Bank High School and a member of the Princeton University Class of 1965.

Robin served in the Army Reserve for several years at Fort Devens, Massachusetts and Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook. Following that service, he taught psychology at Monmouth College and pursued a PhD at the City College of New York. Robin spent the majority of his working career as a Strategic Planner for Prudential Property and Casualty in Holmdel, then retiring to pursue a second career in child support probation enforcement for the State of New Jersey.

John Austin Stibravy was born in Washington DC. He passed away peacefully on May 3rd 2023 at Morristown Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Son of William Stibravy and Lois Green. Loving husband of Laura Miceli.  Beloved father of Matthew Miceli along with his wife Terren-Lee and grandson Rein.  Treasured by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jeannette and Peter Lepre. Survived by his brothers Robert and Richard Stibravy.

Lillian Kathrine Briskey (nee Shea), age 88, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2023 in Lake Bluff, IL. She was a former resident of Oceanport, NJ for 53 years.

Born to Daniel Martin Shea and Lillian Stiehl Shea of Rumson, NJ, she grew up on North Street, in an area filled with many family members and friends.  Her father was a veteran of the First World War who was fortunate to find employment with the Borough in the Fire Houses as a Borough Mechanic/Driver during the depression and World War II years.  Lillian spent her youth anxiously awaiting the return of her three older brothers who were serving their country oversees.  Danny in the United States Army Air Force, Tommy and Paul both in the United States Navy.  She graduated from Rumson High School in 1952.

Lillian married the love of her life in 1959, Edward Stuart Briskey, a fourth generation Oceanport resident, and dashing WWII P-40 fighter pilot. Shortly after they were married, “Stu” moved his wife to the Port-Au-Peck section of Oceanport onto the Briskey compound. They built a home, third on the block, on a dirt road, in what she referred to as her “never never land”.  It is here where she raised her three children and attended their various activities over the years. Lillian was the President of the Oceanport Crafters Group for many years and also enjoyed knitting many hats in any color combination desired. She always loved sitting on the beach in the late afternoon.  

Edward C. Puth Jr., age 70, peacefully passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from Parkinson’s Disease. Edward was born in Newark, NJ to Edward C. Puth Sr. and Lucille (Lusk) Puth. He is an alumni of CBA class of 1970 and he attended the Florida Institute of Technology where he was on the Crew Team. Edward was a longtime member of both the Shrewsbury Hose Co. #1 since 1984 and the Eatontown Elks #2402 for 37 years where he has served as an Exalted Ruler.

A few things Edward loved in life was drag racing at Englishtown, boating, and watching his grandchildren participate in their sporting events for baseball, dirt bike racing, dancing, and golf.

Louise S. Whitfield of Rumson, NJ and Boynton Beach, FL, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2023, with her son Ron at her side. She was born August 27, 1929, graduated from Rumson High School in 1946.  In 1948 she married Paul Whitfield of Eatontown, NJ who passed away in 2019.   She is survived by daughter Sarah, of Hampstead, MD, son Ronald of Rumson and N. Ft. Myers, FL, son and daughter-in-law James and Robin of Boynton Beach, FL, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, her sister, Elizabeth Obermann and partner Bernard Keany of Newport, VT several nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family.  She was predeceased by her husband Paul, daughter Catherine, daughter-in-law Cynthia, father George Schultz, mother May Ether, stepfather Elmer Ether, sister Dorothy McAndrew and brother William Ether.

Bonnie McKee Tortora, a resident of Fair Haven NJ passed away to eternal life at the age of 83. Bonnie was born to Nancy Boecking and Carlisle McKee MD in Pittsburgh PA.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, John J. Tortora D.D.S. Her brother, Carlisle Emerson McKee and her two nephews, Dustin McKee and Erin McKee and her two stepsons Brandon Tortora and Jeremy Tortora. Bonnie was inspired to the Art of painting throughout her youth by the painting of her Grandmother, Mother and Aunt.

Brian Morgan Duddy Jr. passed peacefully on Sunday April 30^th 2023 surrounded by his adoring mother, Kelley, and father, Brian. Brian was born on September 28^th, 1994 in New York City and spent the last 27 years in Fair Haven, NJ. He was a brilliant, sweet, sensitive boy who loved sailing, skiing, golf and spending time at our beach club.

Brian was an exceptional student graduating Rumson Country Day School in 2009, Rumson-Fair Haven High School in 2013 and Lehigh University in 2017.

Eileen A. Sprake, 90, of Middletown, NJ, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday April 30, 2023. She was born and raised in Jersey City, graduating from St. Paul’s Grammar School and Snyder High School. Eileen was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. With her lifelong focus on family, she was the one that you went to in times of trouble and the one you called when you needed a laugh. In her early years, Eileen moved with the family to Newark, NJ, Littleton, MA, Bay Village, OH, and Lincroft, NJ. Upon retirement with her husband, she moved to Toms River, NJ, and then finally back to Middletown, NJ where she received the very best support and care from a new community of friends at Abor Terrace.

Bradley Charles Smith, 58, of Fair Haven, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at his home on April 25, 2023.

Brad grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Greenwich, Connecticut. He graduated from Greenwich High School and Central Connecticut State University. In February 1997, he married Laurie Meredith, and they would go on to have two children, Teddy and Robby. Over the course of his successful career, Brad held various positions in financial wealth management, most recently at BCS Private Wealth Management in Rumson, New Jersey.

Brad was a talented woodworker, a talent that was generationally passed down from his father and grandfather. His handmade wooden bowls were always the most coveted gifts at Christmas, and people remember what Christmas it was by who was lucky enough to receive Brad’s bowl that year. When not in his woodshop, Brad could be found in the great outdoors, either paddle boarding on the Navesink River, fishing, hiking with family and friends in the Adirondacks, or enjoying a quiet morning under an umbrella at Sea Bright Beach Club. Brad loved taking long walks at the beach with the love of his life - his wife, Laurie.