Obituaries

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.

Ruth Carolyn Klump was born in Easton, PA on July 11, 1930 to Theodore Frederick Hoppe and Ruth Caroline (Gillen) Hoppe. She passed peacefully following a lengthy period of Parkinson’s Disease and related illness on April 28, 2025 at the extraordinary age of 94.

Known as Carolyn, she was ahead of her time in many ways. She attended NYU at just 16 years old, class of 1951, where she earned a teaching degree, though she would have preferred to follow in her father’s footsteps as an engineer or architect which was not a woman’s field at the time. She taught elementary school in Bayville, NJ for decades, earning recognition as New Jersey Teacher of the Year. She received her Master’s Degree from Georgian Court, and also volunteered as an adult literacy tutor. Carolyn and her late husband, Robert Wesley Klump, were very active in the Beachwood Yacht Club. She had been President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary and wrote a brief history of BYC.

Sean Patrick Conway, 60, passed away on April 27, 2025, in Neptune, New Jersey. Born on September 17, 1964, in Red Bank, New Jersey, Sean lived a life marked by dedication to his family, a passion for learning and laughter, and a deep love for animals.

He was a proud graduate of Middletown High School South in the Class of 1982.  Sean earned a degree in Culinary Arts from Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing, NJ, and later expanded his expertise by graduating from DeVry University with a degree in IT Sciences. His educational journey reflected his diverse talents and willingness to embrace new challenges.

Our beloved John Kelly Weaver, 68, of Little Silver, New Jersey, passed away on April 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of more than 35 years, Barbara Weaver; their children, Lauren Stralo (son-in-law Erik) of Easton, Pennsylvania, William and Reilly Weaver of Little Silver, New Jersey; and his precious granddaughters, Cecelia Jeanne and Quinn Poppy. He is also survived by his siblings, Richard Weaver (wife Laura) of Dacula, Georgia; Laura Mattson (husband Ken) of Mahwah, New Jersey; and Beth Peterson (husband Phil) of Cape May, New Jersey, along with many close extended family, lifelong friends, and colleagues.