Obituaries - Thompson Memorial Home

Patrick J. Farmer

A certain sparkle on this good earth dimmed on July 26^th when Patrick J. Farmer passed on while under Hospice at Riverview Medical Center. He was born in the living room of his newly immigrated parents’ Newark, NJ home on April 22, 1944. Pat’s 78 years brought to many his unselfish gifts of laughter, kindness, enthusiasm, song, dance and knowledge. Pat, a graduate of Walsh College in Canton, Ohio, personally brightened thousands of lives within his 44-year tenure as a teacher of Spanish at Red Bank Catholic High School. Not only did he instruct the language, but conveyed his first-hand knowledge of the many facets of Spain and Mexico to his students. He had studied the history and cultures, in addition to extensive travels in the countries. His grateful former students are now living around the world.

Pat had a curious side to him which prompted his life-long learning of the English language, and the many gifts of nature found in flowers, the sea, and birds, about which he had an extensive knowledge of species.

Mary Torrisi Cole

Mary Torrisi Cole, age 75, passed away peacefully at her home in Neptune, NJ on July 25, surrounded by her family.

Mary was born in New Brunswick on July 23, 1947 to the late Angelo Torrisi and Jennie Anastasi Torrisi. In addition to her parents, Mary is predeceased by her son Jonathan Cole.

Mary received a St. Elizabeth’s Nursing School degree, and later continued her studies at Georgian Court, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Psychology. She combined these studies in her passionate work as a Psychiatric Nurse, serving the Monmouth County community for many years until her retirement.

Stephen Surico

Stephen Surico, 71, beloved husband of the late Sandra Abouzeid Surico, passed away at their home in Little Silver on July 21, in the loving care of his grand-daughter Lucia Abouzeid and her partner Josh Kim. Although he had no children of his own, he was cherished as a father and grandfather to the many members of his extended family and will be deeply missed by all.

He was born in Italy, and grew up in Syosset, New York, with his brother John and sister Margo. He was a professional electrician and loved to tell stories of the grand buildings in New York City that he helped to wire. Stephen’s passion, however, was art. He was an accomplished sculptor and painter, and an avid art historian. He credited his high-school art teacher with encouraging him to pursue what turned out to be a life-long journey of creativity that touched everyone who met him.

John Joseph Duffy

John Joseph Duffy died peacefully in his sleep on July 12, 2022 at age 87. John was born April 26, 1935 in Newark, New Jersey to Josephine Zwigard Duffy and Charles Duffy and grew up in Short Hills. He graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark and went on to Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. He then went to work for Englehardt Industries in Washington, DC. John met the love of his life, Marcella Gail O’Neill in 1960. They married in 1962 and had two children before moving back to New Jersey in 1964 where they had three more children. John and his family lived in West Orange and South Orange prior to settling in Locust in 1978 and then Red Bank in 2020.

In New Jersey, John joined the family business, John Duffy Fuel Company in Newark, which was started by his grandfather. There, John worked alongside his father and brother, Charles Sr. and Charles Jr., providing fuel services to the surrounding community. John was a member and past president of the Essex County Fuel Dealers Association and a member of the NJ Fuel Merchants Association.

The Honorable Benedict Robert Nicosia

The Honorable Benedict Robert Nicosia, 101, passed away peacefully at home on July 9, 2022. Judge Nicosia was born to Robert and Anna (Carotenuto) in Brooklyn, New York, and he lived in Red Bank since 1923. He attended the Red Bank school system and earned a reputation as a lightweight boxer in his teenage years. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Signal Corp and served in England during World War II. After the war, he graduated with a B.A. from Rutgers University and an LL.B. from Rutgers School of Law. Thereafter, he was admitted to the New Jersey Bar, and he joined the Quinn, Doremus, McCue, and Russell law firm.

Judge Nicosia was a member and trustee of the Monmouth County and New Jersey Bar Associations and the County Legal Aid Society. He served as Mayor of Red Bank for two terms from 1962-1965. In 1978 he was appointed by-then Governor Brendan Byrne to the Superior Court of New Jersey and sat in the Family, Civil, and Criminal Divisions for 10 years, the last three years as the presiding judge of the Criminal Division.

Maryann Crowley (nee Zuchowski)

Maryann Crowley (nee Zuchowski), 79, of Tinton Falls, passed away on Saturday, July 08, 2022 at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, in Neptune City, NJ. She was born in 1942, in Bayonne, NJ, to John and Anna (Messina) Zuchowski. She married Charles Crowley, in September of 1972, who preceded her in death in 2021.

Surviving are her daughter Jennifer; her grandson Grayson, one brother John; nieces and nephews, Jonathan, Tracey, Jason, and Amy. Her Father and Mother preceded her in death.

Diane Letcher Shaw

Diane Letcher Shaw of Fair Haven, NJ, died peacefully attended by her two daughters, on Thursday, June 30, 2022. She was 93.

Diane was born on March 7, 1929, in Interlaken, NJ. She was the daughter of the late Vyvyan Paul Letcher and Elsie Judd Letcher. Diane graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. After traveling abroad Diane settled in New York City working in advertising.

She was married to Edward Benedict Shaw for twenty-six years and had three children, Frederick, Barbara and Elizabeth.

Diane was an active member of St. George’s by the River for over 60 years. She served on the altar guild and chaired the Cantebury Fair. She was on the board of the Monmouth County ASPCA and the Auxiliary League. Di was the life of the party, an avid gardener, a passionate animal lover, a competitive bridge and tennis player, opera buff, crossword puzzle whiz and a worldwide traveler.

Karl D. Kolarsick II

Karl D. Kolarsick II of Daniel Island, SC passed away on June 26, 2022 at the age of 70 surrounded by love. Karl was born in 1952 to Dr. Albert J. and Patricia Kolarsick and raised in Shrewsbury, NJ. He was proud to have graduated from St. James Grammar School (‘66), Christian Brothers Academy (‘70), and the Daniels College of Business at University of Denver (‘75). In 1980, after years of managing other independent restaurants, Karl and his brother, Albert, purchased Eggimann’s Tavern in Spring Lake Heights, NJ, which Karl proudly owned and operated until his retirement in 2006.

James F. Butler Jr.

James F. Butler, Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on July 3, 2022. He was a life-long resident of Fair Haven, recently relocating to Rumson. Jim was a second generation Fair Havenite whose grandparents settled there in the 1890’s. He was a proud “Casey” graduating from Red Bank Catholic in 1954. He served in the Army Reserves in the late 1950’s. In 1961 Jim married Josephine Phillips of Red Bank and raised their 3 children in Fair Haven. Jim was employed by the Red Bank Register where he worked in the press room and after retiring, started his own painting business.

Jim’s dedication to Fair Haven was demonstrated in many ways throughout his life. He served on the Recreation Commission, coached baseball for many years, volunteered at the annual 6^th Grade Stokes trip and ushered at The Church of the Nativity for over 40 years. He was most proud to be part of the Fair Haven Fire Company, where he was a member for 56 years and was given the distinguished honor of being named a Life Member. He held many offices including past President, President of the Relief Association, Chairman of then Fireman’s Fair personnel and many other committees.

Barbara Bevacqua

Barbara Bevacqua, age 81, left us on 07/03/22. She was born in Trenton New Jersey on 08/26/40. Barbara was a proud RBR ‘59 graduate and resident. Barbara was predeceased by her parents Frank and Virginia Coniglio and her husband Michael F. In 1983. Barbara was predeceased by brothers Robert Seaman and Sammy Coniglio and survived by Lucille Koponosh, Frank Coniglio and Walter Coniglio. Barbara was a caring mother especially devoted to her family.

Dr. Allan DeGiulio

Dr. Allan DeGiulio, 85, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his five beloved children and his wife of sixty-one years, Elizabeth, on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022. Allan grew up in foster care, and at age 17 joined the US Army serving in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. He went on to earn a BA from Hunter College, a MA from Rutgers University, and a PhD from New York University. He was a professor, college president, and non-profit community leader.

For the last 30 years, Allan served the underserved at Greater Bergen Community Action; work that he was most proud of. He dearly loved his five children, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Allan loved to travel, but he never traveled alone; he was accompanied by his grandchildren on every adventure. Growing up in the Bronx, he developed a love for the NY Yankees that continued until the end of his life.