Obituaries

Marie Conti nee Cusano passed away peacefully at her home in Ocean, New Jersey on Monday, January 11 at the age of 97. Born in Atlantic City, NJ during the “hay day” she met her husband George Louis Conti of fifty years, she grew to love the beach and spent her life enjoying the sea with her family and friends.

Marie was a devout Roman Catholic and said the rosary every morning. She loved God, her family and life long friends, and life itself. She emitted a rare beauty and grace inside and out to everyone who was lucky to know her. Along with her husband George Sr. they raised six children on Cherry Tree Farm Rd. in Middletown. Together they instilled strong values such as the importance of God and family. The example she leaves behind for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren is to “love one another”. Marie was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother who gave much of her time and support to many organizations and charities. She will continue to live in our hearts, minds and souls forever.

Daniel L. Hertz Jr. was born to Daniel L. Hertz Sr. and Elizabeth Beet Hertz in Montclair, NJ, on February 27, 1930. He went to his final reward on January 9, 2021. As a young man he served with the United States Army in Korea. He went on to be the president and CEO of Seals Eastern Inc., which he founded in 1953. He also served as the chairman of the American Chemical Society - Rubber Division.

It is difficult to summarize all of Daniel’s accomplishments. Among his many awards, those of which he was most proud include his honorary degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1982, his Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award in 2006, his five patents, and more than 60 published articles on elastomers and sealing concepts. In 2015, NJBIZ awarded him the Raymond Hopp Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in New Jersey Manufacturing. In 1986, after the Challenger disaster, NASA brought Daniel in as an expert. He determined that the O-ring design was at fault and offered a design modification to solve future issues, and he was invited to speak about the Challenger by the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. For his nearly 65 years of invaluable contributions to his field, Daniel was celebrated by Marquis Who’s Who, both nationally and internationally.

John Jeffery Lloyd, 85, died on January 7^th 2021 of Natural Causes.  Jeff was born in Philadelphia, PA to  Elleen (Grauer)and Dr. Paul Turner Lloyd, DO. He graduated from the Episcopal Academy and Bucknell University.

He is survived by his adoring wife Deborah Dickinson (Roach), his brother Peter T. Lloyd of Columbia , SC , His son John J Lloyd Jr. and wife Karen (Wilde) and his son Andrew Bankson Lloyd. He was the proud grandfather to 5 grandsons, John J Lloyd III, Matthew T. Lloyd, Ryan P Lloyd, Austin T. Lloyd and Andrew B Lloyd Jr.

Elinor Griffen Mink, 96, died peacefully at her home in Fair Haven, NJ, as was always her wish, on January 5, 2021.

Elinor was born in Elizabeth, NJ to Lillian (Peterson) and Edward H. Griffen on April 21, 1924. She graduated from Battin High School, Elizabeth and Monmouth University (Summa Cum Laude). After raising her children, she had a long career at both Rahway (NJ) Hospital as Director of Public Relations and Community Medical Center, Toms River where she was its first employee. After “retirement” she continued as a baker with her daughter’s business, Savoury Fare, in Rumson. Elinor was a long-time member of Christ Church United Methodist of Fair Haven.

Walter J. Case, age 57, of Manahawkin, NJ passed on Monday, January 4^th at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. Wally was raised in Middletown, NJ with his parents Linda and Walter and his three siblings Brad, Tyler, and Marcy. Growing up, Wally’s love for football started with the Middletown Chargers in Pop Warner. As his prowess and athleticism shined, he went on to play for Red Bank Catholic where he was a tri-sport athlete in football, wrestling, and track. In football at RBC, Wally was a star-athlete leading the team in tackles, was a multiple-time captain, received the Lombardi Award, and was an All-Monmouth team member. In wrestling, he competed at the Unlimited weight class and for his light weight he was outstanding on the mat. He was then recruited to play football for Springfield College in Springfield, MA, (he also wrestled Heavyweight). He was a 2x All-American, All-team Captain, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science. After college he traveled to Padua, Italy to play and coach for the Professional American Football League for the Podova Saints. He played offense & defense where he won league championships as a player and coach. After returning from Italy, in 1987 Wally played as a Linebacker for the New York Jets. He finished his coaching career at Red Bank Catholic.

David Stump, 60, passed away on December 27, 2020, following a brief illness. He died at home in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, surrounded by family and friends.  

David was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, with one brother and four sisters. Demonstrating a passion for music at an early age, David became an accomplished pianist and composer. In 2003, David moved to Monmouth Beach to help care for his mother, Barbara, and niece, Kay. “Uncle Davey” quickly settled into his new community, embracing his role as a caretaker. He rapidly forged an unbreakable bond with Kay, becoming her best friend and life coach.  

With a generous spirit, David readily answered the call for help in times of need. When his mother’s Parkinson’s Disease became advanced, David attended to her. After learning that a neighbor required help caring for a parent, he stood ready to lend a hand. Still grieving the loss of his precious poodle Ollie, David found room in his home for a kitty after her owner died.

Frances (“Fran”) Marion Ruane, of Fair Haven, NJ peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021.

Born in Leonardo NJ and raised in Rome NY with loving parents Veronica and Frank Gallagher. Fran was predeceased by her parents and brother James Gallagher. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Deigert of New Monmouth and sister Patricia Curro and her husband Samuel Curro of Oneida, New York.

William Patrick Lang Jr, was born on May 12, 1935 in Long Branch, New Jersey, to William and Elizabeth Lang.

Bill grew up in Fair Haven and graduated from St. James Catholic High School in 1954. Bill married Barbara Gettis in 1959, where they raised their family in Fair Haven and retired to Vero Beach, Florida. Bill was a dedicated volunteer throughout his life and gave back to his community. He was a life member of the Fair Haven Fire Company, where he served for over 59 years. Bill was a two-time Fire Department Chief in 1968 and 1974. During his time with the fire company, Bill was the First Aid Captain in 1972 and President of the First Aid Department and one of the founding members of the scuba diving team receiving their New Jersey Council of Divers Certification early in 1963. During which time he helped start the Monmouth County First Aid 16th district. He also managed the Fair Haven Pirates baseball team and the Church of the Nativity’s girl basketball team. Bill was the past President of the Rumson Fair Haven High School Booster and Fair Haven Democratic Club. Bill prepared meals for 10 years for the Knollwood School stokes trip. That was not the only place where his culinary skills were used; he also cooked at the Firehouse Meals, Pancake breakfasts, prepping food for the Fireman's Fair and the annual January Open House with his famous Chili!   Bill also served on the Fair Haven election board.

Yes, Bill had Family time too. The Lang’s went camping With the Van Develde’s and other families, and Sunday's dinner at the beach with the Butler’s. Bill also enjoyed Ice Boating and Drag Racing at Maple Grove. Bill retired from Esso Gas Company in Linden, New Jersey, and retired fire inspector of Fair Haven Borough.

Isabel Verna (Lower) Westlake Giblon, age 100, of Red Bank, NJ passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at her residence in Winchester, VA.

Mrs. Giblon was born in 1920 in Swissvale, PA, daughter of the late Raymond and Viola Lower.  She was a devoted wife and mother whose passion was nurturing a comfortable home for her husband and children.  Mrs. Giblon was a longtime member of Tower Hill Presbyterian Church in Red Bank, NJ, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Shrewsbury Garden Club and the Shrewsbury Historical Society.  She was an avid bridge player and world traveler.

Surviving is a daughter, Marjorie Jeanne Westlake (Jeff Winston) and a son, Harry E. Westlake, III; stepdaughter, Mary Lee Sheahan (Jack); and grandchildren, Alexa Stanton, Dakota Westlake, Cheyenne Wepking (Nathan); great grandchildren, Joshua and Parker Wepking; and many loving nieces and their families.

Mrs. Giblon was preceded in death by her first husband, Harry E. Westlake, Jr., in 1984; her second husband, Robert P. Giblon, in 2007; sister, Jeanne Hershey and a brother, William Lower.

Charlie Hopkins left us on 12/27/2020. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and enjoyed many summers in Monmouth Beach. He attended high school at Brooklyn Prep then went on to graduate from Polytechnic Institute of New York with a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering. He started his engineering career with The City of New York then went on to work for Gibbs & Cox NYC for many years. Charlie ultimately settled in Middletown in 1987 where he and his wife Margaret raised their daughter Samantha. In Middletown, Charlie continued his career at T&M Associates and retired in 2019. He loved engineering and was a great mentor to many. Charlie loved to fly kites and attend kite festivals all over the Eastern Seaboard. He enjoyed The New York Times crossword puzzles, visiting museums, music, and spending time having meaningful discussions with his friends and family.