Obituaries

FAIR HAVEN - Lynn Brager Phelan left us after a short illness on 1/30/21. She was born in Newark, NJ, and resided in Fair Haven NJ since 1978. Lynn was a Columbia HS ‘58 graduate in Maplewood, NJ, where she met her beloved, lifelong friends Ginger, Kay, Jane, Rosemary, Judy, Nadia, Mickey, and Diane.

Lynn and her husband Barry were married for 60 years and raised their 3 children in New Jersey and Ohio before settling in Fair Haven. Lynn was a talented and accomplished decorative arts painter, creating many beautiful works of art on wood and canvas. After raising her three children, Lynn became an HR specialist at AT&T Bell Labs and was very successful receiving several promotions. She retired after 18 years in 1999.

Joseph Edmund Carroll, of Fair Haven, NJ passed away on January 23rd.

Joe Carroll was born in Long Branch and was a lifelong resident of Red Bank and Fair Haven. A star athlete in high school, Joe helped Croydon Hall Academy win the state basketball championship. After graduating, Joe enlisted in the US Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.  After three years of active duty and several years in the reserves, he was honorably discharged and set his sights on Wall Street. Over his 30 year career, he worked his way from an entry-level Page to a member of the New York Stock Exchange, working for the First of Michigan Corporation. After retiring, he started a second career in an area he loved—the outdoors. Joe was an avid fisherman, duck hunter, and gardener.  He worked for the Monmouth County Park System into his 80s.

Terence “Shannon” Gilvary, age 52, of Middletown passed away at Riverview Medical Center on January 27, 2021.  Shannon grew up in Fair Haven, NJ, and was a graduate of Rumson Fair Haven High School-class of 1986.

He worked as a Business Automation Specialist at Encon Mechanical, Ocean Township, for 27 years. His passions included music, hockey, and sailing. He was a member of NJ Friends of Clearwater. Shannon enjoyed performing at open mic nights in the Red Bank area. He always surprised his musical family with his ability to play various instruments such as cello, flute, and French horn, in addition to his guitar. He was also a die-hard NJ Devils fan. 

Margaret Reimer Warters, Margot,  91, passed away quietly amongst friends on Friday, January 15th, 2021. 

Margaret “Marge” Vaccarelli, 92, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, January 19th.  Marge was born on August 23th, 1928 in Pittsfield, Illinois to the late Hugh and Victoria Ducey.  She was a loving wife, mother of four children and grandmother to seven grandchildren.

Marge was an amazing cook and enjoyed making her family and friends Italian delights. The smell of Mom’s sauce on the stove always filled our house and our hearts with comfort, especially during the holidays. She was a midwestern girl who moved with her siblings to Monmouth County, NJ at the age of 23.  It was here that she met the love of her life and husband of 65 years, James “Chick” Vaccarelli.  Together they shared a tremendous faith in the Catholic Church, a love of the seashore, eternal hope for a NY Giants victory and of course Frank Sinatra.  Marge and Chick were most happy spending time with their grandchildren, delivering for Meals on Wheels and saying the rosary with their family.

Theodore J. Stieve, 92, of Tinton Falls passed away on January 14, 2021. Theodore was born on September 19, 1928 to Theodore and Marie Stieve of Milburn, NJ.  He attended Millburn Public Schools, followed by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.  Theodore served his country as a member of the United States Navy.  

Ted married Lois Ann Markey on October 9, 1954 and moved to Hazlet, NJ.  There he served 6 years on the Hazlet Board of Education - 3 of those years as President.  He moved to Fair Haven, NJ in 1967 where he lived for nearly 50 years.  Ted served on the Board of Directors of the Red Bank YMCA.  He was President and held a seat on the Board of Directors for both The ARC of Monmouth and The ARC of New Jersey.  He held a seat on the Board of Directors of Camp Jaycee.  Ted was a member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed spending time and sharing in activities with the Briody Brunch of Rumson.

John ("Jack") Godfrey Middleton (89), of the Monmouth County area of New Jersey, passed away on January 13 from complications related to COVID-19. The son of Lillie Jenkins and Edward Willoughby Middleton, Jack was born and raised in Rochester, NY. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton University. While serving as Aide to the 4^th Division Artillery Commander he met Nancy, daughter of General and Mrs. Willis Matthews. They were married August 13, 1955 at the American Cathedral in Paris. After five years with IBM he started Middleton Card Company, manufacturing punch cards that were an early version of computer software. In 1971 he joined Discount Corporation of New York, a primary dealer in U.S. Government obligations, retiring in 1991 as Vice President.

Michael Covert, 47, of Red Bank, passed away on December 28, 2020. Michael grew up in Oceanport and graduated from Shore Regional High School in 1992. He was employed by the Fair Haven Board of Education at the Knollwood School for many years

He was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Nascar, wrestling, motor cycles, music, crabbing and fishing.

Michael is survived by his mother Joanne Harrington of Virginia; his aunt Marlene Byram; uncle Rick Robbins; cousins Sherry Byram, Diana Salerno and Lianne Pragosa; the love his life Marcella Cancassi; his beloved cats and many other cousins and friends.

Dorothy Owens passed away peacefully on January 12, 2021, at Arbor Terrace, Shrewsbury. She was 89. Dorothy was born in Brooklyn, New York. 

Dorothy was the oldest of seven children. She was always by their side watching over them and tenderly caring for and protecting them. After raising her own three children she went back to school at age 45. She was determined to become a Social Worker. Her passion in life was always to advocate for the wellbeing of children and families. She received her MSW, LCSW and ACSW degrees from Rutgers University.

Dorothy last worked as a Family Advocacy Specialist at the Naval Weapons Station Earle as a Clinical Counselor. Prior to that she worked as a Psychotherapist for the Board of Education, Union City Schools.  She also worked for six years at the Superior Court of N.J., County of Passaic Chancery Division, Family Crisis Intervention Unit as the Senior Family Counselor. She advocated for her clients in Court and in the community so that they received the essential services they needed. So many families’ lives were improved due to her true grit and compassion for others.

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.