Obituaries

Diane B. Vigilante, 88, died peacefully at home on Oct. 12. Born in 1932 in Chicago, Diane was a child of the Great Depression and World War II. Her memories of the tough 30’s included many relatives coming to Chicago seeking work. During the war, she kept a Victory Garden to help feed the family. Her parents, George Berg and Fannie (Jerina) Berg, moved west to Colorado Springs after the war where, after high school, Diane worked for Farmers Insurance as a secretary. She met her future husband, Frank, then in the Army, at a Camp Carson dance. Their marriage produced three children, Patricia, Frank and John.  

William Charles Geroni entered into eternal rest on October 8, 2020. He was born in Long Branch, NJ, on December 31, 1920, and grew up in Red Bank. He was a graduate of Red Bank High School, where he earned nine varsity letters; three in football, baseball and basketball. In 2018 he was inducted into the Red Bank High School Sports Hall of Fame. He attended Muhlenberg and Stroudsburg College where he played football. World War II cut short his career. He served in the Army Air Corps as a Sergeant.   After the war Bill worked for the US Postal Service for thirty-eight years.

James Christopher Brady, 83, of Little Silver, NJ passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020. Jim was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland.  After residencies in South Africa and Australia and a return to Ireland; Jim moved to the US in 1969 and settled in the Red Bank area soon afterwards. It was here that Jim and his ex-wife, Carmel raised their five sons.  

Jim was a self-employed mason in the Red Bank and Little Silver area for almost 40 years, specializing in chimneys and craftsman masonry.  Jim relished having a few beers with friends and co-workers after a long, hard day’s work building chimneys.  He, also, enjoyed reading and listening to classical music.  He returned to Ireland, regularly, to spend time with his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and to, otherwise, enjoy the craic in Dublin. 

Margaret Joan Blake passed away on October 7, 2020. Joan was born in New York, lived in Fair Haven, NJ most of her adult life and then moved to West Long Branch.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Hugh. She is survived by her 2 sons, William and his wife Leslie and James and his wife Jill. She has 4 grandchildren, Justin, Samantha, Maggie and Jeffrey and her new great grandson, Benjamin.

The Rev. Geoffrey Collis, an Episcopal priest of the Diocese of New Jersey, entered eternal rest on October 2, 2020. He was born in Red Bank and raised in Rumson, graduating from RFHRHS in 1968. He earned his B.S. in Business Administration at Rider University in 1972 and his Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary, NYC, in 1976 and was ordained that same year. His entire ministry was served in the Diocese of New Jersey. His first call was a Curate at Christ Church, Toms River, where he became Priest-in-Charge in 1979 until he was called as Rector of St. James’ Church, Long Branch, where he served for seventeen years. After leaving Long Branch, he served, in various positions, at Christ Church, Somers Point; St. Andrews, New Providence; St. Peter’s, Barnegat Light; Trinity Church, Cranford; St. David’s, Cranbury; and Church of the Epiphany, Ventnor.

Ann W. Lee (nee Whitney), passed peacefully on 9/29/2020.  She was born in Passaic, NJ, and resided in Rumson, NJ.  Ann graduated from Saint Vincent's Nursing School in NYC; where she was a nurse for a number of years.  Ann and her husband, Timothy Patrick Lee lived in Sea Bright NJ; where they raised their three daughters.

Ann was very active in her community.  In addition to Nursing at Saint Vincent's Hospital, Ann was a member of the Junior League, volunteered at multiple community health and wellness organizations in Monmouth County, and was a substitute Nurse at Forestdale School in Rumson. 

Ann was a caring mother and beloved friend. She is survived by her children, Mary Pat Molke, and her husband Richard Molke, Connie Fox, and Susan Lee.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Krista, Joanna, Richard, Conor, AJ, Brendon, Cody, Alexis, and Whitney.  She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Noah, Caroline and Quincy.

John “Ray” Weston passed on from this life Monday, September 28, 2020. Ray was raised in East Orange NJ where he lived until moving to Red Bank in 1964. Ray and his wife Audrey, proud Red Bank residents for 56 years, also wintered in Naples FL for 20 years after retiring from a 35-year career in the drafting, design and MTS departments (Supervisor) at Bell Laboratories, Holmdel.

Ray enjoyed spending time with his family, boating, fishing and camping. He loved the great outdoors; cross-country excursions took Ray & Audrey to 48 states and numerous National Parks.

He was an active 53-year volunteer with the Red Bank Volunteer Fire Department, serving as a member/officer of WestSide Hose Co, RBVFD Chief 1976-78, and leader of the RBFD Wildwood group each September. Ray also served as Fire Commissioner while serving as Red Bank Borough Councilman.

William V. Weithas, Jr. (Bill) of Little Silver, NJ and Jupiter, FL, passed away peacefully on September 23 surrounded by his family. Bill was predeceased by his sister Audrey and his son, William V. Weithas III.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; his children Suzann Cahill (John), John Weithas (Lisa), Jeremy Minnetian (Matthew) and Claudia Mullett (Conor). He leaves behind his 10 grandchildren: John (Lauren), William, and James Cahill; Emma and Lila Weithas; Julia and Charles Minnetian; Liam, Griffin and Mary Elizabeth Mullett; and his siblings, Marilyn Halverson, Adrienne dePaolo and Richard Weithas and their families.

Bill was born in Queens, NY to William and Margaret Beese Weithas. He was a graduate of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School ('47) where he played basketball, baseball and ran track and Seton Hall University ('51). He later served on the Board of Regents at Seton Hall. He started his career at the Nabisco Company as a 'cookie salesman' and quickly moved onto the advertising world, working in the mailroom at BBD&O.  He later worked at P. Ballantine & Sons and at SSC&B NY where he climbed the ranks to become Chairman and CEO. There, he led the successful introduction of Diet Coke among many other brands. He later became Chairman and CEO of Lintas Worldwide: NYC and London. Bill finished his career as Vice Chairman and Director of Interpublic Group of Companies. He was a member of the NY State Governor's Business Advisory and Chairman of the 4 A's (American Association of Advertising Agencies).

Raymond Castle formerly Lincroft, NJ passed away April 30^th at age 68. Born February 11, 1952 in Jersey City, NJ. He graduated Middletown Twp. High School and he worked Otis Elevators.