Obituaries

Gail Gertrude Gannon (Hilbert) of Monmouth Beach, passed away quietly on Friday February 24th, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, John Joseph Gannon Jr. Gail lived in Monmouth Beach in a home she and John built and raised their family of four. Gail is probably best known for her artist talents recreating many local vintage historical scenes on canvas. Inspired by friends and the teachings of Ida Libby Dengrove (an Emmy-winning courtroom illustrator for NBC-TV News), Gail began her oil paintings of borough scenes in the 1960s and continued up well into her last years.

Steven Alan Lang, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on February 25th, 2023, at the age of 69 after a courageous 6-month battle with cancer.

Steven grew up in Red Bank, where he attended and graduated from Red Bank High School in 1971. Steven pursued a career in plumbing and became a skilled master plumber, a career he excelled in for many years.

Anne Erma Bruno Marcelli of West Long Branch passed away peacefully on the morning of February 16th, 2023 at the age of 93. Anne was born into a large Italian family in Red Bank and grew up in Little Silver amongst an extensive circle of friends and relatives. She stayed in the area throughout her life except for the occasional move to Florida. She dedicated more than 40 years of her life to working for the U.S. government at Fort Monmouth, and she was devoted to her family and her faith.

Anne was beloved by everyone who knew her. Her warm and engaging personality, along with her animated and infectious style of telling a story made her impossible not to adore. She enjoyed her life – whether it was spending time with her family, cooking some Italian favorites, listening to her cherished Frank Sinatra, or just watching a movie on the Hallmark Channel, Anne always had a delighted smile on her face.

Joseph T. Gatti, of Monmouth Beach and New York, loving husband to Kathleen Holahan and devoted father to Joseph D. Gatti, lost a brief battle to virulent cancer of unknown origin at New York Hospital on February 13, 2023. Joe faced his death bravely and with his trademark sense of humor. He was surrounded by his wife and family at his death.

In addition to his wife and son, Joe is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. David Gatti (Connie), his brother, Paul McGraw, his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Phil and Joanne Holahan, Dee and Steve Bulvanoski, and Maureen and Tim Saling, ten nieces and nephews, and thirteen great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Steven Ressler and Robert Rosenberg.

Eleanor Reilly Dolan, 81 of Red Bank, formerly Little Silver, passed away on Wednesday, February 8^th at home surrounded by her beloved daughters after a brief, but aggressive battle with cancer. Born in Queens, NY, she grew up there until moving to Leonardo in 7^th grade and then to Little Silver in 1967 where she lived for 54 years.

Eleanor graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School and then worked as a legal secretary before becoming a full-time homemaker and then later a caterer. She was a beautiful woman both inside and out who was best known for her generous heart, sense of style, gift of gab, sense of humor, and volunteer spirit. For over 60 years Eleanor devoted herself to volunteering at school, church, or in the community. Over the years she served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and PTO President in Little Silver. She was also a devoted parishioner of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Fort Monmouth for over 35 years. Until the parish closed she could be found serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Religious Education teacher, organizing a fundraiser, or in the kitchen cooking for a church event. She was also a volunteer at the Valerie Center at Monmouth Medical Center.

Jack Forster, 91, of Ocean Twp, NJ, gained his wings on February 2, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.

“When you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live.” Stuart Scott, ESPY Awards 2014. Jack was victorious – a true champion.

Jack lived in Bloomfield, NJ, the first 21 years of his life. He spent summers in Lavallette, NJ, where he used to race sailboats at the Lavallette Yacht Club and lifeguard during his college years. This began a lifelong love of the beach, water, and boating.

It was in Lavallette that Jack met and married his wife of 70 years, Carol Anne Roworth. After becoming established and living in several locations, they settled in Fair Haven, NJ, where they stayed for 44 years and raised their three sons. Ultimately, they moved to Cedar Village in Ocean Township, NJ, where they have lived since 2011.

Jean Elizabeth Powers Crenshaw, loving wife of Thomas Thompson Crenshaw III and mother to Sarah Haun of Los Altos, California; Betsy (Chris) Kaeli of Monmouth Beach, NJ; Rachel (Drew) Hegner of Shrewsbury, NJ; and Tommy (Melissa) Crenshaw of Savannah, Georgia went home to the Lord on February 4th, 2023 due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. In addition to her children, she is survived by two of her five sisters: Cornelia Courtney and Susan Washburn, and three of her brothers-in-law: Tom Barber, Bob Barker and Gary Washburn.  She was predeceased by her parents, Fremont and Sallie Powers; her sisters, Sally Ann Thomson, Donna Barber, and Corinne Barker; her brothers-in-law Ted Thomson and Bill Courtney; and her nephews, Tommy Thomson and Bobby Barker. She leaves behind ten grandchildren and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Jean was the fourth daughter born to Freem and Sallie Powers of Watertown, NY on January 16, 1944 in Oneida, NY. A 1956 graduate of Watertown High School, she went on to graduate from Colby Junior College and launched her career working for the American Embassy in Santiago, Chile. Following her marriage to Tom, she worked in various secretarial positions, donating much of her time to church ministry at churches in Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey.

Jean’s happiest times were spent at their family cottage in Henderson Harbor, NY where she and Tom shared summers with their children and their families. If you listened carefully, you could hear her laughing and singing with her sisters from White’s Bay to the Gill House. She was a devoted Grandmother–“Lovey”--to Jackson, Ella, Sallie, Annabelle, Everett, Wyatt, Wren, Reese, Tommy, and Helen and cherished her time with each of them.

After a brief illness, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mahar Gilmour passed away on February 6th. A lifelong resident of Little Silver, Lizzie’s life was full of many rays of sunshine. Deeply dedicated to her faith, Lizzie never missed a Sunday at St. George’s by the River in Rumson. She proudly served as an acolyte, on the altar guild, volunteered for the Canterbury Art Show and was a committee chair for the Canterbury Fair. 

She loved running the cotton candy machine. After graduating from Brookdale, Lizzie worked with children at St. John’s Nursery school, a job she loved. Her kids meant the world to her. In her free time, Lizzie was a proud member of the Little Silver Fire Company; where she particularly enjoyed selling Christmas trees. Every summer, Lizzie spent as much time as she could at Ship Ahoy Beach Club. This past summer was her favorite as she got to spend it with her nephew Sawyer for the first time. She was the proudest Aunt anyone had ever met. Most of all, Lizzie loved all things Broadway. The house and car were filled with show-tunes.  She knew every word to every show she ever saw and even some she didn’t. We know she is singing in Heaven; off key but still singing.

Louis H. Jacomme, of Fair Haven and Ségus, France, passed away at home surrounded by family on January 28, 2023, at the age of 89. Louis was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to French parents in diplomatic service. He was a graduate of Lycée St. Louis and École Polytechnique de Paris. He received the M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Colorado where he was sent by the French Air Force.

William P. Vamvas passed unexpectedly on February 2, 2023. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and resided in Belford, NJ for the last twelve years. William attended Long Branch High School where he wrestled. William was a self employed commercial and residential painter with many longstanding customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. He also was a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, DC 711-694. William was an avid fisherman, bicycling enthusiast, movie watcher and general handyman. He loved political arguments of all kinds. Mostly, he valued spending time with his immediate family.