Obituaries - Thompson Memorial Home

Raymond Bernard Carey

On September 22, 2020, Raymond Bernard Carey, businessman, writer, democratic capitalist, sportsman, master raconteur, husband to Dennice, father of 3, and grandfather of 6, passed away at the age of 93. Born in Gardner, MA, at 17 he joined the Navy. He graduated from Holy Cross College and Harvard Business School thanks to the GI Bill, and was named to Alpha Sigma Nu, a society dedicated to the Jesuit virtues of scholarship, loyalty, leadership, and service. A business leader, he ultimately became the president and CEO of ADT, where he developed and applied his beliefs about democratic capitalism and the power of profit-sharing and employee ownership. Ray retired from ADT in 1988, and began a second career centered on promoting better understanding of these principles. He created the Raymond B. Carey Foundation, named after his father, which later evolved into the Carey Center for Democratic Capitalism. He also founded the Carey Scholars Program that provided stipends, books, and economic education to high school students. He wrote Democratic Capitalism: The Way to a World of Peace and Plenty, developed a curriculum with faculty at Rutgers, and connected with economic scholars around the world. He was particularly proud that his work was favorably received by both conservative republicans and liberal democrats.

For all of his business success, the center of his existence was his wife, Dennice, with lifelong themes of overly friendly dogs and living in beautiful, sometimes isolated, places. For 50 years, their home base was a farmhouse in Locust, NJ, with spring and part of the summer in Sun Valley, ID, the remainder of the summer and fall on Nantucket. His discipline was legendary. Even after retirement he would read and write from 6AM to noon every day. Afternoons were dedicated to Dennice, dogs, sunsets, sports, bonfires and entertaining. Ray loved to sail, play tennis, ski, and golf, and had many like-minded friends at their clubs over the years – Rumson Country Club, Seabright Beach Club, Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club, Sankaty Golf Club, Nantucket Yacht Club, and The Valley Club. A fierce competitor, Ray raced sailboats his whole life, and had a series of boats, all named Wisper, that let him cruise, race, and tell the stories that attend life on (or near) the sea.

Tina Kay Madden

Tina Kay Madden passed peacefully in the comfort of her home in Shrewsbury, NJ on Saturday, September 19th. She graced this world with her presence for 72 years and 27 days. Her family was by her side when she left to join the love of her life, John.

One of Tina’s greatest gifts was her unconditional love. Her late husband, John, son, Andrew, and family always felt so loved. Tina devoted herself to her family’s care, both in home and heart. Being close to Tina was to know the purest, sweetest, realest form of love. She always filled the world with a feeling of joy and happiness despite life’s sometimes heavy burdens. Today we soak in life's simple pleasures, like a sugary snack or a crisp fall morning, in remembrance of our darling mommy and ask you to do the same.

Robert Joseph Keenan

Robert Joseph Keenan passed away unexpectedly at Riverview Medical Center on September 17, 2020. Born and raised in Queens, New York, he was a longtime Fair Haven resident.

Bob was a 1979 graduate of St. John’s University, which was then followed by a 26-year career on Wall Street before moving into private wealth management.

Bob began his career journey on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange with William Latham & Co, followed by positions at SG Warburg, Solomon Smith Barney, before eventually becoming a Managing Director at Citi Group Global Markets.

Olga Natsis

Olga Natsis, beloved mother and wife passed away on Sept. 11, 2020, in her home in Fair Haven, NJ. Born in Pepeli, Albania July 25, 1975, she grew up with her 7 brothers and sisters. Olga moved to Greece in 1991 and she married her husband Mihali in 1992. From there they moved to America in 1998 where they raised 3 wonderful sons; Thanassi, Peter, and Evan. Olga and her family moved to Fair Haven in 2014. She pursued her dream career as a hairdresser in a high-end salon in Red Bank, NJ where she was extremely successful and had many clients and admirers.

Larry Alyn Doremus

Larry Alyn Doremus, 68, left this world too soon on September 8, 2020 surrounded by his beloved family. The son of Albert and Ruth Doremus he was born in Long Branch, NJ and raised in Red Bank, NJ. In 1970 he graduated from Red Bank High School where he met his wife, Gloria Doremus. Their 49 year journey together was filled with love and surrounded by family.

While attending college for Architecture, he found his future career at Tom's Ford in Keyport, NJ retiring as General Manager in 2017 after 48 years. He approached his professional career with the same love of people he showed in his personal life. He considered all the employees at Tom's Ford his extended family and would spend hours connecting with them and helping them through difficult times. His outstanding communication skills helped him offer superior customer service and he led many projects that resulted in the company earning Ford's highest customer satisfaction awards for decades. He was highly respected professionally and he kept in touch with company and Ford employees long after they left their positions. His commitment to teamwork was exceptional. He became known as the Chief Fun Officer of Tom's Ford. He loved to Emcee the Tom's Ford's annual Christmas party and was always ready with jokes and good natured ribbing to liven up the event.

Nancy D. Hartman

Nancy D. Hartman, long time Fair Haven resident, lost her battle with ALS on September 7, 2020, at home with her loving husband Larry by her side.

Nancy and her mother Diane Cross shared a very special bond. They enjoyed morning cups of coffee and bird watching from her Rumson home. She was predeceased by her father Franklin and her two older brothers Danny and David.

Nancy and her husband Larry raised their two daughters Deborah Acerno (Thomas) and Theresa Pearman (Evan) in Fair Haven. Their childhood was filled with spontaneous camping trips and summer evenings at Sea Bright Beach. Nancy taught her daughters to enjoy the simplicity of the every day. She made a blueberry buckle and a potato salad that were second to none.

Patricia Watkins Blair (Pat)

Patricia Watkins Blair (Pat) passed away peacefully at home on September 2, 2020. Born Sarah Patricia Watkins in Alton, Illinois, on March 18, 1922, Pat graduated as valedictorian from high school and from Shurtleff College in 1943. She then attended Wellesley College on scholarship, from which she earned a Masters in Hygiene and Physical Education in 1945. From 1945 to 1948, she taught health and various sports at Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. On June 5, 1948, she married Charles L. Blair in Alton, and they settled in Little Silver, NJ. Pat taught 1^st grade in the Little Silver school system in 1948–1950 before resigning to start a family.

Pat was a member of the United Methodist Church of Red Bank where she sang in the choir for over fifty years and served in several positions on the Board of Trustees. She also was an active participant in the MCBC and UMW. She volunteered with many organizations, including F.I.S.H. and Big Sister, and was active in others, such as the Junior League, the Daughters of the American Revolution, having been a past president of Monmouth County chapter, and the Eastern Star.

Jane Fox Zerrer

Jane Fox Zerrer of Tinton Falls, New Jersey passed away peacefully at Riverview Medical Center on September 4, 2020 following a brief illness. Born and raised in Hanover, Pennsylvania Jane was the only child born of Ralph and Lillian Fox.

Jane attended Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania where she majored in Drama, the perfect major for a Drama Queen. Her best friends through grade school and high school called themselves, “The Gang.” The group of eight struck up their friendship around two tables of Bridge. Speaking of drama, Ann Roth, the famous American Costume Designer was one of “The Gang” members. What a thrill it was for the girls the night Ann won the Oscar for Best Costume Design for “The English Patient!” The forever friends kept in touch well into their later years.

While studying at Harcum, Jane met the love of her life, John Gehri Zerrer (Jack) who was studying at Haverford College, a mere six minutes away from her campus. After a brief courtship, Jane and Jack married and moved to Middletown, New Jersey where Jack worked in the insurance and financial planning business and Jane eventually became a stay-at-home-Mom to her beloved sons, Johnny and Jeffrey.

Frank Paul Soldo Jr.

Frank Paul Soldo Jr., (91), of Lincroft, NJ, passed away September 2, 2020. He was born July 6, 1929 to parents Frank P Soldo and Nicoletta D’Amato in Jersey City, NJ. Frank graduated from Red Bank High School, Red Bank, NJ in 1946 and performed 4 years of military service with the US Air force. He married Gloria Codispoti in 1955 and recently celebrated their 65th year of marriage.

Frank is survived by Gloria and his son Paul along with his three grandsons, Tyler, Davis, Logan and daughter in law Danielle. He was predeceased by his first son Frank P Soldo III; brothers, Sam, John, Dominick, Ralph and sisters, Mildred Fogacci, Rose Lettieri, Ethel Porcelli and Mary Crosson. Also leaves numerous nephews and nieces.

Frank worked the majority of his career as a Project Manager for the Satellite Division at Ft. Monmouth and retired from Northrop Grumman. He was active at St. Catharine’s Church in Holmdel, providing parishioners donuts and warm coffee once a month. Frank enjoyed his days at home tending to his house and yard and his time with his grandchildren. Frank was a positive influence to all who loved him. His unselfish nature and pure happiness for life was infectious to anyone he met and he will be dearly missed.

Arthur Holmes Sorensen

Arthur Holmes Sorensen died on August 26th, 2020. He was the son of Sverre Sorensen, born in Norway in 1912, and Harriette Arthur Dyer Sorensen, born in Freehold in 1915. He was the first grandson on both sides so ended up with the family nickname of King. The “Arthur” came from Harriette’s father, Arthur Dyer, and the “Holmes” came from Harriette’s brother, Holmes Murphy Dyer, and from Obediah Homes, after whom Holmdel is named.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Leigh, and by their 3 daughters: Jenny, Eliza and Meredith. The daughters provided them with 7 grandchildren: Sophie, Ellis, Spencer, Arden, Sebastian, Jasko Arthur, and Rosie Elizabeth. He is also survived by his sisters: Sandra Henning and Alicia Robertson.

King attended Rumson Country Day School, founded by his cousin, Harriet Clarke, and her husband, Harold. He went to Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts and was valedictorian of his class of 1959. King graduated from Williams College and NYU Law School. He worked in Atlantic Highlands for 45 years.

Paul C. Dobrosky

Paul C. Dobrosky passed away at home on 8/22/20 at the age of 82. He was born in Shamokin, PA, and resided in Shrewsbury, NJ for the past 60 years. Paul was a Rumson-Fair Haven HS ’57 graduate, active in alumni reunions. Paul and his wife, Anne C. (nee Lalonde), raised their four daughters in Shrewsbury. Until his retirement in 2005, Paul owned and ran Everyday Home Maintenance. Paul was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed waterfowl hunting, fishing, and crabbing all along the Jersey Shore; he was also an avid golfer. Paul’s waterfowl interests included a life-long dedication to decoy carving, for which he won numerous awards at competitions throughout the US and Canada. He also was a frequent judge at competitions and delighted in sharing his knowledge and skills by teaching others to carve. For some years, he served on the board of the New Jersey Waterfowlers and participated in the young waterfowlers program.