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Obituaries
Barbara Joanne Ruzicka (nee Brooks), age 85 recently of Middletown, New Jersey, formerly of Summerville, South Carolina and Little Silver, New Jersey, passed away on March 21, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Barbara was born in Rahway, New Jersey. Having lived in Red Bank, New Jersey most of her life and graduating from Red Bank High School in 1955, Barbara was proud of her Red Bank roots as her family settled in Red Bank in the early 1900’s. Barbara then married the love of her life, Steven Ruzicka, also of Red Bank in 1957. Their love story has lasted 65 years. Barbara was an active member of the Little Silver Volunteer First Aid Squad and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Red Bank. She is predeceased by her parents, Dorothy Johanna (nee Mazza) Brooks (2001), Edward James Brooks (1964) and Brother, Lawrence Edward Brooks (2008). Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Steven Ruzicka, their children Lisa A. Colmain (Husband Edward), Deirdre J. Rice (Husband Todd) and Laura J. Scalzo (Husband Louis), 6 grandchildren, Christopher and Cooper Colmain, Megan and Zachary Rice, Alyssa and Nicole Scalzo and 2 great-grandchildren, Johanna and Emma Contreras (Megan) with two additional great-grandchildren due in August and September, 2023.
We are sad to announce that George John Meyer Jr., 88, of Rumson, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023. George was born in Long Branch, NJ and lived in Monmouth County for the past 52 years. He graduated from North Carolina State with a degree in Electrical Engineering. For most of his career, George worked in the Communications-Electronic Command Division (CECOM) at Fort Monmouth.
George enjoyed competitive sailing, was a member of a softball league and also enjoyed fishing. You could find him most Saturday afternoons playing darts with his friends at Murphy’s Tavern in Rumson. He was one of the founding members and the first captain of The Monmouth Beach First Aid Squad in 1958. He and his wife Ann were huge animal lovers, and their home was well known as a gathering place for family and friends and whomever needed a place to land for a while.
Susan F. Tudor (nee Levy) passed away on Sunday, March 19 at home, surrounded by her loved ones. Susan graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven High School, and went on to get her Masters Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) from Georgetown University. Susan moved to Spain for several years, teaching English and exploring Europe.
Upon returning, Susan moved into selling financial products for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, where she won multiple awards for sales leadership. She always felt that her “teaching approach” helped her clients better understand the products, and made her successful.
Susan was extremely involved with the local Yoga community. She became an advanced certified yoga instructor and taught at many local studios. Upon moving to the Thornbrooke retirement community in Shrewsbury, Susan organized a heavily attended free weekly class for her neighbors.
Salvador Morales 1952-2023 passed away at home on March 16, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Puerto Rico to the late Vivino Morales and his surviving mother Cecilia Morales. Salvador was a graduate of Perth Amboy High School and received his bachelor's degree from Kean State University. He pursued and attended Massachusetts School of Law. He was a former Hearing Officer under the auspices of the Dept of Labor assigned to New Brunswick, NJ and became a Senior Hearing Officer for the Dept of Labor, New York, New York. He was also a successful real estate investor and developer of residential and commercial properties. He willingly provided guidance and consultation to investors and real estate developers who sought out his expertise. In his later years, he became a broadcaster for the Middlesex County College giving sports, weather and news to the public. He was awarded the Blue Colt Radio Excellence Award for promoting the advancement of broadcast education. He received the Leadership Citation from Middlesex County College for his contributions to the College community.
Mary Elizabeth Milnes-Lynch, 71 years of age, passed away on March 11, 2023. She was born in Staten Island, NY and has resided in Middletown NJ for the past 47 years. Mary was a graduate of Tottenville High School and received an Associate’s Degree from Brookdale Community College.
Mary was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and aunt. She is predeceased by her parents Jean and Joseph Milnes and her beloved husband of 47 years, Owen Teevan Lynch.
Marianne Cermak Williams, age 76, of Eatontown passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.
Marianne was born in Red Bank and lived in Rumson. She is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Anne Cermak and her partner of 30 years, Frank Deisler. Marianne attended Holy Cross elementary school and graduated in 1964 from Rumson fair haven regional high school.
In 1967, she started her medical career as a ICU critical care nurse in Miami and NJ. Her career continued in Las Vegas as a nursing administrator and relocated back to NJ to enjoy retirement.
Stephen J. Bulwin, of Barnegat, was born in Paterson, NJ and peacefully passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Barnegat Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Barnegat, after a brief illness. He was 83 years old. Mr. Bulwin was a graduate of Fair Lawn High School class of 1957. He resided in Highlands, NJ from 1959 until 2008, Lincroft, NJ from 2008 until 2014, and then moved to Barnegat.
Mr Bulwin was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a communications mate from 1957 to 1963. He served on the USS Dealey.
Mr. Bulwin was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America as a Dockbuilder in Local Union 1556 for 40 years.
Joseph P. Meluso, age 90, of Red Bank, NJ peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.
Joseph was born in Brooklyn, NY and lived in Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY prior to moving to Red Bank, NJ.
Joseph served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was a Social Worker at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn upon his retirement. After he retired, he started his own painting company and painted the interior and exterior of many family and friends homes on Staten Island.
David James Dooling “Jim”, passed away on February 21, 2023 at the age of 81. Jim is predeceased by his parents, H. David Dooling and Elanor (Devine) Dooling.
Jim is survived by his wife, Carol (Day) who he shared a marriage with for 57 years with “never a cross word” as Jim would say. He is also survived by his daughter, Jessica, and took much pride and love in her. His love of family was evident throughout his life and he always took the time to attend family events. Jim is survived by his brother, John Dooling and his wife Pamela of East Syracuse, NY, Betty Ann Stark of DeWitt, NY, and Katie Cusick of Syracuse, NY, a niece and 7 nephews, 15 great nieces and nephews, several cousins and may other dear family members and friends.
Anna Marie Bender of Red Bank, N.J. passed from this life peacefully surrounded by family on February 26, 2023.
Beginning from her birth in Pennsylvania until her death she nourished family and friends with love, faith, and joy.
Anne attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and was a member of Catholic Daughters. Later in life Anne’s love of music and dancing inspired her to learn to play the organ. In addition to her boundless love and optimism, she leaves us a legacy of her creative talents; quilts to wrap us in her warmth and oil paintings to add beauty to our days.
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.
