Obituaries

 Elizabeth “Liz” Readie, 79, of Red Bank, passed away December 26, 2018 surrounded by family at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Originally from Roselle Park, she graduated from Roselle Park High School, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Jack Readie. Together they were the proud owners of Readie’s Fine Foods in Red Bank for 42 years, forging lifelong friendships with customers and fellow business owners. After “retiring,” she worked part time at Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe for 16 years; she loved her second work family, as well as the almond butter crunch. She volunteered extensively throughout her life, most recently with Holiday Express.

Michael James Gaynor, age 34, passed away on December 24th 2018. Michael was born in Red Bank and was a resident of Oceanport and Rumson before moving to Eatontown.  He was a graduate of Red Bank Regional and Monmouth Vocational School, specializing in auto body, in the class of 2003. Michael’s passion was working on cars, fishing, spending time with his family, being a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, and being a new father.

Michael is predeceased by his maternal grandparents James and Rosemary Gallagher; his paternal grandparents William and Ella Gaynor Jr,; and his father William H Gaynor III.  He is survived by his mother Rosemary (Midge) Gaynor of Atlantic Highlands; his brother William H Gaynor IV and his wife Amanda of Highlands; his sister Erin Hawley and her husband Martin of Atlantic Highlands; his Fiancé Kimberly (Kim) Graham of Eatontown; and his precious baby boy Michael (Mikey) James Gaynor Jr.   

James A. Carter, 86, died on Sunday, December 23, 2018.  He was educated at Camden Catholic Schools by the good Sisters of Mercy and graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Physics.  After graduation he served in the Air Force in Nebraska and Morocco.  He furthered his education by earning an MBS from NJIT and an MBA from Indiana University.  James was employed at US Army CECOM at Ft. Monmouth and achieved senior engineering and management positions.

Jim was a parishioner of the Church of the Nativity, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.  He volunteered many hours with local charities.  He had a wonderful sense of humor, was always positive, kind and very generous.  Jim loved to travel, play cards, read and Villanova basketball teams.

Richard Joseph Amses a musician, composer and music educator died at home in Rumson on December 15th, peacefully, surrounded by his family. The cause of death was kidney failure. He was 88.

The son of Joseph and Mary Amses, Richard was born in Bayonne, New Jersey.  He served in the US Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He attended The Juilliard School and received a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music.  Richard was an accomplished musician and played the trumpet, flute and piano professionally – although he was best known for his distinctive style of trumpet playing, He had been a member of local 802 since 1954. In addition, he was a songwriter, lyricist, composer, arranger and joined The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1966.  Mr. Amses toured with many of the top big bands of the 50s and 60s including those of Walter Nye, Doc Severinsen, Skitch Henderson, Lester Lanin, Eliot Lawrence.   In New York City he often played at the popular nightclubs of the day such as the Latin Quarter, the Copa, and the Palladium.

Florence DeFazio, age 90, passed away on December 15, 2018.  Florence was born in the Bronx, NY to Salvatore and Bianca Passalacqua.  She was a Bookkeeper for the Monmouth County Board of Realtors until her retirement.  Florence was also the co-owner of Val’s Garden Center in Middletown, NJ.

Florence was predeceased by her husband Valentino DeFazio Sr. in 1985 and her brothers Edmund, Albert and Francis and her sister Dorothy.

She is survived by her son Valentino DeFazio Jr. (Luba) of Red Bank and her daughter Marie Popo of Long Branch; her four grandchildren Marisa Polito (Chris), Lara Summonte (John), Valentina Woszczak (Blaine) and Antonia Popo and Joey Marini; three great-grandchildren Grace Polito, Anna Summonte and Brooks Woszczak; and many loving nieces and nephews.  

Kevin W. Attridge, beloved Teacher and Coach, died peacefully on December 16, 2018, at the age of 70, at Riverview Medical Center Hospice after a lengthy illness.

The son of John and Catherine Attridge, Kevin grew up in Shrewsbury and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School and Mount St. Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, Maryland.  After a brief stint at Red Bank Catholic, he was recruited to start the girl’s athletic program at Mater Dei High School where he dedicated his life as both a religion teacher and as a varsity coach – cross country, basketball, and indoor track for 46 years.

As a teacher, Kevin’s students learned the importance of spirituality and experienced a joy from their faith that would impact the rest of their lives.  Kevin saw the best in everyone, and helped everyone be their best.  He inspired his teams to excel by trusting in God, their teammates and themselves. 

Edith Villani, 92, passed peacefully on December 16, 2018 in Naples, Florida, where she resided with her oldest daughter, Donna.  “Edie” was born in North Bergen, NJ to parents Albert and Adelia Leone.  For most of her life she resided in Monmouth County, NJ, where she worked as a seamstress before turning her hobby and love of baking into a small business.  Edie was lovingly married to Don Villani in 1949 until his death in 1975.  She is predeceased by her sisters, Evelyn Lanfrank, Antoinette Arnone, and Josephine Scalzo and a brother John Caputo. 

Edith is survived by her two children, Donna Villani and Adele Miller, four grandchildren, Daniele Adams, Joseph DiCondina, Charles Miller, and Lauren Fastenau, and one great grandson, Hudson DiCondina.

Iris Olsson Kirkpatrick, 85, of Rumson passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2018 after a brief illness. Her family was at her side.

Iris was born in Jarvso, Gavleborg, Sweden, immigrated to the United States in her teens and settled with relatives. Following her graduation from Verona High School, she went on to study at the Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She worked in New Jersey, California, and Virginia. In 1992, she graduated from the Monmouth University School of Nursing with high honors. Iris also taught Swedish at The Language School.

Charles Peterson, age 95, passed away on December 10, 2018, at his home in Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls, NJ.  He previously resided in West New York, NJ, with his brother Edward for many years.

Born in Ridgewood Queens NY he was a retired tool and die-maker for Bell Laboratories.  Charles was an avid traveler and visited much of the world with his brother Edward.

Charles also served in the Army Air Corp. from 1942-1946, working in the motor pool, in China, Burma, and India.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

Anne Bridget Psolka-Green, a loving and generous friend to many, especially those less fortunate than herself, died suddenly at home on Dec. 8. She was the daughter of James Green and Christine Psolka and the sister of Kevin Psolka-Green and his partner Emily Ho of San Diego.

Born in Long Branch, Annie grew up in Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury, N.J., and graduated from Shrewsbury Borough School and Red Bank Regional High School, where she majored in piano. As a teenager she taught piano privately to young students.

Annie received her B.A. in journalism from Rider University and was previously a case worker in the foster care system for Little Flower in Brooklyn, New York, where she was awarded a commendation by the Brooklyn borough president for her work with children.