Obituaries

Robert Marshall Hook, age 88, of River Plaza, died on January 4, 2019.

Born in Cambridge, MA, he attended schools in Watertown, MA, Dover, NH, Bradord, MA and Waltham, MA, where he graduated from high school.  He received his BA degree from Tufts University, Medford, MA, and his MBA from Monmouth University, W. Long Branch, NJ.

Growing up he attended Boy Scout camps and spent many years as a staff member and boat pilot for the Merrimack Valley YMCA Camp Lawrence on Bear Island on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH.

On January 4, 2019, Dennice Rioux Carey, wonderful friend, wife of 67 years to Ray, mother of 3, and grandmother of 6, passed away at the age of 90.  Dennice was born in Attleboro, MA in 1928 and majored in Zoology at Mt. Holyoke where she won the Science Award and graduated in 1950 cum laude. She was an instructor in Biology at Connecticut College when she married Ray in 1951, and demonstrated her rebellious streak when, expecting Sheila in 1953, she successfully fought the policy removing pregnant women from active teaching roles.  She later left teaching for an old-fashioned partnership with Ray in which she was the “roll up your sleeves” volunteer, mother par excellence, home manager, and the person who made sure everything related to the house and family was running smoothly.  That also meant moves for Ray’s jobs - from Connecticut to New Jersey to Montreal then back to New Jersey, moves she handled with aplomb and grace.  While warm, funny, and kind, she was also fierce in her beliefs. This included socially progressive political views to practical activism, such as when she took on The Man at Rumson Country Day School on behalf of holding one’s utensils European style as Lisa and Mike had learned in Montreal. That interaction did not end well for The Man.  While generally easygoing she was never afraid to speak up and had a quick and effective wit.  A tireless volunteer, she invested time, effort, and her intelligence into bettering the things she believed in, from Junior League when she was young, through a lifelong involvement in MSPCA, to helping manage Special People United to Ride (SPUR) later in life.

Shrewsbury – Ann R. Lettieri, 90, passed away on January 3, 2019.  Ann was born in Red Bank to Nicholas and Tina Pizzo. 

Ann was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua and a member of the Elks Lodge #233 in Red Bank. Before her marriage to Frank Lettieri, she worked at PSE&G in Newark.  She was a survivor of the Woodbridge Train Wreck on February 6, 1951.

She is predeceased by her husband Frank and her brothers Thomas and Peter Pizzo.  She is survived by her son Stephen N. Lettieri of Red Bank, her daughter Anne Marie Egan and her husband Mitchell of Shrewsbury and her grandsons Braden Egan and Nicholas and his wife Meghan  Lettieri.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 8^th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 9^th at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua, 121 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank.  Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

All Services are private.

Christopher Worden Popper, 54, of Wilmington, NC passed away December 24^th at his home.  He was born in Fayetteville, NC, to Stephen and Carole Popper, Red Bank NJ.

Christopher was a proud Veteran of Desert Storm. A graduate of Red Bank Regional HS, his swim team won the State Championship for the ‘82-‘83 season. During his lifetime he worked in the newspaper industry for the Asbury Park Press, Wilmington StarNews and the Myrtle Beach Sun News. He loved to cook and was most proud of his clam chowder. Those who knew him know of his generosity and his kind and caring soul; from his childhood friends whom he still was close with, to someone he just met in passing.

It is with great sadness that the family of Joan Ferrante announces the passing of their beloved mother, on December 28^th, 2018.

Born in Paterson New Jersey in 1931, Joan relocated to the Jersey Shore after marrying her husband of forty years, Joseph Ferrante. She raised four children in Holmdel, providing each of them with both a vision for their life’s work and a strong faith. She was a remarkable cook, an avid reader, enjoyed attending Bible study and teaching her grandchildren how to play Liverpool. They tenderly called her Mimi.

 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.