Obituaries

Dr. Lawrence A. O’Neill, 84, formerly of Middletown, NJ died January 30, 2019. Lawrence was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of William and Lucretia O’Neill.  Raised in Highlandtown, he received his B.S. from the University of Maryland, his M.S. from Catholic University, and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

He started his career with the United States National Security Agency in Washington, D.C. immediately after completing his undergraduate degree. After more than a decade at the NSA, he moved to New Jersey to work for Bell Laboratories in Holmdel where he worked 27 years until his retirement in 1994.  He also served 5 years on the executive committee of the IEEE/ACM Design Automation Conference (DAC) and as the General Chairman of the 24^th conference in Miami, Florida.

Stacey L. Walling of Middletown passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at Monmouth Medical Center. Stacey was a life-long resident of Middletown and an integral part of the Middletown Garden Center family. Her friendliness and kindness to all people, and her devotion and love for animals, is a tribute to the beauty of her heart and soul, along with her fun sense of humor. She thoroughly enjoyed gardening, crocheting, shopping, bowling, trips to Atlantic City and watching the Patriots, but most special to her were her relationships with her niece and nephews.

She lives on through her siblings, Gregg, Judy, Diane and her husband Dan and their son Devin, Jill and her husband Dominick and their children Danielle and Jared.

Carolynn Ozar-Diakon, born in Plymouth England, passed on the 27th of January at home surrounded by her loving family. Carolynn is survived by her husband Bob and children; Christopher (Haarika), Brett (Sally), and Gabrielle. Grammy to Beau and Reese. She was an Aunt to Alaina, Simon and Olivia.

Carolynn, who spent over 30 years in real estate, was the Founder and Senior Partner of Resources Real Estate, a leading agency with offices across Monmouth County. She arrived in America with just $200 dollars, but also with a lot of wit and tenacity. Carolynn worked her way from odd jobs and inspirational counseling to eventually landing in real estate.  From a single small office, her firm grew rapidly and now employs 90 agents and staff. Carolynn, however, was quick to point out that her biggest achievement was her family. Resources Real Estate was her legacy. She also considered it a point of pride that so many of her customers became her friends.

Private First Class Jamie Riley, 21, of Fair Haven, New Jersey followed his heart from a young age to serve in the United States Military. He enlisted into the Army on January 23, 2018, after attending Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He was a Cavalry Scout, Reconnaissance Soldier stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas where he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

On the evening of January 22, 2019, Jamie along with another soldier were both fatally injured in a Stryker vehicle accident during a training exercise. Although his time was tragically cut short, his prestigious awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge, Basic Marksmanship Badge, and Bar, Weapon: Rifle Expert.

Jacqueline Pierson Nettles, passed away January 20, 2019, after an extensive battle with Lewy Body Dementia. 

Born in Southampton, New York, she lived most of her adult life in Rumson, New Jersey where along with her husband, George Fuhrman Nettles, they raised four children. Jacquie was predeceased by her husband and one daughter, Patricia Damon Nettles.

Jacquie served on a number of Non-Profit boards including the Rumson Garden Club and Rumson Country Day School. For over 30 years she worked in local Real Estate and received numerous awards for her sales in real estate.

Jacquie’s compassion, kindness and humor endeared her to many. She constantly gave of herself, putting many before her own needs. As a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she will be dearly missed.

Arthur V. Murphy, Jr., 87, of Shrewsbury, passed away on January 19, 2019.  Arthur was born to Arthur V. Murphy, Sr. and Dorothy Evans Murphy in Jersey City, NJ.   He was raised in Jersey where he attended Lincoln High School before being drafted into the US Army and serving in the Korean War.  He is a member of the American Legion.  He was a life-long resident of Red Bank prior to moving to Shrewsbury.

Arthur was an Elevator Mechanic for Otis Elevator in New York City for over 40 years and was also a member of Elevator Union Local #1 in NYC.   After retirement he was an elevator consultant.

Melvin Gail Linnell, 67, of Lincroft, NJ, formerly of Rumson, died January 16, 2019, at  Hackensack University Medical Center, of complications from a stem cell transplant. He died peacefully, with his family by his side.

Gail, as he was a known, was born on June 15, 1951, in Conrad, Montana, to Melvin Howard and Lillian Marguerite (Chase). He graduated from Sunburst High School, and received a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D in Mathematics and Statistics from Montana State University - Bozeman. He taught at Florida State University (where he met his wife) while doing his doctoral work.

Gail married the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” (Velasco), on September 15, 1976, and they spent 43 happy years together, raising their three children in Monmouth County, NJ. He was a valued member of the Middletown and Rumson, NJ, communities.

Rosemary “Midge” Gaynor 62 of Atlantic Highlands passed away on Tuesday January 15th, 2019. Midge was a long time resident of Rumson before moving to Atlantic Highlands. She was a graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven high school. Midge started her working career at the Daily Register newspaper company, before leaving to raise her two boys. After the birth of her daughter Midge worked at the A&P in Little Silver for many years. She was also a crossing guard in Rumson for the past 15 years.

Midge was predeceased by her parents James and Rosemary Gallagher, her sister and brother-in law Eugene and Beverly O’Rourke, her husband William H Gaynor III, and her son Michael Gaynor(pictured). She is survived by her sister Barbara Bogart Red Bank, her son and daughter in law William H and Amanda Gaynor IV of Highlands. Her daughter and son in law Erin and Martin Hawley of Atlantic Highlands, her grandson Michael Gaynor Jr of Eatontown, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no services per Midge’s request, in lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to St. Jude’s.  Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank was entrusted with her care.

On January 15, 2019, Luz "Lucy" Ramos, mother of 4 and grandmother of 11, who had a passion for sewing, passed away at the age of 70.  Lucy was born and raised in Camuy, Puerto Rico before moving to Red Bank, NJ where she met her late husband, Freddy.

Lucy is predeceased by her parents Francisco Rivera and Primitiva Rivera Perez, husband Wilfredo Ramos Rosado and daughter Abigail Ramos.  She is survived by her brothers, Rafael and his wife Elizabeth of Toms River, Nelson and his wife Julia of Union Beach, Francisco and his wife Neomi of Florida, her sisters, Maria Soler of Keansburg, Carmen Rivera of Red Bank and Emma Rodriquez and her husband Ervin of California and Nidia and husband Carlos Rivera of Puerto Rico.  Her four boys, Freddy of Union Beach, Nelson and his wife Alicha of Keansburg; Josh and his wife Ryan of Keyport; Caleb of Brick and 11 grandchildren and also a host of nieces and nephews.

Frank Keith Harwood died peacefully at his home in Middletown, NJ on Sunday evening January 13^th.  He lived a full and joyous life with family, wife Barbara of 69 years, and homestead of 63 years.  He was born in Long Branch on July 18^th, 1924 and grew up in Keyport.  He worked for Western Electric in telecommunications installation for 40 years.  He enjoyed music, the outdoors, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.  As a real motor enthusiast (aka the Blue Buick, supply your own emoticon), he visited and traveled extensively throughout the US.  He is survived by his wife, three children, eight grandchildren, and twenty-three great-grandchildren.