Obituaries

Bernard Patrick Murphy, a deeply committed husband, father, grandfather, and respected orthopedic surgeon, died peacefully at home on December 28, 2025, at the age of 83, surrounded by his family.

Born and raised in Belle Harbor, Queens, New York, Bernie lived a full life shaped by enduring friendships, a distinguished medical career, and a strong commitment to his family. The close-knit Belle Harbor community shaped him early, and the friendships he formed there endured throughout his life. Known for his loyalty, warmth, and generosity of spirit, Bernie remained closely engaged with friends and family wherever life took him.

Family was central to Bernie’s life. He found his greatest happiness in time spent with his five children and his sixteen grandchildren, following their lives with pride and enthusiasm. Whether at the beach, around the dinner table, or on the sidelines of games and events, he was most content when surrounded by family.

It is with a broken heart that we announce the sudden passing of Jonathan Charles Burden on December 1, 2025, at his home in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Jonathan was born on January 7, 1969, in Red Bank, NJ, to Mary Lou and Charles Burden. He graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1987 and earned his chiropractic degree from Life College in Marietta, Georgia, in 1997. Jonathan was previously employed by North East Sport and Spine and most recently worked as a first responder.

John T. Bruns, 89, formerly of Shrewsbury, passed away Friday, December 12, in Columbia, MD. Born in Elizabeth and raised in Colonial Terrace, Ocean Township, John lived in Shrewsbury for 55 years before briefly residing in Tinton Falls and Columbia, MD.

He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Dale Sohl Bruns, in 2003, and by his parents William and Frances Bruns. He is survived by his daughter, Tracey Geary, Columbia, MD, his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Sarah Bruns, Saline, MI, his grandsons Ryan Geary, Brooklyn, NY, and Kyle Geary, Columbia, MD. He is also survived by his companion of many years, Cleonice (Lee) Hausser, Somerset, and his son-in-law, Thomas Geary, West Long Branch.

It is with great sadness, we announce Carmela Garthwait (nee Gambacorto), 87, of Red Bank, NJ passed away on December 18, 2025 peacefully surrounded by family.

She was born in Long Branch, NJ on October 6, 1938 to the late Tina and James Gambacorto, Sr. Carmela was raised in Red Bank and graduated from Red Bank Catholic in 1956 before working for NJ Bell then becoming a renowned professional seamstress while devoting most of her time to her children.

Beverly Blanchet Reiss, 90, of Little Silver, passed away at home on December 19, 2025.

A devoted mother, Beverly was predeceased by her eldest son Theodore Kransz Reiss (d. 1972) and eldest daughter Ruth Margaret Reiss (d. 1997).  She is survived by her daughter Heidi M. Reiss, son Carl A. (Anne) Reiss and grandsons Carl and Jack Reiss.

Peregrina Mayans, a devoted mother, grandmother, and guiding light to her family, passed away peacefully at home in Little Silver on December 17 at the age of 101.

‘Abi’, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren and neighbors, was born in 1924 in the rural village of Vilardante, located outside the city of Noya, in Galicia, Spain. One of 7 children of Celestino Bermudez and Pilar Nimo, Abi eventually immigrated to Havana, Cuba where she married Miguel Roig, a fellow Spanish immigrant who had arrived decades earlier. The two had a son, whom they named Miguel after his father. Following the takeover of the island by the Castro regime, the family decided to leave Cuba. Sadly, and before leaving for the US, her husband passed away at the age of 59. Abi and her son first settled in the town of West New York in Hudson County with her new husband and fellow Spaniard, Francisco Mayans in 1970 and, following Francisco’s passing in 1981, mother and son moved to nearby Union City. Her son, Miguel, married Maryellen Reardon and two years after the birth of her grandson, Michael John, Abi joined the family when they moved to Rumson in 1991. Three years later, they welcomed the arrival of Elena Graham, her granddaughter.

Araxy “Roxy” Zohrabian entered into rest on December 2, 2025, at the age of 83.

She was the beloved wife of Vartan Zohrabian and devoted mother of Vivian and son-in-law Roman. She is also survived by her siblings Aram, Anush, Anjel, and Arousiak Hampartsumian, and many nieces and nephews.

Donna Lee Matthews Mazza, 81, of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025. Born on October 9, 1944, in Red Bank, NJ, Donna was a lifelong Monmouth County resident whose warmth, dedication, and love for family and friends defined her life.

Donna was raised in Red Bank and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1962. Following high school, she began her career as a secretary in the engineering offices at Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, NJ. She later devoted 27 years of service as the Principal’s Secretary at Markham Place School in Little Silver, NJ, where she was known for her reliability, kindness, and commitment to the school community. During this time, Donna also enjoyed being an Avon Lady, connecting with neighbors and friends in the community she loved.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Martha “Mert” Scarpello, 93, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 21, 2025. She was born on February 24, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey, to Anthony F. and Helen (Usafara) Forgione.

Martha is survived by her brother, Arcalo “Herky” (Nancy) Forgione of Manchester, New Jersey, and her sister, Gilda (Daniel) Barnard of Angola, Indiana. She is also survived by her best friend Maria Forgione. Martha, an aunt, great aunt and a great great aunt, is lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews across New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, and Florida—each of whom held a special place in her heart.