Obituaries

With full hearts and deep sadness, we announce the passing of Michael James Burns, age 78—a devoted husband, loving father, proud “Pop Pop,” and loyal friend. Michael passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by the family he so deeply cherished.

The eldest of nine children born to Joan P. and James D. Burns, Michael was born on February 19th, 1947, in Bronx, NY. He was raised on Staten Island, NY, and there he met his lifelong love, Marianne (née Murray). After graduating from New Dorp High School in 1965, Michael entered Officer Candidate School (OCS) for the U.S. Army. After graduating OCS, Michael and Marianne were married, and were stationed in Butzbach, Germany where they welcomed their first child, Heather. Upon their return to the US, they resided on Staten Island, NY and Jackson, NJ, and soon welcomed Irish twin sons, Danny and Christian. Michael continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserves while stationed as the commanding officer at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook, NJ and there began a lifelong connection to “The Hook.” A new job led Michael and Marianne to Crystal Lake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, where they welcomed their third son Colin. Michael and Marianne spent a decade in Crystal Lake and made countless friends, notably, his long-time best friend, Jim Ritterbusch. In 1983, Michael’s job brought the family back to the east coast, and settled in Fair Haven, NJ for the remainder of his days.

Affectionately known as “DooDoo” to his adoring grandchildren, John Anthony Bermingham passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2025, just weeks after celebrating his 61st birthday.

Born and raised in Rathfarnham, Ireland. John brought his boundless charm, wit, and warmth to the United States. Where he met the love of his life and best friend of 39 years, Tara. Together, they built a beautiful family and a life full of laughter, love, and unforgettable memories.

John was the devoted son of his late parents Nora and Donal Bermingham and a beloved brother to Mary, Declan, Anne, Edel, and his late brother Donal. He was the proud and loving father of Erin and Garrett Yaeger, Shane and Katherine Bermingham, Daniel and Martha Bermingham. Cherished grandfather of Maeve, Leo, Kieran, Hugh Bear, Matilda, and Harper. He will be missed by his in-laws, nephews, nieces and friends here and abroad.

Marie Roche Quigley, 91, passed away peacefully at home in Fair Haven on Sunday, June 8th.

Marie was born in Queens, New York on April 7, 1934 to Thomas and Clare Roche (Conerty). Her father was a lawyer and her mother a schoolteacher. Marie married Richard F. Quigley, Jr. in 1958 and together they welcomed six children:

Kevin, Patricia, Brian, Kieran, Brendan and Terence. The marriage ended in divorce and Marie went back to school and became a Registered Nurse. She raised her family in Lindenhurst, on Long Island, and worked for many years at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore.

Thomas William Wuensch, Sr., 73, of Middletown, NJ, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025. Tom was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on July 26, 1951, to his parents, Joseph and Marion Wuensch. He is survived by his wife, Melanie Paggioli; his son, Thomas Jr., and his wife, Jacqueline; his daughter, Jessica Strange and her husband, Casey; his sister, Patricia, his step-son, Sean McSwegan, and his six grandchildren, Sofia, Thomas III, Ian, Stellina, Benjamin, and Colette. Tom was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Carolyn Pylilo and Joseph P. Wuensch Sr.

Virginia “Ginnie” Goff Frohnert passed away on May 31, 2025, in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.  She was born Estelle Virginia Goff on February 25, 1924, in Elgin, Illinois, the youngest daughter of Dean S. Goff and Maria Estanislao Hernandez. She married George P. Frohnert in South Gate, California on January 2, 1946. 

Ginnie was preceded in death by her husband George Frohnert, her parents and her six siblings: Margaret “Lillian” Collins (Winn), Carlos Dean Goff, Beatriz “Geri” Anton (Steve), Consuelo “Connie” Meyer (Paul), Dorotea “Dora” Vance (Arden), and Frederico “Freddie” Goff (Janelle).  She is survived by one daughter, Kathryn Cummings (Mark) and two granddaughters, Laurel and Nicole Cummings. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as her very dear friend Kathy Maher.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Walter K. Maurer. Walter passed peacefully on May 31, 2025 with his loving family by his side. Walter was born on May 3, 1949 in Red Bank, a town he called home for many years until he eventually settled in Shrewsbury where he raised his family for 40 years. More recently, he was a resident of Tinton Falls where he resided for the past six years.

Gerald F. Murphy, 80, known as Jerry, and “Murf” to some, passed away on May 22, 2025, in Naples, Florida. Originally from Middletown, New Jersey, Jerry spent the majority of his life in the Two-River area before moving to Naples in 2009 with his beloved wife, Marie, who predeceased him in 2012.

Jerry was proud to be part of the first graduating class of Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) in Lincroft, NJ, in 1963. He started his working life as a bank teller and went on to have a successful career in commercial banking beginning with the Keansburg Middletown National Bank. He participated in the opening of the Shrewsbury State Bank serving as Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. He went on to serve as the Senior Vice President of the V.S. Hovnanian Group and President of Hovnanian Realty.  Jerry was an organizing founder of Tinton Falls State Bank, having served as Chairman and Director prior to its sale to Commerce Bank. He also served as Vice Chairman and Director of Commerce Bank Shore until its merger with TD Bank.

Jean Louise McConnell Kelly, 98, passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2025.  She was born on May 5, 1927, in New Castle, PA. As an adventurous young woman, she left New Castle following her high school graduation for the University of Minnesota to train as an engineering aide in support of World War II. Following VE Day, she moved to NJ where she was employed at Fort Monmouth. Soon after moving, she met a young veteran and the love of her life, William J. “Bill” Kelly, who had recently returned from active duty in Europe. Jean and Bill were married on August 2, 1947.

Robert (Bob) Aufderhar of Fair Haven, NJ, died suddenly on May 19, 2025 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ, after a short illness. 

Bob was born in Orange, NJ on Easter Sunday in 1931. He grew up in South Orange and Maplewood and attended local schools, graduating from Columbia High School, before joining the United States Air Force where he spent four years. 

With heavy hearts we announce that our precious 23 year old daughter Eliza Judd passed away on April 21st in Livingston NJ. A longtime resident of Rumson NJ, she is survived by her parents Amy & Michael, brother William and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is predeceased by her loving grandparents, Tom & Dit Eadon and Michael & Ann Judd.

Eliza will be remembered as the young lady whose smile could light up a room. She was sweet, funny, and at times could be a little sassy! Despite the many challenges she faced in life, she was always happy and brought much joy to those around her. Her biggest loves were water and music.  Eliza LOVED any kind of water, though her favorite was going in the pool - especially with her Dad. From the moment her feet hit the water the joy she conveyed was immeasurable! Will would always add an additional element of fun to the equation. Eliza also loved to “dance” to almost any music and had one of the widest tastes in music - from popular music like Adele & Taylor Swift to heavy metal & cajun, she was always tapping her feet and sometimes even “singing” along.