Obituaries

Edward G. DeFabio, previously of Short Hills and Sanibel Fla, died peacefully in his sleep while at home in Silver Beach, NJ on November 13, 2016. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio he was graduated from Case Western Reserve and served in World War II in the Air Force as navigator and bombardier. He owned Olympic Jr., a garment factory in Newark, NJ for 39 years and manufactured ladies sportswear. As an active member of the community he was a charter member of the Circus Saints and Sinners service club, a member of the Normandy Beach Yacht Club for over 40 years, serving on various committees, a parishioner of St Rose of Lima in Short Hills, Saint Isabel in Sanibel, FL and St. Pio in Lavallette.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Carmel, and three sons, Edward and Patricia of Rumson, Joel of Miami, Fla and Donald and Jill of Millington, NJ along with his nine grandchildren Erica Lipani, Monica Komery, Lauren Flanagan, Amanda Occhipinti, Philip, Diana, CJ, Claudia and Glenda DeFabio  and 2 great-grandchildren Angelina and Anthony Lipani. He was predeceased by his son George ten years ago.

Trevor John McConnell, Age 24, passed away at his home in Colorado on November 4, 2016.  Trevor was born to David and Janet (Sexton) McConnell in Ridgewood, NJ.  He grew up in Rumson, graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven High School in 2010, earned an AS degree from Brookdale Community College and was attending the University of Colorado where he found his true happiness.

Trevor is predeceased by his father David.  He is survived by his mother Janet McConnell and his sister Lauren Maxted and her husband Michael.  

Robert Emmet McDonnell III passed away peacefully on November 9th with family by his side.  Son of Robert E. McDonnell Jr. and Margaret Anderson McDonnell, Bob was born in New York City and grew up in Fair Haven, New Jersey.  He attended Red Bank Catholic High School and is a proud graduate of Villanova University.  Upon graduation from Villanova University in 1956, Bob enlisted in the Navy as an Officer.

Bob had a 35-year career on Wall Street.  When the family securities firm, McDonnell & Co. closed in 1970, Bob continued his career at Freeman Securities, R. W. Pressprich and Co. Inc., Oppenheimer & Co., and Dougherty & Co.  He retired from Wall Street in 1993, but continued to work, first in sales at Horizon Foods, then as a school bus driver.  He loved kids; especially driving them to weekend games.

Bob raised his family in Rumson and was actively involved in local clubs and activities.  He served five years on the Rumson Board of Education, including serving as its President.  In 1995, Bob married Gail O’Brien and they lived in Navesink.  He enjoyed landscaping, summer trips to Maine and passionately followed Villanova Basketball and Yankees Baseball.

Mark David Kentos, Age 46 of Howell, passed away suddenly on November 6, 2016, at his home.  Mark was born in Morristown to John and Mary Alice (Irwin) Kentos.  He attended Clemson University, where he played football.  He graduated from the University of Scranton.  He is a graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law.  Mark is a partner of the law firm of Schibell, Mennie & Kentos in Ocean and Howell Twp.   

Mark was a Coach for Howell Township AYF Football.  He enjoyed fishing, boating and snow skiing.  His greatest joy in life was the time he spent with his children and family.  He was a member of the Tower Hill Presbyterian Church in Red Bank.

Mark was predeceased by his father John.  He is survived by his mother Mary Alice Kentos; his children Matthew and Kaitlyn and their mother Kelly Valentine Kentos and his daughter Emma and her mother Erin Kelly Kentos; sisters Deborah Bradford and her husband Ross and their children Ryan, William and Katherine of Suwanee, GA, and Pamela Graham and her husband Julius and their children Aniyah and Solomon of Valencia, CA.

Trevor McConnell, Age 24, passed away in Boulder, CO.

Allison Taylor French, 84, died peacefully on Saturday, November 5th at Meridian Nursing & Rehabilitation in Shrewsbury, NJ, surrounded by his loving family.

Al was preceded in death by his son Allison “Ty” (1991) and his wife of 57 years Beverly Wunderley French (2011).

Al is survived by his sons Randall and his wife Carol of Eatontown, NJ, and Kendall and his wife Kathy of Gainsville, FL, and his daughter Lucinda and her husband Sean Murphy, and his grandchildren Taylor, Renny and Rorey all of East Hampton, NY.

Al was born in Orlando, FL, and later moved and grew up in West Palm Beach, FL, and attended Tulane University in New Orleans.

Helena ‘Louise Virgina’ Haupt (Pesano)
Age 96 – Shrewsbury

Helena has always reminded us that old age isn’t for the ‘faint of heart’ and it was her extraordinary strength, wisdom and determination that sustained her for these past 96 years.  On November 5, 2016, she was reunited with her husbands, children and friends that have gone before her.   May they continue their journey together and watch over those of us who are left behind.   

Through the many highs and lows of her life, Helena always remained confident that there was a plan for her and that God was her guiding star.  It was that deep sense of knowing and spirit that sustained her through many difficulties.  It was her love for the ocean that provided her with calm and anticipation of the end of season Jersey tomatoes that got her through some difficult moments.

Jose "Joey" Ambong Jr., 59, of Red Bank ,NJ passed away on October 28,2016. He was born in Bago City, Negros Occ. Philippines. He received his Bachelors Degree in Marine Engineering and has worked as a seaman around the world. He migrated to the United States with his family in 1993 and has worked at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank since 1994.

Joey loved fishing, crabbing, cooking and showed pure joy with time spent with his family and friends. He is well known by people around him as someone who brings laughter with every conversion.

He was predeceased by his parents. He has two brothers and three sisters in the Philippines and another two sisters in California. He is survived by his wife Vicki, and children Joey James, Jenny Rose and Jan Earl and his beloved dog Lola.

Daisy Argyris went home to be with the Lord on October 27, 2016.

Daisy was born in 1927, and raised in New York City, by her mother Marietta and father Konstantinos.  Daisy had one brother, Jerry Delaportas, and sister-in-law, Susan.

Daisy was predeceased by her beloved husband, Nicholas, to whom she was married for 60 years.  She is survived by her biggest joys, daughters Annette Thermos, Natalie Zenner, and son-in-law, Hal Zenner.  

Daisy and Nick lived in California for 12 years with loving family, and then moved back to the east coast. Her grandchildren and their spouses, Stacey and Yanni, Nicole and Dan, and Brandon and Mallory, and her precious great-grandchildren, Hannah, Sadie, and Yanni meant the world to her. Daisy had a large extended family including cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren from all over the world.

Donald B. Steel passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 25, 2016.

Born in Red Bank, Donald was a lifelong resident of Monmouth County. He was a graduate of Red Bank High School, Gettysburg College and Seton Hall Law School.

Donald was a member of the Monmouth County Bar Association and a former partner at the Reussille Law Firm. A loving father, grandfather, son, brother and friend, Donald was also an active member and past President of the Red Bank Rotary. He was a lifelong sports fan who played basketball in high school and college and an avid golfer who loved to spend his time on the greens.