Obituaries

Dr. Hendrik “Hans” Jan Zweerink

Dr. Hendrik Jan Zweerink, 86, known to most as Hans and to the lucky few as “Opa,” passed away peacefully on April 13 at home under hospice care due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Hilversum, the Netherlands, Hans’ early life was shaped by the hardships of World War II and the German occupation of his country. After completing his education including college in Holland, he applied to Cornell University’s graduate food science program on a whim, and was accepted. That same year, he left Holland by boat, arriving in New York with a suitcase, a thick Dutch accent, and a tenacious spirit.

Charlotte A. Brodfuhrer

Charlotte A. Brodfuhrer of Little Silver, NJ, and most recently from Tinton Falls, NJ  moved on to Heaven April 9, 2025, through her faith and confession of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. 

Charlotte was born in East Norwalk, CT to Alfred L. and Willa C. Jackson in August, 1932. She grew up and attended schools in Norwalk where she was active in scouting and boating. After graduating from Norwalk High School, she completed her Nursing degree from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, NYC, in 1953. She practiced nursing in CT, NYC,  and Red Bank, NJ. 

Dr. Robert C. Conklin

Robert C. Conklin, age 73, passed away April 10, 2025 at home with his family after undergoing a year of treatment for cholangiocarcinoma.

Dr. Conklin was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Trenton, St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Rutgers Graduate School of Management.

Dr. Conklin practiced pathology and nuclear medicine before working in the reinsurance field. He was a vice president and medical director at CNA before becoming a medical director for Fasano Associates for 20 years.

Pauline Rouvalis Schlim

Pauline Rouvalis Schlim, 89, a loving and generous soul, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025 in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. She was born in Newport News, Virginia on May 8, 1935 to the late Efthemia and Alexander Rouvalis. Pauline spent most of her life in this city that she loved so much, and it was there that she raised her own family with her beloved husband, Albert William Schlim who predeceased her on March 2, 2007.

Pauline was a 1953 graduate of Newport News High School and attended the University of Richmond and the Smithdeal-Massey Business College. As a young secretary working at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, she met a handsome Army captain named Al Schlim. They wed in 1957 and together, they travelled the world, raised a family, and enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage and friendship.

Susan (Sue) Hartman

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Susan (Sue) Hartman on April 1, 2025.
 
Susan was an only child, born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. She cherished the memories of summers spent with her cousins at Diamond Lake and with her father’s family at Lake Michigan. A proud graduate of St. Joseph’s High School, Susan went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Indiana University. She made history as the first woman in her family to achieve a college degree. Susan’s passion for nursing began with her work in Labor and Delivery, later transitioning to school nursing after having children of her own.
After moving to New Jersey, Sue worked as a school nurse at Harbor School, where she formed lifelong friendships with five incredible women—Trish, Eileen, Suzanne, Susie, and Christine. The group began an annual girls’ trip tradition, starting with rustic camping but evolving into relaxing beach house stays, wine, and Twizzlers. The group established another tradition with a  “priceless” dolphin statue.  The dolphin was part of many of their adventures, traveling to Vegas, award dinners, gift auctions, and birthday parties as a symbol of their bond and important moments in each other’s lives with a touch of humor.
 

Jose Perez

Jose Perez of Red Bank, NJ passed away on April 1, 2025. He was an amazing man.  Anyone that knew Jose, absolutely loved him. He was a kind man who always had a smile on his face. He never spoke much but when he did you listened. The little GIANT of our family is an enormous loss for us all.

John Patrick Watts

John Patrick Watts, 65, of West Long Branch, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home under hospice care on Friday, March 28, 2025 after a long illness. 

John was born on July 13, 1959, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Thomas Cantwell Watts and Ann Marie Nowicky Watts. John moved to Bayonne, NJ, with his family when he was two years old. Upon graduation, John moved to Monmouth County where he met his wife, Mary Angela. They married on Saturday, June 24, 1989, and together they raised their four children in West Long Branch, NJ.

Corrine Bonomi

Corrine Bonomi, 87, passed away peacefully on March 26th at the King Manor Nursing Home in Neptune NJ after a long battle with Alzheimer disease. Corrine was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Marco. She is survived by her three children Adam Bonomi and wife Lou Ann, Anita Esser and husband John, Carl Bonomi and her seven grandchildren Stephen, Melissa, Emma, Vincent, Victor, Ashley and Holly.

Corrine was a long-time resident of Fair Haven where she raised her family on Spruce Drive for 54 years.  She was a Board member for the Fair Haven Community Appeal and a member of the Riverview Hospital Evening Auxiliary, where she spent many hours volunteering at the Hospital Gift Shop. Corrine was also a parishioner at the Church of the Nativity where she spearheaded the Christmas donation program and the Help a Family in Need Program, often chaperoning families overnight at the Rectory. Corrine retired as the office manager of the Seabright Beach Club in 2010, a position which brought her much pride and joy.

George Eugene “Red” Robinson

It is with a heavy heart; we announce the passing of George Eugene “Red” Robinson. He was a loving husband of 45 years and devoted father and cherished grandfather, who departed us on March 23rd, 2025, at the age of 68.

Red was born on August 10th,1956 in Bronx, NY, where he later moved with his family to Hazlet, NJ. He graduated Raritan High School in 1974, and furthered his education with studies at Brookdale Community College and Lincoln Tech. He then went on to work at General Motors in Linden for 15 years working on the assembly line. In 1987, he left GM and started a new career at the Oceanport Post Office as a letter carrier. He worked at the post office for 33 years, retiring in December of 2020. During his time in Oceanport, he was also an Auxiliary member of the Oceanport Hook and Ladder Fire Department as a volunteer.

Benjamin (Ben) Pickett Wilson

Benjamin (Ben) Pickett Wilson, 21, passed away suddenly on March 17, 2025 in Cancun, Mexico while on spring break with friends. Born in New York City on April 28, 2003, Ben was the son of Janet and James Wilson of Fair Haven, NJ.

Ben was raised in Fair Haven, NJ where he graduated from Rumson Country Day School and Rumson-Fair-Haven Regional High School. In 2021, Ben was admitted to the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, and later selected to participate in its Business Honors Program. He was also recognized as a Founders Scholar every semester. Ben’s exceptional academic performance and competitive drive landed him a coveted slot in the business school’s highly regarded Investment Banking Workshop. Following his junior year, Ben was a summer intern at Greenhill & Co. in New York City and was excited to begin working there as an analyst after graduation.

Howard "Les" L. Hathaway III

 Howard L. Hathaway III, better known as “Les”, age 78, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025 at his residence.  He was born in Long Branch, NJ and settled in Red Bank in 1993.
 
The joy of Les’ life was his beloved wife of 35 years, Judith Hathaway. Together, they traveled the world, hosted dinner parties, and spent countless hours with friends at the Monmouth Boat Club.  He was also a devoted and loving father to his son, Timothy Hathaway.
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Bruce S. Thompson, Owner & Manager, NJ LIC #3740

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