Obituaries

Jerry Schulte, a beloved husband, father and grandfather and a state championship-winning football coach at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, died on March 2 at his Ocean Township home. He was 72.

Schulte is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patrice; his children, Jeremy and wife Alyssa, and Ashley Corcione and her husband, Anthony; grandchildren Anthony, Jack, Nicholas and Owen; his brother, John Schulte, and wife Debbie; brothers-in-law John LeBaron and wife, Nancy, and Bill LeBaron and wife, Jan, and many nieces and nephews, whom he adored.

Schulte was predeceased by his mother, Betty Jane, and father, John Schulte, and his brother Jeff.

A true gentleman who enjoyed the challenges and rewards of coaching high school athletes, Schulte will be missed by those who knew him well and loved him. All who know him, can imagine him enjoying his days with scotch and a cigar while in his sunglasses. He brought such joy to anyone would have the pleasure of his company.

Vincent P. DeLisa, age 61, of Fair Haven, lost his fight with mental illness on February 27^th, 2024. Vinny had a larger-than-life personality, which injected energy into any room he entered. He was grounded in faith and full of life. Vin loved classic rock-n-roll, gardening and sending humorous texts. He had a fierce love and loyalty to both his family and friends. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Vin will never forget him. He will be greatly missed.

Olive Tonneman passed away peacefully on February 25, 2024, after a long and happy life. Olive was preceded in death by her loving husband, Roger, 34 years ago.

Olive was born in Elizabeth, N.J. She was raised in an extended family environment in Linden, daughter of Albert and Olive Winans Handy, and she loved her childhood experiences. She had one sister, Edna, who was her best friend and confidant throughout her life. The two were so close in age they went through grade school in the same class, and were mistaken for twins. Sadly, Edna passed away in 2022.

Janet Caroline Kelly, age 84, of Shrewsbury, NJ peacefully passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease. She was surrounded by her loving daughters. Janet was born in Ohio and lived in Kentucky, Minnesota and Michigan before settling down in New Jersey.

Janet’s career as an administrative assistant led her to work with Pillsbury, Elicon, Hess Oil, and the Visiting Nurse Association of NJ.

Kathleen DiCesare, age 85, of Lanoka Harbor, NJ passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024 with her two daughters by her side. She was born to Helen and Thomas McLean on January 30, 1939. Her father died when Kathleen was just four years old. She was raised by her grandmother (Mary), mother (Helen), step-father (Charles Caruso), and siblings (Mary, Margret, James, and Frances) in Bayonne, NJ all of whom have predeceased her. She has a surviving half sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Caruso (Ridgefield, Connecticut). Kathleen graduated from Bayonne High School and then began working as an executive secretary for the Port Authority in New York. She was employed there until 1969 when she began “the most important and greatest job of my life”, mother to her three children. Kathleen returned to work in 1987 at Community Medical Center, Toms River NJ as an Emergency Room Registrar. She would work there until her retirement. Kathleen was affectionately known as the “Cookie Lady” for always baking and bringing in her delicious homemade cookies for the overnight staff.

Marie Ottesen passed away on January 25^th after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born in 1935 in Brooklyn. Daughter of Santo Gabriele and Clara Gabriele (nee Rizutti).   Beloved sister of Fred Gabriele, Trudy Chimento, and Carl Gabriele. She is survived by loving sons Ken and Chris Ottesen, daughter-in-law Liza Ottesen, and grandchildren Christopher and Julie.

Marie was raised in Brooklyn, where she met her husband, Lloyd. They married in 1959. Soon after that, they moved to the “country,” also known as New Jersey, where they would raise a family.

Frank A. Vaccaro passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Rumson, New Jersey on February 14, 2024. He was 91 years old.

Born in Staten Island, New York, he graduated from Curtis High school in 1950 and then attended New York Polytechnic Institute where he studied civil engineering. He went on to proudly serve his country in the US Army in South Korea during the Korean War where he used his engineering and construction skills to build homes, roads and other infrastructure projects to assist in their rebuilding effort.

Juanita Sagan (Juanita Louise Sagehorn Bradshaw Sagan) was born March 28, 1918 and died February 12, 2024 at her home in Seabrook Senior Living in Tinton Falls, NJ. She was one month shy of being 106 years old.

A native of California (her family arriving with the Gold Rush) she came to New Jersey at the age of 89.  Juanita grew up in the mountains and valleys of Willits in Northern California. Her father was a rancher. She would shepherd the sheep with an apple and a few walnuts in her pocket for lunch.

Juanita became a teacher and received 2 Masters and a Doctorate. She founded the Institute for Creative and Artistic Development in the 60's and offered weekly classes in writing, art, teacher training and integration. She also held a summer school for children. Juanita operated ICAD for almost 40 years as a Marriage, Family and Child Therapist.

Rita Elaine Gallina Cavallaro (formerly Peduto) passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on February 7, 2024. Born to Emil “Chick” and Rita Gallina, she was the eldest of four siblings, raised in Cliffside Park and later in Fair Lawn, NJ. After graduating from St. Luke’s High School in 1963, Rita went on to receive her RN from Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing in 1966. There, her close friendship with Angela (Peduto) Freeman led her to her future husband, Damien Peduto. Damien and Rita settled in Long Branch where they raised their three children: Eric, Michael-Damien, and Stephanie Peduto.

As a nurse and a diabetes educator, Rita continued her education earning both a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing and a Master’s Degree in gerontology, after which she became a nursing home administrator and went on to develop her own business as a consultant and advisor to nursing homes throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. It was during this phase of her life that she met her current husband, Anthony Cavallaro. They relocated to Bonita Springs, FL where they spent many sunny years before returning to NJ.

James Warren Smith, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died in his sleep on February 9, 2024. He was 88 years old.

Mr. Smith was born in Newark, Ohio to Helen Claire Loomis and Warren Edwin Smith, who predeceased him.

His formative years were spent in Baltimore, rooting for the Orioles and Colts, savoring a crab feast, and suffering endless meals of pork chops & peaches. He played lacrosse and basketball in high school and excelled at his academics. Baltimore is where he chatted up the cute girl who was to be his wife, June Carol Weber, the love of his life. He attended college at Johns Hopkins University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Doctorate in Electrical Engineering.

In 1963, he took a position at Bell Labs, in Holmdel, New Jersey, and worked there until 1996. He earned several patents for his technological innovations in telecommunications. In his new hometown of Middletown, he became an active community member, sitting on the planning board. Advocating for civil rights.