Obituaries

Sean Townshend Black, 32, of West Long Branch, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from Cardio-Renal Syndrome, a complication of his End-Stage Renal Disease, after an 18-year struggle with Type 1 Diabetes, depression and drug addiction.

Despite his ongoing health battles, he was consistent with his love for the things about which he was passionate. He was a tall, magnificent hugger who loved all things historic, reading, debating politics, animals, mini golf, the beach, his nieces and nephews, and having fun with his entire extended family, particularly during our annual trips to LBI. Sean was a brave person who cared deeply about human rights, passionately defended his principles, and stood up for people in need.

Elaine Inman Pope passed away peacefully on April 18, 2024, in Red Bank, NJ. She was 97 years old. Elaine was born on Palm Sunday, April 10, 1927, in Barnegat, NJ, the only child of George A. and Olive Cranmer Inman. A life-long resident of New Jersey, she lived in Elberon, Ventnor (a suburb of Atlantic City), Red Bank, Fair Haven, and Little Silver.

A 1945 graduate of Red Bank High School, Elaine graduated Berkeley Secretarial School in New York City, eventually working in the Employee Relations Department for Esso in New York, commuting by train from Fair Haven. She met her future husband, Henry A. Pope, Jr., on this commute. They married in February 1952, and honeymooned in Bermuda – flying there and returning via ship on the Queen of Bermuda. This spawned a life-long love of travel, especially by sea.

The world lost one of its most dedicated laughers with the passing of Douglas Arthur Yorke, Jr on April 11th. He died peacefully surrounded by his beloved family while in the outstanding care of the trauma team at Jersey Shore Medical Center.

Doug was born to Joanne and Doug Yorke on August 20, 1951 and grew up in Rumson, where he would later raise his three children. His childhood days were spent boating, skiing, and scheming with his many friends, establishing a passion for athletics and hijinks that would endure his whole life.

Jan A. Norton, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away on April 9th 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Warsaw, Poland shortly before World War II. His family survived the war, and after a decade of being separated, were reunited by his father in Canada. 

 "...and off I go!!" 

Donald Barnes, age 81, of Tinton Falls, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Riverview Medical Center. Raised in Maplewood, he lived in Oceanport prior to moving to Tinton Falls four years ago. Donald was a Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Army during the war. He was a Pension Actuary who last served as Vice President of the Pension Boards at United Church of Christ. Donald was also an active member of The Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury. He volunteered for the Jaycees and Habitat Restore.

Frances Pascale Sykes, Mother, Wife, Founder and CEO of The Pascale Sykes Foundation, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones.

Fran was born in Newport News, Virginia, and graduated from Rumson Fair Haven High School in 1958. She resided in Newport News, Virginia, Merion, PA, Newport, Rhode Island, Pittsburgh, PA.; Center Harbor, NH (summer). She finally settled in Rumson, NJ and spent her summers in Oquossoc, Maine.

The Almighty Lord gently raised Sharon into His loving arms on March 28. He knew that she had bravely struggled through the pain for so, so long and He had some work for her to do. There were some people in Heaven that needed cheering up. The Lord knew that Sharon could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and make them feel good about themselves immediately.

Helen G. Hazlett (known to her friends and family as ‘Stetsie’) of Little Silver, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

Stetsie was born on March 3, 1925, in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Josephine Ely and Benjamin W. Greer.  She excelled in academics and sports at the prestigious Ogontz School for Young Ladies in Elkins Park, PA.

Always adventurous and defying convention, Stetsie took flying lessons as a young woman, a rarity at the time. Much to her mother's displeasure (perhaps concern!), she would fly over the family home in Meadowbrook, tipping her wings as she flew over.

On June 19, 1948, Stetsie married the love of her life, James (Jimmy) V. Hazlett, II. Jimmy's work for The Dupont Company led them on 17 moves throughout their marriage. They had one son, James V. Hazlett, III (known as ‘Sandy’), who sadly predeceased Stetsie on December 15, 2023. His passing was a great source of grief for her.

Florence Walton Pye Apy peacefully passed away on Thursday evening March 28^th in hospice at Riverview Medical Center, surrounded by her family.  

Flo was born on May 5, 1931 in Spring Lake, New Jersey to Reginald C. and Florence Walton Pye, and remained a life-long resident of New Jersey. Her early childhood was spent in Glen Rock and Ridgewood, until at 13 her family moved to Red Bank.

She met her future husband, Chester Apy in the 8^th grade at Miss Mozar’s Dancing Class. Flo graduated from Red Bank High School and was a distinguished 1953 graduate of Sweet Briar College in Virginia. She married Chester Apy in 1954 a week before his graduation from Princeton University, and the couple moved to New York City. While her husband attended Columbia University Law School, Flo began six years of work at the College Entrance Examination Board, sparking a lifelong passion for education. After her husband graduated, they moved to Red Bank and then in 1960 to Little Silver where they raised their three sons, David, Donald and Dean.

Elizabeth Galvin Bender passed away on March 24, 2024. She was born in Jersey City, NJ, and resided in the Cherry Hill, NJ area for more than 50 years. She was born on January 8, 1940 in Jersey City to the late Cyril Jerome and Veronica Teresa (nee Lawlor) Galvin. Elizabeth graduated from St. Michael’s High School, Jersey City, in 1957, received a BA from MIsericordia College in Pennsylvania in 1961, a Masters in Education and a Bachelors in the Science of Nursing from Rutgers University.

She also took courses at the Sorbonne, University Paris. Leaving college, she taught at St. Catherine’s School in Spring Lake, NJ, and in College Park, MD. In 1963, she hopped a 17 hour propeller plane flight toEurope to become a primary school teacher for children of US military families stationed in Germany and in England. When she returned to the US, she taught French and English at Burlington Township High School until her retirement. She also had a second career as a registered nurse.