Obituaries

Diane Wolejsza, of Lincroft, New Jersey, passed away peacefully the morning of Friday, November 24th, after living 60 amazing years.

Diane was born on May 22nd, 1963, to Walter and Ann Wolejsza, who dedicated their entire lives to Diane.

Though being born with Down Syndrome, Diane was a social butterfly - taking after her father, she had a heart of gold - taking after her mother and she had a great sense of humor, cracking jokes and being sneaky whenever she could. Diane was a graduate from Middletown South High School and continued to be active in the community after. Diane participated in many different day programs highlighting The Dorbrook Recreation Program and The Arc of Monmouth. Diane absolutely loved going to her programs to do aerobics, art projects, socialize with others and “have fun”.

Patrick Joseph Dufficy, 92 years old, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023. His loving wife Norah passed away in 2021, married for 58 years. Norah was the love of his life, and they are now reunited together dancing with all smiles. Pat is survived by his son James, Daughter-in-law Suzanne, three grandchildren Jack, Finnbar, and Shea, and his brother & best-friend Tom. He was predeceased by his parents John and Jane, his brothers Michael, Oliver, Jack and sisters Kathleen, May, Martha, Francis, & Eileen. Pat was one of 10 and always told everyone he was his mother’s favorite, but all of them felt the same way.

Edward “Ed” V. Callow, Jr. age 68, of Red Bank, NJ passed away on November 7, 2023. Ed was born in Perth Amboy General Hospital on 11/2/1955, the son of Edward V. Callow Sr. and Dorothy Sroka Callow Verducci. He resided in Port Reading NJ for ten years, relocated to Perth Amboy NJ and later settled in Red Bank NJ where he resided for the last 24 years.

Roger Severin, 91, died at Sunrise of Shrewsbury on November 19th. He grew up in Red Bank and graduated from Red Bank High School in 1950, where he played on the football and basketball teams. He enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War and served in Kodiak, Alaska, as a weatherman. He attended Monmouth College.

In 1955 he married the love of his life, Lorraine French. They raised their daughters in Red Bank and were together until her death in 1994.

Roger was a member of the Reformed Church of Tinton Falls, and served as an Elder and a Deacon. He was a member of the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club, where he served as treasurer, and the Wayside Skeet Club. He was a volunteer delivering Meals on Wheels until he was 90. He also volunteered at Holiday Express.

Mary Ziegler Hill entered into eternal rest on Thursday November 17, 2023. She was born in Long Branch to Katherine Strasburger Ziegler and Samuel Ziegler in 1946 and was raised in Oakhurst and Interlaken. She graduated from Asbury Park High School in 1964 and Coe College Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1968 with a Bachelor’s degree in education. She began her career of an elementary school teacher that year in September and taught 40 years in the Long Branch school system at Broadway, Gregory, Conrow and Elberon schools. Teaching was an advocation to Mary and she enjoyed the challenges of 1^st, 2^nd and 5^th grades.

John Louis Cavagnaro, 83, passed away on Friday, November 10, 2023 surrounded by his daughters and loving wife of 58 years.  He was born April 5, 1940 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Jean (Zmijewski) and Jack Cavagnaro.  He graduated from John Jay High School and attended Long Island University.  He was a member of the New York Stock Exchange for 44 years.

John was a man with simple needs - a good book, a baseball game, or a day with his grandchildren, whom he loved beyond words, was all he needed to be happy.

Sandra Elaine (Smith) Burdge, 87, left us on Thursday, November 9, 2023. She was born in Long Branch, New Jersey and resided in Little Silver for 77 years. Sandy graduated Red Bank High School in 1954, married her husband, Ed in October, 1955 and raised their four children in Little Silver. Sandy joined the Little Silver First Aid Squad in 1972, part of the first group of women to join. She served as a Line Officer for many years. Sandy was the Captain of the Squad in 1978, 1992 and 1993. She was also a member of the Little Silver Ladies Auxiliary having joined in 1971, President in 1990, 1991, as well as Vice President and Treasurer. She was an active member of the Tri-Counties Chapters of SPAAMFAA, holding positions of Secretary-Treasurer. She was a member of the NJ Fire Museum & Fallen Firefighters Memorial and served on the Board of Directors for many years, spending much of her free time volunteering for them.