Obituaries

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.

Mary Anne Edwards passed away peacefully on February 6, 2024, at the age of 92 surrounded by her family. She was born in Baldwin, NY.

Mary Anne was married to her husband Ted for 60 years until his passing in 2011. They lived in Lindenhurst, NY for 43 years before moving to Ocean Pines, MD in 1998. She moved to Middletown, NJ in 2017 to be near her family.

Mary Anne was predeceased by her husband, Edward “Ted” Edwards, her parents Margaret Keirnan and John Keirnan, her brother, John Kiernan, and sister-in-law Silvana Kiernan. 

Terrence “Deacon Terry” Daly passed away on February 6, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. As in life, he was surrounded by people that he loved when he died, including his beloved husband and partner of more than 30 years, Brian Henry.

Terry was born in Jersey City on October 14, 1958. He and his family were part of the migration away from the cities to the suburbs in the 1960s. The Dalys settled in West Keansburg and Terry’s parents, Jim and Dolly, worked to provide a happy environment, with five children in a three-bedroom, one bath house. They didn’t have a lot in the way of luxuries, yet none of them felt neglected or in want of anything. In 1973, the Dalys moved to Middletown and Terry attended Mater Dei High School where he established several lifelong friendships with people that he remained close to until he died.

Elizabeth Taylor, 95, daughter of the late Clinton and Elizabeth Howard, was born on November 21, 1928, in Long Branch, New Jersey. As a youth, Elizabeth resided on her family farm in Fair Haven, New Jersey, where she later married Raymond Taylor, Sr. also of Fair Haven.

Elizabeth Taylor, a cherished resident of Fair Haven, NJ, devoted over 40 years of her life to household service roles, leaving an enduring legacy of compassion and connection within her community. Her unwavering dedication touched the lives of countless families, forging deep bonds and friendships. It was during this time that she formed a profound connection with her dear friend, Sally Lou, both sharing the vibrant tapestry of life in Fair Haven. And let us not forget the time when Elizabeth and Sally Lou found themselves in Jamaica, where the famous actor Chevy Chase mistook her for the equally legendary Elizabeth Taylor, bringing a hearty laugh to everyone present.

Jean Montigros passed away peacefully at home in Red Bank on February 3, 2024 surrounded by her two daughters. She was born in Middlesex County and resided in Red Bank most of her life.

A graduate of Monmouth University, she was employed by the U.S. Government. Jean was a dedicated and gentle caregiver for her husband who was wheel-chair bound for several years. He was a World War II veteran who sustained injuries in the Pacific Theater in the Battle of Okinawa. She was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church in Red Bank. Jean served as secretary and Adjutant of DAVA Post # 29 for many years. She was a member of the Red Bank Senior Center and served as Secretary and President of it’s Advisory Board. She loved holidays with her family and enjoyed cooking for them. She was a world traveler and cruised frequently.