Obituaries

Rose Marie Accardi, née Crupi, of Little Silver, N.J. passed away peacefully at home on January 31st, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 86 years old.

Rose Marie Crupi was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on January 11th, 1940 to Dominic and Isabella Crupi after their emigration from Calabria, Italy with their three sons. She grew up in Red Bank, N.J., where she met her future husband Joseph Accardi as children through her older brother, Mario.

Before she was married, Rose attended Newark State College where she received her Bachelor's degree in education. “Mrs. Accardi” was a dedicated teacher of elementary school and later the after school program, working in schools for almost 60 years.

Dr. Daniel Morgan Ford, a scholar, dedicated community singer, and beloved wordsmith, passed away on January 9, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was 83.

A man of sharp intellect and lifelong curiosity, Daniel graduated from Borah High School (Boise, ID) before earning his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR) where he met his wife of 60 years, Anne Louise Dilworth Ford, followed by his PhD from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). He concluded a distinguished career as a Senior Clinical Research Manager at Daiichi Sankyo, where his work contributed to the vital advancement of medical research.

James Luke Hinckley, 86, passed away on January 27, 2026.   A lifelong resident of NJ, he was born in Jersey City, married and started a family in Hasbrouck Heights, and lived in Middletown and Lincroft for the past 50 years.  He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Elaine (nee Espinosa) Hinckley, son Andrew Hinckley and daughter-in-law Kimberly Graziano of Chalfont, PA, and daughter Elizabeth Hinckley, as well as many loving family members and friends.  

Jim was a kind, loving, and supremely friendly man who loved being around people. He was a graduate of Rutgers University and worked in business, as a banker, and later as an executive recruiter until retiring two years ago.  He believed in service to others, and throughout his life was continuously involved in numerous civic and service organizations.  The first of these was as a member of The Order of Demolay in his youth (receiving their highest honor as a Chevelier), through which he made lifelong friends.  Through Demolay’s association with The Order of Rainbow For Girls and a little bit of group matchmaking, he met and married Elaine, and became a devoted father to Andrew and Elizabeth.  

Joseph Edward Sraeel, Jr., 87, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026.

Born in Asbury Park, NJ, on October 14, 1938, Joe was a lifelong resident of the Jersey shore, happily residing in Fair Haven, Middletown, Manasquan and, finally, Red Bank. Joseph attended Mt. Carmel elementary school in Asbury Park, St. Rose high school in Belmar where he was class president, and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (He was the first in his immigrant Lebanese family to attend university.)

With deep sadness we announce the death of Robert Congell on January 17th, 2026 at the age of 78.

Bob was born in Hazelton, Pennsylvania on November 5th, 1947 and moved with his family to Atlantic Highlands, NJ when he was 6 months old. 

He attended St. Agnes Grammar School and Henry Hudson Regional High School both in Atlantic Highlands NJ. Bob proudly served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1971 on the USS Independence out of Norfolk, VA, and was stationed in the Persian Gulf. Always the rebel Bob chose the Navy even though his father, mother, and brother were all Army Veterans. 

Maureen G. Enander (best mom ever!), 93, of Little Silver, NJ, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, January 2, 2026. Born and raised in Plainfield, NJ, she was the daughter of Homer and Mae Gilbert, big sister to Wally and her cousin Lorraine, and little sister to her cousin Bud. She was a graduate of Holy Trinity High School in Plainfield and the Katharine Gibbs School. She was a resident of Little Silver since 1961.  

Maureen devoted her early years in Little Silver to raising her young family. Once her children were in college and high school, she worked in the principal's office at Markham Place Elementary School before spending 20+ years as a social studies/history department aide at Red Bank Regional High School. She was a familiar face as a volunteer at the Our Lady Star of the Sea food pantry/clothing room in Long Branch for many years. Maureen cherished summers at the beach, her deep Catholic faith, trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, reading, and above all else, time spent with family. Annual family gatherings on Long Beach Island allowed her to enjoy all of these passions (except Vegas) at the same time. These trips were the highlight of the year for her and everyone there. Planning and excitement for next year’s trip always started before the current one was over.

Jennifer Beardsley peacefully passed away on January 11, 2026, in Red Bank, New Jersey, surrounded by her four children. 

Jennifer will always be remembered for her kindness, beautiful smile, deep love of family, faith in God, and the way she faced life without complaint, always grateful for its beauty. It was rare for Jennifer to be without a smile, and she had a contagious laugh. Once she started laughing, everyone around her would be laughing, crying, and unable to stop. When her husband, Jimmy, tried to get her to settle down, it only made her laugh more.

Mary Helen Mutch Todt, daughter of Helen Lois (Brevoort) and William Warren Mutch, was born in Red Bank, NJ at Riverview Hospital when it was a house with 32 beds on the Navesink River.  Beloved wife of William E. Todt, she filled their lives with joy, optimism, enthusiasm, energy and love.  She passed away on January 13, 2026. 

Teaching English and French 31 years at Red Bank High and Red Bank Regional Schools followed Mary’s positions in Oakland, CA, at the American Air Force base in Chaumont, France, and Punahou School, Honolulu.  She was nominated NJ Teacher of the Year 1978.

The daughter of a college physics professor, Mary grew up in five different college towns from Fargo, ND, to Crawfordsville, IN, graduating from CHS.  She returned “home” eagerly for 74 years to a family cottage between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake, on the grounds of the Congregational Summer Assembly, Pilgrim, MI.  Mary’s participation in many CSA activities engendered a lifelong love for swimming, theater, choral music, the great outdoors. She was active in creating the CSA Education Fund and supported regional conservancy programs.

Ronald Vilardi Sr., 85, of Rumson, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026. He was born to the late Johanna Rich and John Vilardi. He was predeceased by his parents, his stepfather, Frank Rich, and his brother, John W. Vilardi.

Ron enjoyed a long and dedicated career, working for many years at the Lipton Tea Company before continuing his professional life at GFI Finance in New York City.

A proud Life Member of the Oceanic Hook & Ladder Fire Company of Rumson, Ron served as President and cherished the camaraderie, friendships, and sense of service that came with being part of the organization.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Joan (Casey) Vilardi, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and devotion. Ron was a devoted father to his three children: Michael Vilardi of North Carolina, Ronald Vilardi Jr. and his wife, Laurette, of Little Silver and Beth Vilardi of North Carolina.