Obituaries

Stephen J. Bulwin, of Barnegat, was born in Paterson, NJ and peacefully passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Barnegat Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Barnegat, after a brief illness.  He was 83 years old.  Mr. Bulwin was a graduate of Fair Lawn High School class of 1957.  He resided in Highlands, NJ from 1959 until 2008, Lincroft, NJ from 2008 until 2014, and then moved to Barnegat.

Mr Bulwin was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a communications mate from 1957 to 1963.  He served on the USS Dealey.

Mr. Bulwin was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America as a Dockbuilder in Local Union 1556 for 40 years.   

Joseph P. Meluso, age 90, of Red Bank, NJ peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Joseph was born in Brooklyn, NY and lived in Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY prior to moving to Red Bank, NJ.

Joseph served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was a Social Worker at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn upon his retirement. After he retired, he started his own painting company and painted the interior and exterior of many family and friends homes on Staten Island.

David James Dooling “Jim”, passed away on February 21, 2023 at the age of 81. Jim is predeceased by his parents, H. David Dooling and Elanor (Devine) Dooling.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carol (Day) who he shared a marriage with for 57 years with “never a cross word” as Jim would say. He is also survived by his daughter, Jessica, and took much pride and love in her. His love of family was evident throughout his life and he always took the time to attend family events.   Jim is survived by his brother, John Dooling and his wife Pamela of East Syracuse, NY, Betty Ann Stark of DeWitt, NY, and Katie Cusick of Syracuse, NY, a niece and 7 nephews, 15 great nieces and nephews, several cousins and may other dear family members and friends.

Anna Marie Bender of Red Bank, N.J. passed from this life peacefully surrounded by family on February 26, 2023.

Beginning from her birth in Pennsylvania until her death she nourished family and friends with love, faith, and joy.

Anne attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and was a member of Catholic Daughters. Later in life Anne’s love of music and dancing inspired her to learn to play the organ. In addition to her boundless love and optimism, she leaves us a legacy of her creative talents; quilts to wrap us in her warmth and oil paintings to add beauty to our days.

Gail Gertrude Gannon (Hilbert) of Monmouth Beach, passed away quietly on Friday February 24th, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, John Joseph Gannon Jr. Gail lived in Monmouth Beach in a home she and John built and raised their family of four. Gail is probably best known for her artist talents recreating many local vintage historical scenes on canvas. Inspired by friends and the teachings of Ida Libby Dengrove (an Emmy-winning courtroom illustrator for NBC-TV News), Gail began her oil paintings of borough scenes in the 1960s and continued up well into her last years.

Steven Alan Lang, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on February 25th, 2023, at the age of 69 after a courageous 6-month battle with cancer.

Steven grew up in Red Bank, where he attended and graduated from Red Bank High School in 1971. Steven pursued a career in plumbing and became a skilled master plumber, a career he excelled in for many years.

Anne Erma Bruno Marcelli of West Long Branch passed away peacefully on the morning of February 16th, 2023 at the age of 93. Anne was born into a large Italian family in Red Bank and grew up in Little Silver amongst an extensive circle of friends and relatives. She stayed in the area throughout her life except for the occasional move to Florida. She dedicated more than 40 years of her life to working for the U.S. government at Fort Monmouth, and she was devoted to her family and her faith.

Anne was beloved by everyone who knew her. Her warm and engaging personality, along with her animated and infectious style of telling a story made her impossible not to adore. She enjoyed her life – whether it was spending time with her family, cooking some Italian favorites, listening to her cherished Frank Sinatra, or just watching a movie on the Hallmark Channel, Anne always had a delighted smile on her face.

Joseph T. Gatti, of Monmouth Beach and New York, loving husband to Kathleen Holahan and devoted father to Joseph D. Gatti, lost a brief battle to virulent cancer of unknown origin at New York Hospital on February 13, 2023. Joe faced his death bravely and with his trademark sense of humor. He was surrounded by his wife and family at his death.

In addition to his wife and son, Joe is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. David Gatti (Connie), his brother, Paul McGraw, his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Phil and Joanne Holahan, Dee and Steve Bulvanoski, and Maureen and Tim Saling, ten nieces and nephews, and thirteen great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Steven Ressler and Robert Rosenberg.

Eleanor Reilly Dolan, 81 of Red Bank, formerly Little Silver, passed away on Wednesday, February 8^th at home surrounded by her beloved daughters after a brief, but aggressive battle with cancer. Born in Queens, NY, she grew up there until moving to Leonardo in 7^th grade and then to Little Silver in 1967 where she lived for 54 years.

Eleanor graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School and then worked as a legal secretary before becoming a full-time homemaker and then later a caterer. She was a beautiful woman both inside and out who was best known for her generous heart, sense of style, gift of gab, sense of humor, and volunteer spirit. For over 60 years Eleanor devoted herself to volunteering at school, church, or in the community. Over the years she served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and PTO President in Little Silver. She was also a devoted parishioner of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Fort Monmouth for over 35 years. Until the parish closed she could be found serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Religious Education teacher, organizing a fundraiser, or in the kitchen cooking for a church event. She was also a volunteer at the Valerie Center at Monmouth Medical Center.

Jack Forster, 91, of Ocean Twp, NJ, gained his wings on February 2, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.

“When you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live.” Stuart Scott, ESPY Awards 2014. Jack was victorious – a true champion.

Jack lived in Bloomfield, NJ, the first 21 years of his life. He spent summers in Lavallette, NJ, where he used to race sailboats at the Lavallette Yacht Club and lifeguard during his college years. This began a lifelong love of the beach, water, and boating.

It was in Lavallette that Jack met and married his wife of 70 years, Carol Anne Roworth. After becoming established and living in several locations, they settled in Fair Haven, NJ, where they stayed for 44 years and raised their three sons. Ultimately, they moved to Cedar Village in Ocean Township, NJ, where they have lived since 2011.