Obituaries

On Sunday, June 25th, 2023, Assunta "Sue"  Vaccarelli, crossed over to be reunited with her  beloved husband of 68 years, Anthony "Tony" Vaccarelli.  She spent the last days of her century long life, surrounded and embraced by the love of her family as she prepared to transition to Heaven.

Sue was brought into this world by Celeste and James Vaccaro, and spent most of her early years growing up in Allenhurst where her family resided after moving from Asbury Park. She enjoyed being raised in a full household of 4 brothers (Al, Fred, Tony, and Jim Vaccaro) and 3 sisters (Rita Trebino, Mary Francese, and Fanny O'Toole), and remained close to them all throughout their lives and hers.  

Her cousin, Nancy, was always looking for a "finders fee" for the ultimate matchmaking success of introducing her to Tony Vaccarelli, the brother of Nancy's husband at the time, Pat.  And Tony, until the day he died, told Nancy any fee would be acceptable as marrying Sue was the best decision of his life. They were hopelessly in love, and remained devoted to each other their entire lives. Many a late night, you'd find Tony in the kitchen emptying the dishwasher, not because Sue had asked him to, but as he often put it..."because it makes me feel so good to know your Mom doesn't have to do it in the morning".  And decades later, when Tony was diagnosed with a progressive disease, Sue stayed by his side caring for him at home until the day he died.

David Michael Britz a longtime resident of Rumson, NJ passed away on June 23, 2023. An Australian by birth, David had recently obtained his American citizenship with great pride.

A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design with a Masters in Industrial Design, David had been employed as a senior researcher at AT&T/Bell Laboratories for nearly thirty years with over one hundred patents to his credit. During his career he enjoyed teaching astronomy in local public schools. His retirement years were focused on his continuing love of astronomy and his newfound hobby of home gardening.

Dr. Timothy Emerson Link, 50, of Tinton Falls, NJ died following a fatal car accident in New Jersey, on May 22, 2023.  He was a neurosurgeon in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. He practiced 20+ years and was an exceptional surgeon winning many awards for his work. He had a listening ear and caring attitude for every situation and patient. He specialized in adult deformity and spinal disorders.

Dr. Tim was born in Portland, Maine, the  third son of Robert Stevens Link and Virginia (Bemis) Link. He attended Kaler Elementary and Mahoney Middle Schools and graduated from South Portland High School 1991. He received his undergraduate and his medical degree from Tufts University.  He completed his internship and residency at the University of Vermont Medical Center. He completed his fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute at  St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in AZ, before joining a practice in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Richard (Dick) Andrew Rathemacher passed away on June 17, 2023, at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank of pneumonia complications, preceded by dementia. Born in New York City, the son of August and Andrée Andrew Rathemacher, he spent most of his life as a resident of Navesink and Atlantic Highlands, NJ. He was 91 years old. His final year was spent at Sunrise of Lincroft where he received attentive care.

Dick graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School where he was captain of the school’s championship rifle team. He also was a National Forensic League debater and an honors student. At Lafayette College, class of 1954, he was active in Zeta Psi fraternity, was on the Dean’s List, and graduated with “distinction” in his major field of Psychology.

Following college he went to the United States Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. He was commissioned as an Ensign and assigned to the National Security Agency in Washington, DC. He had the honor of receiving commendations from a U.S. Army Lieutenant General and a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General. It pleased him that he made his parents proud with his many accomplishments.

Madeline Claire Harris, age 32, passed away unexpectedly on June 10, 2023.  She was born in Red Bank, New Jersey on August 29, 1990, and was a long-time resident of Brooklyn, New York.

Madeline’s love for photography began in childhood, eventually leading to formal study and a degree in photography and design.  That little spark at age 7 with a child’s film camera ultimately became her lifelong career.  Madeline was also an avid reader and loved looking at and talking about art.  She was handy with power tools and the materials needed to create beauty around her and solve design problems.  Madeline forever enjoyed traveling and exploring foods and cultures throughout her time here.  In addition to her own travels, her family has many memories of time spent traveling together, from adventures in NY to places overseas.  In those travels with family, it was often noted that she would see things around her in ways that others did not.

Rayna Eyerman, age 44, unexpectedly passed away on June 9, 2023 as a result of sudden heart failure. Rayna was born on September 1, 1978 in Staten Island, New York but was a lifelong resident of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Like her children, she attended Shrewsbury Borough School and Red Bank Regional High School where she graduated in 1992 and 1996 respectively. At Red Bank Regional, she met her high school sweetheart Keith, who she married in 2002. 

After graduating Rowan University in 2000 with a degree in Spanish and early childhood education, Rayna started her career as a teacher, and her love for children brought her to have nine of her own. Her loving and caring nature even motivated her to start her own business with a friend, Little Peas of Mind, where she was able to care for so many kids. Rayna was extremely active in all of her children’s lives, becoming a Class Mom eight times over, event organizer, a soccer coach, a member of the Shrewsbury Community Alliance, youth group leader, children’s church coordinator, among many other roles. 

David Lee McKissock passed away on June 2, 2023. He was 90 years old. A Boston native, Dave graduated from Milton Academy, going on to receive an undergraduate degree from Middlebury College where he met his wife, Diana. They remained lifelong partners, married for 67 years. 

Dave and Diana lived most of their lives in Fair Haven, where they raised their two sons. After proudly serving in the Navy, Dave spent his entire career in sales at American Flange and Manufacturing Co.

Dave was well known for his athleticism and love of sports - golf, tennis, baseball, football, and most of all, the game of Platform Tennis (Paddle Ball). He and Diana helped grow and promote the game tremendously at the Rumson, Seabright and Navesink clubs. Dave won multiple club championships over the years.  

Our dear mother Ellie - Elenora Louise Hendricks Gregory, loving mother of two children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, sadly passed away on 06-06-2023, at the age of 95, at Bayside Manor Assisted Living facility in Keansburg, NJ, where she was residing. Elenora Louise Hendricks Gregory was born on May 8^th, 1928, in Baltimore, Maryland.

She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her, no matter what the situation was. She will be missed deeply. She also had many wonderful friends in life and was a well-loved member of the community in Monmouth County, NJ. She sang in the Monmouth Civic Chorus for many years and enjoyed life unconditionally. After College, she had a long career at Bell Labs as an Executive Administrator and retired gracefully.

Clifford D. Anderson, 92 years old of Rumson and Bay Head, NJ, passed away peacefully at The Atrium, a retirement community, in Red Bank, NJ. He was married to his beloved wife of 62 years, Barbara (Bebe) until her untimely death in 2017.

Cliff was born in Cleveland, OH as the oldest son of Clifford O. and Myrtle S. Anderson. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard.

Cliff is survived by his two loving children; Geoffrey of Pittsburgh, PA and Mark of Evans, GA. He was a devoted grandfather to his five grandchildren in whom he took great pride and pleasure: David, Bennett, Timothy, Sarah and Victoria and two great-grandchildren, Violet and Calvin.

Brendan A. Flynn, beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on May 27th, 2023 at the age of 87.  He is survived by Julia H. Flynn, his wife of 57 years; his brothers Michael Flynn, Eugene Flynn and his wife Nancy, Regis Flynn and his wife Ellen; his nephew Andrew and his wife Mary; his son Michael and his wife Danielle; his daughter Julie and her husband Nigel and five grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as "Gramps".  Brendan is predeceased by his sisters Rita and Mary and her husband David.

Brendan grew up in Staten Island, NY.  After high school he attended Villanova University and then went on to serve in the Marines (Semper Fidelis).  After Honorable Discharge Brendan taught at St Peters High School and then pursued a career in sales. 

How do you sum up a great man in a few words - with Brendan those who knew him know that you can't.  He will forever be remembered for his numerous nicknames, his contagious laugh, zingy one liners, love for sweets and fondness of sports and horse racing.  He never met a bartender or ice cream server he didn't like.  He was a fixture (loud and wildly gesticulating) on his children's sidelines growing up and later in life was often found laying on the floor playing games, talking sports, having dance parties and of course eating ice cream or dessert with his grandchildren.  Age was just a number to Brendan - he was young at heart and lived life fully - eating ice cream, having a drink and dancing up until the end.