Obituaries

Jean Elizabeth Powers Crenshaw, loving wife of Thomas Thompson Crenshaw III and mother to Sarah Haun of Los Altos, California; Betsy (Chris) Kaeli of Monmouth Beach, NJ; Rachel (Drew) Hegner of Shrewsbury, NJ; and Tommy (Melissa) Crenshaw of Savannah, Georgia went home to the Lord on February 4th, 2023 due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. In addition to her children, she is survived by two of her five sisters: Cornelia Courtney and Susan Washburn, and three of her brothers-in-law: Tom Barber, Bob Barker and Gary Washburn.  She was predeceased by her parents, Fremont and Sallie Powers; her sisters, Sally Ann Thomson, Donna Barber, and Corinne Barker; her brothers-in-law Ted Thomson and Bill Courtney; and her nephews, Tommy Thomson and Bobby Barker. She leaves behind ten grandchildren and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Jean was the fourth daughter born to Freem and Sallie Powers of Watertown, NY on January 16, 1944 in Oneida, NY. A 1956 graduate of Watertown High School, she went on to graduate from Colby Junior College and launched her career working for the American Embassy in Santiago, Chile. Following her marriage to Tom, she worked in various secretarial positions, donating much of her time to church ministry at churches in Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey.

Jean’s happiest times were spent at their family cottage in Henderson Harbor, NY where she and Tom shared summers with their children and their families. If you listened carefully, you could hear her laughing and singing with her sisters from White’s Bay to the Gill House. She was a devoted Grandmother–“Lovey”--to Jackson, Ella, Sallie, Annabelle, Everett, Wyatt, Wren, Reese, Tommy, and Helen and cherished her time with each of them.

After a brief illness, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mahar Gilmour passed away on February 6th. A lifelong resident of Little Silver, Lizzie’s life was full of many rays of sunshine. Deeply dedicated to her faith, Lizzie never missed a Sunday at St. George’s by the River in Rumson. She proudly served as an acolyte, on the altar guild, volunteered for the Canterbury Art Show and was a committee chair for the Canterbury Fair. 

She loved running the cotton candy machine. After graduating from Brookdale, Lizzie worked with children at St. John’s Nursery school, a job she loved. Her kids meant the world to her. In her free time, Lizzie was a proud member of the Little Silver Fire Company; where she particularly enjoyed selling Christmas trees. Every summer, Lizzie spent as much time as she could at Ship Ahoy Beach Club. This past summer was her favorite as she got to spend it with her nephew Sawyer for the first time. She was the proudest Aunt anyone had ever met. Most of all, Lizzie loved all things Broadway. The house and car were filled with show-tunes.  She knew every word to every show she ever saw and even some she didn’t. We know she is singing in Heaven; off key but still singing.

Louis H. Jacomme, of Fair Haven and Ségus, France, passed away at home surrounded by family on January 28, 2023, at the age of 89. Louis was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to French parents in diplomatic service. He was a graduate of Lycée St. Louis and École Polytechnique de Paris. He received the M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Colorado where he was sent by the French Air Force.

William P. Vamvas passed unexpectedly on February 2, 2023. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and resided in Belford, NJ for the last twelve years. William attended Long Branch High School where he wrestled. William was a self employed commercial and residential painter with many longstanding customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. He also was a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, DC 711-694. William was an avid fisherman, bicycling enthusiast, movie watcher and general handyman. He loved political arguments of all kinds. Mostly, he valued spending time with his immediate family.

Anne "Nancy" Cottell passed away Monday January 30, 2023 at the age of 84.

Nancy, the youngest of nine, was born in Ballinagh, County Cavan, Ireland.  

As Nancy was growing up her father was a focal point of her life as her mother died when she was very young.  Nancy had a profound love for her father and developed a deep respect for him as he was a single parent that operated a full-time business.  She passed on these feelings to her two sons Peter and Patrick frequently saying, "I wish you knew my father".  She also imbued in them a sense of 'Irish' determination.

Harvey Stewart, age 80 of Long Branch, NJ, died peacefully January 29, 2023.

A lifelong resident of the Jersey Shore, Harvey lived in Fair Haven for 45 years and in Long Branch for the past 35 years. He was a graduate of Rumson Fair Haven High School, class of 1958 and a graduate of Paul Smith’s college where he received his degree in Forest Engineering. He enlisted in the Navy in 1962 and was a distinguished veteran, having served two tours in Vietnam.

Harvey’s career spanned over 30 years with Philip J. Bowers, a real estate firm that built many office complexes, including the development of the Red Bank Airport, the building of City Centre in Red Bank and New Shrewsbury Racquet Club in Tinton Falls, N.J.

Kenneth R. Duffié, 88, of Tinton Falls, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Ken was introduced to his beloved, Patricia Kiernan, at a fair in Middletown and they fell in love over the next few years. Ken and Pat married and went on to raise four loving children in Shrewsbury, NJ and later Oceanport, NJ. Ken loved spending time with his family, especially on holidays and during their annual summer family vacations to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Olympic, and Acadia National Parks, Lake Tahoe, Lake George, Seattle and Port Townsend, and more. He especially loved spending time in France and recently celebrated his 88^th birthday there in Geneva with his French relatives, during which time he also enjoyed a river cruise down the Rhone River and visited Monte Carlo and Italy. Those who knew Ken had the privilege of experiencing his unwavering love, hearing his fun-hearted dad jokes, and listening to stories about his life, his family, and his cats.

Le Roy “Bud” Bunnell (96) died of natural causes on Monday, January 30. He was cared for briefly at the VA Hospital in East Orange, New Jersey where he was the recipient of extraordinary end-of-life care.

Bud grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey and graduated from Glen Ridge High School in 1944. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Signalman aboard LST 958 in the South Pacific. He was fortunate to have survived a failed Kamikaze attack on his ship and to ride out a major typhoon. Bud graduated from Pace Institute in New York (now Pace University) and received a business degree from the University of Miami. 

Bud obtained his real estate license in 1947 and in 1950 joined his father’s firm in Normandy Beach, NJ where he served as the developing broker for Curtis Point and Mantoloking Shores. Bud was honored in 2016 when he served as Grand Marshal in the parade celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of Normandy Beach. After selling Bunnell Real Estate in 1983, he joined the Rumson office of Gloria Nilson Realtors. He retired at the age of 90 after nearly 70 years in the business. 

Carl J. Colmorgen, 81, passed away on January 31, 2023. He was born in Long Branch, NJ and spent his childhood in Red Bank. He graduated from Red Bank High School in 1959 and had played baseball when they won the Shore Conference. He later got a degree from Monmouth College.

He spent 30 years living in Tampa, Florida. There he worked selling, first insurance and later golf equipment. When he closed Carl’s Golf in Safety Harbor, he retired back to Red Bank.

At home, he umpired baseball games and served as a crossing guard in Red Bank. Everyone recognized him because he wore crazy hats on holidays while crossing the children. He was a member of the Red Bank Fire Police.

William J. “Bill” Kelly, 98, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2023 following a brief illness.

Bill was born on December 24, 1924, in Red Bank, NJ. Truly a member of WWII’s “Greatest Generation,” Bill joined the United States Army shortly after his 18^th birthday and served in Gen. Patton’s 3^rd Army, 286th Field Artillery Observation, B Battery, Flash Platoon. He was at the Battle of the Bulge and remained in Germany for the Occupation. The members of his unit remained lifelong friends.

Upon his return to Red Bank, always home, he met and married Jean Louise McConnell the love of his life.