Obituaries

Eileen Brennan Watts, 63, of Red Bank, NJ, departed this life unexpectedly on June 24, 2022, surrounded in person and spirit by many of those who love her.

Eileen lived with great passion. She treasured her extended family, cherished her friends, and dedicated much of her time in service for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE). She joined the Red Bank Elks Lodge #233 as soon as women were allowed, quickly became an officer, then rose to be the Lodge’s second female Exalted Ruler. She extended her commitment and leadership as the first female District Deputy and co-editor of the NJ State Elks Association newsletter. In all her roles, she made a difference in many lives, mentoring young members, inspiring those around her, and fostering the Elks’ programs for Veterans and others.

Ann Nelson, age 98, passed away peacefully at home June 22, Little Silver, NJ. Ann was born March 9, 1924, in Baltimore, MD and grew up in Port Washington, Long Island, NY. She graduated Greenbrier Academy, Pierce Springs, WVA in 1944. Shortly after on a blind date, Ann met her Merchant Marine husband to be Lloyd Nelson and married in 1945. They resided in the River Plaza area of Red Bank with their son John prior to moving in 1956 to the first of three Little Silver homes.  

Ann was a homemaker and loved to entertain. Her football tailgates, elegant dinner parties and large gatherings of fifty or more were executed with great ease and perfection. Her other at home pastimes included 1,000 piece jigsaws, reading, sewing, knitting, shopping, dancing and caring for her many cats.

Ann and Lloyd traveled extensively abroad to places such as Greece, Japan, England, Holland, and Bermuda as well as many US locations including Alaska to visit family, vacationing at Indian Lake, NY with close friends and relatives and snowbirding to their winter home in Palm City, FL.

Martin Connolly entered eternal life on June 23, 2022 after a valiant struggle with ALS. Born and raised in New York City, Marty moved with his family to the River Plaza section of Middletown 41 years ago to take a job at Fort Monmouth as a civilian electrical engineer, from which he retired in 2007. Before going to the City College of New York for his BEE, Marty worked as a switchman for New York Telephone Company. He served in the US Army from 1963-1966, and this brought so much help to his family from the kindness of the VA toward a disabled veteran in the way of medicines, devices, home disability modifications, etc.

Marty could fix anything. It was his joy to work on family cars, home projects, or any odd problem that came up for family & neighbors. He was a kind and patient man who never said a negative thing about anyone.

Josephine Coppola (Albanese) age 97, formerly of Florham Park, Short Hills and Morristown, NJ, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022. She was born July 11, 1924 in Newark, NJ to the late Pasqualina and Anthony Albanese. Josephine was one of 5 children. She had a strong bond with her sister Ramona and her three bothers Lee, Al, and Vinnie, as she so fondly referred to them.

Josephine’s greatest joy in life was the love for her husband Frank and her 4 daughters. She is survived by her daughters, Ramona Hays (Paul), Elisa Polifka (Mike), Mary Jo DiSciullo (Alan), and Laura Wallach (Geff), 8 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

Eyuel Asefa suddenly departed us on June 12, 2022. He was born in 1996 in Long Branch and resided in Eatontown, New Jersey, for the past 25 years. Eyuel was a proud graduate of the University of Delaware and Thomas Jefferson School of Pharmacy. Eyuel was employed briefly by the New Jersey Veteran's Hospital of West Orange after receiving his Pharmacy Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson

He is survived by his parents and his brother.

A graveside service will be held on Friday,  June 17, 2022, at 12 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery, 480 State Highway 35, Red Bank, New Jersey.  Thompson Memorial Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.  

John Thomson peacefully passed away on May 16, 2022 at the age of 97. John was a veteran in the US Army and saw action during WWII. After the war, John began a 41-year career with PSE&G and rose from his entry level position to Manager of the Electric Meter Department.

Robert Hill Wilson of Shrewsbury passed away peacefully on May 26, 2022, just a few days shy of his 94th birthday. 

Barbara (Babs) Niles 85, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2022, at The Chelsea at Shrewsbury. Barbara was born September 30, 1935, on Governor’s Island, NY to Richard and Helen Moore and grew up in Little Sliver, NJ. She was a resident of Lincroft for over 60 years. She was selfless and kind, with a smile for everyone. She loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally and always claimed they were her greatest accomplishment.

Known as the “Moore Twins”, Barbara and her identical twin Betty were graduates of Red Bank High School. Barbara married Jonathan Niles Jr. in 1955 and moved to Lincroft where they brought up their two children, Betsy, and Jonny.

Divorced in 1975, Babs became a single mom with a house full of teenagers who tested her strength and resiliency. She gave refuge to wayward boys and guided them through adolescence with love and compassion. She faced adversity with grace and grit, never giving up and always giving back.

Patricia Coughlin of Middletown, NJ, passed away at Jersey Shore Hospital, Neptune, NJ, on Tuesday, May 17th 2022. Born in Jersey City NJ, on Oct. 21st 1931, Patricia has lived in Middletown, NJ, for 64 years. She was a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, Red bank, NJ. Patricia worked for many years as office manager at Shrewsbury Motors. Patricia was a very caring and loving person. She was always full of life including a great sense of humor. For many years she volunteered at Camp Happiness for the blind, Leonardo, NJ.

Patricia was predeceased by her husband James Coughlin and daughter Mary Ann. She is survived by her son James Coughlin of 66 years along with many nieces and nephews and friends.

Milan M. Sowis (85) of Thornbrooke in Shrewsbury, formerly of Allenhurst, died on Tuesday, May 10^th.

Born in Newark to Slovakian parents, he grew up in Irvington. After graduating Irvington Schools, Milan went on to get his engineering degree at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken and then his Masters at Lehigh. He started his career with Western Electric in Newark. He then moved to Bell Labs/ATT as a systems analyst and becoming the Department Head.   While at Bell Labs he met Sandra, who was the Food Service Director, and they began their 38 year journey together.

Milan was a 35-year member of the Allenhurst Beach Club and swam everyday in the saltwater pool. He loved horse racing at Monmouth Park, morning coffee at Cravings, the NY Times crossword puzzle and especially the Yankee Games with Joe.