Obituaries

Joseph F. Patsco, 85, passed away peacefully on 6/30/22.  Born in Scranton, PA, he was a proud veteran who served in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, NJ and went on to earn an associate’s degree in construction management from NJIT. Joe raised his family in the home he built in Elizabeth, NJ where he was a successful and respected General Contractor, and his work was featured in builders’ magazines. During his retirement, he spent most of his time enjoying fishing, competing in fishing tournaments, captaining deep sea charters, and wintering in Florida where he could relax and fish every day he could.

Newtown, PA- Charles Donald Holsey Jr. "Don" peacefully passed away on 6/29/22, at 74 years old.  He was born in Jersey City, NJ, to Charles Donald Sr. and Pearl Holsey, has 2 older sisters, Jane and Ellen, and resided in Monmouth County, NJ for most of his life.

Don is survived by his three sons, Kevin, Ryan and Patrick, his daughter in-law, Danielle, and two grandsons, Austin and Everett, all of whom he loved very dearly. 

Other than time with his children, his main passion in life was golf. He was a local golf professional in his younger years. He really enjoyed teaching his sons how to play golf, and was a constant presence at all of their sporting events.  He always looked forward to regular family vacations to Disney World and the beach with his children.  Don also sold Mercedes Benz at Contemporary Motor Cars in Little Silver for over 35 years.  Growing up on a horse farm in Middletown, NJ, he was an animal lover, in particular, a family dog was always a staple in his life. 

Carol A. Phillips, 83, of River Plaza, (born in Albany NY) formally of Shrewsbury, died peacefully at home on Wednesday June 29, 2022 surrounded by loving family members.

David Lee Nelson, formerly of Hilton Head Island, SC, and Fond du Lac, WI, passed away on June 29, 2022, at the age of 83. David was born in Minot, ND, on September 21, 1938, son of Maurice Lind Nelson and Edna Margereta Erickson Nelson. With his parents and sister Linda, he spent his childhood in Scobey, MT, and then in Detroit, MI, where he finished elementary and high school, graduating from Pershing High School in 1956. 

He loved his three years at the University of Michigan, where he was active in a fraternity, was an avid sports fan, sang in the chorus, and washed dishes to help pay his way. Within three years he completed his pre-medical school requirements while studying his first love, history, and went on to medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, in 1959.

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.