Obituaries

James H. Atkins Jr., 81, (Ex-Chief KFD) beloved son of Hazel I. (Thomas) Atkins and James H. Atkins Sr. passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at The NJ Firemen's Home in Boonton, NJ.

He is survived by his love, June (Miller) Atkins, sons and spouses, James H. & Melissa Atkins III, David R. & Deana Atkins, grandchildren and spouses Karolann & Michael (Atkins) Bourret, Terre & Amber Atkins, James H. & Elizabeth Atkins IV, and great-grandchildren Phoenix and Penelope Bourret.

Jim was a graduate of Keyport High School and Monmouth University, earning a BA in Psychology & a BA in Arts. Throughout his life, he had achieved many accomplishments/accolades and was a member of numerous organizations including, Master Mason of the Caesarea Lodge No 64 of Keyport, the Civil Air Patrol, Keyport Board of Health, Emergency Management Coordinator, Monmouth County Police & Fire Academy, and received the first issued Firefighter Level I certificate in the State of NJ.

Barbara Friberg, 85, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2022. Born in NY, she and her husband Robert raised 4 children residing on Staten Island for 50 years. They enjoyed traveling and attending the activities of their children. Barbara’s hobbies included her natural talent of painting on canvas. And, as her friends would attest, a natural talent for shopping.

Edna M. Pratt,101, passed away on March 31 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. She was born in Mineola, NY but had lived in Shrewsbury for over 70 years. 

Growing up, Edna earned the Golden Eaglet from Girl Scouts. Upon graduating from Hofstra University, she went to work as an engineer for the Army Signal Corp. During World War 2, she was part of a team that was responsible for testing a microwave network from Washington, DC to Norfolk, VA and prepared components for integrated circuits.  

Dr. Robert W. Lucky, “Bob”, age 86, passed away in his home with his children and loyal dog at his side on March 10, 2022.  Born to Arthur and Grace Lucky, he was raised in Mt Lebanon, a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA where he met his sweetheart, Joan Jackson.  Bob attended Purdue University, where he received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1957, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 1959 and 1961, respectively. After graduation, Dr Lucky married Joan Jackson and joined AT&T Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey, where, initially, he was involved in studying ways of sending digital information over telephone lines. The best known outcome of this work was his invention of the adaptive equalizer, the key enabler for all high-speed modems today. The textbook on data communications which he co-authored became the most cited reference in the communications field over the period of a decade.

At Bell Labs, Dr. Lucky moved through a number of levels to become Executive Director of the Communications Sciences Research Division in 1982, where he was responsible for research on the methods and technologies for future communication systems. In 1992, he left Bell Labs to assume the position of Corporate Vice-President of Applied Research at Bellcore, Red Bank, New Jersey.

Frank S. Vigilante, a longtime AT&T executive and leader in electronic telephone switching systems technology, died after a brief illness on Tuesday, March 8, in Boynton Beach, Florida. He was 91.

Frank, an outspoken first generation Italian-American with a head of thick white hair and a Brooklyn accent, had the natural ability to command any room he was in. He embodied the definition of New York tough. He always credited four things that influenced his life’s path: growing up during the Great Depression, a stint in the U.S. Army, meeting his wife, Diane, and going to college on the G.I. Bill.

It is with profound sadness we share the passing of Edmondo Ray Binaco, age 93, of Colts Neck, NJ. He entered into eternal life peacefully at his home in Colts Neck on March 13, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 30, 1928 in Red Bank, NJ.

He was a carpenter in the United Brotherhood of Carpenter and Joiners of America for many years. He helped build the Manchester Hunting Club and enjoyed many years in the Pecan Grove Hunting club, NC. He also enjoyed many Winters in Naples, FL making friends and fishing in the lakes.

Joyce Phyllis Heslin,78 of Middletown, NJ, died on Monday, March 7th after a very long illness. Born in Queens, New York, she moved to New Jersey with her young family in 1978. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 2003 and her brothers Phillip and Robert Mosca. She is survived by her sons Robert S.Heslin and Gregg E. Heslin; grandson Liam Phillip Heslin; her sister Diane; nieces Danielle, Jessica and cousins Karl and Gene Imhoff.  She started her career at Chase Manhattan Bank and later served as a bookkeeper for Monmouth Building Center. Joyce was active in knitting groups at her church, St. Anthony of Padua, and also the Middletown Senior Center. She will be greatly missed by all that she touched and loved.

Robert K. Schuster, 1932 to 2022.

Bob died on Saturday, March 5, in Rumson, NJ. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he attended the University of Wisconsin and served in the Air Force. At all three venues he was a renown pitcher who threw many no hitters. His curve balls are probably the reason for his slice and dice tennis shots later in life.

He had an extraordinary bond with his four children who treasured his even temper, lack of drama and acceptance of others. He guided them with a gentle hand. Bob was non-judgmental and lived his life without guile or pretense.

A perfect day for him was playing singles tennis with his best friend Stephen or Patrick, followed by an iced tea and then a few laps at the pool. Darn good for 89 years!

Frederick P. Century passed away peacefully after a short illness on February 25, 2022, surrounded by close friends. He was born May 29, 1929 in New York City, the son of Sam and Mary (Walkover) Century.

Fred completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University and worked for many years as a social worker for the Township of Middletown School District. He took great pride in his endeavors to help those families in need. He served his country as a tank commander in the US Army Reserves. He was a voracious reader and was also a past trustee of the Middletown Library.

He was a great lover of animals and had a menagerie of pets spanning his lifetime. He enjoyed traveling the world and loved to regale his friends with tales of his adventures. His beloved Cobble Close Farm was his home for nearly seventy years.

Alexandra “Sandy” T. Seman (nee Fox) peacefully passed on Feb. 12, 2022. Sandy was born Sept. 27, 1935 in Manhattan, N.Y. and raised in Rumson, N.J. She was a graduate of RCDS, Miss Porter’s, and Vassar College. An avid tennis player, she taught at the Shrewsbury Racquet Club and was the longest standing member (1942-2021) of the Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club. Her tennis accolades are too numerous to mention but her name covers many plaques on the club walls, starting from the Girls’ Championship to Club Champion. In her final years, although not playing anymore, there was nothing she enjoyed more than to watch from the porch, The Prentiss/Seabright Cups as well as the junior players participating in her lifelong passion.