Obituaries - Thompson Memorial Home

Frank S. Vigilante

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.

Edmondo Ray Binaco

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

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

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

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

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.

Richard E. Goyette

Richard E. Goyette, of Little Silver, passed away on Friday, February 25, at the age of 75.

Born in Kankakee, IL, Richard (Rick), as a young man, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 serving in Vietnam and at various posts inside and outside of the U.S. throughout his career. He finished his military service at Ft. Monmouth with the rank of chief warrant officer 2 and would continue to work at Ft. Monmouth as a contractor on various projects until his retirement in 2011.

Arthur J. Flanagan

Arthur J. Flanagan, Sr. 95 of Kearny, Fair Haven and Middletown, NJ passed away peacefully on February 26, 2022.

Arthur was born on June 26,1926 in Lyndhurst, NJ, raised in Kearny and a resident of Fair Haven for over 50 years. He was the son of John J. Flanagan Sr. and Jane Marie (Vanderbilt) Flanagan, brother of John J. Flanagan, Jr.

Arthur attended St Stephen’s school, Kearny, graduated from Queen of Peace High School, North Arlington - 1944 and Seton Hall University – 1950. He served In the US Navy during WWII on USS Graffias (AF29) for two years in the Asiatic-Pacific war zone. He was a life member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign war.

Pedro “Pete” Sanchez

It is with extreme regret and sorrow that the Sanchez family announce the passing of their beloved patriarch, “Pop”.

Pedro was truly loved by anyone and everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. His sweet smile could ease the saddest of sorrows, his contagious laugh would fill a room with joy. He was a joker since birth, and continued being a jokester up until his last day. From magic tricks to pranks, he always wanted to make everyone laugh. Pedro’s generosity and loyalty were unmatched; he was truly an exceptional man. He was famous for worrying if everyone ate, and even if you already did, he was always so convincing that you needed more! His sheer selflessness was so admirable; he would never turn a blind eye to those in need. Whether they be family, friends, strangers- Pedro simply wanted to be of service. He did great deeds just to do some good in the world, never expecting anything in return. That should be a lesson to everyone: be good for the sake of being good.

Louis J. Cennamo

Louis J. Cennamo passed away on February 18, 2022. He was a lover of life.

Louie grew up in Brooklyn NY. He sang in a Doo Wop group in his early 20’s called The Del Cades. Together they made two records “It Takes Two To Fall In Love and “Worlds Fair USA”.

He married the love of his life Louise Grosso in 1965. Together they lived in Downtown Brooklyn, then moved to Flatbush Brooklyn before settling in Staten Island in 1998. Louie then joined another Doo Woo group called Reminisce.

Louie worked at the American Stock Exchange for 37 years, retiring in 1997.

Henry E. Stevens

Henry E. Stevens, 102, of Fair Haven, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2022.

Henry was born on January 16,1920, in New Britain, Connecticut to Joseph and Bertha Stepanski. Henry earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He enrolled in the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and graduated as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. Before shipping off on the USS Tuscaloosa to join the US WWII Pacific Campaign, Henry married Virginia Madeleine Rowe on August 23, 1944. Together they had six children.

Henry had a successful career in the corporate world after WWII. His position with Becton-Dickinson brought him to Fair Haven in 1975, where he remained a resident ever since.