Mary Frances Croft of Rumson, NJ passed away on July 25, 2025 at home after a long illness. Mary was born on September 28, 1946, in Jersey City, NJ. She grew up in West New York, NJ and graduated from St. Joseph's High School and Berkeley School, New York City in 1966. She immediately began her career at Cowles Communications (LOOK magazine) and continued to work with the Cowles family and foundation long after LOOK magazine ceased publication. At her time of death Mary was still working for the Cowles family.
Obituaries
Kathleen Dwyer, age 62, formerly of Rumson, NJ passed away the morning of July 20th after a tough fight with endometrial cancer.
Kathleen worked for the New Jersey State Park Service for over 35 years. Originally working for Twin Lights Lighthouse, she relocated to Cheesequake State Park and ultimately retired in May of 2024.
Visionary Leader Leaves a Lasting Legacy in Her Community.
Deatra W. Gabriella, Age 80, former president of the New Jersey Association for Life Long Learning (NJALL) and longtime Director of Community Education at South Toms River Elementary School, passed away in June 2025.
She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Rocco Gabriella, a professional athlete and rockstar, who passed away just six months earlier. Deatra is survived by her sister Debbie; her son Michael and his wife Rose; and her two cherished grandchildren, John and Rose.
Deatra grew up in Long Branch, NJ, with her mother Vonita, father Jack, and sister Debbie. She often spent time with and spoke fondly of her extended family, including Aunt Posy, Aunt Peggy, Aunt Red, Diddy, Gagoo, Gert, Alice Marie and her cousin Susan and Mary Eileen. Deatra worked tirelessly to put herself through college—holding early morning jobs, attending classes during the day, and studying late into the night. A natural leader, she became president of her sorority, Alpha Phi Delta, at Upsala College. There, she formed a lifelong friendship with her roommate of four years, Carolyn Lineback. Deatra graduated with a degree in Spanish and a minor in Russian, and was fluent in both languages.
Patricia McCann, 60, a beloved wife, mother, and Oma passed away on July 14th 2025. Born in Suriname and moved to Brooklyn NY with her parents and siblings as a young child, Patricia attended Fort Hamilton High School and settled in New Jersey to raise her family. Patricia dedicated much of her life to creating a warm and nurturing home for her four children and greatly enjoyed becoming a grandparent. She adored her grandchildren and spending time singing and reading to them. Patricia was a wonderful storyteller and her warm personality sparked many friendships which she cherished deeply. She could often be found cuddling with her dogs watching her favorite shows, or playing games. She also found joy in spending time with family, traveling, and listening to her favorite music.
Nancy Ruth Kochanski, age 85, of Middletown died peacefully at home on Friday, July 11, 2025. Nancy grew up in Middletown where she lived her whole life and raised her family. Nancy worked as a server at What's Your Beef Restaurant in Rumson for many decades. Since retiring 10 years ago, she loved most of all spending time with her family and friends.
William “Bill” Roach Jr., a man of deep intellect, quiet wonder, and boundless affection, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, at the age of 95.
Bill had a lifelong love affair with the mountains. Whether hiking the Blue Ridge, trekking through the Adirondacks, or climbing the great fourteeners of Colorado, he found both solace and adventure in the wild. He was not simply an outdoorsman—he was a keen observer of nature, especially passionate about botanizing, always pausing to study the plants and flowers that others might overlook.
Rosemary (DeAngelo) Rauh of Lincroft, New Jersey, entered eternal life on July 5, 2025. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1953, to Thomas and Katherine, she was the fourth of their six children, Phyllis Fusco (Artie), Patricia Cox (Walter), Thomas DeAngelo, Grace Sapienza (Michael), and Dorothy Tang (Raymond).
Paul F. Baeri, of Tinton Falls, NJ, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones. He was 76 years old.
Paul was born in Brooklyn, NY, the beloved son of Louis and Lilian (née Napoli) Baeri. He spent his early life in Brooklyn before moving to Morganville, NJ. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1966 and went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 1970.
Paul enjoyed every minute of his 40-year career as a self-professed “Wall Street geek.” He worked in fixed income trading and sales at Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan, Bank of New York, Gleacher & Cantor Fitzgerald. He had more dear friends in the business than most people have in a lifetime, and he was especially proud of those that he mentored early in their careers.
James, “Jimmy” Brambilla, 80, passed peacefully on June 20, 2025, at home.
Born James Francis Brambilla on January 11, 1945, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He grew up in Hoboken where he met the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, Mercedes “Merrie” Brambilla. They married in 1966 after he joined the Navy to proudly serve his country from 1965 – 1969 in the Vietnam War. After returning home, the couple settled in Fair Haven where they raised their three children. He began his 44-year career in 1969 with the Jersey City Medical Center where he became Chief Stationary Engineer. He completed his career at the Hall of Records in Newark, New Jersey. He was most proud of his decades-long teaching career for Local 68 International Union of Operating Engineers and the Monmouth County Vocational School where he taught Low Pressure Boiler Operation.
Maryann passed peacefully at home on June 16, 2025 with her husband Thomas and sons and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Dominique, Edward, and Timothy. She is also survived by her sister Judy (John) Bardon and sister-in-law Anne Mary (Jim) McCullough and brothers-in-law Neil (Jill) Devine and Matthew (Joan) Devine. She was also blessed with 10 nieces and nephews, and 10 grand nieces and nephews.
A true New Jerseyian, Maryann was born in Jersey City, grew up in Neptune, went to Saint Rose HS and Lehigh University and played pitcher and shortstop for the varsity softball teams. Upon graduation, (Class of 1980) with her mechanical engineering degree, she worked many years for Exxon/Infinuem in Linden, NJ. There she excelled, including contributions to teams with multiple recognized US patents.
David Clark Stevens, Sr., 87, of Mooresville, NC passed away on April 10, 2025, peacefully with his family by his side.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, David was the only child of Margaret Clark and Dr. Charles Henry Stevens, Jr., PhD. He attended The Hill School (Pottstown, PA) and Highland Park (NJ) high school where he was a three-sport athlete excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. David graduated from Rutgers University in 1960 where he was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity and Queens Guard Precision Rifle Drill Team, while also serving as a cadet in the Air Force ROTC Program. Following graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Sandra (nee Dunbar).
During his career, he held various sales and corporate management roles with American Can Co., Black & Decker, Hilti, and Olin Corporation. His corporate journey meant numerous relocations along the East Coast from Maryland to Massachusetts until finally settling in New Canaan, CT in 1976 where the family called home for the next twenty-three years.
Bruce S. Thompson, Owner & Manager, NJ LIC #3740
