Lucy DePalma (nee Franzese) was born in Molfetta, Bari, Italy, in 1925. She attended Manzoni Elementary School in Molfetta, and lived in Italy until January 1935 when, accompanied by her younger brother Dominick and mother Porzia Franzese, she immigrated to the United States on the steamship SS Rex arriving to join her father Leonardo already then living in Hoboken NJ. After immigrating to the United States, her parents also had a third child Peter, born in New Jersey. She became a naturalized United States citizen, completed middle school and worked in a garment manufacturing factory in Hoboken NJ. In 1949, she married Joseph DePalma of Molfetta, Italy who immigrated to the United States following their marriage in Molfetta. After her marriage, she worked in the home as a devoted homemaker, raising three children and caring for her husband. She lived in New Jersey, first in Hoboken and later in Union City, Weehawken, Little Ferry and Manalapan in turn. Beginning in 1978, she moved to Jensen Beach, Fla., where she resided with her husband, Joseph, in loving devotion to each other, until his death in 2007.
Obituaries
Francis E. Cooke, known to family & friends as Ed, passed away peacefully at River View Medical Center on December 17, 2020.
Ed had a long career as a computer programming technician manager.
Ed is now reunited with his beloved wife Margie. He is survived by his son Stephen and his partner Susan; daughter Carolyn; granddaughter Madison Rose; sister Elaine Harper and many nieces and nephews
Services are private and entrusted to Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, NJ.
Harral Redden, 84, passed away on December 7, 2020 after a brief illness with leukemia. Long time resident of Little Silver-Rumson, graduate of Red Bank High School and Ursinus College where he wrestled. Hal was an Insurance Broker and owned the Redden Agency-Insurance in Fair Haven for 50+ years.
Never a summer day went by when Hal was not at Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club playing tennis or practicing on the ball machine. After maybe a bike ride to Sandy Hook and then to Seabright Beach Club for a swim and to read a book or newspaper. In the winter early birds at New Shrewsbury Racquet Club, 3 day a week gym workout and paddle tennis at Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club. Then Lunch with his friends at the Root Beer & Checker Club. An avid sportsman Hal completed the NYC and Boston Marathons. In addition to all his sports activities he loved classical music, and writing poems for his family and friend’s special occasions.
Richard Lewis Schneider, Jr. “RJ” left us on 12/13/20. He was born in Red Bank, NJ where he resided until his passing. RJ was a RBR 1992 graduate. RJ was an active fireman in the Westside Hose Company No. 1, Engine 96 in Red Bank as an Ex-Captain and volunteer for nearly 30 years. RJ owned his own fiberglass company for many years. He was then employed with Amtrak since 2009 as a Machine Operator, Crew Foreman and Trackman. His service to the community is an example for all of us. He could build anything just by sight. RJ was a fun guy with a heart of gold. He had a smile we will never forget. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved boating, being on the water, cooking and gardening.
RJ was predeceased by his Father Richard Lewis Schneider in 2004, his Aunt Nancy Raymond in 2016 and his Aunt Beatrice Welsh in 2015. He was a care giver for his Aunt Dorothy Setaro who predeceased RJ earlier in 2020. His grandmother, Lena Cerrone, also predeceased RJ in 1993.
Carmelo Tiangco Gulfin went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 11, 2020, in Red Bank, New Jersey. Born in the Philippines, Mel lived his 72 years on this earth showing love to everyone he met—always ready with a smile, friendly greeting, encouraging words, or a song. Mel was a talented singer, guitar player, and composer who conveyed passion and emotion every time he performed. He had a wonderful positive spirit and lit up a room with his radiant smile, melodic laugh, and booming voice. He used his passion for repairing cars to provide a means of transportation to many, especially those starting a new life in the United States. He passed away without much to his name, but because of his utmost generosity with his money, talent, and time on this earth, he stored his treasures in heaven. Mel is now with his beloved Jesus, whom Mel praised, loved, served, and pointed others to throughout his life.
Dianna Rizzo-Wright, the heart of our family, friends' and teaching community peacefully passed away in her sleep on Sunday, December 6th. While she has been called Home to the Lord at such a young age, her ability to bring joy, hope and compassion touched so many lives and leaves a beacon of light that will grace this earth well beyond her 40 years.
Dianna was born in 1980 in Brooklyn, New York to John and Patricia Rizzo. She attended Bishop Kearney High School and graduated with a BA from Stony Brook University, which led to a career on Wall Street for six years. In 2012, she received her masters degree from Wilmington University and began teaching English at Moore Catholic High School in Staten Island. Dianna quickly flourished as she found her true passion and became known for her engaging, animated lectures and pioneering use of pop culture to relate to students in the classroom. She continued on to Freehold Township High School and most recently taught English at Mater Dei Prep in Middletown, NJ setting forth the same dedication for developing a supportive relationship with those who needed her most.
Mary Eileen Weithas, 87, formerly of Little Silver and Jupiter FL, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2020. Mary was born in Keene, NH to Albert and Susan Davidson Livingston. Mary was pre-deceased by her husband of 64 years, William V. Weithas Jr who passed in September, and her son, William V. Weithas III. Mary was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother who always put her family first.
Mary is survived by her children Suzann (John) Cahill, John (Lisa) Weithas, Jeremy (Matthew) Minnetian and Claudia (Conor) Mullett. She was very proud of her ten grandchildren John (Lauren Kelly),William and James Cahill; Emma and Lila Weithas; Julia and Charles Minnetian; and Liam, Griffin and Mary Elizabeth Mullett. Mary is also survived by her siblings Dr. Albert E. Livingston and Ann Trudeau and her family.
Jeanette A. Choma of Middletown, NJ, peacefully passed away at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank on November 20, 2020. She was born at Fordham Hospital in The Bronx, NY, on February 19, 1932. She resided in her youth on Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank, NJ. She was a graduate of Red Bank High School Class of 1950. She married her husband John Choma Jr. of Swoyersille, PA on November 29, 1952, in Red Bank, NJ. She worked briefly for the phone company in Red Bank as a switchboard operator. After her marriage she resided in Fair Haven until 2015. She was a 58-year member of the Fair Haven Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
Jeanette loved roller skating and was a roller skater at The Singing Wheels Roller Rink in Red Bank. She also enjoyed, and was proficient at, the art of sewing. She also loved to paint and draw.
Following a mighty battle with cancer, Carolyn E. Brown, 64, went to be with The Lord on Nov. 9th, while at home, with family by her side as she wished.
Sebastian “Benny” Sciscilo entered eternal rest on November 14, 2020. He was born, and lived most of his life in Jersey City, NJ until he moved to Little Silver, NJ seven years ago. Benny was a dedicated worker for Maxwell House in Hoboken, NJ for 25 years. After retiring from Maxwell House, he worked as a custodial engineer at New Jersey City University. Benny enjoyed listening to music, going to Atlantic City, playing the lottery, crabbing, growing his sunflowers, talking on the phone with friends and family, and spending time with his children and grandson. He was always ready to tell a good joke.
Benny was predeceased by his parents Frank and Anna (Murro), his wife Florence (Kohn) of 43 years, and their newborn son, Robert in 1969.
Benny was a kind and caring man especially devoted to his family. He is survived by his two daughters, Susan Sciscilo-Macola and her husband, Phil, Florence De Costa and her husband, Gene, and his adored grandson, Brian De Costa. Benny also leaves behind 5 siblings, Frank and his wife Elizabeth, Teresa Heil and her late husband Ronald, Frances Sciscilo, Rose Baker and her husband Harold, and Carol Sciscilo.
