Obituaries

John R. “Jack” Babeuf, of Atlantic Highlands, NJ died on October 11, 2019 at Care One King James Nursing Home. Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Jane Wardell Babeuf, in 2008.

Born on February 1^st 1925 in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Ethel Stevenson and Richard Burr Babeuf. Jack resided in Cranford, NJ through High School, and he graduated from Cranford High in 1944 where he lettered in football and track and was voted “best dressed” by his classmates (a status he maintained throughout life). Immediately after high school, Jack enlisted in the US Naval Air Corp where he served in the Pacific Theater. Upon discharge, Jack attended Colgate University and graduated under the GI Bill in three years in 1949 with degrees in Political Science and History.  

Frank Coppola, 93, formerly of Short Hills and Morristown, NJ passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. He was born in Newark, NJ to the late Elizabeth and Michael Coppola.

Frank’s greatest joy in life was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Josephine and his four daughters, Ramona Hays (Paul), Elisa Polifka (Mike), Mary Jo DiSciullo (Alan) and Laura Wallach (Geff).

His legacy lives on through his eight grandchildren and eight great-children whom each had developed their own special relationship with him.

Frank served his country in the US Navy and was stationed at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.  The GI Bill gave him the opportunity to attend Seton Hall University and graduate with a degree Psychology in 1950.

William H. R. White, II, MD, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2019 in Shrewsbury at the age of 91.

He was born in Long Branch to the late Minnie and Ensley White.  Bill graduated from Red Bank High School and then went on to Princeton University and Hahnemann Medical School. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy as an officer in the Medical Services Corps in Bainbridge MD. After his naval service, Bill went into Obstetrics & Gynecological practice with his brother, Ensley, in Red Bank where he practiced for over 40 years.  Bill was Chief of Obstetrics at Riverview Hospital for several years.

Bill enjoyed fishing and crabbing on the Navesink River with family and friends and was an accomplished and talented decoy/waterfowl carver.

Joyce C. Field, age 88, of Red Bank, NJ, peacefully passed away on September 21, 2019. She was born in Savannah, Georgia to Lillie and David Schuman on May 9, 1931.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband, Vernon Field, and her daughter, Della Hall. She is survived by her daughters, Joyce Simpson, of Cumberland, MD; and Virginia Meece, of Taylors, SC; her son, David Gandy and his wife Diane of Cordele, GA; her cherished grandchildren: Stace and her husband Tanner, Mandy, Stephan, Jonathan; her precious great-grandchildren: Caddie, Christian, Caden, Tori, and Jared. Joyce will be dearly missed, and always in our hearts.

Douglas McCrum, 92, of Tinton Falls, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2019. Born in Queens, NY, he resided in Shrewsbury for 50 years before moving to Tinton Falls.

Douglas was a physical education teacher and began his career at Rumson Country Day School where he taught for four years. He moved on to Shrewsbury Boro Elementary School, where he became the first Physical Education Teacher at that school. He remained there for 36 years and was a beloved teacher who touched many lives. He was affectionately known by all as “Mr. Mac”. 

His teaching abilities were recognized and in 1986 he was awarded the Annual Governor’s Teachers Recognition Program Award after 32 years of exemplary teaching and service.

Douglas served his Country in the US Navy and was a WWII Veteran. He was a Signalman on the US Aircraft Carrier – USS Randolph. Upon completion of his service, he attended and received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from Springfield College and continued on to Rutgers University where he received his Masters Degree in Education.

Ernest E. Trunzo (Ernie), of Red Bank, passed on September 25^th, 2019 with his family by his side. Ernie was born and raised in Red Bank, NJ. He resided in River Plaza for the past 42 years.

Eileen (Feistel) Munning, of Middletown, NJ, 93, died peacefully on September 22 at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living, surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 7, 1926, the daughter of the late Francis and Mary Anne Feistel. Eileen attended Red Bank Catholic High School, where she met the love of her life, Phil Munning, whom she married in 1945. Eileen was a lifelong communicant of St. James RC Church in Red Bank, and a former member of Sodality. She enjoyed volunteering as a group leader for St. James elementary school girls in Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

Among Eileen’s favorite pastimes were traveling with Phil, knitting, and bridge. After raising her five children, she graduated from Kean University, and worked as a reading tutor in local elementary schools.

Angelina (nee Verange) Ferraro age 89, of Middletown passed away peacefully on Friday, September 20th, 2019.

Angelina loved being a mother and grandmother. Her home was always open to whomever passed through and everyone was welcomed as family. There was always room at her table for one more. She was a hairdresser for many years and loved what she did. She enjoyed cooking, baking and was very crafty. Most importantly, Angelina had a special way to lighten up any room with her warm heart and loving smile.

Edward F. Kovanic, of Red Bank, passed away peacefully in his home at The Atrium in the early morning of September 19, 2019. A Rumson resident for 40 years, Ed previously resided in Caldwell NJ and Livingston NJ. Ed predeceased by his loving wife, Jane H. Kovanic, whom he has sorely missed since her passing in 2013.

 Born in 1930, Ed spent his youth in Wilmington, Delaware.  After graduating from the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 1952, Ed served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy on the USS Salerno Bay (CVE-110) and USS Missouri (BB-63) at the end of the Korean War.  After his naval service, Ed began his career in electrical engineering with Westinghouse.  Ed then went on to earn a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from New York University after which he joined Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, N.J.  While at Bell Labs, Ed studied for a doctoral degree at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn where he also served as a member of the teaching staff.  Following formation of Project Mallard in late 1967 by then-Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, Ed became Chief, Mission Support Division, Joint Engineering Agency at Fort Monmouth.  There, Ed led efforts for the U.S. Army Communications & Electronics Command to design and implement a Cold-War era strategic communications network connecting the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.  In the early 1970s, Ed was a fellow at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and was the first U.S. Army representative to do so. Ed went on to become Division Chief, Defense Systems Information Agency at Fort Monmouth.

Patience H. Martin “Pat”, 80, passed away on September 7th surrounded by her five loving children.  She was born in Brooklyn, NY, and at a young age moved to Rumson, NJ where she lived most of her life.  She spent a fair amount of time in Manchester, VT, skiing with her family and retired to Vero Beach, FL with her husband, Donal. After Vero Beach, she returned to Rumson, NJ “home” for her final journey.

She graduated from Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School as valedictorian, attended Dickinson College in PA and studied Shakespeare at Brookdale College, NJ.  Pat was a successful business owner and engaged in volunteer work for most of her adult life.  She was proud of her work at the Junior League of Monmouth County which resulted in helping to create Monmouth Arts, a 501c3 County Art Advocacy organization.  She also enjoyed her volunteer work for Sandy Hook, the SSYC, Hospice-Vero Beach and as a community ambassador for the Regency. She loved to golf, read, bird-watch, take her children and grand-children to Broadway plays in NYC, and travel. She also played a smart game of bridge resulting in the Life-Time  Bronze achievement award.