Greater Media Newspapers prints obituaries as a free community service, at no charge to the families of the deceased or to the funeral homes that provide the information.
THOMAS B. O’BRIEN, 74, of Hazlet died June 12 at Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Hazlet. Born in Hazlet, he lived most of his life in Keansburg before moving to Hazlet three years ago. He was a switchman for N.J. Bell System, Middletown, for 33 years, retiring in 1986. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, and the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a founding member and ex-deputy mayor of the Keansburg Borough Council, a founding member and member of the Keansburg Municipal Utilities Authority, and also served on the Keansburg Planning and Zoning Boards. He was a life exempt member of the New Point Comfort Fire Company, Keansburg, and ex-chief of the Keansburg Fire Department. He was also a member of the Keansburg Board of Education, and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He was predeceased by a brother, Eugene O’Brien. He is survived by his former wife, Joan Clark O’Brien of Hazlet; two daughters, Kathleen J. Pfleger of Middletown, and Pegeen Commiso of Pine Beach; two sons, Thomas O’Brien of Middletown, and Timothy O’Brien of Shrewsbury; three brothers, William O’Brien of Jackson, Edward O’Brien of Everett, Wash., and Richard O’Brien of Cullowhee, N.C.; and nine grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to New Point Comfort Fire Company, 275 Beachway, Keansburg 07734; or the American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.
TANYA B. PERONE, 70, of Middletown died June 15 at home. Born in New York City, she lived in Hazlet 37 years and moved to Middletown two years ago. She was predeceased by a son, Raymond Perone; and a daughter, Lisa Johnson. She is survived by her husband, Raymond J. Perone of Middletown; two sons, Christopher Perone of Metuchen, and Dana Perone of Colonia; three daughters and one son-in-law, Cathy Perone of Woodbridge, Lori and Keith Knowles of Howell, and Lynn Mancini of Keansburg; her sister-in-law, Jean Perone of New York City; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held June 19 at 10:30 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Mausoleum.
BHASKAR N. SANAKKAYALA, 54, of Holmdel died June 15 at home. Born in Visag, India, he lived in Middletown prior to moving to Holmdel 18 years ago. He was a retired director for Lucent Technologies, Holmdel, for 28 years. He was predeceased by his father, Radhakrishna Sanakkayala. He is survived by his wife, Nirmala Galla; his son, Aroop Sanakkayala; his daughter, Suma Sanakkayala; and his mother, Mangardra Sanakkayala, all of Holmdel; and his sister, Sohba Sanakkayala of Visag, India. A funeral service will be held June 19 at 9:30 a.m. at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.
MARGE J. HOLLAND, 69, of Middletown died June 3 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Jersey City, she resided there until moving to Middletown 50 years ago. She was a secretary for Sears, Middletown, for 25 years. Prior to that, she worked for ShopRite, Middletown. She was a communicant of St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, Middletown. She was a volunteer for Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Holmdel, as well as a supporter of the American Cancer Society. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Doreen Holland of Rumson; her step-grandson, Keith Mazurek Jr.; and her step-granddaughter, Michele Mazurek.
CARMELA J. FRADELLA, 85, of Holmdel died June 10 at Bayshore Health Care Center, Holmdel. Born in New York City, she resided there until moving to Holmdel seven years ago. She was a homemaker and enjoyed time with her family. She was predeceased by her husband, Salvatore E. Fradella in 1984. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Anthony and Diana Fradella of Morganville, and Charles and Laura Fradella of Manhasset, N.Y.; and four grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. Entombment was at St. John’s Mausoleum, Queens, N.Y.
PATRICK J. GRADY, 31, of the Belford section of Middletown died June 14 at Bayshore Health Care Center, Holmdel. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a member of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the United Cerebral Palsy Association. He is survived by his parents, Patricia and Robert Grady of Belford; two brothers, Robert Grady and Thomas Grady, both of Belford; and his good friend, Joe Kemprecos of Belford. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
JOSEPHINE KUPPENHEIMER, 91, of Keyport died June 11 at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living, Middletown. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she lived there until moving to Keyport seven years ago. She was an operator for NYNEX, Brooklyn, for 42 years, retiring in 1959. She was a communicant of St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church, Brooklyn. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Kuppenheimer in 1966; two brothers, John Crowley and Frank Crowley; and three sisters, Agnes Crowley, Irene Williams and Margaret Bennet. She is survived by her sister, Rita McGrath of Hazlet; her brother, Lawrence Crowley of Hazlet; her great aunt; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. Interment was at National Cemetery, Long Island, N.Y.
SALLY M. HIGGINS, 84, of Aberdeen died June 13 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she resided in Aberdeen the past 40 years. She was a saleswoman for J.C. Penney, Parlin, for 15 years, retiring in 1978. She was a communicant of St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. She was predeceased by her husband, John J. Higgins Sr. in 1992; and her sisters, Helen Deghuee and Mary Murphy. She is survived by her son, John Higgins Jr. of Point Pleasant; four daughters, Barbara Boksan of Bethlehem, Pa., Betty Williams of Fair Haven, and Rosemary Higgins and Margie DeBeVoise, both of Aberdeen; her brother, Charles Randel of Port Washington, N.Y.; and four grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. Interment was at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arnytown. Memorial donations may be made to St. Benedict’s Building Fund, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel 07733.
GAETANO "TOM" DANZA, 64, of Middletown died June 14 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., he resided in Middletown since 1984. He was employed by the New York City Transit Authority for 20 years, retiring in 1996. He is survived by his wife, Rita Sommantico Danza of Middletown; his son, Peter G. Danza of Eatontown; his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth A. and Charles of Hazlet; two sisters, Phyllis Hickey of Ridgewood, and Mary Jane Capobianco of Harrington Park, and two grandsons.
CHERYL LYNN ANN GEIGER, 29, of the Belford section of Middletown died June 15 at home. Born in Red Bank, she was a lifelong resident of Belford. She was a clerk at Foodtown, Red Bank. She was predeceased by her sister, Michelle Geiger. She is survived by her parents, Charles and Nancy Geiger of Belford; and her brother, John Geiger of Belford. Cremation will be at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.
WILLIAM C. KOEHLER JR., 76, of Keyport died June 10 at Holmdel Convalescent Center. Born in Belleville, he lived in the West Keansburg area of Hazlet prior to moving to Keyport in 1990. He was an engineer and draftsman at Earle Naval Weapons Station, Colts Neck, for 25 years, retiring in 1990. He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was the commanding officer of the New Jersey Naval Brigade, 8th Battalion, Keyport. His volunteer activities included the Rainbow Foundation, Middletown; and the Monmouth Center for Vocational Rehabilitation. He was also an assistant scoutmaster for the special needs Boy Scout Troop 230, Keyport, and received the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service from the Boy Scouts of America. He was predeceased by his wife, Roberta Saggau in 1989. He is survived by his son, Adrian Willett of Manalapan; two daughters, Virginia Swift of Keansburg, and Louise Stoddard of Kingsley, Pa.; his sister, Doris Naumann of West Palm Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
WILLIAM R. TERHUNE JR., 55, of Holmdel died June 12 at home. Born in Jersey City, he resided in Clark before moving to Holmdel 25 years ago. He was a systems engineer for Telcordia Inc., Red Bank, for 25 years, retiring in 2001. He was a member of the IEEE. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Alice Terhune Sr. He is survived by his former wife, Salli Terhune of Keyport; his daughter, Stephanie Terhune of Long Island, N.Y.; two sons, William Terhune III and Michael Terhune, both of Keyport; two brothers, John Terhune of South Plainfield, and Robert Terhune of Sayreville; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel.