MARCELLINE C. GRADY, 70, of Hazlet died Feb. 9 at JFK Medical Center, Edison. Born in Newark, she resided in Irvington for 48 years prior to moving to Hazlet. She was a bookkeeper at New Hope Foundation, Marlboro, for 20 years, retiring in 2001. She was an active member, Eucharistic minister, and member of the arts and environment committee at St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. She was also coordinator of the liturgy section of Oursillo Movement of the Diocese of Trenton. She is survived by three daughters, Diane Grady of Middletown, Susan Grady of Jackson, and Casey Grady of Freehold; her son-in-law, Jeffrey Surgent of Freehold; her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Margaret Conroy of West Orange; her sister, Patricia Stuy of Middletown; two grandchildren; and one nephew. A funeral service will be Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. at Day Funeral Home, Keyport. A funeral liturgy will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. Interment will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Keyport.
RONALD K. STECK, 70, of Bunker Hill, W. Va., and formerly Middletown died Feb. 1 at home. Born in Jersey City, he resided in Middletown for 25 years prior to moving to Bunker Hill 10 years ago. He was a senior technical assistant at AT&T, Holmdel, for 39 years, retiring in 1989. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He was a member of King of Kings Lutheran Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He was predeceased by his wife, Jennie Williams Steck in 1988. He is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Steven Silverstein of West Long Branch, Sharon and Ben Barresi of Little Silver, Jeanne and Chris Risafi of Freehold, and Diane and Jimmy McDonald of Middletown; his sister and brother, Carol Steck and Robert Steck, both of New Jersey; and nine grandchildren. Burial was at Washington Monumental Cemetery, South River.
THOMAS F. MURPHY JR., 77, of North Brunswick died Jan. 28 at home. Born in Medford, Mass., he resided in Hillsborough prior to moving to North Brunswick 48 years ago. He owned and operated Thorn’s Piano Tuning and Repair. He was also a manager at Pepsi Cola, North Brunswick and Ocean, for more than 30 years, retiring in 1988. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a communicant of St. Mary of Mount Virgin Roman Catholic Church, New Brunswick. An avid trumpet player, he and his wife Ann, an organist, played in the Pete Mundi Orchestra for 25 years. His memberships included the American Federation of Musicians Local No. 204, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks No. 324, both New Brunswick. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann Mundi Murphy of North Brunswick; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Jane Murphy of Howell, and William and Susan Murphy of Hampton; his daughter, Judy Donnelly of North Brunswick; his sister and brother-in-law, Noreen and John Czahor of Clearwater, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Mary of Mount Virgin Roman Catholic Church, New Brunswick. Burial was at St. Peter’s Cemetery, New Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association Memorial and Honor Program, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton OH 44720.
ALEX P. MISTRETTA, 29, of Jackson, died in a skiing accident Jan. 31 at Central Vermont Medial Center, Vermont. Born in Livingston, he had lived in Marlboro before moving to Jackson two years ago. Mr. Mistretta was vice president of Jeffrey Craig Entertainment Co., Marlboro. He was a 1991 graduate of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel. He was a communicant of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Jackson. Mr. Mistretta is survived by his wife, Danielle; two sons, Alex John "AJ" and Jake, both at home; his mother, Jeanette "JJ" Mistretta of Freehold; his father and his wife, John and Linda Mistretta of Nutley; his paternal grandmother, Mary Mistretta of Rockaway; a brother, Gregg Mistretta of Howell; and a stepsister, Dana Suman of Jacksonville, Fla. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Gabriel’s Roman Catholic Church, Marlboro, followed by entombment at St. Gabriel’s Mausoleum, Marlboro. Memorial donations may be made to the Mistretta Children’s 529 College Trust Fund, c/o Jeffrey Craig Entertainment, 1121 Campus Drive West, Morganville 07751.
ADA WEISMAN, 91, of Freehold Township died Jan. 29 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. She was predeceased by her husband, Max Weisman, in 1947. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Lisa Weisman, Freehold, and two grandchildren. Interment at B’nai Israel Cemetery, Tinton Falls.
MICHAEL J. KNAUP, 67, of Freehold Township, died Jan. 31 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he moved to Freehold Township in 1985. Mr. Knaup was a program analyst at General Motors, New York City, for 20 years before retiring in 1982. After his retirement, he worked part time as a patients’ account associate in the Patient Financial Services Department at CentraState Medical Center for eight years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He was a former member, third degree, of the Knights of Columbus LaSalle Lodge No. 454, Brooklyn. Mr. Knaup is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Edward Carroll of Freehold Township; one nephew; two nieces; five grandnieces and grandnephews; and his friend, Charlotte Thomas of Freehold Township. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Monmouth Unit, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.
MICHAEL V. TRANI, 92, of Howell died Jan. 31 at home. Born in Hoboken, he lived in Union City before moving to Howell ten years ago. He was co-owner of A&S Trani Sportswear in Union City before he retired. He was a communicant of St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church in Freehold. He was a lifetime member and trustee of Elks Lodge 1357, Union City, and longtime chairman of the Elks’ Crippled Children’s Committee. He is survived by his wife, Rose; three daughters and sons-in-law, Ernestine and Flavio Ricelli of Freehold, Carmella and Ralph Errico of Maywood, and Mary and Raymond Nasto of New Milford; ten grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Freehold, followed by entombment at St. Gabriel’s Mausoleum, Marlboro. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.
JOHN F. ESCHBACH, 80, of Highlands died Feb. 6 at Hospice Center at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Jersey City, he was a longtime resident of Highlands. He was a retired lieutenant in security at Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport, for 15 years. Prior to that, he worked out of Operating Engineers Local No. 825, Newark. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, attaining the rank of technician 5th grade, and received the Bronze Star. He is survived by his former wife, Valeria Eschbach of the Belford section of Middletown; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Patricia and James Corridon of Middletown, Joyce McElven of Howell, Carol and Tim Bingaman of Centerville, Ohio, and Peggy Eschbach of Belford; and four grandchildren.
JOHN "SEAN" McCOBB, 75, of Freehold, died Feb. 7 at home. Born in Blackwood, West Australia, he had lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., and East Brunswick before moving to Freehold in 1962. Mr. McCobb was a systems analyst for the Xerox Corp., Princeton. He also owned and operated Best Impressions Printing, Freehold. He served aboard the USS Eberle during World War II. He was a graduate of St. John’s University, New York. Mr. McCobb was a former Boy Scout troop master; a member of Freehold Council No. 1672 Knights of Columbus, Freehold; and a co-founder of the St. Rose of Lima Boys Basketball League. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold, where he served as choir director for 20 years. He was predeceased by a sister, Rosaleen Buckel, Whittier, Calif. Mr. McCobb is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Hopkins McCobb; three sons, Kieren McCobb of Milltown, Patrick McCobb of Freehold and Timothy McCobb of Toms River; three daughters, Maureen Whitley of Eugene, Ore., Colleen McCobb of Sarasota, Fla., and Kathleen McCobb of Asbury Park; a brother, James P. McCobb of Bradenton, Fla.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, followed by interment at the parish cemetery, Freehold Township. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105-1905.
LOUIS J. BORRIELLO, 82, of Hamilton died Feb. 1 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton. Born in Brooklyn, he was a resident of the Trenton-Hamilton area for many years. He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Maria and Ronald Friedman of East Windsor; and two granddaughters. Interment was at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902.