THOMAS A. McGUIRE, 54, of Middletown died May 9 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., he resided in Middletown the past 30 years. He was an award-winning freelance photographer, and took part in several shows throughout New Jersey. Prior to that, he worked at New York Telephone, New York City, and Verizon, from 1970-96. He donated any profits from photos of the New York skyline and World Trade Center memorial lights to families of the Sept. 11 victims, and the New York Firefighter’s Burn Center. He was a communicant of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Atlantic Highlands. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Teresa Sitler McGuire of Middletown; three sons and one daughter-in-law, Matthew J. McGuire of Middletown, Thomas P. and Ursula McGuire of the West End section of Long Branch, and Michael C. McGuire of Middletown; two daughters and one son-in-law, Maria C. and John Adubato of West End, and Rosemary E. McGuire of Weehawken; two brothers, Charles McGuire of Hicksville, N.Y., and Joseph McGuire of Hampton Bays, N.Y.; two sisters, Mary Gentile of Islip, N.Y., and Joanne McGuire of Sunnyside, N.Y.; and two grandchildren.
JOHN P. McLAUGHLIN SR., 75, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died May 12 at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided in Lincroft the past 31 years. He was a retired assistant transfer agent at Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, New York City. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He retired from USAR C Company 826th Military Intelligence BN in 1982, after serving 32 years. He was a communicant of St. Joan of Arc Chapel, Fort Monmouth. He was a former president of Alliance Francais, Monmouth County, and an active member of Daltai na Gaeilge, students of the Irish language. His hobbies included flying, and he was a private pilot. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Margaret McLaughlin of Lincroft; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Neil J. McLaughlin of Lake City, Fla., and John P. and Jaclyn McLaughlin Jr. of Ocean Township; two daughters, Carol M. Skaggs of Hanford, Calif., and Joan V. McLaughlin of Chester, Va.; his sister, Beatrice O’Connor of Pembroke, N.H.; and two grandchildren. A funeral service was offered at Fort Monmouth Post Chapel, Eatontown. Interment was at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown.
ELBERT L. MERRELL, 84, of Middletown died May 11 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Keyport, he had been a resident of Middletown since 1954. Mr. Merrell was a retired chief supply manager at Fort Monmouth, Eatontown, where he worked for 32 years. He served with the U.S.. Army during World War II. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179, Middletown. Mr. Merrell is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dorothea Phillips Merrell of Middletown; two sisters, Dorothy Lambertson of Freehold and Sarah Allen of Eatontown; one niece; and one nephew. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown, followed by interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
ROSE T. SICILIANO VACCARO, 90, of Middletown died May 1 at home. Born in Neptune, she resided in Queens, N.Y., prior to moving to Middletown in 1974. She was a retired operator for N.J. Bell, Asbury Park. She also served as a secretary at United Cerebral Palsy, Queens, N.Y. She was a communicant of St. Catharine’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. She was a member of the Monmouth Center for Vocational Rehabilitation. She was predeceased by two brothers, Frank Siciliano and Felix Siciliano; and a sister, Geraldine Wilkins. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Pasquale Vaccaro of Middletown; her son, Martin Vaccaro of Middletown; two daughters and one son-in-law, Teresa and Walter Olson of Middletown, and Angela Siciliano of Queens, N.Y.; four sisters, Margarite O’Hare of Manasquan, Ann Siciliano of Willmette, Ill., Frances Foster of Ocean Township, and Mary Juliano of Deal; three brothers, Sam Siciliano of Shrewsbury, Eugene Siciliano of Deal, and Joseph Siciliano of Interlaken; and three grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Catharine’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. Burial was at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Sea Girt. Memorial donations may be made to We Care Adult Care Inc., 500 Route 35 south, Middletown 07748.
THEODORA "TEDDY" BARENTZEN BROWN, 102, of Middletown died May 10 at home. Born in Ossining, N.Y., she resided in Maplewood and Red Bank before moving to Middletown in 1956. Mrs. Brown was a teacher at Red Bank High School, beginning in 1926 and retiring, for a second time, in 1971. She was a member of United Methodist Church, Red Bank. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Robert C. Brown, in 1985; and a son, Robert Theodore Brown, in 1974. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, David S. and Patricia L. Brown of Middletown; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held at United Methodist Church, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to Theodora Barentzen Brown Scholarship Fund at Red Bank Regional High School, 5 Lombardi Court, Red Bank 07701.
KENNETH E. FITZGERALD, 80, of Little Silver died May 7 at Jersey Shore Center, Eatontown. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided there prior to moving to Little Silver 46 years ago. Mr. Fitzgerald was retired from Alexander & Alexander, New York City, where he was involved in risk management. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a communicant, usher, bingo worker, and former choir member at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. He was a former Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader, and a former soccer coach at St. James School, Red Bank. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 yeas, Laurice A. Jamate Fitzgerald, in August. He is survived by four sons, Stephen Fitzgerald of West Hollywood, Calif., Michael Fitzgerald of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Brian Fitzgerald of Morris Plains, and Gregory Fitzgerald of Hewitt; two daughters, Maureen Grippen of Little Egg Harbor, and Nancy Everett of Purcellville, Va.; his brother, Neil Fitzgerald, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Fitzgerald; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. Interment was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902; St. James Roman Catholic Church, 94 Broad St., Red Bank 07701; or the American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.