Walter "Jocko" O’Grady Sr.
Mr. O’Grady, 67, of Keyport died Feb. 7 at St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Jersey City, he resided in Middletown prior to moving to Keyport four years ago. He was tractor-trailer driver for Teamster Local No. 408, Union, where he was employed 40 years before retiring. Mr. O’Grady was predeceased by his wife, Jean Vattar O’Grady, in 1997. He is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Lisa Ann and Frederick Purcell of Toms River, and Tricia Jean O’Grady of South Amboy; two sons and daughters-in-law, Walter and Patricia O’Grady Jr. of Union Beach, and David Michael and Toni O’Grady of West Long Branch; a brother, Tom O’Grady of Delaware; a sister, Joan Garrison of Jersey City; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral gathering will be held Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral liturgy will follow at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Burial will be at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch 07740.
Walter E. Perski
Mr. Perski, 58, of Manalapan died Jan. 28 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Jersey City, he resided in Manalapan and Freehold before moving back to Manalapan three months ago. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1963 to 1969 and was a former commandant of the Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Detachment of the Marine Corps League, Freehold, from 2001 to 2002. He was a sergeant in the N.J. State Police, retiring in 1989, where he worked for 22 years. He received numerous citations, including the Distinguished Service Medal for heroism in 1987. While carrying an unconscious truck driver from a crash site, a propane truck exploded, and he suffered severe burns. He is survived by his wife, the former Diana Stiles; a son and daughter-in-law, Walter E. and Natasha Perski of Freehold, and a son, Stuart Perski of South Amboy; his mother, Mary Perski of Middletown; a sister, Helena McManamon of Middletown. The Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. A Funeral Liturgy was offered at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold. Interment was at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arnytown section of North Hanover. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury, 07702-4201.
Assunta Sacco Senese
Mrs. Senese, 70, of Hazlet died Feb. 7 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she resided there prior to relocating to Hazlet three years ago. She was employed in the maintenance and office cleaning department at the Empire State Building, New York City, for 18 years, retiring in 1999. Mrs. Senese is survived by two daughters, Carmela Senese of Brooklyn and Josephine Hernandez of Hazlet; a son, Anthony Senese of Goldens Bridge, N.Y.; a sister, Anna Abrahamsen of Brooklyn; and five grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Feb. 11 at 9:30 am. at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. Interment will follow at Pinelawn Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.
Nancy Schuring Fries
Mrs. Fries, 78, of Matawan died Jan. 25 at Bayshore Health Care Center, Holmdel. Born in Glen Rock, she resided in Matawan the past 50 years. Mrs. Fries was a seamstress and the founder of the home-based business Taylor Made Boat Curtains. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, J. Donald Fries, in 2002; and a brother, William. She is survived by four daughters and three sons-in-law, Daren and Jim Hutchinson of Rumson, Patti Fries and Eric Sandor of Tarboro, N.C., Carol and Frank Dugan of Manasquan, and Nancy Dowd of Island Heights; a son, Donald A. Fries of the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen; and nine grandchildren. Arrangements were by Bedle Funeral Home, Matawan.
Evelyn M. Rettino
Mrs. Rettino, 84, of Red Bank died Dec. 14 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Newark, she resided in Atlantic Highlands and Cranford prior to moving to Red Bank 24 years ago. She and her husband owned and operated Evans Liquors, Port Monmouth section of Middletown, for more than 20 years. Mrs. Rettino was predeceased by a daughter, Kristine Rettino, in 2003. She is survived by her husband, Vincent Rettino; a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Marty Rettino of Matawan; a daughter and son-in-law, Bobbe and Jerry Segal of Coconut Creek, Fla.; and four grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Atlantic Highlands. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.
Ruth Sandy Wardell Snow
Mrs.. Snow, 63, of Eatontown, died Jan. 26 at home. She resided in Red Bank and Shrewsbury prior to moving to Eatontown 12 years ago. She was a secretary at Riverview Medical center, Red Bank, retiring after 14 years. She was a member of the First Assembly of God, Shrewsbury, and a volunteer for its vacation Bible school. She enjoyed time with her family. Mrs. Snow is survived by her husband, Coy L. Snow; two sons, Coy L. Snow Jr. of Shrewsbury and Jeffrey D. Snow of Florida; two daughters, Nancy R. Snow of Red Bank and Sandra F. Sierra of Middletown; and four grandchildren. A funeral service was held at First Assembly of God, Shrewsbury. Interment was at Monmouth Memorial Park, Neptune. Arrangements were by Braun Funeral Home, Eatontown. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902.
Virginia E. Russo Clohessy
Mrs. Clohessy, 73, of Hazlet died Feb. 1 at St. Clare’s Hospital, Dover. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was a home health care worker at MCOSS, Middletown, for two years, retiring in 1985. She was a communicant of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach, and a member of the parish’s Senior Citizens Club. She also was a member of the Golden Achievers of St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, Middletown, and the Hazlet Senior Citizens Club. Mrs. Clohessy was predeceased by her husband, Stephen Clohessy, in 1993; and a brother, Raymond Iacona. She is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Kathleen and Charles Nalbone of Succasunna, and Margaret Dyess of Ocala, Fla.; a son, Michael Moriarty of Tampa, Fla.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Dorothy Iacona of Ridgewood, and Anthony and Carol Iacona of Texas; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris and Jack O’Keefe of New Jersey, and Ruth and Sonny Bello of Dania, Fla.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at Holy Family Church. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050.
Florence E. Benville
Mrs. Benville, 93, of Lady Lake, Fla., died Feb. 2 at Lady Lake. Born in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., she resided in Middletown and Toms River prior to moving to Lady Lake 10 years ago. She was an assembler at Weston Electric Instrument Company, Newark, before retiring. She was a communicant of St. Timothy’s Roman Catholic Church, Lady Lake, Fla. Mrs. Benville was predeceased by her husband, Harry J. Benville, in 1982; and two sons-in-law. She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy L. Mayer of Parlin and Harriet F. Donnelly of Lady Lake; a sister, Alice Peterson of Stephenson, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. Interment was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Toms River. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport. Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Timothy Catholic Community, 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake, FL 32159.