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 liturgy was celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown, followed by burial at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. The John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch 07740.
Mary A. Juliano Marra
Mrs. Marra, 86, of Long Branch died Jan. 31 at St. Barnabas Hospice Center at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Long Branch, she was a lifelong resident. She was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Long Branch, and a member of the Holy Trinity Seniors. Mrs. Marra was predeceased by her husband, Vito W. Marra Sr., in 1993. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Vito W. and Donna Marra of Oceanport; two daughters and sons-in-law, Joan and David Gordon, and Patricia and Ralph Saitta, all Long Branch; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Long Branch. Interment was at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport. Arrangements were by Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch.
Rozalyn DelVecchio Pilone
Mrs. Pilone, 71, of Long Branch died Feb. 3 at St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Newark, she was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a retired receptionist at Park Beauty School. She is survived by her husband, Leonard Pilone; a son, Jeffrey Pilone of West Long Branch; two brothers, Joseph DelVecchio of Little Falls, and Anthony DelVecchio of Pennsylvania; and two granddaughters. Arrangements were by Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center at Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave., CW6, Long Branch 07740.
Francis J. Banach
Mr. Banach, 69, of Middletown died Dec. 31 at home. Born in Kearny, he relocated to Middletown 46 years ago. Mr. Banach was an engineering manager at Western Electric/AT&T for 37 years, retiring in 1989. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, at which time he also appeared in the movie "Proud and Profane." He was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. He was a charter member of the Middletown Knights of Columbus Vince Lombardi Council No. 6552 and was past president of the Telephone Pioneers of America, Chapter No. 82. He was predeceased by a sister, Josephine Franco. Mr. Banach is survived by his wife of 48 years, Eleanor Dunzello Banach; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Valerie Banach of Long Branch, Brian Banach of Middletown, Neil and Michele Banach of Middletown, and Ronald Banach of West Long Branch; a daughter and son-in-law, Dina and Ronald Scaramutz of Hazlet; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Anthony of Padua Church. The John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702; or Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Road, Browns Mills 08015.
Austin P. Magner
Mr. Magner, 95, of Tinton Falls died Feb. 3 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Yonkers, N.Y., he resided in Monmouth Beach and in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., before moving to Tinton Falls two years ago. He was a lawyer and founding partner of the law firm of Condon & Forsyth, New York City, before his retirement. Prior to that, he was employed as a federal treasury agent. His memberships included the American Bar Association, Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, and American Institute of Aeronautical Astronautics. He enjoyed yachting and was a member of the Yonkers Yacht Cub. Mr. Magner was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie R. Reith, in 2001. Interment was at Woodbine Cemetery Mausoleum, Oceanport. The Braun Funeral Home, Eatontown, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church, 61 Atlantic Ave., Long Branch 07740.
Marcella Ann Donnelly Schepp
Mrs. Schepp of Middletown died Feb. 16 at home. Born in New York City, she resided in Middletown most of her life. She was a homemaker. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. She was an avid golfer. Mrs. Schepp was predeceased by her husband, George Schepp, in 2002; a brother, John Donnelly; and a son, Paul Schepp. She is survived by three sons and one daughter-in-law, Mark and Robina Schepp of Middletown, George T. Schepp of Monmouth Beach, and Richard P. Schepp of Atlanta; a sister, Marita Doody of Tarrytown, N.Y.; and five grandchildren. A funeral gathering will be held Feb. 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral liturgy will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Attn.: Communications Division, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Margaret Theresa Asendorf Hanlon
Mrs. Hanlon, 93, of Monmouth Beach died Feb. 10 at Manor by the Sea, Ocean Grove. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she resided in Jersey City prior to moving to Monmouth Beach in 1975. She was a homemaker. She was a communicant of and member of the Altar Rosary Society at Church of the Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach. She was a former member of Our Lady of Fatima Guild, Jersey City. She was a longtime member and treasurer of the Sandpipers of Monmouth Beach. She enjoyed gardening and knitting, and created several blankets for premature infants at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas J. Hanlon in 1978; a son, Kevin James in 1953; a brother, David Asendorf; and a sister, Florence Foden. She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Thomas B. and Arlene Hanlon of Monmouth Beach, Robert J. and Barbara Hanlon of Jersey City, and Brian J. Hanlon of Brielle; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Church of the Precious Blood. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to The Valerie Fund, Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch 07740; or the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, 3300 Route 66, Neptune 07753.
Robert S. "Poppy" Whitacre
Mr. Whitacre, 63, of Long Branch died Feb. 6 in Newark. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided in Oceanport and Monmouth Beach prior to moving to Long Branch five years ago. He was a vice president and senior credit analyst at Merrill Lynch, Plainsboro, the past 34 years. He was a communicant of Church of the Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach. He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus, Brooklyn, N.Y. He enjoyed time with his family, football and the beach. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Judith Gough Whitacre; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert S. and Lisa Whitacre, and Michael J. and Nicole Whitacre; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Karyn and David Arnold, Kristen and James Davey, Katherine Whitacre, and Kimberly and Jeremy West; his mother, Dorothy Whitacre; a brother, William Whitacre; two sisters, Ruth Petz and Joan McClellan; and nine grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Church of the Precious Blood. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House, 131 Bath Ave., Long Branch 07740.
Richard L. Schneider Sr.
Mr. Schneider, 53, of Shrewsbury Township died Jan. 27 at Avante at Red Bank. Born in Long Branch, he resided in Little Silver and Red Bank prior to moving to Shrewsbury Township. He was a truck driver for the Borough of Shrewsbury for the past 12 years. He was also a manager at the Krauszer’s food stores in Little Silver, Fair Haven and Hazlet. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Red Bank and a member of the Red Bank Elks. He was a past president and life member of the West Side Host Company, Red Bank; past member of the Red Bank Fire Department Executive Council; and co-founder of the Central Jersey Transplant Lifeline. He enjoyed bowling and softball, and was a former coach of the Fair Haven Tigers Pop Warner and Tinton Falls Little Falcons Pop Warner teams. Mr. Schneider is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Richard L. and Heather Schneider Jr. of Shrewsbury; a daughter, Jackie Scribellito of Wanamassa section of Ocean Township; his parents, Virginia B. and Michael Toscano of Shrewsbury; a brother, Michael J. Toscano of Asbury; a sister; Michele M. Smith of the Elberon section of Long Branch; and three grandchildren. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to The Sharing Network, 841 Mountain Ave., Springfield 07081; or West Side Hose Company, 261 Leighton Ave., Red Bank 07701.
Ernest J. Donato
Mr. Donato, 83, of Long Branch died Feb. 1 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in New Brunswick, he resided in Jersey City prior to moving to Long Branch 50 years ago. Mr. Donato was director of operations at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, for 18 years, retiring in 1985. While at Monmouth, he was instrumental in the restoration of Wilson Hall and the set for the filming of "Annie." He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Long Branch. He enjoyed time with his family, cooking and gardening. Mr. Donato is survived by his wife, Constance "Tina" Donato; three sons and one daughter-in-law, Joseph Donato of Long Branch, Dennis and Diane Donato of Interlaken, and Phillip Donato of Little Silver; a sister, Josephine Bruno of New Brunswick; and three grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. Entombment was at Woodbine Mausoleum, Oceanport. Arrangements were by Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch. Memorial donations may be made to ALS Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 40777, Philadelphia, PA 19107; or Interfaith Neighbors, 1206 Main St., Asbury Park 07712.