Robert F. Strickler
Mr. Strickler, 87, of Freehold Township, died Nov. 18 at Applewood Estates Care Center, Freehold Township. Born in Lewistown, Mont., he had lived in Princeton and Hightstown before moving to Freehold Township to organize the Freehold Camp of the Gideons. Mr. Strickler was employed by Eastern Airlines for eight years and later at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory before his retirement in 1984. He was called to testify before the U.S. Senate on issues related to meteorology. He was a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, serving as a meteorologist in Peru, and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from the end of World War II until 1955. He was a graduate of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, where he earned a master’s degree. Mr. Strickler was a member of the Ardena Baptist Church, Howell, where he served as a deacon and member of the mission board. He held all the offices in the Freehold Camp of the Gideons. A memorial service will be held at the Ardena Baptist Church on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to The Gideons International, Freehold Camp No. U29043, P.O. Box 493, Freehold 07728. The Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, is in charge of arrangements.
Philip J. Boyce
Mr. Boyce, 52, of Manalapan, died Oct. 28 in Jamesburg. Born in Jersey City, he had lived in Old Bridge before moving to Manalapan 20 years ago. Mr. Boyce was an assembly line worker for General Motors, Linden, for 30 years. He also was a coach for several sports organizations, especially for basketball, soccer and wrestling. He was a member of United Auto Workers. Mr. Boyce is survived by his wife of 28 years, Barbara, a son, Thomas, and a daughter, Shannon, all of Manalapan; his mother, Mary Boyce of Lakewood; and two brothers, John and Danny Boyce, both of Parlin. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church, Sayreville, followed by interment at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent section of Manalapan. The Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, Old Bridge, was in charge of arrangements.
Paul J. Bosak
Mr. Bosak, 61, of Toms River, died Oct. 10 at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Irvington, he resided in Eatontown, prior to moving to Toms River 30 years ago. He was a computer programmer at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, for 30 years, retiring in 1999. He served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia Bosak in 2001. He is survived by a daughter, Stacy Bosak of Forked River; three sons, Paul Bosak Jr. of Beachwood, Edward Bosak of Jackson, and Matthew Bosak of Toms River; a brother, Martin Bosak of Toms River; and four grandchildren. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Deborah Hospital Foundation, New Jersey Region, P.O. Box 820, Browns Mills 08015-082; or American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.
Gregory “Greg” N. Caffyn
Mr. Caffyn, 34, of Howell, passed away suddenly Oct. 9 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. He was an organ donor. Originally from Oceanport, he had resided in Howell for the past five years. A graduate of Oceanport Grammar School and Shore Regional High School, West Long Branch, he was employed as a warehouse manager for the MGM Paper Co. in Hamilton. He was a communicant of St. Mary of the Lake Roman Catholic Church, Lakewood. An avid New York Giants and New York Mets fan, he also loved cooking and going fishing. Mr. Caffyn is survived by his wife, Maureen Meyers Caffyn; two sons, Gregory Robert, 5, and Kaden Daly, 2; his parents, Michael Sr. and Anne Nelson Caffyn of Oceanport; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Michael and Kris Caffyn of Manahawkin and their children, Michael III and Kolleen, and Daniel Caffyn of Oceanport; three uncles, Edgar C. Caffyn of Oceanport, godparents William C. and Barbara Caffyn of Mays Landing, and Milton and Joyce Caffyn of Eatontown; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Linda Meyers and their children, Lauren and Bobby; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debbie and Bob Compton of Manalapan; and many cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at the Church of the Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach, followed by interment at Mount Carmel Cemetery, West Long Branch. Braun Funeral Home, Eatontown, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to The Gregory and Kaden Caffyn Education Fund, 4057 Route 9 north, PMB#225, Howell 07731, or by visiting www.gregcaffyn.com.
Catherine R. Goeller
Mrs. Goeller, 78, of Hazlet, died Nov. 7 at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was stationed at several U.S. Marine Corps bases nationwide, and relocated to Hazlet 40 years ago. She was predeceased by a son, John F. Goeller in 2001. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, James Goeller; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Patricia and John Diemer of Hillsborough, Kathleen and Miles Booth of Ellicott City, Md., and Elizabeth Goeller of Richmond, Va.; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael J. and Diane Goeller of Howell; and five grandchildren. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.
James Douglas Turner
Mr. Turner, 38, of Jackson, died Sept. 28 at Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood. Born in Iwakuni, Japan, he had resided in San Diego before moving to Jackson 14 years ago. Mr. Turner was employed for the past three years by the U.S. Department of Defense Police Department, Lakehurst, as a police officer. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served on the USS Midway and was awarded the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon twice, as well as the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Sharpshooter and Marksman badges. Mr. Turner was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 49, Trenton, and a communicant of the Cathedral of the Air Chapel, Lakehurst. He was predeceased by his father, Eldon Turner. Surviving are his wife of 14 years, Wendy Mason Turner; a daughter and two sons, Anna, John and Joseph Turner, all at home; and his mother, Evelyn Baxter of Oklahoma. A funeral ceremony was held at the George S. Hassler Funeral Home, Jackson, followed by interment, with both military and police honors, at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown, Burlington County. Memorial donations may be made to the family for the future education of the Turner children.