Doris Bearmore Bathgate
Mrs. Bathgate, 89, died Sept. 8 at Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood. Born in the Adelphia section of Howell Township, on April 18, 1917, she was the daughter of Addie Southard Bearmore and Millard Fillmore Bearmore. She had lived in Howell for 69 years before moving to Lakewood 20 years ago. She was a member and former president of the Howell Township PTA; a former Howell Republican committeewoman; and a member of Bethesda Methodist Church, Adelphia. She also held various volunteer positions within the community, which included working Thursday afternoon bingo at Leisure Village and volunteering at the Paul Kimball thrift shop at Kimball Medical Center. In addition, she was a member of the Italian-American Club at Leisure Village. Mrs. Bathgate was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence “Bill” E. Bathgate in 1968, as well as a brother, Stacy Bearmore, and two sisters, Vivian Bearmore and Marie Bearmore Korski. Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Lawrence E. Bathgate II of Bay Head, and Colin Lee and Tyonja Bathgate of Frederick, Md.; a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Doris and Mark Husik of Bayville; two sisters-in-law, Marion Bearmore of Brick and Vera Bathgate Marquardt of Freehold; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many friends and extended family members. A funeral service was held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township, followed by interment at Adelphia Cemetery, Adelphia. Memorial donations may be made to the Ocean County College Foundation, College Drive, Toms River 08753; or the Popcorn Park Zoo, 1 Humane Way, Forked River 08731.
Joel Opatut
Mr. Opatut, 82, of the West End section of Long Branch, died Sept. 23 at home. He was a Holocaust survivor, as were his three brothers. Born in Szadek, Poland, he arrived in the United States with his wife and son in 1949. He and his brothers purchased a chicken farm in Freehold, which became Colonial Foods Inc. He was the chairman of Colonial Foods/Colonial Marketing Associates, Freehold Township, and a director of American Planned Communities. Mr. Opatut was a member of Temple Beth El, Oakhurst. He was also a benefactor of both the Frances Opatut Junior High School in Lakewood and an orphanage in Beer Sheva, Israel; the donor of the Joel Opatut Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch; a member of the U.S. Committee Sports for Israel, as well as the Founders Club of Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach, Fla.; a past board member of the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation; a founder of Congregation Sons of Israel, Lakewood; and a supporter of Israel bonds. Freehold Township’s Opatut Park was named in his honor for his donation to the township of 136 acres. Mr. Opatut and his family were the underwriters of the restoration of the Szadek, Poland, cemetery, where his family members are buried. He was predeceased in 1977 by his wife, Frances. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Abraham S. and Susan Opatut of Freehold Township; two daughters and sons-in-law, Arlene and Bernard Hammer of Lakewood, and Toby and Steven Rofsky of Freehold Township; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and special friend Rachel Troper. Funeral services were held at Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by interment at Beth Israel Memorial Park, Woodbridge. Shiva was observed at his former residence. Memorial donations may be made to the Joel Opatut Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center at Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch 07740. For more information about the center, call (732) 923-7454.
Benjamin W. Curry Jr.
Mr. Curry, 34, of Union Beach, died Sept. 14 at home. Born in Augusta, Maine, he had previously resided in Newark and Keansburg before moving to Union Beach six years ago. He was a machine operator for New Jersey Iron, Jackson. He was a communicant of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. Mr. Curry is survived by his wife, Pam Perricone; two sons, Benjamin Curry III and Paul Perricone, both at home; a brother, John Curry of Union Beach; two sisters, Denise Keddell of Keansburg and Dawn Tye of Englishtown; an uncle, Peter Zartin of Vermont; three nieces; seven nephews; and a cousin, Joseph Barlett of Florida. A funeral Mass was offered at Holy Family Church, followed by interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Keyport. Day Funeral Home, Keyport, was in charge of arrangements.
Vincenza “Jean” Antico
Mrs. Antico, 85, of Jackson, died Sept. 26 at Bartley Healthcare Nursing & Rehabilitation, Jackson. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she had lived in Staten Island, N.Y., for many years before moving to Jackson in 2004. In her earlier years, she worked as a seamstress in Brooklyn. Mrs. Antico was predeceased by her husband, Frank, in 2000. Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Iggy and Linda Antico of Jackson, and Joseph Antico of Staten Island; a daughter and son-in-law, Shiela and Gene Scarano of Jackson; a brother, Anthony Barone of New York; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Old Bridge, followed by interment at Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island. Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, Manalapan, was in charge of arrangements.