UPPER FREEHOLD: Township officials recall residents’ contributions

Township officials took some time during the March 6 Township Committee meeting to remember some of the recently-deceased residents who contributed so much to the community.

by Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — This winter has been harsh for Upper Freehold in more ways than just the weather, as many long-time, well-known residents have died.
   Township officials took some time during the March 6 Township Committee meeting to remember some of the residents who contributed so much to the community.
   Former mayors paid tribute to the late Charles Faber, who died Feb. 1 at age 84. Mr. Faber, the brother of current committeeman Robert Faber, worked for the Union Transportation Railroad – whose line is now a county linear park – served as the township’s tax collector and was a longtime committeeman.
   Bob Abrams, who served on the governing body for 21 years, called Mr. Faber his “torch-bearer” – a man who got all of the necessary signatures and petitions necessary for running for office.
   Mr. Abrams recalled that the first time he ran for office, Mr. Faber assured him, “I have everything under control. You’re going to win,” and he did.
   Paul Burke, who served on the governing body for 10 years, agreed.
   ”If ‘Uncle’ Charlie was on your side, you got elected,” he remembered. “If not, you didn’t get elected or you had to fight like hell.”
   Former Mayor Richard Osborn said that Mr. Faber knew the town’s history, including all the old “names” and what they did, but he also had a lot of common sense.
   Former Mayor David Horsnall, father of current mayor Lori Horsnall Mount, said there was only one thing he and Mr. Faber ever seriously disagreed on in the many years they served together on the governing body.
   ”I later came to realize he was right,” Mr. Horsnall said, although he declined to elaborate on the nature of the disagreement.
   Also remembered was Ruth Holmes Honadle, a member of one of Upper Freehold’s oldest familes, who served as township historian for decades. She passed away on February 10 at the age of 94.
   In 2001, she and her son George published “Twixt Crosswicks Creek and Burlington Path, — Glimpses of Life, Nature and Change on a Cream Ridge Farm” a history of both local families and the land.
   She was also a substitute teacher at Allentown High School for many years.
   Officials also took time to remember, Tom Amabile.
   Though Mr. Amabile resided in Robbinsville, he founded the Cream Ridge Winery on Route 539 in the township, which was named the state’s first “Winery of the Year.”
   In 2005, the winery received the prestigious Governor’s Cup.
   Mr. Amabile died at the age of 82 on March 4.