Obituaries

Sebastiano Cannizzaro

Mr. Cannizzaro, 85, of Hazlet, died Sept. 19 at Madison Center, Old Bridge. Born in New York City, he resided in Keyport and Keansburg prior to moving to Hazlet 46 years ago. He was a self-employed barber in Keansburg for 40 years. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a communicant of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Keansburg. He was a member of the American Legion, National Chapter, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Keansburg, and Disabled American Veterans, and Hazlet Seniors. He is survived by his wife, Anna Straniero Cannizzaro, of Hazlet; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Michael and Susan Cannizzaro, of Hazlet, and Robert Cannizzaro, of Naples, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Lenny Mancini, of Brick; a sister, Francesca Fremita, of Italy; and five grandchildren. Visitation was held on Sept. 22 at Day Funeral Home, Keyport. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 23 at St. Ann’s Church, followed by entombment at St. Joseph’s Mausoleum, Keyport.

Edith M. Noland

Mrs. Noland, 88, of Middletown died Aug. 31 at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation, Red Bank. She had lived in the Bronx, N.Y., and Rochelle Park before moving to Middletown in 1956. Mrs. Noland was assistant to the president of New York Telephone Co. and worked at Fort Monmouth before retiring in 1972. Mrs. Noland was a graduate of the Grace Institute of New York City and attended Hunter College, New York City. She was a communicant of St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank, where she was a member of the Rosary Altar Society and a volunteer at parish’s elementary school during the 1950s and 1960s. She was a member of the St. James and Croydon Hall (Middletown) senior citizens organizations, and the Ship Ahoy Beach Club, Sea Bright. Mrs. Noland was predeceased by a brother, Martin Froehly, and a daughter, Carolyn Rose Noland. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, John L. Noland; a brother, Bertram Froehly; a daughter, Janet Noland Panter of Middletown; a son, Commander David Noland (U.S. Navy Retired) of Eau Claire, Wis.; a daughter-in-law, Rebecca K. Noland of Eau Claire; and four grandchildren, including Caroline Panter of Middletown and Assemblyman Michael J. Panter of Shrewsbury. The John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, was in charge of arrangements.

Francis Edward “Frank” Dowd

Mr. Dowd, 82, of Matawan, died Sept. 17 at St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Lake Hopatcong, he resided in Paterson prior to moving to the Hazlet and Matawan area 56 years ago. During his retirement, he was employed at Central Jersey Blood Bank, Shrewsbury, and as a school bus driver at St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel. Prior to that, he was a police captain for the New York and New Jersey Port Authority at the Lincoln Tunnel and Newark Airport for 25 years. He was also manager of administration and a security consultant at Feist & Feist Real Estate Co. of New York and New Jersey. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Cuban missile crisis. He was a communicant of St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Laurence Harbor, where he was also an usher, Eucharistic minister, and lector. He was a member of the Fort Monmouth Officers Club, Eatontown, and Knights of Columbus of St. Joseph’s Council No. 3402, where he was a past Grand Knight. He was predeceased by a brother, John Down; and a sister, Mary Schenker. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eva Sawey Dowd; two sons and daughters-in-law, Francis E. and Judy Dowd Jr., of Cameron Park, Calif., and Dennis J. and Karen Dowd, of Essex, Conn.; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Donna M. and Richard Boyd, of the West Keansburg section of Hazlet, Barbara A. and Robert Day, of Metairie, La., Eva E. and Thomas Ryan, of Matawan, and Susan M. Dowd, of San Francisco; two sisters, Ruth VandeWeghe, of Absecon, and Helen Casteel, of Ogdensburg; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Lawrence Church. Interment was at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown. Arrangements were by The Gundrum Service Home for Funerals, South Amboy.

Margaret A. Creighton

Mrs. Creighton, 75, of Keansburg, died Sept. 13 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Jersey City, she resided there prior to moving to Keansburg 40 years ago. She was a factory worker at Charles of the Ritz, Holmdel, for 20 years, retiring in 1992. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, William Creighton; three sons and daughters-in-law, William and Colleen Creighton of Middletown, Robert and Laurie Creighton of Atlantic Highlands, and Kevin and Peggy Creighton of Carteret; two daughters and one son-in-law, Margaret McDonald of Keansburg, and Bernadette and Kevin Woodworth of Jackson; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Keansburg. Burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Ralph B. Caliendo

Mr. Caliendo, 87, of Hazlet, died Sept. 24 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he had resided in Matawan and Keyport before moving to Hazlet 45 years ago. Mr. Caliendo was a machine shop foreman at Bendix Corp., Red Bank and Eatontown, where he was employed 48 years before retiring. He was a communicant of St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel, where he was an usher. He enjoyed gardening. He was predeceased by three brothers, Pascquale, Salvatore and Thomas Caliendo; and two sisters, Rose Granato and Theresa Della Pietro. Mr. Caliendo is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Sannelli Caliendo; a daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Joseph Ricca, of Hazlet; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Debra Caliendo, Aberdeen, and Ralph and Kathleen Caliendo, Old Bridge; a brother, John Caliendo Sr., Morganville; and nine grandchildren. The Day Funeral Home, Keyport, is in charge of arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Sept. 29 at 10 a.m., at St. Benedict’s Church, followed by interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Keyport.

Alma T. Timmins Parker

Mrs. Parker, 96, of Keyport, died Aug. 31 at home. Born in Matawan, she resided there prior to moving to Keyport. She was a teacher at Marlboro Elementary School and at St. Joseph’s School, Keyport, for a total of 25 years, retiring in 1968. She was the oldest parishioner, lifelong communicant, and member of the Rosary Altar Society at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert G. Parker in 1993; and her sisters, Irene Halleran and Helen Genovese. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph’s Church, Keyport, followed by interment at the church’s cemetery. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport. Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 379 Maple Place, Keyport 07735.

Hetty M. Lee Farenga

Mrs. Farenga, 74, of Holmdel, died Sept. 16 at Geraldine Thompson Care Center, Wall. Born in Raleigh, N.C., she resided in Middletown prior to moving to Holmdel 12 years ago. She was the owner/operator of Lee’s Restaurant, Hazlet, for 25 years, retiring in 1985. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in 1978; a sister, Gladys Matera, in 2002; and her father, Jesse Atkins. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jessica and William Laurer of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, and Maria and Michael Brennan of Howell; a brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Lorraine Atkins of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Ruby Radino of Mesa; her mother, Emma Atkins of Keansburg; and four grandchildren. Entombment was at Fair View Mausoleum, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Bertha M. Schlagenhaft

Mrs. Schlagenhaft, 86, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, died Sept. 18 at Laurel Bay Rehabilitation Center, Keansburg. Born in Elizabeth, she resided in Port Monmouth the past 38 years. She was predeceased by her husband, George Schlagenhaft, in 1984. She is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Delores Williscroft of Ocean City, and Maureen and Michael Spano of Lanoka Harbor; four sons and two daughters-in-law, George Schlagenhaft of Brick Township, James and Sharon Schlagenhaft, and Patrick and Sharon Schlagenhaft, all of Little Egg Harbor, and Gary Schlagenhaft of Port Monmouth; 20 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. Visitation was at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral gathering was held Sept. 23 at the funeral home, followed by a funeral liturgy at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Burial was at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery, Colonia section of Woodbridge. Memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank 07701.

Thomas J. Donovan Sr.

Mr. Donovan, 64, of the Belford section of Middletown, died Sept. 6 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. He resided most of his life in Belford. Mr. Donovan was a supervisor for the Middletown Township Public Works Department for 25 years, retiring in 1999. He was a life member of Belford Engine Company No. 1. He was predeceased by his father, Joseph Donovan Sr. Mr. Donovan is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas J. and Sharon Donovan Jr., of Middletown, and Patrick and Colleen Donovan, of Keansburg; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Chantal L. and Ronald Harvey, of Middletown, Gerri M. and Joseph Rogers, of Atlantic Highlands, and Perri R. Donovan, of the Leonardo section of Middletown; his mother, Myrtle Donovan, of Holmdel; three sisters, Patricia Donovan, of Florida, Theresa Kenny, of Belford, and Diane Bell, of South Carolina; a brother, Donald Donovan, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown; and 11 grandchildren. Entombment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. The John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements.

John Novak

Mr. Novak, 83, died Sept. 4 at his daughter’s home in Holmdel. He was born in Hungary and had been a longtime resident of New Jersey. Mr. Novak was an inspector for the Ford Motor Co., Edison, before his retirement. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a communicant of St. Stephen Protomartyr Church, South River. Mr. Novak was predeceased by his wife, Mary Mako Novak, in 1966. He is survived by his daughter, Marlene Novak Flemer of Holmdel; three sisters, Mary Maurer of South River, Elizabeth Milyo of Florida, and Irene Zuczek of East Brunswick; and three grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Stephen Protomartyr Church, followed by burial at Washington Monumental Cemetery, South River. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Stephen Protomartyr Church or to the Visiting Nurse Association, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank 07701.

Maureen Ann Fantasia

Mrs. Fantasia, 59, of Atlantic Highlands, died Sept. 4 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. She was born in Jersey City and had lived in Manalapan before moving to Atlantic Highlands 10 years ago. Mrs. Fantasia was a homemaker. She was a past president of the Manalapan Soccer Association and was a member of the Manalapan Hall of Fame. She was a teacher of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine religious classes at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Manalapan, and a communicant of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Atlantic Highlands. Mrs. Fantasia is survived by her husband of 37 years, Leonard Fantasia; two daughters and a son-in-law, Laurie Fantasia of Belford, and Cheryl and Glen Wilder of Hazlet; two sisters, Patricia DeVito of Princeton Junction and Lois Curry of Caldwell; and four grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Agnes Church, followed by burial at Bay View Cemetery, Leonardo section of Middletown. The John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements.

Agnes G. McGee

Mrs. McGee, 78, of the New Monmouth section of Middletown, died Sept. 17 at home. Born in Jersey City, she resided there prior to moving to New Monmouth 52 years ago. She was a retired Realtor at Weichert, Realtors, Middletown, and at several other area Realtors prior to the firm. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth, where she was also a member of its Altar Rosary Society and Adoration Chapel. She was a member of the New Jersey Realtors Million Dollar Club, and was active in the Democratic Party in Middletown for several years. She enjoyed time with her family. She was predeceased by a son, Connell McGee. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Robert E. McGee; a son, Michael McGee, of the Lincroft section of Middletown; three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Robert Mueller, and Christine and Robert Landis, all of Middletown, and Betsy and Jay Teitelbam, of Holmdel; seven grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Church. Burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Frank Emil Stehlik

Mr. Stehlik, 92, of Red Bank, died Sept. 24 in Red Bank. Born in Rockaway Beach, N.Y., he resided in Holmdel for 30 years before moving to Red Bank 12 years ago. Mr. Stehlik was an engineer at Bell Telephone Laboratories, New York City, Murray Hill and Holmdel, where he was employed for more than 40 years before retiring. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Red Bank. Mr. Stehlik is survived by his wife, Margaret Roberts Stehlik; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda L. Stehlik and John E. McCarthy, of Middletown; and several nieces and nephews. The John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, was in charge of arrangements.