John J. Costa
Mr. Costa, 77, of Long Branch, died May 16 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided in Red Bank and Brooklyn prior to moving to Long Branch 20 years ago. He was a video tape administrator at CBS, New York City. He enjoyed painting, astrology, and playing piano, and was a recreational pilot. He is survived by a son, Anthony Costa of Long Branch; a daughter, Michele D. Costa of Freehold; and a sister, Marie D’Errico. Interment was at St. Charles Cemetery, Long Island, N.Y. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.
Joseph G. Kappel Jr.
Mr. Kappel, 70, of Middletown, died May 12 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in St. Louis, he resided in Middletown most of his life. He was a retired engineer at Telcordia Tech, Red Bank, where he had worked since 1985. Prior to that, he was employed at Bell Labs, Holmdel, from 1960-85. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Engineering Society. He was predeceased by his wife, Ann Klien Kappel in 1991. He is survived by a son, Matthew Kappel of Long Branch; two daughters and sons-in-law, Catherine and Bryan Hall of Olney, Md., and CDR Margaret Ryan M.D., USN, and Terrance Ryan of San Diego, Calif.; a sister, Elizabeth Malon of St. Louis; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. May’s Church. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.
Earl James Gray Jr.
Mr. Gray, 76, of Denville, died May 20 at St. Clare’s Hospital, Denville, following a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born in Paterson, he resided in West Long Branch and Red Bank prior to moving to Denville. He was a founding member of the Green Party of New Jersey in the mid-1990s, and during retirement served as its Monmouth County coordinator and secretary of the state committee. He was also elected the Green Party chairman this year, and campaigned as the Party’s candidate for his district’s congressional seat in 2000, and State Senate seat in 2003. Prior to that, he was a computer technical writer at Concurrent Computer Corporation, Oceanport, until 1991, and a professor at Monmouth College, West Long Branch, and Trenton State College. He served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was active with Lunch Break, Red Bank, serving as secretary to and member of its board of directors, as well as president of HABcore House, Red Bank. He was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Gray. He is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jennifer Gray of Morristown, Lisanne and Mitchell Budwick of Denville, and Loren and Tim Schramm of Scotch Plains; two brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Dot Gray of Lady Lakes, Fla., and John and Ann Gray of Brick; a sister and brother-in-law, Angela and Zach Anthony of Lanoka Harbor; and four grandchildren. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.
Peter K. Yao
Mr. Yao, 89, of Ocean, died May 24 at St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in China, he resided in Queens, N.Y., before moving to Ocean 26 years ago. Mr. Yao is survived by his wife, Mei Yuet Lee Yao; two daughters and one son-in-law, Lily Yao of Ocean, and Helen Yao Klebe and David Klebe of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Chiu-lin Yao of the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township; and six grandchildren. Visitation will be May 27 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral gathering will be held the funeral home May 28 at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Mausoleum. Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.