Concetta Valentino Benante
Mrs. Benante, 84, of Monmouth Beach died Nov. 9 at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she resided in New York City and Oceanport for 40 years before moving to Monmouth Beach in 2002. She taught home economics at Henry Hudson Regional High School, Atlantic Highlands. Prior to that, she was a dietitian and the director of food services at the East Brunswick Board of Education. She enjoyed time with her family, knitting, sewing and cooking. She was predeceased by her husband, Carmine Benante, Oct. 29. She is survived by a son, Carl Benante of Monmouth Beach, and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at The Church of Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach. Entombment was at Woodbine Mausoleum, Oceanport. The Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch, was in charge of arrangements
Paul J. Acerra
Mr. Acerra, 87, of Long Branch died Nov. 20 at home. Born in Long Branch, he was a lifelong resident. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service, Long Branch, for 37 years before his retirement. He was a parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Long Branch. He was a member of the Acerra Brothers baseball team, which was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, N.Y. He was a member of the Long Branch Old Guard and was an avid golfer. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Theresa "Tess" D’Amico Acerra; two sons, Paul Acerra and Michael Acerra, both of New Mexico; five brothers, Alfred, William, Edward, and Fred, all of Long Branch, and Richard of Lakewood; a sister, Frances Christopher of West Long Branch; and one granddaughter. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. Interment was at Mount Carmel Cemetery, West Long Branch. Arrangements were by Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch.
Earl Watkin Korf
Mr. Korf, 99, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died Nov. 23 at home. Born in Oklahoma, he resided in California and in Long Branch for two years before moving to Lincroft in 1961. He was a supervisor of navigators at Trans World Airlines, where he was employed for 40 years before his retirement. Prior to that, he was a telegrapher at Western Union in California, and sailed the Pacific Ocean as a wireless operator. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, flying transport planes over the Atlantic Ocean. His passengers included President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Mr. Korf was a member and former deacon at the Lincroft Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179, Port Monmouth section of Middletown, and was an avid ham radio operator with memberships in several local and national ham radio associations. He was also a former Boy Scout assistant Scout Master and troop representative, and Little League coach and manager in Lincroft. He was predeceased by a brother, Roy William Korf, and a sister, Nellie Mae Korf. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Suzanne Michel Nacouz Korf; two sons, Gregory D. Korf of Lincroft and Richard E. Korf of Los Angeles; a sister, Mildred Steele of Fair Oaks, Calif.; one step-grandson; and one nephew. A memorial service was held at Lincroft Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.
Charles A. Valentino Sr.
Mr. Valentino, 79, of West Long Branch died Nov. 8 at home. He resided in Long Branch prior to moving to West Long Branch 40 years ago. He and his family owned and operated Valentino’s Market, Long Branch, which opened in 1925. He served with the U.S. Army under Gen. George S. Patton during World War II. His numerous awards included the Purple Heart for wounds received during the Battle of the Bulge, Distinguished Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and American Campaign Medal. He was a communicant of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Long Branch. A disabled American veteran, he was a member of the Long Branch Old Guard and a life member of the Long Branch Elks Lodge No. 742. He was a 53-year member and past president of the Long Branch Green and White Association, which awarded him a lifetime membership in 1988. Mr. Valentino is survived by his wife, Angela Rose Scarano Valentino; a son, Charles A. Valentino Jr. of Long Branch; a brother, Louis Valentino of West Long Branch; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Holy Trinity Church. Interment was at Mount Carmel Cemetery, West Long Branch. Arrangements were by Woolley Funeral Home, Long Branch.
Theodore A. Wathington
Mr. Wathington, 62, of Aberdeen died Nov. 5 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Long Branch, he was a lifelong resident of Aberdeen. He was a shift superintendent at Bayway Oil Refinery, Linden, retiring in 1998. Mr. Wathington served with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was a member of St. Mark’s AME Zion Church, Aberdeen. He was a member of the Mason Butler Lodge, Cliffwood. He enjoyed playing golf. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Annie Evelyn Wathington; four sons, Kevin Parrish, Edward Parrish, Philip Wathington and Alfonzo Jason Moore; three daughters, Yvonne Parrish, Sonia Cross, Almeta Wathington and Melissa Wathington; his mother, Melissa Russell Wathington; four brothers, Otis Wathington Jr., Charles Wathington, William Wathington and Alphonso Wathington; four sisters, Lillian Parrish, Beverly Jackson, Mary Jane Johnson and Patricia McGowan; and eight grandchildren. A funeral service was held at St. Mark’s AME Zion Church, Cliffwood. Interment was at Holmdel Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements were by Bedle Funeral Home, Matawan.