• Brian Smolskis

    Mr. Smolskis, 56, of Keyport, died Nov. 22, 2013, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. He worked for the NJ Transit Rail Department for many years. He is survived by his wife, Laura (Bradford) Smolskis; three children, Shane Smolskis, Joshua Smolskis and Lea Dimitracopoulos; his mother, Josephine Smolskis; his mother-in-law, Priscilla Bradford; two…

  • Paul Fitzgerald

    Mr. Fitzgerald, 82, of Matawan, died Dec. 12, 2013, at the Regency Park Care Center, Hazlet. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and Rifleman Sharpshooter Medal. He was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Donald Shara. He is survived by his wife of…

  • Jonathan G. Buxbaum

    Mr. Buxbaum, 33, of Laurence Harbor, died Dec. 6, 2013, at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. He was predeceased by his father, Peter Buxbaum. He is survived by his mother, Donna (Eversole) Buxbaum; a sister, Jennifer and her husband, Todd Gillman, of Mount Laurel; two nieces; a nephew; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements were…

  • Online gambling may be a roll of the dice

    The recent launch of online gambling represented a chance for Atlantic City to reclaim its top-dog status after attacks on the city’s revenues by an influx of new casinos in the region. A law signed earlier this year allowed New Jersey casinos to team up with Internet-gaming providers to offer poker, slots and table games…

  • Drug addiction must be acknowledged as a plague

    I just read your article. I’m sure you must have received many responses to it, as this dreaded disease has struck many people in our area — children, teens and adults alike. My family, too, has had the pain of losing several loved ones to drugs. My brother-in-law fought his addiction for over 15 years…

  • Column should bring comfort to those struggling

    Thank you for writing about your cousin. Everyone addicted to drugs has a story. They are so much more than “an addict.” They are people we know and love. I hope sharing about your cousin brings some comfort to other families still struggling. They need to remember not to focus solely on the addiction; they…

  • Scholarship keeps daughter’s memory alive

    I just read your article about your cousin Courtney. I lost my daughter Morgan to heroin in December 2008. She was 22. Before that, whenever I would hear or read about a death of a much-too-young person, I would wonder how the parents must feel. How do they deal with tragedy so deeply sad? I…

  • Writer offers support, resources

    Jack, I am so sorry for your loss. My son was an intravenous heroin addict. I am one of the lucky, grateful moms. He became clean just before he turned 21 and has continued to support his recovery for the past eight years. Because of my experience as a mom of an addict, I have…

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