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BLANK, THOMAS E.
On June 7, 2006, age 83, a resident of Cherry Hill for more than 50 years and husband of the late Stella C. (nee Jaworski). Survived by 1 daughter, June Harrison Sweeney of VT, 2 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and his niece Barbara Kappler of FL. Mr. Blank’s family will receive friends Saturday after 9 AM, at Faith Community Church, 5501 Lexington Ave., Pennsauken, NJ; where his Service will follow at 10 AM. Interment, Harleigh Cem., Camden, NJ. Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Blank’s name to Faith Community Church, 5606 Lexington Ave. Pennsauken, NJ 08109
Dodd, John W., Jr. “Jack”
On June 5, 2006, age 75, of Haddonfield, husband of Janet (nee Chalupa). Also survived by 5 children, Leila Harman, of West Berlin, John W., III, of Haddonfield, Laura Corbett of Belgrade, ME, Lynda Costales of Galloway Twp., Lisa Buchanan of Barrington, 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Jack was born 2/23/31 in Ridley Park, PA son of John W. & Grace (nee Stoots) Dodd. He graduated from Swarthmore HS in Swarthmore, PA in 1949 and Washington & Lee U. in 1953. Commissioned as an officer in the US Naval Reserve in 1953 serving on a destroyer for 2 years (Korean waters) and then in the selected reserve for 18 years retiring as a commander in 1970. Jack worked in general management at the World Headquartes of Campbell Soup Co., in Camden, NJ, retiring in 1988 after 32 years of service. Jack served his community in various positions including PTA, School Board and Zoning Board and Haddonfield United Methodist Church. AN active sailor, Jack was a member of the Swan Creek Sailing Assoc. on the Chesapeake Bay. Jack’s family will receive friends on Sat., 1-1:45 PM in the Felten Parlor at the Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 19 Warwick Rd., Haddonfield, NJ 08033; where his service will follow at 2 PM in the Sanctuary. Interment private. Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Dodd’s name to the Building or Music Funds at the church at the above address.
Bradford G. Wilby
Brad Wilby, 25, died Friday, June 2, 2006 at Geneva General Hospital after collapsing during a workout on campus at Hobart College in Geneva, NY.
Brad had a true passion for soccer and great appreciation for nature and the outdoors.
Brad was the assistant soccer coach at Hobart College. He joined the coaching staff two years ago, just prior to the start of the 2004 fall soccer season. Brad helped with all facets of the soccer program, focusing on recruiting, defense and coaching goalies. In addition to coaching, Brad also volunteered with area youth groups and helped with soccer programs at the Geneva Family YMCA.
Brad was a 2004 graduate of Plymouth State University, where he played goalie for the Panthers soccer team. He was a starter in 67 of 71 games, posted a 1.17 goals-against average, a .797 save percentage, 19 shutouts and a 37-24-5 record. As a senior, he was named to the 2003 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-New England first team and was the recipient of the Plymouth State’s Paul E. Arnold Varsity Club Male Athlete of the Year Award.
Brad was also a 1999 graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, where he was a standout goalkeeper. He helped lead the team to two state championship titles.
An outgoing young man of strong character, Brad had a smile that truly lit up the room. His optimism and sense of humor left indelible marks on the hearts of everyone he met.
Brad is survived by parents Robert and Susan Wilby of Haddonfield; sisters Becky (Wilby) Jamison of Florence, AL and Melissa Wilby of Philadelphia; grandmother Jeanette Gardner of Westmont; nephew Liam Bradford and niece Lillian; and a large extended family.
The family has been overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of support from all those whose lives he has touched.
Brad’s family will receive friends Thursday, 6-10 PM at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, NJ. His Service will follow on Friday Morning, 11 AM, at the First Baptist Church of Haddonfield, 124 E. Kings Hwy., Haddonfield. Memorial donations may be made to the Bradford G. WiIlby Scholarship Fund, c/o Commerce Bank, 100 Haddon Ave., Haddonfield, NJ 08033. These funds will be used to establish a scholarship at Plymouth State University.
CONWAY, James Francis, Sr.
Co-founder of Mister Softee Inc. died at the age of 79, in the arms of his loving wife of 56 years, surrounded by his devoted family. After graduating from South East Catholic High School, Mr. Conway attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the Class of 1949. While there he was a four year football letterman and was proud to have been one of the original “Munger” men, in honor of legendary Penn coach, George Munger. Following graduation, he was called to serve his country joining the U.S. Navy in Philadelphia.
In 1950, he married the love of his life, Grace Roseman, and moved to Lafayette Hills, Pennsylvania. For the next few years he was sales manager for the Monroe Calculator Company. In 1956 he and his brother William founded Mister Softee Inc, the first mobile ice cream franchise in the country. They launched this venture on March 17, driving the first truck throughout South Philadelphia, giving away free green ice cream in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. From a single truck they expanded operations from New England to Virginia, becoming a fixture and icon for our families throughout the region. Over the course of the next fifty years, they expanded the company throughout the United States and internationally, through a unique franchise concept. The Mister Softee logo and distinctive “jingle” are treasured and cherished by children of all ages. Through the years, the Mister Softee image has appeared in numerous television shows, commercials and motion pictures, including Hawaii Five-O, After Hours, Awakenings, and Mister 3000. He had numerous other business ventures, including commercial real estate, restaurants, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for Medquist Inc. and Peoples Bank.
In spite of the extraordinary success of his many business investments, he remained a humble man, devoted to his family and faith. In fact, when asked by anyone, including his children, what he did, his stock answer was, “ I sell ice cream for a living”.
Mr. Conway was known for his generosity as a major benefactor to the Church, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and the Athletic Department of the University of Pennsylvania.
Jim was a resident of Haddonfield NJ for over 40 years, summering in Ocean City NJ. After a five decade career running Mister Softee, Jim and Grace retired to Stuart Florida, residing at Willoughby Country Club, for the winters. He had a life long passion for golf, playing courses around the world with his beloved wife, Grace. He was the past President of Tavistock Country Club, in Tavistock NJ, as well as the founder of the Bohemian Knights golf group at Atlantic City Country Club.
Mr. Conway is survived by his wife Grace of Haddonfield, NJ, three children, James Jr. of Medford, NJ, Barbara of Haddonfield, NJ and Cricket of Mountain Lakes, NJ and nine grandchildren.
Mr. Conway’s family will receive friends Friday morning from 10-11:45AM at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, 200 Windsor Ave., Haddonfield. His Funeral Mass will follow at 12 Noon. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, care of A.J. DiMarino, M.D. 132 South 10th St, Suite 480 Main Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Arrangements by Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, Haddonfield, NJ.
LeCates, Sarah (Sasha) O'Rourke
Our darling Sarah (Sasha) O'Rourke LeCates on May 20, 2006 at the youthful and vibrant age of 20 while living her dreams in Africa. Sarah is remembered and celebrated by her parents, Arthur Barry LeCates and Mary O'Rourke LeCates of Cherry Hill, NJ; her siblings and greatest fans, Brendan O'Rourke LeCates of Collingswood, NJ and Meghan O'Rourke LeCates of Philadelphia, PA; many aunts, uncles and cousins; a tribe of cherished friends and mentors from Haddonfield Memorial High School, the College of William and Mary and the Senegal CIEE program; and, everyone whom she encountered in her dynamic journey. In lieu of flowers, please honor Sarah's life by making a donation to the organization with which she worked in Dakar, Sengal--La Coalition nationale des organisations religieuses de jeunesse contre le SIDA (CNORJ); loosely translated as "The National Interfaith Youth Coalition Against AIDS". Please make checks payable to: Arthur LeCates. In the memo section of the check, please note: Sarah LeCates Memorial Fund. Send checks to Arthur LeCates/CNORJ La Coalition, PO Box 288; Collingswood, NJ 08108. Sarah will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 30th at St. Rose of Lima Church, 300 Kings Hwy, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035. The LeCates family will be receiving guests at 9:30-10:45 am and the service will begin at 11 am.
GIANNOTTI, ORAN D.
On May, 20, 2006, age 38, of Mt. Ephraim, husband of Dara (nee Dandrea) and father of Cecilia (age 5) and Grace (age 2). Also survived by his mother, Karen Giannotti of Mt. Holly, his father, John Giannotti and his wife Antoinette Vielehr of Haddonfield, 2 sisters, Keara Giannotti and her husband Neil King of Evesham and Danielle Giannotti and her husband Gary Wayne of Cherry Hill,1 brother, Delano Giannotti of Haddonfield, father-in-law, James Dandrea and his wife Karen of Mt. Ephraim, mother-in-law, Karen Banik of Audubon, 2 sisters-in-law, Lisa Dandrea of Runnemede and Lee-anne Dandrea and her husband Chris Pierce of Woodbridge, VA, 1 nephew, Spencer Wayne and 1 niece, Domenica King. Oran graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1985 and Rutgers University in 1992. He was an alumnus of Frost Valley YMCA Camp in Oliverea, NY. Additionally, Oran worked at Kelsch Associates in Westville, NJ for the last 12 years. The family wishes to thank all of those who supported Oran during his battle with esophageal cancer. Family and friends are invited to his Memorial Service, Saturday, May 27th, 11 AM, at Camp Creek Run, 199 Taunton Lake Rd., Marlton, NJ; where Oran’s family will receive friends following the service. Memorial donations in Oran’s name may be made to the Oran Giannotti Family Fund, 195 Taunton Lake Rd., Marlton, NJ 08053 or The Children's Hospital Foundation, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399; where Dara & Oran’s daughter Grace is receiving treatment for a malignant brain tumor.
ABRAMS, MELISSA L.
On May 12, 2006, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer, age 24, a lifelong resident of Gibbsboro and a CSL at WaWa in Gibbsboro for 6 years. Melissa was the devoted mother of Chloe E. Abrams, beloved daughter of Raymond K. & Judith M. (nee Etherington) Abrams and sister of Raymond T. Abrams, all of Gibbsboro. Also survived by her grandmothers, Marion F. Etherington of Gibbsboro and Helen E. Abrams of Haddon Twp., and 2 uncles, Thomas L. (Florence) Etherington of Pennsauken and Carl L. (Eda) Abrams of Collingswood. Melissa’s family will received friends on Tuesday Eve. 7-9 PM, at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, NJ; where her service will follow Wednesday, 11 AM. Interment, Locustwood Cem., Cherry Hill, NJ. Memorial donations may be made in Melissa’s name to American Cancer Society, Ovarian Cancer Research, 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
