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E. Dayton Jones
ea Girt resident E. Dayton Jones passed away in his sleep on May 19, at his residence, The Wexford, Spring Lake.
He was a graduate of North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D.
Having lived in Millburn for 25 years, Mr. Jones moved to Sea Girt in 1966, and after a 35 year career with Bell Telephone Laboratories, he retired in 1977. Following retirement, he became active in the Monmouth chapter of SCORE.
Mr. Jones contributed to civic organizations both in Millburn, where he served for years on the board of education and was an active member of the Wyoming Presbyterian Church, and in Sea Girt, where he chaired the borough’s planning board and was an associate member of the Sea Girt Fire Department. Both he and his wife were charter trustees of the Sea Girt Lighthouse. He served on the consistory of the Church in Brielle and as chairman of the Finance Committee.
He was predeceased by his wife Elin, and one son, Dayton W.
Surviving family members include his daughter, Dr. Alice Dan; and three sons, Fred, Peter and Edward Jones; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dayton’s memory may be made to the Church in Brielle, PO Box 25, Brielle, 08730; or to the Sea Girt Lighthouse, PO Box 83, Sea Girt, 08750.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, June 2, at the Church in Brielle.
Phyllis A. Prorok
Neptune resident Phyllis A. Prorok passed away Wednesday, May 23 at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. She was a devoted member of St. Rose Church, in Belmar.
She was 61 years old.
Mrs. Prorok was born in Yonkers, NY, and lived in Shrewsbury before moving to Neptune in 1970.
Mrs. Prorok worked as a secretary for Fort Monmouth until her retirement in October 2003.
Mrs. Prorok was predeceased by her father, Emil Kokinchak. She is survived by her mother, Lillian Blaner Kokinchak, of Neptune; her husband of 41 years, John; one brother, Emil Jr. and his wife, Sherri, of Kennesaw, Ga.; her godson, David Youngblood; and a niece, Debra Peterson.
The Johnson-McGinley Funeral Home, of Wall, was in charge of arrangements.
In lie of flowers, contributions may be made in Mrs. Prorok’s name to The March of Dimes, 5 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, 08512. Cremation service to be held privately.
Arthur Richard Theil
Wall resident Arthur Richard Theil died peacefully Wednesday, May 23, at Ocean Medical Center.
He was 77 years old.
Arthur was born in Roselle, but grew up on Eighteenth Avenue, in Wall. He had a lifelong interest in agriculture, selling and developing seeds and plants. He worked as an accountant for the Department of Agriculture for the State of New Jersey, for many years, until his retirement.
He is survived by two sons, Wayne, in Colorado, and David in Allenwood; three grandchildren; and one great granddaughter. He will be sadly missed.
O’Brien Funeral Home, of Brick, was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury, 07702.
John P. Cleary
Brielle resident John Cleary peacefully passed away Sunday, February 4, in his home.
He was 94 years old.
John was a four letter star athlete and President of the Student Council at Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield. He attended Fordham University.
Mr. Cleary capped his long and distinguished career in the broadcasting industry, by his appointment as the first director of the office of Cable Television for the State of New Jersey. As director, he was responsible for giving New Jersey the nation’s first state wide cable interconnect.
Prior to that, John had been executive producer and co-owner of the Peabody Award and Emmy Award winning television show GE College Bowl. Before the College Bowl, he worked for both ABC and NBC, and was the director of Radio Programming for the NBC Radio Network.
His early occupations included modeling and radio produce for several traveling Big Bands, including Paul Whitman and Sammy Kay
John was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, and son Michael.
Surviving family members include his sons, Peter and Brian; his brother, James; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be offered at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, June 2., at St. Denis Catholic Church, in Manasquan.
A private enurnment will be held in Wall, at St. Catharines Cemetery.
Michael Lavender
Shark River Hills resident Michael Lavender, formerly of Belmar, died early Wednesday, May 23, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was 56 years old.
Born in Jersey City, the son of George Russell Lavender and Dorothy Lavender Lyden, he grew up in Belmar and was a 1968 graduate of St. Rose High School. He graduated from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City and worked in the hardwood flooring industry for over 30 years. He was the owner of a successful business, Specialty Hardwoods, and had many loyal clients.
In 1976, he married
Judy Brady and they shared a beautiful 30 year marriage. The couple had two children, Kaitlyn, 23, and Marissa, 20, both of whom shared their father’s passion for the ocean, running and outdoor living. Those who knew Michael best remember him for his generous nature, love of life and enthusiasm for high school cross country. He assisted with the St. Rose High School cross country and track teams, lending support not only to his two daughters, but also to their teammates and parents.
He enjoyed surfing, running on the boardwalk, watching baseball and was an avid Bruce Springsteen fan. He built his life around his family and will be greatly missed.
In addition to his wife and two daughters, he is survived by his brother, Dennis, of Belmar; a brother-in-law, James Brady, of Jersey City; a nephew, Ryan P. Lavender, of Belmar; a niece, Amee Lavender; and his step father, James Lynden, of Woodstock, Ga.
Reilly Funeral Home, of Belmar, was in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Rose High School Cross Country Team, 607 Seventh Ave., Belmar, 07719, would be appreciated.
Michael Plescia
Belmar resident Michael Plescia, died Tuesday, May 22, at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.
He was 75 years old.
Born in Rahway, he lived in Belmar since 1970.
Mr. Plescia worked for the New Jersey Department of Transportation. He was a member of the American Legion, the V.F.W., and a member and communicant of St. Rose Church.
He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Gregg Zelko.
Surviving are his wife, Marie; his two daughters, Maria DeMarco and her husband, James, of Howell, and Joanne Zelko, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two brothers, William and Nicholas; one sister, Christina Tudaro; and four grandchildren, Michael and Danielle DeMarco and Jeremy and Zachary Zelko.
The Reilly Funeral Home, of Belmar, was in charge of the arrangements.
Dorothy M. Woodruff
Manasquan resident Dorothy M. Woodruff died peacefully in her sleep Thursday, May 24 at his home.
She was 83 years old.
Born in Jersey City, Mrs. Woodruff resided for many years in Roselle, before moving to Brielle in 1975. She moved to Manasquan seven years ago.
She was a purchasing agent for Sharon Steel Corporation, Piscataway, and later a receptionist for Dr. Evan Stamos, in Brick.
Mrs. Woodruff was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Atlas Chapter No. 99, a lifetime member of the Cilo Club, Roselle, and belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the B.P.O.E. Lodge 2534, Manasquan.
Mrs. Woodruff was predeceased by her husband, William K. Woodruff Jr., who died in 1996. He was the Captain of the Roselle Police Force.
She was the loving mother of her daughter, Lorraine, and her husband, Richard Faas, of Manasquan; her son, William, and his wife Cayla, of Dallas, Texas; caring sister to her brother, John Hay, of Spring Hill, Fla.; devoted grandmother to Richard Faas Jr., of Orlando, Fla., Amy Faas and her fiance, Luke Barber, of Manasquan, Tracey and Walter Harmstead, of Manasquan, Kyle and Traci Faas, of Hoboken, and Kara Woodruff, of Dallas, Texas; adoring great-grandmother of Kailee, James, Sydney and Hayden Harmstead, to whom she was affectionately known as “GG.”
A gathering in her honor for friends and family will be held Saturday, June 2, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the home of Lorraine and Richard Faas, 2361 Orchard Crest Blvd., Manasquan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Guild of Ocean County Medical Center, c/o Susan Scherler, 794 South Drive, Brick, 08724.
Neary-Quinn Funeral Home, Manasquan is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy T. Gurniak
Dorothy T. Gurniak, 83, of Red Bank, with family in Spring Lake Heights, passed away Sunday, May 2.
Mrs. Gurniak was born in Long Branch and lived in Red Bank and Little Silver before moving to Shrewsbury.
She was a commercial food worker with Foodtown for 32 years, working at their various locations throughout New Jersey.
She was a member of St. James RC Church in Red Bank.
She is predeceased by her husband William Gurniak Sr. in 1959, as well as her brothers, Domininc Lafayette, Frank Lafayette, Joseph Lafayette, and her sister, Madeline Cleffi.
She is survived by her son, William J. Gurniak, Jr., of Shrewsbury, her sister, Fanny Ferrara of Spring Lake Heights, and several nieces and nephews.
Private graveside funeral services were held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
Jersey Shore Cremation Service, Wall, was in charge of arrangements.
