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Obituaries from 2002
CAPT. WILLIAM L. RICH JR., 79, of the West End section of Long Branch died Oct. 26 at home. Born in Jersey City, he resided in the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township before moving to West End 15 years ago. He was a retired ship captain, serving during 14 separate invasions including Korea and Vietnam. A ship’s captain since age 23, he was a member of the International Organization of Master Mates and Pilots. During peacetime, he was appointed director of research and international affairs, serving the United States as a delegate to the United Nations Maritime Committee. He was awarded the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. His other awards include the Merchant Marine Combat Bar, the Pacific War Zone Bar, and the Victory Medal. He played professional baseball for the N.Y. Giants in 1941. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert Rich, in 1983. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Hess Rich of West End; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. William and Martha Rich of Annandak, Va., and John and Kathleen Rich of Boston; two daughters and sons-in-law, Anne and Charles Von Nordeck of Baltimore, and Patricia and William Turner of New York; his sister, Lynn Rich; three grandchildren; and his wife’s five children. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at the Church of the Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach. Interment was at Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch. Memorial donations may be made to the San Alfonso Retreat House, 755 Ocean Ave., Long Branch 07740.
IRENE E. GERONI, 69, a lifelong resident of Red Bank, died March 4 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. She was an assembler at the former Bendix Company, Holmdel, for several years. She was a member of the Monmouth Church of Christ, Tinton Falls. A polio survivor since age 9, she volunteered 13 years at Riverview Medical Center and Red Bank Convalescent Center, and was a member of the Monmouth County Post Polio Support Group. Her interests included music, sports and trips to Atlantic City. She was predeceased by six brothers, Daniel, Nick, Ercole, Robert, Ralph and John Geroni; and three sisters, Nugenta, Jane and Marguerite Geroni. She is survived by three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Marie and Karl Nordin of West Long Branch, Jeanette Sherman of Fair Haven, and Rita and Webb Harris of Florida; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank 07701.
ROBERT CALABRETTA, 62, of Ridgecrest, Calif., formerly of Long Branch, died Jan. 29 at the VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, Calif. Born and raised in Long Branch, he lived in Hialeah and Port St. Lucia, Fla., prior to settling in Ridgecrest in 1998. He learned carpentry from his father, and owned and operated a cabinetry business in Florida until the late 1980s. He served with the U.S. Navy and was disabled in service. A graduate of Long Branch High School, he attended classes at Monmouth College (now Monmouth University), in West Long Branch. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Vincent Filippone of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; two nieces, Michelle Filippone McGeary and Andrea Filippone Hinote; a nephew, Vincent Filippone; two great-nieces; and several friends. A funeral liturgy was offered at Holy Trinity Church, Long Branch.
DR. JAMES M. LONG, 76, of Ocean Township died Feb. 22 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Orlando, Fla., he resided in Boston, Mass. prior to moving to Ocean Township in 1958. He was a marriage and family counselor, mediator, and clinical social worker in private practice in Long Branch. Early in his 45-year career, he served 17 years as executive director of Family and Children’s Services of Monmouth County. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, earning 13 battle stars and witnessing the signing of the surrender by Japan. Programs he helped found included Meals on Wheels, and visiting nursing and home health-care programs in Monmouth County. He contributed a weekly column, "Family Counselor" to the Red Bank Register. He was named "Man of the Year" by the Long Branch Rotary Club, and served on the Monmouth County Welfare Board and the juvenile justice committee. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Helen Long in 1998. He is survived by two sons, Richard Long of Arlington, Va., and James Long of Huntington, N.Y.; and his daughter, Nancy Feldman of Ocean Township.
GENNARO "AL" ROMA, 86, of Forked River died Feb. 26 at Community Medical Center, Toms River. Born in Hackensack, he lived in Paramus prior to moving to Forked River in 1978. He was an engineer for Continental Can, South Hackensack, retiring in 1978. Prior to that, he worked for American Lace Mills Co. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the Fish Hawks of Lacey Township. He was predeceased by his brother, Carmen Roma, and his sister, Anna Deriso. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carmella Geata Roma; his son and daughter-in-law, Albert F. and Sabine Roma of West Long Branch; his brother, Fortunato Roma of Sebastian, Fla.; two sisters, Josephine Gurisi of Hasbrouck Heights and Madeline Faranda of South Hackensack; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Long Branch. Interment was at Mount Carmel Cemetery, West Long Branch. Memorial donations may be made to the Long Branch Police Athletic League, Attn.: Detective Michael McGlennon, 344 Broadway, Long Branch 07740.
LESTER F. RICE JR., 67, of Ocean died March 2 at his winter residence in Fort Myers, Fla. Born in Spring Lake Heights, he lived in West Long Branch before moving to Ocean in 2001. He was a manager for New Jersey Natural Gas Co., Wall, for 45 years, retiring in 1996. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His memberships included the Long Branch Exchange Club, the Old Guard of Long Branch Chapter No. 15, and the Gas Light Club of New Jersey. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dolores "Dolly" Neylon Rice; his son and daughter-in-law, James A. and Erin Rice of Wall; his daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Dr. Terry Doherty of East Lyme, Conn.; two brothers, Weston Rice and William Rice, both of Spring Lake Heights; two sisters, Norma West of West Long Branch and Nancy Sherman of Manasquan; and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held at Oakhurst United Methodist Church. Memorial donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House, 131 Bath Ave., Long Branch 07740.
MARIAN BERKY, 81, of Freehold Township died Feb. 17 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in New York City, she lived in the Bronx, N.Y., before moving to Freehold Township in 1952. She was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband, John Sr., who died in 1986. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John R. and Debra Berky of Freehold Township; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and William Siano of Long Branch; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were private. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, N.J. Affiliate Memorials Program, 2250 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902-4301.
DR. RAMON N. DeBIASE, 74, of New York City, formerly of Long Branch, died March 3 at the VA Medical Center, Lyons. He was born in Long Branch. He was a psychologist at New York Hospital, retiring 10 years ago. Prior to that, he was the owner and operator of Manhattan Realty, New York City, and was employed by Equitable Life Insurance. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He is survived by his brother, Robert C. DeBiase of Harrison; his sister and brother-in-law, Minnie and Paul Zaccaria of Long Branch; two nieces; and four nephews.
