DR. ALFRED J. PIGNATARO, 96, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died April 13 in Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he lived most of his life in Montclair, moving to Lincroft four months ago. He was an oral surgeon in private practice for 57 years, retiring in 1995. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, having attained the rank of major in the medical division. Dr. Pignataro was a communicant of St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Lincroft. He was a former communicant of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Montclair. He received his bachelor’s degree and dental degree from St. Louis University, Mo., and interned at Jersey City Medical Center, where he was a resident in oral surgery. He was a past president of the New Jersey State Society of Oral Surgeons. He was a member of the Hudson County Dental Society and the New Jersey and American Dental associations. He was a trustee of the Metropolitan New York Society of Oral Surgery, a member of both the American Society of Oral Surgery and the American Society of Anesthesiology. He was the attending oral surgeon at Jersey City Medical Center and chief oral surgeon at St. Francis Hospital, Jersey City. He was past president of the Jersey City Medical Center Alumni Association, assistant professor of oral surgery at Seton Hall School of Medicine and Dentistry, South Orange, and assistant director of oral hygiene for the Jersey City Board of Education. His last position was on staff at Apollack Hospital, Jersey City, as the attending oral surgeon. He was predeceased by his wife, Frances Scerbo Pignataro, in 1997. Surviving are three sons, Alfred J. Pignataro Jr. of Lincroft, Robert J. Pignataro of Radnor, Pa., and Richard M. Pignataro of Middletown; seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. Services were under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, with a Mass at St. Leo the Great. Interment was at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Montclair.
THEODORE MACK, 92, of Holmdel died April 17 in Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Newark, he lived in Lavallette and Menlo Park until moving to Holmdel. He was an office manager for Worthington Corp., Harrison, for 45 years, retiring in 1973. He was a member of St. Bonaventyre Church, Lavallette. He was a member and past president of the Rutherford Homeowners Association, Lavallette. He spearheaded the association’s purchase of the land extending from the bay to the ocean. Mr. Mack wintered in Briney Breezes, Boynton Beach, Fla. He was predeceased by his three brothers, Joseph, Henry and Stanley. Surviving is his wife, of 59 years, Ann Doyle Mack; four daughters, Dianne Kelly of East Windsor, Maryanne Van Sant of Point Pleasant Beach, Eleanor Ballou of Bayhead and Betsy Lazar of Matawan; one sister, Eleanor Conti of Nutley; nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Services were under the direction of Waitt Funeral Home, Morganville, with a Mass at St. Clement’s Church, Matawan. Interment was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, the Toms River section of Dover.
MARGARET BERGER STANCATI, 79, of Brick, died April 14. Born in Germany, she lived in Newark and the Iselin section of Woodbridge, before moving to Brick 19 years ago. She was an assembly worker for the Ronson Corp., Woodbridge. Surviving are her husband of 58 years, George Stancati; one daughter, Yvonne Bisogni of Matawan; a sister, Erica Rodriguez of Little Silver; a granddaughter, Lisa Cappello of Old Bridge; and many nieces and nephews. Services were under the direction of Day Funeral Home, Keyport. Entombment was at Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel. Memorial donations may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation of New York/New Jersey, 1250 Broadway, Suite 2001, New York, NY 10001.
BURTIS J. BRANDIGON, 84, of Lakewood died in Leisure Park, Lakewood. Born in Philadelphia, he lived in Michigan, moving to Lakewood three years ago. He was predeceased by his first wife, Catherine Daly Toomer, in 1996; and his second wife, Gladys Brandigon, in 1997. Surviving are one daughter, Nancy Bozza of Long Branch; one son, Frederick Brandigon of Morganville; one daughter, Carole Cicerale of Manahawkin; one nephew, Ronnie Parker of Mount Holly; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services were under the direction of Day Funeral Home, Keyport. Cremation was private.
BEATRICE J. KRUGER MORRISON 81, of Middletown died April 18 in Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Brisbane, Australia, she moved to the United States in 1946 moving to Staten Island, N.Y., for 40 years, with the exception of 1957-1958, and 1964-1966; when she went back to Australia. She moved to Middletown in 1986. Mrs. Morrison worked as a technical associate for Chub & Son, New York City, for 17 years, retiring in 1992. She served as officer in the Australian Women’s Air Force during World War II. She was a communicant of St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, North Middletown. She was a former officer of the Rosary Altar Society of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Staten Island; and a member of the Middletown Senior Citizens and its bowling league, and a former member of the Middletown Newcomers Club and its bowling league. She was predeceased by her husband, John Morrison, in 1964. Surviving are her two daughters, Jean Cronin and Rosemary Morrison, both of Middletown, a sister, Myrtle Hansen of Queensland, Australia; three grandsons, and many nieces and nephews in Australia. Services were under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
ANN M. McNEILL KERR, 89, of Middletown died April 21 at home. Born in Staten Island, N.Y., she moved to Middletown in 1981. She worked as a secretary for the New York City Board of Education for 25 years, retiring in 1976. She was predeceased by her husband, Alex Kerr, in 1976. Surviving are two daughters, Elizabeth Johnsen and Anne Scaggs, both of Middletown; one sister, Sister Elizabeth McNeill, S.C., of Yonkers, N.Y.; and four grandchildren. Services were under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, with a Mass at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Middletown. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Staten Island, N.Y.
ELWOOD O. VAN SISE, 65, of Middletown died April 18 in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, New York City. Born in Plainfield, N.Y., he lived in Rockland County, N.Y., before moving to Middletown in 1981. He worked as a manager for F.W. Woolworth, New York City, for 40 years, retiring in 1990. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was past president of the American Legion, Leonardo section of Middletown. Surviving are his wife, Lucille Jane Wilkinson Van Sise; six sons, Elwood D. Van Sise of Stony Point, N.Y., Barry G. Van Sise of Spring Valley, N.Y., Craig C. Van Sise of Chestnut Ridge, N.Y., Scott T. Van Sise of Congers, N.Y., Mark A. Van Sise of Cork, Ireland, and George Van Sise of Middletown; one brother, George M. Van Sise of Schooleys Mountain; four sisters, Effie Taft of Beachwood, N.Y.; Susan Oliver of Caddo, Texas; Patty Almeida of Windsor, Conn.; and Alice Suwak of Clark Summit, Pa.; and five grandchildren. Services were under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Interment was at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown.
BERTHA M. HALPIN CLOIDT, 90, of the Belford section of Middletown, died April 21 in Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Holmdel. Born in Benazette, Pa., she lived in Yonkers, N.Y., before moving to Belford in 1976. Mrs. Cloidt worked as a nurses’ aide and a homemaker. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, the New Monmouth section of Middletown. She was predeceased by her husband, Louis Cloidt, in 1965; her daughters, Matilda Olmsted and Frances Puccillo; and her brother, Lawrence Halpin. Surviving are three daughters, Jacqueline Filechko of Barnegate, Joann Waldhorn of Newburgh, and Michelle Kowaleski of Belford; one son, Louis Cloidt of Yonkers; 23 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. Services were under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home Inc., Middletown, with a Mass at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Middletown.
DOROTHY V. PAUL MISTRETTA, 76, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, died April 22 in Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Jersey City, she lived in Keansburg, Jersey City and Bayonne before moving to Port Monmouth two years ago. She was a homemaker and communicant of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Keansburg. She was predeceased by her brother, John Paul. Surviving are two sons, Frank J. Mistretta of Allentown, Pa. and Michael J. Mistretta of Bayonne; three daughters, Marilyn Szumowicz of Keansburg, Patricia Eng of Port Monmouth and Joanne Farmer of Middletown; four sisters, Theresa Costanzo of New York, Mary Luszcz of West Keansburg, Margaret Squires of Hazlet and Rose McCabe of Bayonne; one brother, Edward Paul of Jersey City; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services were under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
H. WILLIAM HOLDEN, 79, of the Morganville section of Marlboro, died April 13 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Mr. Holden was born in New Brunswick. He was a police officer in the Madison Township Police Department, retiring many years ago. He was also a former deputy sheriff of Middlesex County; a retired private detective; and a retired bus driver for the Manalapan-Englishtown School District. Mr. Holden was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and was wounded in action. He was an Army paratroop instructor, attaining the rank of captain. Mr. Holden was a life member of the Disabled Veterans Association; and a member of American Legion Post 332, Laurence Harbor. He was a member of the Criminology Institute; past president of the Private Detectives Association of New Jersey; and a captain of detectives, American Association of Criminology. He was an active member of the Disabled Police Officers of America; and an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was a member of the National Institute of Real Estate Brokers; the Middlesex County Board of Realtors; the Monmouth County Board of Realtors; and was formerly associated with Walker and Walker Realtors and Cahill Realtors. He was a past president of the Laurence Harbor First Aid; past president of the Lions Club; and a former member of the Rotary Club. He was a member of the Wickatunk Village Seniors Association; and a former member of the Morgan Barber Shop Quartet. Mr. Holden was predeceased by two brothers, Larry and Howard; and a sister, Ruth Banks. Surviving are his daughter, Patricia A. Pelo, of Cliffwood Beach; three sons, William A., of Clarendon, Texas, Frank H. of Middletown, and John E, of Laurence Harbor; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and his companion, Elizabeth Francis, of Middletown. Funeral services were under the direction of the Day Funeral Home, Keyport.
ROBERT F. SWEENEY, 69, of the Belford section of Middletown, died April 21 in Stamford Hospital, Stamford, Conn. Born in Queens, N.Y., he moved to Belford in 1969. He worked as an insurance underwriter for Transamerica Insurance Corp., New York City, for 30 years, retiring in 1990. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2179, Port Monmouth; Loyal Order of the Cootie, Port Monmouth; and Middletown Elks Lodge No. 2179, Belford. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Surviving are his wife, Mary Carr Sweeney; two sons, Robert Sweeney Jr., of Nutley and Gerard Sweeney of Stamford; one daughter, Patricia Purdy of Belford; and six grandchildren. Services were under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, with a Mass at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Interment was at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 3704, Memphis, TN 38173.
