Obituaries

Greater Media Newspapers prints obituaries as a free community service, at no charge to the families of the deceased or to the funeral homes that provide the information.

ROBERT F. FLANAGAN, 71, of the New Monmouth section of Middletown died Feb. 4 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Newark, he resided in New Monmouth for the past 40 years. He was an independent title searcher in Monmouth and Ocean counties, retiring in 1995. Prior to that, he was a title searcher for Central Jersey Title, Somerville. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth. He served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was predeceased by his brother, Edward Flanagan. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Lorber Flanagan of New Monmouth; three sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Eileen Flanagan of Howell, Brian and Ruth Flanagan of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, and John and Sharon Flanagan of Toms River; his sister, Kathleen Mathis of Brick Township; and five grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Entombment was at Fair View Mausoleum, Middletown.

DANIEL KESSLER, 64, of Englishtown, died Feb. 5 in Aruba. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived before moving to Englishtown 35 years ago. Mr. Kessler was employed at Porter Wallace Corp., New York City, for the past 27 years, where he was one of the founding partners. He was a member of Temple Shaari Emeth, Manalapan, for 25 years. He was also a member of the Jewish War Veterans, Brooklyn; and the Knights of Pythias, Monmouth County. Mr. Kessler is survived by his wife, Cynthia (nee Welkis); two daughters and a son-in-law, Cheryl DuBois of Tennessee, and Elizabeth and Richard Aerts of Monroe; a brother, Edwin Kessler of Phoenix, Ariz.; and four grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Temple Shaari Emeth, followed by interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902.

ROCCO L. BELMONTE, 81, of Keyport died Feb. 9 at Avante Nursing Home, Red Bank. Born in New York City, he resided in Union Beach prior to moving to Keyport 35 years ago. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service Branch No. 36, N.Y., retiring in 1982. Prior to that, he was a union representative and shop steward for Teamster Local No. 816, N.Y., retiring in 1970. He was a communicant of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as past National Commander and life member of the Army Navy Union; and organized C.M.H. Sgt. John A. Basilone Garrison No. 824, both in N.Y. He was predeceased by his wife, Aline Molat Belmonte in 1997. He is survived by three sons, Larry Belmonte of Freehold, Richard Belmonte of Union Beach, and Robert Belmonte of Morganville; two daughters, Noelle Belmonte of Ocean Township, and Susan Moiser of Union Beach; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A funeral service was offered at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. Burial was at Shoreland Memorial Gardens, Hazlet.

LOUISE K. AFFLITTO STEWART, 58, of Old Bridge died Jan. 30 in Barbara E. Cheung Memorial Hospice, Edison. Prior to her retirement in 1999, she was employed as a cosmetology teacher at Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High Schools, East Brunswick. She received the New Jersey Governor’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 1998. Until six months ago, she worked as a stylist at Charisma Salon, Marlboro, where she began her career in 1966. Surviving are her husband, Douglas Paul Stewart; a stepson, Troy Paul Stewart of Sayreville; her mother, Claire Grimsley of North Miami, Fla.; her father, Joseph James Afflitto Sr. of Hasbrouck Heights; a brother, Joseph James Afflitto Jr. of Caldwell; two sisters, Theresa Castellitto of Hasbrouck Heights and Joann Brezina of Elizabeth; two grandchildren; and two nieces and a nephew. A Mass was offered at St. Bartholomew’s Church, East Brunswick. Interment was in Holy Cross Burial Park, South Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for a scholarship fund to be established for cosmetology students at Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High Schools, East Brunswick; or to ovarian cancer research at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

IRENE ZBRANAK, 76, of Lakewood, formerly of Manalapan, died Feb. 3 at home. Mrs. Zbranak was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Manalapan before moving to Lakewood three years ago. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America and past president of the St. Rose of Lima Rosary Altar Society, Freehold. Surviving are her husband of 52 years, Steven; a daughter and son-in-law, Joana and Geoffrey Zbranak-Bailey of Sea Bright; two sons, Stephen of Manalapan, and Robert of Brick; and four grandchildren. A Mass was offered at Holy Family Church, Lakewood. Interment was in Woodbridge Memorial Park, Woodbridge.

THE REV. NORMAN R. RILEY, 83, of Keyport died Feb. 15 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Bradley Beach, he resided there until moving to Keyport in 1944. He was pastor emeritus at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Hazlet, for 44 years, retiring in 1989. At the time of his retirement, the church had 2,300 members. Under his pastorate, the present buildings at St. John’s were built, as was the senior citizen housing complex, Bethany Homes. The Rev. Riley prepared for the ordained ministry at Kings College, the University of Delaware, New Brunswick Seminary, Temple University, Rutgers Graduate School of Education, and New York University. He was predeceased by two brothers, Herbert A. Riley and Leonard W. Riley. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jean Murphy Riley of Keyport; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. David A. and Sherry Riley of Keyport, and Jonathan M. and Wendy Riley of Aberdeen; four daughters and sons-in-law, Norma Jean and Steven Clark of Mansfield, Roberta and Dr. David Schwendeman of Bethlehem, Pa., and Patricia and James Unterburger, and Robin L. and William Roberts, all of Aberdeen; his sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Robert Herbert of Keyport; 19 grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters. A memorial service was offered at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Hazlet. Interment was at Old Tennent Cemetery, Manalapan. Memorial donations may be made to the Rev. Norman R. Riley Memorial Fund, c/o St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2000 Florence Ave., Hazlet 07730.