Obituaries
James F. Cronin

Mr. Cronin, 77, of Hazlet died July 10 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Jersey City, he resided there before moving to Hazlet in 1957. He was employed at Shoreland Water Co., Hazlet, for 10 years, retiring in 1993. Prior to that, he was employed at American National Can, Chicago, for 28 years. Mr. Cronin served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the Holy Name Society at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Keansburg, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Vincent Lombardi Council, Leonardo section of Middletown. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Jacklyn Cronin; and a grandson, Joseph Cronin. Mr. Cronin is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathryn Perrin Cronin; four sons and daughters-in-law, James C. and Susan Cronin of Rumson, Timothy and Laura Cronin of Howell, Robert and Phyllis Cronin of Red Bank, and Peter and Kim Cronin of Little Silver; two daughters and sons-in-law, Maribeth and Robert Cherry of Whiting, and Eileen and Kevin Giles of Freehold Township; 14 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. A funeral gathering will be held July 14 at 8:15 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral liturgy will follow at 9:15 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church, followed by entombment at Holmdel Mausoleum. Memorial donations may be made to Project Paul, 211 Carr Ave., Keansburg 07734.

Thomas Barrie Sr.

Mr. Barrie, 92, of Freehold Township died June 24 at The Manor nursing home, Freehold Township. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he had resided in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Port Richey, Fla., before moving to Freehold one year ago. He worked as a truck driver for Spector Trucking and belonged to Teamsters Union 707. He also supported many charities. Surviving are his wife, Helen Shurin Barrie; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Barrie Jr. and Patricia Barrie; a daughter and son-in-law, Joann and Peter Grieco; five granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren. Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Virginia D. Subowicz

Mrs. Subowicz, 73, of the Leonardo section of Middletown, died June 28 at Laurel Bay Nursing Home, Keansburg. Born in Jersey City, she resided in Leonardo the past 49 years. She was employed at The Leonardo Senior Citizens Center, retiring in 2002. Prior to that, she was employed at various local bus companies and at the Leonardo Welfare Board. Mrs. Subowicz was predeceased by her husband, Felix; and a brother, William. She is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Noreen and Gordon Frank of Howell, and Cecilia Gracin of Leonardo; a son, Mark Subowicz of Leonardo; three granddaughters; and one great-grandson. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Sylvia Skidmore

Mrs. Skidmore, 72, of Jackson died June 29 at Bartley Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation, Jackson. Born in Long Branch, she had resided in Freehold for most of her life before moving to Jackson. A graduate of Freehold Borough High School and Beaver College, Glenside, Pa., she worked as an art teacher for 34 years, retiring from the Freehold Borough Intermediate School. Prior to that, she had taught at Freehold Borough High School and River Street Elementary School, Red Bank. She was predeceased in 1997 by her husband, Norman E. Skidmore. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Glenn and Susan Skidmore of Jackson, and Keith and Darlene Skidmore of Howell; five grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall St., Eatontown 07724.

Michael Flanagan

Mr. Flanagan, 65, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died June 30 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in County Laois, Ireland, he relocated to the United States in 1967 and had been a resident of Lincroft for the past 24 years. Mr. Flanagan was a mechanic at General Motors, Linden, for 25 yeas, retiring in 2000. Prior to that, he was employed at Midland Glass for nine years. He was a communicant of St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Lincroft. He was a member of the United Auto Workers. Mr. Flanagan was predeceased by a brother, Jim Flanagan. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary Rafferty Flanagan; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Kimberly Flanagan of Howell; a daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Paul Bailey of Lincroft; four brothers, Dan, Tony, Patty and John, all of Ireland; three sisters, Betty and Nellie, of Ireland, and Maureen of Scotland; and one grandson. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Leo’s Church. Burial was at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Marlboro. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Mid­dletown. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 3704, Memphis, TN 38173-070.

Charles John Valenti

Mr. Valenti, 56, of Freehold, died June 5 at home. Born in Lakewood, he had resided in Long Island, N.Y., before moving to Freehold eight years ago. He was an automobile service adviser for DCH Freehold Nissan, Freehold Township. He was a sitting member of the Freehold Borough Board of Education. Surviv­ing are his wife, Sari; two sons and a daugh­ter-in-law, Aaron Valenti, and Josh and Amanda Valenti of California; two daughters, Emily and Molly Picard; his mother, Lillian Euick of Boca Raton, Fla.; a brother, Steven Valenti of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four sisters, Cindy Scinto of Washington, and Anna Marie Ellis, Nannett Todd and Lori Valenti, all of Florida; and a granddaughter. A funeral service was held at Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold. In­terment was private.

Robert J. Lynch III

Mr. Lynch, 54, of Jackson, died June 6 at Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood. Born in Neptune Township, he was a lifetime resident of Howell and a 1969 graduate of Howell High School. He was an extruder operator at Tubed Products, Inc., Freehold Township. He was also an avid fisherman who loved to cruise on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He was pre­deceased in 1978 by his father, Robert J. Lynch Jr. Surviving are his mother, Catherine Lynch of Jackson; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert J. IV and Jennifer Lynch of How­ell, and Karl and Christine Lynch of Brick; a brother, James Lynch of Jackson; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Noreen and James McBride of Jackson, and Estelle and Fred Carpenter of Cream Ridge; four grandchildren; an aunt, Rose Suttors of Forked River; many nieces and nephews; a great-niece; and cousins Raymond and Lisa Scott of Powells Point, N.C., and Mark and Jackie Scott of Brick. A funeral service was held at Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold. Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Free­hold Township.

Ruth M. Mulcrone Bradbury

Mrs. Bradbury, 66, of the Morganville section of Marlboro died July 12 at home. Born in Newark, she resided in Aberdeen before moving to Morganville in 1968. Mrs. Bradbury was a loan officer at Summit Bank, Dayton section of South Brunswick, for 18 years, retiring in 1998. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, James and Christine Bradbury of Englishtown, Eric and Joyce Bradbury of Colts Neck, and Kevin and Cyndi Bradbury of Morganville; a sister, Joan Mulcrone of Aberdeen; and one grandson. Visitation will take place July 14 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

George Rodgers Plesher

Mr. Plesher, 63, of Manalapan, died June 7 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born and raised in Perth Amboy, he had lived there for most of his life before mov­ing to Manalapan in 1971. After 39 years of service, he retired in 1998 from the DuPont Corp., Parlin, as an engineering foreman. Sur­viving are his wife of 40 years, Marjorie; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Kimberley and Richard Turner of Toms River, Jessica and George Gent of Perrineville, and Rebecca Plesher of Graham, N.C.; his mother, Helen Plesher of Parlin; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Mitzi Ferlita of Parlin, and Beverly and James Gerak of Sayreville; and one grand­child. The litany service was held at Michael Hegarty Funeral Home and officiated by members of the St. Peter’s parish organization. The Requiem Eucharist was celebrated at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Perth Amboy. Burial took place at the church cemetery.

Olga M. Rodriguez

Mrs. Rodriguez, 85, of Freehold Township, died June 7 at home. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States in 1960 and had lived in Flushing, N.Y., before moving to Free­hold Township in 1985. From the mid-1960s, she was a bookkeeper at Deloitte & Touche, New York City, retiring in 1989. She was an active parishioner at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township, and a volunteer at CentraState Medical Cen­ter, also in Freehold Township. Surviving are a son, William "Bill" Ezpeleta of Atlanta; a daughter, Olga Geraci of Freehold Township; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchil­dren. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, followed by interment at Mount St. Mary Cemetery, Flushing, N.Y. C.H.T. Clayton & Son Funeral Home, Adelphia section of Howell, was in charge of arrange­ments.

James J. O’Brien

Mr. O’Brien, 72, of Howell, died June 8 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Nep­tune. Born in Ashland, Pa., he had lived in Newark and Carteret before moving to Howell 34 years ago. He was a self-employed heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) con­tractor. Mr. O’Brien was predeceased by a sis­ter, Patricia Apgar, and two sons, Robert and Joseph O’Brien. Surviving are four sons and a daughter-in-law, James O’Brien and Daniel O’Brien, both of Howell, Michael O’Brien of South Amboy, and Christopher and Stacy O’Brien of Florida; a daughter and son-in-law, Victoria and Anthony Buonomo of Manasquan; a daughter-in-law, Lee O’Brien of Howell; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. A funeral service was held at C.H.T. Clayton & Son Funeral Home, Adelphia section of How­ell, with the Rev. Harvey Kelley officiating. In­terment was private. Memorial donations may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation Inc., 12 Kent Way, Suite 101, Byfield, MA 01922.

Emily A. Ruppe

Mrs. Ruppe, 83, of Matawan died June 8 at home. Born in Newark, she resided in Hillside prior to moving to Matawan 20 years ago. Mrs. Ruppe was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, William Ruppe, in 1994; and three sisters, Stella Goodrich, Julia Sorrentino and Josephine Jackson. She is survived by two sons, William L. Ruppe Jr. of Whitehouse Station and Walter A. Ruppe of Holmdel; two daughters, Constance R. Lesko of Toms River and Caroline Maurer of Bethlehem, Pa.; a sister, Mary Anne Sona of Adelphia section of Howell; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Interment was at Graceland Memorial Cemetery, Kenilworth. Arrangements were by Waitt-Nelms Funeral Home, Morganville section of Marlboro.

Mary Patricia Carton

Miss Carton, 82, of Freehold died July 1 at home. Born in Middletown, she resided in Freehold the past 15 years. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Interment was at Mount Olivet Ceme­tery, Middletown.

William Albert Stirrat

Mr. Stirrat, 84, of Freehold Township died July 2 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., he had lived in Neptune before moving to Freehold Township 35 years ago. He was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Freehold, and the Sons of the American Revolution, Monmouth County chapter. Stirrat, whose pen name was Hy Zaret, also wrote the lyrics to the hit song "Unchained Melody" in 1936, when he was 16. Prior to retiring, he had worked from 1950-87 as an electrical engineer in research and development for the U.S. Army, Fort Monmouth, then from 1987-92 as a principal engineer for Eagle Tech Logican Inc., Northrop Grumman Corp., Eatontown. He had previously worked for General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y., where he grew up. Stirrat circumvented a standard violation of mathematical discipline, and in 1964 originated the binomial pulse as a breakthrough in bandwidth reduction. He initiated a correction to texts on the electromagnetic field theory in 1971, and also conducted research in control and interference in design of SYNCOM 1 ground stations and deception control in Tactical Fire Control System. Surviving are his wife, Bernice Stirrat; a son and daughter-in-law, William and Valerie Stirrat of Freehold; two daughters and a son-in-law, Valerie and John Reynolds of Randolph, and Dorothy Callihan of Tucson, Ariz.; and six grandchildren. A funeral service was held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, followed by entombment at Holmdel Cemetery and Mausoleum. Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Karl Fleischmann

Mr. Fleischmann, 73, of Manalapan died June 9 at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. Born in Germany, he had lived in Staten Island, N.Y., before moving to Manalapan three years ago. Prior to retiring at age 65, he was the owner of a luncheonette in Pleasant Plains, N.Y. He was predeceased by his parents, Antonia (née Barth) and Fredrich Fleischmann, and two sisters, Ester Morio and Heide Hazzart. Surviving are a daughter, Roberta Johnsen of Manalapan; a son, Stephen Fleischmann of Keyport; a sister, Trudy Lambert of Hazlet; a brother, Rolf Fleischmann of Hobart, N.Y.; and four grandchildren. A funeral service was held at Day Funeral Home, Keyport, followed by interment at Shoreland Memorial Gardens, Hazlet.

Jack Ripillino

Mr. Ripillino, 81, of Freehold Township, died June 9 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in New York, he had lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Free­hold seven years ago. He was a communicant of St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township, where he was also an usher. A World War II Navy veteran, he had worked as a printer for Reliable Press, New York City, prior to retiring. Surviving are his wife, Helen; two daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Eddie Sanchez, and Joan and Jeffrey Freifeld, all of Freehold; a brother, An­gelo Ripillino of Brooklyn; a sister, Mary Bracco of Carlstadt; and three grandsons and a granddaughter. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, followed by interment at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Vet­erans Cemetery, Arnytown.

Emma Strauss

Mrs. Strauss, 87, of Marlboro, died June 9 at Jersey Shore Center, Eatontown. Born in Germany, she came to the United States in 1954 with her husband and son and had lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Staten Island, N.Y., before moving to Marlboro. Surviving are her husband, Hans; a son and daughter-in-law, Wolfgang and Pauline Strauss of Manalapan; a grandson and his wife, Robert and Maryjane Strauss of Howell; a granddaughter, Linda Strauss of Jackson; and a great-granddaugh­ter. Interment was private, with Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, Manala­pan, in charge of arrangements. Memorial do­nations may be made to Alzheimer’s Associa­tion, 12 Roszel Road, Princeton 08540.