Obituaries

Michael Anthony Phillips

Mr. Phillips, 19, of Freehold, died Oct. 6, 2007, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in New Brunswick, he was a lifelong resident of Freehold and a graduate of Freehold High School, Freehold Borough. Mr. Phillips was a student at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, where he was pursuing a career in nursing. He played Pop Warner football as a youth and was also a member of the Freehold Township recreation baseball league. He was predeceased by his mother, Theresa Phillips, in March 2006. Surviving are his fiancée, Joyce Hernandez, who is expecting the couple's son; his father, Michael Garrett of Freehold; a brother and a sister, Kevin Phillips and Brittany Phillips, both at home; his grandparents, Patricia and Peter DiCataldo of Manalapan; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 10 at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, Manalapan, was in charge of arrangements.

James D. McGettigan

Mr. McGettigan, 83, of Freehold Township, died Sept. 16, 2007, at CareOne at Holmdel. Born in the Port Reading section of Woodbridge, he had lived in Rahway before moving to Freehold Township 10 years ago. He was a machinist at the Hyatt-Clark Roller Bearing plant in Clark prior to becoming the owner of the Squires Inn in Gouldsboro, Pa., and the Blarney Stone in Roselle Park. He later worked as a security officer at Rahway Hospital. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. McGettigan served with the 3rd Infantry Division in central Europe during World War II. He received the Purple Heart and four Bronze Stars. He was also a prisoner of war (POW). He was a member and past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 7363, Clark; a member of POW Chapter No. 1 of New Jersey; a former member of the Knights of Columbus, Rahway; and a member of the Shade Tree Commission, Clark. Mr. McGettigan was predeceased by his first wife, Virginia McGettigan, in 1955. Surviving are his second wife of 28 years, Mary Lou McGettigan; two sons, James D. McGettigan Jr. of Neptune and Richard McGettigan of Red Bank; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and John Lee of Bethlehem Township; and a sister, Elizabeth Sass of Winfield Park. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold, followed by burial at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown section of North Hanover. The Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township, was in charge of arrangements.

Felix Sgroi

Mr. Sgroi, 84, of Jackson, died Oct. 7, 2007, at Geraldine L. Thompson Care Center, Wall Township. He was born in New Brunswick and had lived in Wall Township before moving to Jackson in 1998. Prior to retiring in 1985, Mr. Sgroi was a mason and bricklayer with union Local No. 15, New Brunswick, for more than 50 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 370, New Brunswick, as well as a member of the American Legion's Joyce Kilmer Post No. 25 in Milltown and Molly Pitcher Post No. 434 in Englishtown. In addition, Mr. Sgroi was a hunter and a deep-sea fisherman. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Sgroi; a son, James VanDerveer of Nazareth, Pa.; two daughters, Karen Raymond of Scotch Plains and Margaret Arling of Freehold; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township, followed by interment at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown section of North Hanover. Memorial donations may be made to the Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall St., Eatontown, NJ 07724.