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Obituaries from 2001
WALTER F. KOPACZ, 75, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown died Aug. 14 at home. Born in Newark, he resided in Port Monmouth the past 53 years. He was the supervisor of buildings and grounds for Middletown Board of Education for 27 years and retired in 1991. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. His affiliations included the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2179, and the Democratic Club, both Port Monmouth; and American Legion Post No. 338, Leonardo section of Middletown. He was also past secretary and vice president, and current board member of the National Organization of Landing Craft Infantry. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rose Carlin Kopacz of Port Monmouth; three daughters and one son-in-law, Kathleen Dominguez of Atlantic Highlands, Deborah Kopacz of Port Monmouth, and Julia and Michael Kushwara of Port Monmouth; his brother, Edward Kopacz of Carteret; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to Middletown Elks Handicapped Children’s Committee, 251 Church St., Belford 07712.
MARGARET PEGGY BESSINGER, 66, of Hazlet, died Aug. 14 at home. Born in Newark, she resided in Hazlet most of her life. She was a sales representative for JCS Jewelry and Coin Exchange, Hazlet, for 13 years, retiring in 1999. She was a communicant of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. She was predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Robert Bessinger in 1995, and two brothers, Alan J. Smith in 1992, and Donald J. Smith in 1992. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert "Boe" and Patricia Bessinger of Long Branch; two daughters and one son-in-law, Kim Bessinger of Ocean, and Christina and Tim Hess of Hazlet; her brother, William Smith of West Orange; her sister, Cathy Caputo of South Orange; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral liturgy was offered at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. Memorial donations may be made to Deborah Hospital Foundation, New Jersey Region, P.O. Box 820, Browns Mills 08015-0820.
EDWARD W. AUSTIN, 68, of Middletown died Aug. 16 at home. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he moved to the United States in 1960, and lived in Kearny and California prior to moving to Middletown 17 years ago. He was executive chef at Bamm Hollow Country Club, Middletown, for 16 years and retired in 1996. He served in the British Army Argyle and Sotherland Highlanders. He volunteered for The Community YMCA, Red Bank, for several years. He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Austin, in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Frances White Austin of Middletown; his son and daughter-in-law, Alexander and Eileen Good of Middletown; three daughters, Allison Good of East Brunswick, Frances La Berge of London, England, and Diane Good of Las Vegas, Nev.; his brother, Leonard Austin of Middletown; three sisters, Doris McIntyre of California, Irene Gordon of Middletown, and Kathleen Cannetti of Long Island, N.Y.; and two granddaughters. Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Hospice, c/o Development Office, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank 07701.
AUSTIN DARREN SCHWEDES, infant son of Darren and Lisa Bernardo Schwedes, Middletown, died Aug. 15. He is survived by his sister, Marissa Schwedes of Middletown; his grandparents, Herbert and Elnora Schwedes of Middletown, and Antoinette and Robert Bernardo of Hazlet; and his great-grandmother, Hilda Schwedes of Syracuse, N.Y. Burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the Rainbow Foundation, 15 Cherry Tree Farm Road, Middletown 07748.
GEORGE P. KINNELL, 63, of Keansburg died Aug. 10 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Fife, Scotland, he moved to the United States in 1952. He resided in Kearny prior to moving to Keansburg in 1969. He was a truck driver for Cober Transfer, and Teamsters Local Nos. 408 and 617, Newark, for several years. He was a communicant of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Keansburg. An avid sportsman, he played soccer for the Irish American League, Kearny, and was a former coach of MYAA Little League. He is survived by his wife, Veronica McDaid Kinnell and his son, Patrick Kinnell, both of Keansburg; two daughters and sons-in-law, Catherine and Joseph Gaillard, of Keansburg, and Anne and Jeffrey Sullivan of Union Beach; three sisters, Kathleen Markie of Matawan, Helen Massaro of South Plainfield, and Susan Armbruster of Toms River; and three grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, followed by burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Keyport.
JOSEPHINE DOHERTY, 82, of Middletown died Aug. 11 at home. Born in Paterson, she lived in Union City prior to moving to Middletown 18 years ago. She was a head shipping clerk for Built Well Umbrellas, North Bergen, for 10 years, retiring 18 years ago. She worked as a riveter for various defense plants in North Bergen during World War II. Her club affiliations included the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women’s Auxiliary Post No. 2179, Port Monmouth section of Middletown; the Middletown Senior Citizens; and the Bayshore Seniors Citizens, East Keansburg section of Middletown. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael Doherty in 1979. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Lucille Doherty of Cape May; her daughter and son-in-law, Maureen and Fred Best of Manasquan; two brothers, Jack Molta of Ridgefield Park and Billy Molta of Branford, Conn.; her sister, Ruthie Rovento of Washington Township; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held at Christ Episcopal Church, Middletown, followed by burial at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
BERNARD L. MITCHELL, 67, of Middletown died Aug. 11 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Joaquin, Texas, he moved to Middletown in 1967. He was a computer analyst for ABB Lummus Global, Bloomfield, for 11 years, retiring in 1996. Prior to that, he worked for Chevron USA, Richmond, Calif., and Perth Amboy for 28 years. An active member of First Presbyterian Church, Red Bank, he served as a deacon and also sang with its choir. His affiliations included the American Institute of Engineers, the Sierra Club and the United Way of Middlesex County. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Elizabeth C. Mitchell of Middletown; two daughters, Edith A. Feldmann of Middletown and Susan M. Wald of Southampton, N.Y.; his son, Patrick T. Mitchell of Newark, Del.; and two grandsons. Visitation will be Aug. 15 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral service will be Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation, 2120 Stanley Hills Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90046.
PETER LEPTICH, 86, of Middletown died Aug. 12 at home. Born in Bruchemau, Romania, he resided in Flushing, N.Y., prior to moving to Middletown 40 years ago. He was a machinist for Lily Tulip Co., Holmdel, for 25 years, retiring in 1980. He was a communicant of St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. He was a member of the Middletown Senior Citizens club. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Ehr Leptich of Middletown; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Peter and Joann Leptich Jr. of Long Island, N.Y.; Chris Leptich of Middletown, and Richard Leptich of Highlands; and three granddaughters. A funeral gathering will be Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral liturgy will be offered and will follow at 9 a.m. at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Meridian Hospice, 615 Hope Road, Eatontown, NJ 07724.
ROBERT HENRY LAFFERTY, 82, of Middletown died Aug. 5 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Trenton, he lived in Rumson prior to moving to Middletown two years ago. He was a retired vice president of the chemical division for W.R. Grace Inc., New York City. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia A. Gerrish Lafferty, in 1993. He is survived by a daughter, Chris E. O’Halloran of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; three sons, Mark R. Lafferty of Lafayette, Calif., James P. Lafferty of Tinton Falls, and Robert G. Lafferty of Middletown; two sisters, Dorothy Pearce of Mendham, and Margaret Eller of Ormond Beach, Fla.; and four grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 20 Riverside Ave., Red Bank 07701; or the American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.
