Obituaries

JOYCE B. GRIFFIN, 74, of Fair Haven, died Feb. 26 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in Newark, she resided in the River Plaza section of Middletown and Little Silver before moving to Fair Haven 36 years ago. Mrs. Griffin was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, James A. Griffin; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Christian E. Griffin of Fair Haven, and Doug and Pam Griffin of Howell; her brother, Doug Burkhardt of Arnold, Md.; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Institute at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, 195 Little Albany St., New Brunswick 08903.

ETHEL D. HAKIM, 79, of Freehold, died March 3 at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township. Born in West New York, she lived in Ridgefield Park before moving to Freehold in 1960. She was a receptionist at the Western Monmouth YMCA in Freehold Township. She was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold, where she served as a Eucharist minister. She was a member of the Freehold Republican Club; the Monmouth County Republican Club; a former member and leader of the Girl Scouts; a member of the South Street Players; the St. Rose of Lima Rosary Altar Society; the Columbiettes of E.G. Alberque Council No. 2229; the Knights of Columbus, Ridgefield Park; a 40-year member of CentraState Medical Center Auxiliary; a 30-year volunteer at CentraState Medical Center; a member of the St. Rose of Lima Senior Citizens Club; Freehold Township Senior Citizens Club; the Freehold Board of Elections; and the current president of the Freehold Woman’s Club. Surviving are her husband of 48 years, Bill Hakim; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Dawn Hakim, of Rock Hill, S.C.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanne Marie and Jim Story of Freehold Township, and Alice and Patrick McCobb of Freehold; a brother, Edward Fitzgerald of Jackson Township; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold, followed by interment at the parish cemetery.

ANNE CAPROVE KRAVITZ, 90, of Ewing, died Feb. 27. Born in Skibin, Ukraine, she came to the United States in 1923 and lived in Philadelphia and Delray Beach, Fla., before moving to Ewing two years ago. Mrs. Kravitz and her husband were the owners and operators of Ben’s Nickel Inn, a luncheonette in Philadelphia. They also owned and operated Marcy’s Motel and Cabins in Schroon Lake, N.Y., for many years until their retirement in 1972. Mrs. Kravitz was the ladies’ table tennis champion in Philadelphia in the early 1930s; a local beauty pageant winner; and a master bridge player. She was predeceased by her husband, Ben, in 2002. Mrs. Kravitz is survived by a daughter, Marcy Brahin of Freehold Township; a sister, Sonia Usatch of Pennsylvania; two granddaughters; three great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services were held at Temple Beth El Cemetery, Neptune. Memorial donations may be made to Greenwood House, 53 Walter St., Ewing 08628; or to Freehold Hadassah, Box 6621, Freehold 07728.

JOHN EDWARD CAMPBELL, 70, of Freehold, died Feb. 21 at home. Born in Springfield, W. Va., he lived in Trenton before moving to Freehold in 1970. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving for eight years. He was a communicant of, and worked as an accountant for, St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Freehold for 20 years before retiring in 2000. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; and two brothers, George of Cranberry Township, Pa., and Chilton of St. Albans, W. Va. A prayer service was led by the Rev. Richard Milewski of St. Rose of Lima Church, followed by a private interment. Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 67, George & Rosewell, South Amboy 08879.

GERARD CHARLEMAGNE, 47, of Howell, died Feb. 21 at University Hospital, Newark. He was born in Leogane, Haiti, and lived in Ocean Township before moving to Howell eight years ago. He was a welder at the Monmouth County Reclamation Center, Tinton Falls, where he was employed for the last 12 years. Surviving are his wife, Jessica Charlemagne of Howell; two daughters, Cassandra and Patricia, both of Howell; a sister, Marie A. Daniel; and his mother-in-law, Marie Legagneur.

SOL WEITZMAN, 79, of Marlboro, died Feb. 22 at Delray Medical Center, Delray Beach, Fla. Born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., he lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., and New City, N.Y. for 14 years before moving to Marlboro 17 years ago. He was a salesman for Avant Garde, of Floral Park, N.Y. for more than 20 years before retiring at the age of 69. He served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant during World War II and was a member of the Knights of Pythias for 52 years. He is survived by his wife Ruth Weitzman of Marlboro; two daughters and sons-in-law Nina and Steve Silberberg of Manalapan, and Nancy and Steven Dorn of Springfield; and four grandchildren. Interment was at Mt. Sinai Cemetery in Marlboro.

MARY L. PITCHER, 74, of Freehold, died Feb. 23 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. She was born in Freehold and lived there her entire life. She worked as a processor for the N.J. Realty Title Insurance Company in Red Bank for 40 years, retiring 10 years ago. She was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold. She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Bertram and Doris, of Freehold. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold, followed by interment in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township.

MATHIAS YOUNG, 90, of Applewood Estates, Freehold Township, died Feb. 24 at home. Born in New York City, he lived in Hillside and Brick Township before moving to Freehold Township four years ago. He was the operator of Young’s Bake Shop in Elizabeth from 1946 until his retirement in 1963. Prior to that he was a U.S. Postal Service supervisor in New York City for 15 years. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Gertrude Gurgo Young; a sister, Anna Weber of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.; and two nieces.

SALVATORE C. AVERSANO, 63, of Freehold Township, died Feb. 17 at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he lived in Spotswood before moving to Freehold nine years ago. He was an Army veteran. He was an operations cashier for Lewco Securities, Jersey City, before he retired. He was a member of the American Legion Post 253 and Knights of Columbus Council 4907, both in Spotswood. He is survived by his wife, Lucy; a son, Salvatore, of Freehold; a niece and four nephews. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township, followed by interment at Brookside Memorial Park, Spotswood.

LEONARD C. TAGLIAVIA, 85, of Freehold Township, died Feb. 28 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in Manhattan, N.Y., he lived in Staten Island, N.Y., and Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Freehold Township nine years ago. He was a World War II Army veteran. He was a garment industry presser for Sarana Dee in Brooklyn before retiring in 1980. He is survived by his wife, Madeline; two sons and a daughter-in-law, John of Stroudsburg, Pa., and Leonard and Shelly of Pennsylvania; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Jonathan Vitale of Manalapan; and four grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold, followed by entombment at St. Gabriel’s Mausoleum, Marlboro.

MICHAEL J. PHILBEN JR., 71, of Freehold, died March 5 at home. Born in Freehold, he was a lifelong resident. Mr. Philben was a retired painter. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Ivins Philben; two sons and daughters-in-law, William F. and Carol Wilson, and Michael J. and Heidi Philben, all of Freehold; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Debbie and Billy Marlow of Virginia, Mary Ann Wright of Texas, and Liz and Tommy Robertson of Freehold; two brothers, Malcolm Philben of Lakewood and Joey Philben of the Cassville section of Jackson; two sisters, Cynthia of Farmingdale and Lorraine of Jackson; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. Memorial donations may be sent to the Spina Bifida Association, 84 Park Ave., Flemington 08822.

VICTOR DAVID COSKEY JR., 65, of Colts Neck, died March 1 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pa. Born in New Brunswick, he lived in North Brunswick before moving to Colts Neck 30 years ago. He graduated from New Brunswick High School and the RCA Institute in New York City. He served in the military at Fort Dix and Fort Monmouth where he taught electronics. He worked at Westinghouse Co., where he was instrumental in the development of color television, before starting his own business, Coskey’s Radio & Television Sales and Services, now known as Coskey Electronic Systems, in North Brunswick. He was a choir director for several area churches, including East Brunswick Assembly of God and Freehold Assembly of God. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Judy Mae Watson Coskey; one son and daughter-in-law, Victor David III and Tanya Coskey of Tinton Falls; two daughters, Amy Coskey of Freehold and Stephanie Coskey of Red Bank; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Diane Coskey of St. Louis; and three grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Full Gospel Church in Wall Township, followed by interment in Van Liew Cemetery, North Brunswick.

ELEANOR WALKER MALONE, 86, formerly of Freehold, died March 2 at Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff. She was born in Long Branch and lived in Freehold all her life prior to moving to Wyckoff eight years ago. She graduated from Freehold High School in 1933 and Trenton State College, Ewing, in 1937. She was an educator for 32 years and taught in the Freehold Borough public school system for 28 years, retiring in 1979. She was a former member of the Monmouth Courthouse Council of Girl Scouts, board of trustees of Freehold Borough public library, Monmouth Courthouse Auxiliary of Family and Children’s Services, the Woman’s Club of Freehold, and the Van Kouwenhoven Family Association. For 30 years, she served as a Republican county committeewoman in her district and she was a past president of the Freehold Women’s Republican Club. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Reformed Church of Freehold, the National Education Association and the New Jersey Retired Educators Association. Under her maiden name of Eleanor Marie Walker, she authored children’s stories, essays, plays and poetry, many of which were published in national magazines. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Howard Kocmond of Franklin Lakes, and Ellen and Douglas Van Mater of Yardley, Pa.; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Reformed Church of Freehold. Memorial contributions may be made to the Reformed Church of Freehold Memorial Fund, 67 W. Main St., Freehold 07728; the Alzheimer’s Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1100, Chicago, Ill. 60611-1695; or to a charity of choice.

MABEL BOSLER BURRIS, 92, of Manalapan, died March 5 at The Manor in Freehold Township. She was born in Johnstown, Pa., and lived there before moving to Manalapan three years ago. She was a mathematics teacher in the Johnstown public schools for 39 years before her retirement in 1975. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education, and the University of Pittsburgh, Pa., where she earned a master’s degree. She was the first woman to attend the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority; Delta Kappa Gamma, the honorary teachers’ society; and a life member of American Association of University Women. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church, Johnstown, where she was superintendent of the Sunday School and a deacon and trustee of the church. After moving to Manalapan, she became a member of the First Baptist Church in Freehold. She was predeceased by her husband, Harrison R. Burris, in 1950; a brother, Robert Bosler; and a companion and friend, Richart Barnhart. Surviving are a son, Harrison R. Burris of Redondo Beach, Calif,; a daughter, Joycelyn Huctwith of North Canton, Ohio; a sister, Janet Greene, with whom she lived; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church in Freehold, followed by interment at Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Freehold, or Memorial Baptist Church, Johnstown, Pa.

JOSEPH R. MONTANO, 76, of Old Bridge, died Feb. 28 in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Surviving are his wife, Cynthia Ann Steel Montano; two sons, James of Jackson and Andrew of Freehold; two daughters, Elizabeth of Cranbury and Carol Jacobs of New York City; and five grandchildren. A Mass was offered at St. Ambrose Church, Old Bridge. Interment was in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arnytown section of North Hanover.