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.

MATTHEW J. GAETA, 47, of Middletown died Aug. 12 in New York City. Born in Brooklyn, he resided in Middletown the past nine years. He was the facility supervisor for the New York Stock Exchange, New York City. He served with the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Jeanne A. Oliva Gaeta of Middletown; two daughters, Jillian and Jessica Gaeta, both of Middletown; his parents, Matthew and Regina Thompson Gaeta Sr.; his grandparents, Emilio and Louise Gaeta; three sisters, Regina, Denise and Karen Gaeta; and his brother, William Gaeta. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Entombment was at Holmdel Cemetery.

AGNES V. McNEVIN FARRELL, 94, died Aug. 14 at the Victoria House Health Care Center, Matawan. She was born in New York City. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church, Queens, N.Y. She was predeceased by her husband, John L. Farrell in 1961. She is survived by her son, John E. Farrell, Aberdeen; and one grandson. A funeral Mass was at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church, Queens, N.Y. Burial was at St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village, N.Y.

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.