Obituaries

EDWARD JOHN PATRICK GALLAGHER SR., 81, of Middletown died July 28 at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he lived in Staten Island, N.Y., prior to moving to Middletown 47 years ago. He was an insurance broker for 59 years and the sole proprietor of Nixon-Gallagher Co., New York City, for 36 years, retiring in January. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., and served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the board of directors at the Norcross Wildlife Foundation. He was predeceased by a daughter, Joanne Gallagher, in 1992. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Johanna Shortall Gallagher of Middletown; three sons and daughters-in-law, Edward and Lynn Gallagher Jr. of Furlong, Pa., Stephen and Ann Gallagher of Manalapan, and Matthew and Sharon Gallagher of Allentown; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Patricia Gallagher and husband James of Hopewell, Mary Gallagher and husband Mark of St. Paul, Minn., Elizabeth Gallagher of Keasbey, and Kathryn Gallagher and husband Laurence of Arlington, Va.; a brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Edna Gallagher of Upper Saddle River; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Mary and William Ryder of Staten Island, and Therese Brown of Brooklyn; eight grandchil­dren; and one great-grandchild. Visitation will be July 31 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral gathering will be held Aug. 1 at 8:45 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a funeral liturgy at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Mon­mouth. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

RENEÈ J. PICCHINI WALKER, 43, of Long Branch died July 22 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in South Amboy, she resided in Morgan and Matawan before moving to Long Branch seven years ago. Mrs. Walker was a senior technical staff member at AT&T, Middletown, the past 14 years. She was a teacher of religious education at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, South Amboy, an officer with the Catholic Youth Organization, and a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 226, Ocean. She also volunteered at area hospitals and churches. Mrs. Walker was predeceased by her father, Primo T. Picchini, in 1995. She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Mark D. Walker; her mother, Margaret Picchini of Matawan; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Renny and Melissa Picchini of York, Pa., and Lt. Cmdr. Ted Picchini, U.S. Navy, and Carol Picchini of Moorpark, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Sacred Heart Church, followed by entombment at Sacred Heart Mausoleum, Parlin.

JOAQUIN "JACK" RODRIGUEZ, 87, of Middletown died July 23 at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, New Brunswick. Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, he moved to the United States in 1950 and resided in Keansburg before moving to Middletown 24 years ago. Mr. Rodriguez was a steelworker at Hudson Steelworks, Elizabeth, for several years, retiring 20 years ago. He was a communicant of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Keansburg, and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown, where he was a member of the Adoration Chapel. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Angie Torres Rodriguez; six daughters and sons-in-law, Maria and Cesar Mendez, Rae and Louis Soto, Annie and Andy Roda, and Millie and Mario Gonzalez, all Middletown, Helen and Sam Gonzalez of Hazlet, and Ramonita and John Sais of North Middletown; a brother, Stanley Rodriguez; 18 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth. Entombment was at Holmdel Mausoleum.

AUGUSTA T. DeBIN, 91, of Hazlet died July 24 at Regency Park Nursing Home, Hazlet. Born in Italy, she resided in the Bronx, N.Y., prior to moving to Hazlet. Ms. DeBin was a dressmaker at the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, and Bloomingdale’s, New York City, for several years, retiring at age 65. She was predeceased by a sister, Edith Dirago; and a brother, Alfred DeBin. She is survived by three sisters, Rena Colanero of Middletown, Adele DeLisa of Staten Island, N.Y., and Norma Tummanelli of Union Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Staten Island, N.Y.

DOROTHY E. GARRIGAN, 85, of Little Silver died July 26 at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation, Red Bank. Born in Meadville, Pa., she resided in the Belford section of Middletown prior to moving to Little Silver. She was predeceased by her husband, Stephen H. Garrigan, in 1995. She is survived by her daughter, Dorothy E. Stillings of Little Silver; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.