Obituaries

Thomas A. McCawley

Mr. McCawley, 79, of Howell, died Oct. 4 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, from injuries resulting from an automobile accident on July 30. Born in Scranton, Pa., he and his family had lived in Lake Parsippany, as well as Reston, La., and Milford, Conn., while he was employed as a plant manager for several manufacturing firms. He attended the University of Scranton and graduated from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, with a degree in history. He later earned a master's degree from Thomas Edison State College, Trenton. He moved to Manalapan in 1969 before relocating to Howell in 1989. Mr. McCawley also worked as a consultant for the George S. May Co., traveling extensively throughout the U.S. and spending a year in Saudi Arabia. At the time of his retirement in 1997, he was a revenue officer with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Mr. McCawley served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1947. He was a communicant of St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township. He was a past chief of the Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Company and served his community as a council member, team coach and volunteer firefighter. In addition, he was an active member of the Surrey Downs Men's Club and its poker group. He was predeceased in 2000 by his former wife, Shirley K. McCawley, and in 2003 by a daughter, Patricia McCawley Curialle. Surviving are five sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Noel McCawley of Largo, Fla., Timothy and Valerie McCawley of Middletown, John McCawley and Thomas McCawley, both of Matawan, and Matthew and Suzanne McCawley of Jackson; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kathleen and Jack Lockwood of Millstone, and Susan Henderson of Manalapan; four brothers, Francis X. McCawley of Maryland, and the Rev. William McCawley, James McCawley and Joseph McCawley, all of Pennsylvania; 10 grandchildren, who knew him as "Pop-Pop"; and six step-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Perrineville section of Millstone, followed by interment at St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Marlboro. Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, Manalapan, was in charge of arrangements.

Leslie G. Lentz

Mr. Lentz, 78, of the Leonardo section of Middletown, died Oct. 7 at Beth Israel Hospital, Newark. Born in Newark, he resided in Union, prior to moving to Leonardo. He was the owner and operator o The Brave Bull Bar, South Amboy, for 18 years, retiring in 1991. He served with the U.S. Army form 1950-52. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Gavel Lodge 273, Union. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Alie Sandstrom in 1996. He is survived by a daughter, Robin Lentz-Sundstrom of the Belford section of Middletown; a son, Douglas Lentz of Highlands; a sister, Ethel Luker of Belford; and three grandchildren. Visitation will be Oct. 18 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral service will be Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Middletown. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to The Monmouth County S.P.C.A., 240 Wall St., Eatontown 07724.

Marie Pelizzari

Mrs. Pelizzari, 105, of Middletown, died Oct. 4 at Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Holmdel. Born in New York City, she relocated to Middletown in the 1970s. She was a retired professional seamstress in New York City. She enjoyed cooking and walking. She was predeceased by her husband, Charlie; and a daughter, Arlene in 1988. She is survived by four grandchildren, Dan and Rich Nardiello of Sewell, Arlene Flick of Half Moon Bay, Calif., and Caryl Tolchinsky of Florida; and six great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Burial was at St. Raymond's Cemetery, the Bronx, N.Y. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Ellis Hendrickson Franklin Sr.

Mr. Franklin, 71, of Old Bridge, died Sept. 27 at home. Surviving are his wife, Joan Blunt Franklin; five sons, Ellis Franklin of Kenilworth, John Franklin of Old Bridge, David Franklin of Delaware, Roger Franklin of Howell and Donald Franklin of Aberdeen; a daughter, Susan Mecabe of Freehold; a brother, George Franklin of Palatka, Fla.; a sister, Mary Ann Grunden of Old Bridge; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. Services were held at Day Funeral Home, Keyport. Entombment was in Forest Green Memorial Park Cemetery, Morganville section of Marlboro. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post No. 23, Keyport, or to the Laurence Harbor First Aid Squad.

Edward Charles Buck

Mr. Buck, 79, of the Belford section of Middletown, died Oct. 5 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Newark, he resided in Northern New Jersey, prior to moving to Belford 43 years ago. He was a machinist at General Motors, Linden, for 27 years, retiring in 1982. Following retirement, he was a maintenance worker for Red Bank Regional High School, Little Silver, for 11 years, retiring in 1994. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2433, Union; American Legion Post No. 515, Middletown; and Sandy Hook Veterans Historical Society. He was a volunteer for The Arc of Monmouth County, Tinton Falls. He was an avid bowler with The Shadow Lake Bowling League, Shadow Lake section of Middletown, and received the highest average award for the 2005-06. He was predeceased by his wife, Carol Ann Hagermann Buck in July; and a son-in-law, Michael Connors in September. He is survived by three daughters and one son-in-law, Susan Marie Buck of Belford, Maryanne Marie and Scott Motherway of Manalapan, and Maureen M. Connors of Hazlet; a sister, Dorothy McNally of Union; three brothers, Robert, William and Charles Buck, all of Union; and three grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Mary's Church. Burial was at Bay View Cemetery, Leonardo section of Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Elizabeth "Betty" M. Hopkins

Mrs. Hopkins, 94, of Middletown, died Oct. 6 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., she resided in Rochester, Minn., prior to moving to Middletown. She was a retired registered nurse at IBM, Rochester, where she was employed 27 years. She was a Lieutenant with the U.S. Army Nurse Corps during World War II. She was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Oct. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anthony's Church. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Arrangements are by Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank.

Raymond C. Stenmark

Mr. Stenmark, 64, of Aberdeen, died Oct. 3 at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided in Florida, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, N.Y., prior to moving to Aberdeen nine years ago. He was a machine repairman at Microproducts Inc., Fairfield. Prior to that, he was employed at IBM, New York City. He enjoyed photography and music. He was predeceased by a brother, Steven Duskin. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Locatelli Stenmark; a daughter, Maria Stenmark of Florida; a brother, Bruce Stenmark; a sister, Debbie Stenmark; two nieces; and a nephew. Entombment was at Holmdel Mausoleum. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Lawrence "Larry" Samuel Sr.

Mr. Samuel, 60, of South River, died Sept. 28 at home. He was predeceased by his father, Stanley A. Samuel. Surviving are his wife, Gail Samuel; five sons, Michael of Spotswood, Lawrence Jr. of the Fords section of Woodbridge, Will of Keyport, and Christopher and Steven, both of South River; his mother, Pearl Samuel of South River; a sister, Patricia Toreki of Barnegat; a brother, Stanley P. Samuel of Oakland, Calif.; and four grandchildren. A Mass was offered at Mary of Ostrabrama Church, South River. Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.