obituary listings

Gertrude Chocallo Hynek of Long Branch died peacefully on May 4, 2021 at the Arbor Terrace in Tinton Falls. She was born in Kinston, Pennsylvania and was a resident of East Brunswick for many years before moving to Long Branch. Gertrude graduated from Larksville High School with a full scholarship to Misericordia University and winning a fellowship in Biology to Marquette University. She worked as an inspector for the Food and Drug Administration located in Philadelphia for a while and was...

Livia Panaccione, age 85, of Long Branch passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021 at Meridian Health in Shrewsbury. She was born in Newark, New Jersey and lived most of her adult life in Long Branch. Livia loved living by the ocean and also enjoyed spending time in Atlantic City and Monmouth Race Track with her late husband Nick and her children. She also enjoyed going out to dinner with her family and friends. Livia was predeceased by her husband, Nick, her parents Florence and Alphonse Meola,...

Saverio “Sam” Todaro, 84 of Long Branch died on Friday, April 30, 2021 at home. Sam was born in Miglierina, Catanzaro, Italy and he came to Long Branch in 1952. He was employed by Baldanza’s Bakery in Long Branch for 35 years and was foreman for 20 years before retiring in 1991. After retiring, he then was employed as a custodian for the Long Branch Board of Education retiring in 2001. Sam was a member of the Amerigo Vespucci Society, where he held the positions of...

Doreen Una Jones of Eatontown, New Jersey died on April 30, 2021 at the age of 70 years old.  She attended Long Branch High School and worked at K-Mart for many years and ended her career at Monmouth Care as a Nurse's Aide.  Her greatest joy was her family and close friends and being a great listener to all.  She traveled to Jamaica over 30 times because she just fell with the people and culture.  And what she loved most is when the family and friends gathered at her...

Margaret Mae Fragale 91 passed away Monday May 3, 2021 she died peacefully with her family by her side. She is survived by her sisters Catherine Salerno and Viola Morley; her children Deborah and George, Mario and Carolyn, Anthony, John and Michelle; her beloved grandchildren Amanda, Mario Jr., Travis, Ariel, Anthony Jr., Andrew and as well as great grandsons Joey and Donovan. Margaret was preceded in death by her loving husband Mario Anthony Fragale in 2005, her daughter...

Joanne Rugg of Tinton Falls passed on April 30, 2021. Born in Harrison, NJ, she had attendant Carteret High School. Joanne enjoyed a career in retail for many years prior to a battle with kidney disease. Her greatest joy was giving to others, her family, friends and neighbors. Fondly known at JoJo, our hearts are broken, we love you until we all meet again. Joanne was predeceased by parents, Joseph and Genevieve Pendick, her brother, Joseph and her brother-in-law, Joseph Yerkovich....

  Rachel A. Savarese was a passionate, loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She died from post Covid-19 complications on April 26th, 2021 at the age of 72. Rachel was born in New York, NY on January 11th, 1949. She was raised in an Italian American household in Brooklyn, NY. As a teenager, she not only helped care for her younger brother and sister, but also assisted with family businesses, including working in many New York Italian feasts. Rachel loved...

Gail (Kolakowski) MacDougall, 71, of West Long Branch, died suddenly on April 23, 2021 at her home from complications of COVID-19. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Edmund and Mary Lou (Levesque) Kolakowski. In high school Gail moved to Warren, RI where she met the love of her life, her beloved husband of forty years, Michael L. MacDougall. Together, they raised three children. Both Gail and Mike earned their Master’s Degree in Counseling from Rhode Island...

Scott Daniel Solomon, age 56, of Long Branch passed away April 24. 2021 at Jersey Shore Medical Center after bravely fighting complex medical issues all his life. Scott was a barber stylist for more than 20 before becoming disabled. Scott had an unparalleled zest for life who never let illness slow him down. He loved spending time with his loved ones, playing pool, watching movies, listening to music and lounging in the sun. Scott is survived by his wife of 20 years, Crystal Solomon and...

MaryAnn Merkel, age 83, passed away April 22, 2021 at Monmouth Medical Center after valiantly battling a complex illness. She was born October 12, 1937 in Bronx, NY to Paul J. and Rose A. Szeles. She was first married to Arthur M. Terry (20 yrs).  She would eventually find and marry her soul mate, Matthew A. Merkel (44 yrs) in October of 1977. MaryAnn loved being a homemaker and caring for her family.  Her home was always open to loved ones in need.  She was known for...