John Nebesney

John Nebesney, 79, a resident of Princeton, passed away on February 1, 2021.

John was a brilliant artist! He was born and raised in Scranton, PA. He was an only child who loved his parents John and Edna. When John was a boy, he loved to sketch and play football.

He is survived by his closest friend/former wife Carol Nebesney, his son Stephen Nebesney, his daughter Krista DeLauro, his daughter-in-law Chinami Yamanaka, and his son-in-law Louis DeLauro. John adored his grandkids, Ava DeLauro and Yoshi Yamanaka-Nebesney.

John graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art. He had a distinguished career as an artist. His art was featured in many publications big and small. He was especially proud of his art being featured in New York Press Magazine and Plate Magazine. His avant-garde paintings are eye-catching, engaging, and one-of-kind. Many of John’s personal art pieces are understated and beautiful. John was a director of Pharos Studios in Princeton. He also created art designs for Gertrude Hawks Chocolates. Gertrude Hawks Smidgens are his most famous chocolate design. John was an incredible talent, and he enjoyed the process of creating art as much as he enjoyed his finished products.

John’s life was dedicated to his family and his many friends. He deeply loved Carol and his children, Stephen and Krista. His grandchildren were his greatest joy. He had a huge heart and was generous with his time helping as many people as possible during his lifetime. He appreciated and loved his friends and extended family.

John was adventurous and smart. He could create amazing art using any medium. He could fix things, design things, create short films, and use tech at a very high level. He was funny, and he could easily make his friends and family laugh.

John Nebesney was more than a brilliant artist. He was a loving family man, an awesome grandfather, a mentor, an inspiration, and a caring friend. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give).

A small service will be held for immediate family only the week of February 7. John’s family will contact friends and family in the spring to attend an open memorial on a future date. Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ. Condolences are welcome at www.wilsonapple.com.

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Russell T. Tornrose

Russell T. Tornrose, (Russ), of Bethel, ME, died at age 80 on January 21, 2021 at Bella Point Nursing Home in Bridgton, ME. The cause of Russ’s death was complications from dementia, from which he had suffered during his later years. Russ was known in several communities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts as a respected teacher and school principal.

Russ was born in New York City to William and Marie Tornrose on May 11, 1940. The majority of his development years were in Salisbury, MA. He was a 1958 graduate of Governor Dummer Academy (now Governors Academy) in South Byfield, MA. His career there was marked by both academic and athletic success. He captained both Football, and Track, in which he held school records. He graduated with honors as a member of the Cum Laude Society. At graduation, Russ was awarded the Morse Flag, the Academy’s highest honor, given to the one senior who excelled most widely.

After graduation Russ entered as a freshman at Princeton University in the fall of 1958. Russ continued with athletics at Princeton where he played tackle on the varsity football team, and threw both the shotput and the discus on the track team. Russ was a member of Tiger Inn. He graduated in the Class of ‘65. 

Russ was married before his senior year to Carol Keeney of Short Hills, NJ. They lived off campus during Russ’s senior year at Princeton, in nearby Hightstown, NJ. Carol and Russ embarked on the adventure of a lifetime after graduation when Russ was offered a position teaching in the American School in Karachi, Pakistan. Carol was employed at the school as well. On occasion, Russ was invited to practice and compete with the Pakistani national track team, where he broke the national record in the discus, and held the record for several years thereafter. At the conclusion of their years in Pakistan, Russ and Carol undertook a wide ranging trip of several months through central Asia, India, and Europe, exploring widely at a time when travel in Asian frontier regions was accessible.

On their return to the United States, Russ and Carol located in Exeter, NH, where Russ became a teacher and coach at the Emerson School, a private school in Exeter. Tragically, the school was the site of Carol’s sudden death from an aneurism. Recovery from her death was extremely difficult for Russ, a very private individual. Embarking on a new life, Russ began what would become his career as a teacher and coach in public school systems in Maine and Massachusetts. Public school education became a passion of Russ’s, one in which he was honored by many of his peers, and in the towns that he served.

In every place that he taught, and there were many, Russ was revered both as a teacher, and later as a principal, and became, always, extremely popular, both among faculty and students, as well. Teaching was much more than a career for Russ; it was a deep passion. He had strong views on education and how it should serve. As a friend and teaching colleague said of him, “his teaching sojourn took place in an incredible array of high-achieving schools. What set him apart? Russ was a revered leader with a passion for the classroom and an inexhaustible intellectual drive to understand teaching. He helped transform Wayland Junior High and many other schools in his career.”

During that long career, Russ intentionally served as both teacher and principal. As another friend and colleague said of him, “Russ believed that to be an effective principal you needed to periodically get back into the classroom as a teacher — that was how he always explained his journey in education and his zig-zagging career.” Russ also pursued his interest in education academically, garnering a Master’s degree at University of New Hampshire, and in his later years completed the course work for his Doctorate, although health issues prevented the completion of his dissertation.

Russ completed his full time public high school education career as the principal at Noble High School a new high school in Maine, where he helped to shepherd the design and construction of this large new school. The school won a number of architectural awards, and became known throughout the state of Maine. After retirement, Russ returned to living in Maine, near Portland.

But education called again. At the request of the school superintendent, Russ returned to a Principal’s role in Andover, Maine, not far from where he eventually moved, in the town of Bethel. After his “second” retirement, Russ continued to teach in Community College, a new field for him, where he discovered his own budding talents in that environment too. Russ was clearly born to teach, and to excel at it.

After settling in Bethel, Russ became active again in the Episcopal Church at Christ Church in nearby Norway, ME. He was active there, serving on the vestry and ultimately as the Senior Warden of the parish. 

Russell will be buried in Exeter, NH, where both Marie Tornrose, his mother, and Carol Tornrose, wife of his early years, rest. He is survived by his sister Carole of Fort Worth, Texas, and by a number of nieces and nephews in Texas, Virginia, and California. His family and his many friends will miss his lively intellect, charming sense of humor, wide ranging knowledge about so many things, and his warm and generous presence.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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Rose Ann and Joseph Daniel Haggerty

At their daughter’s home in Skillman, NJ, Rose Ann Haggerty, 96, died on January 26, 2021 and, five days later on January 31, 2021, Joseph Daniel Haggerty, 96, also died. After a courageous fight, they both died of complications from COVID-19. They were married 62 years. Rose was predeceased by her sister and two brothers. Joe was predeceased by his two sisters and four brothers.

Rose (Mogeleski) was born in Throop, PA, on August 28, 1924. She was a member of the Throop High School class of 1942. Rose graduated from the Scranton State Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1945 and was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. World War II ended before her class was called to service. She continued her nursing career as a surgical nurse. In the early 1950s, Rose moved to New Jersey where she was on staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital in East Orange. After meeting on a blind date, she married Joe in 1958 at Sacred Heart Church in Newark. Rose then turned her attention to raising a family in Maplewood and South Orange where they lived until 2008. In 2008 they moved to the Princeton area to be closer to their three grandchildren. She relished her role as wife, mother, and grandmother. Rose did have a second act in managing her husband’s law office and serving as his legal secretary. They worked together for over 20 years.

Joe was born in Newark, NJ, on February 22, 1924. The family lived in Chicago, Omaha, and Scranton before returning to Newark in 1937. A few months after graduating from Barringer High School in June of 1942, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater as a radio operator. With the help of the G.I. Bill, Joe graduated from Seton Hall University in 1948 and Georgetown Law School in 1951. He enjoyed a successful career in the law that spanned 50 years. He began as an associate with Smith, James and Mathias in Jersey City and was house counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company before establishing his own practice. An authority on Workers Compensation Law, he represented clients in the compensation, trial, and appellate courts throughout New Jersey. Joe also served as the municipal prosecutor for the City of Orange where he maintained an office. When not in the courtroom, Joe was a championship handball player and played into his 80s. In 2000, he played and won a prize at the International Handball Tournament in Ireland. He enjoyed researching his family history in the United States and Ireland. 

Together, Rose and Joe enjoyed traveling, including visits to Ireland and Poland. However, their greatest joy was spending time with and cheering on their three grandchildren. Rose and Joe were regulars at recitals, theatrical performances, and sporting events.

They are survived by their daughter Rose Haggerty and son-in-law Daniel Haggerty of Skillman; grandchildren Joseph Daniel II, Caroline Elizabeth, and Charlotte Rose. They are also survived by a daughter Mary Haggerty of Boston. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on February 13, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Skillman.  Due to COVID – 19 restrictions, burial and a celebration of their lives will be held in the summer. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation (garysinisefoundation.org).

Extended condolences and shared remembrances at Franklin H. Rainear, Jr. Affordable Funeral Service and Cremation (affordablefuneralservicecremation.com).

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Frances Baum

Frances Baum, of Laguna Woods, CA, died on January 30, 2021 after a long illness with her family at her side.

Fran was born in Princeton, NJ, to parents Paul and Eunice Urken. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in religion and then earned a master’s degree from Columbia University Teacher’s College in New York City. She taught elementary school for many years. As a young single woman she traveled to Italy, enjoyed Manhattan folk music clubs, and drove an MG convertible. She married Burton Baum, a chemist, in Princeton, in 1965. It only rained one day that summer, the day of their outdoor wedding, but they had a wonderful marriage. Rain turned to snow when they later moved to Mendota Heights, MN, and they finally came to California to enjoy the sunshine, retiring in Laguna Woods Village in 2004.

Fran had a remarkable number of friends. She kept in touch with childhood friends throughout her lifetime, and added many more through the years. Fran had a great variety of interests. She especially loved cooking and made incredible meals for her family and friends. She also enjoyed bridge, gardening, dancing, reading, the arts, travel, and was active in various Jewish women’s organizations. At Laguna Woods Village, she became a clown, named Copy Cat, sang with the Harmonaires, danced with the Rock-n-Rollers, and played with the Bridge Club. She was an active member of the National Council of Jewish Women and the Reform Temple, as well as a strong supporter of South County Outreach.

Fran leaves her loving husband Burton, after 55 years of marriage, her son Paul of San Francisco, CA, her daughter Julie of St. Paul, MN, her brothers Arnold Urken of Washington, DC, and Irv Urken of Princeton, NJ, and six nieces and nephews.

Funeral services and burial were private at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ. A virtual memorial service is being planned for a later date. Contributions in her memory may be made to South County Outreach, the Myositis Association (myositis.org), or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

To send condolences to the family visit Fran’s obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

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Rita Mandel Kravitz

Rita Mandel Kravitz, 93, of Pennington, New Jersey, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2021, at her home.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was a longtime Trenton area resident. Mrs. Kravitz had been a resident of Pennington since 1995. She was a congregant of Har Sinai Temple for over 60 years, and a volunteer at Capital Healthcare Systems and its auxiliaries in Mercer and Hopewell for over 30 years.

Wife of the late William Kravitz, Mrs. Kravitz is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Shelley and Lawrence Gordon of Middletown, NJ, her son and daughter-in-law Arthur and Anne Eby of Point Pleasant, NJ, and grandchildren Michael Gordon and Robyn and Nathan Uri.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, funeral services and burial were private at Ewing Cemetery. The period of mourning will be private. The family respectfully requests any memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. To send condolences to the family visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

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Ida M. McHugh

Ida M. McHugh, 96, passed away January 31, 2021, at Monroe Village, Monroe Township, NJ. 

Born and raised in Princeton, NJ, Ida was a loving wife and mother, a loyal friend, and a ”fixture” in the Princeton community.   

A graduate of Princeton High School, she met her husband, Elmer “Iggy” McHugh, at the Castania Dairy (now Pj’s Pancake House), where the two worked side by side flipping burgers and whipping up milkshakes. They raised two children, Lawrence and Sharon, and enjoyed a long and colorful life together, dining often with friends at The Annex and Conte’s, vacationing at the Jersey Shore, and attending sporting and community events. She rarely missed a Princeton University football game and was a lifelong New York Yankees and Green Bay Packers fan. 

A caterer by profession, known for her delectable dishes, Ida was proudly Irish. She celebrated her Celtic heritage through years of charitable giving and service to organizations close to her heart; among them, the Princeton Fire Company, the American Legion Post 76, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Paul’s Catholic Church.  Her “Irishness” was always ever present; it was evidenced by her remarkable strength to weather tragedies and bad news with grace and optimism, her “joie de vivre” and big heart, and in her fearlessness. Throughout her life she exhibited an adventurous and pioneering spirit — she earned a pilot’s license in her 20s, was known to swim long stretches in the Delaware River Canal, and worked well into her 70s, remaining independent and active into her 90s.

Ida was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Nellie Smith, her loving husband Elmer L. “Iggy” McHugh, her son Lawrence “Larry” McHugh, her brother Leroy, and sister Rita. She is survived by her daughter Sharon A. McHugh and son-in-law, Walter V. Maykowskyj of Princeton and three nephews, Stanley “Pete” Sibert of Hamilton, NJ, Joseph O’Gorman and wife Donna of Trenton, NJ, and Thomas Witt and wife Linda of Florida.

Due to the pandemic, graveside services and burial at Princeton Cemetery are private. A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. Arrangements are being handled by The Kimble Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Princeton Fire Department, 363 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

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Alice E. Kent

Alice E. Kent, 79, of Hamilton Square, NJ, died of complications from COVID-19 on January 15th,  2021. Alice was born to Charles and Betty Griffith in Trenton and graduated from Trenton High School. She was the General Manager at Nelson Glass Company in Princeton for 55 years, retiring in 2019. She endeared herself to many coworkers, neighbors, and customers through the years watching Princeton grow and change. Starting out in 1964 with her beehive hairdo and high-heeled shoes, and ending with her orange spiked hair, hip ’60s clothing, and enough jewelry to sink a ship, she was truly a character about town. Everyone knew Alice. Many became friends and many depended on her for her expertise and knowledge. She was sweet and kind, all 4’10, 100 pounds of her. She had a great smile and giggle. On the phone, she sounded like a teenager but had a friendly way of commanding respect. In a six month period in 2001 Alice lost both her only child, daughter Dawn D’Angelo (age 35), and her husband Jim. Her extended family at Nelson Glass, along with her beloved kitties and close friends, sustained her through this difficult time. She will be sorely missed by her Nelson Glass family, especially Robbie Nelson. 

In the last 10 years of her life, Alice enjoyed listening and dancing to area rock bands. Together with her dear friend Paul Tyler, she was a fixture and supporter of many bands who (again) all knew Alice and looked forward to a hello kiss from her as she entered the club. They were often the first on the dance floor urging others to follow. Again, she was the character about town. Everyone knew Alice. 

She is survived by her brother Terry Griffith of Hamilton; two sisters, Betty Pettis of New Hampshire and Pat Cooper of Morrisville, PA; Michael, her godson; a special niece Donna who was her hairdresser; many nieces and nephews; her beloved Paul Tyler; and her special cat Taz, who was the other man in her life.

A cremation service was held privately. Several memorials will be scheduled at a later date. Donations may be made in Alice’s name to SAVE — A Friend to Homeless Animals, 1010 Route 601, Skillman, NJ 08558 or to your local animal shelter.