Memorial Service

Friends of John Francis Brinster are invited to join his family in celebration of his life on Saturday, October 8 at 11 a.m. at Stonebridge in Skillman, NJ. A reception will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at: www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.

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obit-kalkanis-10-5-16Agnes Rose Kalkanis

Agnes Rose Kalkanis (nee Smith) passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at Compassionate Care Hospice in Hamilton, NJ.

Born on September 11, 1924, Agnes grew up in Metuchen, NJ, and honorably served our country as a United States Navy WAVE, Seaman First Class, from 1944 to 1946. She raised her family in Edison, NJ, before spending many wonderful years as a resident of Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. She and her husband Ted took delight in the beauty of the Manasquan Inlet and enjoyed their family at joyous events at their home. She loved everything Irish, the New York Yankees, traveling to Vermont, cooking, and making the holidays a special time. Her independent spirit and giving nature remains an inspiration to those who were close to her.

Daughter of the late Julia and John Smith, she is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 61 years, Ted Kalkanis; son Thomas Busby and his wife Claire, daughter Judy Gilbert and her husband Michael; granddaughters Meaghan Heim and her husband Allan, Lauren Duggan and her husband Sean, Juliann Gilbert, and Sarah Gilbert; great-granddaughter Alexis Heim; great-grandson Heath Duggan; and Agnes’ brothers Al Smith, and Jack Smith and wife Esther.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 (www.stjude.org).

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obit-irvinRichard E. Irvin

Richard E. Irvin, 80, of Robbinsville, NJ passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 1, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Richard enjoyed trips to Atlantic City, Long Beach Island for clams and seafood dinners, and playing the New Jersey lottery. He loved spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren and great grandson. Holidays with the family were some of his favorite times. Richard retired in 2004 after 51 years as a sheet and metal worker with Simmons Sheet and Metal and Wilbur Sheet and Metal. He is survived by his devoted and caring wife Marie of 61 years, his daughters Joan M. Irvin and her partner John McGovern, Diane E. Murga and son-in-law David Murga, Darlene J. DiFalco and son-in-law Louis DiFalco, and his son Richard D. Irvin. He was a loving Pop Pop to his 6 grandchildren, Brian Wozniak, Anthony Romano, Matthew DiFalco, Gina Romano, Jennifer DiFalco and Max Irvin and great grandson Jace Edelen. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family would like to thank Compassionate Care Hospice, especially his nurse John and caretaker Leslie.

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obit-bryant-10-5-16Donald Bryant

Donald Reid Bryant, 94, died at his long-time Pennington home Saturday, October 1. A member of the class of 1944 at Princeton University, he graduated early to serve in World War II as a forward observer. He received the Purple Heart for wounds he received during the Battle of the Bulge. After the War he attended Law School at the University of Pennsylvania. Over his many years of law practice, he had law offices in Trenton and Princeton, and served for a time as Magistrate in Pennington. He had been a member of the Nassau Club for over 65 years, where he could often be found enjoying backgammon and bridge, although he also played duplicate bridge in many other venues as well.

He was predeceased in 2010 by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth Gilbert Bryant, and in 2011 by his second daughter, Christina Bryant Padin. He is survived by his other children: Lisa Bryant (previously Fowler); D. Reid Bryant and his wife Francine; Sara Bryant Trausch and her husband A. Nicholas; Joan Bryant Blankenship and her husband Raymond, son-in-law Edward R. Padin, of New Rochelle, NY, and his sister, Patricia Bryant Urban of Seattle. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. His family was his greatest pride and source of joy, especially each new baby.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Wilson Apple Funeral Home in Pennington from 11 to noon on Saturday, October 15. Please make donations, in lieu of flowers, to Holy Redeemer Hospice Care, P. O. Box 441, Trenton, N.J. 08603, or to the Pennington First Aid Squad, 110 Broemel Place, Pennington, N.J. 08534.

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Norman R. Schechter

Norman R. Schechter, 89, of Kendall Park died Saturday, October 1, 2016 at home in Kendall Park Surrounded by his loving family. Born in New York, NY, he was raised in Brooklyn and resided in Princeton from 1948 – 1960, Montgomery from 1960 until 2007 later moving to Kendall Park. Norman was a United States Army World War II Veteran. He retired in 1992 with over 12 years of service as a Supervisor with Educational Testing Services, Princeton and was previously employed for over 27 years as Director and Vice President of Pharmaceutical Production with the Princeton Laboratories. Norman was the past treasurer of the Princeton Chapter of Deborah Heart and Lung and on the board of Montgomery Township Development Commitee. He was an avid Yankee Fan and stamp collector. He enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles and was a gifted embroiderer.

Son of the late Jacob and Sophie Schechter, brother of the late Morris Sheridan and Ruth Kleinberg, he is survived by his wife of 60 years Jeanne Schechter, 2 daughters Susan Schechter and Laurel Schechter.

A Graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at the Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Kehilat Shalom, 253 Belle Mead-Griggstown Road Belle Mead NJ 08502 or Smile Train.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Star of David Memorial Chapel of Princeton.