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February 22, 2023

Obituaries 2/22/2023

Brooks Dyer

Brooks Dyer, 85, of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully at HarborChase of Princeton assisted living on February 12, 2023 with his loving wife Teena at his side. He was born in 1937 to Virginia and Bill Dyer in St. Louis, MO, and was a natural athlete with a passion for adventure.

After graduating from St. Louis Country Day School, he was nearly recruited to play baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He decided to follow his mother’s advice and he went on to study geology and play football at Stanford University. He loved skiing. He took a year off from college and moved to Aspen, CO, where he worked as a ski instructor.

After his college graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He became an A-4 Air Combat Tactics Instructor, and he earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Brooks was extremely well respected as a pilot and leader by his fellow Marines. After he left active duty, he continued to serve as a reservist for many years.

He flew as a commercial pilot for American Airlines for 30 years. He was a Captain, and he flew to many beautiful locations around the globe before he retired from AA in 1995. Upon his retirement, he and Teena continued to travel with the Grey Eagles. Brooks also loved riding on his classic white BMW motorcycle. He purchased a black BMW with a sidecar after he met his wife Teena, and they cruised up and down the East Coast together.

Brooks became physically disabled when he was in his late 50s. He faced his health challenges with grace, courage, strength, and a sense of humor. He played wheelchair tennis. He and Teena went on cruises together. He drove his scooter around his adopted hometown of Jupiter, Florida. He loved watching the Cardinals’ spring training every year.

Brooks loved his family fiercely. He was happiest when seated next to Teena at family gatherings surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents Virginia and Bill Dyer, his former wife Margaret Dyer-Weissman nee Bellis, and his brothers Frank Dyer and William Dyer Jr. He is survived by his wife, Teena Cahill; his six children David Dyer, Matthew Dyer, Jennifer “Christy” Dyer Thrash, Andrew Cahill, James “J.C.” Cahill, and Mia Cahill; and 12 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on February 18, 2023 at Kimble Funeral Home, One Hamilton Avenue, Princeton NJ 08542. Burial followed at Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or Semper Fi Fund are appreciated.

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Elena “Elly” Petronio

Elly Petronio, nee Elena Unghy, was born in Croatia (formerly known as Fiume, Italy) in 1935. Her family later emigrated to Genoa, Italy, where she met and married her husband, Giorgio. When Giorgio was elevated to a senior management position at Johnson & Johnson in 1979, they moved to the United States and settled in Princeton.

Elly was a frequent traveler to Europe, particularly Italy, and frequently served as a tour guide in Italy for Friends of the Princeton University Art Museum. She was an active bridge player and was, until recent years, an avid tennis player and a member of the Pretty Brook Tennis Club.

Elly was a longtime benefactor of the Institute for Advanced Studies and the New Jersey Symphony and was a generous contributor to various other Princeton charities.

Elly was a devoted member of the Stony Brook Garden Club and established the Elly and Giorgio Stony Brook Environmental Award. She had also been a long-time member of the Nassau Club.

Elly was predeceased by her husband, Giorgio in 2004 and her parents Zlata (Racky) and Zolten R. Unghy.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023 at St. Charles Borromeo, 47 Skillman Road, Skillman, NJ 08558. Burial of ashes will follow in Princeton Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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David H. Brown, Sr.

David H. Brown, Sr., of Yardley, PA, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at home. He was 92 years old. David was born on July 12, 1930 in Manhattan, New York, to the late Henry Harrison Brown and the late Helen (née Wisherd) Brown. He was the husband to Jeannette Denison (née Taylor) Brown who survives him.

David loved music, sailing, his beautiful rhododendron garden, Princeton University, and a good party.

David graduated from Princeton University in 1953 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. David served in the U.S. Army at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah and was honorably discharged in 1957. He worked for various oil and gas companies including Getty Oil and the Atlantic Richfield Company. David later earned an MBA from the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Operations Research. He worked as an OR engineer and as an analyst at Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. He started his own business, Princeton Energy Partners, which he led for 20 years until his retirement.

A dedicated Princetonian, David served as Vice President of his class for a number of years. David often said his education at Princeton changed his life — and especially a class in musical appreciation which ignited a lifelong love affair with the arts.

In retirement, David combined his analytical skills with his passion for music. He was a founding member of The Princeton Festival. His analytical skills, astute tracking of fiscal results and success with grant writing were key contributions to the festival’s success. He was both a steward of the arts as a trustee and an enthusiastic patron of the arts over the course of his life. He especially loved opera and attended thousands of performances, traveling to music and opera festivals in the U.S. and Europe with his beloved wife of 56 years, Jean.

David learned to sail at summer camp and this interest became a lifelong joy. He raced a Lightning and later a Sandpiper catboat on Barnegat Bay as a member of the Mantoloking Yacht Club. He captained bare boat charter sailboats along with family and friends, sailing to explore the Island of Tonga, BVI, Greece, Croatia, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and in the Chesapeake Bay.

Active and engaged to the end of his life, David served as a member of the Princeton Festival Advisory group which guided the 2021 merger of The Princeton Festival with the Princeton Symphony.

David was the father to Shawn Brown m. John McGrath; David H. Brown, Jr.; Elizabeth Denison Brown m. Hartmann Schoebel; and was the grandfather to Amy Louise Womeldorf, Finnegan Schoebel, and Kai Schoebel. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Brian Michael Womeldorf.

The family will hold a memorial gathering to honor David in early May when the rhododendrons and trees that he planted and tended with devotion will be at their most glorious. It is a time of year that he cherished at his home.

Contributions may be made in David’s honor to The Princeton Festival c/o The Princeton Symphony Orchestra.

Private services are entrusted to Swartz-Givnish Life Celebration Home, (215) 968-3891.

April 3, 2018

Obituaries, 4-4-18

George William Bilyeu, Sr.

George William Bilyeu, Sr., born July 2, 1934, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at the age of 83.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Suzanne (Malcolm) Bilyeu; his daughter, Leslie Langer and husband Peter of Wilmington ,N.C.; his son George Bilyeu, Jr. and wife Melissa of Monmouth Junction, N.J.; his daughter, Robin Siegel and husband Kenneth of Somerville, N.J.; his son David Bilyeu and wife Laurie of Highlands Ranch, Colo. He is also survived by five grandsons: Ian Siegel (wife, Amanda), Eric Siegel, George Bilyeu III, Reese Bilyeu, and Shawn Bilyeu, and one great-grandson, Connor Siegel.

Born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., the son of Kingdon and Margaret (Conover) Bilyeu, George graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, N.Y. A few years later, George met his wife, Suzanne Malcolm, at St. James Episcopal Church where they were married in 1957.

In 1957, George joined the U.S. Army Reserves and received an honorable discharge in 1963.

Mr. Bilyeu retired at the age of 57 after a 34 year career with the New York Telephone Co. Friends and family never tired of hearing his many funny stories about those years with the telephone company.

In 1966, George and his family moved to North Brunswick, N.J., where they lived for 30 years, before moving to Princeton.

George was a strong man of God whose life was transformed through his faith in Jesus. As an active member of Nassau Christian Center, he served as Assistant Treasurer, Deacon, Steward, and led the Men’s Ministry group. George also helped manage the church’s men’s softball team.

George was an amazing, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and his wife, Suzanne, celebrated their loving marriage of 60 years last April with their family. Together they enjoyed traveling and supporting their kids and then grandchildren in sports and musical performances. George was always the one in the stands cheering the loudest. That enthusiasm was also evident in his lifelong love for the N.Y. Mets.

Words often used to describe George are kind, funny, giving, thoughtful, honest, considerate, helpful, and generous. Even up until the end George never failed to ask, “what can I do to help?”

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10:30 a.m. at Nassau Christian Center located at 26 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nassau Christian Center, nassauchristian.org, or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, diabetesfoundation.JDRF.com.

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Jean R. Petrone

Jean R. Petrone, 88, of Princeton, passed away at home on March 26, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Jean was born in Gretna, Va. in 1929, the eldest daughter of Ruben and Mae Bosiger Rowles. She grew up on the family farm in Gretna, Va. and in Plainsboro, N.J. She was a proud graduate of Princeton High School class of 1947 where she met her husband of almost 70 years Jack Petrone. They met on a date at a soda shop on Nassau Street arranged by a mutual friend and they have been together ever since. She was an excellent student and a recipient of a Gold Key award as a senior at Princeton High, an achievement for which she was very proud. Upon graduating Princeton High School she went to work at NJ Bell Telephone. Upon Jack returning from his time in the Army they were married on May 1, 1948. She worked as a realtor for Carnegie Reality for many years after raising her five sons. The job that she was most proud of was raising her five sons. She dedicated herself to providing the best for her sons in every way she could. She was there for her children in every way. She provided comfort, love, and support for her children and grandchildren up until her last days.

Some of her favorite activities included being a member of the PTA and a home room mother at the Princeton Schools, volunteering for many years with the Heart Fund of Princeton and at Princeton Hospital. She loved to sing and was a member of the Sweet Adelines women’s singing group in the area for many years. She was a member of Springdale Golf Club and took up golf in her 50s. She enjoyed bowling in a number of women’s leagues. She enjoyed playing card games and played bridge at Springdale as well as other groups. She and Jack loved to dance and had an active social life for many years. She enjoyed cooking, especially for her grandchildren. She loved to do crossword puzzles and read the news in her later years. Jean was the lead cheerleader at thousands of her son’s and grandchildren’s ball games over many years. She was the beloved Grammy to her 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Jean is survived by her husband John F. “Jack” Petrone; brother Larry and Betty Rowles, sister Carol Ann and Fred Ingram of Gretna, Va.; her sons John F. Jr. and Gail, James and Carol, Jeff and Leigh, Judd and Ginger, and Jason and Kathleen; her grandchildren Jaclyn, Jaime, and Akira Yamamoto, Dean, Kelsey, Chris, and Nicole, Brent, Todd, Jillian, Jordan, Judd Jr., Eva Mae, James, Jaxon, Travis; and great-granddaughter Cameran Yamamoto. She also leaves behind many other relatives including nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she cared deeply about.

The Funeral was held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated 10 a.m., Tuesday at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau St., Princeton. Burial followed in Princeton Cemetery.

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Frances W. Harris

Frances W. Harris, 97, of Rumson, New Jersey, passed away on March 27, 2018. Frances was born in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Guy Leon and Anna Matta W. in 1920.

In 1941, Frances received her bachelor’s degree in English (also studying French, German, and Latin) from Westhampton College, University of Richmond, and later studied Library Science at the University of Virginia. After teaching in both Beaverdam and Stony Creek schools in rural Virginia, Frances married James R. Harris (later, a Bell Labs engineer) in 1943 and moved to New York City. The family later moved to Morristown, New Jersey, where Frances taught Sunday school at the First Presbyterian Church. After another move to Rumson, Frances served as Sunday school superintendent at the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, where she taught the Presbyterian Women’s Bible Study and was an integral member of the church’s Historic Committee. Frances was an excellent seamstress who also loved to crochet, cook, listen to music, read, travel, and do New York Times Split Decision word puzzles. Most of all, Frances loved the time she spent at home with her family and her many dear friends.

Frances was predeceased by her beloved husband, James R. Harris.

Surviving are her children: Richard W. Harris of New York, N.Y.; Betty A. Harris and her husband, Edmund Moeller, of Princeton; and Beverly J. Harris and her husband, George Ott, of Rumson, N.J.; her daughters-in-law: Caroline Gower and Latifa Benkader; her grandchildren: Christopher and Yvonne Harris, Melissa M. Fliedner and her husband, Jim Fliedner, and Christopher and Rebecca Moeller; and her great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Emily, and John Richard.

There will be a memorial service and reception on Saturday, April 14, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson. Disposition will be handled privately. Memorial contributions can be made in Frances’s name to the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, 4 E. River Rd, Rumson, NJ 07760. Services are being handled by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Please visit Frances’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.

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Dorothy Ann Stine

Dorothy Ann Stine, 92, died after a brief illness on March 20 at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.

Born in Princeton, on November 30, 1925, her parents were David S. Lloyd, co-owner of the F.A. Bamman grocery store on Nassau Street and a former town councilman, and Edith Rocknak.

Dorothy (who became known as “Dot”) attended public schools in Princeton. One of her favorite school stories had to do with a troubling math homework assignment that she couldn’t solve. Sitting on the stoop of her parents’ Harrison Street home, agonizing over the homework assignment, she spotted a man known around town for his scientific and mathematical prowess who was on his daily afternoon walk. She approached him for help. He obliged. His name was Albert Einstein.

Dorothy graduated from the University of Richmond with a BA in French, setting the stage for two of her children to attend the university as well as one of her granddaughters. She enjoyed traveling but didn’t get a lot of opportunity to do so – she did take a big trip to Europe (London and Paris) before settling into her work life.

Dorothy had worked as a proofreader/editor for the Princeton University Press and the Educational Testing Service. She was on a double-blind date when she met her future husband, Lester – known as “Les” (they were not on the date together but she caught Lester’s eye and they began dating shortly afterwards.)

Dorothy and Les married in April 1955 and soon thereafter they bought their first home in the Hampton Hills section of Ewing Township, N.J. Dorothy soon stopped working to become a full-time Mom – her three children Rick, Leslie, and Kimberly were born over the course of the next handful of years.

Dorothy was creative. She enjoyed painting watercolors and oils, especially landscapes. She became interested in ceramics and eventually had her own kiln (two of them) installed in the basement of Dorothy and Les’ second home just down the street from their first home.

Family friends had a cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire and invited the Stines to visit. In coming years, that became an annual ritual with the Stines renting a cottage until Les and Dorothy bought a cottage of their own.

It was where Dorothy spent many summers, painting, relaxing by the water, watching Les and the kids playing with canoes and sailboats. She loved to play Bridge and on rainy days at the cottage when family friends visited, Dorothy was often the first to suggest grabbing a deck of cards to play a few hands.

Dorothy loved to garden – in her backyard she had a large herb and vegetable garden that supplied the dinner table for many months each year.

When the newspaper was delivered each morning, Dorothy would grab two sections – the crossword puzzle and the stock listings; while she may not have been strong in textbook math, she had a love for investing and the stock market. She faithfully opened a ledger each morning and recorded the closing prices of her portfolio. She did this for years.

She enjoyed traveling. She and Les took trips to Hawaii and Florida for holiday and to Minnesota to visit Les’ relatives. But other than her European trip after college and Les’ military service which had him based in Frankfurt, Germany during the Korean War, they never traveled outside of the country together until 1988 when they took a trip to Portugal and Spain. She also traveled with her son-in-law’s family to China and Hong Kong.

With two of her three children and all of her grandchildren living in or around Virginia Beach, Va., it was a simple decision where to move after Les died in 1991. She moved there in 1994.

Dorothy is survived by her three children: Richard “Rick” Stine and his wife, Andrea, of Princeton, N.J.; Leslie Neatrour and her husband Dr. Peyton Neatrour of Virginia Beach, Va.; and Kimberly Katz and her husband Howell of Smithfield, Va. In addition, she is survived by four grandchildren and one niece: Dr. Kristin Neatrour and her husband Dr. Janus Patel of Charleston, S.C.; Kaitlyn Neatrour of Richmond, Va.; Greg Neatrour of Virginia Beach; Brendon Marston of Gulfport, Florida; and Nancy Whitbeck of Litchfield Plains, Maine. She was predeceased by her sister and her husband, Edie and George Whitbeck.

Dorothy’s ashes will be spread in the gardens of Trinity Episcopal Church in Trenton, N.J., on April 4 where Lester’s ashes were also spread. A memorial service will be held at a future date.

The family asks that memorial donations in Dorothy Stine’s name may be offered to: CASA for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties, 1450 Parkside Avenue, Suite 22, Ewing, N.J. 08638.

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Nathaniel Hartshorne

Nathaniel Hartshorne, who died March 28, 2018 in Blawenburg, N.J., at 11:15 a.m. at the age of 91, spent most of his career as an editor and freelance magazine and newspaper writer. His articles and stories have appeared in Harpers, The New York Times, Family Circle, The Ladies Home Journal, and American Heritage. A National Treasure, a play he wrote with Charles Leeder, was produced in 1988. In March, he produced Keeping in Touch, a collection of his letters.

Mr. Hartshorne is survived by his wife of 65 years, the former Valerie Thomas; daughters Anne Allen, Jennifer Hartshorne, and Caroline Hartshorne, all of Princeton; as well as a son, Max Hartshorne, of Deerfield, Massachusetts; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Services will be held privately.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cromwell-Immordino Memorial Home, 2560 Pennington Rd., Pennington, NJ.

March 2, 2016

Obituaries 3/2/16

Susan Heymsfeld

Susan Heymsfeld, 68, passed away after a brief illness, surrounded by her family and friends on Friday, February 26, 2016, at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Mrs. Heymsfeld was a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, class of 1969. She met her husband, Joel, in New York City in 1972, and they married two years later.

A member of the Present Day Club and the Nassau Club, she was campaign chair of the Women’s Campaign for the Jewish Federation of Princeton. She was active in Hadassah, and volunteered at the Community Park Library and the John Witherspoon Middle School Library, as well, serving on the board of the Princeton Regional Scholarship Foundation.

Predeceased by her parents, Marjorie B. Cornacchio and William Goldsmith, Mrs. Heymsfeld is survived by her husband of 41 years, Joel; a daughter and son-in-law, Margaret Heymsfeld Johnson and Christopher Johnson; a brother and brother-in-law, Robert W. Goldsmith and William Liebell; her step father, John F. Cornacchio; two step sisters, Janet Cornacchio and Gina Leahy; and a granddaughter, Eleanor Natalie Johnson.

Funeral services were held Sunday, February 28, at Orland’s Ewing Memorial
Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing Township. Burial was at Washington Cemetery, Deans. The period of mourning was observed at the home of Joel Heymsfeld in Princeton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Program at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

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Dean W. Harrison, Sr.

Dean W. Harrison, Sr. died on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at his home in Yardley, Pa. He was 84 years old. Dean leaves his wife Nancy with whom he shared 59 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Boston, Mass. to Lester and Hazel Harrison, Dean was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, Princeton University Class of 1954, and Columbia University School of Law.

He served as a member of the Counter Intelligence Corps of the U.S. Army, then pursued his legal career with companies including State Street Bank, Bank of
America, and Visa. He was a civic leader, serving as Community Development Director as well as City Councilman for Gloucester, Mass.

A gifted tenor, he sang for many church choirs including St. Andrew’s Episcopal in Yardley, Pa. and toured and sang with the Princeton Nassoons alumni a cappella group. An avid tennis player, devoted husband, and beloved father, he brightened every room he entered with his love and constant smile.

He is survived by his beloved wife Nancy Barrows Harrison; his son Dean Harrison Jr. of
Pennington; daughter-in-law Judith Lightfoot Clarke; and adored grandsons, Owen and Beckett Harrison. He is also survived by his brother, David E. Harrison and sister-in-law Michele Holovak Harrison, and nephew and niece, Michael and Lisa. Dean is predeceased by his daughter, Jennifer Harrison McNamara, who brought him joy every day of her life.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. on March 3, 2016 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Yardley, Pa. and at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Gloucester, Mass. on April 9, 2016. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Music Ministries of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Yardley, Pa. or the Music Fund of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Gloucester, Mass.

———

Debra A. Johnson-Wilson

Debra A. Johnson-Wilson, of Princeton, departed this life February 27, 2016 at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

Debra was born in
Princeton, on August 13, 1957 where she attended Princeton Public Schools and graduated as a member of Princeton High School’s class of 1975. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

Debra retired from Johnson & Johnson in 2011 with over 30 years of dedicated service. She was a member of The First Baptist Church of Princeton where she served passionately for many years. The Ladies Guild Ministry was very dear to her heart.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Jamesena Johnson, Sr.; mother-in-law Verna D. Wilson; and brother-in-law, Freddie “Mikey” Wilson.

Debra’s memory will be forever celebrated and remembered by her devoted husband, Richard Wilson, Sr.; two daughters, Ayisha Johnson and Ricara Wilson; one son, Richard Wilson, Jr. (Stephanie), and 1 granddaughter, Amaia Willis; one brother, Donald Johnson, Jr. and one sister, DeAndrea Hall (Wade); sister-in-law, Yvonne Wilson-Rice (Eddie); two aunts, Beverly Phox and Joyce Trotman-Jordan (Kevin); two uncles, Roscoe Trotman (JoeAnn) and Marvin Trotman, Sr. (Martha); 1 god-son, Brandon Merrill; many cousins, several nieces and nephews and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016 at The First Baptist Church of Princeton, John Street and Paul Robeson Place, Princeton. Calling hours will begin at 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Reverend Dr. Michael C.R. Nabors, Second Baptist Church, of Evanston, Illinois will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ladies Guild of The First Baptist Church.

Interment will be private. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home, Trenton, N.J.

September 24, 2014

Obituaries 9/24/14

Thomas F. Sullivan III

Thomas F. Sullivan III, 72, of Claymont, Del. died November 19, 2013. Tom was born and educated in Princeton where he graduated from St. Paul’s School, Princeton High School, and Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Tom had a long and rich career as an accomplished musician, being described as having “a deft mastery of the organ performing magnificently bold tones and weaving patterns of notes as slender and delicate as silver and golden threads.” He worked part-time at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Claymont until the time of his death. Tom led music programs at churches in Ohio, South Carolina, Delaware, and Pennsylvania; and he was a consultant on many church organ projects, notably that of Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina. Tom also performed organ concerts in the United States; Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France; and Monaco. He was selected to study music at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. Tom was a member of the American Guild of Organists, Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter.

Tom was the grandson of the late Thomas F. Sullivan, Sr. and Hannah Cavanaugh Sullivan and son of the late Thomas F. Sullivan, Jr. — all of Princeton; and brother of the late Dennis R. Sullivan, Sr. of Hamilton Square, N.J. He is survived by two nephews Dennis R. Sullivan, Jr. of Pennington, and B. Patrick Sullivan of Lumberton, N.J., their wives, one grandniece, and one grandnephew; a sister-in-law Mary Ann Sullivan of Hamilton Square; and many cousins in the
Princeton area and Ireland.

A memorial service was held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del. on February 25, 2014. The burial service will be held on September 29, 2014 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church Cemetery in Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in the name of Thomas F. Sullivan III, Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, c/o Ms. Kate Wadley, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, N.J. 08540.

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Theodore M. Vial, Sr.

Theodore M. Vial, Sr., founding member and past president of Princeton Community Housing, died at home on Wednesday, September 17, 2014. He was 93.

Ted’s family is celebrating his life of service and conviction, his quiet good humor, and generous spirit. Born in Ware, Iowa, Ted went to the University of Maryland-College Park, received a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal as part of a glider unit in the Army Air Corps in World War II, and earned his PhD in organic chemistry at the University of Illinois. He spent the bulk of his career in the rubber chemicals division of American Cyanamid in Bound Brook, N.J.

While at Illinois, Ted formed a happy and enduring union with Alice Andrews. Alice and Ted celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June. Of all his accomplishments, Ted was proudest of their five children, Leslie Owsley, Jane Jaffe, Connie Green, Anne Vial, and Ted Vial, Jr.; their spouses, Tom Owsley, Peter Jaffe, Tom Green, Tom Warner, and Nancy Walsh; and their twelve grandchildren, James Jaffe, Adam Jaffe, Paul Jaffe, Peter Green, Sam Green, Margaret Warner, Katherine Warner, Aubrey Vial, Isha Vial, Vaughn Vial, Jonathan Owsley, and Nicholas Owsley; Jonathan’s and Nicholas’ wives, Katie Owsley and Rebecca Sama; and four great-grandchildren, Macy Owsley, Natalie Owsley, Georgi Owsley, and Tessa Owsley, all of whom, with Alice, survive him.

Ted’s concern for his community was founded in his strong faith and developed through his association with Nassau Presbyterian Church where he served as both treasurer and elder, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School. An advocate for affordable housing in Princeton since the early 1970s, Ted was co-recipient of the Leslie “Bud” Vivian Memorial Award for community service in 2000 for his work with Princeton Community Housing. He was a long-time volunteer for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.

As a Boy Scout, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and the Quartermaster Award, the highest award in Sea Scouting. Ted’s interest in the world around him was boundless. He was a sailor, a pilot, a woodworker, an amateur photographer and mechanic, a bread baker, a gardener, and a fan of any baby who crossed his path. His children cherish his weekly letters that were filled with both his love of language and his devotion to them.

A memorial service will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 1 at 11 a.m. The family requests that memorial donations be made to Princeton Community Housing or Nassau Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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Mary Farrar Bonotto

Mary Farrar Bonotto, of Princeton, died while on holiday in Burlington, Vermont on August 28, 2014 of cardiac arrest. She was 85 years old.

Born on August 12, 1929 in Orange, N.J., she had lived in Princeton since 1963, except for four years in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She was the elder daughter of Elizabeth Righter Farrar and William Matthew Farrar, Jr. of Green Village, N.J.

She leaves her husband, Sergio Bonotto of Princeton; and her two sons, Michael Carter Bonotto of Princeton; and Robert Blair Bonotto of Arlington, Mass. She is also survived by her brother, William Ward Farrar, Esq. of North Caldwell, N.J. Her sister, Katherine Farrar Anderson, predeceased her. She also leaves her niece, Gretchen Farrar Sternberg of Burlington, Vt.’ and her nephews John Ward Anderson of Washington, D.C. and Peter Dean Anderson of Annapolis, Md. She was a direct descendent of William Farrar, Esq. of the London Company at Jamestowne, Virginia and
Nicasius de Sille/Robert Treat, two founders of Newark, New Jersey.

She attended Millburn Township schools in Millburn, N.J. and was a graduate of Abbot Academy in Andover, Mass. (now part of Phillips Academy), which four generations of her mother’s family had attended since 1844. She held a BA degree from George Washington University and a MA degree from Montclair State University. She had N.J. teacher certification in history, political science, English, and TOESL. She also did both undergraduate and graduate work at Rutgers University and Columbia University. She taught English composition and English-as-a-Second-Language in Sao Paulo, Brazil at the Escola Anglo-Brasileira while a resident there, and later at the Princeton YWCA. She also wrote freelance articles for the Brazil Herald while in Sao Paulo.

She was an editorial assistant in the book publishing houses of G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Coward McCann, and E.P. Dutton. After college, she worked briefly in the news department of the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal’s Washington bureau. She then wrote for the Morristown Daily Record and the then-weekly Montgomery News in Skillman, N.J. She was also director of Books and Film Promotion, Girl Scouts of USA, the youngest executive in the National Headquarters at that time.

In 1955, she and her editor, Norman B. Tomlinson, Jr. of the Daily Record, were the first to alert U.S. Congressman Peter H. B. Frelinghuysen, Jr. that The Great Swamp area in Morris County might become a large jetport if it were not designated as a National Park and Wetlands Area. Before Federal legislation, her series of news articles on that subject appeared in the Daily Record.

As a member of the Montclair Ski Club, where she met her husband, she was also a member of the National Ski Patrol System. She was a member of the Jamestowne Society in Richmond, Va., and a former member of the New York Chapters of the Green Mountain Club.

She enjoyed skiing in Vermont, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy; she was a good sailor, cruising New England waters. She travelled extensively in Latin America and searched for her genealogical roots in Virginia and Scotland. She was often a guest of her husband’s Italian side of the family in Turin and Milan. She enjoyed writing poetry and some of her work was published.

In Princeton Township, she had served on the Traffic Safety Committee, and was a member of its first Historic Commission. As a former news writer, she voiced her views on a number of topics of local and national interest in area newspapers. She was also a member of the Middle East Society of Princeton.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street in Princeton on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 3 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the scholarship funds of: Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. 01810-4161; Rectory School, Pomfret, Conn. 06258 or Princeton First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 529, Princeton, N.J. 08542.

June 26, 2013

Obituaries 6/26/13

Gordon A. VanSchoick, Sr.

Gordon A. VanSchoick, Sr., 92, of Bushkill Township, formerly of Princeton, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Muhlenberg Campus of Lehigh Valley Hospital. He was the husband of Mildred F. (Hughes) VanSchoick with whom he shared 71 years of marriage last November. Born in Robbinsville, on September 30, 1920, he was the son of the late Rosteen and Mary Etta (Conover) VanSchoick. During World War II, Gordon honorably served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Buckingham in the Pacific Theater. Prior to his retirement in 1986, he was employed by Scherer Corp. in Somerset, N.J. where he worked in the building/maintenance department for 10 years. Previously, Gordon worked in the plumbing and boiler industry for more than 40 years as a journeyman plumber. He enjoyed gardening and raising tomatoes, as well as wood crafting and cars. Most importantly, Gordon loved and cherished his family, and will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed.In addition to his wife, Mildred, he is survived by his children; sons, Gordon A. Jr. and his wife, Mary of Whaleyville, Va.; David R. and his wife, Nancy with whom he resided; Herbert B. and his wife, Nancy of Lancaster, Pa.; Thomas A. of Hillsborough; and William J. of Bronx, N.Y.; daughters, Marjorie Christiansen and her husband, Robert of Princeton; and Susan Packowski and her husband, Robert of New Orleans, La; thirteen (13) grandchildren; thirteen (13) great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Edith Bellis and Emma Atkinson.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in the Greenwood Cemetery, 1800 Hamilton Avenue, Hamilton. There were no calling hours. Arrangements have been entrusted to the George G. Bensing Funeral Home, Inc., Moorestown—Bath, Pa.

Contributions may be made in memory of Gordon to the RBC Ministries, P.O. Box 2222 Grand Rapids, Mich., 49501.

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Winston Bennett WatnikWinston Bennett Watnik, 59, passed away on Sunday, June 23 in Princeton. He was born on December 26, 1953 in Philadelphia, Pa.

Winston attended Franconia College in New Hampshire, where he studied Theater Arts. He graduated from the Chubb Insurance Institute in Summit, N.J., where he learned multiple programming languages. He then began a dual career as an expert software developer and a pension fund investment consultant. Winston was a longtime resident of SoHo, N.Y., before moving to Princeton in 1990. He headed Watnik & Son, a financial consulting firm, with offices in the Empire State Building and in Princeton. As a means of bringing computers into elementary school classrooms, Winston founded the Princeton Desk Company.

Winston shared his love of Hawaii with his family. He instilled a deep appreciation of the arts in his children. Winston was an avid fan of jazz and reggae music. His appreciation of reggae originated from his trip to Jamaica with his wife Mona, where he met Bob Marley’s mother and visited the musician’s tomb.

He was the son of Bette Ignatin and Morton Watnik. Winston is survived by his wife Mona Dabbagh Watnik, his children Zoe, Richard, and Lily, and by his brother, Webster Watnik.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 2 p.m. at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Winston’s honor to the Franconia College Legacy Fund, 8489-1 New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, 37 Pleasant Street Concord, N.H. 03301.

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Memorial Service

Friends of Angie Austin are invited to come together to share company and remembrances with family and friends on Saturday, June 29 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Call (609) 915-2010 for details.